CCOK301, Author at Christian Church in Oklahoma

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.

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:46:03-05:00Sep 12, 2017|Congregations|Comments Off

Oklahoma Drop Sites for CWS Buckets and Kits

Week of Compassion is responding and will continue to reach out to our partners and churches to provide emergency support and assistance in these unprecedented storms, Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana, and Hurricane Irma, which impacted several southeastern states and Caribbean islands including Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

Please continue to keep these millions of people in your prayers, and thank you for your generous support to Week of Compassion.

We also continue to encourage congregations to make Church World Service Clean-Up Buckets and Hygiene Kits. (CLICK HERE for a list of the contents and instructions on assembly.) These will be distributed both in South Texas and in Florida for those impacted by the hurricanes.

Oklahoma Drop Off Points for Clean-Up Buckets & Hygiene Kits

Duncan
First Christian Church Duncan
912 W. Walnut Ave.
Duncan, OK 73533
(580) 255-6116 (Contact Ron Savage)
Drop Buckets Off by Sept. 28th

Enid
Iglesia Christiana El Shaddai
1524 N. Independence St.
Enid, OK 73701
(580) 278-8424 (Contact Francisco Hernadez)
Drop Buckets Off by Sept. 28th

Edmond
First Christian Church Edmond
201 E. 2nd St.
Edmond, OK 73034
(405) 341-3544 (Contact Gwen Shaw)
Drop Buckets Off by Sept. 28th

Oklahoma City
First Christian Church Oklahoma City
3700 N. Walker Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
(405) 525-6551 (Contact John Malget)
Drop Buckets Off by Sept. 28th

Church World Service Drop Site
OK Conference UMC Ministry Center
1501 NW 24^thOklahoma City, OK 73106

Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Drop Buckets Off by Sept. 29th

Contact:
Email: Rebekah Belase, rbelase@cwsglobal.org
Phone: Tabitha, Welcome and Hospitality Desk, 405-530-2000

Tulsa
Harvard Avenue Christian Church
5502 S. Harvard Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74135
(918) 742-5509 (Contact Courtney Richards)
Drop Buckets Off by Sept. 28th

Donate to Church World Service

Donate to Week of Compassion

CCOK3012017-09-21T10:08:25-05:00Sep 12, 2017|Regional News|2 Comments

Recent Installations

Join us in congratulating Ronnie Hopkins and John Wheeler on their recent installations.

Ronnie Hopkins was installed at First Christian Church Woodward on August 27.

John Wheeler was installed at First Christian Church Arnett on September 10.

John Wheeler and Michael Davison

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:46:09-05:00Sep 11, 2017|Clergy News|Comments Off

Update 3: Hurricanes, wildfires and world disasters

551st Multi-Role Bridge Company out of El Campo, Texas, scouts the road for water depth as his unit makes there way to a flooded Orange, Texas neighborhood where they use their boats to search for people in need of help, Sept. 3, 2017 as a result of Hurricane Harvey. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Joshua L. DeMotts)

Blackhawk flyover of Railyard in Beaumont, TX on 9-2-17. (Video by 1st lt. Nicholas Caesar, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Southwestern Division)

Air National Guard responding to Pier Fire Fresno, CA

U.S. Air National Guardsmen follow a U.S. Forrest Service lead plane under a large column of smoke preparing to drop retardant on the Pier Fire southeast of Fresno California. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by: Tech. Sgt. Jeff Allen.)

U.S. Air National Guardsmen Maj. Danny Ariza (left) Capt. Nate Southwick (right) and loadmaster Staff Sgt. Garret Gillette (center) follow a U.S. Forrest Service lead plane under a large column of smoke preparing to drop retardant on the Pier Fire southeast of Fresno California (U.S. Air National Guard photo by: Tech. Sgt. Jeff Allen.)

We are sharing this information to update you about the continued devastation from U.S. Hurricanes and wildfires and other world disasters. Above image credits: NASA Goddard MODIS Rapid Response Team Hurricane Irma 9/6/17

Pam Holt, Regional Minister

09.07.17 11:00 am

“Listen to the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor, who suffer most because of the unbalanced ecology.”
Pope Frances

Disasters in South Texas & Louisiana, California, India, Caribbean, Florida

Last week while Hurricane Harvey devastated south Texas and wild fires in California, monsoons paralyzed Mumbai with twelve hundred lives lost and twenty-four million people affected across India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

As of today, Hurricane Irma has devastated several Caribbean islands.

In Puerto Rico, millions are without electricity and many are without water. There have been ten reported deaths.
Caminante, located in the Dominican Republic, has been severely affected. Caminante is a Global Ministries partner and one our Region supports and visits each summer.
And now Florida is preparing for Hurricane Irma’s wild and chaotic presence this weekend.

Week of Compassion is responding and will continue to reach out to our partners and churches to provide emergency support and assistance in these unprecedented storms.

Please continue to keep these millions of people in your prayers, and thank you for your generous support to Week of Compassion.

We also continue to encourage congregations to make Church World Service Clean-Up Buckets and Hygiene Kits. (CLICK HERE for a list of the contents and instructions on assembly.) These will be distributed both in South Texas and in Florida.

Oklahoma Drop Off Points for Clean-Up Buckets & Hygiene Kits

Duncan
First Christian Church Duncan
912 W. Walnut Ave.
Duncan, OK 73533
(580) 255-6116

Enid
Iglesia Christiana El Shaddai
1524 N. Independence St.
Enid, OK 73701
(580) 278-8424

Edmond
First Christian Church Edmond
201 E. 2nd St.
Edmond, OK 73034
(405) 341-3544

Oklahoma City
First Christian Church Oklahoma City
3700 N. Walker Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
(405) 525-6551

Tulsa
Harvard Avenue Christian Church
5502 S. Harvard Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74135
(918) 742-5509

Donate to Church World Service

Donate to Week of Compassion

CCOK3012017-09-07T15:59:59-05:00Sep 7, 2017|Regional News|Comments Off

Crossroads Kids Grief Camp, October 6-8, 2017

Healing for Grieving Children and their Families at “Crossroads Kids” Grief Camp

Crossroads Kids’ weekend camp helps children and families in grief learn, heal, and grow after the death of a loved one.

On the weekend of October 6th – 8th, in Guthrie, OK, Crossroads Kids will host a weekend camp for children and families in grief after the death of a loved one. The 3-day, 2-night grief camp provides children ages 6-12 and their families with a healing environment designed to facilitate communication and provide children with a safe place to experience, share, and understand their grief in order to begin the healing journey.

By incorporating therapeutic activities into a fun camping experience, Crossroads Kids allows children to connect with peers who are also experiencing grief. It is a time for children to share their experiences in a safe place while developing coping skills to take with them when they leave. “Our kids and families are able to not only share their loss with others who are experiencing similar situations but learn coping skills and techniques they can take home with them.” states Jo Carolyn Chambers, LCSW, a licensed master social worker and Oklahoma Crossroads Kids camp director.

To provide the best healing environment for the children and their families, every Crossroads Kids camp is structured as follows:

Every camp maintains a 1:2 ratio of staff to children to ensure ample supervision and support.
All camp activities and therapeutic groups are overseen by credentialed, master’s level social work and psychology staff.

If you are interested in having a child attend one of Crossroads Kids’ weekend grief camps, contact Meredith Fields Lawler at (888) 658-4888, or visit crhcf.org/Crossroads-Kids/ for more information.

About Crossroads Kids: Founded in 2015, Crossroads Kids is an initiative of Crossroads Hospice Charitable Foundation and is dedicated to honoring the validity of child and family grief by facilitating the healing process. Crossroads Kids has been instrumental in helping children and families across Oklahoma achieve healing after the death of a loved one.

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:46:14-05:00Sep 7, 2017|Congregations|Comments Off

Celebrating Service Anniversaries and Retirements

Service Anniversaries:
Join us in congratulating Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Don Heath for their many years of service as they celebrate their service anniversaries. Thank you both for your many years of service and your continued leadership serving your congregation!

Rev. Jesse Jackson celebrated 21 years with East Sixth Street Christian Church in Oklahoma City. Rev. Jesse Jackson was celebrated with his congregation at East Sixth Street Christian Church on Sunday, August 27, 2017.

Rev. Don Heath celebrated 10 years with Edmond Trinity Christian Church. Don’s celebration was held at Edmond Trinity Christian Church on Sunday, September 10, 2017.

Pictured left to right: Rev. George Young, Rev. Mary Heath, Rev. Don Heath, Regional Minister Rev. Pam Holt

Retirement Celebrations:
We celebrate Rev. Debi Powell-Maxwell (Former Pastor at FCC Yukon) and Rev. Jann Osborn (Former Associate Pastor at FCC Yukon) as they both begin retirement from FCC Yukon. Rev. Jann Osborn will begin her chaplain residency at OU Medical in September.

Rev. Debi Powell-Maxwell and Regional Minister, Pam Holt at Debi’s Retirement Ceremony

Rev. Jann Osborn and Regional Minister, Pam Holt at Jann’s Retirement Ceremony

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:46:19-05:00Sep 7, 2017|Clergy News|Comments Off

Pastor’s Pathway Silent Retreat, Oct. 23-25

The Pastor’s Pathway Silent Retreat for clergy will be held October 23-25 at Red Rock Canyon Methodist Camp in Hinton, OK. Silence begins after worship on Monday, October 23rd afternoon and ends Wednesday, October 25th at 11:00 am. Scriptures and other materials on silence and encouragement are slipped under doors throughout this time of silence. Bring what you would like to do during the silence and snacks to share.

Cost: $165.50 per person. Each person gets their own room. The cost includes dinner on Monday, all meals on Tuesday, and breakfast on Wednesday. All linens are provided.

For further details and to reserve a spot, contact Christine Pomaville as soon as possible. 405-248-6282 / revbell@hotmail.com

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:46:24-05:00Sep 5, 2017|Clergy News|Comments Off

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