Dear Regional Church Family,
Just as this is the season of stewardship in your home church, this is also the season of stewardship for the Region. We are asking you to help support the ministry of the Regional church by making a contribution to the Annual Fund 2016 before December 31, 2016.
Every dollar counts, and every dollar is significant, especially when these offerings are given and blessed by God. These monies are used to support, encourage, connect and equip the faithful in our midst as we all, in our unique and diverse ministries, seek to bring healing and wholeness in our broken and fragmented world.
Making “Mission” a First Priority
Over 400 people gathered at our Leadership Training Event to hear from Vy Nuygen, executive director of Week of Compassion, and to attend a variety of workshops, including many on mission.
Over 300 people gathered at our bi-annual Regional Assembly where we were empowered and sent forth into the community to “do” mission. Read about how we learned to build bridges, served our community, and enjoyed fellowship.
All of our summer youth camps, generously supported by Oklahoma Disciples Men, were full of young people who hunger for a word from the Lord and long to use their gifts in mission. See a list of the many congregations who participated in outdoor ministry this summer.
Our Region welcomed a visit from a Caminante intern Henry Brewer-Calvert, and we celebrated a Regional mission trip to Caminante, Dominican Republic, which is faithfully supported by Oklahoma Disciples Women.
We have held “Mission First!” gatherings in several places around the Region so that our voice will be united with the whole church.
We Serve Over 150 Oklahoma Disciples Congregations
Over 150 Disciples congregations continue to reach beyond their doors in wonderful and creative ministries in and around their communities. We invite you to read about these joys.
Ordaining and Commissioning Clergy
We also celebrate congregations who ordained 8 candidates into Christ’s church: Amy Grogran, Bethany Christian Church, Tulsa; Joy Naylor, Fellowship Christian Church, Broken Arrow; Chuck Jackson, South Grand Lake Christian Church, Langley; Cecilia Tolley, Northwest Christian Church, OKC; Mark Taylor, FCC Edmond; Kaycee Young, FCC Talequah; Drew Kirtley, FCC Duncan; Sondra Ladd, FCC Stillwater. Two congregations commissioned pastors: Lisa Wynn, FCC Guthrie; Evan Taylor, East Side CC, Tulsa. And the Region continues to support almost 300 clergy called to lead in a variety of ways: congregations, chaplaincy, teaching, hospices, non-profits, and prisons.
New Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racism Training
On November 19th, the Region hosted a Pro-Reconciliation Anti-Racism (PRAR) workshop where over 50 diverse folks from around the state united to learn how to create a PRAR team in our Region. Learn more about this important new initiative.
Your Gift Makes A Difference
The Region of Oklahoma has numerous things for which we can be thankful. In this season of Thanksgiving, and as you gather with family and friends on Thanksgiving Day, we invite you to make a list of blessings from this past year. We are sure the list will be long! We trust you will give thanks for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), which is making a difference in the name of Christ in Oklahoma, not only with prayer, but also with a monetary gift. Thank you for your gift so that we may further our mission. You may securely donate online here.
May God continue to bless you, your congregation, and our Region in the name of Christ. Peace & God’s grace,
Pamela G. Holt, Regional Minister
