CCOK301, Author at Christian Church in Oklahoma

Caminante Mission Trip Update: March 2019

The group of Disciples of Christ volunteers have returned safely from the Caminante Mission Trip to Boca Chica, Dominican Republic. Thank you to Shauna Becker, Blake Becker, Brian Becker, Rev. Donald Johnson, Esilla Regaldo, Beverly Rubino, Madison Rubino, and Shelby Rubino for giving of your time, money, and talents to serve others in this ministry.

In March 2019, eight people from three Oklahoma Disciples of Christ churches (Central Christian Church Enid, First Christian Church Edmond, First Christian Church Midwest City) went on a mission trip to Caminante in the Dominican Republic. The Oklahoma Disciples Foundation, the Oklahoma Region, and local churches provided partial scholarships to help the participants with their trip expenses.

The group took ten suitcases of clothing, baseball equipment, and dental supplies for the local children. They made crafts with the children in the homework rooms and made coconut jewelry with Haitian teenage orphans. They visited the sugar cane plantations and walked the streets of Boca Chica at night to deliver supper to orphans “street children”.

They visited the vocational school where young adults learn job skills that provide them with job opportunities for living wages. They worshiped in a church in the capital city of Santo Domingo and had devotion time every evening. The group talked about how they saw the face of Jesus in the work of Caminante.

The group of Disciples saw first-hand how Sister Denise, volunteers, and her staff change the lives of children, teenagers, and young adults. They were told that when people from the United States come and support Caminante, “we bring them the love of Jesus Christ and we give them hope”.

Are you interested in going on a mission trip to Caminante in late July 2019 or March of 2020? Call the Regional Office for more information. 405-528-3577
Would you like a speaker to come to your church and share about the Caminante Ministry? Call the Regional Office to arrange a visit. 405-528-3577

Do you want to help support Caminante? Here is how:

DONATE: Support Caminante by giving a monetary donation. Click HERE to give online. (Use the “Other” Category and note “Caminante”). You may also mail a donation to the Oklahoma Regional Office at 301 NW 36th, Oklahoma City, OK 73118

PRAY: Pray for the ministry, for the people planning to travel in July, and the children of the Dominican Republic.

TRAVEL: Consider traveling for the next mission trip in July 2019.

CCOK3012019-04-08T10:21:51-05:00Apr 8, 2019|Mission|Comments Off

Crown Heights Christian Church and First Christian Church (OKC) Join to Support the OKC Marathon on April 28

Have you ever heard of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon? It has been one of the top marathons in the country, and it happens right here in OKC. In fact, the race course runs around Crown Heights Christian Church and First Christian (OKC) Church on Sunday morning, April 28.

The course is so close that neither church is able to hold worship services that Sunday morning. While some might find this as an inconvenience, these two congregations see this wonderful event, with more than 25,000 runners each year, as an opportunity to serve both the city and the runners. Both churches will eat together and worship together on Saturday, April 27 beginning at 6 pm at Crown Heights. Then, on Sunday morning, beginning at 6:30 am, the two churches will meet to cheer on the runners with signs, encouraging words and music on First Christian Church’s property.

Crown Heights even has a church-sponsored marathon relay team in the race. If you’re even remotely interested in finding out more or participating with us, please contact Rev. Aaron Krueger at Crown Heights (405-528-5568) or Rev. John Malget at FCC (OKC) (405-525-6551).

CCOK3012019-04-10T13:12:52-05:00Apr 4, 2019|Congregations|Comments Off

Congratulations to Ron Motley on His Ordination

Join us in congratulating Ron Motley on his recent ordination.

The Service of Ordination to Christian Ministry took place on March 30, 2019 at Crown Heights Christian Church. Regional Minister, Pam Holt officiated the ceremony. Rev. Michael Oberlender represented the Commission on Clergy.

CCOK3012019-04-08T10:35:27-05:00Apr 4, 2019|Clergy News|1 Comment

East Side Christian Church is Moving and Partnering with Forest Park Christian Church

Press Release From East Side Christian Church:

85 years ago, 65 people met on a cold December day in 1933. They gathered near the intersections of 11th and Harvard in a room that would later become a beer parlor. An ordained UMC Minister named Frank J. Pippin made a suggestion that a new church be formed at 15th and Indianapolis. With the support of First Christian Church downtown Tulsa and others, that dream led to their first small building that is now an education wing.

East Side Christian Church was forged out of a desire for people “east” of town to be able to go to church, and with support from various people, a sanctuary was built in the art deco style. While updates have occurred, the outside of the building still is a beacon to that era.

Spending over two years in discernment and prayer, the congregation voted 100% to sell our building and move. After much more prayer, we have partnered up with Forest Park Christian Church at 91st and Mingo and we will be joining with them and celebrate Easter together on April 21st. Our last Sunday Services will be on Palm Sunday on April 14th.

We are a church of the people, not the steeple and to keep a building of this size open was not being good stewards of our call to show love to the community. We have chosen to partner with Forest Park Christian Church (DOC) because they hold the same values, theology and love that we have focused on for the many years.

Though we hate leaving our building behind, we know that our faith is not in a structure or nostalgia, but in a Creator, who made us to love others and to show that love. We will be able to do that better in a smaller space in south Tulsa.

We will continue our outreach projects like Cuppa-Thanks, but also look for new needs in our new community.

Signs at our church will soon change to let our neighbors and community know.

For information about our property, correspondence can be made to Kelly McKoy with McKoy Company at 918 403-9160 or email [email protected].

Please contact Rev. Evan Taylor at the above contact if you have any questions.

Click HERE to download the Press Release

CCOK3012019-04-08T11:07:04-05:00Apr 4, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

April 5-6: Disciples Men Retreat “Disciples Men Lifting Disciples Men”

You are invited to join the Oklahoma Disciples Men for their Annual Retreat. The theme this year is “Disciples Men Lifting Disciples Men”.

Location: Central Oklahoma Camp & Conference Center, #1 Twin Cedar Lane, Guthrie, OK 73044-7041
Speaker: Rev. John Wheeler, FCC Arnett
Music by Quintessential (Putnam City Christian Church)
Cost for first time attendees: $39.95
Cost for all other attendees: $79.95

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Friday, April 5th: Registration from 5-6:30pm followed by the program, music, and dinner.
Saturday, April 6th: The event will end following lunch around 1pm.

REGISTRATION OPTIONS:

Click HERE for online registration
Click HERE to download the paper registration form and mail a check to the Regional Office at: 301 NW 36th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73118

CCOK3012019-04-02T13:32:29-05:00Apr 2, 2019|Disciples Men|1 Comment

April 9, 2019: INTEGRIS Pastoral Care Presents: Un-social Media: Cyber Bullying, Cyber Stalking and the Voice of Hate

You are invited to join a live presentation for clergy and clinical staff. Clergy will receive 1.5 hours of continuing education credit for this event.

Electronic media has become well integrated into most aspects of our daily lives. Whether we use it to bridge friendships, stay informed, keep in touch with loved ones or express ourselves, electronic media offers a unique way to stay connected with the world around us. Yet we don’t have to look far to experience electronic media’s darker sides. Cyber bullying, cyber stalking and hate groups have found fertile grounds in electronic media. This program will explore how members of clergy can help those caught up in its web of lies and deceit.

Tuesday, April 9, 2019 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center Auditorium
No registration required for this free program.

Presenter Heather Holeman, newscaster, KFOR News Channel 4

CCOK3012019-03-28T09:39:30-05:00Mar 28, 2019|Clergy News|Comments Off

IAS 2019 Update

The International Affairs Seminar trip returned home March 23, 2019 after eight days of learning, walking, conversations, sights, sounds, and laughter. This annual study trip offers juniors and seniors in high school the opportunity to travel and study within the comfort and challenge of community.

We give thanks for the adults that went on the trip as conversation partners, co-learners, and guides. Thank you: Rev. Shannon Cook, Travis Carlson, Rev. Pam Holt, and Bart Hanna.

We also recognize the congregations that supported their youth participants through prayer and financial support. We give thanks to the Oklahoma Disciples Women for sponsoring the Sunday buffet breakfast for the group and to the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation for the grant that sponsored Wednesday dinner for the group.

Photos from the trip are posted at the Region’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ccokdoc/ and we will post an album later in April to the Region’s website.

Mark your calendars for IAS 2020 – March 13-21

CCOK3012019-04-01T10:31:01-05:00Mar 25, 2019|Youth|Comments Off

2019 Easter Offering April 14 and April 21

“I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5 NRSV

As Disciples, we all benefit from the fruit, the gifts, of our general ministries. These fruits are made possible only through the connections and support that grow in collaboration with our regions and congregations. This Easter, let us reflect on the transformative ways that we have been impacted by those ministries, and by the fruits of our shared work.

Our general ministries provide other critical resources to Disciples congregations, like stewardship campaign materials, loans and financial services, and space for community building around shared values and traditions.

Our ministries can bear these fruits because of our shared root system. We are rooted in Christ. As one branch of our vine grows, we can share more fruit with more people, from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.

This Holy Week let us give of our own fruits to tend to the whole. Our ministries grow through your tending, nurturing, and caring. Your gifts to the Easter Offering can transform our shared work.

Please give generously to this year’s Easter Offering.

CCOK3012019-03-25T10:44:04-05:00Mar 21, 2019|Congregations|Comments Off

Oklahoma Disciples Foundation Awards $46,000 in Grants

The Grant Committee has allocated 2019 grant funds, and checks were mailed March 12th. This year, grants totaling more than $46,000 were awarded to 28 Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Churches and related institutions. Grant funding awards are based on events or programs with potential to make the greatest impact within communities. You can also see details of the awards for 2018 funding and 2017 funding.

Grant applications and guidelines for 2020 will be available soon at the links below; meanwhile, you may still view 2019 information. If you would like to be added to ODF’s email list for updates on the 2020 Grant Program, please send your contact information (name, address, city, state, zip, email, phone and church) to [email protected]. Or call 405.525.6530 for more information. The deadline for submitting 2020 Grant Applications is 5:00 p.m., February 15, 2020.

CCOK3012019-04-08T10:36:33-05:00Mar 21, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

Disciples Home Missions 2019 Lent Resources

The 2019 Lent Resource — The Rev. Dr. Betty Miller Green and the Rev. Dr. Irvin W. Green are the co-writers for this year’s Lenten meditations. She is presently the Associate Pastor of Woodland Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Columbus, Ohio. He is the pastor of Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Kettering, Ohio.

The season of Lent is one of the two most known seasons of the Church (liturgical) year. Whereas Advent leads up to the birth of Christ, Lent marks the final days of Jesus’ life and ministry. The season lasts for forty days, from Ash Wednesday until Holy Saturday (the day before Easter) excluding Sundays.

Lent is known for visual or conspicuous expressions of penitence, humility, or sorrow. This is because of the association made between the crucifixion of Christ and human sinfulness. One example of such expression is the placing of ashes on the foreheads of believers on Ash Wednesday. Throughout the time of Lent, sacrificial choices are emphasized. Such choices may include dietary changes (temporary or permanent), giving to the poor, or relinquishing personal luxuries. With the coming of Easter, which is technically beyond Lent, there is a shift from remorse to joy. Jesus, who died for our sins, is triumphant over sin. God’s people are granted a reprieve and a new covenant. Easter is as colorful and full of life as the Lenten season is careful to avoid such celebratory signs.

CCOK3012019-03-19T12:58:06-05:00Mar 19, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

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