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KANSAS-OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
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K-O e-NEWS
APRIL 17, 2012
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JESUS CHRIST HAS RISEN
HE HAS RISEN INDEED!
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CHURCH RENEWAL EXPERT
COMES TO TOPEKA
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I'd like to invite you to join us for an exciting and informative workshop led by church renewal expert Tom Ehrich.
He will be with us
Friday evening, April 20, and all day Saturday, April 21
to introduce us to practical ways of revitalizing our church through turnaround strategies and membership development.
My thanks are extended to the Church Council
for inviting Tom to be with us.
We are inviting other mainline Protestant congregations in the community to participate and are asking for a $15 per person donation to cover our costs. There is no cost for members and friends of Central Congregational (unless you feel moved to do so!).
There is additional information about the weekend's schedule at:
Registration deadline is April 18th
Church Renewal Workshop
I hope you can join us!
Rev. Dr. Scott Kenefake
Interim Minister
Central Congregational UCC
1248 SW Buchanan
Topeka, KS 66604 |
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OKLAHOMA ASSOCIATION AFFIRMS THE ACTIONS OF THE K-O CONFERENCE ANNUAL MEETING
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Here at Mayflower we are currently renovating our sanctuary. This has meant a move into the fellowship hall for worship, which we anticipated would mean a reduction in attendance and all of the associated things that go long with that. But we've been surprised at what this renovation has brought. Somehow a move out of our normal worship space has awakened a sense of community among us. Being in the fellowship hall has brought us closer together and attendance has not only stayed strong, it has increased. We sing with a bit more gusto, when we "pass the peace" we do so longer and much more vibrantly...we often have to sort of "settle people down" in order to continue with worship. And when service is over we linger for a bit longer than we did as our conversations grow deeper. We have redefined what we call "sacred space".
Sometimes rearranging things can do more than just give you a different look. Sometimes renovations can actually change the way that we think, the way that we perceive our surroundings and the way that we behave. Last Saturday the Oklahoma Association gathered at the Church of the Open Arms, which is also undergoing renovations, and we decided to affirm the decisions made at the last Conference annual meeting. This, of course, meant that the question was now in front of us - how are we still an Association? Are we still an Association? After much discussion we voted to dissolve the Association effective in November after the annual meeting in Wichita.
This was not without some soul-searching and some sadness as well - for the past and for the future. How will we remain in relationship with one another? How will we continue to do some of the good mission work that we do together? What does this mean for how we have been and what we might be? As we "rearrange" the furniture of our lives together as a conference I encourage us, as I encouraged the Oklahoma Association on Saturday, to remain open to the possibilities than renovations bring. We do not need to know all of the answers, we simply need to stay engaged with the questions. Our "house" may not look the same, but that doesn't presuppose a certain outcome. God is still at work, and if we will remain open to the often mysterious ways that the Spirit moves among us, who knows what we'll bear witness to? Perhaps we will find ourselves singing our song with more gusto and "passing the peace" with such enthusiasm that someone will have to settle us down. For now is the time, more than ever, to be open to new kinds of "sacred space" and to trust in the movement of a "still speaking God".
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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 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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www.ucc.org/nye
Youth ages 13-18 in the United Church of Christ have an amazing opportunity every four years to gather for worship, workshops, faith, fun and fellowship.
The National Youth Event (NYE) is coming soon! July 10-13 at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Who can you imagine sending to this incredible event? Transportation can be coordinated if enough interest develops.
And, thanks to the generosity of the Eastern Association, scholarships are available to help offset the cost. NYE is $425 per person which covers room, board and event costs. - 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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K-O Conference Disaster Response Coordinator(s) Needed:
A network of Conference Disaster Coordinators assists in developing preparedness measures before crises occur.
Coordinators help to organize volunteers for clean-up and rebuilding efforts; as well as participate in response and long term recovery efforts in communities affected by natural disasters.
The Coordinators Network has a continuing education event each year.
Are you one of these help-driven individuals? |
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White Memorial Camp 2012 Schedules
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Click here for registration form. Visit the website ~~ www.whitememorialcamp.com |
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APRIL 27 - 6PM, APRIL 28 - 9AM, ARIL 29 - 9:30 AM
WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH
GUEST SPEAKER ~ DR. DAVID RUHE, Senior Minister of Plymouth Congregational UCC in DesMoines, Iowa.
HOSTED BY CHURCH OF THE SAVIOR
5600 NW 63RD ST. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
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EDUCATIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES
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We are pleased to tell you about 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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K-O FAMILY PRAYER REQUEST |
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I received this message from Deanna Lewis, who asked that I share it with the K-O family.
Just wanted you to know that on March 5, I was diagnosed with esophogeal cancer. It is contained to the esophogus but staged at a 3. I have begun 5 weeks of radiation and chemo. Chemo on Mondays and radiation Mon - Fri for 28 days. After time off for the radiation to finish its joy, I will have surgery to remove the tumor. I had no sypmtoms for warning. A routine comprehensive blood test showed I was anemic so they ordered a colonoscopy and endoscopy. The colon was clear but not so the esophogus. What a shock. I feel good and do not look the least bit ill. We have wonderful cancer centers and surgeons here and I am very optimistic about my outcome. The doctors all say I am in really good health which is to my advantage.
I thought perhaps you could pass the word and get me on the prayer list there. My prayers are for eradication of course and to go through this latest part of my journey with grace, dignity and my sense of humor in tack. I have a web-page on Caring Bridge. Here is the link. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.
Blessings, Deanna Lewis If you would like to send Deanna and Jerry a card or note, the mailing address is 2120 Rosemont Dr., Colfax, NC 27235
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K-O PRAYER CALENDAR |
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*Puritan Congregational Christian Church - Drummond, OK ~~ Pastor Matt Perkins, Supply & Congregation
*American Samoan Congregational Christian Lawton, OK
Pastor Tautu Porotesano & Congregation
*Central & Western Association and James Rix and Robert
Speers, Presidents |
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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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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 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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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. |
| 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
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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