CCOK301, Author at Christian Church in Oklahoma

Creavitity Abounds: This is What Love Looks Like Right Now!

Anna Hubbard, Minister at First Christian Presbyterian Church in Pryor, created this video by asking colleagues to submit photos of their empty sanctuaries. Out of the photos, she created a moving video entitled “Empty Sanctuaries. Right now, this is what LOVE looks like . . .” Loving our neighbor and friends and families by staying at home and worshiping on-line. Even though watching this video is emotional, I know your sanctuary looks like this out of our love for one another.

CCOK3012020-04-10T14:53:39-05:00Apr 6, 2020|Congregations|Comments Off

Congregations Are Eligible for the CARES Act

April 3, 2020

Colleagues & Congregational Leaders,

Good Morning. This is a glorious and cold Friday morning in Oklahoma, but this email brings some important news regarding the CARES Act.

The CARES Act Payroll Protection Program (PPP) is to help prevent employees from losing their jobs, and is designed to assist non-profit organizations which include churches, pre-schools, and schools with loans to be an immediate cash infusion for payroll costs, group health care expenses, interest on any mortgage obligations, rent, and utilities (electricity, gas, water, telephone, internet). There is a forgiveness element to the loan. The loan becomes a grant if used within the specified time frame of funding. Your church is eligible to apply for this Payroll Protection Program. Click here to read how to apply through Disciples Church Extension Fund.

I participated in the webinar from Church, Law & Tax yesterday and am providing you some important information regarding this part of CARES Act. Eric Gray from Oklahoma Disciples Foundation has also provided some resources. Eric Gray, Michael Davison, and I will be available to help you through this process. Do not hesitate to call us.

After reviewing the documents below, invite the appropriate person in church leadership to complete the application and apply directly with your bank, which needs to be an SBA lender. This will take some work in completing the form, gathering documents, achieving the appropriate approval from the church Board, but it is vital to your church. The time to apply for this loan is limited.

Week of Compassion is instituting a grant program, Household Solidarity Grants for Income Loss, to help respond to critical economic needs during the COVID-19 outbreaks in the US and Canada. We are coordinating this program along with other General Ministries to help Disciples individuals and families during this pandemic. Access to the application is below.

Household Solidarity Grants for Income Loss are available to Disciples of Christ congregations on behalf of members and pastors who are experiencing significant financial hardship. Eligible households must have lost wages due to COVID-19 (illness, protective social measures, or reduced hours/gigs) and must not be eligible for state unemployment insurance (USA) or the GSTC (Canada). Additional funds are available for households that do not qualify for federal stimulus benefits. (This application is also in Spanish and Korean should you need it.) For more information, email Week of Compassion at info@weekofcompassion.org

Please call us if you need assistance or have any questions.

Peace,

Rev. Pamela Holt

Resources
We created a folder that contains all the forms/applications listed below so you can download them. Click here to access the folder.

CARES Act Interpretation by Disciples
General Unit Presidents Gary Kidwell, Rick Reisinger and Todd Adams have provided some interpretation of the US Federal disaster bill, CARES Act. PDFs of all their work can be found at this link (under “financial considerations” on the COVID-19 page): https://disciples.org/dns/disciples-and-covid-19/#financial

Week of Compassion
WOC Income Loss Grant Application

SBA Link
https://content.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/PPP–IFRN%20FINAL.pdf

BOK Documents provided by Oklahoma Disciples Foundation Regarding PPP
BOK Check List for Documents
PPP Eligible Loan Amount
PPP Forgivable Calculation
PPP Is My Business Eligible

National Council of Nonprofits Summary Regarding PPP
CARES Act Loan Options for Nonprofits

Application to apply for PPP
PPP Borrower Application

501c3 Verification
You will need a 501c3 letter with the various US federal programs requiring proof. Please email directly to yearbook@disciples.org so the letter can be sent directly to you.

Governing Documents
Please review your congregation’s governing documents, Constitution & ByLaws for how to hold a Board meeting. If there is no provision for the Board to act electronically or in a crisis, here is what the State of Oklahoma says about action by a Board without a meeting.

In the State of Oklahoma from Articles of Incorporation
Here are relevant portions of 18 O.S. Section 1027 providing for action by a Board of Directors (or other governing body) without a meeting.

F. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or bylaws:
1. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the board of directors, or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board or committee; and the filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form; and any person whether or not then a director may provide, whether through instruction to an agent or otherwise, that a consent to action will be effective at a future time (including a time determined upon the happening of an event), no later than sixty (60) days after such instruction is given or such provision is made and such consent shall be deemed to have been given for purposes of this subsection at such effective time so long as such person is then a director and did not revoke the consent prior to such time; and any such consent shall be revocable prior to its becoming effective;

G.
2. Except as may be otherwise provided by the certificate of incorporation, the provisions of this section shall apply to such a corporation, and when so applied, all references to the board of directors, to members thereof, and to shareholders shall be deemed to refer to the governing body of the corporation, the members thereof and the members of the corporation, respectively; and all references to stock, capital stock, or shares shall be deemed to refer to memberships of a nonprofit nonstock corporation and to membership interests of any other nonstock corporation.

CCOK3012020-04-07T12:55:53-05:00Apr 6, 2020|COVID-19 Resources|Comments Off

Introducing COVID-19 NBA Response Grants

Updated 04-08-20 To offer a rapid and impactful response to the Coronavirus pandemic, the NBA Board of Trustees has authorized grant funding to support Disciples-related ministries that are working locally in response to this crisis. With this funding we seek to offer relief to ministries that have been detrimentally impacted and to support new projects created in service to those suffering because of the pandemic.

The legacy of the National Benevolent Association is rooted in compassionate response to health, social service, and community justice needs since our founding. Our mission is to accompany one another in the creation of communities of compassion and care, and to advocate for the well-being of humanity. In this ever-changing new era of health crisis, we at NBA hear God’s call to care, and we are moved to action.

Over three grant cycles, the NBA will provide grants of $1,000–$15,000 to eligible Disciples-related health and social services ministries and projects that are experiencing adverse effects related to COVID-19. Ministries may apply to each of the three grant periods, with a capped maximum award of $30,000 per ministry.

Below, please find information and links for the new grant program.

NBA grant webpage and online application is here: https://www.nbacares.org/covid-19-grants. From this page, visitors can download the information in Korean or Spanish.

NBA email newsletter about the grants is available here: https://mailchi.mp/nbacares/covid-19-nba-response-grants

A brief description of the COVID-19 NBA Response Grants program:  To offer a rapid and impactful response to the Coronavirus pandemic, the National Benevolent Association is offering grant funding to support Disciples-related ministries that are working locally in response to this crisis. With this funding we seek to offer relief to ministries that have been detrimentally impacted and to support new projects created in service to those suffering because of the pandemic. All Disciples-related health and social services ministries and congregation-affiliated projects in the United States and Canada are invited to apply. Eligible applicants must demonstrate in detail their financial need for support related to COVID-19. For more information and to apply, visit NBAcares.org/covid-19-grants.

Click HERE to go to the NBA website and learn more about the available grants.

CCOK3012020-04-08T14:07:38-05:00Apr 6, 2020|COVID-19 Resources|Comments Off

Update on Canadian County Lenten Worship Series

Under the inspiration and direction of Rev. Colton Lott, Senior Minister at First Christian Church of El Reno, the five Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations in Canadian County planned a coordinated series of Lenten events to benefit tornado and flood victims in Canadian County. “We still have improper housing following the May 2019 tornadoes and floods,” said Rev. Lott. “Our goal was to raise $2500 to help our neighbors.” This effort was in partnership with the Week of Compassion. First Christian Church of El Reno has been designated a Disciples Volunteering/Week of Compassion mission station in 2020. They will help coordinate volunteers in Canadian County, from around the state and country, to work in Canadian County this summer.

Congregations involved were First Christian Church of Calumet, First Christian Church of El Reno, First Christian Church of Mustang, First Christian Church of Yukon, and West Point Christian Church of Yukon. Special worship services on Sunday evenings were planned throughout the five Sundays in March. Each service was to be preceded by meal at 5 pm and contributions collected on each of the Sundays were to go toward the relief work.

Unfortunately, only two Sunday services were held before the COVID-19 crisis put a stop to large gatherings, including a Spring Break “at home mission trip.” However, $1416.66 was collected toward the outreach effort. While COVID-19 has put much uncertainty, groups are still scheduled to come and labor this summer from places like Indianapolis, Kansas City, and from Fort Worth.

Locally, there has been discussion about the possibility of continuing Lenten worship as Canadian County annually. For more information, contact Rev. Lott at rev.clott@gmail.com.

Click HERE to read the original article about Canadian County Lenten Workship and view pictures.

CCOK3012020-04-06T10:04:51-05:00Apr 6, 2020|Congregations|Comments Off

First Christian Church – OKC Moves Out of Iconic Building

The Oklahoman published an article about First Christian Church OKC on April 2nd. Click HERE to read the entire article.

Article by Carla Hinton, The Oklahoman on April 2nd:
Photo taken by drone by Dave Morris.

The iconic church building at NW 37 and Walker Avenue soon will be empty.

This week, the First Christian Church of Oklahoma City (Disciples of Christ) congregation is moving into another structure on the church’s property at 3700 N Walker Ave.

And, the church building — with its distinctive egg-shaped dome — is still for sale, said the Rev. John Malget, First Christian’s senior minister.

“We were going to have the last service in the church building on Palm Sunday (April 5) and the first service in the new location on Easter, but things changed,” Malget said.

“Things have just slowed down. That’s just part of what’s happening right now.”

The congregation voted in October 2019 to relocate and close the preschool affiliated with the church. Malget said the church office and worship space will be in the building that formerly housed the preschool. He said the structure was originally the church’s youth center.

Meanwhile, at the time of the relocation vote, the church board decided to end the Jewel Box Theatre’s season after its production in December 2019.

This week, Malget said Jewel Box, a ministry of the church, would be moving to the same building as the church. He said the theatrical company would continue with a new director, Darron Dunbar. Jewel Box Theatre is Oklahoma City’s oldest continuously operating community theater.

First Christian put the historic building on its sprawling property up for sale about 3 1/2 years ago.

In 2019, Malget said the church’s cost of upkeep and utilities had become overwhelming and the congregation needed to move even though the property hadn’t been sold.

Historic preservationists had expressed concerns that a new owner might demolish the unique building on 31 acres in a prime spot just west of Interstate 235.

Then a reprieve seemed likely.

Preservationists and the First Christian congregation thought the building would be purchased by Crossings Community Church, a far north Oklahoma City megachurch whose leaders had expressed interest in it. On Easter Sunday 2019, Crossings’ leaders announced their hopes to purchase the building for use as a Crossings’ satellite.

By that August, however, that proposal had fallen through.

Crossings leaders said costs to renovate the landmark church building exceeded their initial expectations and the church would not purchase the First Christian building.

First Christian opened in the 1950s, led by popular preacher Bill Alexander. At the time, it was one of the largest congregations in the metro area but, in recent years, the size of the congregation has dwindled.

Click HERE to read the entire article by Carla Hinton, The Oklahoman

CCOK3012020-04-06T09:14:25-05:00Apr 6, 2020|Congregations|Comments Off

Hold on Tight! Executive Director of Week of Compassion’s Personal Story

Sometimes people need a little help. Week of Compassion is here to help in many ways during times of crisis. Watch Executive Director of Week of Compassion, Rev. Vy T. Nguyen’s personal story.

Hold on tight! We will all get through this season together one day at a time.

Click HERE to watch.

Click HERE to read more about Week of Compassion

CCOK3012020-04-06T14:47:01-05:00Apr 2, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

Phillips University, Inc. Seminary Scholarship Program Applications Due April 30, 2020

Phillips University, Inc. (PU) is pleased to offer a merit based Seminary scholarship program for full-time, first year seminarians who are pursuing a Masters of Divinity degree, are committed to pastoral ministry and will attend one of the following Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) affiliated seminaries or foundation homes:

Brite Divinity School – Ft. Worth, TX
Christian Theological Seminary – Indianapolis, IN
Disciples Divinity House at Vanderbilt – Nashville, TN
Disciples Divinity House of the University of Chicago – Chicago, IL
Disciples Seminary Foundation
Claremont School of Theology – Claremont, CA
ILIFF School of Theology – Denver, CO
San Francisco Theological Seminary – San Anselmo, CA
Seattle University School of Theology & Ministry – Seattle, WA
Lexington Theological Seminary – Lexington, KY
Phillips Theological Seminary – Tulsa, OK

The purpose of this program is to perpetuate the mission and the legacy of Phillips University by helping educate people who will be future ministers of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

“For nearly 100 years, Phillips University played an important role in the foundation and education of Christian ministers,” said Kelly Coker, Vice-President. “Because of the Phillips University Seminary Scholarship Program, PU is able to continue to influence the lives of not only the clergy of tomorrow, but also the lives of the countless people they will touch through their future ministries. We feel blessed to be able to help these remarkable Divinity scholars in their theological quests while attending these amazing institutions.”

For more information about the Phillips University, Inc. Seminary Scholarship Program, please contact Tamela Harsha, Scholarship Administrator, at (580) 237-4433 or email scholarships@phillips.edu. Applications can be accessed online at www.phillips.edu/seminary-application. The application deadline is Thursday, April 30, 2020.

CCOK3012020-03-24T11:07:48-05:00Mar 24, 2020|Clergy News|Comments Off

3-19-20 News from Your Regional Minister

Gathering for New Ways to Worship

Last Sunday, Randy and I set up all our devices and joined eight online worship services in our Region. It was a remarkable and uplifting experience to hear a variety of expressions of “good news”! Thank you to all who are worshiping and connecting with one another in this unprecedented time. One clergy person said to me, “I never thought I’d be a televangelist overnight!”

CDC Guideline Change

Since Sunday, the government issued new guidelines about gatherings: No more than 10 people. In order to safeguard and protect one another, the Region continues to encourage all of us to follow the CDC guidelines. That means this upcoming Sunday many more of you are choosing not to gather in the sanctuary for worship, but through other means. Thank you for making this very difficult and painful decision. We are posting worship opportunities on our website here.

Stewardship

While we do not know how long this season of stillness will be, we are aware that not gathering on a Sunday morning for worship will also affect regular giving. We anticipate a decline in giving, because of anxiety about the virus or the economy, but we could all be surprised. Stewardship is still important and giving is always a part of our practice of faith and our gratitude. I can think of many reasons to be grateful right now. In your online worship and regular communications, please continue to lift up opportunities for stewardship and how your congregation will continue to receive the gifts.

Givelify is offering a webinar on Friday. Those of you using Givelify might want to participate. Follow this link.

2020 Regional Assembly & Leadership Training School

The Regional Executive Committee had a called meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 to assess the health crisis and how it will affect the 2020 Regional Assembly & Leadership Training School in Enid in April. The Executive Committee felt strongly that we should be following the CDC guidelines of no more than 10 people gathering and cancelled the Regional Assembly/LTS event. The following words were released from the Regional Moderator this afternoon.

Due to the extraordinary circumstances presented to the church by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Executive Committee of the Regional Church has cancelled the Regional Assembly scheduled for April 24-25, 2020.

As prescribed by the Bylaws, the current Moderator will call a special Regional Board meeting to meet by Zoom (date yet to be determined). With a 2/3 vote, the Regional Board will call a special Regional Assembly as soon as it is safe for the Regional Church to gather with at least 30 days notice to congregations and clergy.

Our current board will continue until the called Regional Assembly has met and voted on the new slate of board members.

Other Cancellations

The following cancellations pertaining to the Region are also posted here. This list is updated daily.

DRCO Lunch
Oklahoma Disciples Men April Retreat
Central Area Disciples Men Meeting
Oklahoma Disciples Women Spring Meeting
Disaster Emotional & Spiritual Care Academy
Retired Ministers Gathering
PRAR Training
Speaker John Dear at Trinity Christian Church, Edmond
International Affairs Seminar

Regional Office

The Regional Office Staff continues to serve the Regional Church although Jennifer, Ellen, Michael, and I are mostly working from home. We are utilizing our Zoom video conferencing account and email to stay connected and focused on serving clergy and congregations. The office phones are forwarded so that one of the staff can receive calls between 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, and we are checking voicemail regularly. We are checking the mail and will deposit any checks we receive. Michael remains available to help set up online worship or study experiences.

Other

Our daughter-in-law, Tali McKell Beesley, is the CEO of the non-profit All Mental Health. They have put together a resource to be supportive to individuals at this time. I offer it to you as yet another resource for your people. Use this link.

Lent has certainly taken on new meaning this year. May God bless the space between us as we keep walking to Jerusalem with Jesus, and may God’s peace and grace continue to be upon us, our family, friends, and neighbors, and beyond in this strange and extraordinary time.

With and hope,

Pamela Holt, Regional Minister

How to Contact Us

Phone: 405-528-3577
Email:

Regional Minister Pam Holt: pholt@okdisciples.org
Assoc. Regional Minister Michael Davison: mdavison@okdisciples.org
Regional Office: office@okdisciples.org

CCOK3012020-04-01T16:33:25-05:00Mar 19, 2020|Livestream Church|Comments Off

Cancellation of 2020 Regional Assembly

3-19-20

The Regional Executive Committee had a called meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 to assess the health crisis and how it will affect the 2020 Regional Assembly & Leadership Training School in Enid in April. The Executive Committee felt strongly that we should be following the CDC guidelines of no more than 10 people gathering and cancelled the Regional Assembly/LTS event.

Due to the extraordinary circumstances presented to the church by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Executive Committee of the Regional Church has cancelled the Regional Assembly scheduled for April 24-25, 2020.

As prescribed by the Bylaws, the current Moderator will call a special Regional Board meeting to meet by Zoom (date yet to be determined). With a 2/3 vote, the Regional Board will call a special Regional Assembly as soon as it is safe for the Regional Church to gather with at least 30 days notice to congregations and clergy.

Our current board will continue until the called Regional Assembly has met and voted on the new slate of board members.

Tom Stanley, Regional Moderator
Pam Holt, Regional Minister

CCOK3012020-03-19T14:13:26-05:00Mar 19, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

Event Cancellations as of 3/19/20

Updated on 3/19/2020

The Regional Office announced the following event cancellations on 3/16/20. If you have questions please contact the Regional Office. Thank you.

International Affairs Seminar

Associate Regional Minister Rev. Michael Davison

The physical health and well-being of our youth, their families, and congregations is as important to the Region as their spirituality and walk with Jesus. Tuesday, I learned information that indicated if one of our IAS participants would have presented with symptoms consistent with Covid-19, chances are health officials would have quarantined our entire group. Also on Tuesday, the United Nations canceled our March 20, tour and has closed to the public until April 1. The odds that other prearranged activities in DC and New York would be canceled were growing. Our siblings in faith at Park Avenue Christian Church in Manhattan have decided to close the church to the public and not hold worship for the next couple of weeks, as the Governor of NY has asked places of worship to suspend holding services. The Regional Ministers for New York and Washington DC indicate people are living normally amidst growing anxiety of the unknown of the disease.

So, Pam, Tom (Regional Moderator), and I discussed the best information we had from several sources and determined that, however unlikely that an IAS participant would become infected, the possibility existed. This would be a burden on the participants, their families, and their congregations. We also didn’t want to bring back a pathogen that might harm a vulnerable member of a congregation. So, we made the decision to cancel the trip late Tuesday afternoon. All participants and their families were informed Tuesday night. We wanted to pass on this information to our siblings in faith.

Our prayers:
– for participants living with some disappointment;
– for those physically and emotionally affected by Covid-19;
– for employees, businesses, doctors, nurses, and leaders that are currently making the best choices they can based on what we know and don’t know about Covid-19.
– for residents of Nashville continuing to clean up and begin the restoration of lives and property after the tornado.

O God who hears, for these and many more we offer our prayers. Amen

March 17: John Dear to Speak at Edmond Trinity Christian Church

The event on March 17 at Edmond Trinity Christian Church has been cancelled.

March 18: PRAR Training

Marilyn Knott and Delois Guess have decided to cancel the March 18 PRAR Training.

March 23: Retired Ministers Gathering

In the best interest of our retired clergy, Bill Shields has made the decision to cancel the Retired Ministers Gathering on March 23 at Southern Hills Christian Church, Edmond. Information will be mailed about about future events.

March 25-26: Disaster Emotional & Spiritual Care Academy

Rev. Mary Gaudreau Hughes has cancelled the March 25-26 Academy. Click here for details on an online option.

March 28: Oklahoma Disciples Women Spring Meeting

Marilyn Bohlender, President, Delois Guess, along with the Oklahoma Disciples Women have made the decision to cancel their upcoming Spring Meeting on March 28, 2020. A new date will be announced in the future.

April 2: Central Area Disciples Men Meeting

The Central Area Disciples Men have made the decision to cancel the Central Area Disciples Men Meeting. A date will be announced in the future.

April 3 – 4: Oklahoma Disciples Men April Retreat

Inman Jones, President, has made the decision to postpone the April 3-4 Retreat until next fall. They do so to protect the health of their fellowship. A date will be announced in the future.

April 24 – 25: Regional Assembly & Leadership Training School

The Executive Committee of the Regional Board will meet on 3/17/2020 to make a decision on whether to postpone the 2020 Regional Assembly & Leadership Training School due to the continuing concerns about the Corona Virus (Covid-19). Please watch the Region’s email newsletter, website and FaceBook page for updates.

April 25: OK-CADP 2020 Annual Awards Dinner & Meeting Postponed

The 2020 OK-CADP Annual Awards Dinner and Meeting has been postponed until fall. If you have purchased tickets you have the option of a refund, or saving your seat for fall.

CCOK3012020-03-19T09:31:57-05:00Mar 19, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

CCOK301

About CCOK301

Gathering for New Ways to Worship

CDC Guideline Change

Stewardship

2020 Regional Assembly & Leadership Training School

Other Cancellations

Regional Office

Other

How to Contact Us

International Affairs Seminar

Associate Regional Minister Rev. Michael Davison

March 17: John Dear to Speak at Edmond Trinity Christian Church

March 18: PRAR Training

March 23: Retired Ministers Gathering

March 25-26: Disaster Emotional & Spiritual Care Academy

March 28: Oklahoma Disciples Women Spring Meeting

April 2: Central Area Disciples Men Meeting

April 3 – 4: Oklahoma Disciples Men April Retreat

April 24 – 25: Regional Assembly & Leadership Training School

April 25: OK-CADP 2020 Annual Awards Dinner & Meeting Postponed