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🌱 How a former hairdresser is reshaping ministry at St. John’s Episcopal
Great Bend, Kansas Patch AM: a 4 min readCoffee in hand, Great Bend? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How a former hairdresser is reshaping ministry at St. John’s Episcopal
- How new juvenile-justice training could affect youth services in our area
- How a Great Bend program is helping neighbors walk out of poverty
Also on today's calendar: Unlock Your Chamber Benefits: Member Info Center ....
Today's riddle: Why did the cookie go to the Doctor ? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 90 and low of 69 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Friday: Mostly sunny and hotter, temps: high: 100, low: 69.
- Saturday: Hot; breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 103 and low of 74 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• From styling hair to shepherding souls (gbtribune.com) — St. John’s Episcopal Church in Great Bend has found new stability under Mother Teresa Lahar, a former hairdresser who became an Episcopal priest in her 60s. She and the congregation now share space with First Congregational UCC and run programs like Feeding the Children, CarePortal partnerships, Laundry Love, and joint Fifth Sunday services, while slowly growing their flock with Sunday worship at 11 a.m. 
• Juvenile Services represented at specialized training in Manhattan (gbtribune.com) — Juvenile Services leaders serving Barton and nearby counties recently attended specialized training in Manhattan to learn about new juvenile-justice laws, fentanyl trends, and officer mental health. The agency, which operates key youth programs from its Great Bend office on 12th Street, hopes these insights will strengthen local responses to at-risk youth and family crises.
• A graduation marks first steps to reaching the American dream in Great Bend (klcjournal.com) — Twelve Barton County Core Communities participants recently graduated at Great Bend First United Methodist Church, marking big steps toward escaping poverty. The free 20‑week program, based in Great Bend, combines classes, childcare, meals, and long-term volunteer “Core Friends” to help residents build resources, find jobs, and move their families toward financial stability and a stronger local support network.
📸 Around Great Bend
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Great Bend
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Party in the Park 2026 Concert →
Al Burns Memorial Field, 17th St Terrace, Great Bend
7:30 pm
Saturday August 8
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Unlock Your Chamber Benefits: Member Info Center ... →
Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, 1125 Williams St, Great Bend
12:00 pm -
Unlock Your Chamber Benefits: Member Info Center & Marketing Opportunities Lunch & Learn →
Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, 1125 Williams St, Great Bend
12:00 pm
Tuesday August 18
📣 Great Bend Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Chromebook Handout
Hoisington USD 431 Hoisington, KS 67544
8:00 am -
Pizza and Pals Family Day →
Brit Spaugh Park, Main St, Great Bend
11:00 am -
Teacher Inservice
Hoisington USD 431 Hoisington, KS 67544 -
Board of Education Meeting →
Larned Middle School Larned, KS 67550
6:00 pm -
Back to School Bash
Hoisington USD 431 Hoisington, KS 67544
5:30 pm -
Freshmen Orientation
Hoisington USD 431 Hoisington, KS 67544
1:00 pm -
Fall Sports Parent Meeting (HS Gym)
St John-Hudson USD 350 Saint John, KS 67576
7:00 pm -
Junior High Back to School Bash
St John Jr.Sr High Saint John, KS 67576
7:30 pm -
Triangular vs. Hillsboro and Hoisington →
Larned Middle School, 904 Corse Ave, Larned
4:00 pm
Thursday August 6
Monday August 10
Tuesday August 11
Wednesday August 12
Tuesday September 15
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Bradley-Morris, Inc. posted a job opening for Production Supervisor in Great Bend. Apply here.
- Dillons Food Stores posted a job opening for Bakery/Deli Clerk in Great Bend. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Great Bend here.
🗞 Nearby News
Russell
- Chamber Starting Second Farmers Market in Russell (krsl.com)
- Russell County 2026 Primary Election Results (krsl.com)
- Turf Project Main Focus of Monday's Special USD 407 BOE Meeting (krsl.com)
Hays
- Column: Roundabouts, Roads and the Art of Good Infrastructure – North County Daily Star (northcountydailystar.com)
- The Teacher Who Went Viral by Accident and Built a Creator Brand Without Losing Control (netinfluencer.com)
Ok Great Bend! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Because he felt CRUMMY ! (Thank you Michelle S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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