Regional News Archives - Page 10 of 22 - Christian Church in Oklahoma

Thank You From the Commission on Refugees and Immigrant Ministries

Hello everyone –

I thank you so much for your caring hearts and support. The trip to the border and Southwest Good Samaritan was very valuable. It was a quick trip so we weren’t able to get in everything we wanted. There will indeed be another trip. If your churches have clothes or will continue to collect clothes, that will be appreciated and please let me know. I am very grateful for Joel Blomgren and Cecilia Tolley, (pictured loading the van) who made the long drive with the clothes. Yes, we could just ship clothing but that would defeat the purpose of actually being present and being the hands and feet of Christ in the world. We were able to give out some clothes personally to refugee children, but will have time to give out more on a longer trip.

I was fortunate enough to attend a prayer meeting on Friday night with Filiberto’s congregation and refugees he and Iglesia Ebenezer are helping. The stories the refugees/immigrants tell are absolutely heart-wrenching. They are unable to tell their stories without tears. The people I met are truly afraid of being returned to their country of origin. For them, it would mean certain death. Most of the refugees I met were single, young women with children. This is why there are no photos of the individuals or the children who received clothes. They simply cannot risk being found. A picture shared online, on Facebook, or any other media is something that could cost them their lives and the lives of their families.

So, as always, a mission trip is both wonderful and terrible. The work we do as followers of Jesus makes us feel great, and we know we are doing the ministry Jesus sets forward for us in the Gospels. But learning the truth with our own eyes, ears, and hearts is the terrible part. It is more than compassion we feel for our brothers and sisters in need- it is the simple knowledge that as all children of God, we are indeed family. And we suffer with our family as yet we hope for a better future and wish to work to make that future a reality. The idea of being family is vividly present in everything Filiberto and the refugees say. They have an attitude and understanding of family that is not made by blood, but love. Love for God, hence, love for one another. Many of our brothers and sisters have to leave their family of birth and homes forever. Filiberto consistently reminds us all that we are a part of One Body. It matters not where we are from, what color we are, or what our economic status is.

I will write more on my experiences soon. For now, I have a couple of ideas for further action on behalf of OCRIM. First, I am hoping some of us will meet with the office of ICE here in Oklahoma to establish a relationship and spirit of cooperation. Then, I would love for us to begin thinking about establishing a relocation center here in Oklahoma. That would be a big task, but it is needed. Then, I would like to work on our next trip to the border. It could be again to the Los Fresnos/Bay view area, and/or take a trip with Borderlinks in Arizona. You can find Borderlinks online if you would like more information. Please let me know if you are interested in finding a date to meet and begin on our next mission action!

Again, thank you so much for your generosity. It is greatly appreciated by Filiberto and everyone it benefits.

May God bless you, and give you the peace of Jesus Christ!

Rev. Mary Heath, Commission on Refugee and Immigration Ministries Chair

CCOK3012019-10-08T10:45:17-05:00Oct 7, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

Border-Wide Actions on the 25th Anniversary of Operation Gatekeeper, Beginning Oct. 1st Thru Oct.

Please see below information of actions all along the southern border, beginning October 1st and throughout the month. If you are able to participate as members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), please share your images and experiences with RIM at: sstanley@dhm.disciples.org, so we can celebrate your work!

Gatekeeper’s walls went up in San Diego in 1994 and spread across the southern border, leaving a trail of destruction while laying the foundation for the cruel and inhumane border policies of today.

The Southern Border Communities Coalition (SBCC) will mark the 25th anniversary of Operation Gatekeeper on October 1st with a series of border-wide actions from San Diego, Calif. to Brownsville, Texas.

Southern border communities are condemning the deadly 1994 federal policy, and are calling for policies that expand public safety, protect human rights, and welcome residents and newcomers.

While many of the worst border policies we see today gained notoriety under the current administration — walls, a huge expansion of agents, checkpoints, detention and family separation — all of them found their inspiration in Operation Gatekeeper.

EVENTS ON OCTOBER 1st
* San Diego, CA, at Chicano Park, in front of the Operation Gatekeeper mural, at 11 a.m.: San Diego Press Conference
* Douglas, AZ, at the corner of Pan American and 5th, starting at 5:15 pm: Conversation with Joe Nevins, author of Operation Gatekeeper and Beyond, and vigil
* Las Cruces, NM: Multimedia event featuring video testimony from those impacted by Gatekeeper
* San Juan, TX: Roundtable discussion with community members on impact of Gatekeeper

These coordinated events will also kick off a month of actions against harmful border policies. For a complete list of events in CA, AZ, NM, TX, and MX, please click here.

ABOUT THE SOUTHERN BORDER COMMUNITIES COALITION
The Southern Border Communities Coalition (SBCC) brings together organizations from San Diego, California to Brownsville, Texas, to ensure that border enforcement policies and practices are accountable and fair, respect human dignity and human rights, and prevent the loss of life in the region.

Follow Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries on Twitter @StanleyRea, & on FB at: http://bit.ly/RIMFacebook, and call Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea, Director, Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries, with any questions: 202-957-7826.

Check out the website

CCOK3012019-10-08T10:27:04-05:00Oct 1, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

We LOVE Our Annual Fund Supporters!

Dear Regional Church Family,

We LOVE our Annual Fund donors! We also are grateful for our Annual Fund donors because your contributions richly support the ministries of the Regional Church! Your contributions allow us to continue to reach beyond our borders with mission trips, to enrich the minds and hearts of young people at camps and conferences, and to create new ministries such as the Refugees and Immigrant Ministries and the Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racism workshops.

Stories are powerful and so are pictures. We have created a snapshot of the variety of ministries around the Region for you to catch a glimpse of how your gifts are being used to connect, equip, and empower faithful Disciples across Oklahoma to love and serve like Jesus. It is an honor and a joy to make new Disciples who abide with Christ and are passionate about sharing the “good news” of Jesus Christ.

This work we are all engaged in is hard. Whether we are participating in deeply spiritual communities that are aging congregations, or are trying to grow something fruitful out of what feels like meager beginnings, or are in the streets of Oklahoma, both literally and figuratively, working on justice issues that seem too big for any one of us to make a difference, or are finding a new vision hard to imagine, following Jesus is hard. And yet, we all hold on to that one, miraculous thing that allows each of us and all of us to put our feet on the ground morning after morning – hope. The hope that things will improve, the hope that hearts will be changed, the hope that the love and spirit of God will move and breathe among the masses. It is our capacity for hope and your generous contributions to the Annual Fund that keep the Regional Church resourceful to our ministers, our congregations, and you.

Every dollar given is important. As we enter the final quarter of 2019, would you please consider making a gift to the Annual Fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma? You may write a check and return it to Christian Church in Oklahoma (301 NW 36th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73118) or you may give electronically through “Givelify.” Our faith depends on God’s generosity, and we depend on your generosity to the Regional Church. Thank you!

Peace & God’s Grace,

Rev. Pamela G. Holt Regional Minister
P.S. To securely donate online visit https://okdisciples.org/donate-now/

Click HERE to download the Snapshot of Regional Ministries

CCOK3012019-10-08T12:55:21-05:00Oct 1, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

Commission on Refugees and Immigrants Ministry (RIM) Children’s Clothing Drive

Please join us in prayer for the safety of those traveling to Brownsville, Texas. The volunteers are driving and delivering the abundance of children’s clothing that were collected over the past couple of weeks. We give thanks to each of you that purchased, donated, sorted, folded, and loaded all of these items that are headed to the Texas/Mexico border on Friday, Sept. 13. In addition to the donated clothing, RIM has received over $4,800 in donations to support this ministry.

Thank you for using your resources to help bless those in need, and answering the call to help our brothers and sisters in need. Watch the Region’s website and social media over the next couple of weeks to see how your donations have made a difference.

We know as Christians and people who call ourselves Disciples of Christ, that we are called to love and serve our neighbor. We have neighbors on our southern border who need us. The environment for our brothers and sisters is not only a humanitarian crisis but a faith crisis. We are limited in what we are allowed to do to help, but there are a couple of actions we can take and the Church must act.

If you feel led to donate to the Commission on Refugees and Immigrant Ministry (RIM). You may give online or mail your donation to the Christian Church in Oklahoma Regional Office located at 301 NW 36th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73118. Every dollar helps! (Make sure to note: “RIM donation”)

CCOK3012019-09-16T13:30:00-05:00Sep 10, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

Hurricane Dorian, Bahamas, and the Southeast U.S. Coast: The Most Up-To-Date Information From Week of Compassion

Event Summary from Week of Compassion:

After passing over the USVI and Puerto Rico with limited damage, Hurricane Dorian strengthened to a Category 5 storm and stalled over the northern islands of The Bahamas. Damage to the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco is incredibly severe. The storm then tracked the eastern coast of Florida, remaining a short distance offshore, and causing some damage due to strong winds and storm surge. Greater impacts are expected in the Carolinas, where the track will bring the storm closer to shore with a potential eye-wall landfall.

How Disciples are Involved:
Local Partners:
The Bahamas: World Council of Churches, ACT Alliance, and Global Ministries partners
United States: Congregations in the Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia Regions; Volusia Interfaith Agencies Networking in Disaster; Children’s Disaster Services; Pamlico County Disaster Recovery Committee; Christmount Camp and Conference Center; Bethany Hills Camp; The Retreat at Silver Springs

Early Response: Week of Compassion is in touch with Disciples in the affected regions to provide solidarity grants for households and congregations. The Christian Church in North Carolina has worked with Barton College and local congregations to preposition hygiene and clean-up kits. Several Disciples camps and conference centers opened for evacuees. Our partners at Children’s Disaster Services have teams deployed to North Carolina to provide childcare in evacuation centers. We are also in communication with local long-term recovery groups working in communities affected by past storms that are now facing threats from Dorian.

Ongoing Engagement: To be determined.

How to Help:
Volunteer: Stay tuned for details about volunteer opportunities.

Give to Week of Compassion: Click HERE Designate “Hurricanes”

Pray: Continue to pray for those affected by the storm and for our Week of Compassion partners.

Advocate: Watch our social media feed for photos, stories, and updates about this recovery.

CCOK3012019-09-09T11:11:13-05:00Sep 9, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

Oklahoma Disciples Foundation Provide Grants That Touch Lives

Oklahoma Disciples Foundation continues to provide grants that make a big difference in Disciples’ communities.

Here are a few more projects where 2019 ODF grant funds are touching lives:

First Christian Church, Stillwater – young adults mission trip to Jamaica to tutor in local schools, make infirmary and child sponsorship visits and participate in construction and farming projects.
Christian Church of the Covenant, Enid – delivering fresh fruit biweekly directly to apartment residents (mainly low income senior citizens) in two local complexes.
First Christian Church, Stillwater – purchase of new equipment and supplies for Adult Daily Living care center as well as supplement materials for marketing outreach.
Christian Church in Oklahoma and Caminante – scholarships for young adults and disciple ministers to participate in the Caminante Mission in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic.
Yale Avenue Christian Church, Tulsa – supplying students from a local At-Risk Junior High School with tools and philosophies to build character and better prepare them for their future. Program focuses on study, devotion and visits to three venues: The Oklahoma City National & Memorial Museum; Martin Luther King Memorial Museum at the National Civil Rights Museum and to see “Samson” at the Sight and Sound Theater in Branson.
Disciples Christian Church, Bartlesville – making a personal connection with and delivering baskets of nutritious food to local elderly people who live in poverty.
Christian Church in Oklahoma – Mission Camp Roadshow youth summer mission trip to support recovery efforts in Texas across Hurricane Harvey’s impact area.
Central Christian Church, Enid – school and equipment supplies for multiple Pronoei Schools in Puno, Peru. These schools are the poorest in the area for indigenous children, age 3-5, who were previously not allowed to take entry exams into public primary school.
United Ministry at the University of Tulsa – activities for monthly Interfaith worship service and community service project during fall semester 2019.
Christian Church in Oklahoma International Affairs Seminar (IAS) – funding of group meal for IAS participants.

The Foundation holds many worthwhile endowments benefitting the church, the Region and its missions and ministries, including funds for grants. Click this link: “Together We Touch Lives” if you would like to make an honorary or memorial donation to one of these funds.

Blessings,

Eric S. Gray, CAP®
Executive Director

CCOK3012019-09-12T10:35:06-05:00Aug 26, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

What Can We DO?

These days are more than difficult with continued multiple mass shootings. We can hardly even take a breath before we hear, read, experience another senseless shooting in a public setting. While we are not in the midst of the tragedies, almost every time we have family or friends who are among the victims, or are serving as first responders, or live in the community and wrestling with fear and deep grief.

Also, our hearts continue to be broken when we see and read about refugees and immigrants at the border and the deplorable conditions in which they are living, especially the children. Just this week in Mississippi, parents were detained and forced to leave their children behind.

On both issues, even from a distance, we are struck with deep grief and anger, and our first response is prayer. I have seen some beautiful prayers on social media. These prayers are true expressions of many emotions and implore God to hear and respond. But, we need to do more. We need to pray and also act.

Many of us are asking what can we DO in addition to our deep and abiding conversations with God. There are lots of things we can do, some of which many of us are already doing. Let me add some suggestions from two faith leaders, The Rev. Cameron Trimble, Founder & CEO of the Center for Progressive Renewal and author of Piloting Churches, and The Rev. Mary Heath, Minister at Edmond Trinity Christian Church and the chair of the new Commission on Refugee & Immigration Ministries in Oklahoma. Our denomination’s Refugee and Immigration Ministries work of advocacy and education is also providing ways to help.

Rev. Cameron Trimble — In one of her weekly blogs, Rev. Trimble implores us to join the growing movement of activists and average citizens who are speaking out against bigotry, hatred, intolerance and xenophobia. To offer our support, we can do three things:

Host conversations with our friends and neighbors about the values that define being an American. She offers several groups who have helpful resources: The Weavers Movement, Civic Dinners, The Turquoise Table, Living Room Conversations. I invite you to connect to these websites to learn and maybe to implement one of these ideas. I already know of one congregation in Oklahoma who will be starting table conversations as worship.
Connect with a Voter Registration organization in your area and help mobilize a ground game for getting people to the polls. I think church members could easily organize a team to visit those who are home bound to ensure their voice could be heard.
Financially support activist organizations doing the critical work on the ground such as: The Poor People’s Campaign, New Sanctuary Movement, Faith in Public Life, Activist Theology Project.

Rev. Mary Heath — As you will see in the Regional Roundup article, Oklahoma Commission on Refugee and Immigrant Ministries Invites You to Join the Mission, The Rev. Mary Heath has a passion for helping us get organized to DO something to love and care for the refugee and immigrant children at the border of Texas. I am grateful for her leadership and hope you will read her article that calls us to urgent action.

Disciples Refugee and Immigration Ministries – The Rev. Sharon Stanley-Rea serves as the Director of this office, a part of Disciples Home Missions, and it also includes Tana Liu-Beers, an immigration attorney who works as a resource to our congregations, regions, and members. The Oklahoma Region has joined other regions to support the costs of this urgent work. This link to RIM WRAP 08/14/2019 will take you to five additional ways Disciples in Oklahoma can help refugee and immigrant families in Mississippi.

I know you are praying. I know you are writing your legislator. Maybe you are protesting. These suggestions above are some additional resources to keep us moving toward healing and wholeness in this broken and fragmented world. I am grateful for your deep and abiding faith, for your witness to the love of Jesus Christ, for your prayers, and for picking up a few pieces of action that reveal your willingness and generosity to serve in the name of Jesus.

Keeping the faith,

Pam

CCOK3012019-08-15T10:18:26-05:00Aug 13, 2019|Pamela Holt Blog, Regional News|Comments Off

Oklahoma Commission on Refugee and Immigrant Ministries Invites You to Join the Mission!

Dear Friends,

We know as Christians and people who call ourselves Disciples of Christ, that we are called to love and serve our neighbor. We have neighbors on our southern border who need us. The environment for our brothers and sisters is not only a humanitarian crisis but a faith crisis. We are limited in what we are allowed to do to help, but there are a couple of actions we can take and the Church must act.

We are developing a Refugee and Immigrant Ministry (RIM) in the Oklahoma Region. Anyone who is interested in being a part can contact Rev. Mary Heath at revmaryheath@att.net. She will be happy to add anyone who cares for this ministry to the group!

Mary has spoken to a couple of ministers from the Rio Grande Valley. One of the first things we can accomplish is sending help to Rev. Filiberto Pereira at Good Samaritan. Rev. Mary Heath has spoken to him three times to determine the immediate need. All three times he has stated there is a great need to help the children on both sides of the border. Rev. Pereira has told Rev. Mary Heath, that the children are basically going naked.

In attending General Assembly this summer, we learned about what it is to “Abide.” Children going without clothing is something we simply cannot abide. We acknowledge the teaching of Jesus that children are the heirs of the Kingdom of God. And so, our first statewide mission project for refugees and immigrants is to collect the needed items.

How can you help? DONATE:

Gently used and new clothing for children (all sizes)
Packages of girls and boys underwear (all sizes)
Shoes, sandals, flip flops for children (all sizes)
Feminine products of all types
Monetary donations made to the Region.
- checks may be mailed to Christian Church in Oklahoma at 301 NW 36th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73020. Please note “RIM” on the check so it is applied directly to this mission.
- Online donations may be made through Givelify (choose “Other” and make a note: “RIM”)

How can you help? COLLECT:

You can help collect items at your church and bring them to a drop off location! There are currently two donation sites.

Yale Avenue Christian Church – Tulsa, 3616 S Yale Ave, Tulsa, OK 74135 (Monday through Thursday from 10am to 4pm)
First Christian Church – Oklahoma City, 3700 N. Walker, Oklahoma City, OK 73118 (Monday through Thursday from 10am to 4pm)
Central Christian Church – Enid, 1111 W Broadway Ave, Enid, OK 73703 (Monday through Thursday from 10am to 4pm)
First Christian Church – Pauls Valley, 300 N Ash St, Pauls Valley, OK 73075 (Wednesdays 10am to 4pm). If you would like to drop any other day/time call Elaine at 405-830-1799 to schedule a time.

The first load of donations will be collected to deliver on September 13, 2019. Please drop your items as soon as possible. A second load will be taken at a later date.

How can you help? DRIVE:

So far we have one volunteer to drive the donations to either Bayville or Los Fresnos, Texas. We will need more volunteers who can help drive a church van or individual truck to transport. If you can help in those ways, please contact Rev. Mary Heath at revmaryheath@att.net.

There will be other ways in which you can help Refugee and Immigrant Ministries in Oklahoma! Keep watching the Region’s website and monthly e-newsletter for more opportunities to help our brothers and sisters in need.

Thank you for your generous hearts and willingness to follow Jesus Christ, in clothing our young sisters and brothers, and hence clothing our Savior himself. We will continue to join together in this movement of wholeness in a fragmented world.

Mission Action: “I was naked and you gave me clothing.” Matthew 25:36

CCOK3012019-08-26T12:42:30-05:00Aug 13, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

How A Generator Changed a Puerto Rican Church: A Powerful Story by Rev. Miguel Morales

When Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in 2017, we asked ourselves, “What happens to a pastor and their family when a natural disaster devastates their community, their church, and/or the pastor’s home? How do we as Pension Fund, specifically Ministerial Relief and Assistance, stand with our pastors in these moments of vulnerability when their own financial security is threatened and they are trying to balance the needs of their family, their church, and their community?”

Discerning the answers to these questions led directly to an expansion of Ministerial Relief and Assistance, including a permanent partnership with Week of Compassion to provide grants to pastors affected by natural disasters.

Last week at the biennial General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), hundreds of our members and friends heard from Rev. Miguel Morales, General Pastor of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Puerto Rico as he shared his harrowing story of the moments during and directly following Hurricane Maria. Rev. Morales’ presentation included a powerful video describing how, through the generosity of our donors, Pension Fund was able to act quickly and effectively despite incredible logistical challenges.

The programs of Ministerial Relief and Assistance, such as these, are funded by generous donors and the MRA Endowment. If you are interested in learning more about MRA programs or how to become a donor, click here.

With gratitude,

Rev. Dr. Todd A. Adams
President and CEO

Watch the powerful video about how the Pension Fund supported Rev. Miguel Morales through Hurricane Maria. HERE