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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.

2019-03-25T10:44:04-05:00Mar 21, 2019|Congregations|Comments Off on 2019 Easter Offering April 14 and April 21

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 grants@okdfdn.org. Or call 405.525.6530 for more information. The deadline for submitting 2020 Grant Applications is 5:00 p.m., February 15, 2020.

2019-04-08T10:36:33-05:00Mar 21, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off on Oklahoma Disciples Foundation Awards $46,000 in Grants

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.

2019-03-19T12:58:06-05:00Mar 19, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off on Disciples Home Missions 2019 Lent Resources

Laity Training for Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racism

The Region’s Faith in Action Commission is pleased to offer training for congregational leadership, laity and clergy on Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racism (PRAR). One-day PRAR workshops are being offered statewide during the year and we encourage you take advantage of this excellent opportunity.

Please download the poster and place in your congregations’ gathering area, and include the information in your newsletter.  The cost is $35 per person and training dates and registration is available online at this link.

If you have questions about the training, please contact Marilynn Knott, chair of the Faith in Action Commission, for more information at 405-524-5074 or email her at marilynnknott1@cox.net.

Download the PRAR Training Flyer

2019-03-18T10:26:00-05:00Mar 14, 2019|PRAR|Comments Off on Laity Training for Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racism

Job Posting: Praise Band Leader at FCC Edmond

First Christian Church Edmond is looking to hire a Praise Band Leader. If you are interested in this position please contact Rev. John Regan at
jregan@fccedmond.org or by phone at 341-3544. Please include all relevant experience, instruments you play and contact information. Click HERE to view the full job description.

2019-03-12T09:44:44-05:00Mar 12, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off on Job Posting: Praise Band Leader at FCC Edmond

Photo Gallery 2019 Leadership Training School

Thank you for a great Leadership Training School!

Over 240 Oklahoma Disciples gathered on a windy Saturday in February for fellowship, learning and inspiration at First Christian Church Edmond. We are so pleased to see our laity and clergy uniting at 2019 Leadership Training School to learn how to address the important topics of justice, disciples roots and inclusivity. Thank you to our workshop leaders for sharing your ideas and experiences.

We offered a warm welcome to General Minister and President Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens with a rousing rendition of “Oklahoma” at worship. And we appreciated her message of inspiration in worship, her workshop and availability to answer individual questions over coffee.

As you’ll see in the photo gallery over a dozen of Oklahoma’s and international Disciples ministries and mission projects explained their activities to LTS participants in our exhibit area.

We extend special thanks to our sponsors: Phillips Seminary, and the clergy groups from the Northwest, Northeast and Central Areas. We also appreciate the hospitality of First Christian Church Edmond for hosting our event, and Mary Beth and Kim Becker for the delicious treats. Thanks to the Regional Youth Council for their assistance in welcoming our participants.

Leadership Training School is planned, organized and carried out by clergy, laity and Regional staff. Thank you to LTS event leader Shannon Cook and her team: John Regan, Amy Rogers, Shannon Grubbs, Geoffrey Brewster, Colton Lott, Brandon Johnson and the Regional staff Michael Davison, Ellen Beer, Jennifer Gallaway and Pam Holt.

2019-03-14T11:34:01-05:00Mar 11, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off on Photo Gallery 2019 Leadership Training School

The Rev. Geoffrey Brewster Joins the Pension Fund Development Team

Press Release from Rev. Dr. Todd Adams, President, CEO of Pension Fund of the Christian Church:

The Reverend Geoffrey Shon Brewster will join Pension Fund’s staff as Annual Fund Director on April 1, 2019. Rev. Brewster joins Pension Fund after nine years at Phillips Theological Seminary, where he most recently served as Senior Director of Advancement. The addition of Rev. Brewster to the development team will further shape the expansion of Ministerial Relief and Assistance and help ensure its critical funding.

“Rev. Brewster is the ‘right person at the right time’ to help us expand our base of support while building upon the tremendous generosity of our current donors. His experience and expertise will be a real gift to our team as a whole,” shared Rev. Julie Richardson, Assistant Vice President for Development.

Rev. Brewster began his service to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) during high school, when he served as a children’s ministry intern at First Christian Church, Shawnee, Okla. Rev. Brewster spent 12 years in children’s, youth and young adult ministry, serving Faith Community Christian Church, Choctaw, Okla., and Southern Hills Christian Church, Edmond, Okla., before joining the staff at Phillips.

“During my time at Phillips, it became clear that for our graduates to be successful in ministry, systems of support were needed. Pension Fund is investing in the development and expansion of those systems. I am grateful and excited to be called to raise the resources necessary to ensure these programs thrive and our ministers find the support they need,” said Rev. Brewster.

Rev. Dr. Todd A. Adams, President/CEO reflected, “Not only is Geoff a gifted fund raiser, but his connections to, and understanding of, the challenges facing pastors today – especially recent seminary graduates – will be invaluable to our mission.” Rev. Brewster holds a Master of Divinity from Phillips Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Central Oklahoma. He will work remotely from his home in Tulsa, Okla.

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 more than $3 billion in net assets on behalf of those serving in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and related international ministries.

2019-03-11T11:24:35-05:00Mar 11, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off on The Rev. Geoffrey Brewster Joins the Pension Fund Development Team

April 6: Northeast Oklahoma Disciples Women 2019 Spring General Meeting

You are invited to join the Northeast Oklahoma Disciples Women for the 2019 Spring General Meeting. The meeting will take place on April 6, 2019 at 10am at Bethany Christian Church located at 6730 S. Sheridan Road, Tulsa, OK.

Dr. Ellen Blue, of Phillips Theological Seminary will speak about her attributes in her book, In Case of Katrina, which studies rebuilding vs reinventing church after a disaster.

  • Cost $10 at the door (includes box lunch)
  • Pre-registration is encouraged in order to have a headcount for lunches. Register HERE. You may also pay at the door.

Click HERE to download the flyer. Please contact Delois Guess at 918-695-4039 with any questions.

2019-03-12T11:08:09-05:00Mar 11, 2019|Disciples Women|Comments Off on April 6: Northeast Oklahoma Disciples Women 2019 Spring General Meeting

Pastor’s Pathway Silent Retreat April 22- 24

Come practice the art of silence at the Pastor’s Pathway Silent Retreat April 22-24. Registration deadline is April 8th.

  • Location: St. Crispin’s Conference Center located at 36302 State Hwy 9, Wewoka, OK 74884
  • Cost: $190.50/per person (if meals are included)
  • Registration: Call Christine Pomaville (405) 248-6282
2019-03-11T10:42:30-05:00Mar 11, 2019|Clergy News|Comments Off on Pastor’s Pathway Silent Retreat April 22- 24
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