Disciples Women Archives - Christian Church in Oklahoma

The Most Important Thing, A Christmas Story

By Marilyn Bohlender, ODW President

Making a list but no time to check it twice! Instructions are left with someone to care for house and fur babies. The little ones are bundled with extra clothes and pjs in their bags. The car is loaded with snacks and blankets for the cold winter trip to Grandparents far away.

After the trip, greetings and hugs, the car is unloaded. Christmas comes in the morning and being late, the little ones are tucked in bed to sleep. That is when a disastrous discovery is made! The gifts were left behind! Gifts for all the family, grandparents, aunts, uncles, everyone!

Walmart is closed and the only place open is a 24 hour gas station. So we wrapped up the last of the snacks plus a few more favorites from the gas station in newspaper. Did anyone mind? Did we have a good laugh? Do you have a holiday disaster story?

We actually had fun over the years bonding and laughing over these stories. We realized the most important gift at Christmas was the birth of Jesus, our savior. So in the midst of chaos and crazy, remember the most important thing and that is what matters.

Prayers for a blessed Christmas.

2 Peter 3:18 (NIV) But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen

CCOK3012024-12-05T08:56:13-06:00Dec 5, 2024|Disciples Women|0 Comments

Giving Thanks for all DW Does and There is More to Come!

When we think of Thanksgiving, turkey dinner, family and friends first come to mind. With more thought, our Disciples Women come to my mind and we are thankful for all that they do and all the events this year!

In September many attended the Celebration Luncheon organized by Rev. Donna Jackson to acknowledge all the work and contributions of our women. As I visit churches, I see first hand the work our women do from rummage sales to preparing meals. The list of all they do is extensive and we are thankful.

We are also thankful for those who organize the events that bring us together for enrichment and fellowship. October brought two fall retreats and a CADW meeting.

The NEODW summarized their retreat at Camp Christian with a short video which can be seen on the Northeast Oklahoma Disciples of Christ Facebook. Their retreat mission project benefitted Domestic Violence Intervention Services.

Rev. Christine Pomaville of FCC Thomas, led a retreat at Roman Nose. An ODW officer that attended wrote, “There were groups from Thomas, Chandler, Enid, Calumet, and Canton. (Perhaps other towns as well), It was a wonderful, relaxing, spirit filled weekend.”

The CADW meeting on October 22nd was attended by 64 women and hosted by FCC Midwest City. The worship and songs were inspiring. The food and fellowship was outstanding. The nonprofit, Our Sisters Closet Thrift Store and the YWCA organization it gives support shared the spotlight to educate us on its programs. It was alarming to learn of the number of domestic violence cases here in Oklahoma. The donations brought to this meeting will help!

Again, give thanks for all our women do!

Awareness, education and knowledge are important in the different roles our women have to carry out God’s ministries and to be of service. Self-care and care of those in our lives is also important. I encourage you to take a break between Thanksgiving and Christmas to attend a Women’s Conference on Mental Awareness and Wellness at Wildewood Christian Church, OKC on Saturday, December 7th. It starts at 9:30 a.m. with continental breakfast. Program begins at 10 a.m. with speaker, Caletta F. McPherson, MHR, LADC, CLC, who serves as Executive Director of CARE for Change, Inc. Lunch is also provided. This is a free event but you must register by Nov. 29th. Flyer has instructions to register on-line or email [email protected] or call 405-478-0781. Again, we are thankful for this free event.

We are blessed with so many active Disciples Women across Oklahoma; please keep them in prayer and thank them for all they do! Stay connected with Disciples Women section of okdisciples.org and Oklahoma Disciples Women Facebook.

Colossians 3:17 (NKJV) And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

CCOK3012024-11-07T13:48:17-06:00Nov 7, 2024|Disciples Women|0 Comments

Celebrate 150 Years of Disciples Women!

By Marilyn Bohlender, ODW President

Disciples Women is 150 years old on October 22, 2024! The flyer suggests activities from the Office of Disciples Women. My celebration that day will include giving to the Disciples Women Blessing Box and cake! However you celebrate, give thanks to God for the many women who have provided many hours of service.

After the celebration, it is not too soon to start planning to use the 2025 Just Women Study Guide next year. Pre-order before December 2, 2024 and receive free shipping! Delivery will be in January 2025; see instructions for larger orders of five or more.

Philippians 4:4 (ASV) Rejoice in the Lord always: again, I say Rejoice.

CCOK3012024-10-01T15:10:57-05:00Oct 1, 2024|Disciples Women|Comments Off

Fall Back in Love

What a feeling when you are first in love! It is all we can think about. A name written over and over again across my notebook or my heart is proof enough. We yearn for that feeling.

Each time I see a baptism there is that first smile of such joy or as one baptism I saw recently, there was such emotion that we all shared in tears of joy! Now you realize that I am now talking about God’s love for us and our love for our creator.

I hope I have your attention as this is a great love. With life being busy or the passing of time, it seems we might forget that first feeling but God’s love for us has never faded. Our Lord and Savior has never stopped loving us. He is always there, waiting for us to reconnect, to fall back to the spiritual joy He has for us.

I visit with so many who say, “I am so busy.” Busy will take you away from what is most important. I remind you that if you are not taking time for your relationship with God, please schedule time. I just pray God is okay with my conversations while I am driving or doing the dishes; I also need to take time.

I am excited for those planning on going to the upcoming fall retreats, including one just announced on Oct. 25-26 at Roman Nose State Park. Find the details on the Disciples Women page.

I pray that we reconnect and fall back in love with a God that loves us more than we can imagine.

Psalm 136:1 (ESV) Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

CCOK3012024-09-09T11:29:09-05:00Sep 9, 2024|Disciples Women|Comments Off

Celebrating Women Answering God’s Call

Join us for a celebration of women clergy, mentors, and leaders

Some are called to be clergy, mentors, and leaders. Others are called to be workers behind the scenes. Just because God called you to these roles does not mean it will be easy but with God it will become possible.

Rev. Donna Jackson was called to ministry over thirty years ago. A wise minister saw it and Donna felt the calling. Not all of us feel a strong pull; some feel a gentle push or small voice guiding us in a certain direction. Some that I talk with just say God’s work fell in their lap.

Now God has touched Donna’s heart to share this milestone with a celebration of women clergy, mentors, and leaders on September 14, 2024. When you see the program for this celebration luncheon, you know God’s hand was in it!

Do not miss this opportunity; register to attend. Encourage others to do the same; this program is for more than just the women. Whether or not you are able to come, pray for this celebration and pray for the work God has called us to do.

Find out more information about this program and other upcoming events on the Disciples Women page.

~Prayers and Blessings,

Marilyn Bohlender, ODW President
580-483-5110

Romans 8:28 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

CCOK3012024-08-07T11:56:53-05:00Aug 7, 2024|Disciples Women|Comments Off

Disciples Women Trailblazers & Mentors Celebration

New Beginnings Christian Church invites you to a celebration of Disciples Women Trailblazers and Mentors.

Rev. Donna Jackson celebrated her 30 years of ordained ministry on June 4, 2024, and is using this program as a way to give back to other Disciple Women Trailblazers and Mentors. The theme is “Your Gift Will Make Room for You.”

Join us in person at Harvard Avenue Christian Church for a special event honoring the incredible women who have paved the way for others. This luncheon program is an opportunity to celebrate the resilience, leadership, and mentorship of women, as a chance to recognize the achievements of our trailblazers and mentors. Honorees include

Rev. Terri Hord Owens, General Minister & President Christian Church (DOC) by video message
Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, former General Minister & President Christian Church (DOC)
Rev. Dr. Nancy Pittman, President Phillips Theological Seminary
Rev. Dr. Lisa Davison, Dean, Johnnie Eargle Cadieux Professor of Hebrew Bible, Phillips Theological Seminary
Pastor Brenda Denson, Pine Street Christian Church
Rev. Dr. Delesslyn A. Kennebrew, Admin. Secretary, National Convocation

Don’t miss out on this empowering event. Doors open at 11:15 am, with the program at noon.

Everyone is welcome! No cost to attend but you must register by Wednesday, September 4 2024.

Questions? call 918-944-4208 or email [email protected]

ROSES 2024 Growing in God’s Fragrant Beauty

By Marilyn Bohlender, ODW President

About fifty women from Oklahoma made up approximately 40% of those traveling from a six state geographical area to ROSES, an interregional event scheduled once every four years, held this year in McKinney, TX, June 28-29, 2024. Regions of the Sun Equipping and Serving (ROSES) is comprised of the Southwest, Oklahoma and Great River Regions.

They knew Oklahoma was in the room! Our Disciple Women were on fire; the ending song of “Pass it On” sums up our women’s inspiration! You will be seeing our women even more involved after being uplifted by this event.

Oklahoma women involved in the program were Rev. Maria Garza leading a workshop; Allison Haney leading call to worship and a prayer; Rev. Zenobia Mayo with a Prayer for the Cup during communion meditation; and myself, Marilyn Bohlender, introducing our keynote, Rev. Marilyn Fiddmont.

Inspirational Speakers

Friday night Rev. Dr. Debra Reid, our new Disciples Women Interim Executive Director, emphasized Jesus is Love. She continued to inspire the women in her break-out session on Saturday. Her point of Disciples Women Ministry structure has been promised to be sent to me so I can share it with our women leaders. Contact me if you need a copy.

Rev. Marilyn Fiddmont taught us about Peter as she kept it real. In her workshop, she involved the women in a discussion including what’s stopping us from getting involved.

Rev. Alice Hupp, our ending keynote, kept us laughing with audience involvement of what problems we are carrying around instead of giving them to God.

In addition to the three keynote speakers, this event kept on enriching us with the breakout sessions/workshops Saturday afternoon. There was good feedback from those attending sessions with Rev. Dr. Debra Reid, Rev. Marilyn Fiddmont, Rev. Paula Brooks, Rev. Kristin Galle, and Rev. Maria Garza. My takeaway from Rev. Marie Garza’s workshop is that prayer does change things. Thank you to everyone who prayed for this event.

Supporting Multiple Outreach Missions

Disciples Women are about service and those attending brought donations for a domestic abuse center in the Dallas area. This also reflects the IDWM “Wear black on Thursdays” campaign of domestic abuse awareness.

The chair shown in the photo with the red shawl represents abuse of women and human trafficking victims. This custom came about after a W2WW (Woman-to-Woman Worldwide) trip to Italy in 2014. Sidenote: W2WW will be going to Kenya for 2025 so watch for information to apply toward the fall of this year.

A silent auction and $1.50+ donations at the 150th birthday party for Disciples Women Friday night benefitted our IDWM. The actual day for the birthdate is Oct 21st!

The Blessing Box Ministry information is on page three of ROSES booklet and online at Disciples Women Ministry or DW section of okdisciples.org. There is a wealth of information in your ROSES booklet so keep or share with other women at your church.

Grateful for Energetic Organizers

Many thanks goes to the ROSES committee especially energetic Texan Shannon Karr CCSW DW Advisor. Leaders from the six state area served on the committee and were involved in the program. Sally Green, SW Region DWM President presided over this event.

This event was last held in Tulsa in 2019 with Zenobia Mayo as coordinator. In four years, this event will be hosted by the Great Rivers Region which is Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. It will be eight years before this event returns to Oklahoma!

Before ROSES was over, some women were inspired to ask me how to be involved with Disciples Women. Our regional office has worked hard to make my monthly articles and our Disciples Women section of the website easier to navigate.

On our Disciples Women section of okdisciples.org pay close attention to the Stay in Touch article which has a link to sign up for the #DW Connect that IDWM President Wanona Rogers Redd talked about Saturday morning or go to Disciples Women Ministries.

There is also a link in the Stay in Touch article to sign up for our regional eNewsletter Regional Roundup which will include my monthly article.

If you have Facebook, please follow for announcements on Oklahoma Disciples Women Facebook and for information on Northeast Oklahoma Disciples of Christ Women Facebook.

Revisit the first part of the song, “Pass It On”

“It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing.
That’s how it is with God’s love.
Once you’ve experienced it,
You spread the love to everyone.
You want to pass it on.”

Area Meetings & Fall Retreats

Area meetings and fall retreats are open to Disciple Women outside their area; this helps our smaller areas be involved.

Save-the-Date
CADW will have a meeting Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at FCC Norman
NEODW Fall Retreat Oct 4-5, 2024 (details here)

Save-the-Date
Sept 14, 2024 for a celebration luncheon!

Hebrews 10:24 (NIV) And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

CCOK3012024-07-09T09:19:16-05:00Jul 8, 2024|Disciples Women|Comments Off

Just Like Old Friends…

By Marilyn Bohlender, ODW President

Did you ever meet someone you instantly had a connection with? When you looked back at the details, you felt God’s hand was in it! A welcome smile, where they sat and where you sat were just the beginning of a new friendship! I could add more details but on May 20th at the meeting in Stroud, I met Maria Garza who will be part of the program at ROSES 2024 which will be held June 28-29th in McKinney, Texas.

At this point you are expecting a shout out for ROSES! Of course, I will do that in a minute. For just a moment let me diverge to a thought on how we connect with others and the impact we want to leave. To improve our relationship with others we must first look at our relationship with our loving God, Lord and Savior, which includes prayer.

Pray with me, “Lord, I want to be the friend others want to be friends with, I want to be the type of person others want to work with, I want to be the type of person that brings a smile to those around me. Most of all, I want to be the Christian in which others see Christ in me! If I stumble, I pray that I forgive myself and focus on the path forward, growing and filling myself with your spirit and message of love. Amen.”

Now a shout out for ROSES which will help you grow, renew and be spirit filled. It is not too late to register at CCSW.org. Deadline is June 20th. For more information you can also go to our web page.

Whether you are able to go or not, please pray for the ROSES event, the leaders, presenters and those attending. At last check we need one more to make 50 women attending from Oklahoma. With busy summer and camp schedules this is great attendance! It is not too late to reach out to other women, neighbors, or family, to attend; this may be the christian spark they need.

Are you the one more we need to attend to make 50? Do not let the fact that you are the only one from your church keep you from coming; you will make friends there. I know; at one time I was the only one!

I pray all of us go and make friends.

2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV) But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever.

CCOK3012024-06-27T11:26:21-05:00Jun 5, 2024|Disciples Women|Comments Off

Acting on Opportunities

By Marilyn Bohlender, ODW President

Let’s look at opportunities. In February, we gave an offering for Week of Compassion; they have already reached out to our Oklahoma Region about our storm damaged churches. The opportunity to donate to Week of Compassion is online year round.

Let’s look at the opportunity to go to church. I was reading the most attended Sundays are Christmas, Easter, and Mother’s Day. Another highly attended Sunday is “Bring a Friend Sunday.” How important is it to ask a friend? Did you know someone is more likely to visit a church because a friend invited them! Relationships are important!

I will also ask, ladies are you inviting other women to our events? Bringing others to our events may get them excited about our churches besides being uplifted from the event. If you haven’t already, find out more about upcoming events.

ROSES, June 28-29th, is an event with women from a six state area and held only once every four years.

The NEODW Fall Retreat, Oct 4-5th, is for all women across Oklahoma. We will be adding more.

To keep in the loop, go to Oklahoma Disciples Women Facebook, Northeast Disciples of Christ Women Facebook, sign up for Regional Roundup or go to our Oklahoma Disciples Women page.

Pray for God to give you opportunities and act on those opportunities!

Colossians 4:5 (NIV) Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

CCOK3012024-05-06T09:12:41-05:00May 2, 2024|Disciples Women|Comments Off

What do we have to guide us in a spiritual direction?

By Marilyn Bohlender, ODW President

Do I trust my GPS? Recently it gave directions that did not feel right to me. I took a different turn and the words “recalculating” shouted at me. Actually the path felt right and I did reach my destination!

I wonder if God tries to keep us on track and has “recalculating” moments when we take a different direction. The wise men followed a star to find Jesus. What do we have to guide us in a spiritual direction? We can turn to the Bible; we can pray for wisdom and discernment. Do we listen when we pray? Will God send messages through different means? This is a question many have explored and a question with many different answers.

It has also been my experience that I feel God’s presence when we as Christians gather together. Of course, we gather in church but for the women we have other opportunities to gather together. These events have quality presenters, service projects and the icing on the top is the fellowship and spiritual feeling that happens when Christian women gather.

All these events are welcoming of our church women outside their area. Pray for these events and our women to find a path to attend.

Coming Events

CADW at Southern Hills Christian Church, Edmond, April 23rd
NE Area Spring Meeting, April 27th
ROSES June 28th-29th Note: ROSES scholarships must be received by April 29, 2024

Details Here

Save the Date

Oct 4-5, 2024 for NE Fall Retreat; detailed info will come at a later date.

~Prayers and Blessings

Marilyn Bohlender, ODW President

Psalm 25:4 (NIV) Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.

CCOK3012024-05-02T14:16:12-05:00Apr 4, 2024|Disciples Women|Comments Off

Disciples Women

Join us for a celebration of women clergy, mentors, and leaders

Sponsors

Inspirational Speakers

Supporting Multiple Outreach Missions

Grateful for Energetic Organizers

Area Meetings & Fall Retreats

Coming Events

Save the Date