How can a health ministry benefit your congregation? Attend the OKC-County Health Academy on Saturday, June 3rd at Northeast Regional Health and Wellness Camp (Oklahoma City-County Health Department) to learn tools and gain skills to start or improve a health ministry for your congregation. This event is free, however registration is required. See attached flyer for more information Health_Ministry_Academy
Thank you to everyone who helped make Leadership Training School 2017 a success! 48 churches and over 320 individuals participated in Leadership Training School at FCC OKC on April 1st.
Rev. Dr. Bryan Feille shared Ephesians 4:11-13 with us to prepare us for keynote speaker, Laurie Feille’s worship message “Everybody Has a Gift”. Laurie’s uplifting worship message was exactly what we all needed to hear to breathe new life into our churches this Spring. She emphasized the importance of sharing your God given talents and gifts with your church.
Rev. John Malget and the Southern Hills Christian Church Praise Band shared their musical talents during worship. New Vessel Christian Church’s Children’s Choir blessed us as they shared their beautiful voices.
The workshops were not only educational but inspirational, and we would like to thank all our workshop leaders for sharing their time and gifts with their classes.
We would also like to thank Rev. Aaron Krueger (Crown Heights Christian Church) who led the LTS Planning Committee and all of the leaders on the Committee for their time and talents to create a successful event. Last but not least, we recognize the leaders that helped with the worship service at LTS. We recognize each of your talents and are grateful you chose to share them with us.
Rev. Aaron Krueger (Crown Heights Christian Church) acknowledged the efforts of the LTS Planning Team. “LTS was a success, in my book. Regardless of how many people registered, attended, or considered attending, the event, itself was a success. You all worked really hard on making sure all the details were combed over, prepared for, and executed to perfection. Thank you all!”
Thank you to the following churches for bringing 8 or more people!
In 2018, Leadership Training School will combine with Regional Assembly for one important event. Mark your calendars for April 27-28, 2018 at New Covenant Christian Church. More details will follow soon.
Thank you for helping the Region exceed our goal of 75% completion on the Oklahoma Region’s Yearbook Reporting by submitting your form. We received 75.8% completion this year!
The yearbook is filled with reports, directories and statistics and is submitted to the IRS annually to be in compliance with the tax laws. However, the Yearbook is also a collection of information that unites us in our ministries as Disciples of Christ and reminds us of our covenantal relationship with one another in the United States and Canada. There are many disciples, in a variety of expressions of ministry who gather around the Lord’s Table each and every week. So thank you for turning in your Yearbook form.
“We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As a part of the one Body of Christ we welcome all to the Lord’s table as God has welcomed us. ” – Disciples Statement of Identity
Below is a list of all of the churches that submitted their form to help us reach our goal as a Region.
Bethany Christian Church – Miami
Bethany Christian Church – Tulsa
Britton Christian Church
Carmen Christian Church
Central Christian Church – Enid
Central Christian Church – Fairview
Christian Church of the Covenant Community Christian Church – Ponca City
Crown Heights Christian Church
Del City Christian Church
Disciples Christian Church
East Side Christian Church
East Sixth Street Christian Church
Edmond Trinity Christian Church
Fellowship Christian Church
First Christian Church – Ada
First Christian Church – Aline
First Christian Church – Alva
First Christian Church – Anadarko
First Christian Church – Ardmore
First Christian Church – Arnett
First Christian Church – Bartlesville
First Christian Church – Bristow
First Christian Church – Calumet
First Christian Church – Chandler
First Christian Church – Cherokee
First Christian Church – Chickasha
First Christian Church – Claremore
First Christian Church – Cleo Springs
First Christian Church – Cushing
First Christian Church – Duncan
First Christian Church – Durant
First Christian Church – Edmond
First Christian Church – El Reno
First Christian Church – Elk City
First Christian Church – Gage
First Christian Church – Guthrie
First Christian Church – Healdton
First Christian Church – Heavener
First Christian Church – Hennessey
First Christian Church – Henryetta
First Christian Church – Hobart
First Christian Church – Hominy
First Christian Church – Hugo
First Christian Church – Idabel
First Christian Church – Jenks
First Christian Church – Kingfisher
First Christian Church Lawton
First Christian Church Lindsay
First Christian Church Luther
First Christian Church Mannford
First Christian Church Midwest City
First Christian Church Moore
First Christian Church Newkirk
First Christian Church Norman
First Christian Church Nowata
First Christian Church Okeene
First Christian Church Oklahoma City
First Christian Church Okmulgee
First Christian Church Pauls Valley
First Christian Church Pawnee
First Christian Church Perry
First Christian Church Ponca City
First Christian Church Pond Creek
First Christian Church Seminole
First Christian Church Shawnee
First Christian Church Skiatook
First Christian Church Stigler
First Christian Church Stillwater
First Christian Church Stroud
First Christian Church Sulphur
First Christian Church Tahlequah
First Christian Church Thomas
First Christian Church Tulsa
First Christian Church Wagoner
First Christian Church Walters
First Christian Church Woodward
First Christian Church Yukon
First Christian Presbyterian Church
Forest Park Christian Church
Harvard Avenue Christian Church
Hillcrest Christian Church
Iglesia Cristiana de Capitol Hill
In The Spirit Christian Church
Liberty Heights Christian Church
Marland Methodist-Christian Church
Memorial Christian Church
Midwest Boulevard Christian Church
Morrison Christian Church
Mustang Christian Church
New Beginnings Christian Church
New Covenant Christian Church
New Hope Christian Church
New Vessels Christian Church
Nicoma Park Christian Church
Northwest Christian Church
Odyssey Christian Church
Peckham Christian Church
Pine Street Christian Church
Refuge Fellowship Church
Sacred Hoop Native American Ministry – Pryor
Shepherd Street Christian Church
South Grand Lake Christian Church
Southern Hills Christian Church
University Place Christian Church
Village Christian Church
Waukomis Christian Church
West Point Christian Church
West Side Christian Church
Western Oaks Christian Church
Wildewood Christian Church
Woodlands Christian Church
Yale Avenue Christian Church
Join East Side Christian Church on April 25-26th for a special 2-day Faith and Mental Health Training seminar for clergy, staff, chaplains, and lay leaders to better understand mental health related needs and be prepared to respond in times of crisis. Come one day, or join for both!
This interfaith event is sponsored by Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry and Mental Health Association Oklahoma, and hosted by East Side Christian Church.
Please note: Seating is limited and advance registration is required for Mental Health First Aid. A certificate of completion is provided to those completing the full 8 hour curriculum. A donation of $10/day is greatly appreciated to help cover the cost of lunch.
Scholarships are available. Please contact Karen at 918/382-2411 or klaplante@mhaok.org.
See attached flyer for more details. Faith and Mental Health Training
Limited Funds Available in 2017 from New ODF Grant Program
As of 2017, ODF has a limited amount of funds available through a grant-making process. Several permanent endowments have been established with specific, varied purposes for providing funds to non-profit 501(c) (3) organizations. The majority of the funds in 2017 are directed for Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) related programs, ministries and missions for children, youth and young adults. Also, funds will be available for the education of clergy, laity and congregations on the guidance and art of spiritual giving. And, some funds will be available for new churches or new ways of being a church.
All grants will be awarded based on funding events or programs with potential to make the greatest impact. A grant-making committee of current and former ODF board members will review applications and make recommendations to the ODF board of directors.
Preliminary application requests should be mailed or emailed to ODF by May 1, 2017. Proof of non-profit status should accompany the preliminary application. The ODF Grant Committee will convene in early May to discuss applications and allocate funds. Committee recommendations and findings will be reported to the full board of directors for a vote at their regularly scheduled meeting on July 25, 2017. The checks will be mailed shortly following approval.
Grant money will be awarded to charitable entities, not individuals. Requests to discharge preexisting debts will not be considered.
Email Julie Bowers at jabowers@okdfdn.org to be included on a list of interested parties for email updates. Or call 405.525.6530 for more information.
HURRY – Offer Ends May 11th!
(Items ship when our campaign ends approximately May 30th)
Join the fun and support Disciples Home Fund by participating in the Disciples Home Missions Virtual 5K, 10K: Moving for Wholeness II
Put together a group from your congregation. You can run/walk anytime, anywhere, and with anyone! Click here to sign up.
Price: Individuals, $25.00 Race Fee + $2.50 SignUp Fee
Registration: Registration ends April 3, 2017 at 11:59pm EDT
What is a Virtual 5k/10K? A virtual 5K/10K race is a 5km (or 10K) race that can be run at any location. You can walk, use the treadmill, run outside, or join a local race near you. (You can even break it up over time!) Share pictures with the #disciples5k tag and we’ll help cheer you on! Last year 550 runners participated! Join in!
Why Disciples Mission Fund? This is an opportunity to share the passion our church has to put mission first. DMF Easter Offering funds go to support vital General Ministries like Disciples Home Missions, Disciples Women, Global Ministries, Hope Partnership for Missional Transformation, and many others. Learn more at disciplesmissionfund.org.
Who’s invited? Everyone! Individuals, Families, Youth Groups, or any group or ministry is welcome! Need an activity for a retreat or mission trip? Your group is invited, too!
How do I sign up? Registration is open March 1 through April 3.
When do I run? Run your race at any time. We’ll send out t-shirts and medals in early May for you to claim at the finish line! Wear your t-shirts and medals at General Assembly on Monday, July 10th!
Spread the word! Join us on Facebook and invite your friends! Share your posts and pictures with the tag #disciples5k
The Oklahoma Disciples Men Retreat is fast approaching. Be sure to register using the link below. Following is the schedule of events.
AGENDA FOR DISCIPLES MEN RETREAT
FRIDAY APRIL 7, 2017
Registration: 5:00-6:30 pm
Dinner: 6:30- 7:30pm
Break: 7:30-7:45pm
Welcome from Regional Minister Rev. Pam Holt and Music: 7:45-8:10pm
Rev. Dr. Tom Jewell: Handout of cards for Saturday: 8:10-8:20pm
Entertainment: The Potter, Collin Roseburg: 8:20-9:30pm
Free time: 9:30pm-?
SATURDAY APRIL 8, 2017
Coffee: 7:00am
Breakfast: 8:00-8:30am
Break: 8:30-8:45am
Music: 8:45-9:00am
Guest Speaker Rev. Dr. Tom Jewell: 9:00-10:30am
Break: 10:30-10:45am
Business Meeting: 10:45-11:30am
Break: 11:30-11:45am
Communion: 11:45am
Lunch: 12:00
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Ponca City applied for and met the criteria to become a Certified Healthy Congregation. Established in 2014 this program recognizes congregation sites that make a positive impact on the health of employees and patrons. First Christian and Blackwell First United Methodist Church are the only congregations in Kay County to meet certification.
With three levels of certification, Basic, Merit and Excellence, First Christian earned the Merit certification. Kay County had over 50 entities apply for the state’s voluntary recognition program, including the communities of Blackwell and Ponca City.
Businesses, communities, churches, campuses, early childcare, and schools all applied in November of 2016. That is an increase from 30 applicants in 2015 which only included businesses, a campus, early childcares and schools.
Activities that are currently in place or will be added include the Friendship Garden, tai chi classes, the use of healthy food choices for the evening Friendship Feast meal, providing information about how to stop smoking, and blood pressure screenings.
First Christian Ponca City looks forward to adding practices to allow Excellence level of certification and to provide a healthy environment for congregants, as well as the local community.
Closing Church Shares Legacy with Phillips University Legacy Foundation
In 2016, Disciples Christian Church in Newcastle, Oklahoma, closed their doors. With the desire to distribute remaining assets toward projects which had special significance to members of the church, Phillips University Legacy Foundation was selected to receive a gift of $92,000.
The Newcastle Church Board discussed the meaningful relationship between the Church and Phillips University, as well as the work of church members Ed Cravens, 1970 Phillips graduate, and Connie Speer Cravens, 1973 Phillips graduate, who were instrumental in the formation of the Legacy Foundation. Phillips University Legacy Foundation was founded in 2002 by the Alumni and Friends Association of Phillips.
The mission of the Legacy Foundation is and to follow the tradition of Phillips University by providing scholarships and opportunities to educate and develop leaders who embody Christian values in their lives, service and work.
Phillips University Legacy Foundation has provided scholarships to 154 undergraduate students who attend Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) affiliated colleges and universities, and has awarded over $1.3 million dollars in scholarships.
The 2016-2017 class has 25 Legacy Scholars (scholarship awardees), who received scholarships of up to $5,000 per year.
For more information, please call Phillips University Legacy Foundation at 580-237- 4433.