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K-O Conference Prayer Calendar
for the week of April 26th
KO Conference Council who will meet May 1, 2010.
Rev. Kent Cormack - Chair, KO Conference Annual Meeting Planning Committee.
Rev. Geoffrey Black - General Minister & President, United Church of Christ.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ================================================================== Rev. Krista Betz INTERIM CONFERENCE MINISTER
Visitation Schedule
May 2 - Midland Community UCC, Nickerson, KS, preaching in morning worship as they
dedicate renovated facilities
May 9 - Manhattan UCC, Manhattan, KS
May 16 - Plymouth UCC, Lawrence, KS
May 23 - Immanuel UCC, Ellinwood, KS
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UPCOMING CONFERENCE & ASSOCIATION
MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Here is the link to the KO Conference calender
KO Conference Council Meeting - May 1st - 10:30 - 4:30 at the
Pilgrim UCC Parish House
Oklahoma Association Meeting -- May 15, 2010
July 1, 2010 is the deadline to submit resolutions to the conference council that you want to be presented to the KO Conference Annual Meeting.
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STUDY GROUP FOR K-O PASTORS
When: Thursday, April 29 starting time 10:00AM
Where: White Memorial Camp
What: Book Study chapter 3 and 4
Lunch is $8
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Early registration deadline for the Regional Youth Event is May 1, 2010, after that, the price rises from $150 for the first 40 registrants to $175. Forms and information are on the conference youth page.
==================================================================== PTS to host World Labyrinth Day Walk
Saturday, May 1, 2010 Phillips Theological Seminary (PTS) will open its labyrinth to the public in honor of World Labyrinth Day.
Located at 901 N. Mingo Road in Tulsa, the labyrinth will be open from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 1, 2010.
The walk is sponsored by Tulsa Labyrinth Circle, a newly formed group whose mission is to bring the people of Tulsa together to experience unity and harmony through the use of labyrinths.
"The goal is to have people walking as many labyrinths as possible on May 1st," said Belva Brown Jordan, Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Services at PTS. "Walking the labyrinth on a day when others from all around the world are also walking will offer participants a great sense of unity and community."
The PTS Labyrinth was chosen due to its inclusion in Gail Peck's book, Oklahoma Labyrinths - a Path to Inner Peace.
According to Mady Fraser, PTS Chaplain Emerita, "A labyrinth is an ancient, multi-cultural symbol that has appeared in different designs throughout history. The labyrinth offers a single, winding path to the center which represents a journey to our own center and back again," said Fraser. "When used as a meditation and prayer tool, the walk is a symbolic pilgrimage that takes us out of our ego to the spirit that dwells within each and all of us."
Resources for guided walks will be available at the event. The reading materials will propose ideas for prayer and meditation while walking.
For more information on World Labyrinth Day, visit the Phillips Theological Seminary web site at www.ptstulsa.edu.
====================================================================== Immigrant Rights Sunday May 2, 2010 The first Sunday in May, has been designated Immigrant Rights Sunday within the UCC. Justice and Witness Ministries and Wider Church Ministries are urging congregations to lift up immigrants on this day: to learn about their concerns, honor their contributions to our country and communities, and listen to hear where God is leading us regarding issues of immigration. On May 2nd the UCC will observe its second Immigrant Rights Sunday. (The first was last year.) The UCC has been a long-time advocate for just immigration policies that guarantee legal rights to every person living in the United States, but designating a special day to recognize immigrants began only last year.
Welcoming the stranger is an edict from God to the people of God (Deuteronomy 10:17-19). But too often the strangers among us are rejected and treated like enemies.
On the First Sunday in May, Congregations are encouraged to include stories about immigrants in their worship service. There are millions of immigrants and stories about strangers who reside near our local UCC churches. Immigration Sunday is an opportunity to learn their stories and share them. Special worship resources will be available in April, although many are already posted online or may be obtained from Helga at mingionh@ucc.org or toll-free at 1-866-822-8224, ext. 3712.
Caught in Legal Limbo
One story tells of two brothers, Benigno and Ronald, who find themselves caught in a legal limbo as they seek to make it through the maze of immigration bureaucracy.
Brought to the United States from Guatemala by their mother as small children, they are now 24 and 28 years old. When their mother became a legal resident through marriage, she petitioned for her sons to become residents as well. Unfortunately, they sought help from a Notario, who charged them a few thousand dollars to do the paper work.
There are many unscrupulous individuals who engage in the unauthorized practice of immigration law and leave their clients hopeless and helpless. In this case, Benigno and Ronald "think" they may have petitions pending. Even if they do, as unmarried children of a legal resident from Guatemala, it may take up to 7 years for visas to become available for them to achieve their dream. Wishing to marry, Benigno has postponed doing so because he knows the laws are different for married and unmarried children of permanent residents. Both these young men have no experience of living in Guatemala and if forced to leave, they would be fish out of water.
They have been raised in this country, gone through the educational system, and are fully bilingual with very promising futures. Their story is repeated time and again with children who, by no decision of their own, find themselves in legal limbo.
Immigration Sunday is intended to help us overcome our fears about the strangers among us, and to work on their behalf to make life safer in the United States. Promoting draconian policies and militarizing our borders do not protect or serve anyone's best interests. Too many families have been divided and too many lives have been lost because our country has failed to properly address the needs of immigrants. It is time for us to honor God's instruction to feed, clothe, and love "those who are strangers, because you yourselves were strangers..."
As we learn the stories of others, we can tell our stories also; the stories of our families' journeys to America. We can remember what it felt like to be received or rejected in a new land. Then, we will discover the practical reasons why God instructed us to take care of immigrants, foreigners, and strangers.
Nobody should be left in a legal limbo to fend alone or fall prey to individuals, systems, or institutions that abuse them and deny their human dignity. If we forget our own experiences, we may mistreat others who are going through what we once knew to be a frightening and unwelcoming period in our lives. We can do better to make God's entire family feel welcome and at home. Hospitality is a hallmark of our faith. Every human life is precious and the 'loving image of God'
This invitation to participate in Immigration Rights Sunday comes from Rev. Art Cribbs, San Marino Congregational Church, UCC, in San Marino, Calif., and Rev. Dan Romero, Conference Minister (retired), Southern California/Nevada Conference, UCC.
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STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH: SPREAD THE LOVE
On Pentecost Sunday, May 23 congregations are encouraged to receive a Strengthen the Church offering.
This is one of four special mission offerings within the United Church of Christ and grows the UCC's future. Fifty percent of the offering is passed on to the national setting for:
* funding new church starts and invigorating existing congregations,
* nurturing lay and pastoral leadership
* building youth and young adult ministries
* supporting the God is Still Speaking ministry and its extravagant welcome for all within the United Church of Christ.
Fifty percent of the offering remains in the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference to support the ministry of the Justice and Witness Commission and to create a fund administered by the conference minister for special "strengthen the church" projects identified throughout the year. This year you will notice in the promotional materials that one of our very own Kansas-Oklahoma Conference congregations is highlighted-Plymouth Congregation United Church of Christ and its new church start, Reunion Libertad in Lawrence, KS. Reunion Libertad is a new ministry birthed out of Plymouth's desire to welcome Spanish-speaking persons in Lawrence to come and be "centered in their own journeys of faith and liberation." Free English classes, with free child care, create a bridge across cultural and language barriers as English-speaking volunteers serve as conversation partners. With a little help from Strengthen the Church, the congregation has become known as a safe and warm place where God is still speaking.
******************************************************************************** REPORT FROM THE K-O CONFERENCE JUSTICE WITNESS COMMISSION Co-Chairs: Rev. Chris Moore and Rev. Mike Poage On Monday, April 19, the Justice Witness Commission of the K-O Conference met in Wichita. We had five people who were able to attend in our effort to get that Commission back on track. Chris Moore and Mike Poage will be serving as co-chairs. We acknowledged the fact that our K-O community organizer for several years, Karen Spradlin, from Oklahoma City, will be leaving the position as she moves to Virginia with her family. We had some discussion about a replacement for Karen's job as well as continuing efforts to fill the leadership positions of the other committees under the umbrella of JW work. We are meeting again on Monday, May 24, in Wichita, and hope that other commissions and committees within the conference are beginning to add vitality and excitement to their calling. ************************************************************************************* Calling All Chaplains If you are a chaplain in the healthcare, corporate or other settings, please contact Chaplain Regan Saoirse to be included in future networking within the K-O Conference. Email your contact information and any suggestions for future activities. There are plans being made to have a gathering at the Annual Meeting this year and to include chaplains within worship, or some other way to recognize them within the Conference. Please help spread the word!!! Chaplain Regan Saoirse 634 Greever Terrace Lawrence KS 66046 Phone: 636-221-1723 ************************************************************** Viral UCC ad launch inundates YouTube Even before the UCC officially launched its new viral marketing message, The Language of God, leaked links to the video had become so popular that YouTube froze the view count on the message, thinking significant traffic was computer generated and not legitimate viewing. Click here for the full story! **************************************************************************
UCC ARTWORK?
Greetings,
We are on the search for UCC related artwork that your local churches or
UCC members might possess and would like to offer to be displayed in the
guest rooms of the Radisson Hotel - Gateway in
Cleveland. This is the
hotel attached to the Church House and is frequented by many UCC folks
as they travel through Cleveland for meetings. Do you have prints of local churches, UCC related schools, etc.? The
Radisson Hotel is currently undergoing some changes and updates, as
identified by Carlson Hotels Worldwide, owner of the Radisson franchise.
These updates will include the addition of artwork to each of the guest
rooms. Large (8"x10" at a minimum) black and white prints or photos are
preferred but we may be able to reproduce color prints or photos into
black and white. Snapshots would not be appropriate.
If you have any pieces to share, please send them directly to:
Jan Gomoll
Local Church Ministries
700 Prospect Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115
Please include the following:
* Identification of each piece of art
* Can we keep and hang the original or do we need to make a copy
(if possible) and return the original to you?
* Where to return the original
Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request.
******************************************************************** Planting New Progressive Churches, Renewing Existing Churches
"Seven Secrets" for vital, transformational church leadership is the theme of the 2010 New Church Leadership Institute in Atlanta, an event co-sponsored by the Center for Progressive Renewal and Local Church Ministries.
The Center for Progressive Renewal has launched an ambitious project to plant new congregations and renew existing churches.
In just its fourth month, the Center has lined up more than 15 webinars and workshops on church planting; renewal through spiritual direction; evangelism in communities; and a broad range of other topics keyed to church growth.
The Center is funded by Local Church Ministries, the UCC's Southeast Conference and "Hope for Peace and Justice." Its leadership includes the Rev. Cameron Trimble, CEO and executive director, and the Rev. Michael Piazza, executive director for church multiplication.
"CPR aims to train leaders - both ordained and lay - in the skills they need for church planting and congregational renewal," says the Rev. David Schoen, leader of the UCC's Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Team. "Church multiplication" - the founding of new churches by existing congregations - is one of CPR's key strategies. Working in partnership with seminaries and the UCC's regional conferences, the Center will recruit, train, mentor and coach pastors and lay leaders with a particular vocation for new church development.
The Center will also support existing churches with a commitment to renewal.
"We'll be drawing on the skills of the best ecumenical practitioners in church development and renewal who can serve as a pool of consultants and coaches for the denomination," says Trimble. "At present, there is no ecumenical center serving the development of new congregations in progressive denominations. This is a vacuum we aim to fill."
The Center's continuing series of webinars costs only $9.99 for one-hour sessions with church growth and renewal experts. Events such as the New Church Leadership Institute (Aug. 9-13 in Atlanta) and the Churches Birthing Churches Conference (Oct. 22-24 in Chicago) will provide a more intensive training experience.
The Leadership Institute will offer two tracks: one for new church leadership and one for renewal of existing congregations. Workshops will include: Church Planting 101; Transformational Worship; Social Networking and Web Design; Fundraising and Stewardship; Spiritual Discernment and Decision-Making; 21st-Century Faith Formation; Turning Your Church Inside Out; and Rediscovering Your Community.
Registration for webinars and other training events is on the Center's website.
The Center's mission statement defines "progressive Christianity" as "a faith that believes God's family includes all people; God's people are responsible for caring for the environment,
the poor, sick and vulnerable; that education, health care and civil liberties are vital to abundant life and therefore the desire of God for all people; and that truth is found more often in honest grappling with the questions than in absolute hierarchical pronouncement of the answers."
"We believe that this is the type of faith for which millions of Americans hunger," Trimble says.
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Installation Weekend Packed with Memorable Events Celebration dinner, installation service for the Rev. Geoffrey A. Black, viral ad launch and debut of StillSpeaking Magazine highlight an historic weekend in the life of the United Church of Christ. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ K-O Women FALL ASSEMBLY White Memorial Camp
SEPTEMBER 9-10-11, 2010.
Mark your calendars.
Registration forms are posted here. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 
White Memorial Camp 2010 Camp Schedule and
Brochures are posted.
While you are looking, check out the Wish List! @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
BROWN GRANTS FOR CLERGY EDUCATION AVAILABLE
Proposals for individual and group continuing education and bi-vocational and licensed ministry training grants are now available for 2010. Grants are distributed three times a year: April, July, and November.
In 2009 the United Church of Christ provided continuing education grants totaling $94,281 and $21,866 for bi-vocational/licensed ministry training. Similar amounts will be available in 2010. Send proposals for July 2010 consideration no later than mid-June. Contact our UCC Minister for Grants, Scholarships and Resources for more information-Veronica Jefferson.
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TECH GEEKS
The Kansas-Oklahoma Conference would like to pursue some options for having virtual meetings-webinars, video conferencing, skype, etc, etc. However, we need some help in researching and implementing the best option for the conference. We are looking for a couple of people to help in this task-is it you or maybe someone you know?
If you are interested, please contact Rev. Krista Betz for more information at kbetz@kocucc.com.
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-----CHURCHES IN TRANSITION-----
Congregational UCC, Carrier, OK. Gordon Epps is supply.
Community Congregational UCC, Gaylord, KS. Rev. Linda Kemp is interim.
Fairmount UCC, Wichita, KS has received the resignation of its pastor,
Rev. Michael Poage, effective June 15, 2010.
Federated Church, Kingfisher, OK. Rev. Sam Steele is interim pastor.
Federated Church, Weatherford, OK. has called Pastor Rick Connelly effective
May 1, 2010. Rick is a Disciples of Christ (Christian Church) minister.
First Congregational UCC, Anthony, KS
First Congregational UCC, Great Bend, KS. Rev. Stan Crawford is interim pastor.
First United Church of Christ, Newton, KS.
Norman UCC, Norman, OK.
United Church of the Good Shepherd, Kansas City, KS. Rev. Art Foster is supply.
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