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Kansas Oklahoma Conference
United Church of Christ
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Stay tuned for a special edition featuring the
K-O Conference Annual meeting! |
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UCC CONFERENCE MINISTERS GLOBAL MISSION
JOURNEY TO ZAMBIA AND SOUTH AFRICA,
AUGUST 29-SEPTEMBER 10, 2010, Part 1
Rev. Loyce Newton Edwards, Church of the Open Arms UCC, OKC, OK Retired Assistant Pastor, 09'; K-O-C UCC representative to National UCC Wider Church and Global Ministries Board of Directors
A brief history lesson:
UCC, commemorating 200 years of global missions...to which God is still speaking.
Global Ministries of the United Church of Christ (UCC) and Christian Church (DOC)
1989
The General Synod of the UCC and the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) each vote to "engage in mission together, wherever and whenever possible" (Resolution: Ecumenical Partnership")...40 plus year history of UCC and DOC collaboration in global mission...
1989
Joint Ministry in Africa established, with DOM and UCBWM executive staff working cooperatively.
"In 2004 the CGMB refined the priorities of the work of Global Ministries.
It was at this time that three Strategic Directions were added to the Standing Rules. At the heart of these Strategic Directions was the concept of Critical Presence which is defined as "timely and appropriately meeting God's people and creation at the point of deepest need: spiritually, physically, emotionally, and/or economically.
1. Nurturing Human Community: Persons in Mission, Partnerships, and Programs.
2. Thinking Locally, Acting Globally, expresses the implications of Critical Presence
for Global Ministries' relationships with Disciples and UCC constituents here in the USA and Canada.
3. Restoring the Environment and Economics to the service of God, we see implications of Critical Presence in the utilization of resources.
Letter From Africa Area Executive, Mrs. Sandra Gourdet:
"Since the four young New Englanders from Andover Theological Seminary asked to be sent abroad in 1810, the UCC has maintained global mission as a priority. We do not go as tourists. We go seeking to understand what it means to be in partnership....remembering the words of the Australian Aboriginal woman, Lila Watson, "If you have come to help me you are wasting your time. But if your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together." That is "Ubuntu" (African Proverb) which we will experience throughout the trip--'I am because we are.' In many small and big ways you will be commissioned to be their ambassadors."
In many small and big ways you will be commissioned to be their ambassadors.
GOAL To take a delegation of UCC Conference Ministers to visit mission partners and mission personnel in Zambia and South Africa.
OBJECTIVES 1. To deepen the understanding of and commitment to God's global mission in which the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is involved.
2. To increase the ability to tell compelling stories of the use of OUR CHURCH'S WIDER MISSION (including ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING) money to change lives around the world, and to assist Conference Ministers to better equip churches in the conference to be engaged in global ministry.
3. To understand the social, political, cultural & economic conditions that shape the lives of people and churches in Zambia & South Africa and how these systems either contribute to growth or hinder it.
4. To understand the meaning of "Critical Presence" among our partners by listening and learning to participate in their struggles in tangible ways.
5. To open our hearts and eyes to experience the diversity, the charm and the challenges facing the people of Zambia & South Africa, through their stories and witness.
6. To receive the gifts of the global church's faith experience that can be incorporated into our local settings to transform our church life.
7. To be faithful to what we learn, experience and receive by sharing those lessons within our own settings.
Rev. Loyce Newton Edwards, M.Div.
www.revloyce.com
405 642-0124
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 | | Local Sand Sculptures. |
 | | Rev. Angela Mencke Ballou in the Indian Ocean, Durban South Africa |
 | UCC Mission Journey Delegation: Zambia & South Africa
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Back Row, L-R: Rev. Kent Salida, FLA., Rev. Angela Mencke Ballou, MA., Jan Aerie, OH
Rev. Charles Barnes, RI.
Front Row, L-R: Rev. Loyce Newton Edwards, OK., Rev. Dr. Mary Susan Gast, CA-NEV.,
Rev. Kathy Clark, GA., Mrs. Cecilia Barnes, RI., Rev. Sandra Gourdet, IND.
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REFLECTIONS:
UCC CONFERENCE MINISTERS GLOBAL MISSION
JOURNEY TO ZAMBIA AND SOUTH AFRICA,
AUGUST 29-SEPTEMBER 10, 2010, Part 2
Although these mission trips were originally designed for UCC Conference Ministers, both Rev. Angela Mencke Ballou and I were invited to join this delegation as board members to represent Global Ministries.
On August 30, 2010, our UCC mission delegation team having met in Atlanta, GA., boarded a non stop, Delta Airlines flight to Johannesburg, South Africa. It was my third trip to the continent of Africa, my second mission trip, and my first with our denomination. The trip was both exhilarating and exhausting. This pilgrimage journey for me, was also transformational.
"On one hand we are called to play the Good Samaritan on life's
roadside, but that will be only an initial act. One day we must
be transformed so that men and women will not be constantly
beaten and robbed as they make their journey on life 's highways."
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
There were many experiences on this journey that touched both my heart and my soul very deeply. I will write 2 more articles over the next month with some
reflections on the people, places and things we shared together with our sisters and brothers in South & Southern Africa. Our time together was a totally awesome experience, and can be summed up in the words of my favorite "beloved author," Maya Angelou, "Wouldn't Take Nothing For My Journey Now"
The article below was written by our Africa Area Executive, Rev. Sandra Gourdet, DOC, per our GM website.
Southern Africa Pilgrimage Journey
September 27, 2010
"The first of five commemorative global mission trips in observance of our
church's 200 years of global mission, took place August 29-Sept 10, 2010.
The trips are partially funded and sponsored by Wider Church Ministries and
Executive, Cally Rogers Witte, especially for conference ministers and UCC
Global Ministries Board members. The trips to each of the 5 regions of our
global mission work, Latin America, Southern Asia, East Asia and the Middle
East, will occur in 2010, through 2012.
A group of nine, led by Sandra Gourdet, Global Ministries Executive for Africa
traveled to South Africa and Zambia where they visited mission partners and
saw many mission projects. Time was spent with heads of the Council of Churches
and denomination offices of both countries, missionaries in these countries as well as human service organizations, schools, churches, and seminaries. The group, made up of conference ministers, Wider Church Ministries Board members and staff documented their experiences in writing and photographs. We hope you will
have a sense of the inspiration, power and challenges encountered in Africa."
The members of the group were:
Rev. Kathy Clark, Associate Conference Minister, Southeast Conference
Rev. Charles Barnes, Conference Minister, Rhode Island
Cecilia Barnes, Rhode Island
Rev. Kent Silada, Conference Minister, Florida Conference
Rev. Loyce Edwards, OK, Wider Church and Global Ministries Board Member
Rev. Angela Menke Ballou, MA, Wider Church and Global Ministries Board Member
Rev. Mary Susan Gast, Conference Minister, Northern California Nevada Conference
Rev. Sandra Gourdet, Executive for Africa
Jan Aerie, OH, Executive for Mission Education and Interpretation
The link below contains "reflections" of this 9 member delegation.
http://global ministries.org/news/pilgrims/southern-africa-pilgrimage.html
Rev. Loyce Newton Edwards, M.Div.
www.revloyce.com
405 642-0124
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click here to enlarge image
A come and go event. Local area crafters showing off their talents and selling their goods in the dining hall. Activities include: Face painting, Hay maze, Hay rides, Hiking, Boating, Bobbing for Apples, Cake Walk, Haunted Building, Pumpkin Carving, Outdoor Cooking, Arts and Crafts, and other activities as well.
(If you are a crafter and would like to participate in the show let me know. There is not a charge for booth space and you can stay overnight at camp free of charge; food is not provided. Donations for participation in the arts and crafts show are welcomed and appreciated.)
We need the following items for the Octoberfest: Volunteers to run the different areas at camp. Pumpkins for pumpkin carving, apples, cookies, cakes, cupcakes for the cake walk. Fog machines, black plastic, scary costumes or decorations for the haunted building, people to help decorate the haunted building and work that area. Money is always welcome to help purchase supplies and things for this event.
Other Upcoming events at WMC:
October 22 - 23 Teachers RCD workshop
October 29, 30 makeup date for Octoberfest
November 5 - Rainbow Camp
December 28 - January 1 Holiday Camp - Open to all ages 3rd - 12th Grade
For more information on any of these events or to schedule your own event please call the camp 620-767-5165
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K-O Conference Prayer Calendar
Fairmount UCC, Wichita, KS Rev. Monte Gravenstein, interim pastor and Congregation
Federated Church, Kingfisher,OK Rev. Sam Steele, interim pastor and Congregation.
Congregation of First Congregational UCC, Anthony, KS
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Interim Conference Minister Schedule
October 18-21 - Denominational Leadership: Transitioning into an Executive Role at Duke Divinity School, Durham, NC
October 24 Evangelical UCC, Marysville,KS for their OCWM Sunday and recognition as a UCC Global Mission Church (the first in the conference!)
October 25-28 - West Central Regional UCC Conference Staff Meeting, Schuyler, NE
October 31 - First Congregational UCC, Centralia, KS and First Congregational UCC, Onaga, KS for the retirement celebration of Rev. Deanna Lewis
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K-O Conference and Associations Coming Events
Here is the link to the K-O Conference Calender Saturday, October 23 -- Local Church Commission will be meeting, in Wichita, at the Conference Office from 10 AM until 2 PM. October 29 & 30 -- Octoberfest at White Memorial Camp |
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-----CHURCHES IN TRANSITION-----
Cathedral of Hope, Oklahoma City, OK Rev. Joe Meinhart is interim pastor
Congregational UCC, Carrier, OK Rev. Gordon Epps is interim pastor.
Community Congregational UCC, Gaylord, KS Rev. Linda Kemp is interim pastor.
Fairmount UCC, Wichita, KS Rev. Monte Gravenstein is interim pastor.
Federated Church, Kingfisher, OK Rev. Sam Steele is interim pastor.
First Congregational UCC, Anthony, KS
First Congregational UCC, Centralia, KS Rev. Deanna Lewis has announced her retirement. Her last Sunday is October 31.
First Congregational UCC, Great Bend, KS Rev. Stan Crawford is interim pastor.
First Congregational UCC, Goltry, OK
First Congregational UCC, McPherson, KS Rev. Connie Lunn is interim pastor
First Congregational UCC, Onaga, KS Rev. Deanna Lewis has announced her retirement. Her last Sunday is October 31
First United Church of Christ, Newton, KS Pastor Jerry Scribner is supply pastor.
The United Church of Norman UCC, Norman, OK Rev. Warren Jensen is interim pastor.
St John UCC, Baldwin City, KS Rev Lewis Hinshaw is interim pastor
St. Paul UCC, Eudora, KS Pastor Rodney Nix is interim pastor
United Church of the Good Shepherd, KC, KS Rev. Art Foster is supply pastor.
Zion United Church of Christ, Junction City, KS. Rev. Patty Brown-Barnett is interim pastor |
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If you can't see the wonderful pictures that are embedded in the K-O e-NEWS emails, it is because of certain settings in your email client.
If you don't want to mess around with the settings, there is a way around it! All emails are archived about an hour after they have been sent. You can view them outside of your email program by going to the link below. |
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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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