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KANSAS-OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 

  

The K-O e-News will be on vacation the week of May 30th.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!  
Watch for the June 6th issue!
Congratulations and Welcome to the Family!

 

 

 

 

 

 **The Oklahoma Association has granted full standing in the United Church of Christ to Open Table United Church of Christ, Owasso, OK.  The Rev. Melinda Foster has been the organizing pastor for the last four years.  It was exciting to hear about how their ministry has grown and how God's message of renewal, hospitality, and service is being spread through them.  We heard about their building of community gardens, creating an after-school safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered teenagers, and their organization of a community wide effort to provide healthy snacks to elementary children.  It truly was inspiring to hear what this small group of committed Christians was doing.

 

**On Sunday, May 15 Fairmount United Church of Christ, Wichita, KS called Rev. Larry Young to be their part-time pastor.  Larry will start June 2, 2011.  Larry is no stranger to the conference as he most recently served at Immanuel UCC in Ellinwood, KS.

 

**On Sunday, May 15 St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Eudora, KS called Pastor Rodney Nitz as their full time pastor.  Rodney has been serving there as a supply pastor so he will move into this called position immediately.  Rodney comes to us from the Presbyterian Church as a licensed lay pastor.  He is currently  seeking licensure from the Eastern Association so he will be an authorized minister in the United Church of Christ.

  

K-O PRAYER CALENDAR 

 

�Zion UCC - Junction City, KS  Rev. Patty Brown-Barnett, Interim & Congregation

 

�First UCC - Newton, KS  Newly ordained - Rev. Jerrold Scribner & Congregation

 

� Rev. Ruth Bradshaw - Chair, Central Assoc. Committee on Ministry 

  

The June, July, August K-O Prayer Calendar is posted on the KO website -- www.kocucc.com/prayercenter

UCC CALENDAR OF PRAYER
 

 UCC PRAYER CALENDAR FOR MAY 2011

Strengthen the Church 

 

 

 

 

REACHING OUT.............and "growing the future"! 

 

 

Strengthen the Church!  

 

Strengthen the Church,one of four special mission offerings

within the United Church of Christ, grows the UCC's future by:

 

The past National Youth Event and Regional Youth Events,

including the one last year in the Kansas City area,  are

supported by this offering.

 

Church House tours and information-sharing events for pastors

and lay leaders at the denominational headquarters in Cleveland,

which help promote the relationships and ministries of the whole

church, are supported by this offering.

 

New church starts, like the 3 we have recently had in the

Oklahoma Association in Enid, Norman and Owasso, are

supported by this offering.

 

Various programs within the KS-OK Conference, in the

areas of youth, new church starts, and peace and justice

efforts are supported by this offering. 

 

The newest program to enhance education, leadership

development and communications for women across

the whole church will be supported by this offering.

Across the country ten "Regional Women's Ministry Partners," two per

region, are dedicated to enhancing women's ministry programs in the

local churches, Associations, and Conferences of the United Church of

Christ by providing resources and support!   Lizette Merchan of Tulsa

and Elaine Blanchard of Memphis are the two consultant-partners for

our West Central Region.

 

Please help spread God's LOVE and share an extravagant welcome

to others by supporting "STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH"

 

 

Secure, Cost-effective Electronic Payment Solutions for Churches
 

UCC:  e-giving


If you are a local church and are interested in gaining information on how you can enter the world of electronic giving for members who wish to contribute in that manner, the UCC has partnered with Vanco Services, LLC to offer several secure, cost-effective electronic payment solutions for local churches.  

 

 It can help process giving to a local UCC church through:


...Direct Debit (ACH)    Example:  can debit a member's checking or savings account on set dates or set amounts.


...Credit-Debit Card    Example:  can set up a credit card contribution on a regular basis.


...Online Giving    Example:   can provide opportunities for members and non-members to give on line as they determine how and when to give.


...Donation by Text    Example:   Givers can complete a one-time, online profile and then can text to give a contribution anytime they wish.


Vanco can work with a local church to set up a system that does not have a monthly service fee or monthly minimums.  This is perfect for churches that handle only a handful of transactions without large service fees.

 

For more info:   Vanco Services   1.800.774.9355    www.ucc.org/e-giving

 

BROWN GRANTS FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION 


 

If you are a UCC Clergy (Ordained or Licensed) and wish to attend a Continuing Education event, don't let the cost of attending such a event prevent you from attending.  The national UCC through its Brown Grant program offers authorized UCC clergy Continuing Education grants through a simple application process.  Grants are processed at 2-3 times during the year.  Next deadline is June 20 for approval review in July.  The next deadline is October 15 for a November approval review.  These funds are there to support UCC clergy and are another way the national UCC supports the whole church.

  

For more info contact, Minister of Grants, Scholarships and Resources at PLL, Veronica Jeffers:  [email protected]     I don't know the ratio of applicants to actual grants awarded but I think there is very good chance if you apply, you will be awarded some amount of a Continuing Education grant; so apply!

 

CLERGY BOOK STUDY GROUP FORMING
 

All pastors are invited to join their colleagues in a new book study group that is forming. It's a bit loose right now, but we are hoping to gain more shape as time goes on. There are lots of great books out there to read and we hope to encourage each other to stay current on a variety of topics.

 

We have to start somewhere so the first book that we are reading is The Great Emergence by Phyllis Tickle-for a tease about the book check out http://www.thegreatemergence.com/ . Right now Ruth Bradshaw and Krista Betz have committed to meet June 2 and June 16 from 10:30am to 12noon at the Conference Office in Wichita in order to discuss the book.

 

Any of our clergy colleagues are invited to join us. If the distance is too much for you, we'd encourage you to either read the book on your own or start up a book study group in your area. It would be great if we could get several of these groups going across the conference so that even if we aren't all in the same room, we are still all studying and reflecting on the same material. If you have any questions, contact Krista at [email protected] or 316-686-4331.

 
BIBLE STUDY MATERIALS for UCC WOMEN:  
 

 

The HORIZONS Ecumenical Bible Study 

for 2011-2012 is entitled:


"Confessing the BEATITUDES" 

by Rev. Margaret Aymer,


which will focus on specific scriptures in Matthew and Luke, plus others in Psalms, James and Romans, and help us learn together what it means to speak the truth about who God is calling us to be.

The Bible Study is the "Spring Edition" of the subscription or "partnership" in "UCC Women in Mission Partners" - part of our covenantal partnership with UCC women's ministries, being UCC women together and supporting the missions,

 leadership development opportunities, and ministries of UCCWM.  

 

Electronic individual subscriptions are $24.00. 

Printed paper copies individual subscriptions are $34.00


Each "partnership" gives a person a copy of each of the COMMON LOT Quarterly publications...a Summer edition, Fall edition, and the Winter edition (which shares the "Women's Week" materials), and then the Spring edition is the large Ecumenical Bible Study (materials written in a format to provide 9 Lessons, plus "suggestions for leaders" for each lesson and some additional materials).

Subscriptions (which should be requested ASAP, so that the Bible Study for 2011-12 can be included) will be secured by sending checks to:

UCC WM (UCC Women in Mission)

Attn: Financial Services

700 Prospect Ave E

Cleveland, OH 44115-1100.


The study materials look to be very user-friendly and interesting, so hope you will enjoy using them as well as reading and sharing the COMMON LOT quarterly
materials.

 

 

Submitted by:  Jo Ann Chance, KOWF

 
  

 

 

From a Mustard Seed:

Enlivening Worship and Music in the Small Church

Tuesday, May 31, 2011, 07:00pm - 08:00pm

Small congregations can, and should, have beautiful worship! In From a Mustard Seed, a new webinar based on the book of the same name, an experienced pastor-professor and an experienced church musician will provide a model for faithful and excellent worship in congregations that average 75 or fewer people in weekly worship. This interactive webinar will offer a vision, spiritual practices and practical guidance for transforming your congregation's worship. Participants will reflect on the theology of worship and ways to enliven diverse styles of music in corporate worship. While the limitations of small congregations are obvious to their members and leaders, the possibilities for creative music and worship are often greater than we can imagine!

 

 

This webinar will begin at 7 p.m. EASTERN time and run for one hour.

 

PLEASE NOTE: All participants must have a unique login. Shortly after registering, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to obtain yours.

 

For questions, please contact Gregg Carlson at [email protected] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

Registration is $14.99 per person.
 

Click here to register!

 

 

 

 

 Healthy Congregations Workshop - June 11, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zion United Church of Christ in Junction City invites you to join us for a "Healthy Congregations" Workshop on Saturday, June 11, 2011.  A brochure with all the information can be downloaded here.  The deadline for registration is June 1, 2011.

 

Directions to the church are provided below.

From east of Junction City:

Take I-70 west and turn off at Exit 295.
Turn north/right (onto Highway 77) at the stop sign.
Then turn left at the second light, which is McFarland.
Turn left immediately into the parking lot of Zion United Church of Christ,
which is on the corner of Highway 77 & McFarland.

From west of Junction City:

Take I-70 east and turn off at Exit 295.
Turn north/left (onto Highway 77) at the stop sign.
Then turn left at the second light, which is McFarland.
Turn left immediately into the parking lot of Zion United Church of Christ,
which is on the corner of Highway 77 & McFarland.  
 

 

We hope you will join us.


In God's Shalom,
The Rev. Dr. Patty Brown-Barnett
Interim Pastor
Zion U.C.C.
Junction City, KS 66441

  

 CELEBRATE

  Fairmount

 

Fairmount UCC in Wichita, KS at 1650 Fairmount St, Wichita, KS  is celebrating the completion of our extensive Historic Preservation renovation.  We invite you to come on Sunday, June 12 from 2-4 pm.  If you have questions, please contact the church office on weekday mornings at 316-682-1597.

28th GENERAL SYNOD

  
 

      

Planning on joining us?

      

Kansas Conference on Poverty

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2011 Kansas Conference on Poverty will feature:

  • Over 25 workshops and activites focused on cutting edge programs and the most up-to-date information.
  • A Welcome to Topeka Reception
  • The "Poverty: A-Z",  Art as Advocacy experience
  • A Health Care Reform Panel Dinner, where an expert panel will provide an overview of the consumer protections and market reforms of the Affordable Care Act that impact the work of all anti-poverty advocates.
  • More...

Location & Host Hotel:

Ramada Hotel & Convention Center: Downtown Topeka

When:
Wednesday July 20, 2011 at Noon -to- Friday July 22, 2011 at 1:30pm.

  

Registration Fee: $135, includes most meals, see registration form for complete details.

 

NOW is the time to register to participate in the2011 Kansas Conference on Poverty, the premiere event in the Midwest for training and networking for human service professionals and 
anti-poverty advocates.


Signing up for this life changing event in Beautiful Downtown Topeka, July 20-22nd, 2011, just got easier, as the event is
 now accepting credit card payments for registration!

 

You will be inspired to change the landscape of Kansas, and America, by leaders and experts from across the Nation. We are pleased to announce that this year's keynote addresses will be presented by:   

Linda C. Crompton:President and CEO of BoardSource, Linda has more than 25 years of experience in business, finance, and organizational strategy. She will be presenting on commitment to social responsibility and exceptional governance.

Lindsey Hodel: Director of Training and Partnerships for Nonprofit VOTE, Lindsey will highlight trends and challenges for human service nonprofits as we approach the 2012 elections.

Kent Rader: Known as the "World's Cleanest Comedian and Speaker," Kent helps people and associations learn and experience how laughter matters in reducing stress and building quality organizations. 

We hope you will seriously consider our invitation to join the fight against poverty. Follow this link to learn more about the 2011 Kansas Conference on Poverty.

 

Register Now!

 

 

 

 

 

Disciples of Christ TEAM 2 Workshops 

 

 

 

Disciples of Christ TEAM2 Workshops Announced 
 
The KS region's training and educational event, TEAM2, is August 26-27
 
TEAM2 workshops will include the following: 
Stewardship of Accumulated Resources; 
Disciples Stewardship & the Jubilee Fund; 
Re-visioning the Pastoral Relations Committee; 
Parish Nursing; Lay Pastoral Care
Spirituality of Stewardship; 
Understanding the Generations; 
Global Mission
Raising Up Leaders: the Call to Ministry; 
The Stewardship of Leadership: Doing it Right; 
Intentional Interim Ministry; 
The Family Budget; and 
Youth Sponsors Training. 
 
For flyer, schedule of events, workshop descriptions, and registration form go to the TEAM2 page  on the website.

 

ASSOCIATIONS AND CONFERENCE COMING EVENTS

Link to

the K-0

Calendar 

May 30 ~ Memorial Day - Office Closed

June 4 ~ Vision Task Force meeting 10:00AM

July 1 - 5 ~ General Synod

July 4 ~ Independence Day - Office Closed

July 15-16 ~ K-O Council Retreat at White Memorial Camp

 

K-O INTERIM CONFERENCE MINISTER'S SCHEDULE
 

May 29   First Congregational UCC, McPherson, KS

June 5     Community UCC, Carbondale, KS

June 12  Evangelical UCC, Marysville, KS

June 26  Friedens UCC, Bern, KS

 

Krista would be happy to visit your congregation.  Call her  at 316-686-4331 to schedule a date.

 PULPIT SUPPLY LIST

 

 PULPIT SUPPLY LIST

From time to time churches are in need of a pastor to come and lead worship on a temporary basis.  It might be because the regular pastor is on vacation or sabbatical or it could be that the congregation is in-between pastors and awaiting their interim to arrive.  In any case, the conference minister often receives phone calls or requests for a list of names that the congregation can telephone.  To that end, Krista Betz is creating a list of persons who would be willing to receive a phone call and possibly lead worship in our Kansas-Oklahoma Conference churches from time to time.  The list will include only authorized ministers in good standing in the United Church of Christ or persons in good standing in one of our partner/formula of agreement denominations.  If you are such a person and would like to be included in the list, please email Krista at [email protected].  Let her know your name, email, phone number, town in which you reside, how many miles you would be willing to drive from there, and where your authorization for ministry/standing is held.  Thanks!!

K-O CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
 


Cathedral of Hope, Oklahoma City, OK  Rev. Joe Meinhart is interim pastor
 
Church of the Good Shepherd, Kansas City, KS  
Rev. Art Foster is serving as stated supply

Congregational UCC, Carrier, OK   Rev. Gordon Epps is interim pastor 
 
Community Congregational UCC, Gaylord, KS 
Rev. Linda Kemp is interim pastor.  
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

 

Midland Community UCC, Nickerson, KS  Rev. Bob Smith has announced his retirement.  His last Sunday leading worship was May 22.

 
St John UCC, Baldwin City, KS  Rev Lewis Hinshaw is supply 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

 

Zion UCC, Kansas City, KS 


QUICK LINKS
 

 Archived e-NEWS emails 

 

United Church of Christ

 

Kansas-Oklahoma Conference  

 

White Memorial Camp and Conference Center 

 

Find us on Facebook

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

 
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.