CCOK301, Author at Christian Church in Oklahoma

Faith & Giving: Stewardship Resources for a Time Such as This and Beyond

We have helpful stewardship resources available for you. On your behalf, the Region invested in the 2020 Faithful Hopeful Loving Annual stewardship materials and resources from the Center for Faith & Giving led by Rev. Bruce Barkhauer. Every minister serving a local congregation in Oklahoma now has access to these materials and resources which you will find in the link below. Please note: Rev. Dr. Lisa Davison contributed to this material!

While shepherding your flock in these days is of utmost importance, so is the continued need for stewardship and giving. In your new role as tele-pastor (which you all have mastered!), please remember the offering on Sunday mornings via on-line giving, electronic banking, or a regular paper check! If you do not have on-line giving, like Givelify, we will be happy to help you get that app in motion.

Links to Resources by the Center for Faith & Giving

Resources for Faithful Hopeful Loving Annual Campaign

CCOK3012020-07-15T11:12:27-05:00Jun 3, 2020|Clergy News|Comments Off

Faith In Action: Care of Earth

You have given [humans] dominion over the works of your hands—Psalm 8:6a

The Faith in Action Commission is working toward strengthening our efforts regarding the Care of the Earth. If leadership regarding the Care of the Earth is a potential calling in your faith journey, please let us know. We are first going to develop a plan to start the process and then develop a Team to champion that plan and further plans throughout the Christian Church in Oklahoma congregations. Please contact the Chair of FIAC, Marilynn Knott at marilynnknott1@cox.net to let us know of your interest. We would love to have a few leaders from both laity and clergy in each of the Regional Areas.

CCOK3012020-06-03T12:53:45-05:00Jun 3, 2020|Congregations|Comments Off

A New Season: Pentecost!

Acts 2:1-2
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

Just imagine this scene with me for a moment. We live in Oklahoma where if this storm were coming, David Payne would be entertaining us with warnings and the community sirens and our phones would be blaring! We would take cover, either in a shelter or in our bathroom with helmets and pillows, and quite possibly, we would miss the miracle of Pentecost. The miracle where God pours out the Spirit on “all flesh”.

Craig S. Keener notes that “God’s promise in Joel crossed barriers of age, gender, and free or slave status. . . . Peter changes Joel’s wording with respect to slaves: now the Spirit is for all who are God’s servants. This might remind us that all of us come to God as servants, on the same level. . . . Although Joel’s wording already crossed class barriers, the new wording virtually eliminates such classes. The world still evaluates us in socioeconomic terms, but Jesus’ followers must value and treat each other as siblings of equal dignity.” (Craig Keener, Connections: Acts 2:1-21, Commentary 2: Connecting the Reading with the World, p. 337)

Oklahoma storms are terrifying, and we must take shelter. However, on this Sunday of Pentecost, perhaps we trust our God and be courageous enough to linger from taking shelter so that we can be witnesses of this mighty miracle and all become transformed to be servants of the Lord: valuing and treating each other as siblings of equal dignity.

Speaking of courage and lingering . . .

All of you are doing a fantastic ministry worshiping on-line and connecting and caring for your flock in amazing and creative ways. Michael and I wander around the region each week to join you and celebrate the goodness of the Lord among you.

As statements are made and expectations are rising, I feel your anxiety and apprehension about returning to worship in the sanctuary. While some communities in our region do not have high numbers of Covid-19 and feel comfortable gathering on Sunday mornings, many of our communities are struggling with “when” to re-gather for worship. The Region is still advocating for the numbers to be trending down for fourteen days before returning to in-person gathering for worship. It takes courage to linger, to go slow, to bring everyone one along on the journey. But I realize that may not be possible for your congregation to wait. It also takes courage to re-gather now. There is so much to do to make the space safe for everyone. And even then the risk is high. In these days of multiple vulnerabilities, I pray that you and your flock will continue in faith and hope and be courageous to discover new and profound ways to love and serve all people as Jesus does in a time such as this.

On this arduous journey, I also know you all are exhausted ~ exhausted from preparing words of faith, hope, and God’s steadfast love each week, from navigating the tech and wondering who is watching, and continuing to connect with parishioners in unprecedented ways. After Pentecost Sunday, I hope and pray that you will be courageous and take some days for rest and recreation. You deserve it and need it.

Resources

In case you have not seen these statements, I offer them here for easy resourcing.

National Council of Churches Statement on Returning to Worship in Person

General Minister and President on re-opening congregations by Rev. Terri Hord Owens

Regional Ministers Offer a Word on Re-Opening Congregations

Digital Poor People’s Campaign

One last, but important item. If you have ever wanted to take part in the Poor People’s Campaign but were not able to do so because of travel costs, or time away, here is your chance! The Poor People’s Campaign will be a virtual assembly on Saturday, June 20, 2020. I invite you to participate as you are able.

Poor People’s Campaign, a Digital Justice Gathering, on Saturday, June 20, 2020, which includes a link to the Digital Toolkit.

Blessing

Gratefully, we are accompanied by a God who promises to be with us always, still speaking words of hope and healing, as we courageously continue to move toward wholeness.

Peace & God’s Grace,

Pamela Holt

“The prophetic tasks of the church are to tell the truth in a society that lives in illusion, grief in a society that practices denial, and express hope in a society that lives in despair.” ~ Walter Brueggemann

_______________

Image credit: Forbes.com Extreme weather on the high plains of Nebraska with this stunning LP supercell Mesocyclone, taken near Broken Bow, Nebraska, USA. Getty Images

CCOK3012020-05-28T09:14:39-05:00May 28, 2020|Clergy News, Pamela Holt Blog|Comments Off

New Ministry Training Opportunities at Phillips Theological Seminary

Phillips Theological Seminary’s Ministry and Lay Training Program offer 8-week summer classes beginning June 22 – August 16, 2020, followed by many classes offered during the 2020 – 2021 sessions.

If you want to ask questions about any of these courses prior to registering, please join the Question and Answer Zoom Meeting on June 2, 2020. Click HERE to register.

20/21 Session 1 summer classes are:

Christian Ethics, Instructor: Dr. George Flanagan
Church Administration and Planning, Instructor: Dr. John Bracke
Disciples History and Polity, Instruction: Dr. Lisa Barnett

20/21 Session 2 will begin August 17-October 11, 2020.

Theology, Dr. Trish Greeves
Spiritual Development, Dr. Kris Tenny-Brittian
Communication, Kurt Gwartney, M.Div.
United Church of Christ History and Polity, Rev. Margot Pickett

20/21 Session 3 will begin October 12- December 6, 2020.

Mission of the Church, Rev. David Avery
Conflict Utilization, Dr. Kris Tenny-Brittian
Disciples History and Polity, MTP Adjunct Faculty

20/21 Session 4 will begin January 4-February 28, 2021

Church History, Rev. Jerry Albright
Evangelism, Dr. Bill Tenny-Brittian
Worship, Rev. Bob Kemp-Baird

20/21 Session 5 will begin January 15-April 11, 2021

Overview of the Bible, Dr. Alex Ruth
Christian Ethics, Dr. George Flanagan
Introduction to the New Testament, Dr. Kris Tenny-Brittian
Disciples History and Polity, MTP Adjunct Faculty

20/21 Session 6 will begin March 29-May 23, 2021

Pastoral Care, Rev. Darrell Vandervort
Church Administration and Planning, Dr. John Bracke
Ecumenism, Dr. Andy Mangum

CCOK3012020-05-21T12:53:50-05:00May 21, 2020|Congregations|Comments Off

COVID-19 Resources for Disciples of Christ

Disciples.org has many valuable resources available during this season for those affected by COVID-19. Please click HERE to see the many resources available to Disciples of Christ.

The webpage includes:

CARE Act Information
video messages from Rev. Terri Hord Owens
health information resources
public safety for congregations
information about caring for pastors and chaplains
information regarding personal finances including unemployment
financial resources for pastors
resources for ministry
crisis planning resources

Click HERE to read more.

CCOK3012020-05-20T11:41:34-05:00May 20, 2020|COVID-19 Resources|Comments Off

Poor People’s Campaign Going Digital on June 20, 2020

Mass Poor People’s Assembly & Moral March on Washington on June 20, 2020 will not be postponed but will be transformed! We are going digital!

We will hold the largest digital and social media gathering of poor and low-wealth people and people of conscience in this nation’s history. The COVID-19 global pandemic is exposing the already existing crisis of poverty in America, and we are going to bombard every member of Congress and the White House so that we raise up the demands of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival.

We will not be able to gather physically in Washington DC, but it is paramount that we have a forum where poor and low-wealth people can share their truths with a nation that needs its heart broken.

Cherilyn Williams, APR
Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Office of General Minister and President Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada
Disciples.org | cwilliams@disciples.org

CCOK3012020-05-18T10:15:46-05:00May 18, 2020|Congregations|Comments Off

Join the GMP, Terri Hord Owens in Prayer Each Wednesday

Please join General Minister and President, Rev. Terri Hord Owens for her Facebook live prayers at noon EDT each week. You can access her new page “Rev. Terri Hord Owens” here facebook.com/terrihordowens

CCOK3012020-05-13T12:58:17-05:00May 13, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

Disciples.org Gets a Facelift

Disciples.org gets a facelift

We’re sporting a new look on disciples.org this week. Designed with mobile and screen readers in mind, the site is easier to read with carefully calibrated contrast. And on the side you don’t see, improvements have been made to make the site run more smoothly. If you find a broken link, drop a note to news@disciples.org and make sure to include the page address where you found the problem.

Same time. Same format. New location.

General Minister and President Rev. Terri Hord Owens has updated her Facebook presence so she can accept more followers. Her Facebook live prayers will continue at noon EDT but will be accessed at her new page “Rev. Terri Hord Owens” (facebook.com/terrihordowens).

CCOK3012020-05-13T12:49:20-05:00May 13, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

FCC Bartlesville’s Member Offers Support to COVID Frontline Workers

First Christian Church Bartlesville member, Gay Cooper and her store Sew Uptown! are offering anyone who sews the chance to help nurses, doctors, and other health care workers during the pandemic. When these front-line professionals come home to their families, they shouldn’t have to worry about bringing the virus with them on their clothes. These drawstring bags will allow them to change at work, put dirty clothes in the bag, and then throw the whole bundle into the wash at home – bag and all!

Gay is donating the fabric, providing instructions, etc. Just pick up packets at her store, sew, and return! Call Gay at 918-332-8956 for more information.

Thank you Gay and everyone who is serving the Bartlesville community with this special gift.

CCOK3012020-05-07T10:30:44-05:00May 7, 2020|Congregations|Comments Off

Spring 2020 Annual Fund Appeal

Greetings, Friends and Followers of Christ,

The Regional Staff and the Regional Board hopes and prays you are well in this extraordinary time of “staying at home.” We also hope that you are continuing to worship online with your congregation and taking the opportunity to worship with Disciples around the Region as well. Just as important, we hope you are continuing to practice your faith by giving to your local congregation. We are also asking that you practice your faith by giving to the Region’s 2020 Spring Annual Fund.

This Annual Fund letter is a little longer than usual because we want you to know what is happening at the Regional Church in this unique time in the world and in the life of the church. Beginning in March, heart-rending decisions were made to cancel Regional events including Caminante Mission Trip, International Affairs Seminar, the Men’s Retreat, the Women’s Retreat, and Regional Assembly/Leadership Training School, and we transitioned many meetings to Zoom.

The Regional Staff has been working remotely since March 12, 2020. We continue to answer the phones, check the mail, and make deposits. We continue to do search and call for congregations seeking a minister. We offer tech support to our clergy and congregations who have never done a live-stream service. And we continue to assist those who still need to transition to electronic giving. We are beginning to offer resources for clergy and congregations to ponder if and when it might be “safe and responsible” to gather for worship.

The whole paradigm of ministry shifted in March. Clergy could no longer gather their flocks in the sanctuary for worship, visit the shut-ins, or make hospital calls. For all, transitioning to live-streaming has been challenging and life-giving in a different way. Since March 15th, your regional ministers have each visited 4-6 worship services each Sunday to discover amazing words, visuals, and music. We are very proud of every one of our clergy and the support they have received from congregations.

Michael has attended many Zoom calls concerning summer Camp & Conference ministry. Some of these calls have been with youth leaders across our Regions. Others have been with our Commission on Children, Youth & Young Adults. Recently, Michael led camp counselor training with 30+ folks on Zoom. A “safe and responsible” decision about summer camp will be announced on May 2, 2020.

I have attended many Zoom calls with the College of Regional Ministers and our General Minister & President concerning the financial resources which have been made available to congregations through Disciples Church Extension Fund, National Benevolent Association, Week of Compassion, and Pension Fund. All Covid-19 resources can now be found at here or at disciples.org.

Michael and I have hosted for several weeks now a Thursday clergy prayer time on Zoom. And, we have created a private Oklahoma Disciples Clergy Facebook page for conversation and prayer.

Recently we created a booklet originally designed to be available at Regional Assembly. We think it is important that you know how your gifts provided for the ministries of the Regional Church that happened in 2019. We hope you enjoy reading about the wider church! See the booklet below this article.

In this time, we celebrate the whole church coming together as one to live into our Covenant of Faith. THANK YOU for your generous gifts, small or large, which allow us to continue to work, to communicate effectively and efficiently, and to serve the Region and the whole church. We are grateful.

We are asking that you continue to support the Regional Church by prayerfully considering a gift to the Regional Church either by mailing a check to the Regional office or by giving online here. Every gift matters. Every congregation matters. Every person matters.

We will have a Regional Assembly in the fall, most likely as a virtual experience. Until then, may God’s blessing of protection, care, and love continue to be upon each of you and your family.

Peace & God’s Grace,

Pamela G. Holt