Regional News Archives - Page 2 of 23 - Christian Church in Oklahoma

Listening Sessions for Regional Minister Search

Share your voice and vision!

The Oklahoma Region is beginning the search for its next Regional Minister, and the Search Committee wants to hear from you.

What are the challenges and opportunities you see for Disciples in Oklahoma?
What are the gifts and experiences the next Regional Minister might need to help us to better answer our call to be Disciples in this place and in this time?
Hopes and dreams for the future?

Sessions are available statewide, PLUS we’re offering an open Zoom session for anyone unable to attend in person.

Please RSVP your attendance so we may plan adequate seating and refreshments.

Search Committee Members

Rev. Susan Payne, Chair

Rev. Dr. Jerry Black

Pastor Jose Garza

Ms. Ashley Gibson

Ms. Ruth Moore

Rev. Dwayne Rodgers

Ms. Madi Showalter

In Person Locations & Dates

ENID

Aug. 24, 2024
10:00 am

Central Christian Church
1111 W. Broadway Ave.
Enid, OK 73703

LAWTON

Sept. 14, 2024
1:00 pm

First Christian Church
701 SW D Ave.
Lawton, OK 73501

TULSA

Sept. 21, 2024
10:00 am

Harvard Ave. Christian Church
5502 S. Harvard Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74135

OKLAHOMA CITY

Sept. 28, 2024
10:00 am

Crown Heights Christian Church
4020 N Western Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73118

Sept. 28, 2024
2:00 pm

Wildewood Christian Church
6900 N. Kelly
Oklahoma City, OK 73111

PAULS VALLEY

Oct. 5, 2024
1:00 pm

First Christian Church
300 N Ash St.
Pauls Valley, OK 73075

Kindly RSVP

Statewide ZOOM Session
Sept. 7 • 1:00 pm

Kindly RSVP

Join ZOOM Meeting

Phone Only: 1-346-248-7799

Meeting ID: 860 1363 6420
Passcode: 724457

Prefer to Answer a Survey?

As an optional way to provide your feedback we are offering this survey.

Confidential Online Survey

CCOK3012024-09-06T10:56:56-05:00Aug 6, 2024|Regional News|Comments Off

Regional Assembly at Sea

More Regional Assembly @ Sea Photos

Where have you met Jesus today?

The question of meeting Jesus anywhere. I feel like I have met him often as I’ve gone about my daily life. For me, it’s not a question of “will I?” It’s a question of “when.”

Thinking about the keynotes, what idea(s) are you taking home from RA @ Sea?

The power of baptism in helping people feel welcomed and included.

When did you most clearly sense the presence of God?

Doing ministry in the Word, so many sermons and teaching in the Word.

Watching the sun rise from the deck of the ship over the vastness of the water.

Overlooking the ocean, unable to see anything but water. The expanse of God mirrored in nature!

What story or stories will you remember and tell about RA @ Sea at your church?

The great fellowship and bonding we had and learning things about people I never knew.

Our Thanks . . .

We are thankful for the words and presence of Rev. Allen Harris, Regional Minister of the Christian Church in Ohio, who offered our keynotes and sermons.

We thank our Disciples siblings in faith in Ohio for gifting Oklahoma Disciples the time and talents of your Regional Minister. Click here to download a pdf of the Rev. Harris’ keynotes and sermons.

We thank these Partners in Ministry cruising: Rev. Terry Ewing (Phillips Theological Seminary), Rev. Rosario Ibarra (Disciples Church Extension Fund), Eric Gray (Oklahoma Disciples Foundation)

We thank Ms Jacque Bass, former Moderator of the Christian Church in Oklahoma, who worked on this event with Carnival and the planning team since the Regional Assembly 2022. Jacque wrangled all the ideas and details before, during, and after RA @ Sea. If you need a travel professional, we recommend her at Jacque B Travels.

We thank the planning team: Jacque Bass, Pam Holt, Colton Lott, Elaine Howsley, Joshua Bell, Randy Kuss, and Michael Davison.

Regional Assembly @ Sea Playlist

Chalice Breeze Recipe

RA @ Sea

July 11: Embarkation Day
Oklahoma Disciples Opening Reception 5pm-7pm
Disciples Fellowship and Introductions: Games, Raffles, Music, and Laughs

July 12: Sea Day
Oklahoma Disciples 10am-Noon
Morning Coffee and Snacks
Keynote, “Meeting Jesus Beside The Water: The Call To Honest Conversations, Acknowledged Ambiguity, and Bold Action”
Worship, “The Waters Of Baptism Convict Us, Cleanse Us, & Call Us To Conversion”

July 13: Port Day in Cozumel

July 14: Sea Day
Oklahoma Disciples 10am-Noon
Morning Coffee and Snacks
Keynote, “Meeting Jesus On and In The Water: The Call To Trust In Authority, Imagine Transformation, and Be Willing To Be Redeemed.”
Worship, “The Waters Of Baptism Collect Us, Claim Us, & Commission Us”

July 15: Debarkation Day – Be safe going home
Let’s sail again someday.

Michael Davison2024-08-15T10:20:55-05:00Aug 6, 2024|Regional News|Comments Off

Gratitude from Families Impacted by Sulphur Tornado

With heartfelt gratitude, the families and the congregation of First Christian Church Sulphur sent thank you notes for your generosity as they endeavor to rebuild their lives and community.

As of 6/20/2024, partnered with Week of Compassion the Region has disbursed $28,250 in Disaster Funds to Oklahoma (Disciples of Christ) tornado victims including families in Sulphur, Morris and Claremore.

CCOK3012024-07-08T16:18:55-05:00Jul 8, 2024|Regional News|Comments Off

Regional Minister Search Committee Update

06-10-24 The Regional Minister Search Committee had their initial meeting Saturday, June 8, 2024 at the regional office. Rev. Paul Koch, Regional Minister of Mid-America Region, is serving as Regional Minister Search Partner, providing orientation for the team and guidance through the Executive Search Process used by the search committee.

Disciples General Minister and President Rev. Terri Hord Owens joined in via Zoom to bring some words of insight and guidance for the search. Rev. Nathan Hill lead the team through a session of Pro-Reconciliation Anti-Racism training.

The Search Committee will be scheduling Listening Sessions in late Summer and early Fall to discern current needs of the region that will assist in the call of the next regional minister. Watch for the schedule of sessions in a future issue of the Regional Roundup.

(Pictured L to R) Rev. Jerry Black, Madi Showalter, Ruth Moore, Ashley Gibson, Rev. Jose Garza, Rev. Susan Payne (committee chair). Not pictured: Rev. Milton Bowen.

CCOK3012024-06-10T14:43:49-05:00Jun 10, 2024|Regional News|Comments Off

2024 Regional Assembly (On Land) April 20, 2024

Join Us at FCC Stroud

We’re pleased to share that First Christian Church Stroud is hosting our 2024 Regional Assembly on Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 10 am-noon.

Please join us for the biennial business meeting with:

Election of new officers for the 2024-2026 term,
Approval of the date and location of Regional Assembly 2026,
2023 financial recap,
Introduction of Interim Regional Minister Rev. Randy Kuss,
Worship featuring Rev. Dr. Nancy Pittman from Phillips Seminary,
plus fellowship and lunch.

This in-person event will also be broadcast on the Region’s YouTube channel.
Let’s gather Oklahoma Disciples!

Click here to learn more!

What is the Biennial Business Meeting?

The gathering of the 2024 Regional Assembly will include voting delegates from each congregation and Oklahoma’s clergy to participate in the Region’s biennial business meeting. They will vote on the 2024-2026 officers of the Regional Board and the location of the 2026 Regional Assembly. They will also hear Interim Regional Minister Rev. Randy Kuss’ State of the Region address, and receive the Region’s 2023 financial recap.

Registration

$35 Adults – includes lunch
$20 Youth (7-18) – includes lunch

REGISTER

CCOK3012024-03-27T15:56:03-05:00Mar 27, 2024|Regional News|Comments Off

Rev. Randy Kuss Named Interim Regional Minister

February 5, 2024

The Executive Committee is pleased to announce the selection of Rev. Randy Kuss as the Interim Regional Minister. Randy will begin serving on February 15, 2024. He was chosen from a field of highly qualified candidates because of his administrative, programming, and pastoral gifts.

Clergy may reach out to welcome Randy via email starting on the 15th at rkuss@okdisciples.org.

We look forward to his leadership and participation in Regional activities!

Rev. Michael Oberlender, Regional Moderator

Rev. Randy Kuss

Listener • Storyteller • Song-leader • Photographer • Fisherman • Woodworker

Memphis native Rev. Randy Kuss is a 5th generation Disciple, whose grandfather and pastor was Rev. Dr. T. O. Slaughter. Randy is an ordained Disciples of Christ minister with 50 years of experience in congregational, regional, denominational, and ecumenical ministries including a special focus on Youth, Young Adult, and Outdoor Ministries. Those ministries included service with Oklahoma churches in El Reno, Yukon, Burlington, and Ponca City while pursuing degrees from Phillips University and Phillips Theological Seminary.

He retired in 2023 from service with Geist Christian Church in Indianapolis and with Disciples Home Missions. Randy looks forward to returning to Oklahoma to serve as Interim Regional Minister through this in-between time.

Randy most enjoys gathering folk together to hear what is going on in their ministries and helping them discover directions for their journey and resources in their midst to nurture them along the Way.

Randy is married to Rev. Deb Strock-Kuss, who also retired in 2023 from service as Associate Minister with Geist Christian Church, and they have two children. Randy and Deb will reside in Edmond.

FUN FACT: Randy once auctioned off his beard at a teen summer camp in Colorado, raising $1000 to support a camp for economically disadvantaged children.

CCOK3012024-02-05T12:09:42-06:00Feb 5, 2024|Regional News|Comments Off

Last Word from Regional Minister Holt

[Rev. Dr. Todd Adams, Pension Fund, presents the Retired Minister Pin to Regional Minister Pamela Holt accompanied by her husband Randy Holt.]

February 12, 2024

This article is to be the “last word” from me to you. My call to serve as your Regional Minister draws to a close on February 29th when I enter into the season of retirement. Since coming to the Region of Oklahoma in January of 2015, it has been a joy and a privilege to serve alongside all clergy in their respective ministry sites, all congregations, and the Boards I served on, as well as with the remarkable Regional staff. Together, we have accomplished a lot of ministry over these nine years, and I am taking many memories with me.

I am deeply grateful for all who contributed to the wonderful worship service on February 3rd celebrating my ministry. Thank you to First Christian Church, Norman, for hosting. Thank you to David Spain for sharing remarkable prophetic words, the Chancel Choir for singing, John Clinton who stepped in at the last minute to direct the choir, Jenifer Buyten who played the organ and piano, Jeff Champeau for technology, Dave Saunders, Alison Lawler, and Jim Gasaway who ushered. Thank you to Josh Bell, Terri Hord Owens, Todd Adams, and Nancy Pittman who said very kind words. Thank you to Terri Hord Owens, Michael Oberlender, and Milton Bowens for presiding at the communion table.

Thank you to Michael Oberlender and Stacy Minnick for the surprise oil painting. And thank you to Michael Oberlender, Stacy Minnick, Colton Lott, and Ellen Spleth for organizing the service. A huge thank you to Josh Bell and his team for the delicious barbecue meal provided by the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation, the slide show prepared by Ellen Spleth and Michael Davison, and to FCC Norman members Pam Spain, Jim Gasaway, and Donna Brown for cleaning up afterwards.

Thank you to all who attended for this celebration in person or online and for the cards of blessings. I am truly grateful and humbled.

Upon my departure, the Region is inviting congregations to consider a contribution in honor of my ministry. These funds will be divided into two ministries which are so important to my heart: Clergywomen and Children and/or Youth. I am a clergywoman, and I entered ministry through the camping ministry as an adult. I have always been troubled by the story from the Gospel of Matthew recounting the feeding of the crowd of five thousand, “not counting women and children.” I want women and children to count, and I want to honor their hearts, minds, and most importantly, their voices. Thus, a portion of these funds will be directed to the Rev. Pamela & Randy Holt Endowment Fund held by the Christian Church Foundation to support the camping ministry in Oklahoma and the Southwest Regions, and a portion of these funds will be directed to the Scott & Mona Baird Endowment Fund held by the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation to support clergywomen in Oklahoma. Thank you for sharing in this passion.

I am grateful that the Executive Committee called Rev. Randy Kuss to serve as the Interim Regional Minister for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma who begins on Thursday, February 15th. I am very excited about this call and for you to meet him and welcome him into this vibrant Region. I will encourage him to learn all the words to “Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plain . . .”!

May God’s blessing of love and grace continue to be upon you all. And may you continue to strive for loving and serving your neighbors, all your neighbors, in the name of Jesus Christ.

Always praying for peace and God’s Grace,
Pamela Holt

CCOK3012024-02-12T14:24:47-06:00Feb 5, 2024|Regional News|Comments Off

Legacy Gifts to Honor Rev. Pamela G. & Randy Holt

Siblings in Faith,

Pam and Randy Holt have made a lasting impact for the church, especially in Pam’s almost-decade tenure as the Regional Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma. It is proper for us to honor their legacy by raising funds to extend their ministry into the far future.

To that end, we are asking congregations and other dedicated Disciples to consider making gifts as they are able in celebration of Pam’s retirement and in honor of her ministry.

With your generosity, the Christian Church in Oklahoma will make two important (and lasting) gifts.

The first is to establish the Rev. Pamela G. and Randy Holt Endowment Fund with the Christian Church Foundation, which will support camp and conference programming in the Oklahoma and Southwest Regions.

The second is to add to the Scott & Mona Baird Endowment held by the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation, which benefits ordained Oklahoma Disciples clergy women.

Included in this letter are suggested tiers of giving. We invite you to use these as they are useful for you or your context. Above all, we want to emphasize that no gift is too small and every intention is to extend Pam and Randy’s legacy and make more ministry for the Gospel of Jesus Christ happen as we celebrate a “job well done!”

We thank you for your consideration of generosity.

With deepest gratitude,

Rev. Michael Oberlender, Regional Moderator
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma

Please consider making a gift  to celebrate and honor the ministry of
The Rev. Pamela G. Holt
Regional Minister & President
of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma

Gifts will –

Establish the Rev. Pamela G. and Randy Holt Endowment Fund with the
Christian Church Foundation to support and camp and conference programming
in the Oklahoma and Southwest Regions.
Contribute to the Scott & Mona Baird Endowment held by the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation which benefits ordained Oklahoma Disciples clergy women.

To help guide your giving, the Retirement Celebration Committee recommends for your consideration the following:

For Congregations (on a sliding scale):

Bronze Level 5 times 2023 Average Worship Attendance (i.e., $250 with 50)
Silver Level 10 times 2023 Average Worship Attendance (i.e., $1000 with 100)
Gold Level 15 times 2023 Average Worship Attendance (i.e., $1500 with 100)
Chalice Level 20 times 2023 Average Worship Attendance (i.e., $2000 with 100)

For Organizations, Areas, and Individuals:

Bronze Level $100 • Silver Level $250 • Gold Level $500 • Chalice Level $1,000

Your intention to give should be made known in writing to the Retirement Celebration Committee and sent to the Christian Church in Oklahoma by April 15, 2024, with the gift to be received in full no later than July 1, 2024.

We know Pam’s legacy is broad in the life of Oklahoma Disciples congregations and pastors – it is our hope that we can extend it even further in perpetuity to assist in funding the mission and ministry to which she has devoted her career.

With Christ’s love,

The Retirement Celebration Committee

Rev. Michael Oberlender, Regional Moderator / Retirement Celebration Committee Chair
Ms. Stacey Minnick, Regional Moderator-elect
Rev. Colton Lott, Moderator, Commission on Laity

Christian Church in Oklahoma
PO Box 891140 • Oklahoma City, OK 73189-1140

office@okdisciples.org • Online Giving

Questions may be directed to Rev. Michael Oberlender at revoberlender@yahoo.com

Download Gift Level Document

CCOK3012024-01-30T11:49:10-06:00Jan 30, 2024|Regional News|Comments Off

Pamela Holt Retirement Celebration

You’re Invited!

Regional Minister Rev. Pamela Holt has prayerfully decided to close a chapter in her 37 years of ministry. In the nine years of Oklahoma regional ministry, Rev. Holt has aided this region to build strong communities of faith as we work hard to fulfill the ministry God has called us to do.

We invite you to join us as we celebrate her retirement and bid farewell to Pam, her husband Randy and her family. On February 3, 2024 at 10:30 we will worship and recognize Pam then join together for lunch and fellowship. First Christian Church Norman is graciously hosting our celebration.

Lunch Reservations

The Oklahoma Disciples Foundation is sponsoring our meal in partnership with Brother Bell’s BBQ prepared by Chef Rev. Joshua Bell. Kindly RSVP your attendance using the form provided so we may prepare accordingly.

Unable to Attend?

View Live Stream

Send a Message

Please feel free to send a congratulatory message and we will share with Pam.

Email: office@okdisciples.org
Mail: Christian Church in Oklahoma, PO Box 891140, Oklahoma City, OK 73189-1140

Please RSVP Your Lunch Reservation

Recognize Rev. Holt with a Gift in Her Honor

To recognize Pam’s 37 years of ministry, the Region is encouraging donations in her honor.

At her request gifts will benefit youth ministry in Oklahoma and the Southwest Regions through the Christian Church Foundation and further the Scott & Mona Baird endowment to benefit ordained Oklahoma clergy women through the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation.

Mail Gifts
Payable to Christian Church in Oklahoma
Christian Church in Oklahoma
PO Box 891140
Oklahoma City, OK 73189-1140
Note: Holt Retirement Gift

Donate Online Through Givelify
Designate Holt Retirement Gift

CCOK3012024-01-31T09:58:34-06:00Jan 4, 2024|Regional News|Comments Off

Disciples Center Deconsecration Service

November 4, 2023

Sixty five years ago, the Association of Christian Churches began construction on a building which would later be called the Disciples Center. In January of 1964 they had a goal to complete it in late spring or early summer of 1964.

Monday, June 22, 1964, there was a celebration for the Cornerstone Laying at the new State Office building of the Oklahoma Association for Christian Churches.

Then Friday morning, January 22, 1965, the new State Office Building of the Oklahoma Association of Christian Churches was dedicated with a full service and an abundance of joy. There were words from scripture. Words of dedication. Presentation of the building. A Dedication. A prayer, a Doxology, and a Benediction.

On November 4, 2023, the Oklahoma Region held a service of deconsecration for the Disciples Center. Regional Minister Rev. Pamela Holt presided and opened the time capsule sealed on June 22, 1964.

We hope you’ll enjoy the photos of the event and read the history of this building told during the deconsecration service.

11-01-2023 Daily Oklahoman article about the history of the building and its closing. PDF version