Topeka Presbyterian Manor
OCTOBER 2021
Editor’s note: This month’s guest chaplain is Greg Schmidt, chaplain for Heart & Soul Hospice of Wichita and Newton Presbyterian Manor. In a nod to our Presbyterian heritage, we will be periodically sharing columns from our community chaplains in your Community Matters newsletter.
Chaplain’s Corner What birds can teach us about faith By Greg Schmidt, Chaplain I can hear a few birds talking to one another outside my office window. Grackles squawk and beg for peanut-flavored suet. Sparrows chirp about how greedy the grackles are any time any food is available. And the Baltimore Orioles are sharing that they discovered a well of Welch’s® grape jelly! How do I know what they’re saying? Because I sit for hours on my deck … and listen! (I’m secretly hoping the birds will come and sit on my shoulder or perch on my hand!) Trust me, birds live in a neverending search for food! Jolene Zirkle, our new human resources director
Topeka Presbyterian Manor welcomes Jolene Zirkle As the new director of human resources, Jolene Zirkle is here to support the employees who care for the residents at Topeka Presbyterian Manor. Jolene joined our community in July and says she brings a new perspective to her role. “I bring a fresh set of eyes and a different way of doing things,” she said. So far, one her favorite things about her new position is the relationship she has established with Executive Director Heather Pilkinton, who often asks
Zirkle – continued on page 3
Interestingly, the Bible says God provides for the needs of the sparrow. But that doesn’t mean those little chirpers can just sit back and have it delivered! Sure, the food is there. Available. But they have to go in search of it! By the way, it’s the same for you and I. Only our never-ending search is for love! It’s there. Available. Jesus said, “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and the one who knocks, the door
Chaplain – continued on page 3
Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at TopekaPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.
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