Camp Registration Is Open
300 Campers from 30 Congregations
Help us reach our goal this summer. We want to grow our program to reach 300 campers representing 30 Oklahoma Disciples congregations this summer. Have you registered a camper for Church Camp this summer? All the Region sponsored camps are during June. The Region has recruited directors who are recruiting counselors to serve at Chi Rho Camp, CYF Conference, Discovery Camp, and Junior Camp. All of our directors and counselors are volunteers from our Oklahoma congregations. And, the past few years we have been selected to welcome a Disciples Peace Fellowship Intern to Chi Rho Camp and CYF Conference.
The Commission for Children, Youth, and Young Adults (CYYA) oversees our camp program and retreat ministry. The CYYA is seeking financial support for the camp program. We pass on the cost of our adult volunteers to each camper, making our camp fees higher. If your congregation doesn’t send campers or you don’t have campers to send or adults to volunteer, you can be part of the summer church camp program by sponsoring (paying) for an adult volunteering their time. We will accept gifts until May 1st, then take the balance, do some math, and apply an additional discount to all campers registered by April 24th. Would you like to be involved? Contact Rev. Michael Davison (mdavison at okdisciples dot org) or Rev. Bill Hemm, co-chair of CYYA (hemmco22 at gmail dot com).
3 More Opportunities
- Regional Assembly @ Sea – July 11-15
There are still cabins available as Oklahoma Disciples sail together and Meet Jesus on the Water - Water Weekend @ Lake Texoma – July 19-21
This weekend for grades 8-12, is a partnership with First Christian Church, Sulphur. - Family Camp @ Camp Christian – August 31-Sept 2
A weekend retreat for families of all sizes and ages. Come away and be introduced to our camp program, or remember when you were a camper.
Looking Back: 2023 Reconciliation Grants
Over the past two years, the Commission for Faith and Action has funded $20,00.00 of Reconciliation grant requests. This has helped congregations expand their reconciliation reach and imagination through educational and service trips, support for Caminante, leadership development, multi-church VBS, musicals, meals, relationships with first responders, and integration of neurotypical and non-neurotypical persons, and Careportal ministry. The grants have been so successful that the yearly Reconciliation Special Offering has not kept up with demand. The gifts by Oklahoma congregations each September to this special offering are divided 50/50 with the denomination so that Oklahomans are supporting the denomination’s Reconciliation Ministry, and that of congregations in our Region.
This spring, the Comm. for Faith In Action will publish a “Reconciliation Series” on the Region’s podcast. Each episode will focus on one of our 2023 Grant recipients.
Thank you for supporting our Reconciliation Ministries.
2023 Grants
- Enid Welcome Table
- Caminante Boca Chica
- Enid Joint Disciples 5 Church Vacation Bible School
- FCC Stillwater Jamaica Mission Trip
- Central Christian Church, Christian Church of the Covenant, University Place Christian Church Enid, Hero Fund
- FCC Midwest City Careportal
- Central Christian Church, Enid, Teen Neurotypical / Non-Neurotypical Integration
2022 Grants
- FCC Claremore, First American Museum Trip
- In the Spirit Christian Church, Tulsa, Emerging Young Leaders Justice
- FCC El Reno, No Justice, No Peace Opera
- FCC Midwest City, Christmas for Others
- Caminante Boca Chica
- Enid Welcome Table
- Enid Joint Disciples 5 Church Vacation Bible School
- Central Christian Church, Christian Church of the Covenant, University Place Christian Church Enid, Hero Fund
Learn more about what these congregations are doing in their community. You can download the 2023 Grant Reports in PDF format.
- Caminante
- Careportal: First Christian Church, Midwest City
- Joint Hero Support: Central Christian Church, Enid
- Teen Neurotypical and non-Neurotypical Integration / Socialization: Central Christian Church, Enid
- Enid Welcome Table
- 5 Church Vacation Bible School, Enid: University Place Christian Church, Iglesia Cristiana El Shaddai, Christian Church of the Covenant, Central Christian Church, First Presbyterian Church
2022 Grant Reports in PDF Format
The Christmas Story by RYC
"Let's go and see this thing which the Lord has made known to us."
Pause for three minutes with Luke 2:1-20, read by members of the Regional Youth Council. RYC invites you to use their reading in your Christmas Eve worship. Download it here.
Regional Youth Council Readers
- Maryanne
- Derek
- Leah Grace
Maryanne created a video reading of Luke 2:1-20. Download it here.
Regional Youth Council Youth
- Derek (New Covenant Christian Church, Oklahoma City)
- Jonah (First Christian Church, El Reno)
- Leah Grace (Forest Park Christian Church, Tulsa)
- Luke (First Christian Church, Duncan)
- Maryanne (First Christian Church, Cherokee)
Regional Youth Council Adults
- Eula (First Christian Church, Norman)
- Shannon (First Christian Church, Norman)
- Tara (First Christian Church, El Reno)
- Travis (First Christian Church, Chickasha)
Letter from DHM President, Rev. Chris Dorsey: Crisis in Israel/Palestine
October 23, 2023
My heart breaks with the ongoing tragedy in Israel and Gaza. The images on the news, the stories of brutality and retaliation, the collective experiences of grief, loss and trauma have been heart-wrenching and agonizing. May the violence born of hatred be overcome so that we can see the humanity in one another in ways that build justice and celebrate dignity for all.
The long history of conflict in Israel/Palestine is complex and complicated. As we pray for peace and an end to violence, I’d like to share some of the resources that I’ve found helpful in seeking to understand the situation. I share them in the hopes that you and your community of faith might use them to learn about what is happening and engage in ways that build peace and purpose.
Yours in the Journey,
Rev. Chris Dorsey
President and CEO
Disciples Home Missions
RESOURCES
- Global Ministries: The Crisis in Israel/Palestine
https://www.globalministries.org/topic/gaza2023/
Global Ministries has created a page that Includes links to a growing list of statements from mission partners, opportunities to sign-up for weekly prayer sessions, and a full collection of worship resources. - Churches for Middle East Peace
https://cmep.org/
Churches for Middle East Peace has created recurring spaces for prayer and learning. You can sign up for Weekly Prayers for Peace held on Wednesdays from 12:30PM ET to 1PM ET and register for a Weekly Issues Briefing held on Thursdays from 10AM ET to 10:30AM ET. - BBC News: History of the Conflict Explained
https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-44124396
BBC News assembled a thorough explainer article on the history of conflict between Israel and Palestine that includes additional links with updating stories on the Israel Gaza War. - United Nations: Israel-Gaza Crisis
https://www.un.org/en/situation-in-occupied- palestine-and-israel
UN Secretary-General António Guterres voiced grave concern over the escalating conflict in Israel and Gaza and stressed the need to prevent the violence from spreading. The UN webpage Includes links to statements from the UN as well as continuing news updates. - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: Maps
https://www.ochaopt.org/maps
Interactive, information-rich, and highly detailed maps of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank created and curated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. These maps are free and available for fair use. - Vox: Israel-Hamas War News & Updates
https://www.vox.com/2023/10/7/23907683/israel-hamas-war- news-updates-october-2023
The news site Vox has developed an updating news page for the daily stories that are emerging about the Israel-Hamas war. It contains a dynamic timeline that links “big picture” stories of the ongoing war. - Vox: Everything You Need to Know about Israel & Palestine
https://www.vox.com/2018/11/20/18079996/israel-palestine- conflict-guide-explainer
An older article (2018) from Vox that breaks down the history of the conflict between Israel and Palestine in a series of 20-different Q&A style articles. It is specific, accessible, and informative. - ACLED Fact Sheet: Israel and Palestine Conflict (October 2023)
https://acleddata.com/2023/10/13/fact-sheet-israel-and- palestine-conflict/
The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) is a data collection, analysis, and crisis mapping project. ACLED collects information on armed conflicts around the world and makes both data and analysis open for free use by the public. - Global Conflict Tracker: Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/ israeli-palestinian-conflict
The Center for Preventative Action has created an explainer article that includes background, concerns, and recent developments in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. The page also aggregates the latest news in a sidebar panel.
Reconciliation Special Offering: Sept 24th & Oct 1st
What does it mean to be reconciled?
by Marilynn Knott, Chair: Commission on Faith in Action
The only reference to reconciliation in the Hebrew Bible is in 1 Samuel 29:4, when David was on the outs with King Saul and had joined the Philistines. He had proved himself with the one who had welcomed him to fight for the Philistines, but the Philistine leaders did not trust David and ordered him and his army to be left behind as the Philistines went into battle. The Hebrew word ratsah* translated as reconcile in this scripture, means to be pleased with and accept favorably. The leader of the Philistines could do neither regarding David. As society spread among many cultures, the need for reconciliation grew. For example, the Apocrypha records six instances when reconciliation was addressed.
Reconcile is only used once in the Gospels in Matthew 5:24: leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. The Greek word used here by Jesus is diallassó, which means change enmity for friendship. In this instance, Jesus is addressing believers. We must take that counsel seriously as faith groups living in a worldview of divide and conquer. Our behavior is a witness to the validity of the one we follow.
Paul and the other early Christ-followers had to deal with reconciliation as they entered the many cultures around them in following Jesus’s instruction to go into all the world and teach the good news of Christ. Much of that good news targets building the Kingdom of God, the Beloved Community.
Paul also uses various Greek words now translated as reconcile, like katallassó, which means to decisively change, to the same position, and the word apokatallassó, which means to reconcile completely, to change from one feeling to another. While this was 2000 years ago, and we have in many ways since gone into the whole world, we have not yet attained the beloved community worldwide. Thus, the word Reconciliation, and more importantly, the act of Reconciliation, is more necessary today than ever. The words of Paul regarding this issue still resonate today.
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) recognizes the last Sunday in September and the First Sunday in October for Reconciliation emphasis. Yes, we suggest that a special offering be taken on those Sundays with the funds dedicated to reconciliation, which is important. We must, however, take time on these Sundays and always consider the challenge we have in bringing the whole world into a Beloved Community. How is your congregation working toward that goal? What special needs can you identify in your community? How do you plan to address them? How can we decisively change racism, poverty, and violence against one another? How can we change enmity for friendship?
*All translations were gleaned from Strong’ Concordance using the NRSV Bible Translation
Get Away Campout
October 19-21
We will take time for “sabbath” and learn a bit about what this kind of time means for each one of us.
Bring your Chi Rho and CYF youth groups for some time away camping. No really! Grab a tent, sleeping bag, and let’s get away from screens and school. Join members of the Regional Youth Council for a 2 night / 3 day campout at Red Rock Adventure Park near Hinton, OK. Sure, there will be some keynote and worship. There will also be time to hike, fish, play games, nap, rest, and campfire chat about life as a follower of Jesus. Come and share your disciples story.
Fee: $30 per person
Includes: Camp Site, Meals, and Program
Our outdoor time begins Oct 19 at 11am with check-in and set up your tent site.
We will break camp and head for home Oct 21 around 11am.
Click here to Register Your Group. Yes, bring adults (1 per 6 youth)
Cancelled Events
Is post-pandemic time busier than pre-pandemic time? People continue to add activities and events to their personal schedules and family schedules as the rush to “make up” for two years continues. Two events planned during the Labor Day weekend did not have enough registrations for the Region to go forward with planning and to host. Family Camp and Intersections are cancelled for this year.
There are many opportunities for you to be involved in the ministry of your local congregation and the Region. Help your congregation and the Region with your presence, your voice, and vision for the planning of upcoming and future opportunities to connect, equip, and empower Oklahoma Disciples as we love and serve like Jesus.
Last Day to Register for Family Camp: August 18
Spend the Labor Day weekend with Disciples from around the Region at Family Camp. This weekend is designed to introduce Church Camp, and provide time away before the fall school routine takes hold of family life.
Family Camp is an intergenerational experience of play, prayer, study, worship, and service. Come away and learn about the fruit of the Spirit.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
$100 per adult ages 11 and Up
$75 per child 10 and under
Registration Extended to August 18
IAS 2024: Church-State Relations
What’s Included in the Fee?
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RT Airfare & Amtrak Fare
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Subway, Bus, & Uber/Lyft, Cab Fares
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Lodging In Washington D.C and New York City
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Entrance Fees
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Formal Seminar Days
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Show at the Kennedy Center
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Two Broadway Shows