GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2017
Thank you to all ONE HUNDRED FORTY Oklahoma Disciples of Christ who attended General Assembly 2017 in Indianapolis. That is quite a presence for Oklahoma! A special thank you to the EIGHT delegates who were nominated by the Regional Board to attend the event on behalf of the Region: Larry & Diana Brown, Peggy Clemons, Debra DeGroot, Chelsea Gray, Janelle Gillesby, Randy Holt, and Sandy Malget.
This was a historical assembly as the Disciples of Christ elected its first African American woman to serve. And it was an emotional assembly as we all expressed our deep appreciation for The Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins’ tenure, and welcomed The Rev. Dr. Teresa Hord Owens as its next General Minister and President. It was a beautiful exchange of leadership unlike any other.
There were many other reasons everyone enjoyed this Assembly: reuniting with friends colleagues, seeing family, engaging workshops, celebrating in worships with exceptional sermons. I am sure everyone will share a different moment to highlight. I have three favorite moments to highlight here. The first is from Monday night’s worship in the Convention Center. After wonderful singing, hearing a heartfelt, fervent sermon by the Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, partaking in communion, and offering our gifts, everything in that large space got quiet. As my eyes lifted from the offertory prayer, there on center stage sat the Rev. Dr. William N. Blue Eagle McCutchen, in his wheelchair, ready to send us forth with a blessing. It was a moment of being proud and deeply comforted at the same time.
The second moment to highlight is that same night when over fifty of us from Oklahoma gathered in the JW Marriott bar for some refreshment, conversation, a group photo, and a robust singing of OKLAHOMA! It was very fun, very loud, and seemed to draw attention from all who were in the bar who joined in! There is never any doubt where we are from!
The third moment to highlight is when The Rev. Geoff Brewster and The Rev. Dr. Lisa Davison, both from PTS and Oklahoma, were surprised when they were each recognized and honored with The Rev. Michael Schloff Award at the Disciples Alliance Q banquet.
There are so many more highlights to share from many perspectives! We all came home tired but energized, and very grateful that we are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.
