CCOK301, Author at Christian Church in Oklahoma

Immigration Ban: A Statement from Rev. Pam Holt

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) came into existence on the American frontier through immigrants. Our teachings of faith and practice come first from scripture which call us to offer radical hospitality: to welcome and provide for the stranger in our midst, and to love our neighbor, stranger or enemy, as ourself. As followers of Christ, who fed the hungry and the thirsty and who welcomed the stranger, our faith calls us to do the same.

As our General Minister and President, Sharon Watkins, explains, “we have upheld this commitment to offer hospitality to well over 40,000 refugees since the time of WWII, and have done so by providing housing, employment, mentoring, contributions, prayer, and friendship,” and we have offered and experienced many faces of God’s grace and love through our faith and practice.

While we are grateful for our national security which strives to keep our nation safe, and while we support their system that oversees and implements the vetting process, an executive order by the POTUS that unnecessarily oppresses our brothers and sisters who are refugees or immigrants strikes the very core of our faith teachings and practices as ambassadors of Christ.

Our pastors and congregations strive for unity and cooperation among diversity, and we will continue to ardently pray and advocate for the rights and welcome of the vulnerable immigrants and refugees to be in our midst.

Pam Holt

Regional Minister

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:50:46-05:00Feb 8, 2017|Regional News|1 Comment

Oklahoma Disciples Men’s Retreat 2017

Mark your calendar for April 7-8, 2017 for the Oklahoma Disciples Men’s Retreat at Central Christian Camp & Conference Center in Guthrie, OK.

The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Thomas Jewell. The theme for this year is “Are you Afraid!!!”.

Please complete and return this form with payment, payable to Disciples Men, by March 15, 2017.

You may mail your registration form (2017 retreat registration) and payment to:

Christian Church in Oklahoma
Attn: Disciples Men
301 N.W. 36th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73118

You may also register online at this link

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:50:51-05:00Feb 6, 2017|Congregations|Comments Off

Year Book Report Due March 15th

It’s that time of year again! Congregations are requested to submit the annual Year Book report to the General Church for publication in the 2017 Year Book.

Why It’s Important – Your congregation is granted 501(c)3 status thru the General Church of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) uses the Year Book to verify your congregation’s non-profit status.

You may submit your form online or complete the form and mail it to the Regional Office and we’ll do the online submission for you. All information is transmitted electronically so your help in taking the quick and easy online steps is a great help!

The deadline is March 15th. Click here to locate the Congregational Reporting Login (or refer to the instructions that accompanied the blue Year Book form.)

Questions? Call Jennifer or Ellen at the Regional Office (405)528-3577 or email us at office@okdisciples.org

To mail your form please send it to Atten: Year Book, Christian Church in Oklahoma, 301 NW 36th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73118-8661

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:50:56-05:00Jan 30, 2017|Congregations|Comments Off

Leadership Training School – April 1st

Keynote Speaker: Laurie Feille

Rev. Feille graduated with a Masters of Divinity from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University in December 1996 and was ordained by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in January 1997. Rev. Feille served First Christian Church, Garland, Texas as part time Youth Minister and full time Associate Minister; Arlington Heights Christian Church, Fort Worth, TX as Senior Minister; and Senior Minister of Azle Christian Church, Azle, TX Rev. Feille has a passion for missions and has been on Mission Trips to Bosnia, Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Kenya and many places in the United States.

Rev. Feille has served as the Chaplain for the Disciples Women Fellowship of the Trinity Brazos Area Board, Southwest Region of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); on the Youth Ministry Council for the Trinity Brazos Area; on the Patient Advisory Committee for Texas Health Resources; adjunct teacher at Brite Divinity School in Homiletics; and as a member of the Steering Committee for Rippling Hope a newly formed nonprofit organization. Rev. Feille has been a director/counselor/ keynoter at retreats, camps and conferences in the Trinity Brazos Area, North Texas Area, Central Area, Costal Plains Area and the Northeast Area of the Southwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She currently serves on the Executive Unit of the Commission on Ministry for the Upper Midwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and on the board of Church Extension Fund for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:51:07-05:00Jan 25, 2017|Regional News|Comments Off

FCC Norman 125th Anniversary

Join us in celebrating First Christian Church Norman’s 125th Anniversary.

List of Special Events:

January 29th at 4:00pm – Handel’s Messiah – Chancel Choir, orchestra, organ, harpsicord, soloists. First Christian Church Sanctuary
March 4th and 5th – Rev. Dr. Anna Carter Florence – Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia. Saturday Seminars and Preaching at 8:40am and 10:45am Worship Services on Sunday.
April 29th and 30th – 125th Anniversary Weekend
– Saturday Banquet at the Marriott Conference Center at 6:00pm – Reservations Required – please call the Church office at (405) 329-2192.
– Sunday Celebratory Worship at 8:40am and 10:45am

We hope you will make plans to participate in these special events as the church gives thanks to God for 125 years of ministry in Norman.

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:51:12-05:00Jan 24, 2017|Congregations|Comments Off

FCC Luther – A Christmas Play to Remember

It was a packed house on December 11th at the First Christian Church in Luther for the one and only performance of the play, “A Christmas to Remember” performed by church members, some of whom revealed their considerable acting talents for the first time.

The play was written by Pastor Johnny Melton, the play delivered a spiritual message and a reminder about the importance of community. The script was packed with laughs, and tender moments that brought a tear.

The audience fell in love with the plucky and hard-working “beauty operator” Doris, played by Abby Danielle Mendoza. Her customers Bernice, played by Madison Dae McConnell, and Blanch, played by Donita Mackey, helped tell the story and depicted the usual characters of a sweet small town.

Sweet comic relief came from “the bride” Sasha Renae Wilson who played Patty. Fellow actor Colbey MIchael Alan Chartney affably played two roles of the doctor and Patty’s husband-to-be.

Karley and Scott Fesler were wonderful as the parents of Leslie, their special needs adult daughter who has the gift of seeing the good in people, and rainbows in mud puddles! The role of Leslie was played by Carla Goldsmith. Her authentic portrayal of the beautiful Leslie endeared the audience to the preciousness of having a childlike faith.

Gus Sumner is no bum, even though he played one very well in the show. He also played Santa and shared one of the messages of the play, to give of yourself to bless others.

Andy, played by Chistian Yeager played a good sidekick to Leslie and Kelly Melton “preached” as the guardian angel.

The lighting and set design were very clever using the space provided. This group of actors and crew acted professionally and never missed a cue.

It’s too bad there was only one performance of this show. It was that good. But with every seat filled, and many standing, more than 100 family members, friends and theater lovers enjoyed the Sunday night show.

Pastor Melton said he was so proud of all of the actors and crew. He thanked the crowd for coming, and shared that his dream is to start a community theatre in Luther. With this kind of talent, it could happen.

It is inspiring to see our Youth participating in drama and the arts.

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:51:16-05:00Jan 24, 2017|Congregations|Comments Off

Thank you! Regional Annual Fund 2016

Thank you for your gift to the Annual Fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)in Oklahoma.

The Region of Oklahoma is thriving! Your gift helps to sustain vibrant and visionary leadership and support to over 280 pastors and 150 congregations.

Your gift helps provide:

critical resources for congregations in transition and congregations seeking a new pastor
opportunities for clergy to enrich their ministry
strong leadership for the movement of God’s spirit in young people attending camps, CYF Koinonia weekend, mission trips to Oklahoma communities, Jamaica, Heifer International and International Affairs
the opportunity to build a Regional Anti-Racism Pro-Reconciliation Team.

To learn more about the many and varied ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma, I invite you to browse the many news articles on our home page.

Thank you for your generosity!

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:51:21-05:00Jan 23, 2017|Regional News|Comments Off

Remind and Renew January 25-26, 2017

This year, the faculty of Phillips will help participants think about our times in which Christianity is undergoing the most profound changes in inner and outer expressions since the 16th century.

Here are some of the presentations you will hear at Remind & Renew:

“Why Christianity Needs to Get a Life” from Joseph A. Bessler, PhD
“Christians & Our Lies: Overcoming Supersessionism in Christian Readings of the Hebrew Bible” from the Rev. Dr. Lisa Davison
“Does Christianity Have a Soul?” from Peter Anthony Mena, PhD.

Thank you for your interest in the 2017 Remind & Renew conference.

The Wednesday dinner is SOLD OUT. We are unable to offer further seating for this portion of the conference.

There are a limited number of seats still available for the conference presentations, including the free public lecture on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at 7 pm, featuring a panel presentation with all Remind & Renew speakers tackling “95 Theses (or at least 8) for 2017”

Please contact Mary McGilvray at 918.270.6405 for information about attending the conference.

NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for the free lecture portion of this event.

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:51:25-05:00Jan 23, 2017|Clergy News|Comments Off

CMTP Honors Revs. Brown and Black

Rev. Drs. Jerry Black and Les Brown were honored by the Commissioned Ministers Training Program board for their long time contributions and support of the Commissioned Ministry Training Program. Jerry began organizing this program and Les stepped in to continue leading the program. Both Jerry and Les will continue to teach classes for CMTP.

Rev. Dr. Les Brown

Rev. Dr. Jerry Black

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:51:31-05:00Jan 23, 2017|Clergy News|Comments Off

OKC Community Foundation Grant

Grants Help Provide Warm Meals to Homebound Elderly

Oklahoma City Community Foundation Awards Grants to Nine Christian Churches in Oklahoma County

(OKLAHOMA CITY) – The Trustees of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation recently awarded $34,100 in grants to 56 churches, including nine Christian churches, providing warm, fresh meals to homebound elderly residents through Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County. Grants were also awarded to Edmond Mobile Meals and Meals on Wheels of Norman for $3,000 each.

The Oklahoma City Community Foundation has supported Mobile Meals programs in central Oklahoma for eight consecutive years, awarding more than $259,000 since 2008. This year, the organization increased the amount of grants awarded for Mobile Meals programs by 10 percent. The grants come at a critical time for Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County. Earlier this year, the organization was in danger of closing following state budget cuts.

“The grants we have received from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation have been an absolute lifesaver for our program,” said Allen Johnson, project director for Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County. “The grants provided the sustenance to keep our program alive until other funding options were available, and they have allowed us to expand our reach of home-delivered meals over the last six months.”

Older adults often experience challenges such as limited income, travel and health limitations that contribute to their risk of going hungry. One out of every six Oklahoma seniors struggles with hunger, including 16,152 seniors in Oklahoma County. According to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, our state ranks among the top 10 in the nation with seniors who experience food insecurity. As the baby-boom generation continues to age, these statistics are predicted to increase.

Through the help of volunteers from churches and other organizations, Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County provides meals to more than 1,000 metropolitan area seniors age 60 and older who are unable to prepare their own food. Edmond Mobile Meals serves 1,000 meals per week and the Norman Meals on Wheels program serves more than 300 clients a day. The programs also provide seniors with consistent personal contact and inquiry on their well-being.

“Mobile Meals is a vital service for homebound elderly in our community and we truly appreciate the commitment from these churches and their congregations to support the program,” said Nancy B. Anthony, president of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation.

Grants were awarded to the following Christian churches that provide meals through Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County:

Crown Heights Christian Church
First Christian Church
Forest Hill Christian Church
Hillcrest Christian Church
New Covenant Christian Church
Nicoma Park Christian Church
Putnam City Christian Church
Western Oaks Christian Church

A complete list of churches that recently received grants can be found at occf.org/meals.

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.

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:52:12-05:00Jan 17, 2017|Congregations|Comments Off

CCOK301

About CCOK301

Keynote Speaker: Laurie Feille