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KANSAS-OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
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K-O e-NEWS
April 4, 2011
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Christ Has No Body
Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
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WOMEN of Oklahoma and Kansas!! |
K-O Women's Spring Assembly
April 8,9 & 10
IT'S NOT TOO LATE....YOU CAN STILL REGISTER UP TO AND AT THE EVENT
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE
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OPEN HOUSE AT WHITE MEMORIAL CAMP AND CONFERENCE CENTER
APRIL 10, 2011
1:00pm to 5:00pm
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Please give generously to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. A portion of your gift will be used to support disaster relief and rehabilitation work in Japan. Approximately 17% of the annual OGHS offering is utilized for disaster preparedness and response. The UCC responds to a disaster, somewhere in the world, on average every 2.5 days. Your gift also will provide clean water, food, seeds and tools, education and health care in communities overcoming poverty, violence and inequity all around the globe.
CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO AND DONATE
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FILLING THE PULPIT
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Filling the Pulpit...
Remember, when you have an open Sunday this spring or summer (perhaps a vacation Sunday or mission/camp time away for the pastor) that the WOMEN'S WEEK materials in the Winter Issue of
COMMON LOT provide helps for a "Women's Day" worship service, and also a communion service, which can be used any time.
Theme: "Restoring Beauty: Salty, Bright, and Good!"
GAYLORD Community UCC held theirs on Feb. 6th. Eleven ladies assisted, serving as readers, ushers, providers of special music and the morning's meditation. The music chosen and worship center
(cross, Bible, and Christ candle in a glass bowl with rock salt) supported the service theme. A coffee fellowship time preceded worship.
PARTRIDGE Community UCC used part of the materials on two Sundays, with women serving as readers, ushers, etc. on one Sunday when the worship litanies were used and with guest pulpit
speaker, Rev. Loyce Edwards, sharing on the "salt and light" scripture for a later Sunday. (Weather played a part!)
CHENEY's Trinity United Christian Church held their annual Women's Day on Feb. 6th. Over twenty women and girls shared in leadership that day when the "blessing box offerings" were also gathered and dedicated and a group of small children shared special music. The sanctuary was decorated with a variety of candles, mirrors, shimmery fabrics and salt. Fellowship hall tables also were decorated
to follow the theme for the all-church fellowship dinner which followed worship.
Order a copy of COMMON LOT: 800-537-3394.
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FORUM on KNI Closing |
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Please listen to the interview with Rev. Tobias Schlingensiepen on NPR and join us for the forum!!
http://www.kansaspublicradio.org/health.php?action=showStory
A Forum on the issue of the Governor's proposal to close KNI, will take place at First Congregational UCC/Topeka on April 25 at 7 p.m.
Several legislators have agreed to particpate. We hope that a substantial number of people will attend to make our concerns heard.
MORE DETAILS WILL BE PROVIDED AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.
SAVE THE DATE!
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YEAH! YIPPEE!
LET'S CELEBRATE!
THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT AS COVENANT PARTNERS!
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We are happy to report that support for Our Church's Wider Mission INCREASED by over $12,000 from 2009 to 2010. Fifty-eight of our seventy-four congregations gave to Our Church's Wider Mission to make this increase happen. Thank you to all the churches and individuals that gave so that we can be the Church in this time and place. 77% of these funds were used here in Kansas-Oklahoma Conference and 23% was used in the national and global settings of the United Church of Christ. Check out this website to hear stories of Our Church's Wider Mission at work http://www.ucc.org/changing-lives/ . Together we are changing lives!
TOP TEN PER CAPITA GIVING CHURCHES (membership based on 2009 Yearbook)
Rolling Hills, Salina, KS $181.82/member for a total of $2000
Community of Hope, Tulsa, OK $99.12/member for a total of $11,200
First Congregational UCC, Manhattan, KS $88.63/member for a total of $18,700
St. John UCC, Okeene, OK $74/member for a total of $1,110
Pilgrim UCC, Wichita, KS $73.87/member for a total of $10,415
Bethany UCC, Hiawatha, KS $72.97/member for a total of $5400
Puritan UCC, Drummond, OK $50.70/member for a total of $3600 Community Church, Garden City, KS $49.64/member for a total of $7198 Faith UCC, Wichita, KS $48.35/member for a total of $2079 Central Congregational UCC, Topeka, KS $46.20/member for a total of $9583
TOP TEN GIVING CHURCHES
Plymouth UCC, Lawrence, KS $25,400
First Congregational UCC, Manhattan, KS $18,700
First Congregational UCC, Topeka, KS $18,045
Colonial UCC, Prairie Village, KS $17,000
Fellowship UCC, Tulsa, OK $13,005
Open Arms UCC, Oklahoma City, OK $12,000
Community of Hope UCC, Tulsa, OK $11,200
Pilgrim UCC, Wichita, KS $10,415
St. Peter's UCC, Inman, KS $9,946
Central Congregational UCC, Topeka, KS $9,583
TOP TEN CHURCHES THAT INCREASED THEIR OCWM GIVING IN 2010
Community Church, Garden City, KS increase of $6,723 First Congregational UCC, Topeka, KS increase of $4,520
St. Peter's UCC, Inman, KS increase of $3,315
Community of Hope, Tulsa, OK increase of $3,175
Central Congregational UCC, Topeka, KS increase of $3,170
Open Arms UCC, Oklahoma City, OK increase of $1,810
Pilgrim UCC, Wichita, KS increase of $1,372
St. Paul UCC, Holyrood, KS increase of $1,370
Faith UCC, Wichita, KS increase of $1,137
St. John UCC, Okeene, OK increase of $1,060 |
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First Congregational is hosting a very helpful parenting series which starts TOMORROW (Tuesday)...The classes are being taught by professionals at Family Service and Guidance Center and will appeal to both parents and grandparents. Details below....you can come to one or all of the sessions.
And, note the additional class: Interactive Storytelling for your Children/Grandchildren on April 26 taught by a pro who is a former library storyteller -- Susie Christey!
Dinner and childcare is provided for all the classes...just let us know if you're coming...and how many for childcare. Please pass this on to anyone who might be interested! You can register by responding to this email or calling the church office: 233-1786.
This class series is part of our new program called PIES which stands for:
Feeding us Physically, Intellectually, Emotionally, Spiritually...Becoming whole one slice at a time.
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Positive Skill-Building at Home
Megan Leopold, LSCSW, RPT
Self-control, initiative and attachment are three key skills you can teach your young child each and every day by utilizing some basic parenting strategies. Ms. Leopold will explain what they are, why they're important and tell you how you can help build these skills at home to raise a happy, confident child.
Tuesday, April 5, 6 p.m.
Parlor
Dinner provided.
Class is free, donation to cover meal costs
Please make a reservation
Childcare provided, let us know how many!
Parenting Series:
Raising a Healthy Child in a Scary World
Abby Callis, Psy.D.
Today's children - and their parents - have more to be afraid of than the monster under the bed. Children and parents are experiencing anxiety in greater numbers today than ever before. The earlier parents recognize and address anxiety problems in their children, the better. Dr. Callis will talk about identifying an anxious child, warning signs, parenting behaviors that effect anxiety in children and how to deal with an anxious child.
Tuesday, April 12, 6 p.m.
Keyes Hall
Dinner provided.
Class is free, donation to cover meal costs
Please make a reservation
Childcare provided, let us know how many!
Parenting Series:
Resilience: Helping Your Child Develop the Skills They Need to be Successful in Life
Nancy Crago, LSCSW
Ms. Crago will draw from nearly 30 years of experience as well as the latest research, teaching parents about protective factors that help children cope with everyday problems in a healthy way. She will share how children can develop these factors and become independent and confident.
Tuesday, April 19, 6 p.m.
Keyes Hall
Dinner provided.
Class is free, donation to cover meal costs
Please make a reservation
Childcare provided, let us know how many!
Interactive Storytelling with your Children/Grandchildren
Explore easy and imaginative ways to engage children in reading and storytelling activities. Brainstorm ways to utilize a magnet board for interactive activities with children while you make your own board in class. Magnet storyboards can be used over and over in many creative ways. Lots of information will be provided for storyboard resources and learn about hidden opportunities available at the library to engage your children. Susie Christey, experienced library storyteller and FCC Sunday School teacher, will teach us this process. All materials provided to complete your storyboard in the class. This will be a delightful project to use with your children or grandchildren for years to come!
Tuesday, April 26, 6:00 pm
Keyes Hall
Dinner Provided
$15 class fee for supplies
Childcare provided, let us know how many!
Reservations appreciated
First Congregational Church
1701 SW Collins
Topeka, KS 66604
785.233.1786
www.EmbraceTheQuestions.com
email: info@embracethequestions.com
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28th GENERAL SYNOD |
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 Planning on joining us? |
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ASSOCIATIONS AND CONFERENCE COMING EVENTS |
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Link to
the K-0
Calendar |
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April 16 -- Central/Western Association Spring Meeting
April 30 -- North Central Association Spring Meeting at White Memorial Camp
April 30 -- Eastern Association Spring Meeting - Ecclesiastical Council at Colonial UCC, Prairie Village
May 7 - Oklahoma Association Meeting - location to be determined |
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KANSAS-OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE OFFICE HOURS
We wanted to let the conference know that due to a combination of holiday and vacation time Krista and Judy will be out of the office several days later this month.
April 19-24 and April 27 ~ Judy Vincent, Office Associate, will be out of the office
April 22-26 ~ Krista Betz, Interim Conference Minister, will be out of the office
If you are in need of something from either of us, please get to us before those dates or know we will respond as quickly as we can when we return. |
| Prayer Requests from our K-O Family |
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Lord, hear our prayers. |
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Rev. Bob Kasper, Lawrence has been moved to the health center of Lawrence Prebyterian Manor. Please keep him and his wife Shirley in your prayers. |
| K-O PRAYER CALENDAR |
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First Congregational, Council Grove, KS -- Pastor Christy Alexander & Congregation
Grace UCC, Abilene, KS --Rev. Phyllis Garrett, Pastor Pansy Beaudoin & Congregation
K-O Women attending Spring Assembly Apr. 7 - 10
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A LETTER FROM KU ECUMENICAL MINISTRIES
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To: K-O Conference
From: Ecumenical Christian Ministries at the University of Kansas
Contact: Development Coordinator, Teresa Zaffiro
Cell: 785-764-4662, E-mail: ecmku@ku.edu
MINISTRY OF THE HEARTH: Ecumenical Christian Ministries at University of Kansas Continues Raising Funds for Essential Building Renovations and Community Work
ECM is one of the oldest campus ministries of the Presbyterian Church. It was established by First Presbyterian Church in Lawrence, Kansas in 1905. It was then known as Westminster House. It became the Ecumenical Christian Ministries (ECM) in the 60's. ECM has served the Lawrence and University of Kansas community for over 105 years! As spring rolls in, the ECM at the University of Kansas continues to offer a plethora of programs that are both faith-based and grounded in social justice. Our alternative spring break trips are bringing almost forty students to New Mexico, Arizona and Appalachia to experience new cultures, engage in community and service work and reflect on "what they want their lives to say". We continue as well our weekly Faith Forum, University - Community Forum, Veggie lunch and Human Sexuality classes.
As a result of all our activity, the ECM building has over 900 people moving through it a week. It is a busy space, but it is also a vital community space and a special place for many reasons. The ECM is a "hearth", a place where people gather to share food, ideas, their life experiences, passions and faith journeys. It is a hearth where people of all walks of life are welcome.
We recently sent to congregations in Kansas a letter describing our first ever Ministry of the Hearth Capital Campaign to make necessary improvements to and care for the building where our important work takes places. Our 18,000 square foot building is on the National, state and local Register of Historic Places. Already due to capital improvements we have seen increases in energy efficiency in heating and cooling. Other capital improvements would include making the building more ADA compliant, improvements to the on-site student residence, "Koinonia", continued energy efficiency projects, and an expanded interfaith meditation chapel. Our building, designed after the style of Frank Lloyd Wright, is historically, architecturally and socially significant.
We have been working hard but have more to go. We risk losing a $119,000 capping grant from the Mabee Foundation in Tulsa, OK, if we do not raise $60,000 more by May 24th. We will not receive another extension on this grant and cannot afford to lose it. Right now we are making a final push for donations from foundations, generous individuals and community groups. We hope to meet our goal of 60,000 in the next sixty days. If you received a letter from us, please consider a one-time gift or a pledge of up to five years ($1,000 is $200 a year and helps us immensely).
If you did not receive a letter and are interested in donating with us, contact Teresa, the Development Coordinator at 785- 843-4933 or email us at ecmku@ku.edu. With your help we can reach our goals and continue the vital work of youth and campus ministry in Kansas!
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| UCC CALENDAR OF PRAYER |
| K-O INTERIM CONFERENCE MINISTER'S SCHEDULE |
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April 8-10 KO Women's Spring Assembly
April 11-13 West Central Region Conference Minister's meeting, Minneapolis, MN
April 16 Central And Western Association Meeting, Partridge, KS
April 17 preaching at St. Peter's UCC, Inman, KS
April 22-26 holiday/vacation
April 30 North Central Association Meeting, White Memorial Camp
May 1 Pilgrim UCC, Wichita, KS
May 7 Oklahoma Association Meeting
May 8 Open Arms UCC, Oklahoma City, OK
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.
Highland Trinity UCC, Newton, KS Rev. Bill Hickerson is supply pastor
Immanuel UCC, Ellinwood, KS Rev. Larry Young has resigned and his last Sunday leading worship is March 13.
Midland Community UCC, Nickerson, KS Rev. Bob Smith has announced his retirement. His last Sunday leading worship is May 22.
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
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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