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KANSAS-OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

 

 

 

                 K-O e-NEWS

            April 18, 2011 

 

 

 FORUM on KNI Closing

 
Monday, April 25 at 7 p.m.
Come to the Public Forum on the future of the residents of the Kansas Neurological Institute.
First Congregational Church, 1701 SW Collins Ave. (17th & Collins) in Topeka, KS.
Speakers will include Senators Laura Kelly, Vicki Schmidt, and Roger Reitz, Representative Annie Kuether, Rabbi Mark Levin, and Pedro Irogonegaray.
There will be ample opportunity for comments and questions

A SERMON FOR CHANGE  

 

Read the above sermon that led Rev. Tobias Schlingensiepen to get involved.  

 

 reNEW: Skills for leading new and renewing progressive churches

 

This course teaches practical skills for starting a new progressive church or leading the renewal of a church that is stagnant or in decline. 

 

It is designed around the premise that churches are rarely resurrected, but can be born again, hence the skills needed in both situations are very similar: creating compelling vision, an effective communication strategy, data management, community development, external mission, transformational worship, etc. 

 

This class is designed by the Center for Progressive Renewal and offered for credit, continuing education units, or audit.

 

For more information and to register..go to 

http://progressiverenewal.org/renew-cpr-on-campus

 

 

 

 

 

Central Association Women's Fellowship  

 

 Central Association Women's Fellowship 

Spring Meeting

 

April 27, 2011

 St. Peter's UCC, Inman, KS

 

The theme for this coming year is "Confessing the Beatitudes".


The day will begin with registration anda continental breakfast starting at 9.


The opening call to worship will be at 9:30. In addition, we hope to

have the final Communion worship before 3 p.m.

Click here for more information and registration form.
 
Parenting Series  

 

 

First Congregational is hosting a very helpful parenting series.  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.

  

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.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

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: [email protected] 

 

      GERMAN YOUTH VISIT ITINERARY

There are a few more slots for K-O youth to join the youth from Baden Baden, Germany.

 

Here's the (very!) rough itinerary for the adventure:

 

June 11 -- 7:00 pm - Their arrival in Kansas City
June 12 -- Day with host families -- Church, church pot-luck, hanging out...swimming, etc. (we'll make some plans)
June 13 - 19 -- Specific Dates not set...
  • Worlds of Fun
  • Hanging out in Lawrence and KU Tour
  • Trip to Hutchinson for the Cosmosphere & Salt Mines
  • Trip to Salina
  • Visit to Manhattan and the Tall Grass Prairie

June 20 - 24 -- Week at Camp White

June 24 - Depart from Camp for Kansas City International for Departure

 

There will be a fee for the K-O Youth to participate -- not sure how much yet. It will cover their expenses for Worlds of Fun and other museums, etc. Probably around $100 each. Camp White Fee is additional.

 

Contact:
Jancy Pettit
785.608.6738
[email protected]

28th GENERAL SYNOD

  
 

      

Planning on joining us?

      

 

A LETTER FROM KU ECUMENICAL MINISTRIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

To:      K-O Conference

From: Ecumenical Christian Ministries at the University of Kansas

Contact: Development Coordinator, Teresa Zaffiro

Cell: 785-764-4662, E-mail: [email protected]

 

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 [email protected]. With your help we can reach our goals and continue the vital work of youth and campus ministry in Kansas! 

 

 

Larned State Hospital request for Bibles

Submitted

by Dean Young

Larned State Hospital is seeking funds to purchase Bibles

or donation of  Bibles that are easy to read for people with poor comprehension.
 

Many of the patients have poor reading skills so the Chaplain Hal
Staats is hoping to purchase more "easy to read Bibles." He receives one box per year for three programs and they don't go far enough. 

 

For donations or more information please contact:
 

All Faiths Chapel
Chaplain Hal Staats
1301 KS HWY 264
Larned, KS 67550
(620) 285-4874 - if he is not in, please leave a message with contact
information.

ASSOCIATIONS AND CONFERENCE COMING EVENTS

Link to

the K-0

Calendar 

April 30 -- North Central Association Spring Meeting at White Memorial Camp

 

April 30 -- Eastern Association Spring Meeting - Ecclesiastical Council at Colonial UCC, Prairie Village

 

Oklahoma Association Meeting - date & location to be determined

 

 

 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

 Lord, hear our prayers.

 

 

 

 

 

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
 

 

 

 

 

Puritan Congregational Christian Church - Drummond, OK ~ Rev. Bud Ruggia & Congregation

 

American Samoan Congregational Christian Lawton, OK ~ Rev. Tautu Porotesano & Congregation

 

Rev. Chris Moore - President, Oklahoma Association

 

UCC CALENDAR OF PRAYER
 

 PRAYER CALENDAR FOR APRIL 2011

K-O INTERIM CONFERENCE MINISTER'S SCHEDULE
 

 

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
 

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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CONTACT INFORMATION
           

   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
   
[email protected]

 
    Nancy A. Wolfe, Conference Communications Coordinator
    3020 SE Virgo Ave
    Topeka, KS  66605
    785-806-4580

 
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