Michael Davison, Author at Christian Church in Oklahoma

International Affairs Seminar 2018

Tomorrow, August 1, registration for IAS 2018 will open at 9am. This study trip for youth in grades 11-12 has become a popular opportunity for youth to visit two important cities in our nation, Washington DC and New York City. With space for 24 youth this trip experience has been known to sell out on the opening day of registration. Click here to download the flyer above.

Click here to visit the Event Registration page and scroll down to find the registration link. Remember, it will go live at 9:00 am, August 1.

Questions? Contact Rev. Michael Davison.

Michael Davison2017-07-31T10:23:44-05:00Jul 31, 2017|Youth|Comments Off

Grand Camp – July 18-20

This week, Grand Camp, the newest addition to the Region’s Outdoor Ministry begins under the direction of Rev. Gina and Rev. Chuck Jackson. This two night/three day event is hosted at Camp Christian and welcomes Grandparents of all ages with their grandchildren K-8th grade. Check-in for Registered campers opens at 2pm on July 18 (download the Welcome to Camp letter). Through song, story telling, crafts, and games campers will have an opportunity to connect to biblical stories, family stories, and experience the connections of our little frontier movement. Please keep these persons in your prayers this week.

Michael Davison2017-07-17T07:40:10-05:00Jul 17, 2017|Youth|Comments Off

Chi Rho Camp Begins the Summer Camp Season

I am the vine, you are the branches. (John 15:5a)

The Region’s Summer Camp Season began last week with Chi Rho Camp. Rev. Tom Stanley (First Christian in Cherokee) and Rev. Cassie Sexton-Riggs (First Christian in Tulsa) co-directed the week with a talented staff of counselors and 80 junior high students. Click here to see a few photos. More photos later in the summer.

Our Summer Camp program would not happen without the support of our congregations and the 80 adult volunteers that are giving their time, and making their life experience and faith experience available to campers in grades 2-12. NEW THIS SUMMER – Grand Camp (July 18-20). This short camp is designed for grandparents of all ages and grandchildren in grades k-8th. It will be held at Camp Christian in Northeast Oklahoma. Contact Rev. Michael Davison for more details.

Our summer camp program runs during the month of June and Grand Camp in July. Mixed into the camp season many youth groups will participate in mission trips, special youth group activities, local service projects, Vacation Bible School, and maybe even General Assembly (July 8-12). So, summer isn’t a slow season for ministry with children and youth.

Visit the Families and Youth webpage to connect to all the activities this summer and the rest of this year. Do you subscribe to the Children, Youth, and Adults Intersection? This is one way to stay informed with this mission ministry we share.

Michael Davison2017-06-10T18:12:08-05:00Jun 10, 2017|Youth|Comments Off

Last Day 2 Register for Summer Camps

Next month the Summer Camp Season will branch out into faith. Today, May 16, is the last day to register for any of these camp experiences:

Chi Rho Camp (grades 6-8)
Junior Camp (grades 4-5)
Discovery Camp (grades 2-3)
CYF Conference (grades 9-12)

Visit the Families and Youth webpage to click on the camp of your choice to register or find out more information including drop off and pick up times for each camp, the forms needed for each camper to complete, a packing list, and the “Camper Welcome Letter” for each week of camp.

Grand Camp Registration is open until June 15! This camp experience is designed for grandparents of all ages and children grades K-8th. The discount rate is $235 (grandparent & grandchild combined). Register soon!

See you at Camp!

Michael Davison2017-05-16T11:58:41-05:00May 16, 2017|Events, Youth|Comments Off

Summer Camp Discount Rates Extended to April 19

Exciting News!

It is Eastertide AND the discount rates for summer camp are extended one day to April 19!

Many of our congregations offer programming for children, and youth on Wednesday so we wanted to extend the discount rates one more day to give everyone the opportunity to register before the prices go up.

New this Summer: Grand Camp (for a grandparent and child or youth)
July 18-20 at Camp Christian
We are extending the registration window and discount rate ($235 for grandparent & 1 child/youth) until June 1. This new outdoor ministry experience is designed for a grandparent and child/youth camper that has completed grades K-8th.

Visit the Families and Youth webpage to learn more about camp and register today! Don’t wait. The rates will go up on April 20.

See you at Camp!

Michael Davison2017-04-18T08:08:50-05:00Apr 18, 2017|Youth|Comments Off

The Gospel According to . . .

How would you tell it?

Has your discipline during lent done for you, or to you, what you hoped it would? Have there been surprises?

We’ve wandered in lent seeing Jesus through the eyes of the writer of John. This gospel is more a theological handbook than a story of the life and times of Jesus of Nazareth. From it’s opening word, John has gone about providing a theology of Jesus as the Christ of faith more than telling a story about Jesus the traveling prophet, turned preacher from Nazareth.

One of the best practices of lent, I think, is writing the gospel according to . . . [fill in your name]. You have had parable experiences, and have a story to tell about your circle of disciples following Jesus. You have a personal story to tell. Writing that story is not an easy assignment. What part of the story do you leave in or take out? And here is the somewhat harder choice. What is important about Jesus’ last visit to Jerusalem. What disciple do you identify with most as the events in Jerusalem unfold and Jesus washes your feet?

At the beginning of March I was the keynoter at the Kansas CYF retreat. Those keynotes focused on knowing your own disciple story and being able to tell it, or at least a spark notes version, if asked. Writing your story about being a disciple, a follower of Jesus, is an important thing to do now and again. It helps you make sense of your experiences and gives you a voice when asked to talk about your experiences, your faith and belief.

You’ve followed Jesus to Jerusalem. You’ve heard the Palm Sunday story and the Easter story many times. Now, you show up to the tomb with Mary Magdalene. What happens next? How will you speak of the good news you have experienced? How are you living it?

I pray the events of Holy week and Easter will be surprising for you. I look forward to hearing the story of the good news of God that you have to tell. Take a risk and be a blessing.

Michael Davison2017-04-04T14:39:53-05:00Apr 4, 2017|Michael Davison Blog|1 Comment

Are You Registered 4 Camp?

Attend a camp this summer and Branch Out in faith and your discipleship. The discount rates for summer camp end April 18, and our camps are beginning to fill up. Don’t delay. Click here to visit the Families & Youth webpage to learn more and register.

New this Year: Grand Camp
This two night/three day camp is designed for a grandparent and a grandchild (grades K-8th). Hosted at Camp Christian, this brief time for grandparents and their grandchildren is an excellent way to share faith stories and family stories that tell of God’s presence.

Who is attending camp so far? Thirty (30) of our congregations have campers registered for one or more of the summer camps offered this year. Has your congregation registered yet?

First Christian Church Broken Arrow
First Christian Church Calumet
First Christian Church Chandler
The Federated Church Checotah
First Christian Church Cherokee
First Christian Church Chickasha
First Christian Church Claremore
First Christian Church Cushing
Del City Christian Church
First Christian Church Duncan
First Christian Church Edmond
Southern Hills Christian Church
First Christian Church El Reno
Central Christian Church Enid
Christian Church of the Covenant Enid
Central Christian Church Fairview
First Christian Church Guthrie
First Christian Church Luther
First Christian Church Midwest City
First Christian Church Norman
Crown Heights Christian Church Oklahoma City
Hillcrest Christian Church Oklahoma City
New Covenant Christian Church Oklahoma City
Village Christian Church Oklahoma City
Western Oaks Christian Church Oklahoma City
First Christian Church Ponca City
First Christian Church Pond Creek
First Christian Church Stroud
First Christian Church Thomas
Forest Park Christian Church Tulsa

Michael Davison2017-03-27T23:00:43-05:00Mar 27, 2017|Youth|Comments Off

Interfaith Dialogue Is Christian Practice: IAS 2017 Begins

Today, 22 youth and 6 adults representing 13 congregations departed from First Christian in Norman to begin the education and spirituality adventure we call International Affairs Seminar. The group will spend the next 8 days learning about the topic of study and experiencing Washington DC and New York City. We are grateful to the congregations that supported their youth and adults going on this trip.

We are grateful for our transportation providers: First Christian in Sulphur (Kathy and Kirk Standridge driving) and First Christian in Norman (Jeff Champeau) driving.

We want to thank the adults going on the trip:
Rev. Dr. Tom Lyda, trip leader (New Covenant Christian Church)
Pastor Tara Dew (First Christian Church El Reno)
Jeff Champeau (First Christian Church Norman)
Rev. Jenny Wynn (Southern Hills Christian Church)
Rev. Brandon Johnson (First Christian Church in Lawton)
Rev. Shannon Cook (First Christian Church in Norman)

You can follow the trip on Twitter or Facebook #ias2017ccokdoc

Here is a glimpse of the itinerary.

March 10
Travel Day to DC
Housing at Calvary Baptist Church
Orientation to DC, Monuments at Night

March 11
Museums and Arlington National Cemetery
Monuments and Memorials

March 12
Worship at National City Christian Church
Holocaust Museum

March 13
Seminar Day on the theme with the United Methodist Women’s Seminar Leaders
Dinner @ Ben’s Chili Bowl
Monuments and Memorials

March 14
Seminar Morning
Capitol Tour and Meet with Senator Lankford
Dinner @ Farmers Fishers Bakers
Shear Madness at the Kennedy Center

March 15
Travel Day to New York on Amtrak
Lodging at Yotel NY
Orientation to NY
Dinner @ John’s Pizzeria Times Square
Broadway Show: Kinky Boots

March 16
Half Day Seminar with Methodists Women’s Seminar Leader
Free Afternoon in NY
Broadway Show: Wicked

March 17
9/11 Museum and Memorial
Free Afternoon in NY
Dinner in Chinatown or Little Italy
Times Square

March 18
Homeward Bound

Michael Davison2017-03-10T07:16:25-06:00Mar 10, 2017|Youth|Comments Off

OPEN: Summer Camp Registration

After some delays we are excited to announce that our Summer Camp Registration is OPEN! We look forward to a fun and full camp season this year. Remember, our camps are size limited based on the number of adult volunteer counselors and available bed space at the sites that host our camp experiences.

The “discount rates” are available until April 18, and then a short ‘regular rate’ window will open until all registration closes on May 16.

Discount Rates: there are two options. Campers from congregations in the Central Area and Northwest Area are eligible for the ‘Leave No Child Behind’ grant which lowers the discount rate. All other campers are eligible for our discount rates.

Discount Rates

Chi Rho Camp
Central Area & Northwest Area Rate: $345
All Other Areas: $390
Junior Camp
Central Area & Northwest Area Rate: $325
All Other Areas: $370
Discovery Camp
Central Area & Northwest Area Rate: $189
All Other Areas: $234
CYF Conference
Central Area & Northwest Area Rate: $327
All Other Areas: $372
Grand Camp [all areas]
$235 [per 1 adult & 1 child. add 1 extra child for $80]

Regular Rates

Chi Rho Camp $410
Junior Camp $390
Discovery Camp $250
CYF Conference $390
Grand Camp $250 [per 1 adult & 1 child. add 1 extra child for $80]

Michael Davison2017-02-27T10:48:19-06:00Feb 27, 2017|Youth|Comments Off

Regional Youth Council Applications

Regional Youth Council is an adventure in leadership. It is the Region’s ‘youth group’ modeling participation and leadership in their local youth group, congregation, and larger community. RYC is a group of juniors and seniors alongside adults that plan and lead the gathering of youth groups for retreats each year and they often help at CYF Camp. RYC spend take time to vision the future of youth gatherings in our Region. RYC youth members typically serve a 2 year term.

Are you a rising junior or senior interested in serving on RYC? If so, apply between Feb 6 and April 1. Click here to download the application.

Questions? Want to know more about serving on RYC? You may have someone that serves on Regional Youth Council in your congregation. Ask her or him. Not sure? Contact Rev. Michael Davison and he can connect you with one of our RYC Executive Officers, Abigail or Sami, or a RYC member.

Regional Youth Council

Aanika Gillett, Western Oaks Christian Church Oklahoma City

Abigail Peters, First Christian Church Duncan (Exec Officer)

Anna Hubbard, First Christian/Presbyterian Church Pryor, Adult

Aries Couch, First Christian Church Sulphur

Brooke Hileman, First Christian Church El Reno

Darien Vassella, First Christian Church Duncan

Drew Kirtley, First Christian Church Duncan, Adult

Elizabeth Haskins, First Christian Church Chickasha

Emily Angleton, Central Christian Church Enid

Ish Engle, First Christian Church Cushing, Adult

John Wheeler, Central Christian Church Enid, Adult

Justin Whitfield, First Christian Church Sulphur

Lamont Henderson, New Covenant Christian Church Oklahoma City

Matthew Gillett, Western Oaks Christian Church Oklahoma City

Payden Arnold, First Christian/Presbyterian Church Pryor

Ryane Nelson, First Christian Church El Reno

Sami Frame, New Covenant Christian Church Oklahoma City (Exec Officer)

Shalyn Pigeon, First Christian Church Sulphur

Tara Dew, First Christian Church El Reno, Adult

Taylor Puckett, Forest Park Christian Church Tulsa

Travis Carlson, First Christian Church Cyril, Adult

William McCurley, First Christian Church Cyril

Zoe White, First Christian Church Claremore

Michael Davison2017-02-06T07:37:50-06:00Feb 6, 2017|Youth|Comments Off

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About Michael Davison