CCOK301, Author at Christian Church in Oklahoma

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.

CCOK3012021-06-24T13:38:48-05:00Sep 13, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off

FCC Cushing Welcomes Hope.Church

First Christian Church Cushing welcomed a new church into their space beginning September 11, 2016.

Hope. Church will hold services in FCC Cushing’s space on Sunday evenings at 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm. Hope. Church is a network church of Life. Church.

CCOK3012016-09-12T14:25:58-05:00Sep 12, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off

Rev. Martin Foster Retiring from FCC Perry

On September 25, First Christian in Perry will honor Rev. Martin Foster who will celebrate his last worship as Senior Minister with the congregation prior to retirement. Martin served at First Christian in Perry for fourteen years. Martin looks forward to fishing and time with his wife Paula.

Please join us in thanking Martin for his service by sending your greeting and congratulations to Martin at: fostermartin@sbcglobal.net

CCOK3012017-01-08T11:02:59-06:00Sep 8, 2016|Clergy News|2 Comments

Regional Leadership Issues Letter of Hope and Unity

The Regional Ministers and Regional Moderators of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the U.S. and Canada issued an open letter of hope and a call for unity.

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

In this contentious campaign season, we write as leaders who have witnessed firsthand the prophecy of our Lord that “five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three;” (Luke 12:52 NRSV). In a week when we have gathered to confer about the spiritual health of our church, both sides of America’s divided family have called one another racist. As a body that has claimed a pro-reconciliation, anti-racist priority for two decades, we the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada write to offer a word of hope from our experience.

First we offer reflections on some of the more difficult learnings of these past two decades.

CONTINUED>>

CCOK3012016-09-07T15:42:33-05:00Sep 7, 2016|Regional News|Comments Off

Barrier Breaking Ministries at FCC Lawton

FCC Lawton Hosts Monthly Health Clinic

First Christian Church in Lawton is finding new ways to engage the wider community. Kathy Cooper, church member and the head of a college nursing program, initiated a monthly health clinic as part of a new way to engage the wider community. The ministry was recognized by the local newspaper. READ>>

A Transgender Woman and Her Pastor Speak with School Board

Deanna Deville, a transgender woman, and Brandon Johnson, pastor at FCC Lawton, affirm transgender rights in Oklahoma and Texas. Their efforts were featured in the Texoma’s newspaper. READ>>

CCOK3012016-09-13T13:50:08-05:00Sep 7, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off

Be a part of eliminating racism – Reconciliation Offering 2016

The 2016 Reconciliation Special Offering is used to fund our Church’s mission imperative to become an pro-reconciling and anti-racist church utilizing experiential education, inclusive worship and intentional dialogue. Our efforts to promote healing, relationship and restoration in the whole family of God are enlivened by funds from this offering. The 2016 Reconciliation Offering will be collected in congregations Sept. 25 and Oct 2.

With this offering we are able to provide programs for

leadership development
curriculum for dialogue and learning, and
partnerships within the Church and our communities.

Recent events have reignited the conversation about human brokenness evidenced in the sin of racism and perpetuated in our institutional structures and systems. Your generous giving to Reconciliation Ministry is transforming lives and strengthening Christ’s witness in the world showing that we love one another, even as Christ continues to love us!

Your gift

promotes healing, relationship and restoration in the whole family of God

Why Have a Special Offering?

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has a history dating from the 1960s of sharing our resources to address the racism of our society and the racism within our own church. We have called this process the Reconciliation Ministry.

We receive this offering in the fall and use the funds throughout the year to give grants to the pro-reconciliation/anti-racism initiative to organize to dismantle systems and structures that perpetuate this sin of division within the Church.

The 2020 Vision adopted by our church names this work as one of the four priorities of our mission together as a whole church. This voluntary annual offering is the only source of funding for this ministry.

Learn More

Learn how to be proactive in your congregation with these Reconciliation resources.

Where Does The Reconciliation Offering Go?

The Reconciliation offering is divided in two parts with one half going back to the region from which it was received and one half going to the General Reconciliation Ministry administered by the Reconciliation Ministry Commission made up of volunteers from around our church body.

The regions choose the method of distributing the funds that remain within their own area. These programs vary widely between regions.

The Reconciliation Ministry Commission receives, reviews and allocate funds for grant requests submitted by our general ministries, higher education institutions, regions and recognized ministries of the church whose proposals meet the grant guidelines. Congregational grant requests are to be submitted to their Region for funding.

Donations on behalf of emergency grants on behalf of impacted communities and congregations toward healing for the communities of Ferguson, Staten Island, Charleston, S.C., and Baltimore can be directed to the Reconciliation Annual Fund/Racial Justice Response.

CCOK3012017-01-08T11:02:59-06:00Aug 25, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off

Caminante Mission Group Delivers Important Supplies

Six individuals from the Oklahoma Region delivered much needed supplies on a mission trip to Caminante in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic July 29 – August 5, 2016. Caminante is a Global Ministries Partner of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The mission focuses on education and counseling for children, teenagers and adults. It is located in Boca Chica, a beach-resort town with a 30% unemployment rate and significant social problems.

Encouraging Good Health

The group took over 500 toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste, two large suitcases filled with clothing, $500 for school supplies, and baseballs. These supplies encourage Caminante’s mission to support the health and well-being of the children and adolescents.
Participants included Robert Hall (First Christian Church Norman), and college students Allison Wenthold (Hillcrest Christian Church, Oklahoma City) and Taylor Anderson (Lifeway Church, Moore), retired minister Don Johnson (Central Christian Church, Enid), hospital chaplain Steve Samples (Enid), and minister Loma Sullivan (Woodlands Christian Church, Ponca City),

Learning Ways to Help Each Other in Mission

The purpose of this 2016 trip was to

See how the mission of Caminante has grown and changed.
Discover how the Oklahoma Region may help Caminante with their mission.
Determine how Caminante could help the Oklahoma Region with our ministries.
Select specific dates for mission trips in 2017.

Don Johnson said they are grateful to Loma Hernandez, coordinator, People- to-People Pilgrimage Program, and Toni Reynolds, the current Global Ministries Intern at Caminante. “They did an excellent job in helping to arrange the trip, in providing lodging and transportation, and showing us the excellent and productive missions of Caminante.”

Plans Underway for Two 2017 Trips

A January or February 2017 trip for 7-9 individuals would deliver dental supplies, clothing, back packs, craft supplies, sporting goods, and money for school supplies.

A July 2017 trip would be focused on a summer camp program. Participants would include 12-14 teens, college students or young adults, and 3 adults. The group would deliver dental supplies, clothing, back packs, craft supplies, sporting goods, and money for school supplies.

Learn More

For more information on the Caminante mission activities please contact Don Johnson at 580-402-2612 or the Regional Office office@okdisciples.org 405-528-3577.

CCOK3012017-01-08T11:02:59-06:00Aug 16, 2016|Mission|Comments Off

Disciples Women 2017 Fall Retreats Announced

Oklahoma Disciples Women will meet for their fall retreats at camps across the state.

Texoma Women
Sept. 16-17 • Texoma Christian Camp, Kingston
Contact: Mary Mueller 580-622-3776

NW Area Women
Sept. 30 – Oct 1 • Central Christian Camp, Guthrie
Contact: Rogene Hawkins 419-296-0766 or Sally Wheeler 580-747-4142
Download the Registration and Program Information

NE Area Women
Oct. 7-8 • Camp Christian, Chouteau
Contact: Sonya Vann 918-822-0426

Click here for a full list of Oklahoma Disciples Women officers and area directors.

CCOK3012016-08-15T10:25:15-05:00Aug 10, 2016|Disciples Women|Comments Off

Indigo Girls Headline PhillipsFest Concert Nov. 13

A Concert for Justice and Hope

Phillips Seminary is excited to welcome the Indigo Girls in concert on Sunday, November 13 at 6 pm at Legends Ballroom, downtown Tulsa.

The seminary needs a way to celebrate who we are and introduce ourselves to the wider Tulsa community and PhillipsFest should do just that.

Also on the bill for the evening: Trey Pearson, of Everyday Sunday, and Eric Himan, lead singer of local band, Soundsquatch.

Tickets are on sale now.

CCOK3012017-01-08T11:03:00-06:00Aug 10, 2016|Regional News|Comments Off

Seminar: Toll of Caregiving on Clergy Health

Integris Pastoral Care is conducting a seminar on The Toll of Caregiving on the Health of Clergy and Members of the Helping Professions. The live presentation for clergy and clinical staff will be held Wednesday Aug. 17th from 1:00-2:30 pm at Integris Baptist Medical Center Conf. Rooms J and K. No registration is required for this free program.

Members of the clergy and others in helping professions most often feel a sense of call to their chosen professions. They find their work both gratifying and fulfilling. However, challenges they face in their work can often negatively impact their health – physical, emotional, spiritual, familial, social and financial.

Program participants will gain insight into the current state of clergy health in the United States. They will learn about factors impacting the health of clergy and those in helping professions, as well as ways to prevent the negative impact of serving in a helping profession.

Board certified Chaplain Oran Lee, M.Div., who serves as director of Pastoral Care at Integris Baptist Medical Center will present. Approved CE credits are available for social workers, nurses and therapists.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9

CCOK3012016-08-10T15:12:42-05:00Aug 10, 2016|Clergy News|Comments Off

CCOK301

About CCOK301

FCC Lawton Hosts Monthly Health Clinic

A Transgender Woman and Her Pastor Speak with School Board

Your gift

Why Have a Special Offering?

Learn More

Where Does The Reconciliation Offering Go?

Encouraging Good Health

Learning Ways to Help Each Other in Mission

Plans Underway for Two 2017 Trips

Learn More

A Concert for Justice and Hope