Regional News Archives - Page 22 of 23 - Christian Church in Oklahoma

The Joy of Giving – Oklahoma Disciples Foundation

The Foundation is pleased to announce that a grant making committee is working on guidelines, policy and an application process for offering a limited amount of funds to non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations beginning in 2017. The funds are from various endowments within the Foundation and they have specific intents. More details about our grant program will be available after the first of the year. We will keep you updated throughout the process.

We will also be posting information on our website at http://okdfdn.org/. Thank you for your support of the Foundation. Let us know if we can be of any assistance with your planned giving needs. Call us at 405.525.6530.

Eric S.Gray

Executive Director

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:52:59-05:00Nov 21, 2016|Regional News|Comments Off

Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racism Training Started

The journey toward Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racism (PRAR) in the Oklahoma Region began November 19, 2016 with a gathering of over 50 clergy and church leaders.

Rev. Dwight Bailey and Martha Herrin from the Illinois/Wisconsin Region were our presenters. They introduced us to information on Systemic Racism and the "What Next" question.

Our "What Next?" is forming a task team to setup the process for presentation to the Regional Board. We will also continue to have conversation regarding PRAR so we can be active and effective in this important work and ministry.

Learn more about Reconciliation Ministry.

CCOK3012017-01-08T11:02:54-06:00Nov 20, 2016|Regional News|Comments Off

Alternative Christmas through Global Ministries

Global Ministries is excited to announce Alternative Christmas at Global Ministries is here. Alternative Christmas continues to be an opportunity for gift-givers to turn a donation to Global Ministries into an Alternative Gift to present and to honor a loved one on Christmas.

This year Global Ministries is continuing to highlight the opportunity to give a themed gift this Alternative Christmas. These Alternative giving themes are:

People in Mission, Peace with Justice, Water, Education, Child Sponsorship, Health, Microcredit, Church Capacity Building and Where Needed Most.

These gifts go directly to global partners with ministries and projects within these themes. To learn more about specific ministries or projects of global partners within these themes, you can read more here. If you prefer, you are welcome to choose to give an Alternative Gift which supports a specific partner, special project, or person in mission. As always, 100% of your gift will be used as designated.

Global Ministries also invites you to learn more about alternative gifts and the alternative giving themes through the Global Ministries Alternative Giving Catalog. The catalog contains rich stories and photographs of the life-giving ministries of global partners, as well as information on how to participate in this global sharing of God’s abundant resources. Request your print copy of the catalog today or browse the catalog online.

Continue reading about Alternative Christmas at Global Ministries

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:53:09-05:00Nov 3, 2016|Regional News|Comments Off

You are Invited to a Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racism Event

In the spring of 2015 and 2016, a group of Regional Ministers met in St. Louis, Missouri to hear and learn from local Disciple pastors about the chaos surrounding the death of Michael Brown. I remember two things these pastors saying, (1) “We are very tired,” and (2) “This will happen in your community, and you need to be prepared.” Sure enough, as hard as some of us work to be in relationship with our brothers and sisters and our community leaders, a tragedy happened in Tulsa with the police shooting of Terence Crutcher.

The Region of Oklahoma is stepping up its awareness and leadership with Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racism (PRAR). It is imperative that each of us and all of us get our hearts and minds around systemic racism.

The Faith in Action Commission and Reconciliation are partnering with the active and existing PRAR team from Illinois/Wisconsin and have invited their leaders to come to Oklahoma to introduce us to the possibilities of developing an Oklahoma PRAR team. This one-day free training experience will take place Saturday November 19, 2016 at First Christian Church Stroud.

Oklahoma recognizes the effectiveness of the Oklahoma Conference of Churches Spiritual & Emotional Disaster ministry that works around the state. A Regional PRAR team will be equally as effective and is much needed.

This opportunity for learning is being supported in full by Oklahoma Reconciliation funds. As leaders of faith and followers of Christ I strongly encourage us all to participate in this event. Please read below for details about the event and how to register (continuing education credit applies).

Peace and God’s blessings,
Pam Holt, Regional Minister
Leslie Dotson, Assoc. Regional Minister

You Are Invited by Rev. Pam Holt & Rev. Leslie Dotson and The Faith in Action Commission of the Christian Church in Oklahoma

To Attend A Free Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racism Event
“Introduction to Systemic Racism”

Guest Speakers
Rev. Dwight Bailey and Martha Herrin
Members of the Pro-Reconciliation/Anti-Racism Team of Illinois/Wisconsin

To learn more about this event register here.
Saturday, November 19, 2016
First Christian Church Stroud
(Lunch provided)

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:53:51-05:00Oct 12, 2016|Regional News|1 Comment

Hurricane Matthew Relief Efforts

Winds Rush. Water Pounds. Buildings Fall. People Suffer.
Hurricane Matthew made landfall in Haiti on the morning of October 4 and in Cuba later that afternoon. This powerful and slow-moving storm battered islands of the Caribbean and the United States’ Atlantic coast. The immediate and long-term impacts for survivors are significant.

The storm flattened communities and wrecked agriculture in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cuba and the Bahamas. Global Ministries’ (UCC/Disciples joint ministry) partners are reporting devastation of crops and houses in the southern regions of Haiti as well as in the city of Port-au-Prince. Houses in Ganthier, Haiti, rebuilt for families displaced from the 2010 earthquake by Church World Service (including both the UCC and Disciples), now are flooded again. Torrential rains reignited fears of waterborne diseases like cholera, an epidemic that already was in Haiti prior to the hurricane. Over 1,000 people have died, most of them in Haiti and at least 22 in the United States. In Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina, coastal destruction, wind damage and freshwater flooding has wreaked havoc.

The United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are well situated to respond robustly to people impacted both in the Caribbean and within the United States. Already, solidarity grants from the 2016 One Great Hour of Sharing Offering and Week of Compassion Fund are on their way to partners in in the region responding to immediate needs of food, shelter and safety. The UCC and Disciples are poised to respond with other churches to provide food, water, containers, roofs, mattresses, hygiene kits and psychosocial support. Within the United States, both denominations are active in local and national disaster response networks.

Your generosity to this disaster appeal will enable our churches to expand these responses and to walk closely with our neighbors now, in the immediate crisis, and through the long-term recovery process that will follow. In the midst of tumultuous weather, people receive food and water to drink. In the midst of danger, people find safety and rebuild homes. In the midst of hopelessness, people experience a love that will not let them go.
Hurricane Matthew

Pray passionately-
Prayers Following Disasters

Stay Connected-
One Great Hour of Sharing Facebook and Twitter
Week of Compassion Facebook and Twitter
Global Ministries Website and Facebook

Respond generously (indicate Hurricane Matthew Response)-
Disaster Ministries
One Great Hour of Sharing UCC International Emergency Fund
Disciples of Christ Week of Compassion

Global Ministries
Support of specific partners through Global Ministries

CCOK3012019-03-18T15:53:56-05:00Oct 12, 2016|Regional News|Comments Off

Regional Leadership Issues Letter of Hope and Unity

The Regional Ministers and Regional Moderators of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the U.S. and Canada issued an open letter of hope and a call for unity.

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

In this contentious campaign season, we write as leaders who have witnessed firsthand the prophecy of our Lord that “five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three;” (Luke 12:52 NRSV). In a week when we have gathered to confer about the spiritual health of our church, both sides of America’s divided family have called one another racist. As a body that has claimed a pro-reconciliation, anti-racist priority for two decades, we the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada write to offer a word of hope from our experience.

First we offer reflections on some of the more difficult learnings of these past two decades.

CONTINUED>>

CCOK3012016-09-07T15:42:33-05:00Sep 7, 2016|Regional News|Comments Off

Indigo Girls Headline PhillipsFest Concert Nov. 13

A Concert for Justice and Hope

Phillips Seminary is excited to welcome the Indigo Girls in concert on Sunday, November 13 at 6 pm at Legends Ballroom, downtown Tulsa.

The seminary needs a way to celebrate who we are and introduce ourselves to the wider Tulsa community and PhillipsFest should do just that.

Also on the bill for the evening: Trey Pearson, of Everyday Sunday, and Eric Himan, lead singer of local band, Soundsquatch.

Tickets are on sale now.

CCOK3012017-01-08T11:03:00-06:00Aug 10, 2016|Regional News|Comments Off

One lit candle

Sitting in the dark amongst all the tragedies that permeate our current life, I seek words.
But there are none.
Sitting in the dark amongst all the tragedies that permeate our current life, I seek answers.
But there are none.
Sitting in the dark amongst all the tragedies that permeate our current life, I seek Hope.
But it’s not there.
Sitting in the dark amongst all the tragedies that permeate our current life, I seek the face of God.
Where are you?

Then I realize the face of God is everywhere as I see the faces of mothers worried about their sons; as I see the faces of the victims and those who fired the guns; as I see the faces of those who are called to protect; as I see the faces of those who do not know what to do and as I see the faces of our sisters, brothers, and neighbors.

I light one candle and as the flame reaches into the dark of all the tragedies that permeate our current life, I sense a gathering of hope.

Just a small spark until all the faces of God come together to reach out to the Holy.
Just a small spark until all the faces of God come together to say “No More”.
Just a small spark until all the faces of God come together to BE Love, Grace and Hope.

Let it begin with me.

CCOK3012021-06-24T13:39:14-05:00Jul 14, 2016|Regional News|Comments Off

Regional Annual Fund Drive – Every Gift is Welcome

Dear Faithful Friends in Christ,

Thank you for your participation in your congregation as well as your generous contributions to the Annual Fund of the Christian Church in Oklahoma. Your gifts help the Regional Church as it seeks to support and encourage your pastor(s) and connect congregations in mission and ministry.

The Regional Church is asking you to contribute toward the 2016 Annual Fund goal of $130,000. All gifts are welcome, and we believe are blessed and multiplied by God.

Your regional church at work!

We had a very exciting Regional Assembly in April at First Christian Church Tulsa with over 300 adults and youth in attendance. The theme was Festival of Missions, where several inspiring and exciting things happened. Here’s just a few but you can read the whole story here.

The Golf Tournament hosted 6 teams!
Rev. Juan Rodriguez from the Christian Church in Florida reminded us that we are a
“barrier breaking, bridge building” denomination, and Rev. Micah James encouraged us to
remember “why” we do mission.
We literally moved out in mission on Saturday morning and supported nine different organizations: Stamp Out Starvation (20,000+ meals); OK Blood Institute (40+ donors);
FCC Snack Packs (made a month’s worth); Oxley Nature Center (cleared 2.5 miles of trail); Tulsa SPCA (painted and cleaned kennels); Church World Service (assembled 100 hygiene kits); Emergency Infant Services (transitioned clothing); Harvard Avenue Community Garden (weeded and tended to garden needs); Community Food Bank (moved 7,000+ pounds of food).
In closing worship we heard from nine different congregations who each shared their
mission and ministry beyond their doors.

In the area of Youth, the International Affairs Seminar was exceptional with young people and adult sponsors; summer camps have begun and are full to capacity with young people and counselors.

A Regional mission trip to Boca Chica, Dominican Republic, to work with our ministry partner Caminante is scheduled for the end of July. Learn more>>

Reconciliation monies are being disbursed.

A new Regional Board was installed at Regional Assembly, and they will begin their work to vision and plan the future on August 20th at a Regional Board Orientation.

The Region continues to support and care for seminary students and students in the Commissioned Ministry Training Program, and your Regional pastors continue to be present to pastors and congregational life around the region, including providing aid and disaster relief.

Your gift is important

We cannot do any of this without your financial help. Please consider a generous gift to the Regional Church as we continue to be God’s hands and heart in Oklahoma. You may donate securely online here, or send your gift to our office: Christian Church in Oklahoma, 301 NW 36th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73118.

Peace & God’s grace,

Pamela G. Holt
Regional Minister

CCOK3012017-01-08T11:03:01-06:00Jul 12, 2016|Regional News|Comments Off

Regional Assembly 2016 Was Alive with Mission Work and Fellowship

Building Bridges

Rev. Juan Rodriguez, regional minister from the Christian Church in Florida keynoted our Festival of Mission. He reminded us that we are a "barrier breaking, bridge building" denomination.

Rev. Micah James encouraged us to remember "why" we do mission. We need to find where our joys, needs, and skills intersect.

In closing worship we heard from nine different congregations who each shared their mission and ministry beyond their doors.

A Festival of Coming Together
Blog by Travis Carlson
Youth Pastor, Cyril First Christian Church

Mission Accomplished!

We literally moved out in mission on Saturday morning and supported nine different organizations.

Stamp Out Starvation (packed 20,000+ meals)
OK Blood Institute (40+ donors)
FCC Snack Packs (made a month's worth)
Oxley Nature Center (cleared 2.5 miles of trail)
Tulsa SPCA (painted and cleaned kennels)
Church World Service (assembled 120 hygiene kits)
Emergency Infant Services (transitioned clothing)
Harvard Avenue Community Garden (weeded and tended to garden needs)
Community Food Bank (moved and packaged 7,000+ pounds of food)

2016-18 Regional Board Elected

Credentialed laity voters and clergy approved the slate of nominees during the business meeting. We appreciate the outgoing board's hard work and many hours of service.

During an upcoming orientation, incoming board members will learn ways to share their gifts and talents. We are excited and look forward to their leadership!

Click here to see the full list of the 2016-2018 Regional Board members who begin their service on July 1st.

Fellowship

We Love Our Youth!

We're Listening! Survey Results

Thank you to the many folks who responded to the survey about Regional Assembly. We learn from you which elements are meaningful and what we need to improve. Here's what you shared.

What's the best thing you experienced at Regional Assembly?

The opportunity to serve in mission service projects was the overwhelming favorite of participants
Fellowship with others from around our great region included making new friends and seeing old ones
Food trucks!
Friday evening worship

What is one thing you learned?

That there really ARE a lot of congregations looking beyond their four walls and doing Christ's work in their communities
Mission First theme: We need to find where our joys, needs, and skills intersect
Mission First begins at home where we are located, in our own community
That the business of the church doesn't need to take 2 hours. It can be accomplished in half an hour
I live in a fantastic region of the DOC
Oklahoma Disciples churches are strong and healthy

Would you be interested in participating in a mission service project at a future Regional Assembly?

46.88% Sign me up!
25% Sounds interesting
15.63% Depends on what's offered
9.38% Somewhat interested
3.13% Not interested

Please tell us of any meaningful words or phrases you took away from the worship experiences.

Breaking barriers
Building bridges
Bridge building, barrier breaking movement of God!
God is still in control
We are a movement
It's not the numbers, it's the impact
Just tell the truth!
The moment God's church through Christ began
The continuation of the incarnation

Anything else you would care to share about your experience?

The worship services were meaningful, but long. It was hard for people to stay engaged.
The food truck idea was great. Have the youth help serve the elderly people carry their food.
Missed the vendors and displays.
The voting didn't feel important or official.
The boys who entertained at the banquet were great! Love seeing the kids shine!
Love to see more inter-generational events where families and teens would be able to attend.
More laughter and relevant music would be appreciated.
High worship is fun for some but I didn't enjoy it.
More "get acquainted" time would be nice. Saturday afternoon was a bit long.
Friday evening dinner portions were too small.
I appreciated the 2-day rather than 3-day event.
Looking forward to sharing the Native Voice again in 2017.
Thanks for all the time, energy, and planning that went into making this a fantastic Regional Assembly! Great spirit!
At 89 there are limits to what I can do!
I'm honored to be a part of the Oklahoma Region.

CCOK3012017-01-08T11:03:01-06:00Jul 11, 2016|Regional News|Comments Off

Regional News

A Concert for Justice and Hope

Dear Faithful Friends in Christ,

Your regional church at work!

Your gift is important

Building Bridges

A Festival of Coming Together Blog by Travis Carlson Youth Pastor, Cyril First Christian Church

Mission Accomplished!

2016-18 Regional Board Elected

Fellowship

We Love Our Youth!

We're Listening! Survey Results

What's the best thing you experienced at Regional Assembly?

What is one thing you learned?

Would you be interested in participating in a mission service project at a future Regional Assembly?

Please tell us of any meaningful words or phrases you took away from the worship experiences.

Anything else you would care to share about your experience?

A Festival of Coming Together
Blog by Travis Carlson
Youth Pastor, Cyril First Christian Church