CCOK301, Author at Christian Church in Oklahoma

Thank You Camp Counselors!

The Region’s summer camp program closed July 1st as Chi Rho campers and staff as well as CYF campers and staff said their final prayers together and headed out the gates of camp back into the world.

Our Region owes a BIG THANK YOU and our gratitude to the adults that volunteered this summer at a camp, and those that will volunteer at Texoma Camp and Mission Guthrie later this month.

Our brand of Christian witness is alive and well. Not sure? Come and serve as a camp counselor next summer. Our children and youth get it when we say, “There is ministry to do and gospel to be that only we can do and only we can be.”

Check out the latest edition of the Children, Youth, and Young Adult Intersection.

CCOK3012016-07-05T16:16:03-05:00Jul 5, 2016|Youth|Comments Off

General Assembly 2017 Promotional Sundays Set

July 31 • October 30 • January 29, ’17 • April 30, ’17

You have an opportunity this year to incorporate calls to attend the 2017 General Assembly with your worship and newsletters. Check this out!

• GA is providing a short video you can download from the promotion page to show before or during worship (or add to your website!).

• Just posted on the new General Assembly website is a document (in Word and PDF) that contains text for newsletters/bulletins and suggested hymns for the fifth Sundays between now and the opening of the event.

• In addition there are communion and offering meditations and liturgies based on the Common Lectionary for the date.

• And the first two weeks of this month (and offered again in October and continuously from January to June) you can order polo shirts with the General Assembly logo to wear as promotion and also bring along to the event. Ten percent of all sales benefit Disciples Mission Fund. You can also order customization for a small fee and your purchase will still benefit DMF.

General Assembly registration opens Friday, July 8, 2016

CCOK3012017-01-08T11:03:03-06:00Jul 5, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off

Central Area Disciples Men Invited to Quarterly Meeting

The quarterly meeting of the Central Area Disciples Men will be held at 6:30 pm on Thursday, July 14, 2016. The gathering will take place at Wildewood Christian Church (South Building), 6900 N. Kelley Ave., Oklahoma City.

Spouses are welcome to attend. Please phone your reservation for the $8.00 meal to Randy at (405) 306-9695 by Friday July 8.

CCOK3012017-01-08T11:03:03-06:00Jul 5, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off

Healthy Boundaries Fall ’16 Schedule

Clergy wishing to fulfill Healthy Boundaries training to meet 2017 Standing requirements have a choice of five fall seminar locations.

Northwest Area – 9/10/16 (Saturday) FCC Stillwater
Northwest Area – 9/24/16 (Saturday) FCC Yukon
Central Area – 9/29/16 (NEW weekday session Thursday) Disciples Center, OKC
Southwest Area – 10/8/16 (Saturday) FCC Lawton
Northwest Area – 10/22/16 (Saturday) University Place CC, Enid

Cost: $50 (includes lunch and materials) • 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Class size is limited so register early to reserve your space.

For more information contact the Regional Office at (405) 528-3577.

Find Your Date and Register Online

CCOK3012016-07-05T14:37:59-05:00Jul 5, 2016|Clergy News|Comments Off

Regional Office Closed July 4th

The Regional Office will be closed July 4th to celebrate Independence Day. Normal office hours will resume Tuesday July 5th. If you need emergency assistance please contact Assoc. Regional Minister Michael Davison (918) 899-8940. We wish you a safe and relaxing holiday!

CCOK3012016-06-30T15:48:25-05:00Jun 30, 2016|Regional News|Comments Off

Picking up the pieces. This time from Orlando.

“We have conquered every distance except one – the distance between human beings.” — Jonathan Henry Sacks, British rabbi, philosopher, and scholar of Judaism

Dear Colleagues,

We are picking up the pieces once again. This time from Orlando. Words are everywhere, but there really are no words that speak enough comfort to the grieving. In the 21st Chapter of Revelation, we have heard many times, “God will be with the people; God will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more.” I cannot help but wonder, “Who? Who is wiping the tears from God’s eyes?”

Pastors, you are doing hard work ~
~ tending to your congregations, your people, searching for words of comfort and words of hope amidst such despair and even anger
~ tending to your friends whom you are deeply connected
~ tending to your own family
~ tending to your own soul that cries out with a resounding, “No, not again!” and joins the Psalmist, “O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest.”

God hears, my friends. God hears.

I am grateful for your work that I know seems endless. I am grateful for your work that is making a difference. I am grateful that God is working with you and through you. Keep bending down to pick up the “peaces” given to us by the Holy Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. May God’s comfort and strength continue to be upon you.

The Rev. Juan Rodriguez, who keynoted Oklahoma’s Regional Assembly, is the Regional Minister for Florida. We offer our prayers for the grace of God at work there. Here is the link to his response to the Orlando crisis.

The Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, our General Minister and President, offers these words as well.

Please share these heart-felt words with your people.

Peace & God’s grace,

CCOK3012017-01-08T11:03:03-06:00Jun 14, 2016|Clergy News, Pamela Holt Blog|1 Comment

Authors Crossan and Campolo to Speak at Summer Events

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.

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.

Tulsa’s East Side Christian Church Welcomes Author Tony Campola June 17-19

Over his many years of Christian service, Tony Campolo has boldly challenged millions of people all over the world to respond to God’s boundless love by combining personal discipleship, evangelism, and social justice. East Side Christian Church, Tulsa, has scheduled a weekend of events to give people the opportunity to participate and be inspired by Tony’s powerful message of hope.

Baptist minister Tony Campolo is an American sociologist, author, public speaker and former spiritual advisor to U.S. President Bill Clinton. A professor emeritus of sociology at Eastern University, Campolo is founder and president of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education. He has written more than 35 books, and is one of the founders of the Red Letter Christian movement.

Schedule of Activities

Friday, June 17
Noon: Private clergy lunch. Area ministers from all churches are invited.
7:00 pm: Speaker at a public event in the East Side CC sanctuary. This is the BIG event.

Saturday, June 18
7:00 pm: Speaker at Oklahomans for Equality, open to the public. 621 East 4^th St., Tulsa, OK

Sunday, June 19
10:45 am: Preaching at East Side Christian Church
2:00 pm: Dessert social – all area Disciples of Christ invited

There will be no charge for any event, and books will be available for purchase as well as book signing at every event. For more information on the event contact East Side Christian Church, (918) 744-1377, 1438 South Indianapolis Tulsa, OK at the church website Or Oklahomans for Equality (918) 743-4297.

CCOK3012017-01-08T11:03:04-06:00Jun 6, 2016|Congregations|1 Comment

Laity and Clergy Events Examine Faith Traditions

“Beyond Coexistence” Series Explores Three Faith Traditions and Prayer

In an effort to understand the prayer traditions of Islam, Christianity and Judaism, local religious leaders will share their views of prayer in a series of messages this month at the Restoration Church at the Dome, 3700 N. Walker Ave. Oklahoma City.

Similarities can be acknowledged. Differences can be respected. And a big part of that journey is simply knowing. The “Beyond Coexistence” series looks at three faith traditions and their approach to prayer: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

Senior Imam Imad Enchassi, founder of the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, was the guest speaker June 5. The Rev. John Malget, co-pastor at Restoration Church at the Dome, will be the speaker at 10:30 a.m. June 12. Rabbi Vered Harris, spiritual leader of Temple B’nai Israel, will be guest speaker at 10:30 a.m. June 19.

Church leaders said the purpose of the series is to move beyond coexistence in interfaith work and worship to an appreciation of the rich heritage that three of the world’s major faith communities share. It is believed that by sharing the differing but similar approaches to prayer by Muslims, Christians and Jews, a growing ecumenical spirit will be strengthened, they said.

For more information on the interfaith series contact: The Restoration Church at the Dome, (405) 525-6551, 3700 N. Walker Ave. Oklahoma City, OK or visit their Facebook page.

Clergy Discussion Group Sponsored by Western Oaks Christian Church

Clergy are invited to attend a new monthly Clergy Discussion Group, sponsored by Western Oaks Christian Church. This diverse group comes with no agenda but rather a time to gather to enjoy a meal together and converse with one another of various faith backgrounds.

When: Third Wednesday of every month, 12:00-1:00 pm.
Where: Temple B’nai Israel, 4901 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Oklahoma City
Lunch: Contact Western Oaks CC with lunch preferences (405) 789-8812

OTHER NEWS

Oklahoma Gazette Article Features Historical Dome of Restoration Church

Restoration Church at the Dome (a Disciples of Christ congregation), along with the Okie Mod Squad, hosted the first Annual Oklahoma Modernism Weekend May 20-22. Oklahoma Gazette recounted the amazing story of Rev. Bill Alexander’s mission to build the “Church of Tomorrow!”. The architecture of “the Dome” is a Mid-Century Modern Icon, not just in Oklahoma City, but throughout the country. Read the article.

CCOK3012017-01-08T11:03:04-06:00Jun 6, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off

Family Fun at Metro Church

FCC Moore Family Fun Fest – Saturday June 11th

Music takes over First Christian Church in Moore starting at noon June 11, with a free live music festival, food trucks, and fun activities for all ages. This outdoor event will feature performances by The Red Dirt Road Band, Annie Oakley, The 3, and Kyle Reid. Bring your own blankets and chairs to enjoy the family fun festival.

Food trucks appearing include: Mutts Famous Hot Dogs & Burgers 12-2:30 pm, Taste of Soul Chicken & Waffles 3:30-6 pm, and Kona Ice 12-6pm.

Fun Fest runs noon-6 pm at First Christian Church in Moore, 629 NW 12 St. Moore, OK. For more information call (405) 794-6166.

CCOK3012017-01-08T11:03:04-06:00Jun 6, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off

DOC Historical Society Names John Imbler Interim Exec. Dir.

The Disciples of Christ Historical Society has called John M. Imbler as Interim Executive Director, beginning June 13, 2016. Through its relocation from Nashville (TN) and settlement in Bethany (WV) and the restructuring of its organization, Imbler will provide transitional leadership in a deployed capacity.

A multi-generational Disciples of Christ and life member of the Historical Society since 1974, he retired from Phillips Theological Seminary (Tulsa, OK) in 2014 as Stephen J. England Associate Professor of the History of Christianity and Disciples Studies. The seminary board also named him executive vice president emeritus for his 20 plus years’ service in human resources, facilities management, and fiscal oversight. Prior to his ministry as PTS, he served 14 years as vice president for theological education with the Division of Higher Education (now HELM) concluding his final six months as interim president. Imbler has degrees from Butler University, Christian Theological Seminary, and Phillips Theological Seminary plus an honorary degree from Columbia College.

“The Historical Society is very fortunate to have a person of John’s ability and knowledge as its Interim Executive Director. We are looking forward to the new and exciting path the Disciples of Christ Historical Society has begun,” said Archie Jenkins Board Chair.

John Imbler stated “It is indeed an honor to be called to interim leadership of the Historical Society. Now through 75 years of its existence, the Society is well positioned to provide new opportunities for service to the Stone-Campbell people. I am excited to be part of its future.”

September 10 Dedication of New Building

The Historical Society is entering another phase of its own history settling in its new building near the Campbell Mansion. It is feels appropriate that the Society finds itself living on grounds where the Stone-Campbell movement, in part, originated. Dedication and celebration of its new home will be held on September 10, 2016.

CCOK3012017-01-08T11:03:04-06:00Jun 2, 2016|Clergy News|Comments Off

CCOK301

About CCOK301

July 31 • October 30 • January 29, ’17 • April 30, ’17

General Assembly registration opens Friday, July 8, 2016

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

Tulsa’s East Side Christian Church Welcomes Author Tony Campola June 17-19

Schedule of Activities

“Beyond Coexistence” Series Explores Three Faith Traditions and Prayer

Clergy Discussion Group Sponsored by Western Oaks Christian Church

OTHER NEWS

Oklahoma Gazette Article Features Historical Dome of Restoration Church

FCC Moore Family Fun Fest – Saturday June 11th

September 10 Dedication of New Building