Regional News Archives - Page 14 of 22 - Christian Church in Oklahoma

Regional Board Celebrates Ministries

On October 20, 2018, the Regional Board heard many exciting ways regional ministries are connecting, equipping, and empowering Disciples to serve like Jesus!

Here are a few highlights!

Commission on Children, Youth, & Young Adults continues to strengthen our children, youth, and young adult ministries with camp & conference experiences for second graders through high school, retreats, and International Affairs, a spring break trip for Juniors & Seniors to travel to Washington DC & NYC. The theme for 2018 was Reconciliation. Investing in the faith our young people is invaluable to the life of the church.
The Regional Board approved a new commission on Immigration and Refugee Ministries. With the help of Catholic Charities and a few other resources, the Region already has three congregations actively engaged in the relocation and support of immigrants.
The Oklahoma Disciples Foundation has developed a grant program to help ministries around our region be adequately funded. In just two years the Foundation’s Grants Program has impacted lives, touched many and made a difference in communities. The Foundation made grants totaling $71,460.60 in 2018 and $50,648.90 in 2017. Click here to see ODF Grants at work in the region.

As followers of Christ, Disciples of Christ, we never quit wrestling with reconciliation and with the power of love and grace. Every Disciples congregation is a vital part of the Body of Christ in Oklahoma. The Region is grateful for all of the work and ministry that happens in each congregation, each community, and the world. There is no greater joy than to love our neighbors as ourselves and to serve the Lord with gladness! In a time such as this, God surely needs each of us and all of us.

CCOK3012018-12-18T12:18:21-06:00Nov 12, 2018|Regional News|Comments Off

Regional Board Makes 2019 Staff Changes

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On Saturday, October 20, 2018, the Regional Church held its Year-end Board meeting. We heard some amazing stories from our Commission leaders about Regional Church ministries and from the Area Moderators about the on-going ministries in each area of the Region. Our ministry is never done, but we sure celebrated all the ways Regional ministry is connecting, equipping, and empowering ministry through the Commissions on Reconciliation, Evangelism, Leadership Training, Clergy, and Youth, Children & Young Adults. We’ve even agreed to start a new Commission to address the needs around immigration in Oklahoma.

Giving Falls Short

Despite our good and faithful ministries, the Budget Committee reported a mighty shortfall in Disciples Mission Fund (DMF) giving. After reviewing the Disciples Mission Funding giving over the past five years (2013-2017), the pattern of giving continues to decline. This is not surprising. It is happening in congregations all across our Region, and we realize that some congregations are struggling and making budget adjustments. For the Region, the projected decline for Disciples Mission Fund for Oklahoma in 2018 and 2019 is a deficit of approximately $50,000. Importantly, DMF is the primary financial support of the Regional Church, and it is the covenant by which we all live.

Personnel Changes

The Region has been good stewards and has trimmed Regional expenses year after year. But after careful examination the Board determined there was no place to cut $50,000 except in personnel. The Budget Committee requested the Personnel Committee make some very difficult decisions. Personnel regretfully proposed to the Regional Board to eliminate three positions for 2019: two part-time positions, the Region’s Oklahoma City office Facility Manager Richard Keith and the North East Area Administrative Assistant Lori Richcreek (Broken Arrow office), and one full-time position, Associate Regional Minister Rev. Leslie Dotson. They will be employed through the end of this year. These employees of the Region have served long and well, and their presence and ministry within the Regional Church will be missed.

Beginning in 2019, the Regional Church will retain its remaining four staff members: Regional Minister Rev. Pamela Holt, Regional Associate Minister Rev. Michael Davison, Executive Assistant Ellen Beer and part-time Administrative Assistant Jennifer Gallaway.

How You May Help Your Region

There are two ways you may help your Region in these challenging financial times – prayer and a financial donation. Your donation is tax-deductible and 100% supports the Region’s ministries.

You may donate to the Region’s Annual Fund. The Annual Fund has long been a tradition in the Oklahoma Region where individuals and even congregations support us directly. You may donate securely online at THIS LINK and we also accept gifts mailed directly to the office: Christian Church in Oklahoma, 301 NW 36^th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73118. Please note Annual Fund on your check.

Or you may choose to give through your congregation. The Christmas Offering provides significant support for the Region – and 100% of the Christmas Offering supports Regional Church ministries. Please consider making a gift on December 16th and 23^rd using the offering envelope found in your bulletin. Look for the colorful bulletin insert for more details on how your gift is put to work!

God still needs us as partners to bring healing and wholeness in this fragmented and broken world. Your prayers and gifts to the Region help us walk and live as Jesus.

In the name of Christ,

Tom Stanley, Moderator Pamela Holt, Regional Minister

CCOK3012019-01-16T12:35:45-06:00Nov 12, 2018|Regional News|Comments Off

Annual Fund 2018

October 2018

There is great joy in…

connecting Disciples to God, to Jesus Christ, to one another!
equipping Disciples to serve others!
empowering Disciples to lead others to the love of God!
and giving generously to the church!

Will you make a contribution to the Regional Church’s Annual Fund? This gift may be your first or one of many. We need your investment in the Regional Church to connect, equip, and empower pastors and congregations to make Disciples who love and serve like Jesus.

The Oklahoma Region has had a wonderful year of ministry, and with your gift the Regional Church is looking forward to another faithful year of ministry in 2019 as we continue to provide leadership and guidance for Disciples, both pastors and lay persons.

The Commission on Faith in Action is already planning two mission trips to Caminante and launching Pro-Reconciliation/Anti-Racism training throughout the Region.

The Commission on Youth, Children, & Young Adults is planning another Intersections trip for adults, and new ministries for 2019 include a Family Camp and a youth Mission Trip to South Texas in partnership with Reach Beyond Mission.

The Commission on Evangelism has been resurrected and training has begun to start new congregations.

The Regional Executive Committee has just approved a new  Commission on Immigration and Refugees. It will provide education and resources for our congregations to embrace and provide important ministry with our brothers and sisters.

Leadership Training School will take place on February 23, 2019 with our General Minister and President, Rev. Terri Hord Owens as our preacher.

Your generous gift to the Regional Church’s Annual Fund  continues to provide excellent leadership for all these ministries, and more.

Our ministries connect and equip and empower Disciples around the Region as we seek to deepen our faith and to put our faith into action to transform the world, one place, one person, one heart at a time.

It is a joy to give, and the Region thanks you for your gift!

May God’s blessing continue to be upon each of us and all of us as we seek to love and serve like Jesus Christ.

Peace & God’s grace,

Pamela G. Holt, Regional Minister

P.S. You may support the Region’s ministries and faith in action with your online donation.

Jeffrey and Olivia participated in International Affairs when they were seniors in high school. As seniors in college, they joined the Intersections Trip in September, 2018, where Jeffrey, in the lobby of a New York City hotel, knelt down on one knee, looked up at Olivia, and asked, “Will you marry me?” Such joy!

CONNECTING

We are going to be rededicating our sanctuary with its improvements next Sunday. As boring as that sounds, there might be another good reason to be here on that Sunday. We have a baptism planned in worship for Mildred who was born in August of 1920. She has never been baptized. I really feel this need to scream the news from the rooftop!

EMPOWERING, Rev. Andrew Campbell, Minister, Yale Avenue CC, Tulsa

During the mission trip to Caminante in the Dominican Republic, I saw the face of God in multiple places. The volunteers who went out of their way to make sure that we were treated fairly and that we were comfortable during our stay. While we were in the day camp, we were swarmed with children and teenagers who welcomed us with open arms. They played and talked to us without any judgment. This truly touched me. These kids helped me remind myself that sometimes we have a hard time accepting others whole heartedly, but that we need to keep ourselves in that mindset of being more open with everyone we meet.

EQUIPPING, Deborah Touthang, Young Adult, Yale Avenue CC, Tulsa

The church has been such a blessing to our family. It is a joy to bless the church with our giving.

GIVING GENEROUSLY, Larry & Diane Brown, Members, FCC Chickasha

CCOK3012019-01-16T12:38:35-06:00Oct 22, 2018|Regional News|Comments Off

Thank You! For Your Gifts to the Annual Fund

Your generosity to the Region’s Annual Fund helps us connect, empower and equip Disciples of Christ to love and serve like Jesus.

Children and Youth Ministry

Teaching the language of faith and the practice of Christianity

This ministry is vital to the life of the church in shaping young Disciples for leadership in the church and community.

The Region provides fun summer camp experiences for grades k-12 and offers a new “Grand Camp” for children grades k-4 and their grandparents. Age appropriate camp curriculum helps campers explore their beliefs and claim the ministry of reconciliation of which we are all ambassadors. Regional training of volunteer camp directors and counselors helps to provide a safe space for children to explore their spirituality.

The Regional Youth Council plans and leads weekend retreats for Chi Rho (junior high) and CYF (high school) youth.

Download a PDF of this Image

Make an online gift to the Oklahoma Region!

Mission Abroad

Caminante Partnership in the Dominican Republic

In the seaside town of Boca Chica, Dominican Republic, the Christian Church in Oklahoma has established a partnership with Caminante to help support its “homework schools” ministry. It offers remedial education and social services to street children. This year 16 Disciples have participated in mission programs providing school and craft supplies, dental and hygiene items, clothing, sports equipment and most of all “hope”…through encouraging words, smiles and prayer.

Sister Denisse Pichardo, who started Caminante, has been called the Mother Teresa of the Caribbean. She has created a safe haven and witnessed transformation of children, some who have since grown and returned to assist this vital ministry serving “even the least of these.” The children and teenagers we serve are friendly and very giving. Vulnerable children of all ages often work as day laborers and in other occupations to support their families. Some are sexually exploited by the tourism industry.

La Cosona, a vocational school run by Caminante, provides trade skills. It helps young adults train for employment in cooking, cosmetology, hotel services, pharmacy tech, and computer technology. They take pride in learning English.

Download a PDF of this Image

CCOK3012019-03-12T09:46:38-05:00Oct 4, 2018|Regional News|Comments Off

Global Ministries Accepts All Types of Vehicle Donations

Did you know that Global Ministries accepts all types of vehicle donations? They received their first moped this year. While cars are the most frequently donated vehicle, you can also donate motorcycles, trucks, RVs, motorhomes, and boats.

To find out more information on donating a vehicle, continue reading here.

CCOK3012019-03-12T09:48:16-05:00Sep 24, 2018|Regional News|Comments Off

PTS Ministry Training: Session 6 Registration Deadline is Sept. 27

The registration deadline for Session 6 is quickly approaching for the Ministry Training Program at Phillips Theological Seminary. Download a copy of the proposed class schedule for 2018-2020. Be sure to check the website frequently for updates.

For more information about the Ministry Training Program please contact Leslie LeSieur (Director, Ministry Training Program) at [email protected] or 918.270.6471. Click HERE to register for classes.

CCOK3012019-03-12T09:48:27-05:00Sep 24, 2018|Regional News|Comments Off

Save the Date: July 20 – 24, 2019 General Assembly in Des Moines, Iowa

General Assembly 2019 will take place July 20 – 24, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. Registration opens on November 1, 2018.

Check back HERE for more details.

CCOK3012019-03-12T09:48:32-05:00Sep 24, 2018|Regional News|Comments Off

Adults Travel to DC and NYC for Intersections Trip

Photo titled “Justice We Seek” taken by Jeff Champeau at the US Supreme Court on September 4, 2018 during the Adult Intersections Trip to DC and New York City.

Click HERE to read about the statue.

Twenty-two adults from Oklahoma recently participated in the Intersections Trip designed by Rev. Michael Davison and led by Rev. Brandon Johnson, Rev. Courtney Richards, and Jeff Champeau. The participants represented congregations around the region: FCC Lawton, FCC El Reno, Harvard Avenue CC Tulsa, East Side CC Tulsa, FCC Norman, FCC Fairview, FCC Kingfisher, and Del City CC, along with Regional Minister, Pamela Holt.

We deepened our understanding and awareness of reconciliation at the Holocaust Museum and a seminar at the UMC Women’s Mission Center in Washington DC and at the 9/11 Memorial and Broadway show Kinky Boots in NYC.

We also had the honor of meeting with Rev. Sharon Stanley Ray with Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries and Rev. Dr. Carolyn Helsel, author of Anxious to Talk About It: Helping White Christians Talk Faithfully about Racism.

We came home tired, but with new self-awareness of our own anxiety about racism and a new determination to work toward making a difference in our own congregations and communities.

There will soon be a page on our website where we will post more photos and testimonies of this significant trip!

CCOK3012019-03-12T09:48:53-05:00Sep 13, 2018|Regional News|1 Comment

Embracing the Call: Reconciliation Offering Sept. 30 and Oct. 7

Have you ever found yourself in the presence of someone who was greatly overwhelmed, and you felt powerless to ease their pain? Recently while participating in a meeting for a rally to highlight the plight of people living under the oppression of poverty, the moderator of the meeting was being criticized by the participants because he apparently made a decision without securing approval from the group.

Because of this, the group felt left out and their emotions started getting reactive. Soon, I felt my own anxiety increasing. I took a deep breath and asked the group, “What do you need today?” Slowly, the tone of the meeting changed. Words like trust, confidence, and fairness began to emerge. I wondered, “Is this not what God asks us every day, beckoning us to the ministry of reconciliation?”

It seemed as if in the midst of our tensions and anxieties God was asking us, “What do you need today to embrace my call?”

In the verse preceding the well-known verse of Micah 6:8, The Message version reads, “How can I stand up before God and show proper respect to the high God?” The prophet ponders on response to God, “shall I give… the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” God has created and empowered each of us numerous gifts, passions, and experiences for how we respond to the prophet Micah’s question.

But, what if we changed the question? What if in the midst of our emotions, feelings, anxieties, and even as we ponder the sins of our souls, we stopped to ask God “What do you need from me today?”

Last year’s special offering reminded us that everyone has a story, would you join us this year and let yours be one of doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly before God?
Through your giving to Reconciliation Ministry, our churches are hosting “One Bag of Tea” conversations where everyone voice is valued; our Youth are leading and teaching faith-rooted activism; and our leaders are developing and participating in educational opportunities that promote justice that heals and love that binds us together with our God and neighbors.

Will You Embrace the Call?

About the Special Offering

The Special Offering is used to fund our Church’s mission imperative to become an pro-reconciling and anti-racist church utilizing experiential education, inclusive worship and intentional dialogue. Our efforts to promote healing, relationship and restoration in the whole family of God are enlivened by funds from this offering. Through it we are able to provide programs for leadership development, curriculum for dialogue and learning, and partnerships within the Church and our communities.

Recent events have reignited the conversation about human brokenness evidenced in the sin of racism and perpetuated in our institutional structures and systems. Your generous giving to Reconciliation Ministry is transforming lives and strengthening Christ’s witness in the world showing that we love one another, even as Christ continues to love us!

Donations on behalf of emergency grants on behalf of impacted communities and congregations toward healing for the communities of Ferguson, Staten Island, Charleston, S.C., and Baltimore can be directed to the Reconciliation Annual Fund/Racial Justice Response.

To contribute to Reconciliation Ministry Annual Fund click HERE. Thank you in advance for your prayerful support.

CCOK3012019-03-12T09:51:38-05:00Sep 11, 2018|Regional News|Comments Off

Job Posting: Director of Disciples Men

Disciples Home Missions and the Office of Disciples Men would like to share with you a position description for the newly posted position of Director of Disciples Men.

Application instructions are included within the description HERE. Please call Kelly Harris at (317) 713-2666 with any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!

CCOK3012019-03-12T09:52:25-05:00Aug 23, 2018|Regional News|Comments Off