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KANSAS-OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
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K-O e-NEWS
MAY 15, 2012
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2011-2012 Phillips Theological Seminary
United Church of Christ
Student's Awards
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Lori Walke received the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award for a Graduating Student of the United Church of Christ.
She was one of five recipients of a year-long subscription to the magazine Interpreters in theology, and also received a Book Award from Dr. Lisa Wilson Davison for her work in the class Women in the Hebrew Bible. Lori is graduating with high honors and she will be one of two students to speak at graduation on May 12, 2012.
Shannon Gorres received a United Church of Christ Kansas-Oklahoma Justice & Witness Commission Award for her work on behalf of the mission of the Justice & Witness Commission, the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference, and as a seminary student of Phillips Theological Seminary.
Richard Mize received the 2012 Middler Honor for Disciples of Christ, recognizing the ecumenical partnership between the Disciples of Christ and the United Church of Christ.
Congratulations to all!
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Eden Seminary Trustees Initiate
"Seminary Exploratory Year" Scholarship for UCC students for the 2012-2013 Academic Year
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At a meeting in St. Louis on May 2 & 3, 2012, the Eden Seminary Board of Trustees initiated a scholarship covering full tuition for an "exploratory year" for entering United Church of Christ Master of Divinity students. The scholarship affirms Eden's historic engagement with the United Church of Christ. The board chair, Virginia Toliver, said "Eden trustees are opening a way for women and men eager to explore God's call to ministry but restricted because of finances. Although the trustees want very much to open such a scholarship to the broad ecumenical community, we have acted today to begin with Eden's core church relationship-the UCC."
To qualify for the 2012-2013 full tuition scholarship, students must apply and be admitted to the Master of Divinity program at Eden.
In addition, they must be a member of a United Church of Christ congregation and become a member in discernment with an association of the United Church of Christ during the first year of study. Students receiving the scholarship must be involved in a contextual education placement. The exploratory year scholarship is for first year students only. UCC students beginning in fall 2012 will have a full tuition scholarship for both the fall and spring semesters. That is a savings of over $14,000! Students who begin their MDIV study in the spring of 2013 ( February 2013) will receive full tuition for the spring semester. In the second and third year, students will receive a $5,000 scholarship
The Reverend Carol Shanks, Director of Admissions at Eden says: "We speak so often to members of the United Church of Christ who want to go to seminary, but just don't think they can afford it. With this scholarship, folks will be able to come and see that first year if seminary is right for them."
For more information about this scholarship and making application for the Master of Divinity contact Rev. Shanks at 314-918-2501 or at cshanks@eden.edu.
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PASTORS AVAILABLE TO LEAD WORSHIP
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On the K-O website there is a list of pastors and members in discernment who are willing and able to lead worship in your local church while your regular pastor is on vacation or at a continuing education event. Please see the list of who is available and where they are willing to travel.
Anybody with authorization for ministry from a recognized denomination is able to be added to list. Just contact Krista to be included at kbetz@kocucc.com.
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SHEPHERDING THE SHEPHERD 2012
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JPANet: HIV and AIDS Awareness & Prevention
Education Curriculum
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Affirming Persons, Saving Lives is the comprehensive HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention education curriculum published by the United Church of Christ. http://www.ucc.org/health/hivaids/apsl/APSL-pdfs.htmlDescription of the Learning Series
The Intergenerational Learning Series is designed for all generations in the church family. It gives children, youth and adults an opportunity to learn from each other and to share activities that build an awareness in the congregation that all ages can benefit from HIV and AIDS education. The Adult Learning Series helps adults assess their own degree of risk for HIV infection, strengthens personal understanding of the Christian community as a place where serious issues can be discussed, uses the knowledge of adults whose lives are affected by HIV or AIDS, and challenges adults to commit themselves to HIV and AIDS ministry. The Parents Learning Series encourages parents to talk with their children about HIV transmission, teaches practical communication skills to help parents discuss HIV and AIDS with their families, and helps parents see themselves as partners in the experience of teaching and learning about HIV and AIDS in the setting of the church. The Youth Learning Series for teenagers provides complete and factual information about HIV infection, transmission and infection, supports youth in making and keeping decisions informed by Christian values, and motivates youth to act with compassion and understanding towards persons living with HIV or AIDS. The series promotes healthy self-esteem, affirms abstinence, and underscores the value of intimacy and commitment in human relationships. Students learn how to say "no" to behaviors that transmit HIV, including unprotected sex and drug use. The Grades 5 and 6 Learning Series includes necessary information on human sexuality, teaches effective ways to say "no" to unsafe or risky behavior, ensures a basic understanding of sexual intercourse and other forms of HIV transmission, stresses the importance of sexual abstinence, promotes the idea that sexual intercourse is an adult activity not appropriate for children, affirms that human beings have the freedom to make choices and teaches skills for making healthy decisions. The Grades 3 and 4 Learning Series nurtures children's self-esteem within a context of Christian values rooted in faithful discipleship, teaches important facts about HIV and AIDS, strengthens their ability to think about the consequences of their choices and teaches how to refuse pressure to engage in behavior that may be harmful to them. The Grades 1 and 2 Learning Series nurtures children's self-esteem within the context of Christian values and provides age-appropriate information about HIV and AIDS. The series helps children understand that their bodies are a wonderful gift from God and should be treated with care and respect, that Jesus teaches them to be kind and loving to all people, and that they can make kind, safe and healthy choices in their own lives. The Preschool and Kindergarten Learning Series nurtures children's self-esteem within the context of Christian values, provides basic hygiene information and offers a simple, age-appropriate introduction to the subject of HIV and AIDS. Children learn that God loves everyone, including healthy and sick people, and that illness is not a divine punishment.
The curriculum includes handouts for students and a comprehensive package of Teacher Support Resources. The teacher's resources include a history of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, a guide to public speaking about AIDS education, a summary of the latest scientific research, a description of the pathology of HIV in the immune system, information about HIV antibody testing and statistics about sexual behavior among high school students.
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| ONLINE COURSE: UCC History and Polity
with Timothy Downs
May 16 - August 15, 2012 (learn at your own pace and on your own time)
The purpose of this course is to explore the history, polity, theologies, and practices of the United Church of Christ and its predecessor denominations. The course will include an exploration of denominational identity, hidden histories within the denomination, case studies around current issues of polity and structure, current ecumenical conversations, emerging trends within the United Church of Christ, and more. Successful completion of this course will fulfill the history and polity requirement for authorized ministry in the United Church of Christ in most conferences.
Register Here
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The United Church of Christ Musicians National Network (UCCMNN) will be holding their 2012 biennial conference "Renew, Refresh, Re-imagine" from June 22-25, 2012 at the Country Club Congregational Church in Kansas City, Missouri.
This event is for musicians, pastors, liturgical artists, worship planners, and anyone interested in the worship life of the church!
The 2012 conference will feature:
Maren Tirabassi,
Paul Hobson Sadler,
Christopher Grundy, and
composer and guest artist Craig Courtney.
For complete information visit the UCCMNN website at: www.UCCMNN.com. The UCCMNN is sponsored by Local Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ thanks to your generous support to Our Church's Wider Mission.
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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.
Scholarships are available to help offset the cost. NYE is $425 per person which covers room, board and event costs. For more information, please contact: Nikki Woolsey KO Local Church Commission 
Click on the picture for FAQS link
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White Memorial Camp 2012 Schedules
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The staff at WMC requests for you to keep yours eyes open for small items you could donate to Camp White to be used as incentives and prizes during games.
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"GATHERED AS GOD'S FAMILY"
KS-OK Conference WOMEN
FALL ASSEMBLY GATHERING
@ White Memorial Camp
AUGUST 17-18-19, 2012
Guest Keynoter/Bible Study Leader-
Pastor Cinthia Molini of Missouri
SCRIPTURES: 1-2 Peter; 1-2-3 John; Jude
Watch for REGISTRATION FORM and information.
Mark your calendars, spread the word, and COME!
REMINDER REMINDER REMINDER
"Dues"/financial support for KO Women's Fellowship
Rosetta Bartels, KOWF Treas.,
PO Box 425,
Inman, KS 67546
Special offering support to the
KS-OK Women's Endowment Fund
c/o the KO Foundation Board
Kansas Oklahoma Conference
1245 Fabrique
Wichita, KS 67218
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K-O FAMILY PRAYER REQUEST |
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- Continued prayers for Rev. Deanna Lewis. This is her caring bridge link. If you would like to send Deanna and Jerry a card or note, the mailing address is 2120 Rosemont Dr., Colfax, NC 27235
- Prayers for President of K-O Women's Fellowship, Elizabeth Tucker health concerns.
- Prayers for Dottie Miller who is in rehab after having triple bypass surgery.
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K-O PRAYER CALENDAR |
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Bethany UCC - Hiawatha, KS
Pastor Shane Spangler & Congregation
First Congregational - McPherson, KS
Pastor Constance Lunn & Congregation
Sean Weston - Member in Discernment
North Central Association
St. John's UCC- Baldwin City, KS
Pastor Lewis Hinshaw, Interim & Congregation
Revs. Galeda Jones and Montie Jones, Campus Ministry -
Cameron University, Lawton, OK
Mr. Kel Penny, Campus Ministry - East Central University,
Ada, OK
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UCC CALENDAR OF PRAYER
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LOCAL CHURCHES, ASSOCIATIONS AND CONFERENCE COMING EVENTS
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Religions United
Committee
Interfaith
Dinner Forum
May 20, 2012
6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
First Unitarian Church of Oklahoma City
(Daniel Hall)
600 NW 13th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
RSVP by Wednesday, May 16
Call 405-525-2928 or email okchurches@okchurches.org
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| The Oklahoma Association
of the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference of the United Church of Christ and the congregation of
Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ invite you to a worship service in celebration and recognition of the ordination into the Christian ministry and the installation as Associate Pastor of Lori Marie Allen Walke on Sunday, May 27, 2012 at 3 p.m. located at 3901 NW 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Clergy are invited to robe with red stoles and
join in the procession Reception to follow in the Church Hall For further information, contact (405) 842-8897
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Link to
the K-0
Calendar
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K-O Conference Council Meetings
July 20-21 at White Memorial Camp |
| K-O INTERIM CONFERENCE MINISTER'S SCHEDULE |
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May 19 ~~ Open Table UCC, Owasso, OK for farewell service of Melinda Foster
May 27 ~~ Mayflower UCC, Oklahoma City, OK for ordination into Christian ministry of Lori Walke
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
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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