CCOK301, Author at Christian Church in Oklahoma

Fall 2017 Activities Around Oklahoma

Are you looking for a fall festival or a pumpkin patch? Look no further! Check out the activities available at the Disciples of Christ churches in Oklahoma.

Pumpkin Patch:

FCC OKC (3700 N. Walker, OKC) will open their annual Pumpkin Patch on October 7. Hours are Monday – Friday 11am-7pm, Saturday 9am-7pm, Sunday 1-7pm

Halloween Carnivals and Fall Festivals:

FCC Chickasha will host a Fall Festival on Sunday, October 29 from 5pm-7pm. Come enjoy candy, games, and hotdogs. Please bring a canned food item to donate to the Emergency Food Pantry.
FCC Cushing located at 300 E. Moses, Cushing, OK will host a Fall Festival on Tuesday, October 31 starting at 5pm.
FCC Edmond will host a Costume Carnival on Friday, October 27 from 6pm-7:30pm. All children are invited to “trick-or-treat” the church Sunday school classrooms and play fun games. Please bring a canned food item to donate to the Edmond HOPE Center.
Hillcrest Christian Church will host their Fall Festival on Friday, October 20 from 7pm-9pm. Join for free games and fall fun.
New Covenant Christian Church will host their Trunk or Treat & Carnival on Sunday, October 29 from 6pm-7pm in the south parking lot.

Do you want to add your church’s event information to this article? Email office@okdisciples.org with the details.

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:43:31-05:00Sep 28, 2017|Congregations|Comments Off

Retired Ministers Gathering September 19th Recap

Retired ministers from Oklahoma gathered in Norman Tuesday, September 19 for education, fellowship and encouragement from Regional Minister Rev. Pamela Holt.

First stop was the National Weather Center on the campus of the University of Oklahoma. The guided tour walked the group through the five-story building watching meteorologists checking out radar from across the continental United States. Hurricanes loomed in the Caribbean spreading paths of destruction. The National Weather Service tracks severe storms and shares warnings and information to local Emergency Management Teams to alert the general public of impending danger. The observation area on top of the building presented a bird’s eye view across Oklahoma.

Moving onto Rudy’s BBQ a mile west from the NWC, the group enjoyed lunch and catching up with their fellow retirees. Sharing news of trips, family members and church activities. They moved on to the parlor of First Christian Church, Norman to hear an update of statewide activities and events from Rev. Holt. Pam told the retirees of needs throughout the Region and how they could help. Seventeen retired ministers and five of their spouses participated in the day’s activities.

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:43:37-05:00Sep 28, 2017|Clergy News|Comments Off

Oklahoma Family Empowerment Center’s Work Recognized in Tulsa

Oklahoma Family Empowerment Center is a not-for-profit agency that seeks to provide resources and assistance to individuals and their families that will empower them to live a successful and purposeful life.

The Oklahoma Family Empowerment Center was recognized by the National Benevolent Association for their work in Tulsa.

Read the article from the NBA HERE

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:43:43-05:00Sep 26, 2017|Mission|Comments Off

Southwest Oklahoma Women’s Meeting October 14, 2017

You are invited to join the Southwest Oklahoma Disciples Women on October 14, 2017 at Lawton First Christian Church for their next gathering. All women are invited to come, whether or not they are members of a Disciples Women/CWF group.

- Guest Speaker Rev. Sharen Hale, Healdton FCC will speak about “Step Out of Your Comfort Zone”
- Guest Speaker Rev. Loma Sullivan, ODW President will speak about “What is Caminante?”, Red Cord-Human Trafficking, New Directions-Domestic Abuse
- Associate Regional Minister Rev. Leslie Dotson will give the communion service

Date: October 14, 2017
Time: 10am – 2pm
Cost: $5 includes lunch
Location: Lawton First Christian Church, 701 SW D Ave. Lawton, OK 73505

For further information, please contact Marilyn Bohlender, SW OK DW Director, 580-483-5110 or mbohlender1@gmail.com

Childcare is available. $3 per child includes lunch, snack and activities for school-age and nursery children. Please reserve a spot with Marilyn at 580-483-5110

CCOK3012021-06-24T13:38:40-05:00Sep 26, 2017|Disciples Women|Comments Off

Southeast Area Disciples Women Fall Retreat

The Southeast Area Disciples Women gathered at Texoma Christian Camp Friday, September 15 and Saturday, September 16 for their fall retreat. The guest speaker was Rev. Marilyn Merle.

The women enjoyed the message from Rev. Marilyn Merle, fellowship, and a gift basket auction which raised money for Texoma Christian Camp.

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:45:42-05:00Sep 25, 2017|Disciples Women|Comments Off

FCC Edmond Donates 100 Emergency Clean-Up Buckets for Hurricane Relief

The youth of FCC Edmond shared their servant’s hearts while filling 63 of the 100 Emergency Clean-up Buckets they are donating to Church World Services for Hurricane Relief. They plan to fill the remaining buckets this Wednesday. The youth also put together 153 hygiene kits for Hurricane Relief.

After the activity they had a youth led prayer for the hurricane victims and to bless the buckets.

FCC Edmond has been featured in The Edmond Sun for the bucket project. Read more HERE.

Thank you to the First Christian Church Edmond congregation that donated all the items for the buckets and thank you to the youth who provided everything for the hygiene kits.

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:45:49-05:00Sep 25, 2017|Congregations|Comments Off

Rev. Dr. Devon McAnally Sept. 8, 1961-Sept. 19, 2017

The Lord is my shepherd.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. Ps 23: 1, 6

The Region mourns with the family of Rev. Dr. Devon Leslie McAnally who claimed the promises of her baptism during the early evening of Tuesday, September 19, 2017. Her husband, Tim, daughters Caitlin and Meghan, and extended family welcome your prayers and memories of Devon, child, wife, mother, and minister of the Gospel as they journey through this time of grief.

Services
You are invited to share stories and support the family this Sunday, September 24, 2017 from 5:00 – 6:00 pm at University Place Christian Church, 2107 E. Broadway Ave., Enid, OK.

A Service of Remembrance & Celebration of Life will be held Monday, September 25, 2017 at 10:00 am, at Central Christian Church, 1111 W. Broadway Ave., Enid, OK.

About Devon

Rev. Dr. Devon McAnally completed her studies for ministry at Phillips Theological Seminary earning an MDiv (2007). She was ordained into Christian Ministry July 8, 2007, by Central Christian Church and Hunter Christian Church. In May 2017, she earned her Doctorate of Ministry from Phillips Theological Seminary focusing in Pastoral Leadership in Church and Society/Women in Ministry.

Devon’s life in ministry began in 1998 when she served at Trinity Presbyterian Church, The Colony, Texas, as an Ordained Elder. Most recently she was the minister for University Place Christian Church in Enid. Her work in the life of the Church includes:

Chaplain for Humanity Hospice in Oklahoma City 2016.
Executive Director for Disciples Retirement Community of Oklahoma in 2014 and in 2015 launched Hearts for Care, a resource to assist persons to remain independent in their homes rather than seek out assisted-living or nursing care facilities.
Associate Regional Pastor, Christian Church in Oklahoma, for Health Care Advocacy in 2010-2014.
Chaplain for St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.
Central Christian Church, Director of Children’s Education.
Hunter Christian Church.

Devon’s life prior to ministry included work in Information Technology. She earned a B.S. in Computer Science from Southwestern Oklahoma State and attended Cameron University. She held positions as a systems analyst, project leader, team leader, and supervisor.

You are encouraged to send cards and notes to:

The McAnally Family
1205 W. Maine Ave.
Enid, OK 73703

Condolences may be made online at Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home. Donations in memory of Rev. Dr. Devon L. McAnally may be made to University Place Christian Church with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodians of the funds.

CCOK3012017-09-21T12:13:06-05:00Sep 21, 2017|Clergy News|Comments Off

Announcement for Reconciliation Sunday: T-Shirt Design Contest

Hello Church! It is an exciting time for your Pro-Reconciliation/Anti-Racism (PRAR) Task Force. Within the last two weeks we have mailed 460 wildflower seed cards to Oklahoma congregations to raise awareness about this important ministry. We hope you will share them during the Reconciliation Offering on Sunday September 24th and October 1st. As a reminder, 50% of donations to the Reconciliation Offering are returned for Oklahoma reconciliation ministry.

Does your church need more seed cards? Please contact Lori at the Regional Office: email lheldmann@okdisciples.org or call (918) 872-7807. Request the number of cards needed and Lori will get them right out to you.

Design a T-Shirt. Win a 2018 Camp Scholarship
Our Oklahoma PRAR regional ministry wants to spread the word about our important work. What better way than a T-shirt!

Youth, children and even adults may enter the PRAR T-shirt design contest. Please download the flyer for the design contest rules and submission details. Deadline for entries is Sunday, October 15, 2017, with the winner being announced the week of October 29th. The winner will receive a 2018 camp scholarship courtesy of Rev. Michael Davison.

We can’t wait to see your great designs!

Blessings from your Pro-Reconciliation/Anti-Racism Task Force

ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA PRAR TEAM:
The Pro-Reconciliation/Anti-Racism Task Force (PRAR) is a Regional ministry of Oklahoma. We are moving towards building a PRAR team from across the Region. Our purpose can be summed up by these words: “We will encourage members of the Body of Christ to be conduits of God’s love among all of God’s children throughout the earth. We will enable justice work addressing reconciliation and defeating racism. We will promote restorative justice.”

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:45:53-05:00Sep 21, 2017|Congregations|Comments Off

Using the Church Building: Community Ministries Hosted by First Christian Church, Shawnee

First Christian Church, Shawnee is always looking for new ways to use and share their building with the community. Their most recent way to share with the community reminds us that the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has always been about unity of all Christians and supports ecumenical efforts to bring Christians together.

Rev. Ray Belford, Senior Pastor at FCC Shawnee and the board members at FCC Shawnee welcomed the Beit Shalom Messianic Congregation, as they started meeting in the library/chapel in July at FCC Shawnee’s building.

The Messianic congregation is led by Rabbi Baruch Hanes and his wife Rebbetzin Shamira Hanes who moved to Shawnee in January 2010, after feeling called by God to plant a Messianic Jewish congregation here.

The small congregation had been meeting in private homes until they were extended an invitation to use the facilities at First Christian Church. As Messianic Jews, the Sabbath is observed on Saturday, and the local group meets at 1 p.m. each week.

Messianic Jews accept Jesus as the promised Messiah revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament).

Being Jewish is not a requirement of becoming a part of the Messianic Community. Rabbi Hanes said “We teach those who attend an understanding of the roots of Christianity”.

Rev. Ray Belford, said “Sometimes, we modern-day Christians seem to forget that Jesus was a Jew and that the apostles were Jews. I believe history shows us that the original church was a Messianic Jewish congregation, before the all-inclusive message of Christianity spread to the rest of the world.”

They teach some Hebrew, but learning Hebrew is not necessary for participation. Although Rabbi Hanes and his wife observe the teachings of the Torah (first five books of the Bible) as well as Jewish customs and traditions, it is a choice for members of the congregation.

Rabbi Hanes said, “We believe that it is a choice that individuals should make based on how the Holy Spirit leads them”.

Beit Shalom has begun to experience some growth and are exploring using more of the First Christian building.

Rev. Ray Belford and the FCC Shawnee congregation are continually looking for uses for their large church building which is empty most of the week.

Currently, FCC Shawnee hosts several community events:

local Boomer Bridge group which uses the fellowship hall each Wednesday afternoon
Overeaters Anonymous meets on Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m. in the church parlor
an art group uses the facility for classes
the Sine Nominee community choir rehearsals
meetings of the local police union
a variety of local organizations’ fundraisers
funerals and memorial services for other congregations in need of a larger sanctuary
hosted the Heartland Hospice Annual Memorial Service
hosted the first 18-months of operations of One Safe Place of the Family Justice Center

We recognize FCC Shawnee for using their building to help serve others in the community.

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:45:58-05:00Sep 20, 2017|Congregations|Comments Off

Shepherd Street Christian Church Hosts 5th Annual Back to School Event

Shepherd Street Christian Church in Chickasha hosted its 5th Annual Back to School Event on August 12th and August 14th, supporting over 150 families.

Shepherd Street Christian Church established this Back to School Outreach Event to help parents and children have a positive experience as they begin the new school year. They also want to let the children in the community know that the church cares about their academic and personal success.

Many parents struggle to purchase school supplies, as well as other basic items such as hygiene products and clothing. When students have unmet needs it creates a barrier in the learning process. This year through Shepherd Street Christian Church’s partnership with community members and businesses, they have provided the children and youth of Chickasha and surrounding areas with free back to school haircuts and hair care treatments from qualified barbers and beauticians. They were also able to provide personal hygiene care packages and quality gently used clothing.

In the past the church has hosted a block party with free food, games, and activities designed to bring the entire community together. Due to inclement weather this year, the event was held in doors, but successfully reached over 150 children.

The Region would like to thank Shepherd Street Christian Church for hosting this amazing event.