Mark your calendar and plan to join the General Conference of Disciples Men for their Annual Meeting. The men have a spring meeting every year. This year the men will meet at Camp Christian in Ohio (10335 Maple Dell Rd., Marysville, OH 43040) on March 2-4, 2018. The theme this year is “What’s in Your Toolbox”.
See the attached FLYER for more details and registration information.
The Executive Director of the Oklahoma Conference of Churches, Dr. William Tabbernee has announced his retirement. Please read Dr. Tabbernee’s letter below.
“At a recent meeting of the OCC Board, I gave official notice that I will be resigning my position as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Conference of Churches on March 31, 2018.
Following a serious health scare in September, I decided that it is time to retire and, hopefully, enjoy a less busy life for another 10 or 15 good years. The decision to set my retirement date, however, was done with mixed emotions as I have loved and continue to love my ministry with OCC.
My decision to retire has been made easier by the fact that we have in place an outstanding staff in the Rev. Mary Hughes Gaudreau (Director of Disaster Emotional and Spiritual Care), the Rev. Shannon Fleck (Director of Community Engagement), Ms. Courtland Powers (Director of Development and Finance), and Ms. Aly Shahan (part-time Administrative Assistant to the ESC Program). I look forward to the remaining months of my ministry with the Oklahoma Conference of Churches, and spending time with you all in the coming months.”
Warmest regards,
Join OCC in a Reception Honoring Dr. Tabbernee. A reception in Dr. Tabbernee’s honor will be held on Monday, February 5, 2018 from 4:30-6pm at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City (1232 North Classen Blvd., OKC, OK 73106), with a brief program to take place at 5 p.m. All are invited to attend. RSVP to sfleck@okchurches.org
Get help with Lent Worship Preparations. Gather your team and join worship consultant and professor, Dr. Marcia McFee, LIVE on January 10th and 17th for two special webinars that will teach you, inspire you, and guide you toward an amazing Lent series of sensory-rich worship experiences for your community.
Sign up HERE.
Don’t miss these courses available at Phillips Theological Seminary beginning January 8, 2018.
The Ministry Training Program at Phillips will continue the work of training persons for local church ministry, providing continuing education, and making ministry training available to a broad audience, including laity.
The Certificate in Pastoral Ministry program includes twenty-two online courses that are practical, hands-on learning experiences and encourage engagement with the local church.
This year is full of educational opportunities and we don’t want you to miss the first three courses. Who do you know that would be interested in learning techniques and tools for Evangelism, learning the how, why, and what of the Mission of the Church, or taking a closer look at the Bible?
Please contact Leslie at leslie.lesieur@ptstulsa.edu or 573-808-3579.
SHORT NOTICE, but a wonderful opportunity for a Pastors Retreat in January. The name of the retreat is Transforming Leadership. It is four focused days with Brian McLaren & Jacqui Lewis.
DATE: January 22-26, 2018
WHERE: St. Charles Ave. Baptist Church New Orleans, LA
This retreat will combine fun and respite with study, worship, and conversation – all in the heart of the Crescent City. Each day, you will consider one or more From/To transformations in pastoral leadership, such as:
• From organized religion to organizing religion
• From pastor of the congregation to pastor from the congregation to the community
• From service provider to messenger/motivator/model
• From expectation meeter to expectation setter
• From money-avoider to money-addresser
• And more!
Several spots remain. Do not miss this amazing opportunity.
Additionally, the retreat occurs just prior to the beginning of Mardi Gras, therefore it is important that you book your accommodations as soon as possible. St Charles Ave. Baptist Church is located right on the St Charles Ave Streetcar line.
Oklahoma City Community Foundation Awards Grants to Seven Christian Churches
The Oklahoma City Community Foundation is providing warm meals to homebound elderly citizens this winter through $65,400 in grants to Mobile Meals programs, including seven Christian churches. Grants were awarded to Edmond Mobile Meals, Meals on Wheels of Norman, Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County and 54 churches that prepare and deliver meals.
Since 2008, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation’s support of Mobile Meals programs in central Oklahoma has grown, awarding nearly $325,000 in the past decade. As the aging population continues to grow, the need for elderly support from Mobile Meals programs also increases, making the nearly 60 percent in increased support from the Community Foundation this year all the more valuable.
“We have had a rough couple of years between the state budget crisis and churches closing, which has really limited our ability to serve this vulnerable population,” said Allen Johnson project director at Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County. “The grants from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation came through at the best possible time allowing the churches to expand their services so they can serve as many people as possible.”
By providing caring, personal contact and nourishing meals, hardworking volunteers at churches and other organizations help Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County serve more than 1,000 metropolitan area seniors age 60 and older who are unable to prepare their own food. Edmond Mobile Meals provides more than 1,000 meals per week and the Norman Meals on Wheels program serves more than 300 clients a day.
“Mobile Meals provides a lifeline to homebound elderly allowing them to remain independent and in their homes when options are limited,” said Nancy B. Anthony, Oklahoma City Community Foundation President. “This year, thanks to generous contributions from an anonymous donor, we were able to increase our support of this vital program.”
Grants were awarded to the following Christian churches that provide meals through Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County:
About the Oklahoma City Community Foundation:
Founded in 1969, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that works with donors to create charitable funds that will benefit our community both now and in the future. To learn more about the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, visit www.occf.org.
Merry Christmas!
Your Regional staff looks very nice all dressed up!
(L-R Assoc. Regional Min. Rev. Michael Davison, Regional Min. Rev. Pam Holt, Exec. Assistant Ellen Beer, Facility Manager Richard Keith, Admin. Assistant Jennifer Gallaway, Assoc. Regional Min. Rev. Leslie Dotson, Admin. Assistant Lori Richcreek-Heldmann)
On the first Wednesday of each month, the Regional staff gathers for a staff meeting at the Disciples Center to share, plan, and pray for the ministries in Oklahoma. On this particular day, we were headed out to the Vast restaurant on the 49th floor of the Devon Tower, 726.2 feet above downtown Oklahoma City! The view was spectacular, and we shared fellowship and delicious food for our Christmas celebration. Thank you, Regional Church!
We also thank you for your generous gifts that support the ministry of the Region which seeks to connect, empower, and equip Disciples of Christ to love and serve just like Jesus. Your gifts which support the Region come through your congregation’s budget, Disciples Mission Fund, and the generosity of Disciples in the pew through the Christmas Offering, and through generous individuals who give to the Region’s Annual Fund. We are very grateful for your giving, and more importantly, for the opportunity to serve the Region in ministry.
We hope each of you and all of you have a Merry Christmas with family and friends! As we once again hear the story of God breaking into our world and Jesus being born among us, may God’s blessing of hope and joy be upon us all! “Come, Lord Jesus, Come!”
Rev. Pam Holt
We are honored to highlight the following ministries as we celebrate the Advent Season. If you choose to give an Alternative Gift this year, consider giving to one of these ministries for your loved one.
Donations to any of these ministries may be given through the Regional Office’s website or by check. Be sure to note the ministry in the memo line on your check. Mail checks to:
Christian Church in Oklahoma
301 NW 36th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
MidAmerica Center will have new life as of January 1, 2018, the ministry of the Center will be transferred to Phillips Theological Seminary. The boards of both the Center and the seminary agreed the seminary will be a good place for the next phase of the Center’s ministry. Under Phillips’ auspices, the seminary will continue the work of ministry training. In addition, the seminary will offer ministry training students some new resources, such as access to an extensive library and hospitable librarians, as well as a broader base of support for their education.
Courses will be offered through Phillips Seminary beginning in January. Registration is open on the seminary’s website at www.ptstulsa.edu/ministrytrainingprogram. The cost has been lowered per course cost, as was the case in the last few years of the Center’s life, the program remains completely online.
For more information please go to Phillips Seminary website.
Midwest Blvd. Christian Church, an Oklahoma Disciples Foundation grant recipient, hosted its annual “Christmas for Others” ministry event on Saturday, December 9th. Over 70 families received free groceries, Bibles, children’s Christmas gifts and pet food as well as an opportunity to take home donated used clothing and household items. The children in each family also received new shoes, socks and underwear.
On Monday, December 11th until 3 p.m. and on Wednesday, December 13th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Midwest Boulevard Christian Church is opening the doors of its Activities Center (the large building behind the church and next to the Food Pantry) to anyone wishing to take home items from the remaining donated clothing and household items.
All are welcome, no proof of income or identity is required. Stop by the Activities Center located behind the church at 320 N. Midwest Blvd in Midwest City, OK on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.