Regional News Archives - Page 8 of 22 - Christian Church in Oklahoma

Interfaith Prayer on March 30, 2020

In response to COVID-19, the Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma called for a time of prayer for Oklahoma faith communities on March 30, 2020. The following faith leaders joined together in prayer:

Rabbi Abby Jacobs, Interfaith Alliance & Emanuel Synagogue

Rabbi Vered Harris, Temple B’nai Israel

Rev. Kayla Bonewell, Church of the Open Arms, and Cathedral of Hope

Deacon Bill Gordon St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church

Chris Peters, Dharma Teacher, the Dharma Center

Rev. Shannon Fleck, OCC

Father Joseph Alsay, St. Augustine of Canterbury

Scott Harvey, First Unitarian Church of OKC

Terri Angler, Baha’i Faith of Edmond

Rev. Daniel U’Ren, Western Oaks Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Imam Imad Enchassi, ISGOC

Saurabh Singh, Sikh Gurdwara of Oklahoma

Rev. Aaron Bolerjack, First Church of the Nazarene OKC

You can watch the video in its entirety here https://www.facebook.com/rev.daniel.uren/videos/10222032543391277/

CCOK3012020-04-07T09:29:32-05:00Apr 6, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

Hold on Tight! Executive Director of Week of Compassion’s Personal Story

Sometimes people need a little help. Week of Compassion is here to help in many ways during times of crisis. Watch Executive Director of Week of Compassion, Rev. Vy T. Nguyen’s personal story.

Hold on tight! We will all get through this season together one day at a time.

Click HERE to watch.

Click HERE to read more about Week of Compassion

CCOK3012020-04-06T14:47:01-05:00Apr 2, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

Cancellation of 2020 Regional Assembly

3-19-20

The Regional Executive Committee had a called meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 to assess the health crisis and how it will affect the 2020 Regional Assembly & Leadership Training School in Enid in April. The Executive Committee felt strongly that we should be following the CDC guidelines of no more than 10 people gathering and cancelled the Regional Assembly/LTS event.

Due to the extraordinary circumstances presented to the church by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Executive Committee of the Regional Church has cancelled the Regional Assembly scheduled for April 24-25, 2020.

As prescribed by the Bylaws, the current Moderator will call a special Regional Board meeting to meet by Zoom (date yet to be determined). With a 2/3 vote, the Regional Board will call a special Regional Assembly as soon as it is safe for the Regional Church to gather with at least 30 days notice to congregations and clergy.

Our current board will continue until the called Regional Assembly has met and voted on the new slate of board members.

Tom Stanley, Regional Moderator
Pam Holt, Regional Minister

CCOK3012020-03-19T14:13:26-05:00Mar 19, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

Event Cancellations as of 3/19/20

Updated on 3/19/2020

The Regional Office announced the following event cancellations on 3/16/20. If you have questions please contact the Regional Office. Thank you.

International Affairs Seminar

Associate Regional Minister Rev. Michael Davison

The physical health and well-being of our youth, their families, and congregations is as important to the Region as their spirituality and walk with Jesus. Tuesday, I learned information that indicated if one of our IAS participants would have presented with symptoms consistent with Covid-19, chances are health officials would have quarantined our entire group. Also on Tuesday, the United Nations canceled our March 20, tour and has closed to the public until April 1. The odds that other prearranged activities in DC and New York would be canceled were growing. Our siblings in faith at Park Avenue Christian Church in Manhattan have decided to close the church to the public and not hold worship for the next couple of weeks, as the Governor of NY has asked places of worship to suspend holding services. The Regional Ministers for New York and Washington DC indicate people are living normally amidst growing anxiety of the unknown of the disease.

So, Pam, Tom (Regional Moderator), and I discussed the best information we had from several sources and determined that, however unlikely that an IAS participant would become infected, the possibility existed. This would be a burden on the participants, their families, and their congregations. We also didn’t want to bring back a pathogen that might harm a vulnerable member of a congregation. So, we made the decision to cancel the trip late Tuesday afternoon. All participants and their families were informed Tuesday night. We wanted to pass on this information to our siblings in faith.

Our prayers:
– for participants living with some disappointment;
– for those physically and emotionally affected by Covid-19;
– for employees, businesses, doctors, nurses, and leaders that are currently making the best choices they can based on what we know and don’t know about Covid-19.
– for residents of Nashville continuing to clean up and begin the restoration of lives and property after the tornado.

O God who hears, for these and many more we offer our prayers. Amen

March 17: John Dear to Speak at Edmond Trinity Christian Church

The event on March 17 at Edmond Trinity Christian Church has been cancelled.

March 18: PRAR Training

Marilyn Knott and Delois Guess have decided to cancel the March 18 PRAR Training.

March 23: Retired Ministers Gathering

In the best interest of our retired clergy, Bill Shields has made the decision to cancel the Retired Ministers Gathering on March 23 at Southern Hills Christian Church, Edmond. Information will be mailed about about future events.

March 25-26: Disaster Emotional & Spiritual Care Academy

Rev. Mary Gaudreau Hughes has cancelled the March 25-26 Academy. Click here for details on an online option.

March 28: Oklahoma Disciples Women Spring Meeting

Marilyn Bohlender, President, Delois Guess, along with the Oklahoma Disciples Women have made the decision to cancel their upcoming Spring Meeting on March 28, 2020. A new date will be announced in the future.

April 2: Central Area Disciples Men Meeting

The Central Area Disciples Men have made the decision to cancel the Central Area Disciples Men Meeting. A date will be announced in the future.

April 3 – 4: Oklahoma Disciples Men April Retreat

Inman Jones, President, has made the decision to postpone the April 3-4 Retreat until next fall. They do so to protect the health of their fellowship. A date will be announced in the future.

April 24 – 25: Regional Assembly & Leadership Training School

The Executive Committee of the Regional Board will meet on 3/17/2020 to make a decision on whether to postpone the 2020 Regional Assembly & Leadership Training School due to the continuing concerns about the Corona Virus (Covid-19). Please watch the Region’s email newsletter, website and FaceBook page for updates.

April 25: OK-CADP 2020 Annual Awards Dinner & Meeting Postponed

The 2020 OK-CADP Annual Awards Dinner and Meeting has been postponed until fall. If you have purchased tickets you have the option of a refund, or saving your seat for fall.

CCOK3012020-03-19T09:31:57-05:00Mar 19, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

A Message from Rev. Terri Hords Owens

Please watch a message from General Minister and President, Rev. Terri Hord Owens as she provides faithful guidance and resources concerning COVID-19.

CCOK3012020-04-01T16:14:21-05:00Mar 16, 2020|COVID-19 Resources, Regional News|Comments Off

Oklahoma Disciples Foundation Provided 26,800 Individuals With Food With 2019 Grant Funds

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Matthew 25:35-36, NIV)

This Wednesday the Foundation’s Grants Committee meets to decide funding allocations for the 52 grant requests received this year. Volunteer Disciples’ Committee Members have the arduous task of allocating more than $90,000 to requests totaling more than $296,000. Many of the requests were for community feeding programs for children, families and seniors experiencing food insecurity issues.

After reviewing Grant Reports from last year’s Grant Funding, we calculated more than 26,800 individuals from across Oklahoma received meals or food baskets, fresh fruit or healthy snacks through the Foundation’s Grants Program. What a blessing it is to be able to provide funding to the churches feeding the hungry within their communities.

We are grateful to the churches, the donors who have supported the Grants Program and especially to the Grants Committee Members who have graciously given their time and expertise to review applications and recommend funding.

The Foundation holds many worthwhile endowments benefiting the church, the Region and its missions and ministries, including funds for grants. Click this link: “Together We Touch Lives” if you would like to make an honorary or memorial donation to one of these funds.

Blessings,

Eric Gray, CAP®
Executive Director

(article provided by Oklahoma Disciples Foundation)

CCOK3012020-03-09T12:08:24-05:00Mar 9, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

2020 Easter Special Offering

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24 NRSV

Across the United States, Canada, and beyond, Disciples are rejoicing in all that the Lord has made. This Easter, we rejoice together as one Church, as the One Body of Christ. We rejoice in all that we accomplish together, and the work God accomplishes through us.

Let us rejoice that the Easter offering, through Disciples Mission Fund, makes ministry possible. Through the general ministries of our Church, lives are changed and our world is transformed. Will you rejoice with us and give to this special day offering?

This Easter season, let us rejoice in all the ways our wider Church embodies the Spirit of Resurrection, through life-giving ministry.

Easter Special Offering is received in most congregations on April 5 & 12, 2020. You may read more about Easter Special Offering and find additional resources at https://disciplesmissionfund.org/special-offerings/easter/

Please click here to give online.

CCOK3012020-03-03T09:54:51-06:00Mar 2, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

Regional Assembly/Leadership Training School Registration Opens! CANCELED

This event has been canceled.

_______________________

Registration Now Open!

It’s time to register for Regional Assembly and select your workshops for Leadership Training School. You’ll find details about all the activities including our Friday evening all-assembly dinner, our guest preacher, an excellent offering of workshops for laity and clergy, plus a ton of fun things to do in Enid. It all takes place at Central Christian Church Enid on April 24-25, 2020.

Get connected with Disciples from all across Oklahoma!

Learn More!

CCOK3012020-03-18T13:44:59-05:00Feb 27, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

We Love Our Donors!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! The 2019 End of Year Giving Reports indicate you care about your Region!

At the end of 2018, you may remember that the Regional Board had to make some very difficult financial decisions which included a reduction in staff. These decisions were primarily due to the downward trend in congregational giving through Disciples Mission Fund. As we reported out about the drastic changes in the Region’s budget and made congregations and clergy aware of their giving patterns, you all responded.

The 2019 End of Year Giving Reports reveal congregational giving through Disciples Mission Fund exceeded the Region’s budgeted amount. Individual and congregational giving to the 2019 Annual Fund exceeded the Region’s budgeted amount. The 2019 Christmas Offering exceeded the budgeted amount. Wow!

With your excellent stewardship, the Regional Executive Committee is proposing to give 10% of this generosity to “missions of the Region” and to set up a reserve fund to do some creative ministries in the future and to help the Regional Office relocate in the next two years. For starters, the Region has invested in 2020 Stewardship materials and resources from the Center For Faith & Giving for every congregation in Oklahoma to have access.

Thank you for caring about the Region who cares about you and your mission and witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ in our Region and beyond!!

Peace & God’s Grace,

Rev. Pamela Holt, Regional Minister

CCOK3012020-02-11T09:55:08-06:00Feb 11, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

What Is Regional Assembly? Why Does It Matter To Me?

What Is Regional Assembly?

Regional Assembly is the event where congregations in the Oklahoma Region gather to take care of the business of the church as well as share together in community. It occurs once every two years as defined in the Region’s constitution. This year, Regional Assembly is in Enid and combines this important event with our annual Leadership Training School.

Why Does It Matter to Me?

Because each and every church in the Oklahoma Region and furthermore, each and every member of those churches are vital towards the part of the Body of Christ that we represent here in Oklahoma.

As we as Disciples strive towards the global unity that God is calling God’s church to have, we relish these opportunities to embody that unity in our smaller geographies. The work that each of our churches are doing to better their immediate surroundings, their towns and cities, this great state in which we live, our country, and even the world is worth celebrating and sharing with the other churches in the region.

Come and make sure your voice is heard and that we are lifting up the great work your church is doing along with all of the other Disciples institutions in the Oklahoma Region!

What’s the Best Part?

The best part about this year’s Regional Assembly is that it will be a place for our churches to learn about and perhaps take ideas from all the amazing workshops. Plus our keynote speaker will offer a spirit-filled message sure to inspire ministries in your congregation.

Click HERE to learn more about Disciples of Christ.

Regional Assembly + Leadership Training School will take place on April 24 – 25, 2020 at Central Christian Church – Enid. Click HERE to learn more and register.

CCOK3012020-02-10T13:52:07-06:00Feb 10, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off