CCOK301, Author at Christian Church in Oklahoma

Celebrate Pastor Appreciation Month

We care about our Pastor, but how can we express it?

Here are some ideas….

1. Be Present in Worship: Join in worship with your Pastor and congregation.

2.Write a Letter: Take the time to write a personal note of encouragement and appreciation to your pastor.

3. Provide Dinner: Pastors have to eat dinner too! How about a restaurant gift card or an invitation to your home for dinner one evening?

4. Give Public Thanks: Take out a full-page ad in your local newspaper, featuring a photo of your pastor and a declaration of your church’s appreciation.

5. Supply Favorite Things: Think of a small treat your pastor enjoys, such as M&Ms, fishing lures, coffee, etc. A thoughtful gift doesn’t have to cost much. The idea of knowing someone spent the time picking out one of your favorite things is a kind gesture.

6. Host a cake and punch reception at your church: Host a cake and punch reception after a Sunday service in October so the congregation can let your pastor know you care.

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:53:47-05:00Oct 12, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off

You are Invited to a Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racism Event

In the spring of 2015 and 2016, a group of Regional Ministers met in St. Louis, Missouri to hear and learn from local Disciple pastors about the chaos surrounding the death of Michael Brown. I remember two things these pastors saying, (1) “We are very tired,” and (2) “This will happen in your community, and you need to be prepared.” Sure enough, as hard as some of us work to be in relationship with our brothers and sisters and our community leaders, a tragedy happened in Tulsa with the police shooting of Terence Crutcher.

The Region of Oklahoma is stepping up its awareness and leadership with Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racism (PRAR). It is imperative that each of us and all of us get our hearts and minds around systemic racism.

The Faith in Action Commission and Reconciliation are partnering with the active and existing PRAR team from Illinois/Wisconsin and have invited their leaders to come to Oklahoma to introduce us to the possibilities of developing an Oklahoma PRAR team. This one-day free training experience will take place Saturday November 19, 2016 at First Christian Church Stroud.

Oklahoma recognizes the effectiveness of the Oklahoma Conference of Churches Spiritual & Emotional Disaster ministry that works around the state. A Regional PRAR team will be equally as effective and is much needed.

This opportunity for learning is being supported in full by Oklahoma Reconciliation funds. As leaders of faith and followers of Christ I strongly encourage us all to participate in this event. Please read below for details about the event and how to register (continuing education credit applies).

Peace and God’s blessings,
Pam Holt, Regional Minister
Leslie Dotson, Assoc. Regional Minister

You Are Invited by Rev. Pam Holt & Rev. Leslie Dotson and The Faith in Action Commission of the Christian Church in Oklahoma

To Attend A Free Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racism Event
“Introduction to Systemic Racism”

Guest Speakers
Rev. Dwight Bailey and Martha Herrin
Members of the Pro-Reconciliation/Anti-Racism Team of Illinois/Wisconsin

To learn more about this event register here.
Saturday, November 19, 2016
First Christian Church Stroud
(Lunch provided)

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:53:51-05:00Oct 12, 2016|Regional News|1 Comment

Hurricane Matthew Relief Efforts

Winds Rush. Water Pounds. Buildings Fall. People Suffer.
Hurricane Matthew made landfall in Haiti on the morning of October 4 and in Cuba later that afternoon. This powerful and slow-moving storm battered islands of the Caribbean and the United States’ Atlantic coast. The immediate and long-term impacts for survivors are significant.

The storm flattened communities and wrecked agriculture in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cuba and the Bahamas. Global Ministries’ (UCC/Disciples joint ministry) partners are reporting devastation of crops and houses in the southern regions of Haiti as well as in the city of Port-au-Prince. Houses in Ganthier, Haiti, rebuilt for families displaced from the 2010 earthquake by Church World Service (including both the UCC and Disciples), now are flooded again. Torrential rains reignited fears of waterborne diseases like cholera, an epidemic that already was in Haiti prior to the hurricane. Over 1,000 people have died, most of them in Haiti and at least 22 in the United States. In Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina, coastal destruction, wind damage and freshwater flooding has wreaked havoc.

The United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are well situated to respond robustly to people impacted both in the Caribbean and within the United States. Already, solidarity grants from the 2016 One Great Hour of Sharing Offering and Week of Compassion Fund are on their way to partners in in the region responding to immediate needs of food, shelter and safety. The UCC and Disciples are poised to respond with other churches to provide food, water, containers, roofs, mattresses, hygiene kits and psychosocial support. Within the United States, both denominations are active in local and national disaster response networks.

Your generosity to this disaster appeal will enable our churches to expand these responses and to walk closely with our neighbors now, in the immediate crisis, and through the long-term recovery process that will follow. In the midst of tumultuous weather, people receive food and water to drink. In the midst of danger, people find safety and rebuild homes. In the midst of hopelessness, people experience a love that will not let them go.
Hurricane Matthew

Pray passionately-
Prayers Following Disasters

Stay Connected-
One Great Hour of Sharing Facebook and Twitter
Week of Compassion Facebook and Twitter
Global Ministries Website and Facebook

Respond generously (indicate Hurricane Matthew Response)-
Disaster Ministries
One Great Hour of Sharing UCC International Emergency Fund
Disciples of Christ Week of Compassion

Global Ministries
Support of specific partners through Global Ministries

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:53:56-05:00Oct 12, 2016|Regional News|Comments Off

Birthed – Finding Grace Through Infertility

The Federated Church of Weatherford Invites You To A Book Signing

Join author Elizabeth Hagan at her book signing for Birthed – Finding Grace Through Infertility.

Tuesday, November 1, 2015 7pm

Federated Church Fellowship Hall
302 Custer, Weatherford

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:54:00-05:00Oct 11, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off

Caminante – A Mission Success Story

A Caminante Success Story…

As an eight year old, Franklin would leave home on Mondays, and walk 10 miles to work the beaches of Boca Chica selling candy and shining the shoes of tourists. This helped support his family since his mother didn’t have a job. He went to back doors of restaurants to beg for food. He would sleep in doorways because it was too far to go home every night. Franklin didn’t go to school and on weekends, he would go home and give his meager earnings to his mother.

Franklin wondered…“Is there anybody who really cares about me and can give me hope?” He wrote this thought on a piece of paper and slid it under the door of the Catholic Church. The priest found the note and called Sister Denisse. Sister Denisse quickly found Franklin a place to sleep every night. She made sure he went to school and because of his potential, she made sure he went to college. Franklin became a teacher in our Caminante Mission – Oklahoma Homework Room. Franklin later married and raised a family.

In 2013, we were told; “Franklin has eight children, the youngest is one year old. His wife died after giving birth and he is now a single father raising 8 children. The Caminante staff told Franklin that it’s okay to leave here, your family needs you to make more money.”

Franklin replied: “Sister Denisse found me, helped me, and Caminante gave me hope. The kids here are like me, working the streets and beaches. They need an education. They need me and I need them. There are more important things than money. I’m staying at Caminante where I can make a difference.”

During a mission trip to Caminante, we visited Franklin teaching in a homework room. We passed out dental supplies. To the children, it was like Christmas to receive a new toothbrush. Then, Franklin motioned to the children, they sat quietly. He told the children “Oklahoma makes a difference. I hope, and the children hope, you continue to support us.” He motioned to them again and the children said, “Adios, Oklahoma. Come see us again.” We saw 35 children with new toothbrushes and hope. There wasn’t a dry eye among us. And we knew we had seen the face of Jesus.

Our July 2016 mission trip showed Caminante continues to make a difference. Homework rooms, once serving 100 children, now serve almost 400 children. Over 60 people, who benefited from Caminante programs like Franklin, show their gratitude by working or volunteering with Caminante on a full time or part time basis.

Come Join Us:

Two mission trips are planned for 2017. Tentative dates are January 20-27 or January 27-February 3. Trip participants will work with children in the “homework rooms” and see firsthand the work of Caminante. Dental supplies, clothing, back packs, craft supplies, sporting goods, and money for school supplies will be taken to Caminante at this time. A tentative date for the summer mission trip is July 7-14. Participants on the summer mission trip will help with summer community programs for children. This trip is appropriate for all ages.

If you are interested in participating or donating to Caminante please contact Don Johnson for more information at (580) 402-2612 or donj@centralenid.org.

Scholarships are available.

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:54:06-05:00Oct 10, 2016|Mission|Comments Off

Chain Reaction Ministries

Chain Reaction Ministries is known for distributing free refurbished bicycles as the premise of their ministry, which provides transportation to the homeless and others in need of a mode of transportation.

Chain Reaction has been challenged to a matching grant of up to $1,000! The match must take place by October 16, 2016! If you are able, please consider donating so Chain Reaction can purchase tubes, tires, and other spare parts for the bikes they refurbish.

They are also in desperate need of adult bicycles! Please consider a donation of a bicycle or money to help provide adult bicycles to those who need transportation!

Contact Larry Batten or First Christian Church 405.525.6551 for information on how to donate. Every little bit helps!

Check out the article below:

http://m.newsok.com/chain-reaction-ministry-in-oklahoma-city-gives-away-2000th-bicycle/article/5515483

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:54:11-05:00Oct 10, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off

Fall Events around Oklahoma

Come check out the Fall Events at the churches around Oklahoma.

Pumpkin Patches:

FCC Midwest City (Reno Avenue and Anderson Road, Midwest City) Open Daily 11am-7pm
FCC OKC (3700 N. Walker, OKC) Mon.-Fri. 11am-7pm, Sat. 9am-7pm, Sun. 1-7pm

Halloween Carnivals:

Wednesday, October 19th 6-7pm Halo-ween Carnival at FCC Stroud
Wednesday, October 26th 5:30-6:30pm Trunk or Treat at FCC Kingfisher
Sunday, October 30th 5-7pm Halo-ween at FCC Midwest City
Sunday, October 30th 5:30-7:30pm Fall Festival at FCC Chickasha
Sunday, October 30th 4-6pm Trunk of Treat at Willow Road Christian Church
Sunday, October 30th 6-7:30pm Trunk or Treat & Carnival at New Covenant
Monday, October 31st Trick or Treat at FCC Pawhuska
Monday, October 31st 6pm Fall Festival at FCC Cushing
Monday, October 31st 6-7:30pm Trunk or Treat at FCC Claremore

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:54:17-05:00Oct 10, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off

Clergy Continuing Education Grants Available

The Office of Christian Vocation announced that the application period for the 2017 Clergy Continuing Education Grants is now open until Oct. 31.

Applications completed by Disciples clergy with standing (Ordained or Commissioned) over the next two months will be considered for awards to be distributed in 2017.

These awards are to help DOC clergy participate in continuing education experiences in 2017 that will enhance their gifts and graces for ministry. You can find out more, and access the application process here.

CCOK3012016-09-21T15:00:49-05:00Sep 21, 2016|Clergy News|Comments Off

Civil Rights Pilgrimage 2017 Spring Break

One of the continuing conversations in our country is about civil rights and the racial tensions in our community. Inspired by some of the table conversations from this summer’s roundtables at First Christian Church of Edmond, the Adult Education Team has put together a trip to explore some of the events of this tension – connecting the past to the present.

The adult spring break trip will leave Edmond on Sunday March 12, after church, and return Thursday evening, March 16. The stops will include Memphis, Birmingham, Montgomery, Jackson, and Dallas.

The cost of this trip, including hotel, will be $700. Meal costs are not included.

If you would like to sign up, please go to www.fccedmond.org/register

The registration and initial deposit of $100 is due by November 7.

http://www.fccedmond.org/adultspringbreak

CCOK3012017-01-08T11:02:58-06:00Sep 20, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off

Earthquake Damages FCC Pawnee

First Christian Church Pawnee was at the epicenter of a 5.8 magnitude temblor that struck Pawnee on September 3, 2016, now documented as the state’s strongest earthquake on record.

Regional Minister Pam Holt and Rev. Mary Hughes Gaudreau, director of Emotional and Spiritual Care for the Oklahoma Conference of Churches, visited Pawnee last week. As they drove into the small community there were very few visible signs of damage. But as they toured First Christian Church Pawnee with pastor Robert Smith they quickly saw significant damage to the building.

Pastor Smith is working with the congregation’s insurance company and structural engineers to investigate and assess the extent of the damage from the earthquake. Fortunately the congregation is still able to worship in the facility.

We ask you please keep this congregation and the community in your prayers as they determine the next steps.