Regional News Archives - Page 7 of 23 - Christian Church in Oklahoma

Regional Minister Searches Open in Kentucky and Ohio

8/20/20

Regional Minister for the Christian Church in Kentucky

Receiving applications through December 15 2020. Online job description

Is ordained in the CC(DOC) and wholeheartedly supports its Design and its established policies and procedures, including the Search and Call process.
Is called to the service of the wider church and the local congregation
Is called to pastoral counseling and consultation with both clergy and congregations
Is a person of authentic faith; an innovative thinker; a visionary leader; an effective communicator; and has a pastoral presence.

Is responsible for:

Leading the Region in casting, implementing, and evaluating the Vision and Mission of the Region
Interpreting the mission and ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to the region
Providing pastoral care, counseling, and leadership to clergy and local congregations
Traveling to congregations (or visiting remotely) within the Region for the purpose of building relationships and fostering good communication
Overseeing the Search and Call process with congregations
Serving as head of staff, supervising the work of associate regional ministers, contract staff, and administrative staff, including reviews, terms of employment, and disciplinary measures
Serving as a resource to the Regional Board and all of its committees, commissions, and working groups
Working with the established boards, committees, and any other ministries and task forces to carry out the ongoing work of the region
Strengthening relationships with
– College of Regional Ministers of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
– Kentucky Christian Missionary Convention
– Southeast Regional Fellowship (Disciples Regions in the Southeast)
– West Area of the Christian Church in Kentucky
- Green Chalice, a Disciples Home Missions organization with roots in Kentucky
- Disciples Appalachian Scholarship Ministry (formerly Kentucky Appalachian Ministry)
Participating on these boards:
- General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the USA and Canada
- Lexington Theological Seminary Board of Trustees
- Kentucky Council of Churches Executive Committee

The Regional Board, with the consultation of the Personnel Committee, is responsible for supervising the Regional Minister.

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kentucky

All applicants are required to provide updated search and call paperwork in order to be considered. Furthermore, all applicants are required to submit a Letter of Interest to the Search Committee Chairperson:

Rev. Kory Wilcoxson
c/o Crestwood Christian Church
1882 Bellefonte Dr., Lexington, KY, 40502

The application deadline is Dec. 15, 2020.

Candidates should also have current Disciples Search and Call papers on file with the Office of Search and Call in Disciples Home Missions.

10/13/20

Regional Minister for the Christian Church in Ohio

Receiving applications through November 30, 2020. Online job description and regional profile

The Regional Pastor and President provides executive and visionary leadership for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Ohio. The Regional Pastor and President will enhance congregational vitality and mission through a ministry of: authentic connection, presence, process development and creative leadership; spiritual development and practice in personal and communal life; pastoral care and nurture of the congregations and ministers within the Region through quality communication and wise, prayerful counsel; and attention to the development of community by encouraging networking, collaboration and cooperation of congregations and leadership. The Regional Pastor will be affirming and inclusive, creating a space where all Disciples in Ohio are welcome at the Table.

Interested persons should send a letter of interest to:
Debbie Saxe, Regional Search Committee Co-Chair
230 Stow Avenue, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221

The application deadline is November 30, 2020

Candidates should also have current Disciples Search and Call papers on file with the Office of Search and Call in Disciples Home Missions.

CCOK3012020-11-03T11:26:36-06:00Nov 3, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

GMP Receives National Convocation’s Liberation Award

The African American Liberation Award 2020 of the National Convocation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Rev. Terri Hord Owens, General Minister and President

Rev. Terri Hord Owens Honored

The National Convocation’s African American Liberation Award is presented to persons who are strategic and instrumental in opening doors of opportunity and empowerment of African Americans and other oppressed people. The presentation to our Rev. Terri Hord Ownes, our General Minister and President reads:

“For Your Bold Leadership in These Times of Uncertainty, Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian Teaching the Church to Pray With Specificity and Confidence.”

Congratulations and may God grant you grace to carry on.

Learn more about the National Convocation Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

CCOK3012020-11-03T10:25:26-06:00Nov 3, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

Pastoral Appreciation: Intentional Self-Care and Gratitude

October is Pastor Appreciation Month

The Region thanks each of our ordained and commissioned ministers who are serving in local congregations, in hospitals, and in higher education. Thank you for sharing their gifts, talents, energy, wisdom, kindness, creativity, and time to bless others. We appreciate all you do every day to make and shape those in your care in the Oklahoma Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

In honor of Pastor Appreciation Month, we give thanks and also encourage our clergy to take some time for intentional self-care this month. If we clergy are not taking care of ourselves and tending to our own disrupted patterns of behavior in this extraordinary and unprecedented time of ministry, then we will not be very effective at caring for others. We encourage healthy leaders to be able to care for and help bring healing and wholeness to their broken people in the community and this fragmented world. And, it would be best to choose self-care rather than our bodies insisting on it with a crisis.

We offer to you the wisdom from Ashley Allen, author of “You Are Important: Nine Ways to Put Yourself First.”

She writes,

“Putting yourself first is not selfish. It is responsible. Use the mind, body, and spirit trifecta to increase well-being and remind yourself that you are important.”

Allen offers 9 ways:

3 for the body: exercise, nutrition, and careful choosing of cleaning products;
3 for the mind: be around positive people, do something you love and enjoy, and learn something new;
3 for the soul: practice and write gratitude, meditation and prayer, and unplug.

Read the full article here.

May God’s blessing be upon you as you continue to love and serve in the way of Jesus Christ!

Regional Minister Pamela Holt

CCOK3012020-10-07T14:38:13-05:00Oct 7, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

Thank You for Supporting Caminante’s Matching Funds Appeal

As the recent Caminante Matching Funds Appeal is coming to a close we want to thank each of the donors that have made the appeal so successful. We are pleased to announce $2,500 has been raised from individuals and churches. We are close to our $3,500 goal. Because the contributions will be matched, we hope to close out the appeal strong and reach our goal of $7,000 in the coming weeks.

The pandemic has devastated thousands and thousands across Latin America, setting back the clock on the social and economic gains made over the last twenty-five years. Picturesque Caribbean towns, like Boca Chica in the Dominican Republic, once attracted throngs of tourists and urban residents to their white sandy beaches and turquoise-blue seas. Now they are all abandoned. The vast informal labor force who provided food, drink and services have no safety net and are increasingly destitute. Covid-19 is shattering parents’ middle-class dreams that their children escape the grinding poverty and sexual exploitation of their region.

Caminante is trying to keep their people’s dreams alive, but the expenses of their mission are increasing. Along with education programs, they are now providing food to children and their families and masks and disinfectants to combat Covid-19.

We have seen Sister Denisse and the Caminante staff change lives and give people hope and a future. Caminante’s success is due in part to the Oklahoma Region’s support, individuals and churches supporting this worthy ministry. We thank you for your support.

CCOK3012020-08-11T10:24:33-05:00Aug 11, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

Thank You for Supporting the Region’s 2020 Spring Annual Fund

On behalf of the Regional Board, thank you for remembering the Regional Church in your generous giving to the 2020 Spring Annual Fund. We celebrate that your gifts helped the Region reach 53% of its Annual Fund goal! The Regional Church depends upon your faithful giving to strengthen the ministry to clergy and congregations throughout the Region of Oklahoma, and our next appeal will launch in October.

While all of our in-person events have either been postponed or canceled until 2021, the Region has offered several events and meetings virtually: Vacation Bible School and Camp & Conference, Area Clergy meetings, and Commission meetings. We are grateful for your gifts to allow the Region to invest in the technology to keep us connected.

The first Virtual Regional Assembly will be on Saturday, September 26, 2020. We will be providing opportunities to gather on-line for learning, worship, and business. Registration opens soon. We hope you will join us as we unite as Disciples of Christ in Oklahoma.

In this unprecedented and extraordinary season of COVID-19, we give thanks for your health. We are deeply grateful for your congregation as it continues to gather either on-line or in-person for worship, and for your continued ministry into the community in the name of Jesus. Let all you do be done in love.

Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong, and may God’s blessing of protection, courage, and grace continue to be upon you.

Peace & God’s Grace,

Pam Holt Signature

Regional Minister, Pam Holt

CCOK3012021-06-24T13:37:39-05:00Aug 11, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

New Covenant Youth Work Day at Oklahoma Regional Office

The Regional Office received a surprise gift last month when the youth from Oklahoma City New Covenant Christian Church arrived at the Regional Office with tools to trim the very overgrown shrubs! A big thank you to the youth and sponsors from OKC NCCC who spent their day cleaning up the flower beds at the Oklahoma Regional Office. We really appreciate your servant’s hearts. Thank you for blessing us with your time and energy on such a hot day!

CCOK3012020-08-11T21:01:38-05:00Aug 3, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

Upcoming Ministry Training Classes at Phillips Center for Ministry and Lay Training

Phillips Center for Ministry and Lay Training is excited to offer the upcoming Ministry Training Course Offerings. Click HERE to see the full course catalog and details on how to enroll.

20/21 Session 2: August 17 – October 11, 2020

Theology, Dr. Trish Greeves
Spiritual Development, Dr. Kris Tenny-Brittian
Communication, Kurt Gwartney, M.Div.
United Church of Christ History and Polity, Rev. Margot Pickett

20/21 Session 3: October 12 – December 6, 2020

Mission of the Church, Rev. David Avery
Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, Dr. Lisa Davison
Conflict Utilization, Dr. Kris Tenny-Brittian
Disciples History and Polity, MTP Adjunct Faculty

20/21 Session 4: January 4 – February 28, 2021

Church History, Rev. Jerry Albright
Evangelism, Dr. Bill Tenny-Brittian
Worship, CMLT Adjunct Faculty
20/21 Session 5: February 15 – April 11, 2021
Overview of the Bible, Dr. Alex Ruth
Christian Ethics, Dr. George Flanagan
Introduction to the New Testament, Dr. Kris Tenny-Brittian
Disciples History and Polity, CMLT Adjunct Faculty

20/21 Session 6: March 29 – May 23, 2021

Pastoral Care, Rev. Darrell Vandervort
Church Administration and Planning, Dr. John Bracke
Ecumenism, CMLT Adjunct Faculty

CCOK3012020-07-28T10:50:53-05:00Jul 28, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

2020 Virtual Regional Assembly

Virtual Regional Assembly is scheduled for September 26, 2020. Congregations will soon receive important information on selecting delegates and registration by mail.

In 60 Days of Faith for Women, Rev. Cameron Trimble writes: I have no sense of direction. That should probably alarm you since I am a pilot. Because of this, I get lost quite a bit unless I am using my GSP to guide me to my destination. I usually just end up on small detours, though occasionally I can find myself way off course.

I used to get anxious about these deviations and would carefully follow my GPS for themes direct route from point A to point B. But soon I found myself missing the adventure that comes with not being entirely sure of where you are going. I realized that I saw more awake, more aware, and more curious about the journey when I wasn’t certain I was on the proven path. I had the potential of flying a new route that no one else had traversed before. It’s the subtle shift from being a follower to being an explorer–and it’s the only path I know to a fulfilling life.

Author Martha Beck once said, “A good Wayfinder is someone who’s comfortable losing the way.”

Given all of the challenges we face as a community, especially . . . with a pandemic threatening people we love in mighty forces, when the safety of our children is at stake by a potential return to school mandate, when the need for justice around systemic racism rises to protests, when the poor are run out of resources, when divisiveness is so prevalent, when the medical community is putting their lives and families at risk to save our lives, it seems we are being issued a new call to adventure. We must chart an original path forward to a sustainable future. We don’t have any templates for getting us there — no one has figured this out yet — so it’s up to us to get comfortable feeling lost while we find our way.

Where should we begin on this adventure? We could be anxious. We could be paralyzed. Or, we could be courageous. How about fixing our eyes upon Jesus?

Our 2020 Virtual Regional Assembly will focus on a few verses from Luke 4. This scripture was chosen for our Regional Assembly almost a year ago, and it seems ever more relevant today as we weather the storms in this unprecedented and extraordinary season.

Here’s what it says. Jesus came to Nazareth where he had been raised. As he always did on the Sabbath, he went to the meeting place. When he stood up to read, he was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written,
God’s Spirit is upon me;
he’s chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor,
Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind,
To set the burdened and battered free, to announce, “This is God’s time to shine!”

He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the place was on him, intent. Then he started in, “You’ve just heard Scripture make history. It came true just now in this place.”

Jesus, delivering this inaugural sermon in Nazareth, had every eye fixed on him, in awe! In awe!

Jesus had something to say to the people gathered. Jesus had something urgent for them to hear and see. I wonder what Jesus just revealed. I am not sure it was just the words from Isaiah.

In this unprecedented time and extraordinary season that we are living in, it is easy to lose sight of Jesus and what Jesus comes to reveal. It is so easy to lose our way. How do we keep our eyes and our hearts fixed on Jesus, in awe?

Join us virtually on September 26, 2020 at the Regional Assembly to find out more!

Always Picking Up the Peaces,
Pam Holt Signature
Pam Holt

Footnotes:
Rev. Cameron Trimble, 60 Days of Faith for Women: A Devotional to Deepen Gratitude, Praise, and Prayer. Emeryville, California: Rockridge Press, 2020. p. 76.

Quoted scripture is from The Message, interpreted by The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II from We Are Called to be a Movement. New York, NY: Workan Publishing Co., Inc. 2020. pp. 4-6.

CCOK3012020-07-16T09:38:51-05:00Jul 15, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

Aug. 15, 2020: National Convocation of the Christian Church Virtual Business Session

I am sure that you are well aware that out of concern for the health and well-being of our constituents, the 2020 EXPERIENCE IT’S REAL! had to be postponed to 2022. The work of the National Convocation goes on. Our Executive Committee and Board of Trustees have been meeting and making plans to handle our business. We are in the process of planning a Virtual 26^th Biennial Business Session on August 15, 2020. We want to handle our business for 2020 in order to keep moving forward.

Event: 2020 Virtual 26th Biennial Business Session
Date: Saturday, August 15, 2020
Time: 11am – 1pm – central time
Where: Online – Zoom Meeting

We do have several pertinent items on the agenda. At the Virtual Biennial Business Session, we will want to:
a. Install new Officers;
b. Install new At-Large Members;
c. Receive the Strategic Plan and Vision Statement;
d. Approve the Amendments to the Articles of Operation;
e. Receive the Advisory Committee report;
f. Receive the Nominating Committee report;
g. and receive the Time & Place Report.

Once you registered for the 2020 Virtual 26th Biennial Business Session, you will receive an email with more information, including the materials you need to review before the meeting. Registration is now open.

If you have questions or need assistance email Brenda Rossy at brossy@disciples.org

CCOK3012020-06-23T12:41:40-05:00Jun 23, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

Remembering Rev. Dr. Robert (Bob) Elliott

Former Associate Regional Minister Rev. Bob Elliott Passes Away

Rev. Dr. Robert (Bob) M. Elliott died on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. He was 96 years young! Bob was born March 31, 1924, in Independence, KS to Paul and Minnie Elliott. He graduated from Phillips University with a BA degree in 1946, received his Bachelor of Divinity from Phillips Seminary in 1952, and was granted an Honorary Doctorate by Phillips University in 1972.

He was ordained to the ministry at First Christian Church, Independence KS, in 1946. He served as Associate Regional Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma for 33 years after serving churches in Indianapolis, IN, Okmulgee, OK and Enid ,OK.

After retirement, he served as President of The Interfaith Alliance and as Secretary of the United Nations Association, both in Oklahoma City. He established the Oklahoma Institute for Biblical Literacy Foundation in 2009, serving as its President in 2013.

His greatest legacy is his family: Harriette Folk Elliott, his beloved late wife of 68 years from Sand Springs OK; son Robert Michael (Mary) of Chickasha, OK; son Dennis Lee of Guthrie, OK; daughter Kay Elaine of Denver, CO; and son Brian Alan (Myrna) of Oklahoma City; grandchildren Jan Norwood, Samarea (Kevin) Webb, Nicholas (Gina) Elliott, Aaron (Felicia) Elliott, Meagan Elliott, Hannah Elliott and Kathryn Elliott; great grandchildren Kristofer Norwood, Seth (Macy) Norwood, Ethan Norwood, Casee Norwood, Tristan Norwood, April Webb, Ethan Elliott, Oliver Elliott, Uriah Elliott, Iris Elliott, Suhkna Sankhare, Evans Frassine, and Corbin Elliott; and great-great grandchildren Elizabeth, Remington and Rhyder Norwood. Additionally, he is survived by his brother, Gerald Elliott, of Fort Scott, KS.

Service arrangements are pending. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Doctors without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) at this link or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

(In September 2015 he was honored as Elder Emeritus at Crown Heights Christian Church, Oklahoma City.)

CCOK3012020-06-15T11:58:38-05:00Jun 15, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off