Meet the Regional Youth Council

The Church today and tomorrow

The Regional Youth Council (RYC) serves on behalf of Oklahoma Disciples’ children and youth. As the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma evolves and adapts to address the issues and definition of community of our time, the RYC represents the best of lessons from the past, is active in the present, imagines a future for the Church’s youth and children’s ministry, and sets a path toward that future. RYC members serve a two-year term and often a third year. They represent congregations that are active in Regional life through their participation in camp, retreats, leadership, and giving to the Disciples Mission Fund and other special day offerings.

Derek, Leah Grace, Jonah, and Luke are returning to RYC. Darby, Tabitha, and Brooke are beginning their first year on RYC. They applied to serve this spring and their applications were affirmed by RYC graduating seniors and adult sponsors in May. RYC applications are available from February 1 to April 15 each year. RYC members are installed at CYF Conference.

RYC is guided by several adults who volunteer alongside these young leaders.
RYC Sponsors: Eula, Shannon, Tara, and Michael.

Derek
Crown Heights Christian Church
Oklahoma City

I am a senior at Piedmont High School. I play the clarinet in the Pride of Piedmont marching band. This is my last year as a member of RYC. I will be 18 on October 9th. I have my own car. This summer I went to South Padre Island for vacation. My things to do for fun this summer were go bowling, swimming, playing video games, and just relaxing.

Jonah
First Christian Church
El Reno

I’m a junior at El Reno High and play baseball. I love getting involved by serving in my community with the Blessing Baskets organization. I also love spending time with my family and my two dogs. RYC has given me many opportunities to serve as a leader and have fun with the rest of the Oklahoma Region.

Leah Grace
Forest Park Christian Church
Tulsa

I’m a senior this year and I’m so glad to be a part of Regional Youth Council! This is my second year on Regional Youth Council. I’m also a section leader for my school’s marching band. RYC really gave me an opportunity to learn and showcase leadership skills that can help me in all settings, and I’m so excited for this year!

Luke
First Christian Church
Duncan

I am a Senior at Empire City Public Schools. I joined the Regional Youth Council in 2023. I’ve attended church camps since I was 7 years old. I love science fiction, my dog, and showing goats. I’m a Junior Deacon at First Christian Church, Duncan, OK. I would be happy to talk with you about Star Wars, video games, and movie trivia. In my spare time I enjoy playing video games, draw pictures, play with my dog, care for the farm animals and annoying my younger sister. Regional Youth Council is awesome!

Brooke
Central Christian Church
Enid

Church camp is one of my favorite things and I look forward to every summer. I love it and cannot wait for next year to see my friends from all over the State again. I’m a sophomore at Enid High School. I love singing and I am a part of my high school’s concert choir. Most of my time is spent watching sports because I am an athletic trainer for all athletics at Enid High School. In my free time I do arts, crafts, read at times, and like every other teenager sit on my phone. I look forward to serving on Regional Youth Council this year.

First Year Member of RYC.

Darby
Crown Heights Christian Church
Oklahoma City

I am a sophomore at Piedmont high school and play flute in the band, the Pride of Piedmont. I played softball for ten years before I hung up my cleats to focus completely on music. I have a dog named Jewel and she has an Instagram account that I run! In my free time I like to paint, draw, or watch videos on my phone. My favorite food is grilled salmon and I will eat it anywhere I can.

First Year Member of RYC

Tabitha
Harvard Ave. Christian Church
Tulsa

I attend Harvard Avenue Christian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I am 16 years old, and a rising junior at Booker T Washington High School. I am a member of the BTW swim team, National Honor Society, and the Teen Advisory Board for the
Laboratory for the Adolescent Brain. I enjoy reading, writing, and working with my Youth Group.

First Year Member of RYC.

Michael Davison2024-08-15T11:55:29-05:00Aug 11, 2024|Congregations, Youth|Comments Off

Yale Ave CC Celebrates Camp Ministry

Watch this fun video! Celebrating camp ministry, Yale Ave. CC collected over 200 boxes of cereal to help feed people in the local Tulsa community.

Watch the cereal box dominoes fall thru the church and into the sanctuary!

CCOK3012024-07-08T14:01:05-05:00Jul 8, 2024|Congregations|Comments Off

VBS Around the Region

First Christian Church Stroud

Forest Park Christian Church Tulsa

First Christian Church Cherokee

Vacation Bible School is a summer staple for many of our congregations. VBS was once a primary evangelism tool for congregational growth. While that remains a byproduct of VBS, it is also affordable childcare, a healthy snack or meal, a Sunday school intensive, and, for some unchurched or de-churched children or youth, it is an introduction to following Jesus and the hospitality of Christians.

Here are a few photos from around the Region. If you have a photo of your congregation’s VBS that you have permission to share, please email Rev. Michael Davison.

First Christian Church Luther

Michael Davison2024-07-09T09:45:29-05:00Jul 8, 2024|Congregations, Youth|Comments Off

FCC Luther Offers Solidarity and Unity

It was the first time in the history of Luther that two churches of different races worshiped together outside of the Ministerial Alliance events. The Church of the Living God was vandalized in May 2024. As a symbol of unity and solidarity, First Christian Church Luther worshiped with the Church of the Living God on June 9th.

Learn more why FCC Luther’s pastor Johnnie Melton and Rev. Dwight Guy of Church of the Living God addressed the hostility towards its congregation.

CCOK3012024-07-01T10:46:26-05:00Jul 1, 2024|Congregations|Comments Off

FCC Nowata & FCC Claremore Share Ministry

Rev. Elizabeth Grasham was installed by Interim Regional Minister Rev. Randy Kuss on May 24, 2024 as the Shared Pastor for the Shared Ministry between First Christian Church Claremore and First Christian Church Nowata.

Blessings on this new ministry covenant.

CCOK3012024-07-01T10:13:25-05:00Jul 1, 2024|Congregations|Comments Off

Spring Tornadoes Update 6-10-24

Among our churches and church families, the Sulphur and Morris communities were hit the worst during our spring tornado season. First Christian Church Sulphur (above) and First Christian Church Morris suffered extensive damage from wind and water. Cleanup and repair is underway though final assessment of what is needed and the full cost remains to be seen. Pastors Randy Martin (Sulphur) and Tim Craighton (Morris) along with their church leaders are shepherding their congregations through this challenging time. Members of Sulphur have returned to worship in their building; Morris is currently meeting at the Lion’s Club.

Eleven church member families in Sulphur suffered partial damage or complete loss of their homes. Rev. Gary Mitchell, pastor of Midwest City Christian Church, also had damage to his home.

Caring for our congregations

Disciples across the region and beyond responded! Week of Compassion, the disaster response arm of the Disciples of Christ, as well as the Disciples Pension Fund provided funds to assist. Numerous congregations and individuals sent donations to our regional disaster fund. Nearly $27,000 has gone so far to congregations and also to the Sulphur families (pictured below) to aid them toward recovery. Thank you!

Donations still welcome

It will be a long road. Communities are not yet ready for volunteer teams to do hands-on recovery work but when the time comes, we will get the word out. Further donations are still welcome. You may contribute through the Region’s online Givelify account, or checks may be noted Regional Disaster Relief Fund, Christian Church in Oklahoma, PO Box 891140, Oklahoma City, 73189-1140.

Click here to see images of the FCC Sulphur and FCC Morris building damages.

FCC-Sulphur-Tornado-Relief-Checks-800×265

CCOK3012024-06-25T16:01:30-05:00Jun 10, 2024|Congregations|Comments Off

Green Chalice Recognizes Federated Church

Weatherford Federated Church is celebrating its recent designation as a Certified Green Chalice Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Green Chalice recognizes that this church community is living out its faith by caring for God’s creation and leading the denomination and its community in authentic ways.

The Federated Church (Weatherford, OK) began the process by forming a Green Team, consisting of Rev. Kelsey Cobbs, board president Holly Clanahan, Tim and Sara Marie Bodenstein, Gaylene Perry and Marcie Grant. The Green Team then signed the Green Chalice covenant, a promise to make meaningful changes toward sustainability.

Working with the local utility company, the church had an energy audit conducted that identified a number of ways that the Federated Church could become more energy efficient. The most pressing need was to replace an antiquated HVAC unit, which the church was able to do almost completely through denominational grants. Very soon after installation of the new unit, the church’s utility bills were cut dramatically.

Lastly, in April, Rev. Cobbs led the congregation through a month-long sermon series titled “We Are Standing on Holy Ground: A worship series on the creator and a creation in peril.”

This trifecta of awareness, action and prayerful contemplation about how to walk more gently on the earth are worthy of celebration, and the Federated Church pledges to continue working toward better environmental stewardship, one green step at a time.

Weatherford Federated Church sings along with the Psalmist who wrote, “the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it.” (Psalm 24) They invite other congregations to join in caring for God’s creation. Learn more about Green Chalice Ministry.

Earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it.

(Psalm 24)

CCOK3012024-06-25T16:25:39-05:00Jun 4, 2024|Congregations|Comments Off

Tornadoes Damage Two Oklahoma Churches

04-29-24

We join in prayer and care for all those impacted by the tornadoes this past weekend. Of special concern among our Oklahoma Disciples family are First Christian Church, Sulphur, and First Christian Church, Morris. Both suffered significant damage to their buildings.

Expressions of care may be sent in care of their pastors, Randy Martin (Sulphur) at martins_ada@sbcglobal.net and Tim Craighton (Morris) at tim.craighton@gmail.com.

Monetary gifts to help with recovery may be sent to

Week of Compassion designated for “Oklahoma tornado relief”
Oklahoma Region designated to our “Oklahoma Regional Disaster Fund”. Give online through Givelify or mail to Christian Church in Oklahoma, PO Box 891140, Oklahoma City, OK 73189-1140

Week of Compassion

FCC Sulphur damages

FCC Sulphur exterior

FCC Morris roof damage

FCC Morris office damage

FCC Morris sanctuary damage

CCOK3012024-06-25T16:24:52-05:00Apr 29, 2024|Congregations|Comments Off

Letter from DHM President, Rev. Chris Dorsey: Crisis in Israel/Palestine

October 23, 2023

My heart breaks with the ongoing tragedy in Israel and Gaza. The images on the news, the stories of brutality and retaliation, the collective experiences of grief, loss and trauma have been heart-wrenching and agonizing. May the violence born of hatred be overcome so that we can see the humanity in one another in ways that build justice and celebrate dignity for all.

The long history of conflict in Israel/Palestine is complex and complicated. As we pray for peace and an end to violence, I’d like to share some of the resources that I’ve found helpful in seeking to understand the situation. I share them in the hopes that you and your community of faith might use them to learn about what is happening and engage in ways that build peace and purpose.

Yours in the Journey,

Rev. Chris Dorsey
President and CEO
Disciples Home Missions

RESOURCES

Global Ministries: The Crisis in Israel/Palestine
https://www.globalministries.org/topic/gaza2023/
Global Ministries has created a page that Includes links to a growing list of statements from mission partners, opportunities to sign-up for weekly prayer sessions, and a full collection of worship resources.
Churches for Middle East Peace
https://cmep.org/
Churches for Middle East Peace has created recurring spaces for prayer and learning. You can sign up for Weekly Prayers for Peace held on Wednesdays from 12:30PM ET to 1PM ET and register for a Weekly Issues Briefing held on Thursdays from 10AM ET to 10:30AM ET.
BBC News: History of the Conflict Explained
https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-44124396
BBC News assembled a thorough explainer article on the history of conflict between Israel and Palestine that includes additional links with updating stories on the Israel Gaza War.
United Nations: Israel-Gaza Crisis
https://www.un.org/en/situation-in-occupied-palestine-and-israel
UN Secretary-General António Guterres voiced grave concern over the escalating conflict in Israel and Gaza and stressed the need to prevent the violence from spreading. The UN webpage Includes links to statements from the UN as well as continuing news updates.
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: Maps
https://www.ochaopt.org/maps
Interactive, information-rich, and highly detailed maps of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank created and curated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. These maps are free and available for fair use.
Vox: Israel-Hamas War News & Updates
https://www.vox.com/2023/10/7/23907683/israel-hamas-war-news-updates-october-2023
The news site Vox has developed an updating news page for the daily stories that are emerging about the Israel-Hamas war. It contains a dynamic timeline that links “big picture” stories of the ongoing war.
Vox: Everything You Need to Know about Israel & Palestine
https://www.vox.com/2018/11/20/18079996/israel-palestine-conflict-guide-explainer
An older article (2018) from Vox that breaks down the history of the conflict between Israel and Palestine in a series of 20-different Q&A style articles. It is specific, accessible, and informative.
ACLED Fact Sheet: Israel and Palestine Conflict (October 2023)
https://acleddata.com/2023/10/13/fact-sheet-israel-and-palestine-conflict/
The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) is a data collection, analysis, and crisis mapping project. ACLED collects information on armed conflicts around the world and makes both data and analysis open for free use by the public.
Global Conflict Tracker: Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/israeli-palestinian-conflict
The Center for Preventative Action has created an explainer article that includes background, concerns, and recent developments in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. The page also aggregates the latest news in a sidebar panel.

Michael Davison2023-11-08T14:21:03-06:00Nov 8, 2023|Congregations|Comments Off

Empower & Equip 2023

Preparing Leaders for Today’s Church

Empower & Equip is a one-day leadership development conference for Oklahoma Disciples provided by your Oklahoma Regional Church.

This in-person event is Saturday, October 14th at New Covenant Christian Church, Oklahoma City.

You’ll find Best Practices workshops on vital ministry topics for elders, deacons, board members, youth and lay leaders. Reserve Your Space Today!

Enjoy an uplifting worship experience with guest preacher Pastor Milton Bowens of Shepherd Street Christian Church, Chickasha.

Register and find all the details HERE!

CCOK3012023-10-03T12:29:20-05:00Oct 3, 2023|Congregations|Comments Off

Congregations

The Church today and tomorrow

RYC is guided by several adults who volunteer alongside these young leaders. RYC Sponsors: Eula, Shannon, Tara, and Michael.

First Christian Church Stroud

Forest Park Christian Church Tulsa

First Christian Church Cherokee

Here are a few photos from around the Region. If you have a photo of your congregation’s VBS that you have permission to share, please email Rev. Michael Davison.

First Christian Church Luther

Caring for our congregations

Donations still welcome

RESOURCES

Preparing Leaders for Today’s Church

RYC is guided by several adults who volunteer alongside these young leaders.
RYC Sponsors: Eula, Shannon, Tara, and Michael.