Area Passover Seder held at Peabody church
Twelve congregations were represented Thursday at a traditional Passover Seder. The idea for the event originated in February at the Promise Keepers Pastors' Conference held in Phoenix, Ariz. At the conclusion of the conference, Promise Keepers asked for people to commit to gathering together within six months of the conference and fellowship outside their traditional denominational and community boundaries. They even asked for the Messianic Jews to be included in these family reunion-type events.
Marion County pastors did not know of any Messianic Jewish congregations even close to the area, however one pastor met a representative from the Remnant of Israel congregation in Wichita which is a Messianic Jewish congregation.
The Passover Seder was held at the Peabody United Methodist Church. Ten congregations from five Marion County communities were represented among the more than 190 attendees. Richard and Terri Segal of Wichita and Hubert Shorb of McPherson from Remnant of Israel congregation directed the worship and Patty Shorb of McPherson played the keyboard. Rick Branson of Marion, and Jim Pohlman and Caleb Charles of Peabody participated as special readers in the service. Grant Buller of Peabody won the prize for finding the Afikoman.
David and Peggy Goldstein and the Rev. Earl and Lois Kinney of Wichita also attended the service.
Representatives from all the churches involved helped in the event planning, donation and preparation of food, purchasing of paper goods and supplies, setup, serving, and cleanup. All items were donated by members of the churches attending or by the Peabody Association of churches.
