We have good news! If you were not able to make it to General Assembly in person, you may watch some of the events online. Click HERE to view:
Indianapolis – As part of its expansion of Ministerial Relief and Assistance and in renewing its commitment to walk with clergy throughout all stages of ministry, Pension Fund of the Christian Church has announced The Gathering – A Retreat for Clergy. The Gathering is a biennial conference promoting the mental, spiritual, and financial wellness of Disciples clergy. The inaugural Gathering, which will also serve as a celebration of Pension Fund’s 125th anniversary, is scheduled for September 8-10, 2020 at the Intercontinental Hotel in New Orleans, LA.
“As part of our 2019-22 Strategic Plan, we are renewing our commitment to walking with clergy from their first day of credentialing until their last beneficiary takes their final breath” shared Rev. Dr. Todd A. Adams, Pension Fund President and CEO. “The Gathering is one way we can provide clergy, and especially those actively serving, with resources for their journey in ministry.”
The keynote speaker, Dr. Matt Bloom, Ph. D. is a professor at the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame with expertise in working with a variety of non-profit organizations. He leads the Flourishing in Ministry and Wellbeing at Work research projects which focus on the well-being of helping and caring professions. Matt is passionate about finding real solutions to make work a healthy, vibrant, life-enriching experience as a spouse of a former United Methodist minister. Matt will share the latest research on the well-being of clergy and practical insights about how to build and sustain that well-being.
The conference will open on Tuesday, Sept. 8 with worship led by Dr. Bill Thomas and Andra Moran, and the message by Rev. Starsky D. Wilson, President & CEO from the Deaconess Foundation, St. Louis.
Registration is $100 for those serving congregations with an average worship attendance of less than 99 members and $150 for all others. The registration fee includes the conference, two breakfasts, one lunch, and two hotel nights. Spouse registration is $150 to cover meal costs. Additional bookend discounted room rates are available over Labor Day weekend or following the conference for $156 per night. The event is limited to 500 attendees.
The low registration fee is made possible in partnership with the Lilly Endowment Inc., The Christian Church Healthcare Benefit Trust Endowment for Clergy Health and Wellness, and Ministerial Relief and Assistance from Pension Fund of the Christian Church.
For more information about Pension Fund’s 125th Anniversary celebration or to register for The Gathering, please visit pensionfund.org/125.
Pension Fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) provides pension and retirement savings accounts for clergy and lay employees of congregations, regions, general ministries and church-related colleges and seminaries of the Stone-Campbell (Restoration) Movement. Pension Fund manages over $3 billion in net assets on behalf of those serving in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and related international ministries.
The Commission on Clergy voted in 2018 to require all active and retired-active clergy to attend a one-day PRAR training session during 2019 to meet 2020 standing requirements.
Fall training sessions are being offered across the Region for your convenience. See schedule and registration links below.
The second phase of the Healthy Boundaries policy is in effect now and requires clergy to take the Healthy Boundaries 201 Seminar within 42 months (3 1/2 years) of having taken the 101 Seminar, and thereafter every three years.
Healthy Boundaries 201 training began in Fall 2018. This training will be required in 2019 for NE & SE areas; 2020 for NW & SW areas; and 2021 for Central area. To determine the date you must meet the deadline, add the date you took HB 101 and add 42 months. Details available here.
In preparation for 2020 Standing, remember to keep track of your 16 clock hours of continuing education during the year, which are required according to the Commission on Clergy’s Continuing Education Policy.
We understand that life takes unexpected turns. If you need to cancel, please contact our office 24 hours in advance and we’ll work to help you refund and reschedule. Call Ellen at 405-528-3577 or email ebeer@okdisciples.org
Britton Christian Church serves the community through a Tennis Academy outreach program they offer to Britton Elementary School children and their own church members. They held a 3 day camp at Heritage Hall High School for 70 kids in June. The church has around 28 advanced players who are playing most days of the week. Read the inspiring article below about Britton Christian Church Tennis Academy, published by the Disciples News Service.
(Photo provided by Mike Hays, Britton Christian Church)
Article written by Disciples News Service on July 5, 2019 at 11:17 am
At Britton Christian Church in Oklahoma City, tennis is more than a sport.
Since 2011, a youth group trip to the tennis court has grown into BCC Tennis Academy, which officially opened in 2018.
Participants in Britton’s tennis clubs like Los Gatos learn more than how to swing a racket. This weekly club is offered to students at nearby Britton Elementary School who are behind in reading, and includes tennis lessons, tutoring, time in the church’s computer lab with educational games, and Bible lessons.
The tennis program has grown to reach families across the congregation’s diversifying community, through weekly groups, summer camps and an annual event – and provides a powerful way for church members to volunteer.
“God can use me to make a difference in a kid’s life,” senior pastor Rev. Mike Hays explains. “It’s easy to ask, ‘how is an inner-city kid ever going to connect with me?’ as a white guy who lives in nice area. But kids could care less about that stuff if they know you love them.”
Coaches also use tennis to teach Biblical lessons, Hays says. “For example, the first time you touch a racket you might not hold it correctly. The coach will correct you, and you can’t blow off that advice. Proverbs says, ‘trust in the Lord, rely not on your own understanding’” (Proverbs 3:5).
The tennis academy’s board raised over $250,000 in donations and grants to build three courts on the church’s property, where they offer most of their programs. They also have groups practicing 3-4 days a week at a local country club, which charges the church a discounted fee.
Students of all ages and abilities can participate. The academy teaches all levels of tennis – from beginners two Sundays a month, to competitive teams like the Cheetahs, a 10-and-under club team, who won the state championship last year.
Church membership is a requirement to participate in the upper-level programs, and this program has helped Britton CC reach more families across the community.
“We want to be more than a tennis outlet for kids,” Hays suggests. “We want to minister to their families too, so these programs help bring in families that may be going through difficult times. We had a student start our after-school program, and he soon brought his mom to church. She came to other programs we offer, like ESL and citizenship classes, and church leaders attended her citizenship ceremony.”
Between the tennis academy and other community ministries like a medical and dental clinic, at over 100 years old, Britton Christian Church still finds new ways to serve love to their neighbors.
“God has given us a wonderful tool to get involved in families’ lives, be a blessing, and teach great lessons,” celebrates Hays.
“Love transcends every cultural divide, every racial disparity, every cultural context. Love transcends them all.”
(read the full article HERE)
Mission Camp Road Show hit the road on July 7th to Texas City, Texas to help with Hurricane Harvey recovery work. 54 volunteers from 10 Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) churches will join the recovery efforts this week.
Michael Davison will be leading the Mission Camp Road Show July 7-13. This mission trip is coordinated with Reach Beyond Mission, a Disciples non-profit ministry out of Austin. The youth and adults will travel by charter bus to Texas City, Texas, where they will join the leadership of Reach Beyond Mission. Their work will include assisting Disciples Volunteering in Mission with long term recovery following Hurricane Harvey, and their learning will be “Creation Justice.”
Thank you to Southern Hills Christian Church – Edmond, Central Christian Church – Enid, Christian Church of the Covenant – Enid, FCC El Reno, New Covenant Christian Church – OKC, Western Oaks Christian Church – OKC, Putnam City Christian Church, FCC Stroud, Forest Park Christian Church – Tulsa, and FCC Woodward for participating in this important mission project.
A special thank you to our sponsors for their financial support!
Charter Bus Seat Sponsors
Trip Sponsors
Could your congregation, Sunday school class, or you be a sponsor of the trip? We need 50 seat sponsors for the charter bus. Sponsor a seat for $100 and we will put your name on a seat for the trip. Click here to become a sponsor today with an secure online gift.
The congregation worshiped for the last time on June 26th. Odyssey had moved from First Christian in Jenks to Boston Ave. United Methodist Church. A few excerpts from Rev. Phil Ball’s last letter to the congregation:
“I write to you in celebration of the 14 years we have both experienced and shared God’s Light. While Odyssey’s form will soon separate into its component parts, you will continue to bear the light as those who have known a place where real life was integrated with real faith lived out in vulnerability, growth, expansion, compassion, grace, and service.
I need to add something we did which in my own mind stayed below the radar for most of us. Because we have been so personal in our missional activities, and these consistent gifts from 10% of our regular budget were not directly ‘personal’, it was easy for them to go unnoticed and uncelebrated. We have from May of 2005 through June of 2019 given a minimum of 10,000 dollars per year to these combined agencies including the Disciples Mission Fund; Disciples Week of Compassion, The Annual Fund of the Christian Church in Oklahoma; the Northeast Area Office of the Christian Church in Okla., and finally the global Church World Service which serves millions of people worldwide and especially the refugees from war. We have to my memory never had a year where giving to our regular budget was less than 100,000 dollars annually which meant that the minimum we have given away to these 5 agencies was more than 140,000 dollars over Odyssey’s life span. And that was in addition all the special acts and items we gave during the year!
I invite you to be proud of the witness this congregation that never had an average worship attendance of more than 45 people per week has done through the generosity of God, and the vision that we could make a positive difference in God’s world. We have!”
General Assembly is Drawing Near
July 20 – 24, 2019
“Abide With Me”
Passionate worship! Important business! Engaging workshops! Joyful fellowship!
Many Disciples are anticipating seeing their colleagues and friends soon at General Assembly in Des Moines, Iowa. Both Michael Davison and Pam Holt will be attending the 2019 General Assembly in Des Moines, Iowa from July 19- July 24. We hope to see many of our Oklahoma Disciples in Iowa engaging in the work of the larger church.
The Oklahoma Region will have many of our clergy and lay folks traveling north for this assembly.
Please pray . . .
Oklahoma Disciples will have a night of celebration while at Assembly. Stay tuned to your email and social media for details.
Please plan to attend the Children Worship & Wonder Storytelling Training at Western Oaks Christian Church (8100 NW 23rd St. Oklahoma City, OK 73127) on August 2, 2019 from 6pm to 9pm and August 3 from 9am to 4pm.
After completing Children Worship & Wonder Storytelling Training, you will be certified to be a CW&W storyteller. You will be equipped to share biblical stories and encourage faith formation in a special worship space dedicated to children. Register online HERE
Click HERE to find more resources about Worship & Wonder. If you have any further questions, please contact Rev. Julia Jordan Gillett at (405) 821-0108 or mgillett@aol.com
You’ll find your Regional staff across the U.S.!
Summer is here! The spring storms have withered away leaving an abundance of mosquitoes, flies, frogs, ants, and still a lot of clean up. And now Oklahoma has transitioned into the hot, humid days of summer.
June has been rich with summer church camps:
Of course, Michael Davison has been present for these camps, and I have made an appearance! The photo gallery of these camps can be found here.
Camp is one of the most amazing places to meet God, to deepen one’s faith, to make a commitment to be a disciple of Christ, to experience true community, to make life-long friends, and to begin to connect the dots that we practice our faith every day in a variety of ways.
Thank you to ALL who make camp possible: camp staff, counselors, directors, parents, grandparents, congregations, Disciple Mens ministry, Commission on Children, Youth & Young Adults, Regional staff, and the young people. We are especially grateful for the presence of a Disciple Peace Intern and two Global Missionary Co-Workers from Beirut, Lebanon. It takes more than a village! And always with the power of the Holy Spirit!
Michael Davison will be leading the Mission Camp Road Show July 7-13. This mission trip is coordinated with Reach Beyond Mission, a Disciples non-profit ministry out of Austin. Fifty-four youth and adults will travel by charter bus to Texas City, Texas, where they will join the leadership of Reach Beyond Mission. Their work will include assisting Disciples Volunteering in Mission with long term recovery following Hurricane Harvey, and their learning will be “Creation Justice.”
Pam & Randy are vacationing with their family in Pagosa Springs, Colorado for two weeks. She will be out of the office from June 29-July 13.
San Juan River, Pagosa Springs, Colorado. 2019.
Pagosa Peak. 2019.
Michael Davison enters the third leg of his sabbatical from July 15-August 16. During these five weeks, in addition to rest and General Assembly, Michael will be traveling to Chicago, Illinois to attend the Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders presented by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center.
As we pray for you, we also invite you to give thanks . . . for the Holy Spirit that has touched and transformed the hearts and minds of many campers . . . for opportunities to reconnect with family and friends, near and far, and . . . for safe summer travels.
Phillips Theological Seminary is searching to hire the position of Vice President of Advancement. Mission of Position: The Vice President of Advancement, in collaboration with the President, the Board of Trustees and other administrators, leads and oversees all activities and programs related to understanding and building financial support for the mission of Phillips Theological Seminary.
Please email a cover letter expressing interest in the position, being as specific as you can, and detailing relevant professional experience, education, and training, along with a resume, including the names and contact information of at least three professional references to gwen.derrick@ptstulsa.edu.
Read the full job description HERE.