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KANSAS-OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
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K-O e-NEWS
FEBRUARY 28, 2011 |
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Global Missions /Justice Witness |
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Do you have a passion for global mission?
· Are you a member of your congregation's mission/outreach committee looking for new ideas?
· Are you a pastor interested in energizing your congregation through global mission involvement?
· Do you want to know how your mission dollars are being spent on Critical Presence ministry around the globe?
· Do you want to learn more about our partners in the Dominican Republic and the Great River Region's partnership there 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!
Ministries and Mission Interpreters (MMI) Training Event
sponsored by
Global Ministries, First Christian Church, Fort Smith & the Great River Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
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First Christian Church
3501 Rogers Ave. Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903
on
Saturday, March 12 from 9am to 4:00pm
Cost: $10 for lunch. An MMI training notebook and a supply of GM resources are offered to tell the story of God's mission around the world!
To register, contact: Margot Mundy at 479-783-1139 or fccdoc@swbell.net
AGENDA:
9:00am Registration
9:30am Welcome, Introductions and Opening prayer
9:45am Session #1 Doing Global Mission Today
10:45am break
11:00am Session #2 Our Global Partners in the Dominican Republic
Noon: Lunch
1:00pm Session #3 Being a Global Mission Church
2:00pm Break
2:15pm Session #4 Developing an action plan for your congregation
3:15pm Closing Communion and Commissioning Service
4:00pm Head home
Please pass the word and make sure your congregation sends a representative to this global mission event!
Rev. Bob Shebeck
Executive for Mission Interpretation and Constituency Relationships
DOM/Global Ministries
P.O. Box 1986
Indianapolis, IN 46206
317-713-2571
bshebeck@dom.disciples.org
Global Ministries... Disciples and UCC together in God's global mission.
Visit us at http://www.globalministries.org/
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UCC YEARBOOK INFO |
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Yearbook materials were due in the conference office by Feb. 21. So far we have only received 24 of the 74 churches.
The national office extended the deadline for us because of technical problems, So if you can have them in the office by the 10th of March we can still process them.
If you need assistance with the process please call the office, we would be glad to help you.
Judy Vincent
Office Associate
Kansas-Oklahoma Conference
316-686-4331
800-880-6466
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UCC History, Theology and Polity Class |
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This class has been meeting in Topeka. | |
Front row from left to right: Torra Lee Hinton, Alana Wilson, Heather Coats & Rod Nitz. Back row from left to right: Rev. Kevin Olsen (instructor), Harold Neumann, Rev. Loyce Newton Edwards and Rev. Kasey Crosby. Absent: Rev. Paul LeDuc.
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NEW CHURCH START BOOT CAMP |
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I am pleased to announce that the Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ, will host a "New Church Start Boot Camp", May 18-20, 2011 at the MACUCC Conference Center in Framingham, Mass. This workshop will be lead by Jim Griffith, the leading new church start trainer in the country. This gathering is for those pastors and teams that are contemplating a new church start or have begun one.
In this workshop you will learn all the practical skills of how to:
- Network and gather new people
- How to raise "virtue" capital
- How to develop leadership
- How to determine the public launch of worship
- And many other strategies essential to a fruitful new church start
Please click here for a flyer with all the details.....
I hope key leaders in your Conference will take advantage of this terrific workshop, and if you have any questions, please feel free to call on me.
With grace and peace,
Rev. Paul B. Nickerson
Associate Conference Minister for Evangelism, Vitality and New Church Starts
Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ
508-875-5233, ext. 236
Nickersonp@macucc.org
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Insurance Board Webinars |
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Litigation 101: You Have Been Sued
On March 2nd at 11AM Eastern and again at 3PM Eastern Special Guest, Don Clark, Esq. hosts this webinar that is free and open to any church leader.
Litigation 101: You Have Been Sued - When suit papers arrive you must act. A review of the steps you must take in response, including disposition of suit papers, claim reporting, protection of evidence and the steps that follow in the litigation process.
You can register for any of our webinars by clicking here. |
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K-O WOMEN |
ATTENTION ALL WOMEN IN KS-OK CONFERENCE:
Please consider attending the K-OWF "ASSEMBLY"
at White Memorial Camp (north of Council Grove, KS)
on APRIL 8-9-10th...
Theme - "Where's the HOPE?"
Keynoter - Rev. Elaine Blanchard, TN
Have you wondered about the HOPE found in the Bible, especially in such
places as Revelations as written long ago, with eery visions and creepy verses amidst words from cherished hymns and funeral-familiar promises of salvation?
Have you wondered how HOPE exists in your own life in these trying times?
Have you thought about the "story of HOPE" that lies deep within your own soul?
 | | Elaine presenting a skit at a gathering in Tennessee |
K-O Women have a rare opportunity to listen and learn from and be inspired by a very gifted, creative Biblical storyteller, teacher and pastor, Elaine Blanchard, at this spring's gathering. You truly will not want to miss this opportunity!
Sign up to attend all or part of this great event.
See you in APRIL at White Memorial!!
APRIL 7, 8, 9 & 10
Come for all or part....just COME!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE
AND REGISTRATION FORM
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The Pilgrim Press launches 'Your Life, Better' book series and weekly, streamlined e-newsletter |
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When The Pilgrim Press joined the UCC's communication ministry one year ago, it envisioned reaching out to serve the people in the pews.
That goal now accomplished, the vision will come to full fruition this spring with the introduction of "Your Life, Better" -- a book series offering transformative, creative and straightforward suggestions to add spirituality to everyday experiences.
The first set of "Your Life, Better" books are available for pre-order and will ship in mid-March. The second set will be available this summer.
For more information, email UCCRMarketing@ucc.org
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Survey for Ministerial Candidates and
Local Church Search Committees |
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On-Line Survey for Search and Call
The United Church of Christ is currently engaged in revising the Search and Call process. Four major aspects of the process are being looked at; the Employment Opportunities listing, the Searchable Ministerial Profiles Database (accessed only by Conference Staff), the Ministerial Profile and the Local Church Profile. Long-range visioning is also taking place. Surveys have been developed to gather information from the wider church.
If you are a Ministerial Candidate that has been in the Search and Call process sometime in the last year, regardless of whether you have been called or are still searching we would like your feedback at: http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e3errsumgk5gkota/start
If you are a member of a Local Church Search committee that has been in the Search and Call process sometime in the last year, regardless of whether you have called a candidate or are still searching we would like your feedback at: http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e3euetrzgk5yvww1/start
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Rev. Edith Guffey to Speak at Colonial Church |
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UCC's Edith Guffey to Speak at Colonial Church in Prairie Village on March 6th
The Rev. Edith Guffey, Associate General Minister of the United Church of Christ, will speak at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 6th, at Colonial Church in Prairie Village, KS (7039 Mission Road). Edith, who works out of the UCC national headquarters in Cleveland, became part of the United Church of Christ because she "cannot imagine not being part of a church that doesn't speak out or speak up for justice, even when the cost is significant." Join us to hear Edith talk about happenings in our wider church. She is a warm, intelligent and caring spokesperson for the UCC. |
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K-O YOUTH EVENT ~ March 18 - 20 |
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FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT
www.whitememorialcamp.com
or Click here to download registration form
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28th GENERAL SYNOD |
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 Planning on joining us? |
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Nominations for Prophetic Justice Work |
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The Board of Directors of Justice and Witness Ministries has approved the recommendation that we seek candidates to honor at our General Synod XXVIII dinner who have done exemplary work in the area of justice.
If you know a prophetic justice worker, a local church, or grass roots organization that you think deserves to be honored for effective justice work, please fill out the form below. You may duplicate this form (link provided below) for more than one nominee.
http://www.ucc.org/justice/justice-award-nomination.html |
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SYNOD CONTEST TO HONOR CONGREGATIONS |
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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,"
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.
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Clergy Concerned About the Future Welfare of Residents of the Kansas Neurological Institute |
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The Governor's executive order to close the Kansas Neurological Institute (KNI) has raised concern among many regarding the future welfare of KNI's residents.
A group of clergy and representatives from the religious community is seeking an audience with Governor Sam Brownback in order to lend expression to this concern, as well as to inquire into what plan or plans are currently under consideration for ensuring that KNI's residents will continue to receive the care they require if KNI is closed.
If you are interested in joining this group and would like information regarding the time and place for a meeting with Governor Brownback, please contact Rev. Tobias Schlingensiepen, Senior Minister, First Congregational Church, Topeka, KS:
Email: tobiasschlingensiepen@yahoo.com
Tel.: 785-221-0215 |
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ASSOCIATIONS AND CONFERENCE COMING EVENTS |
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Link to
the K-0
Calendar |
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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 - Ecclesiastical Council |
| Prayer Requests from our K-O Family |
| K-O PRAYER CALENDAR |
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The United Parish of Lenora - Lenora, KS -Rev. Gary Dudder & Congregation
Congregation of First Congregational UCC, Anthony, KS
Sara Shaw and family - White Memorial Camp Director - Council Grove, KS |
| UCC CALENDAR OF PRAYER |
| K-O INTERIM CONFERENCE MINISTER'S SCHEDULE |
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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 |
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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
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, KS Rev. 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, KS Rev. 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, KS Pastor 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 |
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| QUICK LINKS |
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| CONTACT INFORMATION |
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Rev. Krista Betz, Interim Conference Minister
Kansas-Oklahoma Conference 1245 Fabrique
Wichita, KS 67218
800-880-6466
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
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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