Building Bridges
Rev. Juan Rodriguez, regional minister from the Christian Church in Florida keynoted our Festival of Mission. He reminded us that we are a “barrier breaking, bridge building” denomination.
Rev. Micah James encouraged us to remember “why” we do mission. We need to find where our joys, needs, and skills intersect.
In closing worship we heard from nine different congregations who each shared their mission and ministry beyond their doors.
A Festival of Coming Together
Blog by Travis Carlson
Youth Pastor, Cyril First Christian Church
Mission Accomplished!
We literally moved out in mission on Saturday morning and supported nine different organizations.
- Stamp Out Starvation (packed 20,000+ meals)
- OK Blood Institute (40+ donors)
- FCC Snack Packs (made a month’s worth)
- Oxley Nature Center (cleared 2.5 miles of trail)
- Tulsa SPCA (painted and cleaned kennels)
- Church World Service (assembled 120 hygiene kits)
- Emergency Infant Services (transitioned clothing)
- Harvard Avenue Community Garden (weeded and tended to garden needs)
- Community Food Bank (moved and packaged 7,000+ pounds of food)
2016-18 Regional Board Elected
Credentialed laity voters and clergy approved the slate of nominees during the business meeting. We appreciate the outgoing board’s hard work and many hours of service.
During an upcoming orientation, incoming board members will learn ways to share their gifts and talents. We are excited and look forward to their leadership!
Click here to see the full list of the 2016-2018 Regional Board members who begin their service on July 1st.
Fellowship
We Love Our Youth!
We’re Listening! Survey Results
Thank you to the many folks who responded to the survey about Regional Assembly. We learn from you which elements are meaningful and what we need to improve. Here’s what you shared.
What’s the best thing you experienced at Regional Assembly?
- The opportunity to serve in mission service projects was the overwhelming favorite of participants
- Fellowship with others from around our great region included making new friends and seeing old ones
- Food trucks!
- Friday evening worship
What is one thing you learned?
- That there really ARE a lot of congregations looking beyond their four walls and doing Christ’s work in their communities
- Mission First theme: We need to find where our joys, needs, and skills intersect
- Mission First begins at home where we are located, in our own community
- That the business of the church doesn’t need to take 2 hours. It can be accomplished in half an hour
- I live in a fantastic region of the DOC
- Oklahoma Disciples churches are strong and healthy
Would you be interested in participating in a mission service project at a future Regional Assembly?
- 46.88% Sign me up!
- 25% Sounds interesting
- 15.63% Depends on what’s offered
- 9.38% Somewhat interested
- 3.13% Not interested
Please tell us of any meaningful words or phrases you took away from the worship experiences.
- Breaking barriers
- Building bridges
- Bridge building, barrier breaking movement of God!
- God is still in control
- We are a movement
- It’s not the numbers, it’s the impact
- Just tell the truth!
- The moment God’s church through Christ began
- The continuation of the incarnation
Anything else you would care to share about your experience?
- The worship services were meaningful, but long. It was hard for people to stay engaged.
- The food truck idea was great. Have the youth help serve the elderly people carry their food.
- Missed the vendors and displays.
- The voting didn’t feel important or official.
- The boys who entertained at the banquet were great! Love seeing the kids shine!
- Love to see more inter-generational events where families and teens would be able to attend.
- More laughter and relevant music would be appreciated.
- High worship is fun for some but I didn’t enjoy it.
- More “get acquainted” time would be nice. Saturday afternoon was a bit long.
- Friday evening dinner portions were too small.
- I appreciated the 2-day rather than 3-day event.
- Looking forward to sharing the Native Voice again in 2017.
- Thanks for all the time, energy, and planning that went into making this a fantastic Regional Assembly! Great spirit!
- At 89 there are limits to what I can do!
- I’m honored to be a part of the Oklahoma Region.
