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Companion Diocese Uruguay
Holy God, source of healing and of peace, bless with your grace the companion dioceses of Oklahoma and Uruguay. Through our partnership one with another may we grow in mutual affection and communion, seek a more profound experience of truth, build up the Church in unity and give glory to Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
New Web site:
http://uruguay.anglican.org/
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The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma
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The Next Issue of this Newsletter will be on Friday, October 7. |
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We Are Epiok.org
September 30, 2011
Issue 33 |
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Bishop's Schedule
September 29 - 10/1 Province VII - Synod Meeting |
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Interfaith Youth Tour 2011
This past Sunday, over 180 people from across the city gathered at Masjid An-Nasr, the Muslim house of worship, to participate in the 2011 Interfaith Youth Tour. The youth and adults were able to see a Muslim prayer service, and to meet with the men and wormen participated in the worship service.
From there, the group traveled to Temple B'Nai Israel - a Reformed Jewish House of Worship. Rabbi Barry Cohen brought out one of the Torah and it was opened for all to see.
Finally, the trip ended at St. George Greek Orthodox Church. Father Tsaras provided formation about the various icons there and about the various Orthodox churches in the area.
At all locations, participants were encouraged to ask questions of the worship leaders
This was an amazing opportunity for everyone, including the youth from Emmanuel, Shawnee, and St. Philip's, Ardmore! |
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DROP SIDE CRIB DANGERS
ALL CHURCHES NEED TO CHECK OUT THEIR CRIBS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE IN COMPLIANCE!
In December of last year, The Consumer Products Safety Commission officially voted to ban the manufacture, sale and resale of drop-side cribs after millions of recalls in the past few years for drop-side cribs that pose entrapment and strangulation hazards.
New cribs (sold after June 28, 2011 are required to meet the new standards. Some older cribs may also comply, but you will need to contact the manufacturer to find out whether any specific crib is compliant. Churches that use noncompliant cribs face an array of risks, including the following:
- Substantial penalties under the Consumer product Safety Act (up to $100,000 per crib)
- Compensatory damages in a civil lawsuit if there is an injury or death
- Punitive damages in the event of a serious injury or death (not covered by insurance)
- Personal liability of Vestry members who approved the use of noncompliant cribs if a child is killed or injured as a result of the noncompliant crib
What is the new standard for cribs?
Beginning June 28, 2011, all cribs manufactured and sold (including resale) must comply with new and improved federal safety standards. The new rules, which apply to full-size and non full-size cribs, prohibit the manufacture or sale of traditional drop-side rail cribs, strengthen crib slats and mattress supports, improve the quality of hardware and require more rigorous testing. The details of the rule are available on CPSC's website at www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr11/cribfinal.pdf.
The new rules also apply to cribs currently in use at child care centers and places of public accommodation. By December 28, 2012, these facilities must use only compliant cribs that meet the new federal safety standards.
What if I need to purchase a new crib prior to June 28, 2011?
Some compliant cribs may be available before the required date. However, you will not be able tell if the crib is compliant by looking at the crib. So, you may want to ask the retail store or the manufacturer whether the crib complies with 16 CFR 1219, the new federal standard for full-size cribs or with 16 CFR 1220, the new federal standard for non-full-size cribs.
Is this new regulation simply a ban on all drop-side rail cribs?
No, these are sweeping new safety rules that will bring a safer generation of cribs to the marketplace in 2011. CPSC's new crib standards address many factors related to crib safety in addition to the drop-side rail. A crib's mattress support, slats, and hardware are now required to be more durable and manufacturers will have to test to the new more stringent requirements to prove compliance.
Are all drop-side rail cribs "recalled" because of the new regulation?
There has not been a specific "recall" of all drop-side cribs due to the new regulation. Instead, some manufacturers recently have recalled their cribs in cooperation with the CPSC because a specific defect or risk of harm has been discovered relating to a particular crib. Although these recalls are separate from CPSC's new crib standards, traditional drop-side cribs will not meet the new crib standards that became effective on June 28, 2011, and cribs with traditional drop-sides cannot be sold after that date.
How do I know whether the specific crib that I own/use in my child care facility meets the new standards?
You cannot tell from looking at a crib whether it meets the new standards. It is not likely that cribs in use before the Commission issued its crib rule in December 2010 will comply with the new standards. If you are considering purchasing new cribs that meet the standards, you may want to ask the manufacturer or retailer whether the crib complies with 16 CFR 1219 (the new standard for full-size cribs) or 16 CFR 1220 (the new standard for non-full-size cribs). Manufacturers are required to test samples of their cribs to the new standards and to certify that they comply with the new standards. They must provide this certification to the retailer.
You can ask the manufacturer or retailer for a copy of the certificate of compliance that should indicate that the crib is certified to meet 16 CFR 1219 or 16 CFR 1220. Beginning June 28, 2011, all cribs manufactured or offered for sale, lease, or resale are required to meet the new crib standards. |
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Six Reasons Why Young Christians are Leaving Church
Many parents and church leaders wonder how to most effectively cultivate durable faith in the lives of young people. A five-year project headed by Barna Group president David Kinnaman explores the opportunities and challenges of faith development among teens and young adults within a rapidly shifting culture. The findings of the research are included in a new book by Kinnaman titled You Lost Me: Why Young Christians are Leaving Church and Rethinking Church.
The research project was comprised of eight national studies, including interviews with teenagers, young adults, parents, youth pastors, and senior pastors. The study of young adults focused on those who were regular churchgoers Christian church during their teen years and explored their reasons for disconnection from church life after age 15.
No single reason dominated the break-up between church and young adults. Instead, a variety of reasons emerged. Overall, the research uncovered six significant themes why nearly three out of every five young Christians (59%) disconnect either permanently or for an extended period of time from church life after age 15.
Reason #1 - Churches seem overprotective.
One of the defining characteristics of teens and young adults today is their unprecedented access to ideas, worldviews and their prodigious consumption of popular culture. As Christians, they express the desire for their faith in Christ to connect to the world they live in. However, much of their experience of Christianity feels stifling, fear-based and risk-averse. One-quarter of 18- to 29-year-olds said "Christians demonize everything outside of the church" (23% indicated this "completely" or "mostly" describes their experience). Other perceptions in this category include "church ignoring the problems of the real world" (22%) and "my church is too concerned that movies, music, and video games are harmful" (18%).
Reason #2 - Teens' and twentysomethings' experience of Christianity is shallow.
A second reason that young people depart church as young adults is that something is lacking in their experience of church. One-third said "church is boring" (31%). One-quarter of these young adults said that "faith is not relevant to my career or interests" (24%) or that "the Bible is not taught clearly or often enough" (23%). Sadly, one-fifth of these young adults who attended a church as a teenager said that "God seems missing from my experience of church" (20%).
Reason #3 - Churches come across as antagonistic to science.
One of the reasons young adults feel disconnected from church or from faith is the tension they feel between Christianity and science. The most common of the perceptions in this arena is "Christians are too confident they know all the answers" (35%). Three out of ten young adults with a Christian background feel that "churches are out of step with the scientific world we live in" (29%). Another one-quarter embrace the perception that "Christianity is anti-science" (25%). And nearly the same proportion (23%) said they have "been turned off by the creation-versus-evolution debate." Furthermore, the research shows that many science-minded young Christians are struggling to find ways of staying faithful to their beliefs and to their professional calling in science-related industries.
Reason #4 - Young Christians' church experiences related to sexuality are often simplistic, judgmental.
With unfettered access to digital pornography and immersed in a culture that values hyper-sexuality over wholeness, teen and twentysometing Christians are struggling with how to live meaningful lives in terms of sex and sexuality. One of the significant tensions for many young believers is how to live up to the church's expectations of chastity and sexual purity in this culture, especially as the age of first marriage is now commonly delayed to the late twenties. Research indicates that most young Christians are as sexually active as their non-Christian peers, even though they are more conservative in their attitudes about sexuality. One-sixth of young Christians (17%) said they "have made mistakes and feel judged in church because of them." The issue of sexuality is particularly salient among 18- to 29-year-old Catholics, among whom two out of five (40%) said the church's "teachings on sexuality and birth control are out of date."
Reason #5 - They wrestle with the exclusive nature of Christianity.
Younger Americans have been shaped by a culture that esteems open-mindedness, tolerance and acceptance. Today's youth and young adults also are the most eclectic generation in American history in terms of race, ethnicity, sexuality, religion, technological tools and sources of authority. Most young adults want to find areas of common ground with each other, sometimes even if that means glossing over real differences. Three out of ten young Christians (29%) said "churches are afraid of the beliefs of other faiths" and an identical proportion felt they are "forced to choose between my faith and my friends." One-fifth of young adults with a Christian background said "church is like a country club, only for insiders" (22%).
Reason #6 - The church feels unfriendly to those who doubt.
Young adults with Christian experience say the church is not a place that allows them to express doubts. They do not feel safe admitting that sometimes Christianity does not make sense. In addition, many feel that the church's response to doubt is trivial. Some of the perceptions in this regard include not being able "to ask my most pressing life questions in church" (36%) and having "significant intellectual doubts about my faith" (23%). In a related theme of how churches struggle to help young adults who feel marginalized, about one out of every six young adults with a Christian background said their faith "does not help with depression or other emotional problems" they experience (18%).
Turning Toward Connection
To read the full article, click here.
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Safeguarding God's Children Trainers
There are several individuals in this diocese who are trained and willing to offer training in Safeguarding God's Children to our congregations. If your parish would like to offer a training, you might contact one of these trainers:
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Lisa Goforth |
St. Paul's |
Claremore | |
Ashley Haggard |
St. Patrick's |
Broken Arrow | |
Paul Snyder |
St. Christopher's |
Mid West City | |
Bobby Saunkeah |
St. Luke's |
Ada | |
James Blagg |
St. John's |
Durant | |
Kay Bowman Harvey |
All Saint's |
Miami | |
Pam Brown |
St. John's |
Norman | |
Judy Gann |
Trinity |
Tulsa | |
Everette Lees |
Christ Church |
Tulsa | |
Susanne Methven |
St. John's |
Tulsa | |
Stephanie Mitchell |
St. Luke's |
Bartlesville | |
Aaron Mooney |
St. Paul's |
OKC | |
Becky Moseman |
Trinity |
Tulsa | |
Art Scrutchins |
Holland Hall |
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Suzanne Shepherd |
St. Patrick's |
Broken Arrow | |
Tim Sean Youmans |
Emmanuel |
Shawnee | |
Laura Gallagher |
Oak Hall |
Ardmore | |
Debora Jennings |
St. Basil's |
Tahlequah | |
Lisa Goforth |
St. Paul's |
Claremore | |
Bobby Saunkeah |
St. Luke's |
Ada | |
Paul Snyder |
St. Christopher's |
Midwest City |
As always, you may contact Sabrina Evans to schedule training. |
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Stewardship of a Violin
I remember a friend of mine saying that he was talking to a well-known violinist about his violin. The violinist had mentioned that the violin was a couple hundred years old and worth many hundreds of thousands of dollars. The interesting point I remember from the conversation was the way the violinist viewed himself as a steward of the instrument. He knew that many great musicians had played the instrument before he was even born. He was also not naive to think that he would be the last to play the fine instrument. He understood that it was just temporarily passing through his hands.
The violinist's outlook on his violin has really helped me get a better understanding of the role possessions should have in my life. Changing my thinking in this way has affected how I handle my money and even my weekly buying decisions. It's not that having possessions is a good or bad thing, just that it needs to be in the proper perspective.
Submitted by
Susan Morgan, Stewardship Commission |
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Calling OKC-Area Friends of Summer Camp!
-Want to help promote summer camp and see your friends at the same time?
-Want to hear some great camp music and share in the Eucharist with your friends?
Then come to the closing Eucharist of our Strum and Drum Weekend and help us stuff summer camp folders for Diocesan Convention. We will need lots of help to prep the informational folders that each parish/school in the Diocese will receive. From pinning on camp buttons to assembling registration packets, there's a job for you.
1:00pm - Folder Assembling
3:00pm - Strum and Drum Eucharist
4:00pm - Say Goodbye
If you are interested, please RSVP to Aaron Mooney at StCrispinsDirector@gmail.com, so that we know how many people to expect for Eucharist. Hope to see you there!!! |
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Nominations for Presentation at 2011 Convention
The delegates to the Annual Convention will be responsible for electing the following officers and delegates:
Standing Committee: 1 Clergy and 1 Adult Lay Communicant
For information on placing a nomination, go to: http://www.epiok.org/resources/2009-diocesan-convention.html and scroll down for Nomination Memo and Nomination Form.
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The Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church is coming to Tulsa
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, will be in Tulsa on October 9-10.
On Sunday evening, October 9, Bishop Katharine will preach and concelebrate with Bishop Ed at the 60th Anniversary Celebration of St. John's Episcopal Church, 4200 S. Atlanta Place. The service begins at 5:30pm, and a reception will follow in the Common Room.
On Monday evening, October 10, Bishop Katharine will deliver the annual William H. and Rita Bell Lecture in Anglican and Ecumenical Studies. Her lecture is titled "Anglican/Episcopal Mission, Past, Present, and Future: Party Politics or Body Politics?" The Lecture will begin at 7:30pm in the Sharp Chapel on the campus of the University of Tulsa. |
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You Are Invited!
What: Daughters of the King Board Meeting and Fall Retreat
When: October 28-29, 2011
Where: St. Crispin's Conference Center, Powell Lodge
Retreat Leader: The Rev. Susanne Methven
Retreat Theme: "Five Holy Habits"
Reservations: Deadline for reservations, accompanied by full payment, is September 25, 2011.
Make checks payable to St. Crispin's.
Mail your check to Karen Kelly, 5212 South Birmingham Place, Tulsa, OK 74105-6616.
Call Karen Kelly with questions: 918-743-3055 (h); 918-520-5213 (c).
Cost:
$ 65.00-Double room with dinner, breakfast and lunch.
$ 85.00-Private room with dinner, breakfast and lunch.
Scholarships are available! (Call Karen Kelly.)
Each person attending the Board meeting should plan to provide her own lunch on.
Schedule:
Friday: 12:30-4:30 Board Meeting; 5:00 Dinner; 7:00-9:00 Retreat
Saturday: Retreat concludes with Eucharist beginning at 1:00.
Bring:
Snacks, wine, & soft drinks for yourself--or enough to share.
Bible, Prayer Book, paper/pen for notes.
Comfortable clothes, shoes, sweater, shawl, 'jamas, house shoes, flip-flops, robes, etc.
Ideas and love to share.
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Invitation to Register for a FREE training event: "HEALING COMMUNITIES"
Tuesday, October 18, 2011, from 9:00 to 4:30 PM (lunch provided)
Crossings Community Center, 2208 W. Hefner Road, Oklahoma City
Preregistration is required, and space is limited to 150 attendees
Prison Missioner Nancy Brock encourages you to attend this FREE, training event, designed to engage churches and faith-based organizations in facilitating the healing of people affected by crime and incarceration. It is an evidence-based program that seeks to invoke the unique gifts and belief systems of the Church - such as acceptance, compassion, forgiveness, redemption and restoration - in a Restorative Justice-centered process in which the needs of crime victims, families of victims and perpetrators, and of offenders and ex-offenders, may be recognized and honored. The training will equip leaders to implement this program to establish a true "Community of Healing" in their congregations.
More information is available at http://healingcommunitiesusa.org/default.aspx.
To REGISTER, go to www.faithlinksok.org and select "Featured Events" from the left navigation menu. On the Featured Events page, select "click here" at the bottom of the Healing Communities posting and you will be directed to the event registration page.
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Join Us on A Journey to the Holy Land!
The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma
~presents~
A Journey to the Holy Land
Under the Direction of
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Edward J. Konieczny
Local Guide: Canon Iyad Qumri
Hosted at Saint George's
Limited to the first 25
Depart: June 8, 2012
Return: June 20, 2012
Total Cost: $4,100.00 per person
To secure your spot, send your deposit check in the amount of $500, made payable to the Episcopal Diocese of Okahoma, 924 North Robinson, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 attention: Jeni Kaufman.
Jordan River
For more information, go to www.epiok.org and click on the Journey to Holy Land link. |
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Curriculum to Share
We have copies of the Witness curriculum published by Augsburg Fortress. These materials have 15 lessons per book along with 5 bonus sessions, and there are two books per grade. The younger group materials (Pre-K - K) and (1st and 2nd grade) have files made up already with the materials needed for each of the lessons. The other materials have some handouts and other materials. Finally, I have two teacher guid ebooks (20 lessons total) for 7th and 8th grades. If you are interested in looking at thes or having them for use in your parish, let me know. They are FREE. |
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Casady School To Host Open Houses
9500 North Pennsylvania Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73120
Primary Division - October 23, 2011 - 2 - 4 p.m.
Upper Division - October 25, 2011 - 6:00 p.m.
Admission Office 749-3125
www.casady.org |
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Fall Gathering for Retired Clergy/Spouses
The Fall Gathering of the Retired Clergy/Spouse event is scheduled for October 10 - 11 at St. Crispin's. Arrival time should be 2:00 pm on Monday, will adjourn after Lunch on Tuesday (11th).
Bishop Charleston will make a presentation for the Monday program, and Nancy Thompson from the Diocesan Offices will offer up-dates on Insurance and related items on Tuesday morning.
Those who are attending are asked to notify either Georgia or me no later than Sept. 24th so that the proper amount of food can be ordered and prepared. Our telephone number is :(918)335-0929, e-mail addresses are: gatageorge@aol.com, of frb426@aol.com.
Attendees are asked to bring a snack for sharing at the fellowship time on Monday.
The Rev. Bob Gates |
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Mark the Date
 The Diocese will be having Episcopal Night with the Thunder on March 16, 7 p.m. here in OKC. We are only able to secure 120 tickets together at a cost of $10 each and there will not be an opportunity to secure any more. So, get your reservations now - first come - first serve - and plan to attend this event. Additionally, if you will submit the name of any children children tickets are being purchased for, we will be having a contest. 16 children will be chosen to go down on the court during player Introductions, during National Anthem, and also starting line-ups. WE CURRENTLY HAVE ABOUT 20 TICKETS LEFT.
Promises to be a great night for all! |
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ADDITIONAL Safeguarding God's Children Training Opportunities
We now have over 900 people in the Dicoese trained in Safeguarding God's People! That is an increase of 300 in the last six months! We have been working hard to provide Safeguarding training sessions so that all clergy, including deacons, would have an opportunity to be trained. It is our intention that all clergy and deacons complete Safeguarding God's Children training by the end of the year. In order to help you out, we have scheduled the following training opportunities:
October 13 St. Andrew's, Stillwater - 10 a.m.
October 15 St. Luke's, Bartlesville 9 a.m.
see above for contact information
October 22 St. Christopher's Midwest City
9 - 12 p.m. The Rev. Paul Snyder is the contact person and trainer. Call 732-4802 to sign up.
November 19 St. Basil's, Tahlequah - 10 a.m.
December 1 Diocesan Office TRAIN THE TRAINER - Last one of the year. Contact Sabrina Evans 405 232 4820 to register
December 5 St. Luke's, Chickasha - 5:30 p.m.
These trainings should take about 3 hours long.
Safeguarding God's Children is required of all clergy and deacons who are active in ministry within the diocese, including clergy that serve as supply. Attendance at one of these trainings is mandatory. Safeguarding must be retaken every 4 years for everyone.
These trainings are open to all in people of the Diocese. Even if you have had safeguarding in the past, you too must recertify every 5 years to keep current. You can download the registration form at:
http://www.epiok.org/resources/safeguarding_god_s_children.html |
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A Women's Retreat
CREATION
CENTERED
SPIRITUALITY:
And God Called
Creation
"Good"
8-9 October 2011
St. Crispin's Camp
and Conference Center
Retreat Facilitator: The Rev. Debora L. Jennings
Want moreinformation,contact
Pam Hudson
2800 N.W. 21st Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
atomicbrown2004@yahoo.com
Registration Deadline September 20. |
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2nd Half of Life
GET AN EYE EXAM BEFORE YOU GO FOR YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE RENEWAL - No time for vanity -- get an eye exam, correct your vision and get driving!
It's your birthday soon and in many states that means your driver's license might be up for renewal. When was the last time you had an eye exam? Don't be vain or shy. Not knowing if you will pass or not is stressful. Go into your next exam armed with the knowledge that your eye sight is good or that you have taken the corrective measures to make your sight "driving safe".
During driving, the eyes are constantly on the move -- looking at vehicles ahead and to the side; reading road traffic signs; checking the rear and side view mirrors, and shifting their gaze between external and internal environments in order to check the speedometer, read a map on a global navigation system, change a radio station, or search for a dropped item in the car.
During darkness, these tasks can become more difficult for some drivers. A driver with 20/20 vision during the day can experience a reduction of visual acuity to 20/40 at night.
Research findings from the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles indicate that over half of those who fail a DMV vision exam are unaware that they have a vision problem. One in four (25 percent) Americans said it has been more than two years since their last eye exam, according to Americans' Attitudes & Perceptions About Vision Care survey, conducted by Harris Interactive® on behalf of The Vision Care InstituteTM, LLC, a Johnson & Johnson Company.
"Getting behind the wheel of a car with an uncorrected or improperly corrected vision problem can have tragic consequences," says California-based optometrist Dr. Elise Brisco. "A comprehensive eye exam will include testing to diagnose potential problems and determine the correct form of treatment." In the Harris survey, 80 percent of respondents said they believe that correcting vision problems can improve their driving a great deal.
Having a regular eye exam is all part of the Healthy Aging® prevention checklist. If you need to know what to expect at a regular eye exam these days, The Mayo Clinic has a complete description which you can read by clicking here.
Article from Healthy Aging.net |
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Closing - Prayers for September
Good-Bye Summer and Welcome Fall Prayer
"God of light, thank you for the warm, sunny days of summer and all the fun we had, especially [invite all present to share their favorite summer activities and memories]. Now that it's September and summer's ending, help us to stay focused on new tasks and challenges ahead and embrace all that the fall has to offer us, including [encourage all present to share their favorite fall activities, such as football or apple picking]. Let us live with joy in the world You've given us, now and always. Amen."
Prayer for Adjusting to the New School Year
"God of power and might, bless all those adjusting to a new school year this September. Grant them patience - with themselves and each other - as they deal with new teachers, subjects, schools, and skills. Change is never easy, but let those in transition find peace in You. Amen." |
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Contact Information
Sabrina Evans
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