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KANSAS-OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
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K-O e-NEWS
MARCH 21, 2012
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GIVE IT UP! CALENDAR -- CLICK HERE
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RESOURCES FOR ASSOCIATION
SPRING MEETINGS
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If you are a voting delegate or an authorized minister of the K-O Conference, the documents that have been posted on the Conference web page for the Associations to use as resources for the Spring Meetings will be helpful.
Here is the link to access them.
Schedule for the Association Spring Meetings
April 14 ~~ Oklahoma Association Annual Meeting
Church of the Open Arms, Oklahoma City, OK
April 21 ~~ Central and Western Association Annual Meeting at
Community Church, Garden City, KS
April 28 ~~ North Central Association Annual Meeting at
First Congregational, Manhattan, KS
April 28 ~~ Eastern Association Annual Meeting
St. Paul UCC, Eudora, KS
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- Can you imagine every church in the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference sending at least one person to the National Youth Event 2012?
- Can you imagine the enthusiasm and excitement?
- Can you imagine the opportunity for growing leaders in the United Church of Christ?
National Youth Event is held once every four years. It is an incredible opportunity for youth ages 13-18 to gather as one voice within the UCC to worship, celebrate, learn and grow. The 2012 event will be July 10-13 at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Please take a moment to consider who your local church could send. Dream now. We can handle the logistics later.
For more information, please contact:
Nikki Woolsey KO Local Church Commission 
Click on the picture for FAQS link |
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National Youth Event needs Volunteers to serve as
"first responders"
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Are you a health professional with First Aid, EMS, Nursing or other health professional skills?
Imagine using your skills in support of Still Speaking Youth at National Youth Event 2012! The National Youth Event planning team is coordinating safety/first aid teams to serve during the event on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, July 10-13, 2012. What's Needed? *Round-the-clock (24 hours) "First Responders" who are registered or will register for NYE 2012. *Volunteers to provide emergency care and first aid in shifts and overnight for the duration of the four day youth event. *Late Shift/Overnight On Call volunteers. Purdue University has a Fire Department on campus and three med-vac hospitals nearby.
Volunteer health professionals are needed to provide first response to handle minor first aid situations and report emergencies. The NYE Planning Team is in need of help in identifying and asking persons in your conference/associations/local churches (who will be attending the NYE event) to assist us with this endeavor. Help is greatly appreciated in spreading the word! Please share in your bulletins, newsletters, web and social media postings and announcements. All registered adult participants must complete Safe Church and Abuse Prevention disclosure forms and covenants. Please send interested names, addresses and phone numbers to the attention of Barbara Baylor, coordinator for NYE First Responders:
Barbara T. Baylor, MPH
Minister for Health Care Justice
NYE 2012 First Responders
(216) 736-3708
baylorb@ucc.org
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GENEROUS GIVERS
THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT
AS COVENANT PARTNERS!
YAY! YIPPEE! LET'S CELEBRATE!!
We are happy to report that fifty-six (56) of our seventy (70) congregations gave to Our Church's Wider Mission in 2011,
and twenty two (22) of those congregations increased their giving over the previous year.
Thank you to all the churches and individuals that gave so that
we can be the Church in this time and place.
84% of these funds were used here in Kansas-Oklahoma Conference and 16% was used in the national and global settings
of the United Church of Christ.
Check out this website to hear stories of Our Church's Wider Mission at work http://www.ucc.org/changing-lives/ .
Together we are changing lives!
CHURCHES THAT GAVE $50 OR MORE
PER MEMBER TO
OUR CHURCH'S WIDER MISSION
(membership based on 2010 Yearbook)
- Rolling Hills UCC, Salina, KS $200/member for a total of $2,000
- First Congregational UCC, Manhattan, KS $86/member for a total of $18,701
- Bethany UCC, Hiawatha, KS $73/member for a total of $5,400
- Pilgrim UCC, Wichita, KS $71/member for a total of $9,955
- United Parish of Lenora, KS $70/member for a total of $2,600
- Community UCC, Carbondale, KS $58/member for a total of $4,904
- Faith UCC, Wichita, KS $55/member for a total of $2,213
- Midland UCC, Nickerson, KS $53/member for a total of $4,000
- Congregational Church of Carrier, OK $52/member for a total of $1,100
- Puritan UCC, Drummond, OK $52/member for a total of $3,600
- Zion UCC, Kansas City, KS $50/member for a total of $4,000
CHURCHES THAT GAVE $5,000 OR MORE TO
OUR CHURCH'S WIDER MISSION
- Plymouth UCC, Lawrence, KS $27,570
- First Congregational UCC, Manhattan, KS $18,701
- Open Arms UCC, Oklahoma City, OK $16,250
- First Congregational UCC, Topeka, KS $15,285
- Colonial UCC, Prairie Village, KS $15,000
- Fellowship UCC, Tulsa, OK $10,000
- Pilgrim UCC, Wichita, KS $9,955
- Zion UCC, Junction City, KS $6,000
- Central UCC, Topeka, KS $5,496
- Bethany UCC, Hiawatha, KS $5,400
- Evangelical UCC, Marysville, KS $5,003
CHURCHES THAT INCREASED THEIR GIVING
BY $500 OR MORE TO
OUR CHURCH'S WIDER MISSION
- Open Arms UCC, Oklahoma City, OK increase of $4,250
- St. John UCC, Baldwin City, KS increase of $3,000
- United Parish of Lenora, KS increase of $2,600
- Plymouth UCC, Lawrence, KS increase of $2,170
- Midland UCC, Nickerson, KS increase of $1,500
- Zion UCC, Kansas City, KS increase of $1,000
- Immanuel UCC, Ellinwood, KS increase of $978
- Crosswalk UCC, Enid, OK increase of $665
- Church of the Savior, Oklahoma City, OK increase of $550
- Federated Church of Weatherford, OK increase of $517
- Congregational Church of Kiowa, KS increase of $500
- Zion UCC, Junction City, KS increase of $500
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FIVE FOR FIVE CONGREGATIONS
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Being a 5 for 5 congregation is one sign of congregational vitality in the United Church of Christ. 5 for 5 congregations support:
- Our Church's Wider Mission: the basic lifeblood of the United Church of Christ. It encompasses what we use to keep the missions and ministries of the conference as well as the national setting moving forward in faithfulness. Check out the website for more information http://www.ucc.org/ocwm/basic-support.html
- One Great Hour of Sharing Working in more than 80 countries, the offering provides hope to people in more than eighty countries. The UCC works with international partners, and together we provide support to health, education, refugee, agricultural, and emergency relief initiatives.
http://www.ucc.org/oghs/
- Neighbors in Need is a special mission offering of the UCC that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry(CAIM). Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries(JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects. http://www.ucc.org/nin/
- The Christmas Fund. Your gift to the Christmas Fund will provide for the Supplementation of Small Annuities, Supplementation of Health Premiums and provide Emergency Grants to active and retired clergy and lay employees. The mission of the Christmas Fund is to provide assistance dollars in situations of critical need, while preserving the dignity of those who receive the aid. http://www.pbucc.org/interior_default.asp
Here are the 5 for 5 congregations for 2011
in the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference:
- Colonial UCC, Prairie Village, KS
- Community Church of Carbondale, KS
- Community Church of Garden City, KS
- Community Church of Gaylord, KS
- Congregational Church of Carrier, OK
- Crosswalk UCC, Enid, OK
- Evangelical UCC, Marysville, KS
- Fairmount UCC, Wichita, KS
- Faith UCC, Wichita, KS
- Fellowship UCC, Tulsa, OK
- First Congregational UCC, Great Bend, KS
- First Congregational UCC, Manhattan, KS
- First Congregational UCC, Topeka, KS
- Grace UCC, Abilene, KS
- Midland UCC, Nickerson, KS
- Open Arms UCC, Oklahoma City, OK
- Open Table UCC, Owasso, OK
- Peace UCC, Alma, KS
- Pilgrim UCC, Wichita, KS
- Plymouth UCC, Lawrence, KS
- Rolling Hills UCC, Salina, KS
- St. John UCC, Baldwin City, KS
- St. John UCC, Okeene, OK
- St Peter UCC, Inman, KS
- Welborn UCC, Kansas City, KS
- Zion UCC, Kansas City, KS
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2012 K-O Conference Directory
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If you would like to receive a copy of the 2012 Conference Directoy, please email Judy at jvincent@kocucc.com or call 316-686-4331 and she will send you a PDF file so you may print your own copy. If you are not able to receive PDF files, please let Judy know and we will accommodate that as well.
Also, if after receiving your directory you notice any inaccurate or incomplete information, please let Judy know so that we can update the database. Thanks so much!!
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OWASSO-A husband-wife team from Owasso will report on their mission trip to Haiti and describe the enormous devastation that still remains at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 24 at the OpenTable UCC community of faith at German Corner.
Their message will be delivered during regular Saturday worship at the church, located at 11308 N. Garnett Road on the Owasso side of German Corner. As the name suggests, the church welcomes all visitors of any theological or social persuasion. Worship runs from 5-6 p.m. followed by supper provided by the church's companions.
The couple, Cameron and Kimberly Densmore, spent Feb. 3-11 in Banique, Haiti. "Our experiences included working with the locals on construction, Bible School, a school lunch program, music and distribution of donation items," Kimberly said.
At the couple's request, OpenTable held an underwear drive in January. Conditions remain so primitive after the earthquake that underwear is desperately needed. As the donations came in, the duffle bags set aside for the underwear were quickly filled. The final total was 784 pair of underwear. The underwear was sorted at the church and packed in vacuum bags to minimize baggage fees.
Cameron and Kimberly made the trip in connection with the United Methodist Church of the Good Shepherd in Yukon through the Volunteers in Mission program. That was Kimberly's home church when she was growing up.
Kimberly said the experience was awe inspiring:"The children who received the donations (of underwear) waited patiently and were so eager to receive the gift."
Companions at the OpenTable UCC at German Corner display some of 784 pair of brand new underwear they sent to earthquake-ravaged Haiti with mission team members Kimberly and Cameron Densmore of Owasso. From left to right, Kimberly Densmore of Owasso, Janelle Whitt of Owasso and Tulsa, Cameron Densmore of Owasso and Timothy Beauchamp of Tulsa, Jay County and Dallas.
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National Workshop on Christian Unity
Equipping Church Leaders in the Quest for Christian Unity
Sponsored by the National Ecumenical Officers Association
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National Workshop on Christian Unity
"The Hope of Our Calling"
April 16-19, 2012
Oklahoma City
Held at the historic Skirvin Hilton!
This national event celebrates the spirit of ecumenism by:
- providing meeting seminars for all who are concerned with the ministry of Christian unity: laity, clergy, ecumenical officers, theologians, staff of ecumenical organizations;
- stimulating an exchange of ideas and experiences among people concerned with Christian unity and the bodies they represent;
- being a resource and balance between national planning and local responsibility, general ecumenical discussions and particular interchurch conversations, and regional leadership efforts and local realities,
- encouraging denominational networks to develop and serve as a framework within which they can interact;
- celebrating the unity which already exists among Christians and searching for ways to overcome the divisions that remain.
Featured speakers include:
Archbishop Paul Coakley, Dr. John Borelli,
Bishop Steven Charleston, Bishop Teresa Snorton, and
Bishop John White.
A complete schedule, seminar details, registration and payment options are available at http://www.nwcu.org/.
Please register and join us for this exciting event!
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Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum
"One City, One Nation, One Resolve"
The National Workshop is offering a special event on Wednesday evening, April 19 at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. Starting at 6:00 p.m. we will spend time at the reflecting pool and memorial visiting the former site of the Alfred P. Murray Building. During a brief time of prayer and reflection, we will pause and remember victims of terrorism and violence, including the 168 adults and children who lost their lives on April 19, 1995. This will be followed by a tour of the museum dedicated to informing visitors about the impact of violence, and inspiring hope for peace through the lessons learned by those affected by the horrific bombing experienced by the people of Oklahoma City.
The evening includes heavy hors-d'oevres and Seminar #9
"Christian Response to Peace and Non-Violence"
which will be held in the museum's Conference Room.
See www.nwcu.org to register!
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EDUCATIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES
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We are pleased to tell you about three learning opportunities offered this spring through the
Institute for Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary.
- The Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry is taking place on the Princeton Seminary campus April 23 - 26, 2012. The theme is "Create". More information can be found on the attached pdf and on the web at http://www.ptsem.edu/forums2012/.
- The next cohort of The Certificate in Youth and Theology program will kick off with a retreat April 21 - 23, 2012 at Princeton Seminary. This program offers training in youth ministry that focuses on theological reflection and ministerial practice. For more information or to apply for the 2012 cohort, go to http://www.ptsem.edu/scvm/iym/index.aspx?hdr=7202&sn=2025&id=5538.
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Ministerial & Lay Leadership Institute at Chicago Theological Seminary April 12, 13 & 14, 2012
Chicago Theological Seminary seeks to provide ongoing opportunities for area churches and organizations to be challenged, enriched, and inspired in ministry to their congregation and community. One of the most dynamic and engaging of these opportunities is our Ministerial & Lay Leadership Institute which takes place every other spring. This event offers a chance to engage experts in the area of worship, church outreach, and personal growth in a variety of settings. For many, it is also a time to revisit colleagues and share ideas.
The theme of this year's Ministerial & Lay Leadership Institute is People of Faith in the Public Arena, and features keynote speakers The Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon and The Rev. Vertie Powers. Dr. Kinnamon - pastor, author, religious scholar and former General Secretary of the National Council of Churches will deliver the opening address, "Elections, Summits, and the Witness of the Ecumenical Church," on Thursday, April 12. Rev. Powers, Association Minister for the Chicago Metropolitan Association of the Illinois Conference United Church of Christ, will speak on Saturday, April 14, as a part of a joyful worship experience of music and preaching. The Institute also includes a wide array of workshops on practical theology, worship and liturgical practices, preaching, church administration, and issues of social justice.
The Ministerial & Lay Leadership Institute is open to all - ministers, lay leaders, students, activists, community leaders, Alumni/ae, and friends of the Seminary. Please join us for this weekend! Register and learn more at: www.ctschicago.edu/mlli. For questions, contact Joseph Burt, Manager of Alumni/ae Relations and Special Events, at jburt@ctschicago.edu.
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K-O PRAYER CALENDAR
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*Faith UCC - Wichita, KS -
Pastor Nancy Phipps & Congregation
*First Salem UCC - Wichita, KS
Pastor Myra Sorrell, Supply and Congregation
*Mrs. Alice Olander - K-O Conference Secretary
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UCC CALENDAR OF PRAYER
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LOCAL CHURCHES, 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
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April 14, 9:00AM, ~ Central Women's Spring Meeting
Trinity United, Cheney, KS
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April 15, 3:30 pm
Installation Service for Rev. Constance Lunn
at First Congregational UCC in McPherson KS.
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April 16-19, 2012
Oklahoma City
National Workshop on Christian Unity
"The Hope of Our Calling"
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June 22-25, 2012 -- Kansas City, Missouri
Renew, Refresh, Re-imagine
A National Music, Worship, and Arts Conference
Stay tuned for details or click here now.
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July 28 to August 5 ~ Community of Hope UCC, Tulsa, invites you to join the team going to Nicaragua. The cost of the trip will be approximately $1,400 depending on airfare. If you are thinking about going, have questions, or need more information, please contact the Mission Team Coordinator, David Hoot, at 918-747-8928 or davidhoot@hotmail.com. All are welcome! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
K-O Conference Council Meetings
May 5, 2012 - Wichita
July 20-21 at White Memorial Camp |
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SAVE THESE DATES FOR
ASSOCIATION SPRING MEETINGS!
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April 14 ~~ Oklahoma Association Annual Meeting
Church of the Open Arms, Oklahoma City, OK
April 21 ~~ Central and Western Association Annual Meeting at
Community Church, Garden City, KS
April 28 ~~ North Central Association Annual Meeting at
First Congregational, Manhattan, KS
April 28 ~~ Eastern Association Annual Meeting
St. Paul UCC, Eudora, KS
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| K-O INTERIM CONFERENCE MINISTER'S SCHEDULE |
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March 18 ~ Immanuel UCC, Ellinwood, KS
March 26-27 ~ Mark Van Dorn, Jeff Keller and I will be in Cleveland, OH to meet with Geoffrey Black, UCC General Minister and President
March 29- April 11 ~ vacation
April 14 ~ Oklahoma Association meeting at Church of the Open Arms UCC, Oklahoma City, OK
April 15-18 ~ UCC Council of Conference Ministers meeting in Chicago, Illinois
April 21 ~ Central and Western Association meeting at Community Church of Garden City, KS
April 22 ~ Community Church of Garden City, KS
April 28 ~ Eastern Association meeting at St. Paul UCC, Eudora, KS
April 29 ~ Mayflower UCC, Oklahoma City, OK
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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