CCOK301, Author at Christian Church in Oklahoma

Fall 2020 Annual Fund Campaign

Dear Friends in Christ,

Thank you for being a partner in the ministry and mission of the Regional Church in Oklahoma. Your ongoing financial gifts to the Regional Church help to connect, equip, and empower clergy and congregations in Oklahoma to reach out with the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Please prayerfully consider giving a gift to the Fall Appeal for the Regional Church. Every gift, blessed and multiplied by God, has the capacity to strengthen our ministry together.

While all of our in-person Regional events were cancelled due to the unprecedented pandemic these last eight months, we have been able to gather virtually to continue the ministry of the Region. In fact, we just held the first Virtual Regional Assembly on September 26, 2020, which was remarkable. We were able to see one another, learn together, worship together, and conduct Regional business together. We had 75 clergy and 60 certified delegates representing 27 congregations in attendance via Zoom, and many others throughout the Region joined the Assembly through YouTube. If you missed it you may view the 2020 Virtual Regional Assembly replays here.

Your Regional leadership also continues to provide opportunities and resources for youth and children through this same technology. Clergy continue to gather for support and sharing, and congregations have been able to utilize the Region’s technology until they could acquire their own. And now you may access podcast interviews of our Regional Area Moderators.

Your gift to the Regional Church makes it possible for all of us to stay connected through technology, even more so with a pandemic, and we are ever so grateful.

We are committed to continuing our focus on Jesus and the Bible in 2021 to keep our faith grounded in these unstable times. Also, we are committed to the creation of new ways to connect, equip, and empower Disciples of Christ:

strengthening the voice of hope and assurance of God’s presence among us,
using our voices and our feet to advocate for justice for the oppressed,
lifting our hands and hearts in prayer beckoning the Holy Spirit to help us bring healing and wholeness to this very broken world.

Your gift will help us accomplish these priorities. We have enclosed an envelope so you may send a check to the Regional Church, or you may give online using Givelify here.

Again, thank you for your part in the meaningful, life-giving work of the Regional Church. Stay safe! Stay well! Stay hopeful!

Peace & God’s Grace,

Pamela G. Holt, Regional Minister

Some Regional Leaders’ responses to “What do you enjoy about the Regional Church?”

“The people! Learning and meeting all the people, and learning all the
Region does!” says Jacqueline Bass from Wildewood Christian Church, OKC.

“The relationships,” writes Rev. Michael Oberlender from FCC Chickasha. “When I think of relationship, I think of connectivity. As a family, we are
bonded together and enjoy a covenantal bond like no other entity.”

“Seasoned colleagues, responsive regional ministers, critical theological exploration at PTS, and a Disciples history of being a powerful voice of
reasoned Christianity!” writes Rev. Colton Lott from FCC El Reno.

CCOK3012020-11-03T14:09:38-06:00Nov 3, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

Regional Minister Searches Open in Kentucky and Ohio

8/20/20

Regional Minister for the Christian Church in Kentucky

Receiving applications through December 15 2020. Online job description

Is ordained in the CC(DOC) and wholeheartedly supports its Design and its established policies and procedures, including the Search and Call process.
Is called to the service of the wider church and the local congregation
Is called to pastoral counseling and consultation with both clergy and congregations
Is a person of authentic faith; an innovative thinker; a visionary leader; an effective communicator; and has a pastoral presence.

Is responsible for:

Leading the Region in casting, implementing, and evaluating the Vision and Mission of the Region
Interpreting the mission and ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to the region
Providing pastoral care, counseling, and leadership to clergy and local congregations
Traveling to congregations (or visiting remotely) within the Region for the purpose of building relationships and fostering good communication
Overseeing the Search and Call process with congregations
Serving as head of staff, supervising the work of associate regional ministers, contract staff, and administrative staff, including reviews, terms of employment, and disciplinary measures
Serving as a resource to the Regional Board and all of its committees, commissions, and working groups
Working with the established boards, committees, and any other ministries and task forces to carry out the ongoing work of the region
Strengthening relationships with
– College of Regional Ministers of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
– Kentucky Christian Missionary Convention
– Southeast Regional Fellowship (Disciples Regions in the Southeast)
– West Area of the Christian Church in Kentucky
- Green Chalice, a Disciples Home Missions organization with roots in Kentucky
- Disciples Appalachian Scholarship Ministry (formerly Kentucky Appalachian Ministry)
Participating on these boards:
- General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the USA and Canada
- Lexington Theological Seminary Board of Trustees
- Kentucky Council of Churches Executive Committee

The Regional Board, with the consultation of the Personnel Committee, is responsible for supervising the Regional Minister.

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kentucky

All applicants are required to provide updated search and call paperwork in order to be considered. Furthermore, all applicants are required to submit a Letter of Interest to the Search Committee Chairperson:

Rev. Kory Wilcoxson
c/o Crestwood Christian Church
1882 Bellefonte Dr., Lexington, KY, 40502

The application deadline is Dec. 15, 2020.

Candidates should also have current Disciples Search and Call papers on file with the Office of Search and Call in Disciples Home Missions.

10/13/20

Regional Minister for the Christian Church in Ohio

Receiving applications through November 30, 2020. Online job description and regional profile

The Regional Pastor and President provides executive and visionary leadership for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Ohio. The Regional Pastor and President will enhance congregational vitality and mission through a ministry of: authentic connection, presence, process development and creative leadership; spiritual development and practice in personal and communal life; pastoral care and nurture of the congregations and ministers within the Region through quality communication and wise, prayerful counsel; and attention to the development of community by encouraging networking, collaboration and cooperation of congregations and leadership. The Regional Pastor will be affirming and inclusive, creating a space where all Disciples in Ohio are welcome at the Table.

Interested persons should send a letter of interest to:
Debbie Saxe, Regional Search Committee Co-Chair
230 Stow Avenue, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221

The application deadline is November 30, 2020

Candidates should also have current Disciples Search and Call papers on file with the Office of Search and Call in Disciples Home Missions.

CCOK3012020-11-03T11:26:36-06:00Nov 3, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

GMP Receives National Convocation’s Liberation Award

The African American Liberation Award 2020 of the National Convocation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Rev. Terri Hord Owens, General Minister and President

Rev. Terri Hord Owens Honored

The National Convocation’s African American Liberation Award is presented to persons who are strategic and instrumental in opening doors of opportunity and empowerment of African Americans and other oppressed people. The presentation to our Rev. Terri Hord Ownes, our General Minister and President reads:

“For Your Bold Leadership in These Times of Uncertainty, Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian Teaching the Church to Pray With Specificity and Confidence.”

Congratulations and may God grant you grace to carry on.

Learn more about the National Convocation Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

CCOK3012020-11-03T10:25:26-06:00Nov 3, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

Pastoral Appreciation: Intentional Self-Care and Gratitude

October is Pastor Appreciation Month

The Region thanks each of our ordained and commissioned ministers who are serving in local congregations, in hospitals, and in higher education. Thank you for sharing their gifts, talents, energy, wisdom, kindness, creativity, and time to bless others. We appreciate all you do every day to make and shape those in your care in the Oklahoma Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

In honor of Pastor Appreciation Month, we give thanks and also encourage our clergy to take some time for intentional self-care this month. If we clergy are not taking care of ourselves and tending to our own disrupted patterns of behavior in this extraordinary and unprecedented time of ministry, then we will not be very effective at caring for others. We encourage healthy leaders to be able to care for and help bring healing and wholeness to their broken people in the community and this fragmented world. And, it would be best to choose self-care rather than our bodies insisting on it with a crisis.

We offer to you the wisdom from Ashley Allen, author of “You Are Important: Nine Ways to Put Yourself First.”

She writes,

“Putting yourself first is not selfish. It is responsible. Use the mind, body, and spirit trifecta to increase well-being and remind yourself that you are important.”

Allen offers 9 ways:

3 for the body: exercise, nutrition, and careful choosing of cleaning products;
3 for the mind: be around positive people, do something you love and enjoy, and learn something new;
3 for the soul: practice and write gratitude, meditation and prayer, and unplug.

Read the full article here.

May God’s blessing be upon you as you continue to love and serve in the way of Jesus Christ!

Regional Minister Pamela Holt

CCOK3012020-10-07T14:38:13-05:00Oct 7, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

Lexington Seminary Webinars: Creating Vital Congregations

Practical Help for Laity and Clergy

Lexington Theological Seminary is offering the Creating Vital Congregations webinar series to help equip pastors, church leaders and members alike with tools to address a wide variety of issues facing congregations today. The 2-hour workshops (1:30-3:30 pm ET) cost $10 per log-in with unlimited number of participants so are easily accessible for church leadership groups.

Lexington Theological Seminary is an accredited graduate theological institution of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Register here

For more information contact Ms. Deena Ainslie (859) 280-1212 or [email protected]

Congregational Conflict
Oct. 17, 2020 • Rev. Dr. Aimee Moiso

Imagining a New World
Nov. 7, 2020 • Rev. Teresa Hord Owens

You Cannot Serve God and Money: Today’s Global Debt System as a Moral and Pastoral Emergency
Jan. 23, 2021 • Rev. Dr. Bruce Rogers-Vaughn

365 Days of Giving: Examining Generosity and Gratitude in Complex Times
Feb. 6, 2021 • Aimee A. Laramore

Intergenerational Ministry
March 20, 2021 • Rev. Dr. Olivia Bryan Updegrove

Leadership in the Multicultural World
April 24, 2021 • Rev. Lori Tapia

Dinner Church
May 22, 2021 • Rev. Rachel Nance Woehler & Rev. Tim Kim

CCOK3012020-10-06T08:49:50-05:00Oct 6, 2020|Clergy News|Comments Off

Webinars: Caring for Your Congregation During Crisis

Caring for Your Congregation and Community During Crisis Webinar Series

Registration is now open for the Fall 2020 free webinar series, “Caring for Your Congregation and Community During Crisis”. It is sponsored by The Oklahoma United Methodist Conference, The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma, and Crisis Care Ministries. The series of one hour webinars for leaders is scheduled for most Tuesdays and Thursdays starting September 29, 2020, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am. Download a flyer.

Faith and community leaders are facing historic challenges, testing the limits of our creativity, strength, and resilience. In this free webinar series, experienced specialists in disaster response, recovery, health, mental health, and congregational and family life offer their expertise to help leaders gain new skills and knowledge to face the difficult crises impacting our communities.

Webinar Titles

COVID Conversations for Faith Communities – 9/29/20
Where are We? The Spiritual and Emotional Phases of the COVID-19 Disaster – 10/6/20
Explaining COVID-19 to Children – 10/8/20
The Disillusionment Phase: Assisting Others and Ourselves in Long-Term Recovery – 10/13/20
Ministry in an Age of Pandemic – 10/15/20
Providing Support to Schools After a Traumatic Loss – 10/20/20
In Good Faith: Why Legal Services are Critical for Disaster Survivors including COVID-19 – 10/22/20 & 11/10/20
Providing Support to Your Community After a Traumatic Loss – 10/27/20
Introduction to Stress First Aid – 10/29/20
Taking the Long View With Faith – 11/5/20
Managing Holidays in a COVID-19 Environment – 11/19/20
Navigating Political and Cultural Polarization Among Family and Friends – 11/24/20
Personal and Family Disaster Preparedness – 12/1/20
Caring for Those with Access and Functional Needs – 12/3/20
National VOAD Disaster Emotional Care & Disaster Spiritual Care Guidelines – 12/8/20

Click here for detailed webinar descriptions and presenter bios.

Free Webinar Series Presented By

Crisis Webinar Sponsor Logos

Presenters Include Representatives From

Catholic Charities (Archdiocese of Oklahoma City)
Crisis Care Ministries
Heart and Mind Pastoral Counseling
Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma
St. Luke’s United Methodist Church
Temple B’Nai Israel (Oklahoma City)
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma
The National VOAD Emotional and Spiritual Care Committee
The Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church
The Oklahoma Department of Health
The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
The Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps Stress Response Team/SRT Inc.
The Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security
Southern Baptist Disaster Relief

Need continuing education?

Attendance certificates (PDF format) are available for all courses. Check with your affiliating organization for applicability.

About Registration

Register for individual sessions. Registration closes 24 hours before the session.
100 spaces available for each session.

Click here to register.

CCOK3012020-10-05T08:12:55-05:00Oct 4, 2020|Clergy News|Comments Off

Reconciliation Grant Helps Fund FCC Stroud’s Children’s Ministry

Funding Provides New Children & Youth Coordinator

FCC Stroud is benefiting from two grants and finding ways to serve its community. One grant was received from the Oklahoma Region’s Faith in Action Reconciliation grant program. The Oklahoma Disciples Foundation provided a second grant with funding from four of its endowments including Children, Youth & Young Adults, Education of Clergy & Laity, Pastoral Support, and United Ministries for Higher Education.

Using the two grants, FCC Stroud called Israel Ragle to serve as Children & Youth Coordinator, beginning her ministry on August 1, 2020. Israel is the mother of three children and is a student at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Back-to-School Care Packages Serve Local Children During the Pandemic

Senior Minister Paul Ragle said, “Israel shared with us when we interviewed her as a candidate for the position that ministry would look a lot different during these times of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

One of the very first ministry projects Israel undertook was to organize the congregation to share Back-to-School Care Packages with the children in the congregation’s sphere of influence. Members of the congregation donated school supplies, gifts (snacks & toys), and notes of encouragement as the kids were heading back to their classrooms.

CCOK3012020-09-09T12:14:33-05:00Sep 9, 2020|Congregations|Comments Off

Worship Design Studio Webinars for Advent and More

Dr. Marcia McFee Multi-Session Planning Webinars

The Worship Design Studio is offering live stream webinars for planning creative worship experiences. The liturgical year starts anew with the season of Advent. You will likely be taking a very different approach to worship during one of the busiest times of the year.

Whether you are anticipating making alterations to your community’s most beloved traditions or looking for some fresh ideas to bring comfort, hope, and peace to the folks in your care these webinars offered by nationally-known Dr. Marcia McFee can help.

The Advent/Christmas session took place August 12th but is recorded and available. You may watch the first session free.

Register to get access or subscribe for all six webinars to prepare for the entire 2020-2021 liturgical year.

Webinar Sessions

(Free) Design Webinar (Recorded July 29)
Deep dive into the creative process and tips for planning ahead in changing times.

Advent & Christmas Planning (Recorded August 12)
Immerse yourself in the theology and scriptures of the season while demonstrating online and adapted sanctuary ideas and techniques for making the season special even and especially in these difficult times.

Epiphany “Plus” Planning (September 16)
It is difficult to know what circumstances we will be in at the beginning of 2021 year when this season starts. Discern together how to invite people to new depths of spiritual resilience and transformation no matter what the circumstances.

Lent Ideas to Simmer – October 14
Lent planning explores the theological themes and scriptures of Lent but hold this lightly – let the ideas “simmer” until the next session after the onslaught of Advent/Christmas.

Lent Planning & Holy Week – January 6
Land on your Lent series decision and move quickly to start the production and details. Includes accompanying Holy Week scripts.

Easter Season Planning – February 10
Dive into the theology and planning of the season of resurrection and pray we are celebrating the life we have found even in the midst of this pandemic. We are an ever-renewing “Easter people” after all.

CCOK3012020-10-06T11:06:09-05:00Sep 4, 2020|Clergy News|Comments Off

Pension Fund Webinar: Clergy Financial Wellness

Ministers’ financial lives are complicated: salaries are varied, some are burdened with debt, and they want to be generous as well as save for the future. Learn how to cut through the confusion and about new resources that will help answer your toughest money questions so you can find your path to financial wellness.

Join Rev. Thomas McCracken with Pension Fund of the Christian Church at 3:30 pm (CT) on September 15, 2020. This webinar will explore elements of clergy compensation and share how Pension Fund is finding new ways to support clergy and their congregations.

At Pension Fund, our mission is For the Support of Ministry and we want to walk alongside you on the road to financial wellness.

Click here to register

Questions?

Rev. Thomas McCracken, Area Director
214-862-5612 • [email protected] • www.pensionfund.org

CCOK3012020-09-03T11:30:29-05:00Sep 3, 2020|Clergy News|Comments Off

Reconciliation Offering 2020: The Rocks Are Crying Out

I tell you, if you were to keep silent the stones would cry out. Silence is the absence of sound. To speak is to convey a feeling or opinion. This is not the time to be the absence of sound but to convey the injustice of those feeling the weight of racism and oppression. This the time to speak up and convey the truth of God’s love and equality for us all.

Matthew Tippell, Musician, Allisonville Christian Church, Indianapolis, IN

In Luke 19:39 to 40 we read that some of the Pharisees in a crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher rebuke your disciples.” “I tell you,” he replied “If they keep quiet the stones will cry out.” Though we know that God’s spirit will cause the stones to cry out if we remain silent, when it comes to being an anti-racist, pro-reconciling church, silence is not an option.

The form of this ministry may be changing,
but the need for addressing racism
has never been more obvious.

Your gifts to Reconciliation Ministry allow your communities and your congregations to ensure the human dignity of every child, to ensure all have access to Christ’s abundance, to fully flourish in education, and financial stability, and friendships across God’s human diversity. Won’t you join the chorus in shouting out Hosana, Hosana blessed are we who come in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your generosity.

To show up is more than a selfie at a protest, or a social media post… showing up means to cry with me, and to let the pain of my people’s tears move you to fight WITH those of us who are pushed to the sides because of the color of our skin, the thickness of our accents, or the documents we hold.

Yesenia Caldwell, Lay Leader, Iglesia Hermandad, Indianapolis, IN

About the Special Offering

The Reconciliation Ministry Special Offering is used to fund our Church’s mission imperative to become a pro-reconciling and anti-racist church utilizing experiential education, inclusive worship, and intentional dialogue. Our efforts to promote healing, relationship, and restoration in the whole family of God are enlivened by funds from this offering. Through it we are able to provide programs for leadership development, curriculum for dialogue and learning, and partnerships within the Church and our communities.

Recent events have reignited the conversation about human brokenness evidenced in the sin of racism and perpetuated in our institutional structures and systems. Your generous giving to Reconciliation Ministry is transforming lives and strengthening Christ’s witness in the world showing that we love one another, even as Christ continues to love us!

Donations on behalf of emergency grants to support impacted communities and congregations toward healing of racial unrest can be directed to the Reconciliation Annual Fund/Racial Justice Response.

The Reconciliation Offering will be received in congregations on Sunday, September 27th and Sunday, October 4th.

I choose to stand up for people of color because racism seems unbeatable. But if God can make the rocks cry out, then just imagine what He can do with people whom God has intentionally created with the capacity to love one another.

Chris Kozak, Central Christian Church, Indianapolis, IN

Why Have a Special Offering

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has a history dating from the 1960s of sharing our resources to address the racism of our society and the racism within our own church. We have called this process the Reconciliation Ministry.

We receive this offering in the fall and use the funds throughout the year to give grants to the pro-reconciliation/anti-racism initiative to organize to dismantle systems and structures that perpetuate this sin of division within the Church.

The 2020 Vision adopted by our church names this work as one of the four priorities of our mission together as a whole church. This voluntary annual offering is the only source of funding for this ministry.

So may our voices echo across the stones and across this land as we work toward the restoration of God’s beloved community.

Rev. Brian Gerard, Sr. Pastor, First Christian Church Louisville, KY

Donate to Reconciliation Ministry

CCOK3012020-09-02T14:56:41-05:00Sep 2, 2020|Congregations|Comments Off

CCOK301

About CCOK301

Regional Minister for the Christian Church in Kentucky

Regional Minister for the Christian Church in Ohio

The African American Liberation Award 2020 of the National Convocation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

October is Pastor Appreciation Month

Practical Help for Laity and Clergy

Caring for Your Congregation and Community During Crisis Webinar Series

Webinar Titles

Free Webinar Series Presented By

Presenters Include Representatives From

Need continuing education?

About Registration

Funding Provides New Children & Youth Coordinator

Back-to-School Care Packages Serve Local Children During the Pandemic

Dr. Marcia McFee Multi-Session Planning Webinars

Webinar Sessions

Questions?

The form of this ministry may be changing, but the need for addressing racism has never been more obvious.

About the Special Offering

Why Have a Special Offering

The form of this ministry may be changing,
but the need for addressing racism
has never been more obvious.