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KANSAS-OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
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K-O e-NEWS
FEBRUARY 21, 2012
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Regional Mission Trip to Nicaragua in August
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After a few years of hiatus, the long-awaited next regional mission trip is set! We will visit Nicaragua, August 4-11, 2012. In cooperation with the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference of our United Church of Christ partners and with Global Missions, the joint mission agency of Disciples and UCC, Regional Mission Trip Coordinator Pat Nixon, pastor of Trinity United Christian Church in Cheney, will lead our visit to Mision Cristiana near Mangua, Nicaragua.
The purpose of this trip is two-fold: to experience our wider church at work in the world, and to take part in the mission directly. While in Nicaragua we will work with Global Missions missionaries LauraJean Torgerson and Tim Donaghy. We will see and share a piece of the larger mission work that we support through our offerings.
Local Details: In Nicaragua we will stay and work at the church center "Mision Cristiana," This is the place where the Nicaraguan church gathers for programs beyond the local congregation. We will also share in their lively and life affirming worship services. During mornings we will work on our project, and in the afternoons and evenings we will connect with the people of Nicaragua. A live volcano, hiking trails, and a lively arts and crafts market are within a few minutes of the center.
What's the living like? Mision Cristiana is in the community of Ticuantepe, about 15 miles southeast of Managua. We will live in dormitories at the center, which have bunk beds with twin mattresses and electricity. Participants will bring their own bedding, and if possible leave it behind for the use of the center. Cold water showers and toilets are down the hall; typically men are on one floor and women on another. Our meals will come from the dormitory kitchen, and are said to be pretty good.
What will we do? We will help finish a house which will be used for missionary lodging, classes, and general meetings. At this writing it is a bare block structure. Work groups this year will level dirt, mix concrete, pour floors, install wiring and plumbing, paint, and more. As the last group for the year, we will finish the remaining work. Depending upon needs at the time, we may also help with a church after school program.
Money, Participants, and More: This trip is open to youth and adults. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Cost for this adventure is $500 per person plus air fare, currently $800 per person. The cost includes lodging, food, transportation, and interpreter. A $100 deposit will be required by May 1.
Even if I don't travel, can I help? In addition we will need money for project supplies. Mision Cristiana simply cannot pay for things like this, and we should not put them in a position where we cost them money.
To support this project with your gifts, send them to the K-O Conference office marked "Nicaragua mission." Churches of mission participants are especially encouraged to support this need.
Interested? Have questions? Please contact Pat Nixon soon to indicate your interest: Patrick@cheney.kscoxmail.com OR nixon748@cox.net, 316-540-6161.
Are other trips planned? Pat Nixon is the Regional Mission Trip Coordinator for our region, and holds a corresponding position with the local UCC conference. In conversation between our region and the conference, tentative plans are to sponsor mission trips in the Americas in even-numbered years, and beyond the Americas in odd-numbered years. South India is the likely destination for 2013.
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To fellow Christians, Pastors, and Denominational Leaders,
Make Lent an opportunity to enter into a spiritual discipline of fasting from carbon.
AND FOR ALL WHO MAY PARTICIPATE:
For hundreds of years, Ash Wednesday (February 22, 2012) marks the beginning of a time when Christians engage in spiritual disciplines involving repentance, fasting, prayer, study and works of love. Living as we are at a time when our actions - along with the actions of only a few generations - have threatened creation as we know it by the excessive burning of fossil fuel, it is fitting to engage in a spiritual discipline of fasting from carbon.
Click here to join us as we commit to fasting from carbon during Lent.
Yes... we are on Facebook! Beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 22, each day's activity will be cumulatively posted on this page. Click here to go to the Facebook page.
Let's make protecting God's creation by reducing our carbon footprint as fundamental a spiritual discipline as prayer.
The Rev. Dr. Jim Antal * Conference Minister and President * Massachusetts Conference,
The Rev. Dr. Chuck Barnes * Conference Minister * Rhode Island Conference
The Rev. Dr. Lynn Bujnak * Conference Minister * Vermont Conference,
The Rev. David Gaewski * Conference Minister * Maine Conference,
The Rev. Gary Schulte * Conference Minister * New Hampshire Conference,
The Rev. Chuck Wildman * Interim Conference Minister * Connecticut Conference,
An initiative of the New England Regional Environmental Ministries, United Church of Christ
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GIVE IT UP! CALENDAR -- CLICK HERE
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K-O PRAYER CALENDAR
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*St. Paul's UCC Church - Holyrood, KS -
Rev. Debra Rains & Congregation
*First Congregational UCC - Great Bend, KS
Rev. Stan Crawford & Congregation
*Community Congregational - Gaylord, KS
Rev. Linda Kemp & Congregation
*Rev. Krista Betz
K-O Conference Interim Conference Minister
*KO Conference Financial Associate - Ms. Judy Vincent |
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CELEBRATE SEMINARY SUNDAY-FEBRUARY 26
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Please plan to lift up theological education and the UCC Seminaries during worship on Feb 26 or any Sunday that fits the worship schedule for your congregation. Liturgical resources such as worship bulletins, offering envelopes, or a 5-minute DVD about Chicago, United, and Eden Seminaries are available. Contact Kiely Todd Roska, kiely@cueseminaries.org or 651-255-6121. Visit the CUE (Chicago, United, Eden) Seminaries Website: www.cueseminaries.org
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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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March 24 ~ Oklahoma Association Ecclesiastical Council for Lori Walke
K-O Conference Council Meetings
May 5, 2012 - Wichita
July 20-21 at White Memorial Camp
SAVE THE DATES FOR ASSOCIATION SPRING MEETINGS!!
April 14 Oklahoma Association Annual Meeting
April 21 Central and Western Association Annual Meeting at Garden City, KS
April 28 North Central Association Annual Meeting at White Camp
April 28 Eastern Association Annual Meeting
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| K-O INTERIM CONFERENCE MINISTER'S SCHEDULE |
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February 26 ~ Peace UCC, Alma, KS
March 11 ~ First Congregational UCC, Great Bend, 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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Central Congregational UCC, Topeka, KS ~ Rev. Scott Kenefake is interim pastor
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
First Congregational UCC, Anthony, KS
First Congregational UCC, Great Bend, KS ~ Rev. Stan Crawford is interim pastor
First Congregational UCC, Goltry, OK
First Congregational UCC, Manhattan, KS ~ Rev. Victor Force is interim pastor
First Salem UCC, Wichita, KS ~ Pastor Myra Sorrell is serving as supply pastor.
Highland Trinity UCC, Newton, KS ~ Rev. Bill Hickerson is supply pastor
Immanuel UCC, Ellinwood, KS ~ Rev. Katrina Palan is interim pastor
Open Table UCC, Owasso, OK ~ Rev. Melinda Foster has announced her resignation and her last day leading worship is May 19, 2012.
Puritan Congregational Christian Church, Drummond, OK. ~Rev. Matt Perkins is supply pastor
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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