Rev. Patrick Nixon will be presenting a program for the Disciples Clergy Cluster in Cheney, KS. on February 10th at Noon. The meeting will be at Trinity United, 416 Washington Ave, Cheney. A Nicaraguan lunch will be served. All UCC clergy are cordially invited!
Global Missions is the organization through which the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ work together to do missions in other nations. Global Missions works in 70 countries around the world helping with everything from traditional missionaries to water systems and AIDS prevention.
For more information about Global Missions, and possible mission trips, contact Patrick Nixon at Trinity United Christian Church in Cheney, Kansas at 316-540-6161, or patrick@cheney.kscoxmail.com
WEBINARS
Dynamic Leadership in the Smaller Membership Church
From several Biblical perspectives, small congregations reflect God's deep hopes for community, care and witness. Ministers serving in these churches must be dedicated generalists with skills in every aspect of church life, and they must be prepared to cultivate relationships across traditional faith lines. While it is true that, by sheer numbers, more people belong to larger-membership congregations than to smaller-membership congregations, it is also true that, by sheer numbers, there are far more smaller-membership churches in the United States than there are churches of any other size. Clergy are likely to serve in at least one smaller-membership congregation during the course of their career, and many will serve only in those contexts. Successful leadership in a small church CAN have a huge impact on Christianity in the 21st century.
This five week course will explore theologies of size and how to shape thriving, faithful ministries in smaller congregations (typically defined as having a worship average attendance of less than 100). The course will be led by Rev. Elizabeth Dilley, pastor of First Congregational United Church of Christ, Red Oak, Iowa. For more information visit progressiverenewal.org.
Appreciative Inquiry has been a model for affirmative change in many organizations. One challenge has been to make these tools accessible to local congregations. In this five week course participants will be walked through a practical approach to using the tools of Appreciative Inquiry to lead change in their setting. This process can benefit any congregation, but particularly new congregations, congregations in transition, and churches looking to make the next step in growth.
Churches are urged to sign up for this course with teams of three people, though this can be accomplished with single participants as well. A follow-up coaching relationship will be made available to participating congregations after the course completion (for an additional fee).
This course will be led by Rev. Gregg Carlson, a UCC Minister and Director of Online Learning for the Center for Progressive Renewal. He is a student of A.I. and has led a corporate congregation through a successful A.I. process. For more information visit progressiverenewal.org.
Insurance Board Webinars
February 910:00 AM Central
Building Trust, Preventing Disaster -
Financial Controls for Your Church
Financial controls are fundamental church stewardship. This program reviews related elements of church by-laws and basic principles of financial control, separation of duties and audit.
Make sure you visit our website often for a list of upcoming webinars.
You can register for any of our webinars by clicking here.
You can also download a copy of the latest issue of The Steward and
read more about Financial Controls for Churches.
K-O WOMEN
Women's Day Worship Service
Materials can be found in the Winter Issue of COMMON LOT, (download by clicking here). Theme: Restoring Beauty... our inner, spiritual beauty, by being salty, bright and good and by sharing the light of Christ with others.
If your church does a "Women's Day" worship service, please send
a summary and bulletin to Jo Ann Chance (Box 193, Cheney, KS 67025).
Our revised Conference directory of congregations, authorized ministers and lay leaders has recently been published. A copy was mailed to each of the congregations and all of the members of the Conference Council.
If you, too, would like a copy, please email Judy at jvincent@kocucc.com and she will send you a pdf file so that you may have your own copy. If this is difficult for you, please let Judy know and we will try to accommodate that. Also, if after receiving the directory you notice any inaccurate or incomplete information, please let Judy know so that we can update the database.
YOUNG ADULT MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
Ecumenical Advocacy Days will be held this year from March 25 - 28 and offers scholarships for young adults to participate. It is an ecumenical event grounded in our common faith and shared traditions of justice and peace. The gathering includes issue briefings and advocacy trainings, and culminates on Monday with all participants going to Capital Hill for pre-scheduled meetings with their Members of Congress. Early registration rate deadline is February 19, 2011
Two young adult-specific Justice LED trainings will be held this year for UCC members between the ages of 18 - 30. The first will be held in Cleveland, May 5 - 8, 2011; the second will be hosted by Pilgrim Firs in the Seattle area from September 24 - 26. The goals for these events are: to share with them the Biblical/theological and socio-cultural grounding for doing justice work; to offer them them a taste of the Justice LED program so they can promote and share it with others in their respective churches and communities; and to empower them to be faith-based leaders and champions of justice, able to deeply reflect and engage with others on issues and act on areas of injustice that move them.
Justice and Witness Ministries will cover the cost of transportation, lodging, meals and program materials for all accepted applicant; each event has space for up to 25 people.
WMC MATCHING GRANT CHALLENGE
White Memorial Camp has been awarded a $30,000 MATCHING GRANT for a High Ropes Course from the Hopkins Foundation of Lyon County, KS.
Our challenge now is to raise the other $30.000.00 by the spring so we can have the course up and running before summer starts. The addition of a high course that accessible to all will enable the camp to be more self sustaining, enrich the lives or our camp family, and expand our conference participants.
The UCC Puritan Congregational Church in Drummond OK has given $1,000.00 and is challenging other churches to meet their donation.
Our challenge to you is to be part of this exciting addition to camp and help us reach this goal. Climb on! For more information call the camp office 620-767-5165 or send a check to the Conference office with "High Ropes Course" in the comment section.
If you are associated with construction of challenge courses or might know of someone who is working in this field please let Sara know. She is sending out requests for bid proposals and would like to include several contractors.
Celebrate Seminary Sunday on February 27th
Please plan to celebrate Seminary Sunday on February 27th or any Sunday that works for your congregation.
This is an opportunity to lift up UCC theological education during worship. Bulletin inserts or offering envelopes can be emailed or mailed to you.
For more information, visit the CUE Seminaries website:
www.cueseminaries.org or contact Kiely Todd Roska,
The year 2010, was an exciting one for us in Marysville, Kansas.It began with a surprise grant of $1,500 from the Leo D. Ring Trust specifically designated for the development of Children and Youth programs.
Our first endeavor was to put on excerpts of the musical "GodSpell" with additional dialogue written by our Sunday School children.They performed to a full house.
Then there was an exuberant Daily Vacation Bible School, with a special trip to the Doorley Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska, to see the insect and desert pavilions as part of an Exodus theme.A total of 26 youngsters and adults participated.
Fall brought three special events:
A Wednesday Evening series for families and people of all ages included movies and popcorn, a special tour of the Doll Museum, game night, arts and crafts nights.In December, Wednesday evenings became "Parents' Night Out" with a nourishing supper and special activities for children provided for a two-hour span of time to give parents that all-so-necessary breather during the Holiday rush.
We became a Global Mission Church in October!The Rev. Dr. James Vijayakumar brought special greetings and a special message.Our own K-O Interim Conference Minister, the Rev. Krista Betz, brought greetings from the Conference.Rev. Loyce Edwards brought greetings both from Oklahoma and from the Board of Directors, Common Global Ministries.It was an exciting day for us!
We have started a "Second Sunday Series" in which part of the Worship Service is dedicated to special music provided by a guest musician or group.(Now, if only the weather cooperates!)Our first guest group was a women's trio from Southeastern Community College in Beatrice, Nebraska, known professionally as "After the Storm."The group was led and accompanied by Professor Maybelle Circle.
After the Storm
The Trustees were pleased with the results the funds from the Leo D. Ring Trust, and spontaneously awarded us another $1,500, again to be used for the development of children and youth programs.We are spending many delicious hours dreaming and planning how these funds will be used.
Keep you posted!
The Evangelical United Church of Christ, 'way up North in Marysville, Kansas
Six congregations that have imagined something significant - and then worked to make it possible - will be honored at General Synod, July 1-5, in Tampa, Fla. The celebrated churches will help bring to life the Synod's theme, "Imagine What's Possible. God is Still Speaking,"
One congregation representing each of the UCC's six geographic regions: Southern, Great Lakes, New England, Western, West Central and Mid-Atlantic will be chosen by Synod moderators to be honored during the Synod's Imagine What's Possible Music Festival to be held on the evening of Saturday, July 2. The winning churches' pastor and one lay leader will receive an expenses-paid trip to General Synod (airfare, hotel, registration and meals).
"We hope congregations will not be shy in telling the wider church what they made possible with ingenuity, persistence, faith and hard work, and why their story will bring hope and encouragement to the rest of their UCC family," says Edith Guffey, Associate General Minister and the Synod's administrator.
Congregations should email submissions to synodcontest@ucc.org, with "Synod Contest" in the subject line, by Friday, March 11. Submissions can also be mailed to General Synod Contest, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115-1100.
Submissions should include:
A one-to-two page essay describing how your congregation envisioned something significant and then made it happen. Be sure to include details about obstacles, perceived and real, that were overcome, and how the achievement has impacted your church and/or community.
Photos, videos, YouTube or web links, or other materials, that will assist contest judges with understanding your church's story.
A brief description of your congregation, as well as some basic information: Name of your church, address, pastor's name, association/conference, region (if known), and applicant's name, email and phone numbers.
Winners will be announced no later than Tuesday, April 5.
The board of directors for the Wichita State University Campus Ministry is accepting applications and/or resumes for a half-time position as campus minister at Wichita State University. The campus has a diverse, 14,000 plus student body with many international and commuter students. The ministry has an office in the Ratigan Student Center and a part-time administrative assistant.
Please send your information and/or queries to: Rev. Phil Shull, 2220 N. Yale, Wichita, KS 67220 or phil@uumc.net.
February 14 - Day at the OK Legislature - OK Council of Churches
February 28, March 1-2, 2011 -- K-O CLERGY RETREAT
April 16 -- Central/Western Association Spring Meeting
April 16 -- North Central Association Spring Meeting
April 30 -- Eastern Association Spring Meeting
Prayer Requests from our K-O Family
LORD, IN
YOUR
MERCY,
HEAR OUR
PRAYERS
Rev. Maynard Beemer and his wife Wanda at the passing of their daughter, Tammy Sorenson. They live in Appleton, WI and grew up is southern Dickinson County, Kansas. Submitted by Pastor Erik Graefe, Abilene
K-O PRAYER CALENDAR
First Congregational, Athol, KS -- Pastor Becky Saddler & Congregation
Community Church, Gorham, KS -- Rev. Frank Alexander & Congregation
February 18-23 -- Annual UCC Consultation of Conference Ministers, Collegium, and Staff Team Leaders in Long Beach, California
February 27 -- The United Parish of Lenora, Lenora, KS
March 6 -- Service of Ordination into the Christian Ministry for Jerry Scribner, First Church, Newton, KS
March 13 -- The United Church of Norman, Norman, OK
March 18-20 -- Conference Youth Event, White Memorial Camp
Krista would be happy to visit your congregation. Call her at 316-686-4331 to schedule a date.
K-O 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, KSRev. 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, Centralia, KS Pastor Scott Caulley is supply pastor. First Congregational UCC, Great Bend, KSRev. Stan Crawford is interim pastor. First Congregational UCC, Goltry, OK First Congregational UCC, McPherson, KS Rev. Constance Lunn is interim pastor First Congregational UCC, Onaga, KS Pastor Scott Caulley is supply pastor. First United Church of Christ, Newton, KS Pastor Jerry Scribner is supply pastor. Highland Trinity UCC, Newton, KS
Immanuel UCC, Ellinwood, KSRev. Larry Young has resigned and his last Sunday leading worship is March 13. St John UCC, Baldwin City, KS Rev Lewis Hinshaw is supply pastor St. Paul UCC, Eudora, KSPastor Rodney Nitz is interim pastor St. Peter's UCC, Inman, KS Rev. Jim Nelson has resigned and his last Sunday leading worship is February 27
United Church of the Good Shepherd, KC, KS Rev. Art Foster is supply pastor.
United Church of Norman, Norman, OK Rev. Warren Jensen is interim pastor.
Zion UCC, Junction City, KS. Rev. Patty Brown-Barnett is interim pastor
Sara Shaw, Camp Director 620-767-5165 (Camp Office) 620-202-0311(Cell) 620-767-7244 (Fax) 1271 South 1050 Road Council Grove KS 66846-8520 wmcucc@tctelco.net
Nancy A. Wolfe, Conference Communications Coordinator
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.
This five week course will explore theologies of size and how to shape thriving, faithful ministries in smaller congregations (typically defined as having a worship average attendance of less than 100). The course will be led by 
Rev. Judith Scott, Pastor 
