Congregations Archives - Page 24 of 27 - Christian Church in Oklahoma

Ecumenical Prayer Service for Election Eve/Day

Rev. Seung Un (Paul) Tche, President of The Council on Christian Unity, invites congregations to offer space for prayer and worship on Election Eve and or on Election Day.

The Council on Christian Unity of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) believes that Christians still can get together at the places of prayer as one body of Christ no matter what kind of political opinions we hold as citizens. In order to help you organize an ecumenical prayer service for election eve/day, Rev. Kara Markell, Lake Washington Christian Church, Kirkland, WA, has created a liturgy for an Ecumenical Prayer Service for Election Eve/Day.

Click here to read Rev. Tche’s entire post and find the worship resource created by Rev. Kara Markell.

Michael Davison2016-10-05T21:42:48-05:00Oct 5, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off

Civil Rights Pilgrimage 2017 Spring Break

One of the continuing conversations in our country is about civil rights and the racial tensions in our community. Inspired by some of the table conversations from this summer’s roundtables at First Christian Church of Edmond, the Adult Education Team has put together a trip to explore some of the events of this tension – connecting the past to the present.

The adult spring break trip will leave Edmond on Sunday March 12, after church, and return Thursday evening, March 16. The stops will include Memphis, Birmingham, Montgomery, Jackson, and Dallas.

The cost of this trip, including hotel, will be $700. Meal costs are not included.

If you would like to sign up, please go to www.fccedmond.org/register

The registration and initial deposit of $100 is due by November 7.

http://www.fccedmond.org/adultspringbreak

CCOK3012017-01-08T11:02:58-06:00Sep 20, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off

Earthquake Damages FCC Pawnee

First Christian Church Pawnee was at the epicenter of a 5.8 magnitude temblor that struck Pawnee on September 3, 2016, now documented as the state’s strongest earthquake on record.

Regional Minister Pam Holt and Rev. Mary Hughes Gaudreau, director of Emotional and Spiritual Care for the Oklahoma Conference of Churches, visited Pawnee last week. As they drove into the small community there were very few visible signs of damage. But as they toured First Christian Church Pawnee with pastor Robert Smith they quickly saw significant damage to the building.

Pastor Smith is working with the congregation’s insurance company and structural engineers to investigate and assess the extent of the damage from the earthquake. Fortunately the congregation is still able to worship in the facility.

We ask you please keep this congregation and the community in your prayers as they determine the next steps.

CCOK3012021-06-24T13:38:48-05:00Sep 13, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off

FCC Cushing Welcomes Hope.Church

First Christian Church Cushing welcomed a new church into their space beginning September 11, 2016.

Hope. Church will hold services in FCC Cushing’s space on Sunday evenings at 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm. Hope. Church is a network church of Life. Church.

CCOK3012016-09-12T14:25:58-05:00Sep 12, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off

First Christian in El Reno Helping A Local Resident

Mission work is local and global. And maybe, it’s not so much mission as much as helping a neighbor in need. Disciples are known for lending a hand in our local communities and in far off places too.

First Christian Church in El Reno is helping a local resident with some needed home repair and painting. Pastor Tara Dew took a few photos of the beginning work of scraping the house.

Michael Davison2017-01-08T11:02:59-06:00Sep 12, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off

Minister of Administration Installed at First Christian in Tulsa

payneinstallation-1 First Christian Church in Tulsa celebrated the installation of Rev. Susan Payne during worship on Sunday, September 11. She joins the staff to serve as Minister of Administration. Rev. Michael Davison, Associate Regional Minister, led the covenant of installation liturgy for the congregation and staff.

Rev. Payne joins Associate Ministers Rev. Cassie Sexton-Riggs and Rev. Joshua Toulouse alongside Sr. Minister Rev. Michael Riggs in serving the congregation and downtown Tulsa.

Michael Davison2017-01-08T11:02:59-06:00Sep 12, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off

Barrier Breaking Ministries at FCC Lawton

FCC Lawton Hosts Monthly Health Clinic

First Christian Church in Lawton is finding new ways to engage the wider community. Kathy Cooper, church member and the head of a college nursing program, initiated a monthly health clinic as part of a new way to engage the wider community. The ministry was recognized by the local newspaper. READ>>

A Transgender Woman and Her Pastor Speak with School Board

Deanna Deville, a transgender woman, and Brandon Johnson, pastor at FCC Lawton, affirm transgender rights in Oklahoma and Texas. Their efforts were featured in the Texoma’s newspaper. READ>>

CCOK3012016-09-13T13:50:08-05:00Sep 7, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off

Be a part of eliminating racism – Reconciliation Offering 2016

The 2016 Reconciliation Special Offering is used to fund our Church’s mission imperative to become an pro-reconciling and anti-racist church utilizing experiential education, inclusive worship and intentional dialogue. Our efforts to promote healing, relationship and restoration in the whole family of God are enlivened by funds from this offering. The 2016 Reconciliation Offering will be collected in congregations Sept. 25 and Oct 2.

With this offering we are able to provide programs for

leadership development
curriculum for dialogue and learning, and
partnerships within the Church and our communities.

Recent events have reignited the conversation about human brokenness evidenced in the sin of racism and perpetuated in our institutional structures and systems. Your generous giving to Reconciliation Ministry is transforming lives and strengthening Christ’s witness in the world showing that we love one another, even as Christ continues to love us!

Your gift

promotes healing, relationship and restoration in the whole family of God

Why Have a Special Offering?

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has a history dating from the 1960s of sharing our resources to address the racism of our society and the racism within our own church. We have called this process the Reconciliation Ministry.

We receive this offering in the fall and use the funds throughout the year to give grants to the pro-reconciliation/anti-racism initiative to organize to dismantle systems and structures that perpetuate this sin of division within the Church.

The 2020 Vision adopted by our church names this work as one of the four priorities of our mission together as a whole church. This voluntary annual offering is the only source of funding for this ministry.

Learn More

Learn how to be proactive in your congregation with these Reconciliation resources.

Where Does The Reconciliation Offering Go?

The Reconciliation offering is divided in two parts with one half going back to the region from which it was received and one half going to the General Reconciliation Ministry administered by the Reconciliation Ministry Commission made up of volunteers from around our church body.

The regions choose the method of distributing the funds that remain within their own area. These programs vary widely between regions.

The Reconciliation Ministry Commission receives, reviews and allocate funds for grant requests submitted by our general ministries, higher education institutions, regions and recognized ministries of the church whose proposals meet the grant guidelines. Congregational grant requests are to be submitted to their Region for funding.

Donations on behalf of emergency grants on behalf of impacted communities and congregations toward healing for the communities of Ferguson, Staten Island, Charleston, S.C., and Baltimore can be directed to the Reconciliation Annual Fund/Racial Justice Response.

CCOK3012017-01-08T11:02:59-06:00Aug 25, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off

Rev. Barkhauer to Train on Legacy Stewardship & Joyful Giving

Fresh Insights on Sharing God’s Abundance

Lay leaders, laity and clergy are invited to engage with Rev. Bruce Barkhauer for fresh insights on sharing God’s abundance at “The Cup Runneth Over” events. As director of the Center for Faith and Giving, Barkhauer will speak on estate/legacy stewardship in the church and joyful giving. Clergy may receive continuing education credit for the event.

The Center for Faith and Giving exists to create a culture of generosity across the life of the whole church. It provides educational materials and serves as a conduit to teach stewardship as a spiritual discipline. Its mission is to encourage and promote the understanding of stewardship as a faith discipline and life practice in response to a generous God.

Stewardship is about more than money

It is about the faithful management of all of the resources and gifts that come into our lives - care for the earth, care for ourselves, care for the Gospel, observance of Sabbath, and care for our material goods and possessions.

Tulsa, Enid and Oklahoma City Locations

The Oklahoma Disciples Foundation is hosting the inspirational sessions at three locations in September.

September 18, 2016 • 2:30 – 5:00 pm • Tulsa – Harvard Avenue Christian Church

September 19, 2016 • 9:00 am – Noon • Enid – Central Christian Church

September 19, 2016 • 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm Dinner Event • Oklahoma City – Jim Thorpe Museum
Reservations required. $40 per person or $300 per table of 8, includes dinner, wine, beer and soft drinks. Meal catered by the Petroleum Club.

Download a poster to promote this event in your congregation.

Registration

For details and registration visit www.okdfdn.org or call Julie Bowers at the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation 405.525.6530

CCOK3012017-01-08T11:03:00-06:00Aug 10, 2016|Congregations|Comments Off

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.

Michael Davison2016-08-02T11:16:06-05:00Aug 2, 2016|Clergy News, Congregations|Comments Off