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KANSAS-OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
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K-O e-NEWS
September 12, 2011 |
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DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS CELEBRATION
KANSAS-OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE
50TH ANNUAL MEETING
OCTOBER 7-9, 2011
CAPITOL PLAZA HOTEL ~ TOPEKA, KS
Click HERE for more information and registration forms.
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE!!
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What's the Right Thing to Do?
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WHAT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO?
COME WATCH AND TALK ABOUT IT!
Beginning Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. CrossWalk United Church will show a discussion series on 2nd and 4th Tuesday evenings entitled: "Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?" Sessions will be held in fellowship hall of Faith Lutheran Church, 201 S. Oakwood, with refreshments. CrossWalk is eager to share this resource with the community and invites everyone high school age and older.
Selected from the popular Harvard U. course taught by Michael Sandel, each of 12 sessions shows Sandel interacting with students as they struggle with the right thing to do in a variety of circumstances. Using a combination of humor, instruction and insight, as well as respect for each student's opinion, Sandel seeks to help students and viewers become better thinkers about moral decisions. He helps us refine our ideas of right and wrong by subjecting us to "What if" scenarios. Now available on DVD, the sessions were originally broadcast on PBS. A schedule of dates and topics will be available at CrossWalk's opening session Sept. 13.
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If you can't view the image above, click here for the pdf file
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50 Years: Changing Lives to Change the World!
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News from CUE Seminaries
50 Years: Changing Lives to Change the World!
On September 22, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities will kick off observances of 50 years living out its unique call as the leading progressive seminary in the Upper Midwest. Fall Convocation begins our landmark celebration of the 50 year anniversary of the seminary. Rev. Dr. Clyde Steckel, emeritus professor of theology, will give the convocation address: "What Were They Thinking? What Would They Think Now?" Information on the full array of commemorative events will soon be posted atwww.unitedseminary.edu.
Kiely Todd Roska
Director, CUE Seminaries
P.O. Box 120357
St. Paul, MN 55112
kiely@cueseminaries.org
www.cueseminaries.org
Celebrate Theological Education!
Higher Education Sunday: October 30, 2011
Seminary Sunday: February 26, 2012
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THREE-EVENT SERIES
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If you can't view the image above, click here for the pdf file
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Say No to Hate - Action in Tulsa
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I wanted to alert you to a social justice action undertaken recently by over 100 Tulsans. Every UCC authorized minister currently serving a call in the Tulsa area participated in this event: Rev. Dr Paul Ashby, Sr Pastor of Fellowship Cong'l Church, Rev. Melinda Foster, Pastor of OpenTable UCC in Owasso, OK, Rev. Nancy Eggen, Campus Minister at the University of Tulsa, Rev. Leslie Penrose, Exec. Dir. of Just Hope, and myself.
Here is a link to the YWCA's 'thank you' letter after the event. (The YWCA was one of the organizing agencies.) This letter includes links to all the media coverage of the event.
To summarize, this was a silent solidarity event at Tulsa City Hall to protest the presence of ACT! for America, a national anti-Islam group. ACT! for America was in town in support of a local police captain who was suspended after he refused to follow an order to send officers to a "Community Appreciation Day" at the Islamic Center of Tulsa. The officer claimed the order was in violation of his 1st Amendment rights to freedom of religion. (It was not a religious event, and it occurred in the equivalent of the Fellowship Hall at the Islamic Center; it was simply a dinner supplied for the officers by the members of the Islamic Society to thank them for their service).
The group Say No to Hate held a silent counter-protest standing against the hate-filled messages of ACT! for America that were directed at our Muslim sisters and brothers. After ACT! for America finished their demonstration, the participants of Say No to Hate (including all the UCC ministers listed above) swept the sidewalks outside City Hall to represent the sweeping of hate from our city.
Please feel free to contact me (or any of the others), if you would like more information.
Thank you!
Rev. Bob Lawrence, MDiv
Pastor
Community of Hope, United Church of Christ
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SEPTEMBER 17, 2011
SMALL MEMBERSHIP CHURCH WORKSHOP
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IF YOU DON'T SEE THE IMAGE ABOVE,
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE DOCUMENT
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CLERGY BOOK GROUP, TAKE 2
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We had such a great time studying Phyllis Tickle's book, The Great Emergence that we have decided to tackle a second book. This time we'll be reading Liberating Hope! Daring to Renew the Mainline Church by two UCC pastors, Michael Piazza and Cameron Trimble. The book was just published in July so it is full of fresh ideas and commentary.
The group will meet September 8 and 22 from 10:30am-12 noon at the Conference Office in Wichita, KS. Folks that have time then go out to lunch.
Read Chapters 1-2 for September 8 and Chapters 4-6 for September 22. Other chapters and dates will be set at one of the gatherings.
If you are unable to come to Wichita, then we still encourage you to read the book-either with a group of pastors in your area or just on your own.
Interim Conference Minister
Kansas-Oklahoma Conference
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MAJOR 2 Hour Web Event
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The Great Religious Recession
or a Great Spiritual Awakening?
On Tuesday, October 25th, The Center for Progressive Renewal will be co-hosting a MAJOR 2 hour web event with Diana Butler Bass in partnership with the EDGE Ministry Network of the United Church of Canada.
Like other aspects of American life, religion is going through a challenging period of change, erosion, and decline. Many Americans are no longer satisfied with forms of faith and church that no longer seem to speak to the soul. From membership to traditional beliefs, nearly every measure of conventional religiosity is down. Diana Butler Bass explores the religious trends reshaping our understandings of faith, practice, and community, drawing out the real questions that Americans are asking about their spiritual lives. Probing these deeper questions--and addressing them in meaningful ways--opens paths for a different sort of Christianity, one that offers genuine hope for spiritual awakening and cultural transformation.
When: Tuesday, October 25th from 7:00-9:00PM EASTERN TIME
Cost $29.99
Click here for more information and to register
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K-O PRAYER CALENDAR
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Families of the victims of 9/11/2001
Heather Coates and Amy Green - Members in Discernment in the Eastern Association
Immanuel UCC, Ellinwood, KS ~ Rev. Katrina Palan, interim Pastor and Congregation
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PRAYER REQUEST FROM THE K-O FAMILY
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PRAYERS OF SYMPATHY
We ask for prayers for the family of Rev. Charles Fisch who are grieving his death on August 27, 2011. Charles was an ordained United Church of Christ pastor and had served in Kansas in the 1990s at Kiowa UCC and Centralia/Seneca UCC. Cards of sympathy and support may be sent to his daughter, Angie See, 1942 Jeanette, Wichita, KS 67203
PRAYER FOR RECUPERATION
Please keep Phil Friedeman in your prayers as he recuperates at home from hip replacement surgery on August 23. Phil is a member of Plymouth UCC, Lawrence, KS and a retired UCC pastors. Cards of care and support may be sent to his home at 808 Fox Chase Court, Lawrence, KS 66049.
PRAYER FOR HOSPITALIZATION
Please include Jean Manz in your prayers as she is currently hospitalized. Jean is a member at Grace UCC, Abilene, KS and a UCC clergy widow and an Honored Lay Woman Award Recipient. Cards of care and support can be sent to Abilene Memorial Hospital, Jean Manz, 511 NE 10th Street, Abilene, KS 67410.
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"COME & SEE" DONOR PARTNER TRIP another opportunity has been added!
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JustHope's "Come & See"
Donor PartnerTrip to Chacraseca, Santa Emilia, & LaFlor, Nicaragua Friday, Nov. 25 - Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011 or Friday, Jan. 6 - Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012 CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION 
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| UCC CALENDAR OF PRAYER |
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ASSOCIATIONS AND CONFERENCE COMING EVENTS |
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Link to
the K-0
Calendar
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September 17th - Small Membership Church Workshop
October 2 - Installation of Rev. Isaiah Muita, Zion UCC, Kansas City, KS.
October 7, 8 & 9 ~ K-O Conference 50th Annual Meeting ~ Capitol Plaza Hotel, Topeka, KS
November 5 - All Conference Committees on Ministry Retreat - Wichita, KS
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| K-O INTERIM CONFERENCE MINISTER'S SCHEDULE |
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September 18 ~ Zion UCC, Junction City, KS
Krista would be happy to visit your congregation. Call her at 316-686-4331 to schedule a date.
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| K-O CHURCHES IN TRANSITION |
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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.
Congregational UCC, Haven, KS Pastor Judy Conners has announced her resignation, effective October 2011
Community Congregational UCC, Gaylord, KS Rev. Linda Kemp 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 Salem UCC, Wichita, KS Pastor Myra Sorrell is serving as supply pastor through January 2012.
Highland Trinity UCC, Newton, KS Rev. Bill Hickerson is supply pastor
Immanuel UCC, Ellinwood, KS Rev. Katrina Palan is interim pastor
Kiowa Congregational UCC, Kiowa, KS
Midland Community UCC, Nickerson, KS has called Pastor Judy Conners, effective October 2011
Puritan Congregational Christian Church, Drummond, OK
St John UCC, Baldwin City, KS Rev Lewis Hinshaw is supply pastor
St. Peter's UCC, Inman, KS Rev Christine Edwards is the interim pastor
United Church of Norman, Norman, OK Rev. Warren Jensen is interim pastor.
United Parish of Lenora, Lenora, KS Rev. Gary Dudder has announced his resignation, effective immediately.
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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