Sr. Minister Ralph Ranney of Memorial Christian Church, OKC has a box of good quality used Stephens Ministry materials to donate. Please call Rev. Ranney at 405-590-6326 to inquire about them. Stephen Ministry congregations equip and empower lay caregivers to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting.
Indianapolis – As part of its expansion of Ministerial Relief and Assistance and in renewing its commitment to walk with clergy throughout all stages of ministry, Pension Fund of the Christian Church has announced The Gathering – A Retreat for Clergy. The Gathering is a biennial conference promoting the mental, spiritual, and financial wellness of Disciples clergy. The inaugural Gathering, which will also serve as a celebration of Pension Fund’s 125th anniversary, is scheduled for September 8-10, 2020 at the Intercontinental Hotel in New Orleans, LA.
“As part of our 2019-22 Strategic Plan, we are renewing our commitment to walking with clergy from their first day of credentialing until their last beneficiary takes their final breath” shared Rev. Dr. Todd A. Adams, Pension Fund President and CEO. “The Gathering is one way we can provide clergy, and especially those actively serving, with resources for their journey in ministry.”
The keynote speaker, Dr. Matt Bloom, Ph. D. is a professor at the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame with expertise in working with a variety of non-profit organizations. He leads the Flourishing in Ministry and Wellbeing at Work research projects which focus on the well-being of helping and caring professions. Matt is passionate about finding real solutions to make work a healthy, vibrant, life-enriching experience as a spouse of a former United Methodist minister. Matt will share the latest research on the well-being of clergy and practical insights about how to build and sustain that well-being.
The conference will open on Tuesday, Sept. 8 with worship led by Dr. Bill Thomas and Andra Moran, and the message by Rev. Starsky D. Wilson, President & CEO from the Deaconess Foundation, St. Louis.
Registration is $100 for those serving congregations with an average worship attendance of less than 99 members and $150 for all others. The registration fee includes the conference, two breakfasts, one lunch, and two hotel nights. Spouse registration is $150 to cover meal costs. Additional bookend discounted room rates are available over Labor Day weekend or following the conference for $156 per night. The event is limited to 500 attendees.
The low registration fee is made possible in partnership with the Lilly Endowment Inc., The Christian Church Healthcare Benefit Trust Endowment for Clergy Health and Wellness, and Ministerial Relief and Assistance from Pension Fund of the Christian Church.
For more information about Pension Fund’s 125th Anniversary celebration or to register for The Gathering, please visit pensionfund.org/125.
Pension Fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) provides pension and retirement savings accounts for clergy and lay employees of congregations, regions, general ministries and church-related colleges and seminaries of the Stone-Campbell (Restoration) Movement. Pension Fund manages over $3 billion in net assets on behalf of those serving in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and related international ministries.
The Commission on Clergy voted in 2018 to require all active and retired-active clergy to attend a one-day PRAR training session during 2019 to meet 2020 standing requirements.
Fall training sessions are being offered across the Region for your convenience. See schedule and registration links below.
The second phase of the Healthy Boundaries policy is in effect now and requires clergy to take the Healthy Boundaries 201 Seminar within 42 months (3 1/2 years) of having taken the 101 Seminar, and thereafter every three years.
Healthy Boundaries 201 training began in Fall 2018. This training will be required in 2019 for NE & SE areas; 2020 for NW & SW areas; and 2021 for Central area. To determine the date you must meet the deadline, add the date you took HB 101 and add 42 months. Details available here.
In preparation for 2020 Standing, remember to keep track of your 16 clock hours of continuing education during the year, which are required according to the Commission on Clergy’s Continuing Education Policy.
We understand that life takes unexpected turns. If you need to cancel, please contact our office 24 hours in advance and we’ll work to help you refund and reschedule. Call Ellen at 405-528-3577 or email ebeer@okdisciples.org
Please plan to attend the Children Worship & Wonder Storytelling Training at Western Oaks Christian Church (8100 NW 23rd St. Oklahoma City, OK 73127) on August 2, 2019 from 6pm to 9pm and August 3 from 9am to 4pm.
After completing Children Worship & Wonder Storytelling Training, you will be certified to be a CW&W storyteller. You will be equipped to share biblical stories and encourage faith formation in a special worship space dedicated to children. Register online HERE
Click HERE to find more resources about Worship & Wonder. If you have any further questions, please contact Rev. Julia Jordan Gillett at (405) 821-0108 or mgillett@aol.com
Northwest Area clergy invite Oklahoma clergy in active service of a congregation to join your colleagues for time away to rest, for continuing education, and connection to others that share a call to ministry. The retreat will focus on congregational transformation. The theme is “So You Think Something Needs to Change!”
Presentations by: Rev. Gene Spillman, Pastor Jeanette Heitfeld, Rev. Larry Metzger, Rev. Tom Stanley, and Rev. Pam Holt. Continuing education credit available.
The retreat is held at Roman Nose State Park. Housing options include typical hotel rooms in the lodge and small duplex style cabins away from the main campus. Housing options are limited, as this event is limited to 22 participants. The Northwest Area Cabinet underwrites up to 50% of this event so that the cost is a reasonable $160 per person.
Questions? Contact Michael Davison mdavison@okdisciples.org
The recent Retired Clergy Gathering took place on June 18, 2019 at First Christian Church Stroud, followed by lunch at Rock Cafe. Please plan to join us for the next Retired Clergy Gathering in September. These events will primarily be fellowship, and occasionally a program. And, we will be collaborating on some organizational matters.
Future gatherings will be:
Right to left:
June Pruitt, Peggy Ziglar, Valerie Driscoll, David Hockensmith, Marilyn Knott, Regional Minister Pam Holt, Richard Ziglar, and Bill Shields at Rock Cafe on old Route 66 in Stroud, Oklahoma June 18, 2019.
Mark your calendar for October 28 – 30, 2019 from noon to noon for a Pastor’s Silent Retreat. It will take place at Canyon Camp, 31600 Camp Road, Hinton, OK 73047. More details, including registration information will follow soon.
Dear Retired Clergy Friends,
We are working toward several gatherings of Retired Clergy this next year and want to invite you to participate. We are imagining these gatherings to be three times per year: one in the OKC area, one in the Tulsa area, and one alternating between Stroud and Enid. These meetings will primarily be fellowship, and occasionally a program. And, we will be collaborating on some organizational matters.
The first of these gatherings will be at 10:30am at First Christian Church Stroud on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. Lunch will follow at the Rock Cafe,
114 W Main St., Stroud.
Future gatherings will be:
Please make your reservation through the Regional Office by contacting Ellen Beer, Exec. Assistant at (405) 528-3577 (M-Th 8:30 am-4:30 pm) or emailing ebeer@okdisciples.org.
We look forward to seeing you June 18th!
What: Clergy Retreat: Resilient Hearts, Leaders & Communities
When: July 18-20, 2019
Where: Wakonda Christian Church (Des Moines, IA)
Why: It doesn’t take long in ministry to realize that your own “stuff” shows up when caring for all of God’s creation from people to planet. What can we do to show up as our best selves, even in the worst situations? In 36 hours, our goals are big and bold. This retreat will meet at the intersections of Compassion Practice, Sabbath, Race, and Creation to make peace within our own wounds so that we might make peace within these intersections.
Interested? Click here for more information or email Sandra Summers at sandra.r.summers@gmail.com
First Christian Church Cherokee installed Pastor Luke Heim on Sunday, May 12, 2019. Join us in congratulating Luke.
(Photographed on Left: Michael Davison, Right: Luke Heim)