Where’s Michael: February

March 6-7

First Christian Church, Edmond

It’s time to learn more and register!

Describe Your Church in 3 Words

Equip: Celebrating, Welcoming, Creating, Staying, Mobilizing, Expanding

Too long we have wandered, burdened and undone
But there is room at the table for everyone
Let us sing the new world in, this is how is all begins
There is room at the table for everyone

No matter who you are, no matter where you’re from
There is room at the table for everyone
Here and now we can be, the beloved community,
There is room at the table for everyone

Room at the Table – Words and Music by Carrie Newcomer
©2014 Carrie Newcomer Music (BMI)
From the 2014 album “A Permeable Life” – Listen on Spotify

Last year . . .
150+ Disciples gathered for the spring Empower & Equip event at Crown Heights Christian Church in OKC.
13 Clergy gathered for the Northeast Area Clergy Retreat.
200+ children, youth, and adults gathered at church camp.
180+ gathered in June for the Called Regional Assembly at First Christian Church in Edmond.
13 Clergy gathered for the Northwest Area Clergy Retreat.
18 Clergy Women gathered for an October Retreat.
70 Women gathered for the fall Oklahoma Disciples Women’s Retreat.
127 youth and adults gathered for Chi Rho/CYF Fall Retreat in November.

This year . . .
90 youth and adults gathered for the Chi Rho/CYF Midwinter Retreat in January.

And next month, March 6-7, Oklahoma Disciples will gather for Regional Assembly ’26. There is room at the banquet table as we explore our experience of hospitality, faith, and discipleship.  We know the verb(s) matter.  Attend RA26 and join the storytelling and conversation.   Our biennial gathering is more than a required detail in our governance; it is a celebration of our local and shared ministries as the Christian Church in Oklahoma.  It is one way we connect, equip, and empower one another for a life of faith and be the church we say we are: people who claim a covenant of unity, liberty, and charity (grace) as we proclaim the good news of God, follow Jesus, and welcome as we have been welcomed.

We are excited to hear from our special guests at Regional Assembly ’26.   

Carrie Newcomer, a songwriter and singer, will offer a songwriting workshop on Friday afternoon (3:30 pm), a Friday evening concert (7:30 pm), and join worship on Saturday afternoon.  Worship will include special music from:
– A Super Choir of voices from around the Region will offer special music, “The Gift of Love.”
– Musical guest Carrie Newcomer will lead the singing of a song written by workshop attendees on Friday afternoon.
– The Priase Band from First Christian Church, El Reno, will sing one of my favorite U2 songs, “Grace.”

Rev. Dr. Virginia White will lead and preach for our Dinner Church worship on Friday night (6:00 pm).  Come for a family-style meal and worship in a different style and setting.

Rev. Terri Hord Owens, our General Minister and President, will offer a workshop on Saturday morning and preside and preach for my installation as Regional Minister during worship on Saturday afternoon.  

On Saturday morning, Rev. Dr. Douglas Powe, President of Phillips Theological Seminary, will lead a workshop titled “Reimagining Evangelism.” It is one of six excellent workshops offered (10:00 am to 11:15 am).  Disciples are outreach-focused locally and globally.  Throughout the day and into the late afternoon, adults and youth can help package meals (no experience necessary) for Stamp Out Starvation.  Bring your youth group to RA26, stay after worship to finish packaging meals, enjoy pizza, then head to Main Event for a couple of hours of fun before heading home.

Rev. Colton Lott, Second-Vice Moderator, the RA26 planning team, and the Regional Staff have worked to ensure there is something for everyone.  We look forward to greeting you!  I look forward to greeting you!  Visit the RA26 webpage to learn more and register. 

Don’t forget to select your congregation’s voting delegates, return the certification form by Feb 27, and be registered by March 2.  

The fee is $35 to attend all or some of RA26. 

We are able to offer this packed and expanded Assembly through the generosity of our sponsors:

• Phillips Theological Seminary
• Disciples Church Extension Fund
• New Church Ministry
• Oklahoma Disciples Foundation
• First Christian Church, Edmond, our host congregation
• Texoma Camp Board
• Central Area, Northeast Area, and Northwest Area Congregations

See you at Regional Assembly ’26!

“The Disciples of Christ are small enough to change, and big enough to change the world.”(1)

——–
1. Rev. Terri Hord Owens, Staying at the Table: Being the Church We Say We Are. Chalice Press (2025) p 93.  Quoting Rev. Dr. David Anderson Hooker, founder of the Narrative Project.