Northwest Area Synopsis
Each month the Northwest Area ministers and congregations receive a short newsletter emailed with news and information. Click here to read the Northwest Area Synopsis.
Oklahoma Clergy Retreat August 10-11
Oklahoma clergy are invited to spend some time away with colleagues for conversation and rest. It is sponsored by the Northwest Area and is open to all Disciples clergy.
This retreat will be held at Roman Nose State Park, on Highway 8A, 7 miles north of Watonga.
The $125 fee includes 2 meals, housing, and meeting space.
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
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,
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.
Rev. Jerry Black Retires
First Christian Church Edmond recently celebrated the ministry of Reverend Dr. Jerry Black, who is retiring after eight and a half years of service as an associate minister.
Jerry was also very active in the Regional church, serving on the board in many capacities. We wish him well!
Region Celebrates Spring Ordinations
The Oklahoma Region is pleased to announce the recent ordination of five pastors who are serving in ministries in Oklahoma and with the general church.
Rev. Joy Naylor – Pastor at First Christian Church Stigler
The Rev. Dr. Chuck Jackson – Co-director of Seminary Worship at Phillips Theological Seminary and Associate Pastor at South Grand Lake Christian Church, Langley
Rev. Drew Kirtley – Youth Pastor at First Christian Church Duncan
Rev. Amy Grogan – Pastor at Disciplesnet Church, the online ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Rev. Josh Toulouse – Associate Minister at First Christian Church Tulsa.
Phillips Theological Seminary Graduation
Phillips Theological Seminary held graduation services May 15, 2016, which included four Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) students. Individuals receiving Master of Divinity degrees included
- Drew Kirtley, Duncan
- Joy Naylor, Broken Arrow
- Mark Taylor, Edmond
- Amy Grogan, Brussels, Belgium.
Amy Grogan
Joy Naylor
Mark Taylor
Phillips Seminary Student Achievement Awards
Those receiving Student Achievement awards and scholarships were:
- Mark Taylor and John Wheeler – Melinda McGarrah Sharp Award
- Joy Naylor – Sarah Morice Brubaker Award and Sojourner Award
- Amy Grogan – Richard Ward Award
- Zenobia Mayo – Phillips University Scholarship
These individuals have been under the care of the Oklahoma Region’s Commission on Clergy while attending seminary in their preparation for ministries.
Read more about the Phillips Seminary commencement services.
Panel to Address Mass Incarceration
Two Oklahoma Disciples ministers to participate
Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater, former Speaker of the Oklahoma House Kris Steele and Rev. Jesse Jackson will engage in a panel discussion of “Mass Incarceration in Oklahoma: When Will It End?” on Tuesday, April 19, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at First Christian Church of Oklahoma City, 3700 N. Walker Ave.
Oklahoma has the second highest incarceration rate (behind only Louisiana) in the United States and it continues to grow annually, while prison populations nationwide have fallen each year since 2009. Oklahoma has had the highest incarceration rate for women since 2011 and incarcerates women at more than twice the national rate. Oklahoma also has the highest rate of prisoners housed in private prisons. Approximately 28,000 adults are presently incarcerated in Oklahoma. Another 31,000 adults are under community supervision (probation and parole). Oklahoma’s prison population in 1983 was 7,000.
The program will be moderated by Rev. Don Heath, pastor of Edmond Trinity Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The event is free and open to the public.
Panelists
Rev. Jesse Jackson is the pastor of East Sixth Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 1139 N.E. 6th. He is the President of the National Convocation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a national organization of African-American Disciples of Christ. Rev. Jackson last summer organized an initiative called Occupy the Corners–OKC to curb gun violence in northeast Oklahoma City.
David Prater has been District Attorney of Oklahoma County since 2007. He served as an Assistant District Attorney in Oklahoma County from 1993 through 2001 and as an officer in the Norman Police Department from 1980 through 1988.
Kris Steele is Executive Director of TEEM (The Education and Employment Ministry), a nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty and incarceration in Oklahoma. Mr. Steele served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2001-2012 and as Speaker of the House in 2011-2012. He is the leader of Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform, a coalition of community groups that seeks to get two initiative petitions on the November ballot; the petitions seek reduction of sentences for drug possession and property crimes and community treatment for drug addiction and mental health.
Sponsors
The event is sponsored by the Oklahoma Conference of Churches, VOICE OKC, Respect Diversity Foundation, Center for Conscience in Action, Peace House Oklahoma City, United Nations Association of Greater Oklahoma City, Campaign Nonviolence, Restoration Church at the Dome and Edmond Trinity Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Rev. Dr. Bob Elliott Honored
Special Recognition
Oklahoma City – Rev. Dr. Robert M. Elliot • Crown Heights Christian Church
Honored for his life-long ministry, including 33 years on the Oklahoma Regional staff, “In the good old days,” he remarked.