CCOK301, Author at Christian Church in Oklahoma

Disciples4Water Helping Solve the World Water Crisis

What is Disciples4Water?

Disciples4Water is a Christ-centered ministry that is committed to solving the water crisis, one water well at a time. Disciples4Water helps to create clean drinking water resources in remote locations in the Congo that are in critical need for clean water. First Christian Church Edmond saw a great need to help the Disciples of Christ members in the Congo develop a plan for clean drinking water, so Disciples4Water was created.

In a world where 780 million people lack access to clean drinking water, the creation of water well drilling teams consisting of local citizens brings hope, pride and a source of income to the community. By equipping these drill teams with the tools and skills they require to bring clean water to a population, Disciples4Water are doing more than just giving water to those in need.

By recognizing those education, healthcare and agriculture needs that are associated with a critical need for water, the mission teams can focus projects that solve more than just the singular water problem in an area.

Disciples4Water establishes, trains and supports local teams of water well drillers dedicated to providing clean water in the Democratic Republic of Congo. D4W also supports water-related healthcare, education and agriculture projects through direct funding and in-kind donations. Through the coordination of mission trips with church partners, D4W are able to show donors the impact of their dollars in the Congo.

If you feel led to participate or donate to this ministry, click HERE to read more.

CCOK3012020-02-13T13:40:02-06:00Feb 13, 2020|Congregations|Comments Off

We Love Our Donors!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! The 2019 End of Year Giving Reports indicate you care about your Region!

At the end of 2018, you may remember that the Regional Board had to make some very difficult financial decisions which included a reduction in staff. These decisions were primarily due to the downward trend in congregational giving through Disciples Mission Fund. As we reported out about the drastic changes in the Region’s budget and made congregations and clergy aware of their giving patterns, you all responded.

The 2019 End of Year Giving Reports reveal congregational giving through Disciples Mission Fund exceeded the Region’s budgeted amount. Individual and congregational giving to the 2019 Annual Fund exceeded the Region’s budgeted amount. The 2019 Christmas Offering exceeded the budgeted amount. Wow!

With your excellent stewardship, the Regional Executive Committee is proposing to give 10% of this generosity to “missions of the Region” and to set up a reserve fund to do some creative ministries in the future and to help the Regional Office relocate in the next two years. For starters, the Region has invested in 2020 Stewardship materials and resources from the Center For Faith & Giving for every congregation in Oklahoma to have access.

Thank you for caring about the Region who cares about you and your mission and witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ in our Region and beyond!!

Peace & God’s Grace,

Rev. Pamela Holt, Regional Minister

CCOK3012020-02-11T09:55:08-06:00Feb 11, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

What Is Regional Assembly? Why Does It Matter To Me?

What Is Regional Assembly?

Regional Assembly is the event where congregations in the Oklahoma Region gather to take care of the business of the church as well as share together in community. It occurs once every two years as defined in the Region’s constitution. This year, Regional Assembly is in Enid and combines this important event with our annual Leadership Training School.

Why Does It Matter to Me?

Because each and every church in the Oklahoma Region and furthermore, each and every member of those churches are vital towards the part of the Body of Christ that we represent here in Oklahoma.

As we as Disciples strive towards the global unity that God is calling God’s church to have, we relish these opportunities to embody that unity in our smaller geographies. The work that each of our churches are doing to better their immediate surroundings, their towns and cities, this great state in which we live, our country, and even the world is worth celebrating and sharing with the other churches in the region.

Come and make sure your voice is heard and that we are lifting up the great work your church is doing along with all of the other Disciples institutions in the Oklahoma Region!

What’s the Best Part?

The best part about this year’s Regional Assembly is that it will be a place for our churches to learn about and perhaps take ideas from all the amazing workshops. Plus our keynote speaker will offer a spirit-filled message sure to inspire ministries in your congregation.

Click HERE to learn more about Disciples of Christ.

Regional Assembly + Leadership Training School will take place on April 24 – 25, 2020 at Central Christian Church – Enid. Click HERE to learn more and register.

CCOK3012020-02-10T13:52:07-06:00Feb 10, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

FCC Norman Hosts “Ventures 2020 Workshop Series”

First Christian Church Norman hosts an annual series of workshops featuring biblical, theological, ecclesial, personal growth, and social justice issues. The workshops this year are from 4-6 p.m., Sundays February 23, March 1, and March 8.

BIBLICAL STUDIES
February 23: Wives, Mothers, Martyrs, Warriors: Women in the Old Testament

March 1: Entertaining Possibilities: Scriptural History and Development

March 8: Living the Bible, Living With the Bible, Living Within the Bible: A Jewish Relationship With What IS Written and What IS NOT Written

CHURCH AND SOCIETY
February 23: Conversations on Privilege

March 1: Advocacy in the Midst of Polarization

March 8: Oklahoma’s Legislative and Policy Environment

FOR ALL THE SAINTS

February 23: Fr. Stan Rother: An Extraordinary Presence Among Us

March 1: And I Mean To Be One Too: Saints, Sanctification, and Holy Living in the Anglican Tradition

March 8: Holiness is Your Invitation, Signed By the Holy Ones

PLAYWRITING 101

February 23, March 1, 8

A time for gathering and refreshments begins at 3:30 p.m. Child-care is provided. For a full list of offerings, visit https://surveymonkey.com/r/Ventures2020. Please pre-register. We hope to see you there.

CCOK3012020-02-10T10:11:50-06:00Feb 10, 2020|Congregations|Comments Off

2020 Healthy Boundaries & PRAR Training Dates

Healthy Boundaries 201 Training

Registration is now open for Healthy Boundaries training workshops. You may review all the Healthy Boundaries training requirements, dates and registration information on our page for Clergy Standing Requirements. Click here. Tip: Your Healthy Boundaries 101 training date appears on your most recent standing form. Use this chart to determine when you need to complete the 201 workshop.

Date: March 12, 2020 – Thursday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Disciples Center, 301 NW 36th St., Oklahoma City
Cost: $70 + $3.10 processing fee (includes lunch & materials)
Continuing Education: 7 contact hours
Click to Register

Date: March 14, 2020 – Saturday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Disciples Center, 301 NW 36th St., Oklahoma City
Cost: $70 + $3.10 processing fee (includes lunch & materials)
Continuing Education: 7 contact hours
Click to Register

Fall Training dates will be announced in the future.

PRAR (Pro-Reconciliation Anti-Racism) Training

Registration is now open for the final offering of PRAR training. You may review all the training requirements, dates and registration information on our page for Clergy Standing Requirements. Click here.

NOTE: These are the ONLY times PRAR will be offered in 2020.

Date: March 18, 2020 – Wednesday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Disciples Center, 301 NW 36th St., Oklahoma City
Cost: $35 + $2.05 processing fee (includes lunch & materials)
Continuing Education: 7 contact hours
Click to Register

Date: March 21, 2020 – Saturday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Disciples Center, 301 NW 36th St., Oklahoma City
Cost: $35 + $2.05 processing fee (includes lunch & materials)
Continuing Education: 7 contact hours
Click to Register

CCOK3012020-02-06T12:13:36-06:00Feb 6, 2020|Clergy News|Comments Off

Foster Feet in Action: A Story of Church Community Outreach

Central Christian Church – Enid partners with Foster Feet to provide free shoes to children in need as a community outreach. The shoes are provided in the local schools and around the community as needed. Foster Feet was created by Lauren Anderson, who saw a need to help foster children who often need new shoes. Foster Feet collects and distributes new pairs of shoes to children in need across Garfield County.

This child showed up to school this week in the rain with his socks sticking out of the holes in his shoes.

His teacher contacted the school counselor. The counselor contacted Foster Feet. Kay Allison, with Foster Feet then went into action and delivered a new pair of shoes to the school.

By 2 p.m. this child was showing off his new shoes to his teacher. It doesn’t get any better than that! God is good. If you feel led to donate or volunteer with Foster Feet, click here to read more.

Or contact Central Christian Church Enid to learn more about this amazing ministry and get involved.

Central Christian Church
1111 W. Broadway Ave.
Enid, Oklahoma 73703-5841

Phone: 580-233-1214
FAX: 580-233-1228
Email: admin@centralenid.org

CCOK3012020-02-04T11:17:53-06:00Feb 4, 2020|Congregations|Comments Off

Faith In Action Commission 2020 Grant Applications

The Faith in Action Commission will begin accepting grant applications in January for Reconciliation Grants. Application forms are available HERE. The deadlines for applications is March 16, 2020.

Grant Application Window: January 15-March 16, 2020
Grant Decisions by April 1 with notifications by April 8
Disbursements of funds on May 1.
Complete end of project report by December 1.

Reconciliation Grants are a part of a larger project of addressing systemic racism and other forms of discrimination prevalent in our society. Reconciliation Grants this year are targeted at helping local congregations identify ways to address racism and other forms of discrimination at the local level. The Commission hopes

to identify models of reconciliation that can be sustained by local churches and other entities
that the knowledge gained from these projects can be transferred for use by other churches

Applicants are encouraged to work with other congregations or local entities to broaden the scope of the programs/projects that result. Each grant recipient is expected to submit a final report outlining the design of the project, what practical modifications were needed to make it work, the results of goals/objectives of the project, and the pros and cons of the project.

For more information, please contact Marilynn Knott, Chair of the Faith in action Commission at marilynnknott1@cox.net

CCOK3012020-02-06T15:41:42-06:00Feb 3, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

2020 Year Book Reports Due 3/15

NEW!

The Year Book office has a number of handy tools to help you complete and submit your congregation’s 2020 Year Book information to the General Board’s Year Book office in Indianapolis. You may find them all on the Year Book page, or see the list below.

Helpful how-to video now available. Click here to watch.
Plus find answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the report. Click here for FAQs
Congregational Tool Kit – a handy overview of the process and deadlines. Click here for the Tool Kit.
What to Collect – a list of data needed for the form. Click here for the Info to Gather list.
Need a paper form to work from while you collect your info? Get a paper copy here.

Choose a Way to Submit

Online at https://disciples.org/yearbook/ then click on the link under Congregational Reporting for English, Spanish or Korean. To file online you will need your CHURCH PIN #. If you need help finding your PIN # you may search for it HERE using your congregation’s zip code or city/state.
Email a scanned copy to the Regional Office to be received by March 10th: office@okdisciples.org
Fax a copy to the Regional Office to be received by March 10th: 405-283-1668
Mail the form to the Regional Office to be received by March 10th. Address: Christian Church in Oklahoma, 301 NW 36th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73118-8661

Deadline to Submit the 2020 Year Book Form Is March 15, 2020

Please contact the Regional Office if you have any questions regarding your 2020 Year Book Form. 405-528-3577.

Year Book and Directory forms are important to maintaining your church’s 501(c)3 tax status with the IRS. The General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) votes and approves the list of member churches, church agencies and institutions published in the Year Book for submission to the IRS. This assures contributions to your congregation may be properly reported as tax exempt to the IRS.

CCOK3012020-01-27T15:58:03-06:00Jan 27, 2020|Congregations|Comments Off

Do You Know Your Neighbor? Have You Seen Your Neighbor Lately?

Do you know your neighbor? Have you seen your neighbor lately? Do you know your Disciples neighbor? Have you seen your Disciples neighbors lately? Do you know how other Disciples are bringing healing and wholeness to our fragmented world?

The 2020 Regional Assembly & Leadership Training School is the place to connect with your Disciples neighbors! We hope your congregation is making plans to travel to Enid, Oklahoma for this Oklahoma Disciples church gathering where we will sing and pray together, hear a good word from the Lord, eat and fellowship around common tables, and learn how all of us serving the Lord with strength and joy.

Keep watch for more details! Registration coming soon!

CCOK3012020-01-22T13:33:09-06:00Jan 22, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

The Art of Church Communication: 2020 Workshop Series

Registration is now open for the 2020 Art of Church Communication Workshops. Please share with your churches as you see appropriate. This year’s workshops will be in March. Each Tuesday morning from 9 a.m. – Noon. You are invited to attend in person at Disciples Center at Tawakoni or join us via live video feed from the comfort of your home or office.

Can’t make it to a live session? No problem! Recorded videos of each workshop presentation will be available with paid registration.

Each workshop will include a discussion on various strategies and hand-on applications. Workshops are for anyone (not just church staff). If your interested in church communication ministry, regardless of skill level, you are welcome and encouraged to attend.

2020 topics are:

March 3: Your church story in photographs
March 10: Your church live
March 17: The community connection
March 24: The welcome center
March 31: Texting in church

Cost is $25 per workshop or $100 for all five workshops. Learning is more fun with friends! Sign-up for all five workshops with two or more church friends and pay $90 each. Discounts only available through Friday, February 14.

Register online at www.kansasdisciples.org/2020-aocc-workshops or download the registration form and mail with payment to Topeka regional office, 2914 SW MacVicar Ave, Topeka KS 66611.

Questions? Email Jessica Marston, Communications Specialist at scd@kansasdisciples.org

CCOK3012020-01-21T11:42:32-06:00Jan 21, 2020|Congregations|Comments Off

CCOK301

About CCOK301

Healthy Boundaries 201 Training

PRAR (Pro-Reconciliation Anti-Racism) Training

NEW!

Choose a Way to Submit

Deadline to Submit the 2020 Year Book Form Is March 15, 2020