Oklahoma Represented at EYE 2011

 Preparing to leave from St. Patrick's, Broken Arrow

What happens when 1200 of your closest friends gather for four days? Of course  you eat, greet, sing, dance, play games, make crafts, meet new friends, hear incredible music, be called a prophet and visionary, meet those in your own province, have pizza with the Bishop, visit the Mall of America, stop at the Precious Moments Museum and Chapel,  bowl at 10 p.m. in Kansas City, Missiouri, attend tons of workshops, hear great speakers, meet in small groups, worship as a Diocese, be a part of an opening worship lead by the Presiding Bishop, (and if you are in the Diocese of Oklahoma - go up on stage and pass the peace with her and Bishop Ed), and make a difference by doing mini (many) outreach options.

Well, that's what we did at EYE 2011. We connected to the larger church and found that the youth in Hawaii sing some of the same songs as we do - but that they are willing to teach us new ones!

We were challenged to build, share, and fulfill our call and ministry as Young People in the church.We were called to be speak up, become active and help take the church to the next level.

Bishop Ed and Emma Hutchison discuss the advantages of a Twitter account.

As a part of the mission at EYE, a house was built! Here the Bishop of Minnesota stands on the roof to bless the house. The house was designed and built to be 100% energy free (solar panels and insulation will see to this). It will be moved to its new location.

Here our group responds to some of the worship music led by Sam Hensley.

Thank you, Brian Bauer

The Youth in this diocese are amazing! Our own Brian Bauer served on the Worship Committee for the EYE 2011 event. This committee was responsible for the asthetics of the college auditorium, adding banners, preparing for Eucharist, and making the stage come alive. Here Brian relaxes before the final Worship service on Saturday eventing.

Now that We're Home

Ok, your youth are now home from a major event. It doesn't have to be a four day event, it could have been an overnight, or camp. But now that they are home, what do you do? How do you help them process the event, their experience, and give them the opportunity to grow?

First of all, ask them about the event they attended. Now just a cursory, "How was it?" Because the answer is, "it was fabulous." Of course it was fabulous but what does that mean to them? Ask what was their most exciting event and why? What workshops did they attend and what did they learn? Who was their favorite speaker/talk and what did they hear them say?

Second, really listen to their answers. They will be eager to talk about their experience but you must really listen. Hear what they say. You may come up with  other questions.

If possible, ask them to write an article for your parish newsletter. It deserves front page coverage.

Finally, ask them to speak to the whole congregation. This event is one that will change their lives and speaking about it helps them to see the changes that have already occurred and are now happening in their lives.

Youth Curriculum Available

Act Out: Empowering Youth to Heal a Hurting World module on Hunger and Economic Opportunity is now available online.  You can find it here:  http://www.er-d.org/userfiles/ActOut_Hunger.pdf.  

Hispanic Cursillo Scheduled

The Oklahoma Episcopal Cursillo will conduct their Hispanic Cursillo at St. Crispin's Camp August 25-28.  For information on attending or serving on team, please contact Rocio de la Rosa at 405-887-2184.

EfM Graduate

Congratulations to Synthia (Cindy) Sue Dilbeck on completing EfM at Emmanuel Episcopal, Shawnee!

A Women's Retreat

  CREATION

CENTERED

SPIRITUALITY:

  And God Called

Retired Clergy and Spouses Schedule Fall Meeting

The Fall Gathering of the Retired Clergy and Spouses is scheduled for October 10 and 11, 2011, at St. Crispin's. The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston will be the presenter at the gathering. His topic will center around "The Role of the Tribal Elders in the Native American Culture." Registration information will be coming soon.

DONATE FANS for Indigent, Elderly Prisoners Living in 96 Degree Heat, Without Air Conditioning

Joseph Harp Correctional Center, in Lexington, OK,  has lifted up to our Diocese a Need for Donated Funds to Purchase 60 Fans, at a Cost of $19 each, for use by 60 elderly inmates identified by the facility as indigent, and without anybody on the outside to send them money for purchasing a fan from the prison Canteen. 

(In kind donations of fans will not work because, for security reasons, prisoners are only allowed special, DOC-approved fans with a clear plastic housing that must be ordered through a correctional equipment supply company.)

In a similar project five years ago, our Diocese raised nearly $2,000 to purchase almost 100 fans for this same facility.  Many of those fans are still working and in use today.  The prison loans them to indigent inmates for use each summer.  But today, needs have increased, and State budget funds are shorter. The main housing units at all of Oklahoma's men's prisons have no air conditioning and average 96 degree heat during the hottest days of the year.  Joseph Harp Correctional Center has turned to us for assistance.  Please consider helping!

TO DONATE:

Make checks payable to:  "BOJC"

Memo on check:  "Episcopal Fan Project"

("BOJC" is a special fund, administered through the prison chaplain for charitable purposes.)

Mail checks to:

Chaplain Joe Spears

JHCC

P.O. Box 548

Lexington, OK  73051-0548

If you have any question, please contact Diocesan Prison Missioner Nancy Brock:  E-mail:  nbrock@EpiOK.org  Office:  (405) 232-4820

Ordainations

Sylvia Shirley was ordained to the priesthood on June 28, 2011, at Christ Memorial Church. El Reno. Sylvia is the new Vicar of Christ Church.

Therese Starr was ordained to the deaconate on June 18, 2011 at Trinity Church, Eufaula.   

J2A Training Offered

Florida - Palm Coast      July 9th 10a - 2p

St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Palm Coast FL

Contact:  Michele Nethery, micshelfy84@yahoo.com

New Mexico - Albuquerque     August   6th   8:30a - 3:00p

St. Michael and All Angels, Albuquerque

Contact: Ellen Novak, venovak@Q.com

Illinois - Chicago- Mundelein Center    August 13th 10:00a - 3:00p

The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago

Contact: Vicki Garvey, vgarvey@episcopalchicago.org

New Jersey- Basking Ridge         September 10th  8:30a - 3:00p

St. Mark's  Episcopal Church, Basking Ridge

Contact: Jackie  Taylor,  djjataylor@aol.com

The Washington DC  Area       September 16pm -17th 8:30a - 3:00p

St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Alexandria

Contact: The Rev. Ketlen Solak, rector2@saintlukeschurch.net 

New York                   October 14th  pm - 15th 8:30a - 3:00p

Trinity Episcopal  Church (Wall Street)  New York City

Contact: Kathy Bozzuti Jones, KBozzuti-Jones@trinitywallstreet.org 

Bethlehem  PA          October 21pm -22 8:30a - 3:00p

Cathedral Church of the Nativity

Contact: Ann Mickus, amickus@nativitycathedral.org

Community Gardens Growing in OK

Here is a picture of our community garden and good stewards Thurman and Karen Thomas who tend the vineyard on a regular basis.  This is the first year for the garden and it has generated a lot of excitement and interest within the community.  As you can see from the picture we're beginning to harvest some quality zucchini, yellow squash and onions.  The corn is as high as an elephants eye and the tomatoes are covered with blooms.  The church has made arrangements for this years abundance to go to the Christian Help Center for distribution to those in need.  Already the church is making plans to double the garden next year and extend to outreach further into the community.  Everything from the seeds to the good rich soil has been donated, and the surrounding community stops by to pull weeds, check the soil conditions and offer their personal blessing. 

From all of us down on the farm, peace!

Phil+   

St. Andrew's, Grove 

Pledge an Act, Save our Planet

by Meg Carson, Diocesan Stewardship Commission

Each year "Earth Day" is celebrated around the world. This year, the "Billion Acts of Green" (registered trademark) campaign marks the largest environmental initiative in history. It acknowledges the commitment of individuals, organizations and corporations to reduce our carbon footprint and support sustainability. The goal is to register one billion environmental commitments before the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 2012. Coincidentally (or not) 2012 will also be the 75th anniversary year of the Diocese of Oklahoma. Commitment to a project as stewards of God's creation would be a fitting tribute to our anniversary. Organize a project as an individual, a family, a scout troop, a church group, a work group - use your imagination. It's easy to register your project on the Earth Day website (http://act.earthday.org) which has nearly 150 million projects already registered. There are many ideas, some as simple as turning your thermostat up (or down) by two degrees, depending on the season, or committing to write your congressional representatives to support environmental legislation. This initiative demonstrates the impact that can result when we make a commitment, no matter how small, to better our world.

One God, One Family, One Earth  

Meg Carson is a member of St. Dunstan's, Tulsa and the newest member of the Diocesan Stewardship Commission. As a graduate of EfM (Education for Ministry), she was challenged to discern a ministry, which led her to stewardship of the environment. She has begun the "Green Team" ministry at St. Dunstan's, which offers ideas and opportunities for education and involvement. Meg can be a networking resource to provide ideas through this e-newsletter, and will be eager to hear about your environmental stewardship efforts. Her challenge to our congregations is to identify and initiate environmental opportunities that hopefully will result in a Diocesan "Green Team" taking root. To share your green initiatives, email Meg at megc@gracehospice.com

Safeguarding God's Children Training Opportunities      

Closing - Prayer for July

Jesus, thank you for Summer.

Thank you for light and warmth.

Thank you for the sun. 

Thank you for the gifts of nature

and for the annual cycles and seasons.

Today, give us that grace again,

to see you as the Creator,

the One who lifts us up to be with you

forever, even now. Amen.