Regional News Archives - Page 9 of 22 - Christian Church in Oklahoma

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

Faith In Action Commission 2020 Grant Applications

The Faith in Action Commission will begin accepting grant applications in January for Reconciliation Grants. Application forms are available HERE. The deadlines for applications is March 16, 2020.

Grant Application Window: January 15-March 16, 2020
Grant Decisions by April 1 with notifications by April 8
Disbursements of funds on May 1.
Complete end of project report by December 1.

Reconciliation Grants are a part of a larger project of addressing systemic racism and other forms of discrimination prevalent in our society. Reconciliation Grants this year are targeted at helping local congregations identify ways to address racism and other forms of discrimination at the local level. The Commission hopes

to identify models of reconciliation that can be sustained by local churches and other entities
that the knowledge gained from these projects can be transferred for use by other churches

Applicants are encouraged to work with other congregations or local entities to broaden the scope of the programs/projects that result. Each grant recipient is expected to submit a final report outlining the design of the project, what practical modifications were needed to make it work, the results of goals/objectives of the project, and the pros and cons of the project.

For more information, please contact Marilynn Knott, Chair of the Faith in action Commission at [email protected]

CCOK3012020-02-06T15:41:42-06:00Feb 3, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

Do You Know Your Neighbor? Have You Seen Your Neighbor Lately?

Do you know your neighbor? Have you seen your neighbor lately? Do you know your Disciples neighbor? Have you seen your Disciples neighbors lately? Do you know how other Disciples are bringing healing and wholeness to our fragmented world?

The 2020 Regional Assembly & Leadership Training School is the place to connect with your Disciples neighbors! We hope your congregation is making plans to travel to Enid, Oklahoma for this Oklahoma Disciples church gathering where we will sing and pray together, hear a good word from the Lord, eat and fellowship around common tables, and learn how all of us serving the Lord with strength and joy.

Keep watch for more details! Registration coming soon!

CCOK3012020-01-22T13:33:09-06:00Jan 22, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

March 6, 2020: Registration Underway for Faith Community Nurses’ Conference

Registration is underway for the 13th Annual Faith Community Nurses’ Association Conference titled “Healing Through the Arts: A Collage.” The one day event will take place on March 6, 2020 at Crossings Community Center, located at 10255 North Pennsylvania Ave, Oklahoma City, OK.

The conference will educate the Faith Community Nurse and church leaders to identify the various art forms for spiritual healing including sculpture, images, labyrinth, and meditative movement and then to determine a spiritual practice for personal use.

The message of Isaiah 40:31, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint” sets the stage for reflecting and healing. This conference will provide resources, contacts and information needed to assist congregants during times of loss and grief and the opportunity for participants to network and to build relationships with nurses and health ministers interested in Faith Community Nursing.

Registration for the one-day event:

FCNA OK Member: $60 for payments received before 2/7/2020.
Non FCNA OK Member: $90 for payments received before 2/7/2020.
Clergy: $65 for payments received before 2/7/2020.

Call or check online for rates after 2/7/20. FCNA OK is approved as a provider of continuing nursing education by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. This course is approved for 8 contact hours applicable for APRN, RN, LPN, or LMHT relicensure. Kansas State Board of Nursing provider number LT0298-0316, KAR 60-7-107 (b)(3)(C).

Click here to download the brochure.
For registration information go to www.fcnaok.org
Register online here
Pay here or contact [email protected].

CCOK3012020-01-21T12:55:36-06:00Jan 21, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

Apply for Oklahoma Disciples Foundation Grant Funds by February 15, 2020!

Don’t delay! Now is the time to apply for 2020 ODF Grants. The deadline for submitting 2020 Grant Applications is 5:00 p.m., February 15, 2020.
A downloadable grant application, guidelines and scoring rubric can be found on our website by clicking the 2020 ODF Grants.

Over the years, several permanent endowments have been established by donors or through closed church memorial funds with specific, varied purposes to provide ongoing funding to the Foundation’s grant program. The endowments support Disciples’ ministries and missions for children, youth and young adults as well as provide for the education of clergy, laity and congregations on the guidance and art of spiritual giving.

Endowments also provide funding to benefit ministries for seniors, church innovation, missions, pastoral support and ecumenical spiritual education for students. View the endowment summaries at the link above. A breakout of funding per grant category will be posted online in late January 2020.

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

CCOK3012020-01-13T10:36:01-06:00Jan 13, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

Phillips University Legacy Foundation Scholarship Program Accepting Applications

Phillips University Legacy Foundation is pleased to announce it is accepting new applications for its Undergraduate Scholarship and Leadership Development Program for the 2020-2021 academic year. The application can be submitted online through the Foundation’s website at www.pulf.org.

The mission of the Phillips University Legacy Foundation is to follow the tradition of Phillips University by providing scholarships and opportunities to educate and develop leaders who embody Christian values in their lives, service and work. The program is available to incoming full-time undergraduate students (freshman through seniors) pursuing a liberal arts education at any of the 17 colleges or universities that are currently or historically related to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (for a complete list, go to www.pulf.org/colleges-and-universities). Since 2002, the Phillips University Legacy Foundation has awarded over $1.6 million in scholarships to 176 scholarship recipients and administered 18 Leadership Development Conferences. These recipients, known as Phillips Legacy Scholars, have completed over 480 Volunteer Leadership Projects.

CCOK3012020-02-06T15:43:18-06:00Jan 11, 2020|Regional News|Comments Off

Save the Date: April 24 – 25, 2020 for Regional Assembly + Leadership Training School

Mark your calendar and plan to attend a Pre-Assembly Event on Friday, April 24, 2020, followed by a full day of Regional Assembly + Leadership Training School (RA/LTS 2020) on Saturday, April 25, 2020. Join us at Central Christian Church, Enid, OK.

We are excited to announce Rev. Dr. Nancy Pittman, as our key note speaker for RA/LTS 2020.

The theme is “Fixed on Jesus”, focusing on Luke 4:14-22a. The Planning Committee is hard at work, planning a meaningful and educational event.

More details will follow soon.

CCOK3012020-01-22T13:33:49-06:00Dec 21, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

Thank You From The Regional Minister

These past few weeks, Randy and I have been overwhelmed with the baskets of balm with which you all have blessed us. Your kind words of compassion and care with numerous cards and phone calls and your expressions of shared grief with flowers arrangements and contributions have certainly held us up during these days of grief upon the death of my mother, Shirley Green. I plan to share every expression with our family, and especially with my brother who does not have a church family. Our hearts are full of gratitude and joy for your prayers and presence in such a time as this. Thank you.

Peace & God’s grace this season of Advent,
Pam & Randy Holt