Clergy News Archives - Christian Church in Oklahoma

Northwest Area Clergy Retreat

A few participants left early.

The Northwest Area sponsors a clergy retreat at Roman Nose State Park every September. Clergy from NW Area congregations and others gather for a short time away that is focused on rest, good conversations with others who share a call to ministry, and some continuing education. This year’s retreat focused on the use, or not, of AI in a minister’s leadership of a congregation, preaching, worship production, and considered the ethics or policies that one might consider for using AI in congregational life. The CE sessions at the retreat:

The Assisted Pastor: Using AI to Do More of What Only You Can Do
Rev. Ronnie Fields

Ethical, Environmental, & Policy Considerations for AI Use
Rev. Shannon Cook and Frank Gresh (Oklahoma Disciples Foundation)

AI Chat: Working with Your Favorite AI
Rev. Drew Kirtley

The Northwest Area and the Northeast Area sponsor yearly clergy retreats.

Michael Davison2026-10-07T12:42:49-05:00Oct 6, 2026|Clergy News|0 Comments

Phillips Seminarians Awarded Degrees

Rev. Don Heath Awarded DMin

The Doctor of Ministry degree was conferred upon Rev. Don Heath upon his graduation from Phillips Seminary.

Eula Hledik Graduates with Master of Divinity

Eula Hledik received her Master of Divinity degree from Phillips Seminary. She was also recently approved for ordination by the Commission on Clergy.

CCOK3012026-06-04T15:48:00-05:00Jun 4, 2026|Clergy News|Comments Off

Love and Know Your Neighbors: A Minnesota Perspective

January 2026 was a tense month for our neighbors in Minneapolis, MN, and other places where Immigration officers were met with protests about their tactics and practices in carrying out their duties and responding to protesters and bystanders. In response to a call for clergy to travel to Minneapolis, MN, two of our clergy, Rev. Kelley Becker (Disciples Christian Church, Bartlesville) and Rev. David Wheeler (New Covenant Christian Church, OKC), traveled with a group of Interfaith clergy from Oklahoma to stand with our neighbors and be our eyes. Our Regional Minister asked Rev. Becker to write a short reflection about the experience.

By Rev. Kelley Becker

Rev. Davison asked me to write a few paragraphs about the trip to Minneapolis, MN Rev. David Wheeler and I took with an interfaith group of clergy in January. Here is a bit of what I learned and experienced.

We met on a Thursday morning at a large church in downtown Minneapolis. The speakers talked about what life is like in their neighborhoods. We heard about the store and restaurant owners who keep their business doors locked because they are afraid ICE will raid their businesses. Some people carry their passports and other identification to prove they are citizens or have the correct documentation. And sometimes it doesn’t matter. People are afraid, and rightly so, that they will be among the people who disappear. Families keep children home from school because they fear they will be detained or used as bait to trap the parents. Some people are not going to work, either because they are afraid or because their workplaces are closed.

Amid it all, I saw sacrificial neighborliness. Neighbors are going out of their way, at great risk to themselves, to take care of their neighbors. Many people have been trained to ICE Watch. I had a taste of what that is like. We set out two by two to walk a neighborhood, watching for ICE. Each pair was given a whistle and instructions on how to use it and when. We saw for ourselves that all the stores and restaurants were locked. Some had lights on and were clearly occupied; others were dark. We stopped to talk with a woman standing on the corner watching for ICE. She told us that almost every day, at least for an hour or two, she stands watch.

Organizers in the cities that have been hit hardest by ICE, L.A., Chicago, and Minneapolis, have been clear: ICE isn’t going to stop with them. In the words of one of the organizers, “You may not be seeing ICE in your cities and towns yet, but ICE is coming. They will be there, and we want you to be prepared.” While we were there, we got very fast training in community and neighborhood organizing, non-violent resistance, non-compliance, planning, and leading protests and sit-ins.

In addition to admiration and compassion for the people of Minneapolis, I took away the idea that because this organizing is based on building community and taking care of each other, if we do the work and prepare, and we never have to resist ICE in our communities, nothing is lost, and the gift of community is gained. And the reality is, there will be a moment when we need each other. Maybe it will be a weather event, a community tragedy, or another pandemic. Whatever it is, community will save us. Love and know your neighbors, dear ones. We are better together.

CCOK3012026-03-18T09:03:37-05:00Mar 18, 2026|Clergy News|Comments Off

Regional Board Calls Rev. Shannon Cook as Associate Regional Minister

by Rev. Bill Hemm

We are so pleased to have Rev. Shannon Cook as our new Associate Regional Minister! As the chair of the search committee, I could not be more proud of the work the committee members did as well as how the process unfolded. We looked through the ministerial papers of interested candidates and chose to interview two people via Zoom. The committee prepared several questions and facilitated fruitful conversations. It was determined that we would extend a second in-person interview to one of the candidates to further our dialogue and to see if this was going to be a compatible match for our region.

Rev. Cook was inviting, engaging, lively, and ready to hit the ground running. The search committee voted unanimously to offer her a call. She was presented to the regional executive committee and then to the regional board, who voted on January 31st to officially call her as our new Associate Regional Minister!

I want to thank the wonderful committee members for their sacrificial work and dedication to this process. Julie Gillett, Ramona McPherson, Brooke Waldrip, Jonah Dew, Kathy Standridge, and Joshua Bell made up a fantastic team!

So excited to see what the future holds…

Shannon will begin on April 11th. Her ministry portfolio includes the Commission for Children, Youth, and Young Adults, which will provide leadership and support to the Region’s ministries serving children, youth, and young adults. Shannon will also provide encouragement and resourcing for congregations in their ministries with children, youth, and young adults. She will work with the Commission for Laity to create and plan intergenerational educational opportunities. Relationships are at the heart of meaningful ministry for Shannon, and she hopes to continue cultivating connections between congregations, pastors, and the Region.

Shannon is a Hoosier by birth and was raised in DeLand, Florida. She is a third-generation Disciples of Christ. Shannon was a double major in Mathematics and Politics at Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1997. In 2001, she graduated from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana, with a Master of Divinity degree. She is currently working on a Doctor of Ministry degree at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa. She was ordained into Christian ministry in July of 2001 at First Christian Church in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Before coming to Oklahoma, Shannon served congregations in Paris and Mount Sterling, Kentucky. She served First Christian Church of Norman for twelve years before joining the Regional staff.

Shannon is married to Barton Hanna, who works in the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work at the University of Oklahoma. She enjoys reading, watching/attending sporting events, and hanging out with her cats. Shannon and Bart enjoy traveling together as much as possible!

Michael Davison2026-02-15T18:33:47-06:00Feb 10, 2026|Clergy News|Comments Off

Rev.’s Becker and Hames Honored at Phillips Seminary

Rev. Kelley Becker Receives 2026 Marshall Award for Ministerial Excellence

Rev. Kelley Becker holds an AA from Heartland Community College, Normal, Illinois, and an MDiv. from Phillips Theological Seminary (2014). Kelley served First Presbyterian Church in Normal, Illinois, as the Director of Children and Youth Ministries and First Christian Church in Bloomington, Illinois, as the associate minister before her call to Disciples Christian Church in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, in January 2017.

While in Bartlesville, Kelley has served on numerous non-profit boards, including Family Promise, Oklahomans for Equality-Bartlesville, Ray of Hope Advocacy Center, and the PTS Alum Association Board. In 2018, she led Disciples Christian Church through the discernment process of becoming an Open and Affirming congregation. Disciples Christian Church remains the only Christian congregation in Bartlesville that fully welcomes everyone.

Kelley has served the Oklahoma Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) by serving on the Commission on Clergy, the Regional Board and Executive Committee, and counseling and directing church camp. She currently serves as the Northeast Area Moderator.

For 19 years, Kelley has been married to John who is an exercise physiologist at Oklahoma Heart Institute in Tulsa. They have two sons (Christopher and Andrew), two grandsons (Kane and Bair), and another grandchild on the way. Kelley and John have two labrador retrievers, Porter and Scout. The Beckers enjoy long distance road biking, traveling, and anything dog related.

Rev. Kim Clements Hames Receives Dr. Mary Ruth Bedford Award for Individual Giving

The Phillips Theological Seminary Advancement Office established the Dr. Mary Ruth Bedford Award for Individual Giving as a way to recognize longtime giving to the seminary.

The individual award was presented to Kim Clements Hames. Her heavy involvement in CCC revealed to her a love for teaching about the faith and at her Pastors’ encouragement, she attended Phillips Graduate Seminary (MDiv, 1979). During seminary, she also developed an interest in chaplaincy and went on to receive an STM at Yale Divinity 1980, with a later Chaplain Residency in Boston.

Her 40 years of ministry included positions re: Youth, Singles, Associate, Senior, and Chaplaincy. She has served in Oklahoma (Tulsa, Cushing, Lawton, Bartlesville); New Haven; Boston; and Kentucky.

Over the years Kim was a “first” for people, e.g., “You don’t look like a minister;” first female minister at several churches; first pregnancy leave for two churches. Kim now enjoys her involvement at Harvard Avenue Christian Church as she has transitioned into retirement.

CCOK3012026-02-03T10:17:03-06:00Feb 3, 2026|Clergy News|Comments Off

Rev. Paul Ragle Receives Honored Minister Pin

Rev. Paul Ragle received the Honored Minister Pin from Regional Minister Michael Davison on November 15, 2025. He has retired as senior minister at Christian Church of the Covenant, Enid. Paul has also been a very integral part of the Region’s youth and church camp ministry program. Well done good and faithful servant!

His church honored him with a reception, surrounded by his family.

CCOK3012025-12-09T11:44:57-06:00Dec 9, 2025|Clergy News|Comments Off

Area Clergy Retreat 2025

Northwest Area congregations sponsor a clergy retreat during the fall. This year’s retreat, Sept 21-23, was held at Roman State Park. The retreat is designed for active clergy in the area, and when space is available, invited active or retired colleagues beyond the area. The retreat includes continuing education, a completely free afternoon, vespers, and conversations with persons who share a call to ministry. This year’s retreat focused on clergy mental health and featured a presentation by Kayla McClain, MCP, LADC/MH, who is a member of First Christian Church in Alva. Rev. Kelsey Cobbs (The Federated Church of Weatherford) led the vespers each evening.

The retreat welcomed clergy from the Northwest, Central, and Southwest areas.
Pictured L-R: Joshua Bell, Linda Jones, Sondra Ladd, Dave Jones, Marilyn Merle, Diane Morgan, Vera Porter, Gary Mitchell, Chris Muse, John Wheeler, Ronnie Fields, Kelsey Cobbs, Drew Kirtley and Ronnie Hopkins.

CCOK3012025-10-01T10:31:41-05:00Sep 29, 2025|Clergy News|Comments Off

Advent: Walk Through the Lectionary Texts

How do we construct Advent? Future-oriented or Present-focused? Absence or Presence? Approaching or Arrived?

This workshop reflects on the Advent Lectionary Gospel Texts, and suggests some ways ahead for a worthy celebration that does not replicate the anti-Jewish biases that can mar the season.

Join Dr. Warren Carter, LaDonna Kramer Meinders Professor of New Testament, Phillips Seminary for this engaging FREE workshop. (Both dates cover the same material)

November 8, 2025 • 10:00 am
OR
November 10, 2025 • 6:30 pm

Register

CCOK3012025-09-22T15:46:56-05:00Sep 22, 2025|Clergy News|Comments Off

Patrick McKenzie Ordained

Patrick McKenzie was ordained into Christian Ministry on August 24, 2025 at Village Christian Church, Oklahoma City. He was awarded his Master of Divinity at Lexington Seminary in May.

Rev. McKenzie has served as a commissioned pastor of New Vessels Christian Church in Oklahoma City, where he will continue to serve his congregation as an ordained minister.

CCOK3012025-09-04T12:42:53-05:00Sep 4, 2025|Clergy News|Comments Off

Fall Clergy Women Retreat Oct. 14-15

Take a break from the busyness of life and join us for a time of renewal, connection, and rest!

Date: October 14–15, 2025

Arrival Time: 11:00 a.m. – Noon

Location: St. Crispin’s Conference Center and Camp, 36302 OK-9, Wewoka, OK 74884 • 405-382-1619 • https://stcrispins.org/

Lodging: Single or double rooms available

Cost: $40 per person

Registration Deadline: September 14

Don’t wait—register today! Space is limited!

Scholarship?

A limited number of scholarships are available upon request. Please contact Christine Pomaville for information and details (405) 248-6282.

Register

This retreat is a wonderful opportunity to rest, recharge, and build relationships with clergy women across our Region. Bring along your favorite beverage and some games to share—we’ll enjoy fellowship and laughter together in the evening!

Keynote Speaker Mollie Donihe Wilkerson

We are thrilled to welcome Keynote Speaker Mollie Donihe Wilkerson. Growing up in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, Mollie carries a deep love for those hills that shaped her spirit. She followed a calling toward theological education, earning her Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School in 2020.

Combining her academic interests with her lifelong love of sewing, Mollie is now a craftswoman by trade, creating clergy stoles and textile art while guiding others in creative expression as a spiritual practice. Mollie lives in Fort Worth, TX with her husband, son, and dog, where she serves as a commissioned Disciples of Christ minister and Spiritual Director.

CCOK3012025-08-04T11:00:14-05:00Aug 4, 2025|Clergy News|Comments Off