CCOK301, Author at Christian Church in Oklahoma

Regional Board Approves Commission on Immigration & Refugees

At the October 20, 2018 the Regional Church Board approved the Commission on Immigration & Refugees, a much needed ministry in Oklahoma. If you would like to serve on this Commission or know someone in your congregation who would be interested, please contact the Regional office at 405-528-3577.

This Commission on Immigration & Refugees will be learning about the needs in Oklahoma and will seek the wisdom of Rev. Sharon Stanley-Rae who serves as Director of Refugee & Immigration Ministries (RIM) for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

RIM works to mobilize Disciples congregations around the country to offer hospitality to immigrants, provide refugee resettlement assistance to refugees, strengthen relationships of solidarity and advocacy with refugees and immigrants, and seek justice for farm workers. RIM’s office is located inside National City Christian Church, and works closely with 50+ national and interfaith partners through the Interfaith Immigration Coalition.

Here is a link to a video created by the SALT Project titled, “Jesus Was A Refugee, a Free Advent Film.”

Click HERE to read an article from The American Home Missionary, titled “I am the Immigrant” first published in the 1913 Yearbook Churches of Christ.

CCOK3012018-12-12T14:25:38-06:00Dec 11, 2018|Regional News|Comments Off

Remind & Renew January 23 & 24, 2019 – Registration is Open

Remind & Renew “Negotiating Empire: Stories of Accommodation and Resistance from the New Testament” will take place on January 23 & 24, 2019 at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa.

Click HERE to register before January 4th to receive an early registration discount.

Christian churches have a long record of both supporting and resisting the empires they have encountered over the centuries. Two Phillips Theological Seminary faculty members will explore this complicated relationship during the 2019 Remind & Renew conference.

Phillips New Testament scholars, Dr. Arthur Carter and Dr. Warren Carter, will discuss how early Christian communities dealt with the Roman Empire in differing ways.

Arthur Carter will primarily speak from the Acts of the Apostles and bring his focus on diaspora studies as a lens to explore early Christian identity construction within early imperial Rome.

Warren Carter will primarily use the text from the Book of Matthew to examine “interactions between the Jesus movement and the imperial world.”

“Focusing on the varied experiences of early Christians and the empire in which they lived will provide insight for people of faith today who experience their own feelings of unease and lack of belonging in today’s world,” said Dr. Nancy Claire Pittman, interim president of Phillips.

In a special evening event, Dr. Phil Snider will present a talk on Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. titled, “Reeling, Resisting, and Regathering: On the Urgency of Being the Church.” Snider is the pastor of Brentwood Christian Church in Springfield, MO and the editor of a new Chalice Press book, Preaching as Resistance: Voices of Hope, Justice, and Solidarity.

“Phil’s book is receiving wonderful reviews,” Pittman said. “We also decided to invite two clergywomen who have sermons included in this new book.”

Preachers for the 2019 Remind & Renew are Dr. Cassandra Gould, executive director of Missouri Faith Voice and a pastor in the AME church, and the Rev. Lori Walke, associate minister of Mayflower United Church of Christ in Oklahoma City.

The Rev. Emily Bowen-Marler, associate minister at Brentwood Christian Church, returns to Remind & Renew as this year’s worship leader.

CCOK3012018-12-18T11:15:26-06:00Dec 4, 2018|Clergy News|Comments Off

Winter Talk 2019 February 25-27, 2019

Winter Talk 2019 is February 25-27, 2019 at Phillips Theological Seminary, Tulsa, OK. Registration is open HERE.

Rev. Chebon Kernell is the 2019 speaker. The sixth annual Winter Talk is a three day conversation on the Christian Doctrine of Discovery (DOD) and its influence on Christian theology and polity, with an emphasis on the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) relationship with Indigenous tribes and peoples.

Hosted by the Yakama Christian Mission Council, and Phillips Theological Seminary, Winter Talk is dedicated to furthering the conversation on the Christian Doctrine of Discovery and its dismantling.

Winter Talk is an important time for American Indians and non-Indians, to gather and eat, learn, and talk about the impact of the Christian Doctrine of Discovery. This is a space of accountability to American Indians where the Indian voice is the principle voice in an exploration of the past, an understanding of the present, and a visioning of the future.

CCOK3012018-12-18T12:10:42-06:00Dec 4, 2018|Clergy News|Comments Off

An Advent message from General Minister and President Terri Hord Owens

Click HERE to watch a video message from General Minister and President Terri Hord Owens, as Terri reflects on her first 16 months visiting around the Church. Terri also shares a message of hope and confidence for the church with an Advent greeting and invitation to General Assembly 2019.

CCOK3012018-12-18T12:11:08-06:00Nov 27, 2018|Regional News|Comments Off

California Wildfires: How You Can Help!

A Message from Regional Minister Pam Holt

Many have asked, “What can we do to help with the California Camp Fire?” The response is, “Continue to pray,” and “Please give an extra gift to Week of Compassion, designated California wildfires.”

Pastoral Update

Regional Minister Pam Holt has been in San Diego, California this past week attending the College of Regional Ministers. Rev. LaTaunya Bynum, Regional Minister of Northern California-Nevada, shared new updates every day and reminded us that the Woolsey Fire is also ongoing. On Oklahoma’s behalf, Rev. Holt has shared your ongoing prayers and promised we would faithfully respond with an extra gift to Week of Compassion.

Some Good News

While the fire devastation is unbelievable, there are some stories of grace and good news. While it was once thought the First Christian Church in Paradise burned, it did not. And, the home of the pastor of First Christian Church Paradise, Rev. Janice McCollester, is also still standing. However, both locations will not be able to be occupied for a while.

First Christian Church in Chico has made their parking lot available for living space, and its pastor, Rev. Jesse Kearns, has opened their doors for folks from Paradise to worship and to provide office space for Rev. McCollester. See following article from CBS.

Story from CBS/AP November 18, 2018, 10:50 PM

California wildfires fast facts

These are the current numbers as of Sunday night from Cal Fire.
Camp Fire Location: Butte County

150,000 acres burned
65 percent contained
77 fatalities confirmed
1,276 unaccounted for
12,794 structures destroyed

Woolsey Fire Location: Los Angeles County, Ventura County

96,949 acres burned
91 percent contained
3 fatalities confirmed
1,452 structures destroyed, 337 damaged

Prayer

Please continue to pray for first responders and for the on-going grief from this destruction. We pray for families who are still waiting to see if their loved one will be found. We give thanks for the many, many people who are responding with care and love, even from a distance through gifts to Week of Compassion.

Oklahoma Connections

We are often surprised at how connected Disciples are. The following is a story from Larry & Diana Brown, First Christian Church Chickasha, Oklahoma, who have extended family in Paradise, California.

Larry & Diana’s niece, who was living in Paradise and at home when the fires started, was able to escape to Chico. She and her family are safe but the status of their home is unknown. The niece also had a horse in a nearby stable. Of course, there was no time to tend to the horse. Some good news is that all the horses in that stable somehow survived the fire. Their nephew, who lives in Chico, is hosting this niece and family. All the homes that Larry’s parents and sister once lived in are burned to the ground. Diana and Larry were in Paradise in early October for their niece’s mother’s funeral. All they have now are wonderful memories of a very special place.

A Message from Week of Compassion

We continue to pray for the communities in California affected by the current, deadly wildfires. On Sunday, First Christian Church, Paradise worshiped at First Christian Church, Chico, as Paradise was, and is, under evacuation orders. Pastor Jan McCollester, of First Christian Church, Paradise shared with Week of Compassion staff today that the church building, which was thought to have burned, appears sound, according to reports from firefighters in the area. However, most, if not all of the members of the congregation expect damage to or total loss of their homes. First Christian Church, Chico also has members whose homes have burned.

Gifts to Week of Compassion can be designated “US Storms and Fires” to support response and recovery efforts for these damaging fires.

Donate HERE

Fire image of Camp Fire courtesy of USDA Forest Services. Public Domain image 20181116-FS-LEICampFire-TH-007 11/16/18

Vigil Held in Chico, CA for Wildfire Victims

The town of Paradise, California, held a vigil Sunday night to remember the dozens who died in the wildfire that swept through the region. The vigil at First Christian Church in Chico was a time for residents to quietly reflect, pray, bring photos or mementos of lost friends, family and pets and was a chance to seek help from counselors and mental health experts.

A sign at the vigil read: “We will rise from the ashes” and two hashtags: #paradisestrong #buttecountystrong

People hugged and shed tears as Pastor Jesse Kearns recited a prayer for first responders,”We ask for continued strength as they are growing weary right now.”

CCOK3012018-12-18T12:13:13-06:00Nov 15, 2018|Regional News|Comments Off

Regional Board Celebrates Ministries

On October 20, 2018, the Regional Board heard many exciting ways regional ministries are connecting, equipping, and empowering Disciples to serve like Jesus!

Here are a few highlights!

Commission on Children, Youth, & Young Adults continues to strengthen our children, youth, and young adult ministries with camp & conference experiences for second graders through high school, retreats, and International Affairs, a spring break trip for Juniors & Seniors to travel to Washington DC & NYC. The theme for 2018 was Reconciliation. Investing in the faith our young people is invaluable to the life of the church.
The Regional Board approved a new commission on Immigration and Refugee Ministries. With the help of Catholic Charities and a few other resources, the Region already has three congregations actively engaged in the relocation and support of immigrants.
The Oklahoma Disciples Foundation has developed a grant program to help ministries around our region be adequately funded. In just two years the Foundation’s Grants Program has impacted lives, touched many and made a difference in communities. The Foundation made grants totaling $71,460.60 in 2018 and $50,648.90 in 2017. Click here to see ODF Grants at work in the region.

As followers of Christ, Disciples of Christ, we never quit wrestling with reconciliation and with the power of love and grace. Every Disciples congregation is a vital part of the Body of Christ in Oklahoma. The Region is grateful for all of the work and ministry that happens in each congregation, each community, and the world. There is no greater joy than to love our neighbors as ourselves and to serve the Lord with gladness! In a time such as this, God surely needs each of us and all of us.

CCOK3012018-12-18T12:18:21-06:00Nov 12, 2018|Regional News|Comments Off

Regional Board Makes 2019 Staff Changes

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On Saturday, October 20, 2018, the Regional Church held its Year-end Board meeting. We heard some amazing stories from our Commission leaders about Regional Church ministries and from the Area Moderators about the on-going ministries in each area of the Region. Our ministry is never done, but we sure celebrated all the ways Regional ministry is connecting, equipping, and empowering ministry through the Commissions on Reconciliation, Evangelism, Leadership Training, Clergy, and Youth, Children & Young Adults. We’ve even agreed to start a new Commission to address the needs around immigration in Oklahoma.

Giving Falls Short

Despite our good and faithful ministries, the Budget Committee reported a mighty shortfall in Disciples Mission Fund (DMF) giving. After reviewing the Disciples Mission Funding giving over the past five years (2013-2017), the pattern of giving continues to decline. This is not surprising. It is happening in congregations all across our Region, and we realize that some congregations are struggling and making budget adjustments. For the Region, the projected decline for Disciples Mission Fund for Oklahoma in 2018 and 2019 is a deficit of approximately $50,000. Importantly, DMF is the primary financial support of the Regional Church, and it is the covenant by which we all live.

Personnel Changes

The Region has been good stewards and has trimmed Regional expenses year after year. But after careful examination the Board determined there was no place to cut $50,000 except in personnel. The Budget Committee requested the Personnel Committee make some very difficult decisions. Personnel regretfully proposed to the Regional Board to eliminate three positions for 2019: two part-time positions, the Region’s Oklahoma City office Facility Manager Richard Keith and the North East Area Administrative Assistant Lori Richcreek (Broken Arrow office), and one full-time position, Associate Regional Minister Rev. Leslie Dotson. They will be employed through the end of this year. These employees of the Region have served long and well, and their presence and ministry within the Regional Church will be missed.

Beginning in 2019, the Regional Church will retain its remaining four staff members: Regional Minister Rev. Pamela Holt, Regional Associate Minister Rev. Michael Davison, Executive Assistant Ellen Beer and part-time Administrative Assistant Jennifer Gallaway.

How You May Help Your Region

There are two ways you may help your Region in these challenging financial times – prayer and a financial donation. Your donation is tax-deductible and 100% supports the Region’s ministries.

You may donate to the Region’s Annual Fund. The Annual Fund has long been a tradition in the Oklahoma Region where individuals and even congregations support us directly. You may donate securely online at THIS LINK and we also accept gifts mailed directly to the office: Christian Church in Oklahoma, 301 NW 36^th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73118. Please note Annual Fund on your check.

Or you may choose to give through your congregation. The Christmas Offering provides significant support for the Region – and 100% of the Christmas Offering supports Regional Church ministries. Please consider making a gift on December 16th and 23^rd using the offering envelope found in your bulletin. Look for the colorful bulletin insert for more details on how your gift is put to work!

God still needs us as partners to bring healing and wholeness in this fragmented and broken world. Your prayers and gifts to the Region help us walk and live as Jesus.

In the name of Christ,

Tom Stanley, Moderator Pamela Holt, Regional Minister

CCOK3012019-01-16T12:35:45-06:00Nov 12, 2018|Regional News|Comments Off

First Christian Church Yukon Calls Coy Remer as Pastor

On Sunday, November 4th, Regional Minister Pamela Holt installed Coy Remer as Pastor of First Christian Church Yukon. Coy responded to this call with gratitude and joy, and he looks forward to leading and caring for the congregation and the neighboring community.

In addition to this call, he and his wife, Jessica, are new parents to James Victor Remer! Congratulations!

CCOK3012018-12-18T12:51:13-06:00Nov 12, 2018|Clergy News|Comments Off

East Side Christian Church Sponsors 7th Annual “Cuppa-Thanks” 2018

For many, it is really difficult to work on Thanksgiving Day. East Side Christian Church will try to help the day go a little better for some of the people in Tulsa that have to work on Thanksgiving Day. Volunteers at East Side Christian Church will participate in their 7th Annual Thanksgiving Outreach Program by providing a fully layered Thanksgiving meal in a 32 oz. tub, they have named “Cuppa-Thanks!”

This year, East Side Christian Church plans on serving 700 meals, up from 600 last year! They deliver to places like QT, Walgreens, CVS, Dollar General, Braum’s, and various other businesses open on Thanksgiving Day. They also drop off meals to any of the Tulsa emergency responders they find along the way.

Would you like to be a part of this amazing community project? Sponsorship levels are available starting at $60 all the way up to $1000. For more information or if you would like to help, please contact Evan Taylor at office: 918 744 1377 / cell: 918 693 8932 or email [email protected]

CCOK3012018-12-18T12:13:48-06:00Nov 12, 2018|Congregations|Comments Off

Coffee Hour with Week of Compassion: November 15 in Tulsa

Are you interested in getting involved with Week of Compassion? Well, your opportunity has arrived!

Rev. Caroline Hamilton-Arnold (Associate Director, Week of Compassion) will be at Shades of Brown Coffee Shop (located at 3302 S Peoria Ave, Tulsa, OK 74105) from 2pm-5pm on Thursday, Nov. 15 to meet with anyone interested in learning more about Week of Compassion and how to get involved.

Drink coffee, get inspired and learn how to make a difference with Week of Compassion.

CCOK3012018-12-18T12:14:17-06:00Nov 6, 2018|Congregations|Comments Off

CCOK301

About CCOK301

A Message from Regional Minister Pam Holt

Pastoral Update

Some Good News

Prayer

Oklahoma Connections

A Message from Week of Compassion

Vigil Held in Chico, CA for Wildfire Victims