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
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.
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>>
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>>
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
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!
promotes healing, relationship and restoration in the whole family of God
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 how to be proactive in your congregation with these Reconciliation resources.
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.
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.
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),
The purpose of this 2016 trip was to
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
The 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.
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.
For details and registration visit www.okdfdn.org or call Julie Bowers at the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation 405.525.6530
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.
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