K-O Conference Prayer Calendar
for the week of March 8th
Colonial Congregational, Prairie Village, KS - Rev. Lisa Gardner, Interim and congregation.
First Congregational, Russell, KS - Pastor Frank Alexander and congregation.
Rolling Hills Congregational, Salina, KS - Rev. Dr. William C. Brown, Supply and congregation.
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ATTENTION PASTORS AND CHURCH SECRETARIES
ANNUAL REPORTING FORMS FOR THE UCC YEARBOOK WERE DUE IN THE CONFERENCE OFFICE AT THE END OF JANUARY. THERE ARE STILL CHURCHES THAT HAVE NOT COMPLETED THEM. IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE OR HAVE MISPLACED THE FORMS, PLEASE CALL THE CONFERENCE OFFICE.
THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE UPDATED INFORMATION WILL SOON END. THIS INFORMATION IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR FUTURE PROGRAMS OF YOUR ASSOCIATIONS, THE K-O CONFERENCE AND THE UCC AS A WHOLE.
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Evangelism at work...in Eureka, KS
Christian and Congregational Church in Eureka, KS wrote a 2010 Lenten Daily Devotional Book, which took church members and friends five months to create.
The Lenten Daily Devotional Books (LDDBs) were distributed in church before Ash Wednesday. Each person received 2 books: one for their personal/family prayer, meditation, and reflection during Lent, and the other to give to someone
else with a personal invitation to invite them to church. The LDDBs are flying out
the door! We are already on our 4th printing after distributing several hundred books!
The idea to write a Lenten Daily Devotional Book arose out of our faith sharing ministry study last spring and summer of "Unbinding the Gospel," by Martha Grace Reese, M.Div., JD.That study is also directly responsible for the revitalization of the Holy Spirit moving in our midst and compelling us to reach out to the unchurched in our community and to share the joy and excitement of our faith in Jesus Christ with them!
Another direct result of our "UTG" study is our monthly Evangelism Moment, when, on the second Sunday of the month in worship, members give their personal testimonies on "How Jesus Changed My Life."
(I haven't had to recruit speakers; they are coming forward and volunteering to tell their faith stories in church! Amazing!)
And all of this joy and excitement-based on our active and intentional prayer life-has an astounding and ongoing impact on the unchurched in our community and our congregation! On Sunday, February 21, we welcomed our newest church member, who was the 8th person to join the church in the past 4 months!
And visitors have become prospective members, who are planning on joining the church in the near future! Thanks be to God!
The excitement and joy continue to grow! On March 9, we begin our new all-church faith sharing ministry study, "Unbinding Your Heart." We can hardly wait to begin!
Rhonda Almond, Pastor
The Christian & Congregational Church is a Christian Church, Disciples of Christ and a United Church of Christ that merged in 1976.
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Local Church Youth Groups
If you would like a DVD of this video, contact Sean Weston
CWYMC members are starting to visit local youth groups soon.
If your church has yet to be contacted and you would like to make sure your youth group is visited, please contact
Sean Weston who will forward your request to a committee member in your area.
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K-O Women
We are delighted to announce the keynote speaker for
2010 K-O Women's FALL ASSEMBLY:
Elaine Blanchard is a gifted Biblical Storyteller, UCC pastor, keynote speaker, humorist and entertainer. She brings new insights into the Scriptures and can also speak on women's issues and the process of community building.
"...Many of us were born and steeped in the Christian tradition, a tradition that emerged from the life of a storyteller who told stories to ordinary people on city streets, in wheat fields, on hillsides and sea coasts. Jesus shared his divine power through stories, holding a mirror up so people could see themselves in the beginnings, the middle and endings..."
White Memorial Camp, SEPTEMBER 9-10-11, 2010.
Mark your calendars. Registration forms will be out shortly. Be sure to get yours in by the August deadline!
You will not want to miss this one!
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ESPERANZA 2010
JUNE 5 - 13
All adults, young adults and youth are invited to the K-O Conference-sponsored Esperanza 2010 mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico. This will be the 15th consecutive Esperanza adventure. The cost is $800 per person and the dates are June 5 - 13.
WE NEED YOUR REGISTRATIONS TO THE CONFERENCE OFFICE ASAP!!!
If you have questions or need a registration form please contact Mike Poage,
316-682-8818 (mpoag@aol.com) or Judy at the conference office, 316-686-4331.
Paz en el mundo todo, Mike Poage
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Oklahoma Ministries and Mission Interpreters (MMI)
Training Event
When:
April 22, 2010, 1:00pm
Where: Central Christian Church
1111 W. Broadway St.
Enid, Oklahoma
Contact: Marilyn Knott
Phone: 405-528-5568
Email:
marilynn@crownheightschristian.com
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Do you have a passion for global mission?
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Are you a member of your congregation's mission and outreach committee looking for new ideas?
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Are you a pastor interested in energizing your congregation through global mission involvement?
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Have you had or would you like to have an individual or group trip experience serving overseas?
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Do you want to learn more about what Disciples and the UCC are doing in mission around the world so that you can tell the story in your congregation more effectively?
If you said yes to any of the above, this event is for you!
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Churches Exploring.......The Challenge of Diversity-
the future of the Faith Community
Sponsored by Kansas Ecumenical Ministries
April 24, 2010...10 AM-3PM
(registration begins at 9:30)
First United Methodist Church,
West - 867 Hwy 40, Lawrence KS
Cost: $20 for 1st person -$15 for any additional
registrations included in same envelope
(includes lunch)
Dr Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches will be the keynote speaker.
He will make two major presentations:
Current Culture and How it Impacts our Congregations,
both Urban and Rural, and Our Future.
and
How Do We Move Forward in Ministry as Our Culture Continues to Change.
Following the first presentation Presidents Dr. Myron McCoy, St Paul United Methodist Seminary; Dr. Ronald Benefield, The Nazarene Seminary, and Dr. Molly Marshall, Central Baptist Seminary will respond to Dr. Kinnamon's presentations. There will be an opportunity for questions from the audience of both Dr. Kinnamon and the Seminary Presidents.
Registration forms are available on the
KEM website. For additional information contact
Linda Kemp at or 785-224-8185.
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ATTENTION EASTERN ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
In order to maximize attendance of the KEM presentation on
April 24, 2010 mentioned above,
The
Eastern Association Spring Meeting
has been moved to
April 17, 2010
at Central Congregational UCC, Topeka
Save the Date -- Details to Follow
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K-O Conference and Plymouth Church UCC, Lawrence,KS
Joint Mission Trip to India
JANUARY 2011
Rev. Peter Luckey reports that there are five or six from Plymouth Church planning to take the trip and we hope that several more from the Conference are interested in joining this mission.
Cost will be around $3,000 depending upon how much fundraising churches of the Conference are able to do.
Itinerary includes: staying at the Church of South India in Kottayam, Kerala, India; visits to schools and churches; a sightseeing trip into the mountains and the famous backwaters of Karakoram; and overnight train trip to visit our UCC Global Ministries-sponsored orphanage, the Family Village Farm.
For more information contact Rev. Peter Luckey at peterluckey@sunflower.com or call 785-843-3220.
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StillSpeaking Magazine
Premiering in late April, the StillSpeaking Magazine will be an 88-page, twice-annual publication filled with compelling stories and engaging photography about people in the United Church of Christ. Every issue will be chock full of features and images celebrating how the UCC is changing lives - individually, systemically and globally.
The magazine's full-color, high-end design will make it a perfect fit for any coffee table or office lounge - or better yet, for sharing with friends, family and church visitors.
Buy a subscription for yourself, and then purchase bulk copies at a reduced cost to share with others. Information on subscriptions and bulk orders is available at www.ucc.org/magazine or by calling 800/537-3394
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Sacred Chaos
A Retreat of Renewal for Religious Leaders in Transition
April 5-9, 2010
Oriental, North Carolina
The Rev. Dr. James R. Newby, Senior Minister
Church of the Savior,UCC 2501 NW 49th Place
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
Tel: 405-219-6275
For more info:
www.sacredchaos.org
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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
Click here to see this terrific resource document
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VOLUNTEER MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER
Lots of opportunities to serve here.
APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED
Summer Young Adult Service Communities and UCC Companion Communities: Young Adult Service Communities
Experience: Community Living
Hands-On Justice Advocacy/Service Opportunities
Leadership Development
Faith Conversation that links local and global mission issues
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Stewardship Skits
UCC & Disciples of Christ Global Ministries is pleased to share six skits focused on Stewardship, Capital Campaigns and Disciple Special-Day Offerings, written by David Ingram, member of Webster Groves Christian Church in Saint Louis, MO, where they originally were presented. You are welcome to adapt them for use in your own congregation.
CLICK HERE.
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CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
United Church of the Good Shepherd, Kansas City, KS.
Rev. Art Foster is supply.
First Congregational UCC, Anthony, KS.
Congregational UCC, Carrier, OK. Gordon Epps is supply.
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.
First United Church of Christ, Newton, KS.
Colonial United Church of Christ, Prairie Village, KS. Rev. Lisa Gardner, interim pastor. Rev. Aaron Roberts has been called and will begin in June 2010.
Norman UCC, Norman, OK.
Federated Church, Weatherford, OK. Harrell Davis is interim pastor.
UPCOMING CONFERENCE & ASSOCIATION
MEETINGS AND EVENTS
March 11 -11:00am - K-O Conference Parish Life and Leadershp Committee Meeting at the conference office.
March 13 - 10:00am - North Central Assoc. COM meeting at First Congregational Church, Manhattan.
March 14 - 3:30pm - Central Assoc. Ecclesiastical Council for
Jerry Schriebner at Faith UCC, Wichita.
