Regional News Archives - Page 12 of 22 - Christian Church in Oklahoma

East Side Christian Church is Moving and Partnering with Forest Park Christian Church

Press Release From East Side Christian Church:

85 years ago, 65 people met on a cold December day in 1933. They gathered near the intersections of 11th and Harvard in a room that would later become a beer parlor. An ordained UMC Minister named Frank J. Pippin made a suggestion that a new church be formed at 15th and Indianapolis. With the support of First Christian Church downtown Tulsa and others, that dream led to their first small building that is now an education wing.

East Side Christian Church was forged out of a desire for people “east” of town to be able to go to church, and with support from various people, a sanctuary was built in the art deco style. While updates have occurred, the outside of the building still is a beacon to that era.

Spending over two years in discernment and prayer, the congregation voted 100% to sell our building and move. After much more prayer, we have partnered up with Forest Park Christian Church at 91st and Mingo and we will be joining with them and celebrate Easter together on April 21st. Our last Sunday Services will be on Palm Sunday on April 14th.

We are a church of the people, not the steeple and to keep a building of this size open was not being good stewards of our call to show love to the community. We have chosen to partner with Forest Park Christian Church (DOC) because they hold the same values, theology and love that we have focused on for the many years.

Though we hate leaving our building behind, we know that our faith is not in a structure or nostalgia, but in a Creator, who made us to love others and to show that love. We will be able to do that better in a smaller space in south Tulsa.

We will continue our outreach projects like Cuppa-Thanks, but also look for new needs in our new community.

Signs at our church will soon change to let our neighbors and community know.

For information about our property, correspondence can be made to Kelly McKoy with McKoy Company at 918 403-9160 or email kmckoy@mckoycompany.com.

Please contact Rev. Evan Taylor at the above contact if you have any questions.

Click HERE to download the Press Release

CCOK3012019-04-08T11:07:04-05:00Apr 4, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

Oklahoma Disciples Foundation Awards $46,000 in Grants

The Grant Committee has allocated 2019 grant funds, and checks were mailed March 12th. This year, grants totaling more than $46,000 were awarded to 28 Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Churches and related institutions. Grant funding awards are based on events or programs with potential to make the greatest impact within communities. You can also see details of the awards for 2018 funding and 2017 funding.

Grant applications and guidelines for 2020 will be available soon at the links below; meanwhile, you may still view 2019 information. If you would like to be added to ODF’s email list for updates on the 2020 Grant Program, please send your contact information (name, address, city, state, zip, email, phone and church) to grants@okdfdn.org. Or call 405.525.6530 for more information. The deadline for submitting 2020 Grant Applications is 5:00 p.m., February 15, 2020.

CCOK3012019-04-08T10:36:33-05:00Mar 21, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

Disciples Home Missions 2019 Lent Resources

The 2019 Lent Resource — The Rev. Dr. Betty Miller Green and the Rev. Dr. Irvin W. Green are the co-writers for this year’s Lenten meditations. She is presently the Associate Pastor of Woodland Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Columbus, Ohio. He is the pastor of Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Kettering, Ohio.

The season of Lent is one of the two most known seasons of the Church (liturgical) year. Whereas Advent leads up to the birth of Christ, Lent marks the final days of Jesus’ life and ministry. The season lasts for forty days, from Ash Wednesday until Holy Saturday (the day before Easter) excluding Sundays.

Lent is known for visual or conspicuous expressions of penitence, humility, or sorrow. This is because of the association made between the crucifixion of Christ and human sinfulness. One example of such expression is the placing of ashes on the foreheads of believers on Ash Wednesday. Throughout the time of Lent, sacrificial choices are emphasized. Such choices may include dietary changes (temporary or permanent), giving to the poor, or relinquishing personal luxuries. With the coming of Easter, which is technically beyond Lent, there is a shift from remorse to joy. Jesus, who died for our sins, is triumphant over sin. God’s people are granted a reprieve and a new covenant. Easter is as colorful and full of life as the Lenten season is careful to avoid such celebratory signs.

CCOK3012019-03-19T12:58:06-05:00Mar 19, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

Job Posting: Praise Band Leader at FCC Edmond

First Christian Church Edmond is looking to hire a Praise Band Leader. If you are interested in this position please contact Rev. John Regan at
jregan@fccedmond.org or by phone at 341-3544. Please include all relevant experience, instruments you play and contact information. Click HERE to view the full job description.

CCOK3012019-03-12T09:44:44-05:00Mar 12, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

Photo Gallery 2019 Leadership Training School

Thank you for a great Leadership Training School!

Over 240 Oklahoma Disciples gathered on a windy Saturday in February for fellowship, learning and inspiration at First Christian Church Edmond. We are so pleased to see our laity and clergy uniting at 2019 Leadership Training School to learn how to address the important topics of justice, disciples roots and inclusivity. Thank you to our workshop leaders for sharing your ideas and experiences.

We offered a warm welcome to General Minister and President Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens with a rousing rendition of “Oklahoma” at worship. And we appreciated her message of inspiration in worship, her workshop and availability to answer individual questions over coffee.

As you’ll see in the photo gallery over a dozen of Oklahoma’s and international Disciples ministries and mission projects explained their activities to LTS participants in our exhibit area.

We extend special thanks to our sponsors: Phillips Seminary, and the clergy groups from the Northwest, Northeast and Central Areas. We also appreciate the hospitality of First Christian Church Edmond for hosting our event, and Mary Beth and Kim Becker for the delicious treats. Thanks to the Regional Youth Council for their assistance in welcoming our participants.

Leadership Training School is planned, organized and carried out by clergy, laity and Regional staff. Thank you to LTS event leader Shannon Cook and her team: John Regan, Amy Rogers, Shannon Grubbs, Geoffrey Brewster, Colton Lott, Brandon Johnson and the Regional staff Michael Davison, Ellen Beer, Jennifer Gallaway and Pam Holt.

CCOK3012019-03-14T11:34:01-05:00Mar 11, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

The Rev. Geoffrey Brewster Joins the Pension Fund Development Team

Press Release from Rev. Dr. Todd Adams, President, CEO of Pension Fund of the Christian Church:

The Reverend Geoffrey Shon Brewster will join Pension Fund’s staff as Annual Fund Director on April 1, 2019. Rev. Brewster joins Pension Fund after nine years at Phillips Theological Seminary, where he most recently served as Senior Director of Advancement. The addition of Rev. Brewster to the development team will further shape the expansion of Ministerial Relief and Assistance and help ensure its critical funding.

“Rev. Brewster is the ‘right person at the right time’ to help us expand our base of support while building upon the tremendous generosity of our current donors. His experience and expertise will be a real gift to our team as a whole,” shared Rev. Julie Richardson, Assistant Vice President for Development.

Rev. Brewster began his service to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) during high school, when he served as a children’s ministry intern at First Christian Church, Shawnee, Okla. Rev. Brewster spent 12 years in children’s, youth and young adult ministry, serving Faith Community Christian Church, Choctaw, Okla., and Southern Hills Christian Church, Edmond, Okla., before joining the staff at Phillips.

“During my time at Phillips, it became clear that for our graduates to be successful in ministry, systems of support were needed. Pension Fund is investing in the development and expansion of those systems. I am grateful and excited to be called to raise the resources necessary to ensure these programs thrive and our ministers find the support they need,” said Rev. Brewster.

Rev. Dr. Todd A. Adams, President/CEO reflected, “Not only is Geoff a gifted fund raiser, but his connections to, and understanding of, the challenges facing pastors today – especially recent seminary graduates – will be invaluable to our mission.” Rev. Brewster holds a Master of Divinity from Phillips Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Central Oklahoma. He will work remotely from his home in Tulsa, Okla.

Pension Fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) provides pension and retirement savings accounts for clergy and lay employees of congregations, regions, general ministries and church-related colleges and seminaries of the Stone-Campbell (Restoration) Movement. Pension Fund manages more than $3 billion in net assets on behalf of those serving in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and related international ministries.

CCOK3012019-03-11T11:24:35-05:00Mar 11, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

Disciples Family Night at the Museum

The Commission for Children, Youth, and Young Adults invites all families with children 5 years old and older to the Science Museum of Oklahoma for an overnight on March 15. Yes, we will camp out in the museum after a program featuring fun with a Star Wars theme. Click here to register.

Cost

$25 per person

$80 for a family of 4

$100 for a family of 5 or more

Bring your sleeping bag, inflatable mattress, cot, pillow, and join your Disciples siblings in faith from around the Region for a great overnight of fellowship and worship.

Questions? Contact Rev. Michael Davison or Sally Wheeler (Chair, CYYA)

Michael Davison2019-02-22T10:38:27-06:00Feb 22, 2019|Regional News, Youth|Comments Off

Oklahoma Disciples Foundation 2019 Grant Applications Due Feb. 15

The Oklahoma Disciples Foundation has grant funds available for Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma churches and non-profit CCIO (DOC) affiliated groups for mission and ministry. A downloadable application, scoring sample and guidelines are available HERE. Applications are due by February 15, 2019. Please call the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation at 405.525.6530 if you have any questions.

CCOK3012019-02-11T12:37:06-06:00Jan 30, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

Rev. Dr. Nancy Claire Pittman Named President of Phillips Theological Seminary

Following a seven-month long search that yielded an impressive and diverse pool of applicants, the Board of Trustees of Phillips Theological Seminary has named the Rev. Dr. Nancy Pittman as the school’s next president. Pittman has served as interim president of the Seminary since July 1, 2018 and will immediately assume the presidency.

“Dr. Pittman is the clear choice because of her strong leadership skills and vision for the future of theological education,” said Claire Meredith, chair of the seminary’s board of trustees and the presidential search committee.

Read the full article published on the Phillips Theological Seminary website HERE

(photo provided by Phillips Theological Seminary)

CCOK3012019-01-08T11:28:57-06:00Jan 8, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

Join Oklahoma Conference of Churches for “Day at the Legislature”

Registration is now open for the 2019 Day at the Legislature. Register HERE

Join Oklahoma Conference of Churches on Monday, February 25, 2019 at the Oklahoma State Capitol (2300 N Lincoln Blvd, Oklahoma City OK 73105) from 9am – 4pm.

For more information view the flyer HERE

CCOK3012019-01-08T10:58:58-06:00Jan 8, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off