Congregations Archives - Page 3 of 27 - Christian Church in Oklahoma

6 Congregations Receive Reconciliation Grants

Reconciliation-logo_color

Reconcile:
1. to restore, settle, or resolve;
2. to make consistent.(1)

Oklahoma Disciples continue the work of reconciliation through serving our neighbors locally and around the world. The Commission for Faith in Action met in April to review Reconciliation Grant applications for this year. Faith in Action celebrates providing a total of $9150 in grants to these congregations that applied.

Enid, Central Christina Church ($3400)

Enid Welcome Table is a weekly ministry that provides a sit down, served meal on Sunday evenings for food insecure neighbors in Enid.
Community Hero Project supports the police, fire fighters, and student pilots at Vance Air Force Base with snack baskets. The project invites police and fire fighters to interact with congregations and the community outside of emergency situations to build trust.
Teen Neurotypical and non-Neurotypical Integration/Socialization will partner teenagers to help the typical teen grow in understanding and acceptance of the non-typical. The non-typical will gain friendship, socialization, and understanding of their community. With the help of adults this program will raise awareness in the community about the needs of non-Neurotypical youth and that Central Christian Church is a welcoming place for everyone.

Enid, Christian Church of the Covenant, Iglesia Christiana El Shaddai, University Place Christian Church, Central Christian Church ($1000)

VBS is one of the most important projects in the life of the church each year. Many churches are struggling with having enough volunteers to provide a great quality VBS. In 2022, Disciples in Enid hosted a joint VBS that welcomed 60 children and 40 adult volunteers. A reconciliation grant supported this work. This summer, First Presbyterian Church will join the VBS program. The membership and location of the participating churches is very diverse. University Place Christian is in the east side of Enid – a low-income area with a large African American and Hispanic population. First Presbyterian is a typical, affluent “downtown church.” Iglesia Cristiana El Shaddai, is a Hispanic church, Central Christian Church and Christian Church of the Covenant are “middle-American” churches experiencing demographic change. Bringing together children, teenagers and adult volunteers from these diverse churches will promote understanding and acceptance and inclusion.

Midwest City, First Christian Church ($2000)

The congregation participates in careportal.org, a care-sharing portal connecting people with local opportunities to serve vulnerable children and families in their communities. It may be rental assistance, transportation assistance, dollars for diapers, clothing, or formula.

Stillwater, First Christian Church ($2000)

First Christian Church has worked with ACE (American-Caribbean Experience) in Jamaica for many years. This year, they are expanding the trip and hosting other congregations (FCC Chandler, FCC El Reno, Central CC Enid, FCC Luther, and Eagle Heights). and have a group of 50 going on the trip. Groups will work on a variety of projects including tutoring, child sponsorships, VBS, micro-businesses, health and wellness clinics, farming and construction. Last year one of the little girls at VBS told a member of our mission team “I thought white people were all bad, but you are very kind and loving. I hope you’ll come back again.”

Caminante, a minister supported by the Commission on Faith in Action ($750)

Caminante is an ongoing mission priority for the Commission for Faith in Action and the Region. Funding helps support work with local children and adults to learn skills that can help secure jobs in the tourist industry. In the past, the Region helped build “homework rooms” that provided space and leaders to help children with their studies. Covid ceased yearly trips by Oklahoma Disciples, but with as the pandemic ends and an intern from our partners at Global Ministries is in place, yearly trips may begin again.

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1. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, s.v. “reconcile,” accessed May 8, 2023, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reconcile.

Michael Davison2023-05-08T10:26:56-05:00May 8, 2023|Congregations, Faith in Action, Uncategorized|Comments Off

2023 Pentecost Offering

In the beginning, Jesus sent out disciples, two by two, not to “plant” churches, but to proclaim good news, to experience the hospitality and wisdom of neighbors all around.   At New Church Ministry, we believe God is calling the whole Church back to becoming new . . . back to becoming who we are: a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.

Your gifts to the 2023 Pentecost Offering, received this year in most congregations on Sundays, May 21 and 28, help ensure our movement continues to embody the Disciples of Christ vision: to be and to share the Good News, witnessing, loving and serving from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.

Half of your gift supports the local new church movement through your region’s ministry. The other half supports New Church Ministry efforts across the United States and Canada to equip, train, and empower new leaders.

So, thank you. For participating in the new thing God is still doing — just as in the beginning.

CCOK3012023-05-01T16:01:22-05:00May 1, 2023|Congregations|Comments Off

2023 Easter Special Offering

The Easter Offering supports General Ministries of the Church. General ministries serve across the United States and Canada, and around the world including the following:

Center for Faith and Giving
Central Pastoral Office for Hispanic Ministries (Obra Hispana)
Communication Ministries
Christian Unity and Interfaith Ministry
Disciples of Christ Historical Society
Disciples Home Missions
Disciples Women
Division of Overseas Ministries (Global Ministries)
Higher Education and Leadership Ministries
National Benevolent Association
National Convocation
New Church Ministry
North American Pacific / Asian Disciples
Office of the General Minister and President
Treasury Services

General Ministries also partner in ministry with a variety of far-reaching and unique organizations. Congregations collect this special offering April 2 & 9, 2023. You may donate online here.

CCOK3012023-03-02T14:25:21-06:00Mar 2, 2023|Congregations|Comments Off

2023 Week of Compassion Offering

Week of Compassion is the relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada.

Offering Collected February 19 – 26, 2023

Please give generously at your congregation or online at Week of Compassion.

“Yet it is because I remember all this
that I have hope
YHWH’s favor is not exhausted
nor has God’s compassion failed.
They RISE UP ANEW each morning,
so great is God’s faithfulness.”
(Lamentations 3:12-13, The Inclusive Bible)

CCOK3012023-02-01T16:26:50-06:00Feb 1, 2023|Congregations|Comments Off

Pentecost Sunday Celebrations

By Regional Minister Pamela Holt

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place . . .

Pentecost was an exciting Sunday in Oklahoma. Michael and I noticed and participated in many congregations across our region celebrating the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. We are grateful to see such renewed energy and spirit among Oklahoma Disciples.

On the morning of Pentecost Sunday, I had the honor and privilege of worshiping at Broken Arrow First Christian Church. It was particularly moving because on this Sunday, four congregations became one family, and we installed Rev. Shane Hickey as the minister.

You remember that Rev. Glenn Davis died at the end of 2021 which left Broken Arrow First without a minister. Broken Arrow Fellowship sold their building to the school district, and they agreed to merge with Broken Arrow FCC. Owasso Disciples had already begun to worship with BA Fellowship so they came along too, also selling their building. And New Life Fellowship Christian Church is an Ethiopian congregation nesting in Broken Arrow FCC. These four congregations made a covenant to unite as the family of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Here’s the litany:

Leader: On this day of Pentecost we celebrate the Spirit of God being poured out on us.
All: We are also here today to celebrate the coming together of our brothers and sisters in Christ to become one family.
Leader: Into this family comes First Christian Church, Fellowship Christian, Disciples Owasso and New Life Fellowship.
All: We have all come together to worship God, to work to fulfill the ministry of Jesus Christ and to empower not only each other with the Holy Spirit, but empower all who enter these doors to be the church we are called to be. We are all now the family of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the one, whole body of Christ forever! Amen.

Near the communion table was a small table adorned with four taper candles and a unity candle. At the end of the litany above, a representative of each congregation came and together each lit the unity candle symbolizing the covenant of love and serving together. Following this covenant, we installed Rev. Shane Hickey as the pastor of Broken Arrow First Christian Church. It was a moving and memorable morning.

On the evening of Pentecost Sunday, I traveled from Broken Arrow over to Mustang for another moving and memorable fellowship dinner and worship experience. Three of the four congregations in Canadian County came together for a Pentecost gathering: El Reno FCC, Yukon West Point, and Mustang FCC. With joy, these Disciples gathered for a meal and conversation and then gathered in the sanctuary for singing and preaching. Rev. Dr. Lisa Barnett preached a wonderful sermon on the Holy Spirit’s presence in the early years of Disciples at Cane Ridge. The offering collected was designated to treat our summer camp counselors.

. . . They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Pentecost was a good Sunday! May the Spirit continue to be upon us all.

Regional Minister Rev. Pamela Holt installing Rev. Shane Hickey at First Christian Church Broken Arrow.

Shane-Hickey-installation-06-05-22-candles

(pictured l-r) Pastor Lisa Wynn, West Point; Regional Minister Rev. Pamela Holt; Rev. Colton Lott, FCC El Reno, speaker Rev. Dr. Lisa Barnett, Phillips Seminary; and Pastor Randy Martin, Mustang CC.

CCOK3012022-06-14T08:55:11-05:00Jun 13, 2022|Congregations, Pamela Holt Blog|Comments Off

Congregations Donate to Support Oklahoma Afghan Refugees

Oklahoma Disciples Response to our Afghan Neighbors in Need

Our Oklahoma Disciple churches are working in different ways to meet the needs of our Afghan refugees who are now a part of our communities! Here are just a few.

First Christian El Reno collected serving trays, tea kettles, tea sets, and teacups and made a cash donation for other essentials.

Crown Heights Christian Church collected toiletries for families.

Southern Hills Christian Church and their Child Development Center collected new socks and undergarments for women, children, and men.

New Covenant Christian Church donated funds to purchase youth clothing that was desperately needed.

Volunteers from New Covenant CC, Southern Hills CC, Western Oaks CC, Edmond Trinity CC, and our Regional staff moved and sorted donations at from November ‘21 to March ‘22.

New Donation Center Open at New Covenant CC

The Oklahoma Region now has its own donation center! The New Covenant Closet is now open and taking donations to distribute to our refugee and immigrant neighbors in need. Donations of clothing, shoes, household items, and toys are accepted Tuesdays from 1:00 to 5:00pm. Items must be dropped off to a volunteer at the door on the northeast corner of New Covenant Christian Church located at 12000 N. Rockwell Ave., Oklahoma City.

New Covenant Closet needs clothing racks, hangars, tables, and shelves to help with the sorting, and of course, you! If you would like to volunteer your valuable time to this ministry, please contact Jerry Parrott at 405-401- 2295.

The following items are needed immediately for our Afghan neighbors:

Large pressure cookers, crockpots, serving platters, mixing bowls, pizza pans, skillets, stock pots with lids, and tea kettles.

Baby items, strollers, swings, bathtubs, play stations, and diapers of all sizes.

Be a part of a wonderful new ministry and give our neighbors a big Disciple welcome!

CCOK3012022-06-13T12:30:36-05:00Jun 13, 2022|Congregations|Comments Off

FCC Bartlesville Disposing of Worship Items Upon Closing

First Christian Church Bartlesville has made the difficult decision to close, yet wants other Disciples congregations to benefit from many of its worship items. The congregation was established in 1897. Some items are offered at no cost and others for sale. Many of the items will be available after their final worship on April 24, 2022. Non-profits and churches will have access before the general public. Proceeds will benefit Disciples and Bartlesville social service organizations.

For information about these items contact Rev. Susan Payne at FCC Bartlesville 918-336-4520, 520 S. Osage Ave., Bartlesville, OK 74003

No Cost

Pew Bibles – Revised Standard Version – 134 (we also have 10-15 NRSV hardcovers and several paperback Today’s English Version/Good News bibles)
Blue Chalice Hymnals – 200
Red Large Print Chalice Hymnals – 13
Red Hymnbook for Christian Worship – 55
Communion & Offering Trays
Choir Robes – Medium Blue – 17
Choir Stoles in Liturgical Colors
Flower Urns – Brass – 2
Advent Candle Wreath on Stand – brass, refillable candles
Candle Lighters – 2
Wedding Kneeler
Brass Communion Chalice with Red Chalice Emblem

For Sale

Electric Pianos – 2
Upright Pianos – 2
Grand Piano – 1
Schulmerich Handbells – 51
Malmark Chimes – 25
Studio 4g Xylophones – 3
Tone Educator Xylophone with case – 1

CCOK3012022-03-07T09:47:58-06:00Mar 7, 2022|Congregations|Comments Off

Preparing for Ash Wednesday & Lent

Ash Wednesday is March 2, 2022, and this day marks the season of Lent, the forty-six days of preparation from Ash Wednesday to Easter. A very moving video created by Rev. Elizabeth Grasham (First Christian Church Nowata) is about preparing ashes to use on Ash Wednesday. We anticipate that Ash Wednesday services this year again will be a mix of hybrid, on-line, and in-person services. However your congregation celebrates this day, we hope you will take a moment to step into the season, to be reflective upon your own heart and mind, and to walk humbly and faithfully toward Jerusalem.

While there are many resources to accompany our journey toward Jerusalem, here are two to pick up and delve into:

Faithful Families for Lent, Easter, and Resurrection: Simple Ways to Create Meaning for the Season by Traci Smith was just published in January of 2022. She first recognizes that this season of Lent, Easter, and Resurrection involves matters of the “heart of Christian faith.” She also recognizes that this journey toward Jerusalem tends to be violent, but, she focuses on this season as one of mystery and wonder. Inside this book are real ideas for prayers, practices, and conversation starters to help guide those on the journey whether it be a family or a small group.

Fierce Love: A Bold Path to Ferocious Courage and Rule-Breaking Kindness That Can Heal the World by Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis was published in November of 2021. In the introduction, Jacqui writes, “. . . put simply, we are in a perilous time, and the answer to the question “Who are we to be?” will have implications for generations to come. We have a choice to make. We can answer this question with diminished imagination . . . or we can answer the question of who we are to be another way.” She calls for a “demanding, heart-transforming, fierce love.” This book would be a fascinating study for Lent.

These books are readily available in online bookstores.

CCOK3012022-02-07T15:48:17-06:00Feb 7, 2022|Congregations|Comments Off

Silent Night, Holy Night

Images from congregations that streamed Christmas Eve worship.

When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among people,
To make music in the heart.

Howard Thurman. “The Work of Christmas.” The Mood of Christmas & Other Celebrations, Friends United Press, 1985

Michael Davison2022-01-10T13:40:05-06:00Jan 10, 2022|Congregations|Comments Off

Help! Our Church Insurance Premiums Are So High!

In December, the Regional Church was shocked when we received the 2022 Insurance Premiums. The premiums have increased a lot! Several congregational leaders have called us asking “why is our insurance so high?”

Timothy S. Harris, President and CEO of the Insurance Board published this article in the Fall/Winter 2021 issue of The Steward. Here is the explanation in part: (Read the full article here.)

I’ve received inquiries from customers and agents alike as to why insurance premiums have increased during the pandemic. After all, many churches have not been conducting in-person services which some have translated to suggest fewer and less costly claims. Unfortunately, while the incidence of certain types of claims has reduced during the pandemic, the notion that the cost of claims has subsided is far from accurate. Property claim costs in 2020 were up 31% over 2019, on top of a 14.5% increase the prior year. In fact, despite the pandemic, 2020 property claims were among the highest in the Insurance Board Program’s history. Property claims at the end of 2020 were more than double the claim costs in 2015 yet we have not doubled the premiums charged to policyholders.

Additionally, during the pandemic, supply costs and materials used to repair damaged churches have increased. All of these factors add to the costs of claims. Premium costs charged in the Insurance Board Program are a direct function of the claim costs paid. Churches are experiencing more frequent and more costly claims. Because Insurance Board only serves churches and their affiliated ministries, these costs are all attributable to church claims. For the 6 years ending 12/31/2020, the top IB church property claims were as follows:

As the chart illustrates, water damage claims (frozen pipes, appliance leaks, sprinkler leakage, water intrusion from weather, sump pump failures, etc.) accounted for nearly a third of all property claims and more than a quarter of all property claim dollars spent. Over a six-year span, water damage claims alone have added an average of more than $1,000 per church, per year, or nearly 10% to insurance premiums. Water damage claims are largely preventable and are often the result of deteriorating infrastructure and lack of adequate maintenance.

We’ve all heard the axiom, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is especially true when it comes to church insurance. Some effort and, yes, cost expended on the front-end addressing building issues (leaky roofs and pipes, improper drainage, caulking, broken or clogged gutters and downspouts, etc.) can have a material impact on not only improving church properties, but also in significantly reducing insurance premiums. While not all insurance claims are preventable (the very reason insurance exists), many are, and others can be mitigated. Somewhere along the way, however, building maintenance has become less of a priority. I’ve heard parishioners say, understandably, that they want their stewardship going to missions, i.e., sheltering the homeless, feeding the poor, caring for the elderly, etc., all while the roof leaks, the walls are stained from water intrusion, the gutters need repaired, pipes and appliances are dripping. Yet, the church is often mission headquarters and the gathering space for God’s work and people. The risk management techniques communities of churches employ within their ministries (including resources that can be utilized at no charge) can go a long way in reducing the premiums this same community pays for insurance. Please reach out to us or visit our website to learn how you can improve risk at your ministry.

CCOK3012022-01-10T11:23:51-06:00Jan 10, 2022|Congregations|Comments Off

Congregations

Reconcile: 1. to restore, settle, or resolve; 2. to make consistent.(1)

Enid, Central Christina Church ($3400)

Enid, Christian Church of the Covenant, Iglesia Christiana El Shaddai, University Place Christian Church, Central Christian Church ($1000)

Midwest City, First Christian Church ($2000)

Stillwater, First Christian Church ($2000)

Caminante, a minister supported by the Commission on Faith in Action ($750)

By Regional Minister Pamela Holt

Oklahoma Disciples Response to our Afghan Neighbors in Need

New Donation Center Open at New Covenant CC

No Cost

For Sale

Images from congregations that streamed Christmas Eve worship.

Reconcile:
1. to restore, settle, or resolve;
2. to make consistent.(1)