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Minister of Administration Installed at First Christian in Tulsa

payneinstallation-1First Christian Church in Tulsa celebrated the installation of Rev. Susan Payne during worship on Sunday, September 11.  She joins the staff to serve as Minister of Administration.  Rev. Michael Davison, Associate Regional Minister, led the covenant of installation liturgy for the congregation and staff.

Rev. Payne joins Associate Ministers Rev. Cassie Sexton-Riggs and Rev. Joshua Toulouse alongside Sr. Minister Rev. Michael Riggs in serving the congregation and downtown Tulsa.

2017-01-08T11:02:59-06:00Sep 12, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off on Minister of Administration Installed at First Christian in Tulsa

September Children, Youth, & Young Adult Intersection

The latest edition of the CYYA Intersection went out on September 1.  Each month this publication is sent out to those interested in connecting to this shared ministry for K-35 year olds.  The CYYA Intersection tells Disciples stories and provide resources for those that work and service this missional age group in our congregations.

If you would like to receive this monthly publication, use the ‘subscribe’ link in the top left of the window when you read the CYYA Intersection.  Click here to read the latest edition.

 

2016-09-07T10:26:20-05:00Sep 7, 2016|Youth|Comments Off on September Children, Youth, & Young Adult Intersection

Registration for International Affairs Seminar 2017 OPENS @ 9am Aug 1

IAS2017FlyerIAS is a study trip experience for CYF age youth in grades 11-12.  This trip has become very popular in the past
5 years, and usually sells out the day registration opens.  Amazing!  The Registration Link will open at 9am on Monday, August 1.  Yes, that is tomorrow.

Visit the Event Registration webpage and scroll down the page to find the link for Oklahoma registration.

IAS 2017 is limited to 25 youth that will be accompanied by 5-6 adults that serve as conversation partners, guides, and co-learners about the study topic.

2017-01-08T11:03:00-06:00Jul 31, 2016|Youth|Comments Off on Registration for International Affairs Seminar 2017 OPENS @ 9am Aug 1

Summer Camp Season in Session

Last week the summer camp season began with Heifer Week.  Rev. Paul Ragle (FCC Stroud) led the group this year.  Youth in grades 7-10 along with three adults spent time learning about how citizens of other countries live, by living and working in similar conditions.Heifer Week

This week Kairos Campers (grades 4-8) are enjoying the balmy summer heat at Camp Christian.  Rev. Will Smith (FCC Wagoner) and Rev. Cassie Sexton-Riggs (FCC Tulsa) are directing this week.  Please keep Kairos Camp youth and the adult volunteers in your prayers.

This Friday, Discovery Camp @ Central Christian Camp begins for its weekend run and on June 20, Junior Camp begins.  The week of June 27 is the last week of summer camp.  Chi Rho Camp @ Oakridge Camp will begin and CYF Conference @ Central Christian Camp will begin.

Visit the Families and Youth page to connect to all the opportunities and stories about the Region’s programatic ministry with Children and Youth.

2017-01-08T11:03:03-06:00Jun 15, 2016|Youth|Comments Off on Summer Camp Season in Session

Mailing Error Sent Wrong Camper Letter

Late on Friday of last week I learned that we sent Chi Rho Campers the Discovery Camper letter last week.  That is a mistake.  I’ve been in touch with our printer and mailing service which will send the Discovery Camper letter to Discovery campers this week.  Junior Camp, Chi Rho Camp, and CYF Camper letters will go out to mailboxes late this week.  If you are anxious to receive your camper letter, visit the Families and Youth webpage and you can download the letter as well as learn about the Arrival and Departure Times for all our camps.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.  Be well.  Stay centered.

Michael Davison
Assoc. Regional Minister

2016-06-07T08:53:38-05:00Jun 6, 2016|Youth|Comments Off on Mailing Error Sent Wrong Camper Letter

Summer Camp Arrival & Departure Times

This Sunday, June 5, the Region’s Summer Camp season begins with 11 youth and 4 adults departing from First Christian in Wagoner for the Heifer Ranch in Perryville, AR.  Rev. Paul Ragle (FCC Stroud) is directing this adventure week.  Congregations sending youth and adults: First Christian in Stroud, First Christin in Wagoner, Forest Park Christian in Tulsa, and First Christian in Purcell.

Each Camp begins and ends at a specific time.  Parents and congregations transporting your campers, please help our volunteers by not arriving before Check-In Begins and by Being On Time to pick up your camper(s) at the end of the week.

Kairos Camp – June 13-17 @ Camp Christian
Check-In: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Camp Ends: 12:00 (noon)

Discovery Camp – June 17-19 @ Central Christian Camp
Check-In: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Camp Ends: 11:30 am

Junior Camp – June 20-24 @ Central Christian Camp
Check-In: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Camp Ends: 12:00 pm (noon)

Chi Rho Camp – June 27-July 1 @ Oakridge Camp & Conf Center
Check-In: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Camp Ends: 12:00 pm (noon)

CYF Conference – June 27-July 1 @ Central Christian Camp
Check-In: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Camp Ends: 12:00 pm (noon)

2016-05-31T14:04:40-05:00May 31, 2016|Youth|Comments Off on Summer Camp Arrival & Departure Times

Summer Camp Season Begins June 5

Show Up / Trust / Forgive / Stand / Do Justice / Change / Connect

It will be an exciting summer camp season.  We are grateful for all the adults volunteering as counselors and directors.  The Region cannot offer Outdoor Ministry without
all the wonderful volunteers, nor without the support of our congregations.  Thank you.  Check-In Times and Departure Times will be published Tuesday, May 31st.

Summer Camp Registration Numbers & Directors

Heifer Week: 11
Director: Rev. Paul Ragle

Kairos Camp @ Camp Christian: 44
Directors: Rev. Will Smith & Rev. Cassie Sexton-RiggsFearlessFaith

Discovery Camp @ Central Christian Camp: 80 (waiting list active)
Directors: Sally Wheeler, Curtis Dew, and Heather Chase

Junior Camp @ Central Christian Camp: 65
Directors: Anna Davis and Rev. Shannon Fleck-Speidel

Chi Rho Camp @ Oakridge Camp & Conference Center: 86
Directors: Lavonna Hopkins and Pastor Tom Stanley

CYF Conference @ Central Christian Camp: 92 (waiting list active)
Directors: Pastor Eula Hledik and Pastor John Wheeler

 

Summer Camp @ Texoma Christian Camp

Junior & Discovery Camp: July 17-20

Chi Rho Camp: July 20-23

CYF Camp: July 20-22

Water Weekend (grades 8-12): July 22-24

Click here to download the Registration Packet for Texoma Camp

2017-01-08T11:03:06-06:00May 23, 2016|Youth|Comments Off on Summer Camp Season Begins June 5

Commencement Words

“Don’t throw your hat at the end of graduation.  If you don’t bring your hat back you cannot receive your diploma.”  Those are the words I remember from my high school graduation.  The school rented the caps and gowns.  You had to return what was signed out to you to receive your diploma.  I somewhat remember walking across the stage to get my diploma from the principal and school superintendent.  I remember my parent’s faces as I passed them in the procession and recession.  I’m sure someone spoke, student representatives, as is the norm, but I don’t remember anything that was said.

“You were educated to know how to ask questions, to think, and to recognize that you need more than one or two sources of news and information.  Keep reading.”  I know Chancellor Tucker said many other words at my graduation at Texas Christian University, but it is those I remember.   “This is for you.” I said to Chancellor Tucker, tipping him a dollar when I picked up my diploma with the customary “grab with the left and shake with the right.”  I also remember standing with Rev. Dr. Ambrose Edens, my advisor and a mentor, just prior to the procession of graduates.  “You made it.  Never doubted you would, but we both know Mr. Davison that there were moments you could have been better.  Do better in seminary.”  He looked around. “This will be about 3 hours in and out.  Do your best to remember some part of it other than getting your diploma.”  Dr. Edens had taught at TCU for 35 years at that point so he had been through a few graduations.  I later learned it was his habit to walk the graduation line seeking out a few religion majors and minors to drop words of wisdom upon.  Dr. Edens offered words about the “Golden Apples” of ministry at my ordination into Christian Ministry a few years later.

I remember being ‘hooded” at my graduation from Brite Divinity School, but don’t recall hearing any words other than Dr. Toni Craven whisper, “Congratulations Michael” as she placed the Master of Divinity hood on me as I knelt in Robert Carr Chapel.  The words from my days at Brite that have stuck with me are those shared with others preparing for ministry around the pool at Princeton House, and in Professor’s offices discussing theology, education, and exegesis.  One of the theology professors, Dr. Glenn Routt, once asked me, “Are you an iconoclast?  Is that your role in ministry?”   The words that stay with me from a formal setting at Brite are those of the Dean, Rev. Dr. M. Jack Suggs, who during my first opening convocation offered what I paraphrase, “There will be times in ministry when it seems like all you do is turn the crank that births the babe of Bethlehem and stands at the empty tomb of Christ each year.  There is much more to do, but sometimes that may well be all you can do.  Strive to do more.”

Many have or will sit through the commencement speech again this year.  I spend some time listening to or reading commencement addresses.  Part of what I do in ministry is about words.  I was taught, and continue to believe, that words have power: written and spoken.  It is a good place to pause and note that I don’t like reading for the pleasure of reading.  Being somewhat dyslexic, yes, you can be dyslexic somewhat, reading something that interests me is tiring.   Back in 2014, NPR put together a list of what their panel considers “The Best Commencement Speeches, Ever.”  Some are video.  Some are written.  They include great quotes.

“You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition.”
(Alan Alda, Connecticut College, 1980)

“I’m a huge fan of America,…you know the

[fans] that read the CD notes and follow you into bathrooms and ask you all kinds of annoying questions about why you didn’t live up to that.”
(Bono, University of Pennsylvania, 2004)

“You cannot authentically live anyone’s life but your own. That is the deal life offers us.”
(Gabrielle Giffords, Scripps College, 2009)

“Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.”
(Theodor ‘Dr. Seuss’ Geisel, Lake Forest College, 1977)

 

There are many more ‘commencement exercises’ to come this season, but these are some of my favorites so far for 2016 that you can access via the web.

Sheryl Sandberg, (UC Berkley, Ma7 16, 2016)

President Barack Obama, (Rutgers University, May 15, 2016)

Lin-Manuel Miranda, (University of Pennsylvania, May 16, 2016)

Michael Smerconish, (Widener University, May 21, 2016)

David Axelrod, (Eureka College, May 14, 2016)

Tyler Perry, (Tuskegee University, May 7, 2016)

 

2017-01-08T11:03:06-06:00May 23, 2016|Michael Davison Blog|Comments Off on Commencement Words
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