CCOK301, Author at Christian Church in Oklahoma

Oct. 18, 2019: FREE Clergy Continuing Education Opportunity in Tulsa, OK

Hillcrest Medical Center (OHI Lecture Hall) invites you to a FREE Pastoral Care Conference. The topic of the conference is “Being Good Shepherds in God’s Pasture”, presented by Professor Warren Carter. Clergy will receive 3 hours of continuing education for this conference. Click HERE to view the flyer.

This presentation focuses on the metaphor of shepherd and sheep in the biblical tradition. Biblical passages often address shepherds as societal leaders and ask questions about how society is organized, who benefits and who gets hurt. These passages raise matters that are of crucial importance for contemporary faith communities.

Conference Schedule:

8am: Registration and Complimentary Breakfast
8:45-10:15am: Session I – Why Are the Sheep Bleating?
10:15am – 10:30am: Break
10:30am- noon: Session II – Shear Them – Don’t Skin Them!

Date: Friday, October 18, 2019
Location: Hillcrest Medical Center OHI Lecture Hall, 1125 S. Trenton, Tulsa, OK
Registration: email maryfrances.holland@hillcrest.com or call 918-579-6210

CCOK3012019-10-09T13:26:43-05:00Oct 8, 2019|Clergy News|1 Comment

Oct. 28 – 29: Ministry in Transition Seminar in Kansas

Registration is now open for the “Ministry in Transition Seminar”. This training is to learn ministerial leadership skills during times of crisis or transition.

Learn where your congregation is and what gives it life, and lead the leaders from stasis to new life

Your instructors are Steve Bridwell, interim minister since 2001, assisted by Renee Bridwell, Kansas Regional Minister. Steve is currently in his 13th Intentional Interim ministry, and Renee has been on regional staff since 2008.

Learn tools for diagnosing the body of Christ, assessing congregational health, and welcoming a robust future. This seminar is jointly sponsored by the Christian Church in Oklahoma & in Kansas; leadership costs are subsidized by a grant from the Kansas Bible Chair. (Learn more about the Kansas Bible Chair here)

Where: Disciples Center at Tawakoni located at 8492 SW Tawakoni Rd. Augusta, KS
When: October 28 – 29, 2019
Time: Begins at 2pm on October 28 – ends at 3pm on Tuesday
Registration: Paid registration is required by Friday, October 25; the $110 fee covers 4 meals, lodging, and materials. Register by October 11 and save $25. No Refunds after Friday, October 18.

Online Registration Coming Soon: at www.kansasdisciples.org (NOTE: This charge will appear as some version of “SST*CHRISTIANCHUR840559 MOUNT VERNON OH” on your credit card statement.)
Or Mail Registration: Download the flyer HERE and mail registration form with payment to: Topeka Regional Office, 2914 SW MacVicar, Topeka 66611. (Make check payable to Christian Church in Kansas)

Bring:

XL Twin sheets or sleeping bag
Towels & toiletries
Notebook

CCOK3012019-10-08T11:01:14-05:00Oct 8, 2019|Clergy News|Comments Off

Bouquet of Roses: Pictures from the Womens ROSES Event

Thank you to everyone who supported and attended the Disciples Women ROSES Event at First Christian Church Tulsa. The R.O.S.E.S. acronym stands for Regions of the Sun Equipping and Serving. The ROSES event featured uplifting worship, enlightening lectures and a moving dramatic portrayal of women in the Bible. Those attending had the opportunity to meet General Minister and President, the Reverend Terri Hord Owens.

We thank each of you for making this event so meaningful. Please enjoy a few pictures from the event.

CCOK3012019-10-08T10:42:48-05:00Oct 8, 2019|Disciples Women|Comments Off

Pulpit Swap: Pastors Preach to Each Others’ Congregations on “Reconciliation Sunday”

In honor of Reconciliation Sunday, pastors swap pulpits. On Sunday, September 29, 2019, Rev. Dwayne Rogers of Wildewood Christian Church, OKC and Rev. Daniel U’ren, from Western Oaks Christian Church exchanged pulpits for the day.

CCOK3012019-10-07T13:31:37-05:00Oct 7, 2019|Congregations|Comments Off

Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Hope’s Harvest Fundraising Luncheon

Regional Minister, Rev. Pam Holt, Rev. Daniel U’Ren, Rev. Joshua Bell, and Director of Oklahoma Disciples Foundation, Eric Gray, attended the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Hope’s Harvest fundraising luncheon. The purpose of this luncheon is to raise awareness about the issue of hunger in Oklahoma and raise funds that enable the Regional Food Bank to continue its mission of “Fighting Hunger…Feeding Hope.”

Did you know that 1 in 6 Oklahomans struggle with hunger every day?

Every dollar you give provides the equivalent of five meals for our hungry Oklahoma neighbors. Your support makes a tremendous impact on our community and in the fight against hunger.

Give Now

CCOK3012019-10-08T16:20:53-05:00Oct 7, 2019|Local Events|Comments Off

Retired Ministers Gatherings! Join us!

The Retired Ministers Gathering on September 23, 2019 at Harvard Avenue Christian Church was a blessed time together. The group enjoyed lunch at Delta Cafe, following the gathering and meeting at Harvard Avenue. Please plan to attend the next gathering on March 23, 2020 at Southern Hills Christian Church, Edmond.

These events will primarily be fellowship, and occasionally a program. And, we will be collaborating on some organizational matters. We are so grateful that the number of attendees for the Retired Ministers Gatherings continues to grow. Come join us in fellowship.

Future gatherings will be:

- Monday, March 23, 2020: Southern Hills Christian Church, Edmond, 3207 S. Boulevard, Edmond
- Tuesday, June 23, 2020: Christian Church of the Covenant, 1205 S. Cleveland, Enid

CCOK3012019-10-07T11:20:50-05:00Oct 7, 2019|Clergy News|Comments Off

Oct. 22, 2019: Central Area Disciples Women Meeting

Please join the Central Area Disciples Women on October 22, 2019 at First Christian Church Norman for the next Central Area Disciples Women Meeting. You do not need to live in the central area in order to attend this meeting. Come meet new friends.

When: October 22, 2019
Where: First Christian Church Norman, 220 South Webster, Norman, OK

SCHEDULE:

9:30am Coffee and Fellowship
10am Meeting and Program
12pm Lunch $8 (pay at door) RSVP by Oct 15th to 405-329-2192
Speaker: Lori Turner of Ally’s House in support of pediatric cancer families of Oklahoma
In-kind Service Project: Christmas wrapping paper, gift boxes, gift bags, boxes, bows, tape, and tissue paper

CCOK3012019-10-07T11:05:21-05:00Oct 7, 2019|Disciples Women|Comments Off

Thank You From the Commission on Refugees and Immigrant Ministries

Hello everyone –

I thank you so much for your caring hearts and support. The trip to the border and Southwest Good Samaritan was very valuable. It was a quick trip so we weren’t able to get in everything we wanted. There will indeed be another trip. If your churches have clothes or will continue to collect clothes, that will be appreciated and please let me know. I am very grateful for Joel Blomgren and Cecilia Tolley, (pictured loading the van) who made the long drive with the clothes. Yes, we could just ship clothing but that would defeat the purpose of actually being present and being the hands and feet of Christ in the world. We were able to give out some clothes personally to refugee children, but will have time to give out more on a longer trip.

I was fortunate enough to attend a prayer meeting on Friday night with Filiberto’s congregation and refugees he and Iglesia Ebenezer are helping. The stories the refugees/immigrants tell are absolutely heart-wrenching. They are unable to tell their stories without tears. The people I met are truly afraid of being returned to their country of origin. For them, it would mean certain death. Most of the refugees I met were single, young women with children. This is why there are no photos of the individuals or the children who received clothes. They simply cannot risk being found. A picture shared online, on Facebook, or any other media is something that could cost them their lives and the lives of their families.

So, as always, a mission trip is both wonderful and terrible. The work we do as followers of Jesus makes us feel great, and we know we are doing the ministry Jesus sets forward for us in the Gospels. But learning the truth with our own eyes, ears, and hearts is the terrible part. It is more than compassion we feel for our brothers and sisters in need- it is the simple knowledge that as all children of God, we are indeed family. And we suffer with our family as yet we hope for a better future and wish to work to make that future a reality. The idea of being family is vividly present in everything Filiberto and the refugees say. They have an attitude and understanding of family that is not made by blood, but love. Love for God, hence, love for one another. Many of our brothers and sisters have to leave their family of birth and homes forever. Filiberto consistently reminds us all that we are a part of One Body. It matters not where we are from, what color we are, or what our economic status is.

I will write more on my experiences soon. For now, I have a couple of ideas for further action on behalf of OCRIM. First, I am hoping some of us will meet with the office of ICE here in Oklahoma to establish a relationship and spirit of cooperation. Then, I would love for us to begin thinking about establishing a relocation center here in Oklahoma. That would be a big task, but it is needed. Then, I would like to work on our next trip to the border. It could be again to the Los Fresnos/Bay view area, and/or take a trip with Borderlinks in Arizona. You can find Borderlinks online if you would like more information. Please let me know if you are interested in finding a date to meet and begin on our next mission action!

Again, thank you so much for your generosity. It is greatly appreciated by Filiberto and everyone it benefits.

May God bless you, and give you the peace of Jesus Christ!

Rev. Mary Heath, Commission on Refugee and Immigration Ministries Chair

CCOK3012019-10-08T10:45:17-05:00Oct 7, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

Thanksgiving Offering 2019

The Thanksgiving Offering benefits the Colleges, Universities, Seminaries, and Divinity Houses affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Higher education has been an important focus for Disciples since the very beginning of the movement.

Watch a short video to get reacquainted with Disciples Higher Education! Click HERE

Throughout our history, Disciples have founded institutions of higher learning to educate students and form leaders to make a difference in the world. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is still committed to higher education. Your gift to the Thanksgiving Offering helps support the education of thousands of students at our fifteen colleges and universities as well as our seven seminaries and divinity houses.

The Colleges and Universities of the Christian Church provide quality education through classes offered by some of the nation’s top undergraduate and graduate faculty. Many of the campuses are comprised of state-of-the-art facilities, offer diverse degree programs, include dynamic student life activities, offer exciting athletics programs, and much more. The Thanksgiving offering supports everything from scholarships, to religious life offices, to faculty growth and development. By giving to the Thanksgiving Offering you are helping our institutions invest in students as they prepare themselves to become leaders.

The Thanksgiving Offering also provides scholarship and support for our theological education institutions. Each of our seminaries and divinity houses is committed to educating and forming Christian leaders for church and society. Generations of pastors, community leaders, and agents of social transformation have been educated at our theological institutions. They have flourished and made a difference in the world, thanks to gifts from Disciples congregations and individuals throughout the ages. These institutions continue to prepare leaders for the present age and the age to come.

Support for Disciples Mission Fund and gifts to the Thanksgiving Offering are a critical part of the ongoing collaborative work of church and higher education that is such a foundational part of the heritage of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Please give generously to this offering. Your gift makes a difference in the lives of our students and it makes a difference in the world.

The Thanksgiving Offering is received in many congregations on November 17 and 24, 2019.

You may read more about the Thanksgiving Special Offering HERE.

Donate HERE

CCOK3012019-10-10T13:08:23-05:00Oct 3, 2019|Congregations|Comments Off

Border-Wide Actions on the 25th Anniversary of Operation Gatekeeper, Beginning Oct. 1st Thru Oct.

Please see below information of actions all along the southern border, beginning October 1st and throughout the month. If you are able to participate as members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), please share your images and experiences with RIM at: sstanley@dhm.disciples.org, so we can celebrate your work!

Gatekeeper’s walls went up in San Diego in 1994 and spread across the southern border, leaving a trail of destruction while laying the foundation for the cruel and inhumane border policies of today.

The Southern Border Communities Coalition (SBCC) will mark the 25th anniversary of Operation Gatekeeper on October 1st with a series of border-wide actions from San Diego, Calif. to Brownsville, Texas.

Southern border communities are condemning the deadly 1994 federal policy, and are calling for policies that expand public safety, protect human rights, and welcome residents and newcomers.

While many of the worst border policies we see today gained notoriety under the current administration — walls, a huge expansion of agents, checkpoints, detention and family separation — all of them found their inspiration in Operation Gatekeeper.

EVENTS ON OCTOBER 1st
* San Diego, CA, at Chicano Park, in front of the Operation Gatekeeper mural, at 11 a.m.: San Diego Press Conference
* Douglas, AZ, at the corner of Pan American and 5th, starting at 5:15 pm: Conversation with Joe Nevins, author of Operation Gatekeeper and Beyond, and vigil
* Las Cruces, NM: Multimedia event featuring video testimony from those impacted by Gatekeeper
* San Juan, TX: Roundtable discussion with community members on impact of Gatekeeper

These coordinated events will also kick off a month of actions against harmful border policies. For a complete list of events in CA, AZ, NM, TX, and MX, please click here.

ABOUT THE SOUTHERN BORDER COMMUNITIES COALITION
The Southern Border Communities Coalition (SBCC) brings together organizations from San Diego, California to Brownsville, Texas, to ensure that border enforcement policies and practices are accountable and fair, respect human dignity and human rights, and prevent the loss of life in the region.

Follow Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries on Twitter @StanleyRea, & on FB at: http://bit.ly/RIMFacebook, and call Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea, Director, Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries, with any questions: 202-957-7826.

Check out the website

CCOK3012019-10-08T10:27:04-05:00Oct 1, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

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