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Rev. Barkhauer to Train on Legacy Stewardship & Joyful Giving

Fresh Insights on Sharing God’s Abundance

Lay leaders, laity and clergy are invited to engage with Rev. Bruce Barkhauer for fresh insights on sharing God’s abundance at “The Cup Runneth Over” events. As director of the Center for Faith and Giving, Barkhauer will speak on estate/legacy stewardship in the church and joyful giving. Clergy may receive continuing education credit for the event.

CenterforFaithGivinglogo_colorThe Center for Faith and Giving exists to create a culture of generosity across the life of the whole church. It provides educational materials and serves as a conduit to teach stewardship as a spiritual discipline. Its mission is to encourage and promote the understanding of stewardship as a faith discipline and life practice in response to a generous God.

 

Stewardship is about more than money

It is about the faithful management of all of the resources and gifts that come into our lives - care for the earth, care for ourselves, care for the Gospel, observance of Sabbath, and care for our material goods and possessions.

Tulsa, Enid and Oklahoma City Locations

The Oklahoma Disciples Foundation is hosting the inspirational sessions at three locations in September.

September 18, 2016 • 2:30 – 5:00 pm • Tulsa – Harvard Avenue Christian Church

September 19, 2016 • 9:00 am – Noon • Enid – Central Christian Church

September 19, 2016 • 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm Dinner Event • Oklahoma City – Jim Thorpe Museum
Reservations required. $40 per person or $300 per table of 8, includes dinner, wine, beer and soft drinks. Meal catered by the Petroleum Club.

Download a poster to promote this event in your congregation.

Registration

For details and registration visit www.okdfdn.org or call Julie Bowers at the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation 405.525.6530

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2017-01-08T11:03:00-06:00Aug 10, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off on Rev. Barkhauer to Train on Legacy Stewardship & Joyful Giving

NYC and DC Destinations for 2017 International Affairs Seminar

Youth will travel to Washington DC and New York City for the 2017 IAS (International Affairs Seminar) March 10-18. The study trip is for youth in grades 11-12.

Who Is My Neighbor? Interfaith Dialogue is a Christian Practice

Students study a topic that is relevant to being a citizen and a person who claims Christian faith. Youth return to their congregations with an informed perspective that can help shape their view of the world and their practice of Christianity.

The week long experience offers opportunity to build friendships with other Disciples youth and sponsors.

Online registration opens August 1 and closes Oct. 1. The trip is limited to 25 youth.

Download a sample itinerary and learn more about the registration costs.

This trip is sponsored by the CYYA Ministries of the Christian Church in Oklahoma. For more information contact Rev. Michael Davison 918.899.8940

2017-01-08T11:03:01-06:00Jul 21, 2016|Youth|Comments Off on NYC and DC Destinations for 2017 International Affairs Seminar

Interfaith Youth Tour of OKC Set for Sept. 25

The Oklahoma Conference of Churches will be conducting its 9th annual Interfaith Youth Tour in Oklahoma City on September 25.

The tour will have stops at East Sixth Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Masjid Mu’min, and Vien Giac Buddhist Temple.

Exploring Christianity, Islam and Buddhism

The tour will educate the participants on aspects of Christianity, Islam and Buddhism. It will explore the historically African-American congregations of East Sixth Street Christian Church and Masjid Mu’min.

The $15 registration fee includes transportation and snacks. Youth groups, schools and organizations are welcome.

Learn More>>

2019-04-01T13:43:30-05:00Jul 21, 2016|Youth|Comments Off on Interfaith Youth Tour of OKC Set for Sept. 25

One lit candle

Sitting in the dark amongst all the tragedies that permeate our current life, I seek words.
But there are none.
Sitting in the dark amongst all the tragedies that permeate our current life, I seek answers.
But there are none.
Sitting in the dark amongst all the tragedies that permeate our current life, I seek Hope.
But it’s not there.
Sitting in the dark amongst all the tragedies that permeate our current life, I seek the face of God.
Where are you?

Then I realize the face of God is everywhere as I see the faces of mothers worried about their sons; as I see the faces of the victims and those who fired the guns; as I see the faces of those who are called to protect; as I see the faces of those who do not know what to do and as I see the faces of our sisters, brothers, and neighbors.

I light one candle and as the flame reaches into the dark of all the tragedies that permeate our current life, I sense a gathering of hope.

Just a small spark until all the faces of God come together to reach out to the Holy.
Just a small spark until all the faces of God come together to say “No More”.
Just a small spark until all the faces of God come together to BE Love, Grace and Hope.

Let it begin with me.

2021-06-24T13:39:14-05:00Jul 14, 2016|Regional News|Comments Off on One lit candle

Regional Annual Fund Drive – Every Gift is Welcome

Dear Faithful Friends in Christ,

Thank you for your participation in your congregation as well as your generous contributions to the Annual Fund of the Christian Church in Oklahoma. Your gifts help the Regional Church as it seeks to support and encourage your pastor(s) and connect congregations in mission and ministry.

The Regional Church is asking you to contribute toward the 2016 Annual Fund goal of $130,000. All gifts are welcome, and we believe are blessed and multiplied by God.

Your regional church at work!

We had a very exciting Regional Assembly in April at First Christian Church Tulsa with over 300 adults and youth in attendance. The theme was Festival of Missions, where several inspiring and exciting things happened. Here’s just a few but you can read the whole story here.

  • The Golf Tournament hosted 6 teams!
  • Rev. Juan Rodriguez from the Christian Church in Florida reminded us that we are a
    “barrier breaking, bridge building” denomination, and Rev. Micah James encouraged us to
    remember “why” we do mission.
  • We literally moved out in mission on Saturday morning and supported nine different organizations: Stamp Out Starvation (20,000+ meals); OK Blood Institute (40+ donors);
    FCC Snack Packs (made a month’s worth); Oxley Nature Center (cleared 2.5 miles of trail); Tulsa SPCA (painted and cleaned kennels); Church World Service (assembled 100 hygiene kits); Emergency Infant Services (transitioned clothing); Harvard Avenue Community Garden (weeded and tended to garden needs); Community Food Bank (moved 7,000+ pounds of food).
  • In closing worship we heard from nine different congregations who each shared their
    mission and ministry beyond their doors.

In the area of Youth, the International Affairs Seminar was exceptional with young people and adult sponsors; summer camps have begun and are full to capacity with young people and counselors.

A Regional mission trip to Boca Chica, Dominican Republic, to work with our ministry partner Caminante is scheduled for the end of July. Learn more>>

Reconciliation monies are being disbursed.

A new Regional Board was installed at Regional Assembly, and they will begin their work to vision and plan the future on August 20th at a Regional Board Orientation.

The Region continues to support and care for seminary students and students in the Commissioned Ministry Training Program, and your Regional pastors continue to be present to pastors and congregational life around the region, including providing aid and disaster relief.

Your gift is important

We cannot do any of this without your financial help. Please consider a generous gift to the Regional Church as we continue to be God’s hands and heart in Oklahoma. You may donate securely online here, or send your gift to our office: Christian Church in Oklahoma, 301 NW 36th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73118.

Peace & God’s grace,
Pam-signature

 

 

Pamela G. Holt
Regional Minister

2017-01-08T11:03:01-06:00Jul 12, 2016|Regional News|Comments Off on Regional Annual Fund Drive – Every Gift is Welcome

Regional Assembly 2016 Was Alive with Mission Work and Fellowship

Building Bridges

RAOK16_JuanWorshipRev. Juan Rodriguez, regional minister from the Christian Church in Florida keynoted our Festival of Mission. He reminded us that we are a “barrier breaking, bridge building” denomination.

RAOK16_MicahJamesRev. Micah James encouraged us to remember “why” we do mission. We need to find where our joys, needs, and skills intersect.

 

 

 

RAOK16_Disciples4Water_Gwen-ShawIn closing worship we heard from nine different congregations who each shared their mission and ministry beyond their doors.

Carlson-Corner-Blog

A Festival of Coming Together
Blog by Travis Carlson
Youth Pastor, Cyril First Christian Church

Mission Accomplished!

We literally moved out in mission on Saturday morning and supported nine different organizations.

  • Stamp Out Starvation (packed 20,000+ meals)
  • OK Blood Institute (40+ donors)
  • FCC Snack Packs (made a month’s worth)
  • Oxley Nature Center (cleared 2.5 miles of trail)
  • Tulsa SPCA (painted and cleaned kennels)
  • Church World Service (assembled 120 hygiene kits)
  • Emergency Infant Services (transitioned clothing)
  • Harvard Avenue Community Garden (weeded and tended to garden needs)
  • Community Food Bank (moved and packaged 7,000+ pounds of food)

2016-18 Regional Board Elected

Credentialed laity voters and clergy approved the slate of nominees during the business meeting. We appreciate the outgoing board’s hard work and many hours of service.

During an upcoming orientation, incoming board members will learn ways to share their gifts and talents. We are excited and look forward to their leadership!

RAOK16_BoardInstallation

Click here to see the full list of the 2016-2018 Regional Board members who begin their service on July 1st.

Fellowship

We Love Our Youth!

We’re Listening! Survey Results

Thank you to the many folks who responded to the survey about Regional Assembly. We learn from you which elements are meaningful and what we need to improve. Here’s what you shared.

What’s the best thing you experienced at Regional Assembly?

  • The opportunity to serve in mission service projects was the overwhelming favorite of participants
  • Fellowship with others from around our great region included making new friends and seeing old ones
  • Food trucks!
  • Friday evening worship

What is one thing you learned?

  • That there really ARE a lot of congregations looking beyond their four walls and doing Christ’s work in their communities
  • Mission First theme: We need to find where our joys, needs, and skills intersect
  • Mission First begins at home where we are located, in our own community
  • That the business of the church doesn’t need to take 2 hours. It can be accomplished in half an hour
  • I live in a fantastic region of the DOC
  • Oklahoma Disciples churches are strong and healthy

Would you be interested in participating in a mission service project at a future Regional Assembly?

  • 46.88% Sign me up!
  • 25%  Sounds interesting
  • 15.63% Depends on what’s offered
  • 9.38%  Somewhat interested
  • 3.13%  Not interested

Please tell us of any meaningful words or phrases you took away from the worship experiences.

  • Breaking barriers
  • Building bridges
  • Bridge building, barrier breaking movement of God!
  • God is still in control
  • We are a movement
  • It’s not the numbers, it’s the impact
  • Just tell the truth!
  • The moment God’s church through Christ began
  • The continuation of the incarnation

Anything else you would care to share about your experience?

  • The worship services were meaningful, but long. It was hard for people to stay engaged.
  • The food truck idea was great. Have the youth help serve the elderly people carry their food.
  • Missed the vendors and displays.
  • The voting didn’t feel important or official.
  • The boys who entertained at the banquet were great! Love seeing the kids shine!
  • Love to see more inter-generational events where families and teens would be able to attend.
  • More laughter and relevant music would be appreciated.
  • High worship is fun for some but I didn’t enjoy it.
  • More “get acquainted” time would be nice. Saturday afternoon was a bit long.
  • Friday evening dinner portions were too small.
  • I appreciated the 2-day rather than 3-day event.
  • Looking forward to sharing the Native Voice again in 2017.
  • Thanks for all the time, energy, and planning that went into making this a fantastic Regional Assembly! Great spirit!
  • At 89 there are limits to what I can do!
  • I’m honored to be a part of the Oklahoma Region.

2017-01-08T11:03:01-06:00Jul 11, 2016|Regional News|Comments Off on Regional Assembly 2016 Was Alive with Mission Work and Fellowship

Mission Guthrie Unites Youth in Community Service

Over 200 DOC youth and sponsors from across the state plus a Texas youth group will be participating in Mission Guthrie July 16-20th.

This year’s theme is “Here Comes the Son – Project 7:16”. They were filled with awe and praised God…God has come to help his people. Luke 7-16

They’ll pour their enthusiasm, energy and hard work into a variety of work sites. Service projects include Guthrie Public Schools (paint lockers, stripe parking lots, clean playgrounds), Guthrie City Parks cleanup, and a number of private resident projects.

Fellowship is a huge part of the mission week. Host church FCC Guthrie is rolling out the red carpet to welcome them to the community. A Community Block Party starts at 7:00 pm Saturday featuring live music, food trucks and lawn games – all are invited.

It takes a lot of food and volunteers to host an event of this size. If you have an interest in providing or handing out food, setting up, participating at a work site, or just being a part of the excitement, please contact Mission Guthrie coordinator Staci Carey (405-831-5509 carey.staci@yahoo.com) or FCC Guthrie associate pastor Karen Allen at the church (405) 282-4080 karenkallen@cox.net.

Keep up with the action!

Twitter @missiongut
Facebook Mission Guthrie 2016

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Participating Youth Groups

Central Christian Church, Enid
Crown Height CC, OKC
FCC Claremore
FCC Duncan
FCC El Reno
FCC Guthrie
FCC Stillwater
FCC Woodward
Hillcrest CC, OKC
Southern Hills CC, Edmond
The Welcome Table CC, Arlington, TX

2017-01-08T11:03:02-06:00Jul 11, 2016|Mission, Youth|Comments Off on Mission Guthrie Unites Youth in Community Service

July Mission to Caminante

The Oklahoma Region is sponsoring a mission trip to Caminante in the Dominican Republic from July 29 – August 5. Caminante is a Global Ministries Partner of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It is located in Boca Chica, a beach-resort town with a 30% unemployment rate and significant social problems.

Caminante Offers Resources for a Better Life

The mission focuses on education and counseling for children, teenagers and adults. Henry Brewer-Calvert, a recent Global Ministries Intern at the site, recently spent three weeks talking to churches across Oklahoma about the successful growth of this mission. Participants in this month’s trip will see how the mission of Caminante has grown.

Participants Include Students, Clergy and Teacher

Co-leaders are Rev. Donald Johnson from Central Christian Church, Enid and Rev. Loma Sullivan from Woodlands Christian Church, Ponca City. Others traveling on the mission trip include Rev. Dr. Stephen Samples, a middle school teacher and chaplain at St. Mary’s Hospital, Enid, Taylor Anderson a student at Oklahoma University, and Allison Wenthold, a recent Oklahoma City high school graduate.

Allison, an excellent dancer and Taylor, an excellent baseball player, hope to meet with teenagers and young adults.

Working, Learning &  Fellowship

Participants will work, paint, make coconut jewelry, teach English and learn Spanish as well as worship with our mission partners.

The group will deliver dental supplies, school supplies, T-shirts and baseball hats with American sports’ team logos.

They will learn about new priorities for Caminante. In addition, the group will learn how to partner with them in education and how Caminante can help our churches in Oklahoma – a mutuality of missions.

Trips Planned for 2017

Rev. Johnson says preliminary dates for future 2017 mission trips are expected to be in early February and July. Partial scholarships are available.

Please contact the Regional Office if you are interested in learning more about Caminante or to request a speaker to come to your church. We’d also love to hear from you if you are interested in participating in a future mission trip. 405.528.3577

See a slide show and learn more. >>

2017-01-08T11:03:02-06:00Jul 7, 2016|Mission|Comments Off on July Mission to Caminante

Oklahoma Clergy Retreat August 10-11

Oklahoma clergy are invited to spend some time away with colleagues for conversation and rest. It is sponsored by the Northwest Area and is open to all Disciples clergy.

This retreat will be held at Roman Nose State Park, on Highway 8A, 7 miles north of Watonga.

The $125 fee includes 2 meals, housing, and meeting space.

Registration closes on July 20 at 12 noon.

2017-01-08T11:03:02-06:00Jul 6, 2016|Clergy News|Comments Off on Oklahoma Clergy Retreat August 10-11

Author John Dominic Crossan to Speak in Oklahoma

FCC Edmond to Host Renowned Author John Dominic Crossan August 26-28

First Christian Church in Edmond is pleased to host an educational weekend event featuring renowned author and New Testament scholar Dr. John Dominic Crossan August 26-28.

The event is open to the public and will include small group presentations throughout the weekend. Dr. Crossan will also preach at three worship services on August 28; service times are 8:15, 9:00 and 11:00 am at the church located at 201 E. 2nd Street in Edmond.

New Testament Scholar

John Dominic Crossan has received awards for scholarly excellence from the American Academy of Religion, DePaul University, and an honorary doctorate from Stetson University, DeLand, FL. An author of twenty-seven books on the historical Jesus, the apostle Paul, and earliest Christianity, Crossan’s work has been translated into thirteen foreign languages. His most recent book is How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian: Struggling with Divine Violence from Genesis through Revelation (HarperOne, 2015).

For more information on the event contact the First Christian Church of Edmond (405) 341-3544 or go to http://www.fccedmond.org/summerseries. UPDATED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS LINK

About John Crossan

John Dominic Crossan was born in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, in 1934. He was educated in Ireland and the United States, received a Doctorate of Divinity from Maynooth College, Ireland, in 1959, and did post-doctoral research at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome from 1959 to 1961 and at the École Biblique in Jerusalem from 1965 to 1967. He was a member of a thirteenth-century Roman Catholic religious order, the Servites (Ordo Servorum Mariae), from 1950 to 1969 and an ordained priest from 1957 to 1969. He joined DePaul University, Chicago, in 1969 and remained there until 1995. He is now a Professor Emeritus in its Department of Religious Studies.

He was Co-Chair of the Jesus Seminar from 1985 to 1996 as it met in twice-annual meetings to debate the historicity of the life of Jesus in the gospels. He was Chair of the Parables Seminar in 1972-76, Editor of Semeia. An Experimental Journal for Biblical Criticism in 1980-86, and Chair of the Historical Jesus Section in 1993-1998, within the Society of Biblical Literature, an international scholarly association for biblical study based in the United States. He was elected Vice President of that Society for 2010-2011 and President for 2011-2012.

He has received awards for scholarly excellence from the American Academy of Religion in 1989, DePaul University in 1991 and 1995, and an honorary doctorate from Stetson University, DeLand, FL, in 2003.

He has lectured to lay and scholarly audiences across the United States as well as in Ireland and England, Scandinavia and Finland, Australia and New Zealand, Brazil, Japan, and South Africa. He has been interviewed on 200 radio stations, including four times on NPR’s “Fresh Air” with Terry Gross. He has been interviewed on television networks in England–such as Weekend TV, Channel 4 and the BBC; also in the United States–such as ABC’sPrimeTime, Peter Jennings Reporting, and Nightline, CBS’ Early Show and 48 Hours, NBC’s Dateline, and Fox News’The O’Reilly Factor, as well as on cable programs such as A&E, History, Discovery, and the National Geographic Channel.

Authored National Religious Bestsellers on the History of Jesus

He has written twenty-seven books on the historical Jesus, the apostle Paul, and earliest Christianity, and his work has been translated into thirteen foreign languages, including Polish, Hungarian, Russian, as well as Korean, Chinese, and Japanese.

Five of those books have been national religious bestsellers for a combined total of twenty-four months. The scholarly core of his work is the trilogy from The Historical Jesus: The Life of a Mediterranean Jewish Peasant (1991) through The Birth of Christianity: Discovering What Happened in the Years Immediately After the Execution of Jesus (1998), to In Search of Paul: How Jesus’s Apostle Opposed Rome’s Empire with God’s Kingdom, co-authored with the archaeologist Jonathan L. Reed (2004).

Along with Marcus Borg, he has co-authored a series of books: The Last Week: A Day by Day Account of Jesus’s Final Week in Jerusalem (2006); The First Christmas: What the Gospels Really Teach about the Birth of Jesus(2007); and The First Paul: Reclaiming the Radical Visionary Behind the Church’s Conservative Icon (2009).

His most recent book is How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian: Struggling with Divine Violence from Genesis through Revelation (HarperOne, 2015).

2016-08-17T10:01:13-05:00Jul 6, 2016|Congregations|2 Comments
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