KANSAS-OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST |
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In an effort to keep you informed regarding the activity within the conference and on the national front, this newsletter will be sent via e-mail every Monday.
We welcome your feedback and suggestions.
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INTERIM CONFERENCE MINISTER SUNDAY SCHEDULE
Since starting January 1, 2010 Rev. Krista Betz has been regularly visiting churches across the conference. If you would like to invite
her to worship with or preach among your congregation, please contact her at: kbetz@kocucc.com or 316-686-4331.
So far, she has visited:
Midland Community UCC, Nickerson, KS; Rev. Bob Smith, pastor
Faith UCC, Wichita, KS; Pastor Nancy Phipps, pastor
St. Paul UCC, Holyrood, KS; Rev. Debra Rains, pastor
First Congregational UCC, McPherson, KS; Rev. Ken Stephens, pastor
Fairmount UCC, Wichita, KS; Rev. Mike Poage, pastor
Upcoming visits include:
March 3 - Trinity United Christian, Cheney, KS; Rev. Pat Nixon, pastor
March 7 - Partridge Community Church, Partridge, KS; Rev. Sam Askew, pastor
2010 CONSULTATION
Every year the 38 UCC Conference Ministers, the Collegium of 5 UCC officers, and key staff from the national setting gather for an event simply called "Consultation". It is an event where these leaders consult with each other about various issues that affect all of us in the United Church of Christ. This year's theme is around Christian discernment and is organized around two fundamental questions "What is God up to now?" and "What are we to do in response?" As you know, this is a time of enormous change for the Church universal and the United Church of Christ in particular, so these questions are very timely. As your interim conference minister, Rev. Krista Betz will be attending the Consultation February 23-27. She will also be attending a meeting February 21-23 that is piggy-backing onto the Consultation. It is a meeting of the UCC Constitution & Bylaw Review Committee. Jane Tedder from Plymouth UCC, Lawrence, is also on this committee.
LEADERS IN KOINONIA
From time to time throughout the year, the national setting invites members and/or pastors of local churches to come to the UCC Church House in Cleveland for a Leaders in Koinonia (LinK) event. Each conference can send 2 or 3 people to attend this free event in order to network with UCC colleagues, share best practices, and discover new resources, programs, and training opportunities. Each LinK event has a theme and this year's event May 5 -7, 2010 is for UCC adult leaders of youth (ages 13 - 18). Nominated to attend from Kansas-Oklahoma Conference were Rev. Debra Rains (pastor, St. Paul UCC, Holyrood, KS) and Mr. Zac Clark (lay, Fellowship Congregational UCC, Tulsa, OK).
IN SUPPORT OF HAITI
Thank you to all the churches across the conference that sent funds to be used in Haiti as they rebuild from their devastating earthquake. So far, $16,323.44 has been received for these efforts. All of these funds will be able to be used for direct support because your gifts to Our Church's Wider Mission provide the infrastructure of administering the fund. The Conference is still receiving your gifts and will forward them on appropriately. For more news about the UCC's relief efforts in Haiti, check out this website:
PRAYER JOYS & CONCERNS
We pray for Rev. Melinda Foster, the pastor of Open Table UCC in Owasso, Oklahoma as she grieves the death of her father on February 11. The funeral was held on February 19. Cards of sympathy and support can be sent to Rev. Melinda Foster, 202 South Cedar, Suite E, Owasso, OK 74055.
We pray in covenantal support for Rev. Chris Moore as he leaves the UCC church in Norman and begins a new ministry as Associate Pastor at Mayflower UCC, Oklahoma City.
We pray in celebration for Kayla Bonewell who was ordained into the Christian ministry on February 14 at Church of the Open Arms, Oklahoma City.
CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
United Church of the Good Shepherd, Kansas City, KS. Rev. Anton Jacobs retired at the end of 2009. Rev. Art Foster is supply.
First Congregational UCC, Anthony, KS. Rev. Debra Traxler left January 2010.
Congregational UCC, Carrier, OK. Rev. Jim Stovall, supply pastor, left January 2010.
Community Congregational UCC, Gaylord, KS. Rev. Linda Kemp is interim.
First Congregational UCC, Great Bend, KS. Rev. Stan Crawford is interim pastor.
Federation Church, Kingfisher, OK. Rev. Charles Smith left end of December 2009.
First United Church of Christ, Newton, KS. Rev. Bill Hickerson retired at the end of 2009.
Colonial United Church of Christ, Prairie Village, KS. Rev. Lisa Gardner, interim pastor. Rev. Aaron Roberts was called to be pastor here in January. He will begin in June 2010.
Norman UCC, Norman, OK. Chris Moore left mid-February.
Federated Church, Weatherford, OK.
CHURCH VOCATIONS SUNDAY/SEMINARY SUNDAY
On Sunday, February 28 churches are invited to recognize Church Vocations Sunday/Seminary Sunday. Resources from the United Church of Christ are available here.
AMISTAD SUNDAY If you haven't shared the Amistad story with your congregation, this may be the year to do so. Amistad Sunday is recognized on March 7
and resources are available here.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
One Great Hour of Sharing, as part of Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM) is the special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that carries God's message of love and hope to people in more than eighty countries. The UCC works with international partners to provide sources of clean water and food, education and health care, small business micro-credit, emergency relief, and advocacy and resettlement for refugees and displaced persons. OGHS also supports domestic and international ministries for disaster preparedness and response. OGHS is a Lenten Offering. The OGHS offering is most often received the fourth Sunday of Lent, but may be taken at different times. The 2010 suggested Dedication Day is March 14, 2010. Resources to promote and understand One Great Hour of Sharing are available here.
HOLY WEEK WORSHIP RESOURCESWorship resources to recognize Holy Week and Easter are available here. If you do not wish to use this year's resources, there is an archive of materials available.
STUDY GROUP FOR K-O PASTORS
is now forming. Click here for details
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ATTENTION: 20-30 year old CLERGY
UCC 2030 Clergy Network
A time for clergy renewal connection,
professional resourcing, and vital worship
Chicago Theological Seminary
5757 S. University Ave.
Chicago, IL 60637
June 1-3, 2010
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ATTENTION: YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT LEADERS
Youth & Young Adult Ministry Events, Opportunities & Resources
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VOLUNTEER MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER
Lots of opportunities to serve here. Summer Young Adult Service Communities and UCC Companion Communities: Young Adult Service Communities.
Natl. Gathering of volunteers in UCC Companion Communities.
Church World Service Ecumenical Build '10 Cedar Rapids, Iowa
April 12- May 21.
Mission Moment "Resources".
Serve America Act - Update-for Volunteers - Age 55+
Welcome new "Partners in Service" volunteers.
UPCOMING CONFERENCE & ASSOCIATION
MEETINGS AND EVENTS
February 27-10:00am - Administrative Commission Meeting in the Conference Office.
February 27-10:00am - Eastern Assoc. Committee on Ministry at the home of Nancy Wolfe 3020 SE Virgo Ave, Topeka
March 6-9:30am - K-O Conference Council Meeting in the Pilgrim UCC Parish House. |
Rev. Krista Betz Nancy A. Wolfe
Interim Conference Minister Conference Communications Coordinator
1245 Fabrique 785-806-4580
Wichita, KS 67218
800-880-6466
kbetz@kocucc.com
Our Church's Wider Mission is the lifeblood of ministry and mission in the United Church of Christ. Your contributions to this offering make this weekly e-communication and much, much more possible. Thank you for your generous support! Our covenant as local churches, associations, conferences and the national setting of our denomination is made evident through this mission together. | |
