Lee

James (Woody) and Lee and their sons Steve and Jay transferred from Grace Lutheran in Wichita to Ascension Lutheran as charter members. Keith, a current member, was born later that year. Like many others, the close proximity of the church to their home prompted the change. James was the first congregational president.

Before building, many members canvassed door to door. They found people wanted to be associated with a church even if they weren’t regular attendees and definitely wanted their children to be in Sunday School. That attitude had changed by the time the current sanctuary was built. Insight into other changes in attitudes can be seen by reviewing old attendance cards used during worship which said “Enter in Silence; Worship in Reverence; Depart in Peace.” Also, the ushers would never have let people be seated during a scripture reading or prayer - but only after that or during a hymn.

Lee remembers that West Wichita’s development did not occur as fast as predicted. It was flat and empty for a number of years. For Lee one of the largest changes in Wichita over the years is that society is now consumer driven. Fifty years ago, denominational loyalty was strong whereas now churches are much more driven by the programs offered. Lee commented, “In the development of the new church, all members were equal. There was no previous relationship experience – excitement and enthusiasm prevailed.”

In the early ‘80’s, the church sold a small strip of property to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church to straighten their property line. Land was also sold to the city of Wichita for the Westlink Branch Library. Lee stated that at one time selling land on the north side of the original building for houses was considered to reduce the amount of debt. That area included what is now the parking lot and part of the church building!

Lee also shared a memory involving Oscar, a Guatemalan child, who was supported through the Children’s CHristian Concern Society (CCCS) which was a new organization at the time Ascension formed. The children in Ascension’s Sunday School collected money in church-shaped banks (which was later sent to CCCS to help Oscar). Years later it was learned that “our Oscar” became a general in the Guatemalan army.

Through the Kansas Church Extension Fund, the church children participated in the Tracky Stamps Program (now called K.I.D.S. Savings Stamps Program through the Lutheran Church Extension Fund), which was probably patterned after the sale of stamps for war bonds in WWII. Each Sunday children would trade their quarters for stamps that were put in a small booklet. When the booklet, representing $25.00, was filled, it was exchanged for a CEF certificate. The kids enjoyed feeling a part of the building fund effort since Ascension was a mission and had borrowed from CEF.

The Sunday School classrooms used three or four chalk- boards on metal legs to divide the area so multiple classes could be taught in each room. There was an altar in every classroom and a piano in most for the opening devotions. No thought was given to acoustics, but it worked!

In reflecting, Lee said, “what I appreciated most was the leadership of Pastor Kerekes. He told us he was preparing us for a vacancy. He wanted us to develop our individual leadership. This afforded tremendous spiritual growth from the many challenges. Conversely, due to the congregation size now, we rely more on other members and staff, thinking someone else may step up to the plate and do it.”