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KANSAS-OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
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K-O e-NEWS
DECEMBER 6, 2011
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The K-O e-NEWS will be on an extended holiday until the new year. See you in 2012!!
If you have an announcement that requires immediate
distribution, please call the conference office.
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Global Ministries Alternative Christmas
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Dear Friends:
As we enter the Advent season preparing our hearts and minds for the birth of Christ, many among us also are preparing gifts for friends and family. Global Ministries Alternative Christmas Gifts are perfect for lots of people on your list... the person who has everything or the person who wants nothing... friends, relatives, church leaders... a child who expresses concern for others in the world....Gifts to support the appointment of missionaries and volunteers, or general gifts to Global Ministries are great choices.
In addition, each year Global Ministries highlights a variety of specific projects in areas of the world - however, any Global Ministries project, partner, or country may be designated. As with all designated gifts to Global Ministries, 100% of all designated Alternative Gifts are sent for the purpose for which they were designated. This is possible because of the support given by local Disciple and UCC churches through Our Church's Wider Mission and Disciples Mission Fund.
Gift givers now have the option of sending an "Electronic Card" or "eCard" as a part of making an online Alternative Christmas gift on the Global Ministries website. As you fill out the donation page, you'll see options for eCards and you can enter the email addresses of those in whose honor you are making your gift. You can even set the date that the card will be sent. Perfect for both the eco-conscious and the procrastinators because gifts can be made anytime and announced to the gift recipient paper-free!
For those who work a little further ahead and like to send a traditional card, Global Ministries can personalize and send a card and photo of the project you have chosen to support if you will provide the gift recipient's name and address. Gifts can be made online, by phone, or by mail.
For more details, suggested projects, and to give a gift, click here: http://globalministries.org/get-involved/special-giving-opportunities/alternative-christmas-giving.html
If you are purchasing gifts for others on your list, gifts bought online can also support the work of Global Ministries if you first visit GoodShop: http://www.goodshop.com/?charityid=847213
Or download and install the GoodSearch/GoodShop toolbar to support Global Ministries: http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/global-ministries-disciples-of-christ-and-united-church-of-christ
A wide variety of online sites provide a percentage of sales back to Global Ministries as a donation, just by you shopping, purchasing airline tickets and etc.
As you sort through all the email messages from retailers offering their "bigger and better deals," we hope you'll consider the best deal we think you'll find... Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy for brothers and sisters around the world.
Thank you for considering including Global Ministries in your Advent and Christmas celebrations. Blessings!
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January 9, 2012 was set as the date the conference books will close. All 2011 gifts must be received in the conference office by January. 9, 2012 to be credited for 2011. Any checks received after that date will be credited to 2012, sorry but there can be NO EXCEPTIONS.
If you are sending gifts to the office for 2012 between January 1 and January 9, 2012 be sure they are marked as 2012 gifts or they will be considered 2011 gifts.
Please use the Local Church Mission Giving form for each year when you submit checks to the office. They are available on the K-O web site or by calling the office and requesting one.
Thank you,
Judy Vincent
Office Associate
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SAVE THE DATE
JANUARY 30 - FEBRUARY 2, 2012
CLERGY RETREAT
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The K-O Conference Parish Life and Leadership Committee is pleased once again to sponsor a Clergy Retreat.
The retreat will be held in Leadership Lodge at The Disciples Center at Tawakoni in Andover, Kansas. We will stay in a beautiful cabin with two "bunk style" dorm rooms separated by a large great room with a fireplace, full kitchen and media equipment. Each room accommodates up to 17 persons and has its own bathroom facilities with a shower.
We will need to bring our own towels and bedding. Meals will be provided.
Directions can be obtained at http://kansasdisciples.org/pdf/camptdirections.pdf
A Holiday Inn Express is nearby for those who prefer private accommodations.
PRESENTERS:
Richard F. Ward, Ph.D.
Phillips Theological Seminary, Tulsa
Fred B. Craddock Associate Professor of Homiletics and WorshipDirector of Denominational Formation (United Church of Christ)
Prior to coming to Phillips, Richard F. Ward was Associate Professor of Preaching at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. He brings to the study of preaching a rich background in performance studies and practices. He is particularly interested in the arts of storytelling and oral interpretation of scripture as they inform and enrich the ministry of preaching. Dr. Ward is the author of Speaking from the Heart: Preaching with Passion and Speaking of the Holy: The Art of Communication in Preaching and a number of contributions and articles for the disciplines of homiletics, performance theory, and communication studies.
He will do one session on "What's Narrative Preaching and Why are They Saying all Those Things About it?" and one session on "What's Storytelling Got to Do With It?" Each session will have two parts: one part is an exploration of the question and another part devoted to implications for practice.
The Rev. Dr. Lisa M. Wolfe
Oklahoma City University
Associate Professor in the Endowed Chair of Hebrew Bible
and also teaches for Saint Paul School of Theology at OCU.
Rev. Wolfe received her Ph.D. from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and Northwestern University in 2003, her M.Div. from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH in 1996, and was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 2000. In 2010, Living the Questions released Lisa's Bible Study DVDs "Uppity Women of the Bible: Ruth, Song of Songs, Esther, and Judith." These relate to her recently published book for Cascade Press, Ruth, Esther, Song of Songs and Judith. An article that Lisa published in the United Church of Christ's StillSpeaking Magazine, "On Being an Irritant," received the 2010 Associate Church Press' Award of Excellence for Theological Reflection: Long Format. Lisa lives in Oklahoma City with her husband Fred Mischler, their son Abraham, and their daughter Phoebe.
Lisa was a presenter in the past at a K-O Annual Meeting and was very well received. Her presentation is titled "Tips for Biblical Preaching."
REGISTRATION INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED SOON
SAVE THE DATES -- JANUARY 30 - FEBRUARY 2, 2012
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Attention Association LayWomen
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Nominations for 2012 Association Honored Lay Women are due by December 31, 2011. This is your opportunity to recognize the contributions of the women in your local churches.
A Nomination form can be downloaded here or request a hard copy from the conference office.
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Ladies - get out your calendars!
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Looking ahead in 2012, the following dates should be noted:
FEBRUARY -- Winter Issue of COMMON LOT will present worship materials and daily devotionals for the 2012 WOMEN'S DAY/ WOMEN'S WEEK, which will officially be Sunday, FEBRUARY 5 and FEB. 5-11, 2012. (Materials may be used for any women's worship service.) Adding a dedication of an annual gathering of women's "Blessing Box Offerings" is a possibility, too.
Please remember to remain in covenant with UCC Women in Ministry through contributions to UCCWM ($34) which bring quarterly COMMON LOT publications as well as the Ecumenical BIBLE Study (spring issue). Send to: Local Church Ministries (UCCW), 700 Prospect Ave E, Cleveland OH 44115-1100.
Friday, MARCH 2nd, will be the date for World Day of Prayer. "Let Justice Prevail," written by Christian women of Malaysia is a resource available for you. Materials may be ordered from WDP USA by calling 888.937.8720.
Saturday, APRIL 21st - SPRING CELEBRATION
Central Association Women will host a one-day event for
ALL women of K-O at Trinity United in Cheney, KS.
Fri-Sat-Sun, AUGUST 17-18-19th - K-O WOMEN'S ASSEMBLY at White Memorial Camp.
All women in KO are encouraged to attend all or part of this retreat session to gain information about women's ministries, learn in Bible study and worship, and enjoy fellowship with other UCC women and explore the church camp grounds while enjoying personal meditation time.
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CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
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Friends,
As you know and perhaps experienced where you live, this year there have been a number of disasters in the United States. Local communities are organizing to determine how to best address needs of people impacted. Birmingham, AL is now ready to receive volunteer work groups to assist with repairing/rebuilding homes. Three UCC local churches are offering housing to work groups. The UCC is partnering with the Central Alabama Long Term Recovery Committee and Habitat for Humanity in this recovery effort. I have provided here the link to the Birmingham registration information. Please share this throughout your Conference. Thank you for your continuing support of disaster ministries.
Peace,
Florence Coppola
Executive, UCC National Disaster Ministries
700 Prospect Ave. E., Cleveland, OH 44115
216-736-3211 www.ucc.org/oghs/national
UCC Volunteer Ministries web link: http://www.ucc.org/volunteer/disaster-recovery-volunteers/2011-spring-summer-storms.html
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K-O PRAYER CALENDAR
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First Salem UCC, Wichita, KS ~ Pastor Myra Sorrell (supply) and Congregation,
Pilgrim Congregational, Wichita, KS ~ Rev. Ruth Bradshaw and Congregation
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K-O Family Prayer Request
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- Prayers for the family of Clifford Duffy who passed away November 30th. Cards may be sent to Billie Dove Duffy at Rt. 1 Box 328, Dover, OK 73734
- Prayers for successful surgery and speedy healing for Nancy Wolfe. She will have knee replacement surgery for both knees on December 13th. Well wishes can be mailed to 3020 SE Virgo Ave, Topeka, KS 66605
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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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CONFERENCE OFFICE CLOSED FOR HOLIDAYS
The Conference Office will be closed December 23-27 and December 29-January 2. If you have an urgent need or emergency during that time, call the voicemail of Rev. Krista Betz at 316-686-4331 and a phone number will be given as to how she can be reached. A blessed Christmas to each of you from the staff of the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference: Judy, Sara, and Krista.
January 30 - February 2, 2012 - Clergy Retreat
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| K-O INTERIM CONFERENCE MINISTER'S SCHEDULE |
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December 11 Community of Hope, Tulsa, OK for the service of farewell for Bob Lawrence
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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CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Rev. Donovan Graber and the Congregational UCC Church of Haven, Kansas as they begin their ministry together. Donovan began as part time supply ministry there on November 13, 2011. Donovan previously served the Congregational UCC Church of Kiowa, Kansas as well as several Mennonite congregations in Kansas. He has a Masters of Divinity from the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary. He currently has standing in the Mennonite Church and will be seeking dual standing with the United Church of Christ.
Congratulations to Rev. Bob Speer and the United Parish of Lenora, Kansas as they begin their ministry together. Bob began serving as part time called pastor in October. Bob is a United Church of Christ pastor who recently retired from chaplaincy and felt called to provide pastoral leadership to this congregation. They are off to a strong start and we wish them continued blessings.
Central Congregational UCC, Topeka, KS
Church of the Good Shepherd, Kansas City, KS ~ Rev. Art Foster is serving as stated supply through December 24, 2011
Carrier Congregational UCC, Carrier, OK ~ Rev. Gordon Epps is interim pastor.
Community Congregational UCC, Gaylord, KS Rev. Linda Kemp is interim pastor
Community of Hope, Tulsa, OK Rev. Bob Lawrence has announced his resignation. His last Sunday leading worship is December 11, 2011.
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 supply pastor
First Congregational UCC, Manhattan, KS Rev. Victor Force 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 12.
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
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
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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