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Kansas Oklahoma Conference
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K-O Conference Prayer Calendar
St. John's UCC, Baldwin City, KS - Pastor Mary Lou Klein & Congregation
Community UCC, Carbondale, KS - Rev. Bill Kraus & Congregation
St. Paul UCC, Eudora, KS - Rev. Greg Hurd, Interim Pastor & Congregation
K-O Conference Annual Meeting Committee as they plan for the 49th Annual Meeting of the K-O Conference. |
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Interim Conference Minister Schedule
July 16-18 Regional Youth Event, Park University, Kansas City, MO
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KO Conference and Associations Coming Events
Here is the link to the KO Conference Calender
July 1 Reports from commissions and committees due.
July 1 Registration deadline to the RYE 2010
July 1 Deadline to submit resolutions to the conference council that
you want to be presented to the KO Conference Annual Meeting.
July 9-10 KO Conference Council meeting & retreat @ White Camp |
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CWYMC Elects New Leadership
Hello, I am Marah Schlingensiepen, and I am the new chair of the Conference Wide Youth Ministry Committee. I am a co-founder of this committee, and have been active since it's inception a year ago.
I am a sophomore at Topeka High School, and a member of First Congregational church in Topeka.
I am really looking forward to working with everybody to build the youth ministry in the conference!
Editors Note: Yes, she is the daughter of Rev. Tobias Schlingensiepen, Pastor of First Congregational UCC in Topeka. I am sure he must be very proud of her accomplishments! |
Regional Youth Event 2010
Registrations are being accepted until July 1,2010
Regional Youth Event 2010 @ Park University in Parkville, MO
July 14th-18th
Agape: God's Love For Us All. Don't miss this amazing opportunity to connect with UCC youth from all over the region! Registration costs for K-O attendees is only $150.
Scholarships are available if that poses a financial hardship.
Don't miss this life-changing opportunity! More information is available at www.rye2010.com. Registration forms and scholarship forms are available on the K-O website also. |
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UCC Southern Regional Youth Event
UCC Southern Regional Youth Event, Dillard University, New Orleans, Louisiana
Rev. Loyce Newton Edwards, M. Div.
Although the scorching heat and high humidity weren't much to my liking, I LOVED the SRYE gathering June 10th-13th. Every four years the UCC promotes these regional youth events around the country. The SRYE was the first one I've participated in, but won't be the last one!
It was an especially proud moment for me, as the SRYE assembled for our meeting on the campus of Dillard University, one of over 100 HBCU's, meaning Historic Black Colleges or Universities in America. DU traces its June 12, 1869 deep roots to our Congregationalists (Straight College was founded and operated by the American Missionary Association of the Congregational Church and New Orleans University by the Freedmans' Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church).
The theme for our gathering was "Another Brick in the Wall: Tearing Down Inequality Building Up Hope!" Approximately 160 youth, parents, volunteers, and Youth Leaders gathered from Florida, Mississippi, Georgia and Alabama for fun, music, learning, worship and service projects.
Representing the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns, I presented 3 workshops on "How to be a Straight Ally." Just as the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's had our White Allies to help us advocate for equality, and the women's movement had male allies, the LGBT Community welcomes our commitment to help them in their struggle for justice and equality. There was lots of dialogue with our youth around issues that LGBT Youth encounter, and we shared ways that we can become their allies, thus helping to tear down bricks in LGBT walls of inequality, and replace them with hope.
Timothy J. Brown, (pictured above with Rev. Newton Edwards) Youth and Young Adult Coordinator for the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns presented several great youth workshops, "Biblical Self-Defense, Ho-Ho-Homophobia, and Sexual and Emotional Ethics, Relationships, and Dating", which became the most popular of all the workshops offered, and was given to a standing room only crowd of youth. Tim also has national certification for teachingASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), which will be offered @ our West Central Regional Youth Event, July 12th & 13th, Park University, Parkville, Missouri. It's not too late to enroll for that course if you are interested in taking that training. Timothy is a UCC Commissioned Minister, and an absolute joy to work with. He is a very gifted, deeply passionate and compassionate Youth Leader, as well as a musician/composer, and a Music Instructor in the Denver Public School System.
The Kansas-Oklahoma Conference UCC was well represented at this event. The Rev. Lizette Merchan Pinilla, Community of Hope UCC, Tulsa, presented 3 "spirited" workshops, "Lead, Empower, Deliver: What Youth Can Do To Stop HIV," for UCC Health and Wholeness Ministries. Lizette also serves on the Leadership Team of UCAN, Inc. (United Church of Christ HIV/AIDS Network). Her deep passion and commitment is to reducing the number of persons who are either affected by and infected with HIV/AIDS. Her zest for ministry, being "on fire for God," accompanied by her great sense of humor, bore great gifts to our young friends in New Orleans. Lizette and I were ordained for UCC Ministry, on the same day, in this conference. What an absolute joy it is for me that we are colleagues in ministry together.
Another highlight of our time together, for me, was our closing worship service on Sunday morning, June 13th, in the D U Chapel. The Rev. DaVita McAllister, Assistant Conference Minister for Youth, Connecticut UCC, delivered a powerful, rousing sermon, reminding all of us that "We are the magnificent creation of the Divine." It was a fitting tribute to 4 fun filled days with our youth and adults, striving to be all that God would have us to be.
A final highlight of my trip to New Orleans included a trip down memory lane, to visit Tulane University, to browse through our UCC Archives, aka The Amistad Research Center. My only regret is not having more time to spend in that "sacred space," hearing our ancestors speak...
The SRYE was just simply magnificent! |
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CAN YOU TELL WHAT'S NEW IN THE PICTURE?
More about this in the coming weeks' eNEWS! |
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TIS THE SEASON
Tis the season for Mission Trips and Vacation Bible Schools. Won't you think about sharing your good news stories with the rest of the Conference? Just send a photo or two and a short story about what happened, who was involved and how you saw God in that time and place for submission to the weekly email. We'd love to see and hear about these important ministries that are happening in the conference. Submit articles to kofocus@yahoo.com. |
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Back from Germany!
We had a wonderful time in Germany! We met wonderful people...ate lots of fabulous bread and cheese...immersed ourselves in their culture...met youth from all over the world at Taizé...toured many places in Germany and France...and arrived safely back home last Saturday night. We'll get a formal report and more photos and details together soon, but for now, here's a quick summary of our trip.
The kids and sponsors were housed in host family homes in small villages in the State of Baden, Germany. At first, they were a little timid but, quickly, strong bonds were created. The hosts went out of their way to make all of us very comfortable. They provided beds and delicious breakfasts every morning, and dropped us off at our meeting place for the day's activities.
After a day to settle in and get to know each other, we traveled by van to Taizé, France (about a 5 hour ride on the Autobahn) where we spent four days. Taizé is a worship community devoted to youth. There were almost 3,000 youth there when we were. It was set up very much like a summer camp with sleeping in dorms and a central outdoor dining area. We had worship 3 times a day consisting of beautiful songs we quickly learned, times of silence, and communion every day. The youth had small group meetings to discuss the topic presented by a Brother living in the community every day. It was interesting both at Taizé and also throughout the trip to hear speakers speak in two or three different languages to make sure most people understood what was being said.
The rest of the youth stay consisted of a trip to Strasburg, France, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe where their church headquarters are, Rastatt for a delightful street fair with colorful performance artists, a visit to a camp for youth similar to Camp White, a boat trip up the Neckar River, a couple of bar-b-que dinners (wonderful brats!), youth interviews for a German radio show, fun at a water park, and time with the families.
Adults enjoyed a rigorous schedule of visiting Strasburg, France, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, and Baden, Baden where they visited MANY beautiful churches. Their schedule was so packed with wonderful things to do; they finally had to tell our hosts to slow down! The adult and youth groups had dinner together one evening where they shared about themselves and heard about what everyone was doing. It was fun to catch up with them near the end of the trip.
Our hosts were delightful young people who volunteered to take care of our group and do all of the planning and masterful logistics. They planned informative trips, yummy picnics, and fun gatherings including games and music we could all sing. We all felt very connected to them and grateful for all the hard work they did.
We've already begun starting to think about what we would like to do with the German Youth and adults when they come to visit us next summer. Many of the youth have volunteered to help with the planning. We can't wait to see them again and have the rest of our congregation and conference meet them! If your congregation would like to help with an event somewhere in the conference, sponsor a German Youth, prepare meals, provide buses, or have any ideas, please let us know! Contact First Congregational in Topeka: 785.233-1786 or info@EmbraceTheQuestions.com.
Thanks for all of the funding and planning assistance from First Congregational, Topeka and the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference to make this trip a reality. We can hardly believe we actually did it...and that it went so well! Many, many thanks!
The 18 Youth travelers were Hannah Almond, Jennifer Bliss, Kyle Green, Gordon Haight, Jr., Grace Hartzell, Reid Hooper, Christy Howard, Alyssa Pearsen, Hannah Pooler, Haley Pooler, Marah Schlingensiepen, Makayla Yonning (all from Topeka), Bria Carder (Eudora, KS), Allyson Plantz (Georgetown Texas), Sharon and Alice Radenberg (Claflin, KS), Chloe Weston (Manhattan, KS), and Tyler Cochran (Manhattan, KS).
Sponsors for the Youth trip were Tobias Schlingensiepen, Pastor, First Congregational, Topeka (who, thankfully, did LOTS of interpreting!), Jancy Pettit, Amy Green, and Paul Beck (also from First Congregational, Topeka).
Adult travelers were Paula and Terry Harbert, Becky and Dick Dickinson, Jim Bass (Topeka), and Maxine and David Radenberg (from Claflin, Kansas).
The photo below is of the American travelers and their German hosts
just as we arrived in Rastatt, Germany...
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UCC Web Page on Gulf Oil Spill
Greetings friends,
As we continue to monitor or live with in some cases the continuing oil spill in the Gulf, I wanted to share with you the new web page created by Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) and Wider Church Ministries (WCM). The JWM Gulf Coast Team (created after Hurricane Katrina) and WCM National Disaster Ministries are working together to provide updated information and resources to our local churches. Loey Powell and I are gathering from many sources what we currently think might be of assistance to UCC members and friends. The information will change as we all move through this disaster that is impacting health; the economic situation of any involved in the fishing industry and the processing and the restaurant industry; the emotional and spiritual health of people living on the Gulf Coast; and the needs of children, all of which is within an already fragile environment.
I was privileged to travel with Loey Powell, Alan Coe, Bonnie Vollmering (CWS), and a few other people from Mennonite Disaster Services to Southern Louisiana and spend a day listening to local residents. Story after story from fisher people and local church pastors revealed to us a great many needs that are already known - there will likely be many more before this is resolved. There are many more stories to hear from Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.
Please continue to keep all impacted by this disaster in your prayers.
Peace,
Florence Coppola, UCC Executive, National Disaster Ministries
and Loey Powell, UCC Minister for Justice & Witness
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KO WOMEN
White Memorial Camp
SEPTEMBER 9-10-11, 2010.
Registration forms are posted here.
Early Registration Deadline is August 31, 2010
Elaine Blanchard: Storyteller, Retreat Leader
and Public Speaker
Remember when we sat on the porch in the evenings and talked about our day? Remember when the kids caught fireflies on the front lawn and we watched the stars come out over our heads while we told stories and laughed at ourselves? We developed a sense of community on the porch and in our swing. We learned to trust each other as we let go of the day's light and relaxed into the night.
Elaine Blanchard's stories take us to that place where we can trust ourselves and each other again.
You won't want to miss this.
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Bible Study (for Women or any group)
"Journeys Through REVELATION: Apocalyptic HOPE for Today" by Rev. Dr. Barbara Rossing
Also available:
"JOSHUA: A Journey of Faith" by Mary Mikhael;
"Jubilee! LUKE's Gospel for the Poor" by Dale Lindsay Morgan.
Order from: UCC Resources 1-800-537-3394
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The "Widening the Welcome: Inclusion for All" Conference
The time is right to join the conversation at the first national gathering hosted by
UCC Mental Illness Network and UCC Disabilities Ministries
September 23-25, 2010
Drury Inn - St. Louis, Missouri
At least one in four families in all faith communities is affected by a mental illness/brain disorder or a disability. The United Church of Christ has long been an advocate in inclusion for all through the UCC Disabilities Ministries (DM) and the UCC Mental Illness Network (MIN). Throughout our UCC history, we have highlighted, voted, and enacted resolutions related to disabilities and mental illnesses/brain disorders. Now, for the first time, the UCC DM and the UCC MIN are together hosting a national gathering. The "Widening the Welcome: Inclusion for All" conference takes place September 23-25, 2010, at the Drury Inn in St. Louis, Missouri. "Widening the Welcome" seeks to develop the life of congregations to include persons with disabilities and persons with mental illnesses/brain disorders and their families. Featured speakers include: Dr./Sister Nancy Kehoe, author of Wrestling with our Inner Angels: Faith, Mental Illness and the Journey to Wholeness, Dr. Debbie Creamer, author of Disability and Christian Theology: Embodied Limits and Constructive Possibilities, the Rev. Craig Rennebohm, author of Souls in the Hands of a Tender God, the Rev. Geoffrey Black, Dr. David Greenhaw, the Rev. Jane Fisler Hoffman, the Rev. Bob Molsberry, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Bauer, R. Jeffrey Pollock, atty., Vel Garner M.S., the Rev. Jeanne Ann Tyler, and more. You're invited to join us for 7 workshops, worship, and devotions. We're also inviting all who stay through Sunday the 26th to attend local UCC churches and to meet in the afternoon to plan programs and initiatives for the 28th General Synod of the UCC in 2011. For more information and to register, please go to www.wideningthewelcome.com or call (303) 756-8380. For information about becoming a sponsor of this important gathering, please contact Alan Johnson, Chair of the UCC MIN at revalan2004@comcast.net. |
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Believe Out Loud Power Summit October 9-11, 2010 Orlando, FL
The UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns in partnership with the UCC Health and Wholeness Advocacy Office are writing to share about an exciting advanced leadership training opportunity and to ask for your help and support. The advanced training called the Believe Out Loud Power Summit will gather around 500 leaders and will focus on living into the values of extravagant welcome known in the United Church of Christ as Open and Affirming (ONA). It will take place October 9-11, 2010 at the Doubletree Hotel in Orlando , Florida .
The curriculum of the training program will address such questions as, "How can I be a helpful resource to local churches with their ONA process?" "We're ONA, now what?" and "What are we going to do about the LGBT related measure on the ballot in the next election?"
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ESPERANZA 2011
The conference is planning the 15th youth and adult mission trip to the Tijuana area of northwest Mexico. The dates are June 4 - 11, 2011. The registration forms will be ready soon so please put down the dates on your calendar and let the conference office know about your interest....email: mpoag@aol.com or call me at 316-686-4331. Saludos y paz, Mike Poage |
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-----CHURCHES IN TRANSITION-----
Cathedral of Hope, Oklahoma City, OK
Congregational UCC, Carrier, OK. Gordon Epps is supply.
Community Congregational UCC, Gaylord, KS. Rev. Linda Kemp is interim pastor.
Fairmount UCC, Wichita, KS
Federated Church, Kingfisher, OK. Rev. Sam Steele is interim pastor.
First Congregational UCC, Anthony, KS
First Congregational UCC, Great Bend, KS. Rev. Stan Crawford is interim pastor.
First Congregational UCC, Goltry, OK. Rev. Jane Ho has resigned, her last worship service is 7/4/2010
First United Church of Christ, Newton, KS. Jerry Scribner is supply pastor.
Norman UCC, Norman, OK. Rev. Warren Jensen is interim pastor.
St. Paul UCC, Eudora, KS Rev. Greg Hurd is supply pastor
United Church of the Good Shepherd, Kansas City, KS. Rev. Art Foster is supply.
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NEW FEATURE -- ARCHIVED eNEWS EMAILS
Looking for something that was featured in a previous email? Here is the link for the archives. |
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Rev. Krista Betz, Interim Conference Minister
Kansas-Oklahoma Conference 1245 Fabrique
Wichita, KS 67218
800-880-6466
Nancy A. Wolfe, Conference Communications Coordinator
3020 SE Virgo Ave
Topeka, KS 66605
785-806-4580
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. |
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