2017 Standing Forms Available Online
Clergy may download the 2017 Request for Ministerial Standing and submit the form via email, fax or by mailing it to the Disciples Center. Click here for complete details and to download the form.
Shepherd Street Christian Church’s 100+ Years Celebration
You are cordially invited to attend our 100th plus years Homecoming celebration worship services taking place at Shepherd Street Christian Church Sunday, November 6, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m.
Our messenger for our 11:00 a.m. morning worship service will be Rev. Dr. R.P. Ashanti-Alexander from Miles Brown Chapel CME Church.
Our messenger for the 3:00 o’clock service will be Rev. Jesse Jackson from East Sixth Street Christian Church, Oklahoma City, OK. A fellowship meal will be provided before the afternoon service.
Our theme this year is “A Thankful People Serving a Faithful God”,
“Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.”
Psalms 90:1
We pray that you come and join us during this homecoming celebration. If you have any questions feel free to contact me at (405) 320-2406.
Yours in Christ,
Sis. Rita Maloney
Chairperson
Co-Pastors:
Minister Milton Bowens
Reverend Justin Pendarvis
Surviving The Holidays – GriefShare Event
Wondering how you will survive the weeks surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas? Are you dreading these holidays, knowing that everything has changed and that happy memories from past years can’t be recreated? Join with others who are grieving the loss of loved ones and learn new skills to cope through the holidays.
Help and hope is available as you navigate the Christmas season. Join us at New Covenant Christian Church on Sunday, November 13th, 5:00-7:00pm in the Conference Room.
Our Surviving the Holidays seminar is especially for people who are grieving a loved one’s death. You’ll learn:
- How to deal with the many emotions you’ll face during the holidays
- What to do about traditions and other coming changes
- Helpful tips for surviving social events
- How to discover hope for your future
All materials are supplied and a light meal will be provided (all without charge); however, please let us know if you plan to attend by Friday, November 4th, so that we will have plenty of both!
Contact Debbie Keith for more information – pastoralasst.nccc@coxinet.net or 405-722-7445, ext 305
Ministry During a Mental Health Crisis
The Mental Health Association Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Conference of Churches are sponsoring a two-day seminar where you can learn valuable response tools and resources. This event would be particularly helpful for your ministries that serve higher risk populations.
Ministry During a Mental Health Crisis
October 25-26, 2016
St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral
127 NW 7th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Day One:
Tuesday, October 25 includes “Mental Health First Aid” in which you will learn skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Registration is limited to 30.
Day Two:
Wednesday, October 26 will provide practical, local information and resources. What is an Emergency Order of Detention? What is the Crisis Intervention Team and how or when do I contact them? What are best practices and resources in responding to suicidality? What special resources are available for those returning from military deployment?
You may attend one or both days. Registration is $12 each day which covers your lunch.
See attached flyer for further details.
Disciples Women’s Fall 2016 Retreats
Northwest Disciples Women
Gathered at Central Christian Camp
Southeast Disciples Women
Gathered at Texoma Christian Camp
Northeast Disciples Women
Gathered at Camp Christian around a 40 foot long communion table
Ordination and Commissioning Ceremonies
Join Us in Celebrating Summer Ordinations
Fall Commissioning & Installations
Sondra Ladd’s Ordination took place on October 2, 2016 at First Christian Church Stillwater. Rev. Ladd serves as Associate Minister at FCC Stillwater.
Mark Taylor’s Ordination took place on July 24, 2016 at First Christian Church Edmond. Rev. Taylor services as Youth Minister at FCC Edmond.
Cecilia Tolley’s Ordination took place on June 12, 2016 at Northwest Christian Church, Oklahoma City. Rev. Tolley serves as a chaplain at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Oklahoma City.
Evan Taylor was commissioned and installed September 25, 2016 at East Side Christian Church in Tulsa.
Patrick McKenzie was installed as senior pastor of Village Christian Church, Oklahoma City on October 9, 2016.
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.
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)
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
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
