2018 Standing Forms were mailed out from the Regional Office on October 30, 2017. You may also download the 2018 Standing Form.
2018 Standing Forms will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. December 1, 2017. They will be reviewed by the Commission on Clergy at their December 11, 2017 meeting. Forms received after December 1 will be reviewed at the Commission’s meeting on January 22, 2018.
For further instructions please click HERE.
A Memorial Service for Dr. Dennis Smith will be held at The Phillips Theological Seminary on Friday, Oct. 20 at 4 p.m. to remember the departed colleague, professor, and friend Dennis E. Smith, Professor of New Testament Emeritus.
The service will be in the Meinders Chapel of the Cadieux Building, 901 N. Mingo Rd., Tulsa, Okla.
All who wish to remember and honor Dennis are welcome to attend. The service will also be available via Facebook live on the seminary’s page: Phillips Seminary on Facebook.
Smith died Sept. 16, 2017, in Galveston, Texas, of complications from cancer. He joined Phillips in 1986, retiring as the LaDonna Kramer Meinders Professor of New Testament Emeritus in 2015. Smith was the last faculty member who also taught in the Graduate Seminary of Phillips University. He was also the longest-serving faculty member of the seminary.
A reception in the seminary’s H.A. and Mary K. Chapman Commons will immediately follow the memorial service.
DATE CHANGE: This meeting has moved to December 7, 2017.
You are invited to the second gathering of retired ministers on November 9, 2017 in Tulsa. We will meet at Phillips Theological Seminary located at 901 N. Mingo Rd, Tulsa, OK 74116 to talk further about the Regional Communications Network of Retired Ministers.
We have lined up a great schedule of events, including a lecture and conversation with Rev. Dr. Lisa Davison (Johnnie Eargle Cadieux Professor of Hebrew Bible, and Director of Ministerial Formation for Disciples of Christ). Our special guest at lunch is Rev. Dr. Nancy Pittman, the Dean at PTS. Nancy will join us during lunch with four of her Capstone Course students for an engaging conversation.
Schedule of Events:
RSVP to Richard Ziglar (event coordinator) at 918-638-7649 or email rziglar@cox.net
Please let Richard know about any food or dietary restrictions.
Ministry as a vocation is filled with joy and sorrow. Ministry is energizing and tiring. Ministry is challenging and difficult. Ministry is listening and talking. Ministry is leading and following. Most importantly, ministry is transforming and heart changing.
Thank you, clergy, for representing God to the people and the people to God! We are grateful for your teaching, preaching, caregiving, and leadership in whatever ministry to which you are called. We are here to celebrate with you and walk along side you on the journey!
Rev. Pamela Holt, Rev. Michael Davison, Rev. Leslie Dotson
One way we want to celebrate our preaching clergy is by publishing a collection of sermons. Please send us your favorite Advent sermon that you preached in years past or one you have prepared for 2017. These submitted sermons will be published on our website as an e-Book in January 2018. Please use the criteria below when you submit the sermon.
To submit a sermon to the Christian Church in Oklahoma:
Word format (no special characters)
Please include a brief, two sentence bio which includes where you are currently serving.
Thank you for participating! We look forward to reading and sharing the Word of God that is revealed through each of you.
The application period (Sept. 1 – Oct. 31, 2017) for the 2018 Clergy Continuing Education Grants is open. Applications completed by Disciples Clergy with Standing (Ordained or Commissioned) will be considered for awards to be distributed next year.
These awards are to help DOC clergy participate in continuing education experiences in 2018 that will enhance their gifts and graces for ministry.
You can find out more, and access the application process here. https://www.discipleshomemissions.org/clergy/scholarships/christian-vocation-continuing-education/
You are invited to a live presentation for clergy and clinical staff titled “Mental Illness and the Church’s Mission”. Churches hold a special attraction for many people who struggle with mental illness. With this attraction comes a unique responsibility to respond in a loving and productive way. Some respond by sending people away; how does your church respond?
This workshop will help you understand the church’s unique position in your community and the responsibility that comes with it. It will highlight three ways many churches get it wrong, along with some key questions to help you formulate a different response.
No registration required for this free program.
Approved continuing education credits available for social workers and nurses. INTEGRIS Health is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. This activity is provided through INTEGRIS Health for 3 contact hours.
INTEGRIS Health is accredited as a provider of continuing education by the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers CEP #20170008. This offering for 3 contact hours has been provided by INTEGRIS Health.
Retired ministers from Oklahoma gathered in Norman Tuesday, September 19 for education, fellowship and encouragement from Regional Minister Rev. Pamela Holt.
First stop was the National Weather Center on the campus of the University of Oklahoma. The guided tour walked the group through the five-story building watching meteorologists checking out radar from across the continental United States. Hurricanes loomed in the Caribbean spreading paths of destruction. The National Weather Service tracks severe storms and shares warnings and information to local Emergency Management Teams to alert the general public of impending danger. The observation area on top of the building presented a bird’s eye view across Oklahoma.
Moving onto Rudy’s BBQ a mile west from the NWC, the group enjoyed lunch and catching up with their fellow retirees. Sharing news of trips, family members and church activities. They moved on to the parlor of First Christian Church, Norman to hear an update of statewide activities and events from Rev. Holt. Pam told the retirees of needs throughout the Region and how they could help. Seventeen retired ministers and five of their spouses participated in the day’s activities.
The Lord is my shepherd.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. Ps 23: 1, 6
The Region mourns with the family of Rev. Dr. Devon Leslie McAnally who claimed the promises of her baptism during the early evening of Tuesday, September 19, 2017. Her husband, Tim, daughters Caitlin and Meghan, and extended family welcome your prayers and memories of Devon, child, wife, mother, and minister of the Gospel as they journey through this time of grief.
Services
You are invited to share stories and support the family this Sunday, September 24, 2017 from 5:00 – 6:00 pm at University Place Christian Church, 2107 E. Broadway Ave., Enid, OK.
A Service of Remembrance & Celebration of Life will be held Monday, September 25, 2017 at 10:00 am, at Central Christian Church, 1111 W. Broadway Ave., Enid, OK.
About Devon
Rev. Dr. Devon McAnally completed her studies for ministry at Phillips Theological Seminary earning an MDiv (2007). She was ordained into Christian Ministry July 8, 2007, by Central Christian Church and Hunter Christian Church. In May 2017, she earned her Doctorate of Ministry from Phillips Theological Seminary focusing in Pastoral Leadership in Church and Society/Women in Ministry.
Devon’s life in ministry began in 1998 when she served at Trinity Presbyterian Church, The Colony, Texas, as an Ordained Elder. Most recently she was the minister for University Place Christian Church in Enid. Her work in the life of the Church includes:
Devon’s life prior to ministry included work in Information Technology. She earned a B.S. in Computer Science from Southwestern Oklahoma State and attended Cameron University. She held positions as a systems analyst, project leader, team leader, and supervisor.
You are encouraged to send cards and notes to:
The McAnally Family
1205 W. Maine Ave.
Enid, OK 73703
Condolences may be made online at Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home. Donations in memory of Rev. Dr. Devon L. McAnally may be made to University Place Christian Church with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodians of the funds.
Join us in congratulating Ronnie Hopkins and John Wheeler on their recent installations.
Ronnie Hopkins was installed at First Christian Church Woodward on August 27.
John Wheeler and Michael Davison
Service Anniversaries:
Join us in congratulating Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Don Heath for their many years of service as they celebrate their service anniversaries. Thank you both for your many years of service and your continued leadership serving your congregation!
Rev. Jesse Jackson celebrated 21 years with East Sixth Street Christian Church in Oklahoma City. Rev. Jesse Jackson was celebrated with his congregation at East Sixth Street Christian Church on Sunday, August 27, 2017.
Rev. Don Heath celebrated 10 years with Edmond Trinity Christian Church. Don’s celebration was held at Edmond Trinity Christian Church on Sunday, September 10, 2017.
Pictured left to right: Rev. George Young, Rev. Mary Heath, Rev. Don Heath, Regional Minister Rev. Pam Holt
Retirement Celebrations:
We celebrate Rev. Debi Powell-Maxwell (Former Pastor at FCC Yukon) and Rev. Jann Osborn (Former Associate Pastor at FCC Yukon) as they both begin retirement from FCC Yukon. Rev. Jann Osborn will begin her chaplain residency at OU Medical in September.
Rev. Debi Powell-Maxwell and Regional Minister, Pam Holt at Debi’s Retirement Ceremony
Rev. Jann Osborn and Regional Minister, Pam Holt at Jann’s Retirement Ceremony