Congregations Archives - Page 7 of 27 - Christian Church in Oklahoma

Time for Virtual Vacation Bible School

The Region is excited to announce our Virtual VBS Program is available to use. Based on the summer camp curriculum, This Is Our Prayer, Virtual VBS uses videos to lead you through four days of self-guided learning activities that are intergenerational. You decide when to do VBS from home. Maybe your congregation wants to do the activities together using video conferencing technology? Maybe your congregation wants to use Virtual VBS together, socially distanced, in your building or outdoors?

Each day includes:

An Opening Thought
Singing
Bible Story for the Day
Craft Projects
A Way to Serve
STEM and a Game
Prayer Practice and Closing

All the items you need for the crafts are listed in downloadable PDF format including the words to the songs to sing along. Items you need for other activities are included in the videos.

Virtual VBS will be on our website through August 15th.

Thank You Virtual VBS Team

Rev. Darlene Martinez
Ashley Pease
Rev. Julia Jordan Gillett
Chris Fourcade
Rev. Sarah Combs
Ellen Beer (website design and support)

Michael Davison2020-06-24T12:01:12-05:00Jun 24, 2020|Congregations, Youth|Comments Off

What do you love about camp?

Junior Camp Bytes begins its second day with 17 campers and 7 adults. The image above is during worship.

Michael Davison2020-06-17T06:16:40-05:00Jun 17, 2020|Congregations, Youth|Comments Off

Covid-19 (coronavirus) has changed the ways we participate in congregational life and the things congregations offer during the summer. Vacation Bible School is a summer tradition for many congregations and it has a long, rich history as a part of our denomination’s outreach ministry. The Region asked a group to create an intergenerational VBS that can be done at home. This self-guided VBS is designed for families to do together. Congregations may want to use video conferencing for some or all of the activities to do together as another way of connecting their members.

Virtual VBS is a four day program that is designed to last a couple of hours each day. A short registration form is required to access the VBS. Registration opens June 18th and Virtual VBS will publish on June 22.

We give thanks for the talents, gifts, and dedication of the Virtual VBS Team, and offer our thanks to their congregations for gifting their time to this project.

Watch the short video to meet the team: Rev. Darlene Martinez, Rev. Julia Jordan-Gillett, Chris Fourcade, and Rev. Sarah Combs

Michael Davison2020-06-12T09:24:43-05:00Jun 12, 2020|Congregations, Youth|Comments Off

(June 5, 2020) Camp Bytes goes live next week.

Working with our volunteer Camp Directors and Counselors, the Commission for Children, Youth, and Young Adults has reimagined our summer camp program as our Nation, and the world, lives through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chi Rho Camp Bytes (June 9-11) kick off the camp season. Each day between 10am and 12pm, counselors and campers will gather for an online camp that will have a live element. Campers must be registered to enter camp and, just like our physically in person program, we cannot accept same day registration for any of our digital camps. Similarly, Camp Bytes for Junior campers, CYF campers, and Discovery campers will be offered. Visit the Families & Youth section of our website to learn more and register today.

Just like our physically in person camp program, each day of digital camp will include: play, prayer, study, worship, and service.

We are excited to announce that campers who registered between February 1 and May 2 for traditional summer camp will receive a Camp Bytes t-shirt in the mail this summer! Yes, if you listed a t-shirt size in your registration for traditional summer camp, the Region will send you a camp shirt FREE. We are able to provide Camp Bytes and the t-shirt through the generous gifts by donors like you to the Region’s Camp & Conference Resource Endowment Fund throughout the years. This fund is managed by the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation.

You didn’t register for traditional camp, but want a shirt? No worries. You can purchase a summer camp shirt through an online store later this month, and that purchase will support the Region’s program ministries for children and youth which includes summer camp. Maybe you don’t want a shirt, but still want to support our program ministries for children and youth. Thank you! Visit our Givelify page to make a contribution today and select children and youth ministry. Yes, you could also mail a check to the Region. If you have other questions, please contact Rev. Michael Davison, Associate Regional Minister.

Yes, Camp Bytes is a bit more screen time this summer, but it will connect you to campers across our Region who want to connect with you. So, don’t wait! Time is running out to register for Chi Rho Camp Bytes. Registration for Chi Rho closes at 3pm, this Sunday, June 7.

Chi Rho Camp Bytes (Jun 9-11) 10am-12pm
Junior Camp Bytes (June 16-18) 12pm-2pm – Registration Closes June 13
CYF Camp Bytes (June 23-25) 9:30am-12pm – Registration Closes June 20
Discovery Camp Bytes (July date TBA)

Michael Davison2020-06-05T08:39:11-05:00Jun 5, 2020|Congregations, Youth|Comments Off

Faith In Action: Care of Earth

You have given [humans] dominion over the works of your hands—Psalm 8:6a

The Faith in Action Commission is working toward strengthening our efforts regarding the Care of the Earth. If leadership regarding the Care of the Earth is a potential calling in your faith journey, please let us know. We are first going to develop a plan to start the process and then develop a Team to champion that plan and further plans throughout the Christian Church in Oklahoma congregations. Please contact the Chair of FIAC, Marilynn Knott at marilynnknott1@cox.net to let us know of your interest. We would love to have a few leaders from both laity and clergy in each of the Regional Areas.

CCOK3012020-06-03T12:53:45-05:00Jun 3, 2020|Congregations|Comments Off

New Ministry Training Opportunities at Phillips Theological Seminary

Phillips Theological Seminary’s Ministry and Lay Training Program offer 8-week summer classes beginning June 22 – August 16, 2020, followed by many classes offered during the 2020 – 2021 sessions.

If you want to ask questions about any of these courses prior to registering, please join the Question and Answer Zoom Meeting on June 2, 2020. Click HERE to register.

20/21 Session 1 summer classes are:

Christian Ethics, Instructor: Dr. George Flanagan
Church Administration and Planning, Instructor: Dr. John Bracke
Disciples History and Polity, Instruction: Dr. Lisa Barnett

20/21 Session 2 will begin August 17-October 11, 2020.

Theology, Dr. Trish Greeves
Spiritual Development, Dr. Kris Tenny-Brittian
Communication, Kurt Gwartney, M.Div.
United Church of Christ History and Polity, Rev. Margot Pickett

20/21 Session 3 will begin October 12- December 6, 2020.

Mission of the Church, Rev. David Avery
Conflict Utilization, Dr. Kris Tenny-Brittian
Disciples History and Polity, MTP Adjunct Faculty

20/21 Session 4 will begin January 4-February 28, 2021

Church History, Rev. Jerry Albright
Evangelism, Dr. Bill Tenny-Brittian
Worship, Rev. Bob Kemp-Baird

20/21 Session 5 will begin January 15-April 11, 2021

Overview of the Bible, Dr. Alex Ruth
Christian Ethics, Dr. George Flanagan
Introduction to the New Testament, Dr. Kris Tenny-Brittian
Disciples History and Polity, MTP Adjunct Faculty

20/21 Session 6 will begin March 29-May 23, 2021

Pastoral Care, Rev. Darrell Vandervort
Church Administration and Planning, Dr. John Bracke
Ecumenism, Dr. Andy Mangum

CCOK3012020-05-21T12:53:50-05:00May 21, 2020|Congregations|Comments Off

Poor People’s Campaign Going Digital on June 20, 2020

Mass Poor People’s Assembly & Moral March on Washington on June 20, 2020 will not be postponed but will be transformed! We are going digital!

We will hold the largest digital and social media gathering of poor and low-wealth people and people of conscience in this nation’s history. The COVID-19 global pandemic is exposing the already existing crisis of poverty in America, and we are going to bombard every member of Congress and the White House so that we raise up the demands of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival.

We will not be able to gather physically in Washington DC, but it is paramount that we have a forum where poor and low-wealth people can share their truths with a nation that needs its heart broken.

Cherilyn Williams, APR
Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Office of General Minister and President Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada
Disciples.org | cwilliams@disciples.org

CCOK3012020-05-18T10:15:46-05:00May 18, 2020|Congregations|Comments Off

FCC Bartlesville’s Member Offers Support to COVID Frontline Workers

First Christian Church Bartlesville member, Gay Cooper and her store Sew Uptown! are offering anyone who sews the chance to help nurses, doctors, and other health care workers during the pandemic. When these front-line professionals come home to their families, they shouldn’t have to worry about bringing the virus with them on their clothes. These drawstring bags will allow them to change at work, put dirty clothes in the bag, and then throw the whole bundle into the wash at home – bag and all!

Gay is donating the fabric, providing instructions, etc. Just pick up packets at her store, sew, and return! Call Gay at 918-332-8956 for more information.

Thank you Gay and everyone who is serving the Bartlesville community with this special gift.

CCOK3012020-05-07T10:30:44-05:00May 7, 2020|Congregations|Comments Off

Creavitity Abounds: This is What Love Looks Like Right Now!

Anna Hubbard, Minister at First Christian Presbyterian Church in Pryor, created this video by asking colleagues to submit photos of their empty sanctuaries. Out of the photos, she created a moving video entitled “Empty Sanctuaries. Right now, this is what LOVE looks like . . .” Loving our neighbor and friends and families by staying at home and worshiping on-line. Even though watching this video is emotional, I know your sanctuary looks like this out of our love for one another.

CCOK3012020-04-10T14:53:39-05:00Apr 6, 2020|Congregations|Comments Off

Update on Canadian County Lenten Worship Series

Under the inspiration and direction of Rev. Colton Lott, Senior Minister at First Christian Church of El Reno, the five Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations in Canadian County planned a coordinated series of Lenten events to benefit tornado and flood victims in Canadian County. “We still have improper housing following the May 2019 tornadoes and floods,” said Rev. Lott. “Our goal was to raise $2500 to help our neighbors.” This effort was in partnership with the Week of Compassion. First Christian Church of El Reno has been designated a Disciples Volunteering/Week of Compassion mission station in 2020. They will help coordinate volunteers in Canadian County, from around the state and country, to work in Canadian County this summer.

Congregations involved were First Christian Church of Calumet, First Christian Church of El Reno, First Christian Church of Mustang, First Christian Church of Yukon, and West Point Christian Church of Yukon. Special worship services on Sunday evenings were planned throughout the five Sundays in March. Each service was to be preceded by meal at 5 pm and contributions collected on each of the Sundays were to go toward the relief work.

Unfortunately, only two Sunday services were held before the COVID-19 crisis put a stop to large gatherings, including a Spring Break “at home mission trip.” However, $1416.66 was collected toward the outreach effort. While COVID-19 has put much uncertainty, groups are still scheduled to come and labor this summer from places like Indianapolis, Kansas City, and from Fort Worth.

Locally, there has been discussion about the possibility of continuing Lenten worship as Canadian County annually. For more information, contact Rev. Lott at rev.clott@gmail.com.

Click HERE to read the original article about Canadian County Lenten Workship and view pictures.

CCOK3012020-04-06T10:04:51-05:00Apr 6, 2020|Congregations|Comments Off

Congregations

Each day includes:

An Opening Thought

Singing

Bible Story for the Day

Craft Projects

A Way to Serve

STEM and a Game

Prayer Practice and Closing

All the items you need for the crafts are listed in downloadable PDF format including the words to the songs to sing along. Items you need for other activities are included in the videos.

Virtual VBS will be on our website through August 15th.

Thank You Virtual VBS Team

Rev. Darlene Martinez

Ashley Pease

Rev. Julia Jordan Gillett

Chris Fourcade

Rev. Sarah Combs

Ellen Beer (website design and support)