CCOK301, Author at Christian Church in Oklahoma

It’s Time to Register for LTS Workshops

We hope you’ll share our enthusiasm with your congregation about the upcoming Regional Assembly and Leadership Training School April 28th.

Please visit the Congregation Info Center HERE to conveniently download promotional materials:

Newsletter article
Bulletin insert
Worship slide
Social media blurbs for Facebook and Twitter
Poster
Logos

Registration Deadline Extended to April 13th
We’ve extended our Early Bird discounted registration price until April 13th (formerly April 9th). Be sure to remind folks to save $10 by registering early at the $40 Early Bird price. The student price is $20. This price even includes a $10 lunch voucher with our food truck vendors.

As a reminder, we are not offering a flat congregation price as in the past. Each person must register for the combined event of Leadership Training School AND Regional Assembly, including voting delegates.

We look forward to seeing you April 28th at New Covenant Christian Church, 12000 N. Rockwell, OKC!

CCOK3012019-03-12T09:57:22-05:00Apr 3, 2018|Congregations|Comments Off

Central Area Disciples Men Gathering April 12, 2018

The Central Area Disciples Men gathering will be held April 12th at 6:00 p.m. at the home of Regional Minister Pam Holt.

Please RSVP no later than Monday, April 9th to Rev. Keith Spaulding at (405) 473-7441 or you may call Westpoint Christian Church at (405) 818-9199.

Pam & Randy Holt Residence is located at 309 S. Cemetery Rd. Tuttle, OK 73089

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:39:59-05:00Mar 29, 2018|Disciples Men|Comments Off

Putnam City Christian Church Rejoins the Denomination

The Regional Church welcomes Putnam City Christian Church back into the fold! They have submitted a certified letter to the Regional Church, have signed a Covenant of Agreement, and will be listed in the 2018 Yearbook & Directory. They are in the process of re-branding to reflect their Disciples identity.

Please join with us in welcoming these faithful folks and their ministries in the name of Jesus!

This February, members of Putnam City hosted their annual Valentine’s Dinner! It was a huge success, serving dinner to 72 people. The entertainment was a medley of music provided by harpist, Jill Justice of the Oklahoma City Symphony, and 5 singers.

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:40:05-05:00Mar 14, 2018|Congregations|Comments Off

Faith In Action Commission Now Accepting Grant Applications for Reconciliation

The Faith in Action Commission is now accepting grant application for Reconciliation Grants. Application forms are available HERE.

All applications must be received at the Christian Church in Oklahoma on or before April 30, 2018. Grant awards will be announced by June 1, 2018 with funding made available by July 1, 2018.

Reconciliation Grants are a part of a larger project of addressing systemic racism and other forms of discrimination prevalent in our society. Reconciliation Grants this year are targeted at helping local congregations identify ways to address racism and other forms of discrimination at the local level. A total of five thousand dollars is available to be distributed. Grants may be requested for up to $500 each. The Commission hopes

to identify models of reconciliation that can be sustained by local churches and other entities
that the knowledge gained from these projects can be transferred for use by other churches

Applicants are encouraged to work with other congregations or local entities to broaden the scope of the programs/projects that result. Each grant recipient is expected to submit a final report outlining the design of the project, what practical modifications were needed to make it work, the results of goals/objectives of the project, and the pros and cons of the project.

For more information, please contact Marilynn Knott, Chair of the Faith in action Commission at marilynnknott1@cox.net or Rev. Leslie Dotson, Associate Regional Minister at ldotson@okdisciples.org

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:40:12-05:00Mar 14, 2018|Regional News|Comments Off

Disciples Home Missions: Summer Internship Available

What Are You Doing This Summer?

Disciples Home Missions is thrilled to call on young adults to serve in mission leadership each summer through the summer intern program. Please read the following information carefully; if you feel that a summer internship may be for you, a link to the application is at the bottom of this page.

Are you looking for a faith-filled adventure? Do you imagine a life beyond the mundane, working beyond cultural boundaries, faithfulness beyond the familiar? This may be just what you’re looking for.

Disciples Volunteering seeks applicants for summer internships, to serve with mission partners across the country. With a primary focus on Leadership Development, interns may host volunteer groups in mission settings, face cross-cultural issues, engage diverse groups of people, serve in hands-on mission experiences through the church, provide leadership within a congregational setting, and help church groups make justice connections between the mission site and their home churches.

Each intern can expect individual supervision and opportunities for reflection on personal, spiritual, and social justice issues. Some interns may also earn college or seminary Field Education credit, with theological supervision provided through Disciples Volunteering.

A number of placements are available, perhaps including:

Disciples Volunteering Disaster Response Mission Station
Yakama Christian Mission, White Swan, Washington
Urban Spirit, Louisville, KY
Urban Mission Inn, St. Louis, MO

Preference will be given to members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) or the United Church of Christ.

Applicants must be age 20 to 26 (as of Memorial Day) and be available for placement without interruption from late May to mid-August.

Each intern earns a stipend of $2,500, sponsored through DHM and Week of Compassion; lodging and travel are provided.

The application deadline is now rolling and interviews will be scheduled as complete applications are received. Although the deadline has passed, if internships remain unfilled, the process will be extended.

The application form is available HERE. For additional information contact: Intern Coordinator Deb Conrad at (502) 550-1236, Josh Baird at (985) 778-6915, or Brenda Tyler at (317) 713-2642.

As of 3/13/2018 there is one spot remaining open for this program.

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:40:18-05:00Mar 13, 2018|Congregations|Comments Off

Upcoming Ministry Training Program Courses

There is still time to register for classes for the upcoming Ministry Training Program at Phillips Theological Seminary.

IMPORTANT DATES:
Apr 10: Session 3 Registration Deadline

Apr 30: Session 3 Courses Begin
Jun 5: Session 4 Registration Deadline
Jun 25: Session 4 Courses Begin

Session 3 Course Offerings: April 30-June 24

Theology: Instructor: Dr. Trish Greeves
How do we study and think about the unimaginable complexity we call God? How have our ancestors in the faith considered God and God’s interaction with the world? Students will learn to read and critically evaluate theological texts, and in the process learn to work with different theological approaches, see distinctions and similarities in various traditions, and develop a coherent personal description of the gospel and relate it to Christian life.

The online course is from April 30 to June 24, 2018. The cost of the course is $250.00. Click HERE to register.

Disciples History and Polity: Instructor: Dr. Kenneth Watson
This course is an exploration and analysis of the history, polity and characteristic beliefs of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The course will include the origins, development, growth and current status of the Disciples of Christ) and its related groups around the world; discussions of the characteristic beliefs and practices which make the Disciples of Christ a unique part of the universal church while celebrating the Disciples’ ecumenical pilgrimage; and an awareness of how the polity of the Disciples of Christ works.

The online course is from April 30 to June 24, 2018. The cost of the course is $250.00. Click HERE to register.

Worship: Instructor: Rev. Bob Kemp-Baird
Worship is central to the Christian life. This course will focus on the formulation of a theology for worship in the local congregation, an overview of the history and present trends in Christian worship, development of practical skills in planning and implementing weekly and special services of worship, introduction to the rich use of the arts and sacred music in the worship setting and the development of resources which can be used for worship.

The online course is from April 30 to June 24, 2018. The cost of the course is $250.00. Click HERE to register.

Introduction to the New Testament: Instructor: Rev. Margot Trusty Pickett
This course will enhance the students’ understanding and use of the New Testament in their own faith development, and in their teaching, preaching and service to God’s world. Students will pay particular attention to the message of the texts while looking at major themes, textual issues, literary forms, social and cultural context, and other issues and concerns. Students will become better acquainted with the historical, cultural, social, and religious context of the writings; the themes of the Biblical drama centered upon Jesus; and the New Testament’s bearing on current issues and ministry.

The online course is from April 30 to June 24, 2018. The cost of the course is $250.00. Click HERE to register.

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:40:25-05:00Mar 13, 2018|Congregations|Comments Off

Make a Difference and Get Involved with the DHS CarePortal Program

Rev. Ray Belford, First Christian Church Shawnee, is involved in finding much needed care solutions for children and families in the DHS System. Read about Ray’s experience, and find out how you can get involved as well.

The Department of Human Services CarePortal Program for churches is in place to help provide needs and services to children and families in the DHS system.

There are currently more than 9,000 children in the State of Oklahoma who are in the Department of Human Services custody. Only about half are in foster care. Now there is something that every church can do to help improve the lives of these children.

The DHS has adopted the CarePortal program that has been very successful in other states for helping churches become involved in being a part of the solution. Rev. Ray Belford, first became aware of the magnitude of the foster care needs in our state last April when he attended a Children & Law Conference.

While at the conference, Ray was struck with the reality that most of the homes willing to accept DHS children, only wanted one child, and the foster parents wanted a specific age range. The bottom line was that there was no place that would accept both a 6-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl. The role-play exercises during the conference were eye-opening and heart breaking.

Oklahoma’s extremely high incarceration rate, particularly of women, is a major reason many children end up in DHS care. According to Kris Steele, former speaker of the house in Oklahoma, about 80 percent of the women incarcerated at Mabel Bassett are mothers, with the majority of that group being mothers of small children. In effect, a mother serves time in prison and her children serve time in DHS custody.

The CarePortal is a step toward improving life for these children. The purpose of CarePortal is to provide support services through local churches to children and families in the DHS system.

The CarePortal is an email notification system that forwards needs via email to participating churches. It requires a group of about 20 churches within a community that agree to provide what resources they can to meet specific needs of children and families in their area.

The CarePortal works in this way: A DHS worker becomes aware of a need, and that need is emailed to the member churches that are part of the CarePortal. The church then forwards the request to members of their church to see if anyone can supply what is needed in the request. If the church, or a member of the church, is able to meet the need then the church responds to DHS to fulfill that need.

As soon as the need is met, the other churches in the CarePortal receive an email message that informs them that the need has been met. A simple and powerful process!

A common type of request is the need of a bed. One of the requirements for taking in a foster child is that the foster family must have a separate bed with mattress for the child. If a bed is requested, it is very likely that someone in the CarePortal group has an extra bed that is not being used or is stored in the garage which can be donated, and the need is met.

One of the things the CarePortal advocates is meeting specific needs and discourages providing cash for numerous reasons.

With all the problems that we have in our state, this is one for which churches from all denominations pulling together can certainly make a difference.

Remember, Matthew 25:40 tells us, Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. (NRSV).

There is a website for the CarePortal program with step-by-step instructions for participating. The website can be accessed at careportal.org.

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:40:32-05:00Mar 13, 2018|Congregations|Comments Off

Important Copyright Guidelines for Churches

The Region would like to share a useful document about copyright information. This could be useful to you and your church. It was published by the General Council on Finance and Administration of the UMC.

Click HERE to open the document.

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:40:38-05:00Mar 12, 2018|Congregations|Comments Off

Registration is now OPEN for 2018 Regional Assembly and Leadership Training School

The Oklahoma Region is excited to invite you to its 2018 Regional Assembly and Leadership Training School on April 28, 2018. This new format combines two important events – our annual training event for laity and clergy and our biennial business meeting, the Regional Assembly.

Our theme this year is:
Some Assembly Required: Connect. Empower. Equip.

Registration is now open for Regional Assembly and Leadership Training School. Click HERE to register.

We have invited Rev. Virzola Law as our keynote speaker. Her dynamic enthusiasm for sharing the good news of the Gospel will inspire you and provide plenty of opportunity to stimulate conversation with your fellow clergy and congregants.

You’ll find a variety of Leadership Training School workshops HERE to equip you with new approaches to worship, church administration, stewardship and much more. We’ve arranged for local and national workshop leaders so be sure to sign up for your preferred workshop.

The one-day event will also include the gathering of the 2018 Regional Assembly. Voting delegates from each congregation and Oklahoma’s clergy register to participate in the Region’s biennial business meeting. The officers of the Regional Board will present a slate of new officers for the Regional Board and provide the opportunity to review and vote on proposed changes to the Region’s Constitution. Highlights from the Region’s 2017 activities will also be available.

Join Us at New Covenant Christian Church, OKC

It all begins at 8:30 am on Saturday, April 28th. The good folks at New Covenant Christian Church in Oklahoma City are rolling out the red carpet and hospitality for us. So don’t delay! Select your workshops and plan to join us at the 2018 Regional Assembly and Leadership Training School.

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:40:43-05:00Mar 12, 2018|Regional News|Comments Off

Soup for the Soul

You are invited to Soup for the Soul, an ecumenical Lenten dinner and discussion held annually at Western Oaks Christian Church.

This year’s theme is focused on the scripture Micah 6:8 with an emphasis on “Justice”. What does it mean to seek justice and how does loving kindness and walking humbly with God influence that pursuit of justice? Western Oaks Christian Church brings in various guest speakers from the area to present their own perspective on a particular topic.

Speakers include Rabbi Vered Harris, Rev. Lori Walke, Dr. John Starkey and Rev. Dr. George Young. We hope that you will join Soup for the Soul, for a bowl of soup and an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue on Sundays Feb. 25-March 18^th at 6:00pm.

For more information about this event and to read more about the speakers. Click Soup for the Soul 2018.

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:40:49-05:00Mar 12, 2018|Congregations|Comments Off

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Join Us at New Covenant Christian Church, OKC