Minister honored for 'discernment'

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Mar 5, 2003 by Mike Hall Capital-Journal

C H A R A C T E R

By Mike Hall

The Capital-Journal

After two years of recognizing Topekans for their worthy characteristics, the Rev. Barry Feaker was recognized Tuesday for his.

The setting was Mayor Butch Felker's weekly news conference where it has become custom to announce the character word of the month on the first Tuesday. This month's word is "discernment," defined as "understanding the deeper reasons why things happen."

Another custom has been to have some member of the community present to receive a plaque as an outstanding example of the word of the month.

As a surprise, Topeka Police Chief Ed Klumpp, presented the plaque to Feaker.

Feaker is executive director of the Topeka Rescue Mission. He and Klumpp came up with the idea of creating a Topeka City of Character Chapter to join an international movement in which 49 positive characteristics are promoted, one each month.

Feaker was honored partly because he is an example of discernment, Klumpp said, but also to honor him for starting the local program and serving as its coordinator for the first two years. Feaker is stepping down from that responsibility now that the committee has hired Travis Lamb as coordinator.

Sheriff Dick Barta, also a member of the committee, made a presentation explaining how the characteristic of discernment is important to law enforcement officers and other people as well. He said if everyone useddiscernment before making decisions, there would be more peace and less conflict in the world.

Rev. Barry Feaker

Ed Klumpp