wfn.org | Frahm Speaks to Conference

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (2991 notes).

Note 2990 by UMNS on June 4, 1996 at 16:07 Eastern (3958 characters).

SEARCH: Frahm, senator, Dole, successor, Kansas

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CONTACT: Linda Green                              276(10-71){2990}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470              June 4, 1996

Faith gives hope, perspective to 
U.S. Senator-designate Frahm

by Kathy Kruger Noble*

     WICHITA, Kan. (UMNS) -- U.S. Senator-designate Sheila Frahm
(R.-Kan.) gains hope when she sees leaders from 140 countries
joining the president and vice-president of the United States for
the National Prayer Breakfast.
     Currently serving as Kansas' lieutenant-governor, Frahm
reflected on the 1996 Prayer Breakfast when she addressed the
Kansas East United Methodist Annual Conference in Baldwin City on
May 31. She will move from the Kansas statehouse to the U.S
Capitol when Senator Bob Dole's resignation becomes effective
later this month.
     Kansas Governor Bill Graves, also a United Methodist,
appointed Frahm on May 24 to succeed Sen. Dole.
     Although the 3,500 people at the National Prayer Breakfast
hold many different beliefs and values, Frahm says, "each is
willing to say the love of Christ and the Spirit of Christ is the
gathering place." It is a place that is "inclusive not exclusive,"
she said.
     Noting the Kansas Prayer Breakfast is similar to the national
event, but smaller, she said, it is "reassuring to know that this
activity is quietly but effectively reuniting the world's people."
     Her quick reference then to John 3:16 stating God's love for
the world was one of several scriptures she cited. 
     Her address challenged listeners "to do all we can to
preserve our heritage and leave a better Kansas, a better nation
and a better world."
     I hope you will be willing to get involved in all the
processes," Frahm said. "Each voice is critical. We have a
responsibility. As United Methodists, we can and must do our part
for our communities, our nation and our world, for our children
and grandchildren."
     She cited the sixth verse of Psalm 23 that she learned as a
child to be a source of strength from day to day: "Your goodness
and unfailing kindness will be with me all my life; and your house
will be my home as long as I live," (TEV).
     Her address during the contemporary worship on the opening
night of the conference closed with a prayer. She asked God to
"forgive us for the things in life that keep your spirit out of
our lives ... Give us courage and hope and joy of things to come
.. Make our lives yours."

     Introducing Frahm, Kansas Bishop Fritz Mutti struggled with
whether the title "lieutenant governor" or "senator" was more
appropriate.
     "Maybe both are for a little while," the bishop said, "but
most of all, you are Sister Sheila, one of us."
     Mutti recalled meeting the then Kansas Senate majority leader
and her husband soon after his assignment to the area in 1992. "It
is a pleasure to know our government is led by someone with deep
commitment and faith," he said noting the "genuine Christian
commitment on the part of Sheila and Ken Frahm."
     He told of presenting her with a copy of the Book of
Resolutions 1992, soon after her election as lieutenant governor
and promised, she would get another book when the 1996 edition is
available.
     The 51-year-old senator-designate grew up in the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ). "I became a United Methodist 31
years ago at the same time I became a Frahm," she said.
     She is a member of Colby (Kan.) United Methodist Church and
an associate member of Countryside United Methodist Church,
Topeka.
                              #  #  #
     * Noble is communications specialist for the Kansas West
Annual Conference.

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