Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma
Contents
Bishop's Schedule
Institution and Induction
Young Adult Opportunity
Retired Clergy Gathering
Make A Difference Day 2011
Rebuild Holy Trinity Cathedral
Episcodisco and Lock-In
Strum and Drum
Journey to the Holy Land
Additional Safeguarding God's Children Training
The Spiritual Side
Working with Older Teens and Young Adults
Parenting - Bullying
2nd Half of Life
Closing Prayer
                            

Companion Diocese Uruguay


Uruguay

     two bishops

 

 

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/

 


 
The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma

          

 Link to Our Web Site

 


 
The Next Issue of this Newsletter will be on Friday, October 28.

We Are Epiok.org

October 21, 2011

Issue 36

 

Did you Know? Advent is 6 weeks away! 
 

Bishop's Schedule 

 

October 23                    St. Matthew's Sand Springs

October 30                    St. Peter's Tulsa

Institution and Induction

 

 The Rt. Rev. Dr. Edward J. Konieczny

Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma,

 

and

The Wardens, The Bishop's Committee,

and Congregation

of

 

Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church

 

Cordially Invite You

to the

The Institution and Induction of

 

The Reverend Joseph Farber

 

as Vicar of Church of the Good Shepherd 

Saturday

November 12, 2011

Eleven O'clock in the Morning

 

Church of the Good Shepherd

1420 East Dewey, Sapulpa 

 

Your Prayers and Presence are Requested

  

Clergy: Red Stoles

  

Young Adult Opportunity

 

Join 10 young adults from across the church for a week of fellowship, prayer, advocacy, and transformational encounters with leaders from government, non-profit, and faith organizations. This annual event is an exceptional opportunity to learn about women's rights and gender justice in contexts across the globe and to expand your own sense of calling to work for justice. Applications are due by November 1, 2011. To learn more or apply: https://www.signup4.net/Public/ap.aspx?EID=UNCS10E.

 

This is a project of the Episcopal Leadership Institute for Young Adults. Future Events will address topics of Incarceration in the US and Refugee Resettlement.

 

Jason Stewart Sierra 

Officer for Young Adult Leadership and Vocations

The Episcopal Church Center

646-316-0783

Retired Clergy Gathering 

 

The retired clergy of Oklahoma gathered at St. Crispin's on   and 33 people were in attendance - the largest group in many years! One came from California, three from Texas and the others wer from all over Oklahoma. 

 

Bishop Charleston gave a fantastic presentation on what it means to be an elder.  He had everyone spellbound as he went from prehistoric times till today with wonderful images and thoughts.  He believes that elders aren't limited to a particular culture but can be people of any culture.  The 3 key words to describe an elder are:  wisdom, compassion, and vision.

 

We had time for fellowship, conversations, walks outside in the beautiful weather, and a movie. Nancy Thompson from the Diocesan Office reported on changes in CPG insurance. 

retired clergy 2011

Standing:  Arlen Fowler, Bob Gates, Shirlene Newman, Tom Newman, Charles Brown, William Cox, Betty Brown, Emily Kinney, Bob Kinney, Jan Wantland, Jack Powers, Bill Wantland, Ken Armstrong, Otto Anderson, Paul Ostrander, Patsy Ostrander, Virginia Hoover, Rosanne Pasco, John Ryan, Clark Shackelford, Shelby Shackelford.

Sitting on wall:  Mary Jane Fowler, Laura Clemmons, Carol Hunkins, Ernie Madden, Tom Walker, Bob Evans, Ann Evans, Ann Armstrong.

Sitting on ground:  Georgia Gates, Jim Hunkins, Paula Madden, Mary Lu Walker.

Make A Difference Day 2011 is on October 22

 

make a diference day

 

Make-A-Difference Day is celebrated each year on the 4th Saturday in October. This is our nation's largest day of volunteering. It was created by USA Weekend and is also sponsored by Hands-On Network and Newman's Own.

 

Over 3 million people will volunteer to help 30 million others.

 

Our faith calls us as stewards to give of our time and talents to help others. We bring something uniquely special to this day of volunteering: We bring our discipleship of Christ. We are Christ's hands and compassion when we venture out into the world to volunteer.

 

As a Christian and as a member of our Diocese, you can Make-A-Difference on this day of volunteering through your church or your community. To learn more about the project go to http://makeadifferenceday.com.

The Appeal to Rebuild Holy Trinity Cathedral

Port-au-Prince, Haiti

 

Haiti Rebuild our ChurchIn the January 2010 earthquake 70% of the church buildings, including the Cathedral were destroyed.

 

On November 4th our Diocesan Convention will collect an offering to help rebuild the Church in Haiti. Everyone in our Diocese is urged to contribute.

 

The Episcopal Church in Haiti supported over 200 schools, medical clinics, a music school and a symphony orchestra before nearly all these properties were destroyed in the earthquake of January 2010. By rebuilding the church, we are rebuilding the communities that the church serves. People talk about 'Hope for Haiti.' We are building hope through our collective offerings.

 

You may send your donation to your church office, present it at our church ingathering on October 30th, or send it directly to the Church Center. Please make checks payable to The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma and note Rebuild the Church in Haiti on your check.

Episcodisco and Lock-In Reminder  episcodisco 2011

 

 

Have you sent in your registration? This promises to be an evening of fun music, fellowship and food! Get your registration in to the Diocsean Office as soon as possible! Don't let this pass you by.

Strum And Drum

 

Register now for Strum and Drum to be held at All Souls' Episcopal Church, Friday October 28 and Saturday October 29. Registration form is on line at:  http://www.epiok.org/Christian%20Formation/guitar-weekend.html

Join Us on A Journey to the Holy Land!

 

Holy Land with Bishop

 

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
Jordan River

For more information, go to www.epiok.org and click on the Journey to Holy Land link.  

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:

  

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 4 years to keep current. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE RECERTIFICATION TIME IS 4 YEARS AND NOT 5 AS PREVIOUSLY INDICATED. You can download the registration form at: 

http://www.epiok.org/resources/safeguarding_god_s_children.html 

The Spiritual Side- The Daily Examen

 Ignatian Spirituality

The Daily  Examen is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the  day in order to detect God's presence and discern his direction     for us.  The Examen is an ancient practice in the Church that can help us see God's hand at work in our whole experience.

 

The method presented here is adapted from a technique described by Ignatius Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises. St. Ignatius thought that the Examen was a gift that came directly from God, and that God wanted it to be shared as widely as possible. One of the few rules of prayer that Ignatius made for the Jesuit order was the requirement that Jesuits practice the Examen twice daily-at noon and at the end of the day. It's a habit that Jesuits, and many other Christians, practice to this day.

 

This is a version of the five-step Daily Examen that St. Ignatius practiced.

 

1. Become aware of God's presence.

2. Review the day with gratitude.

3. Pay attention to your emotions.

4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.

5. Look toward tomorrow.

 

For more information on Ignation Spirituality, click here.

Working with Older Teens and Young Adults

 

Do You know about Episcorific? A Web 'Zine By and For Young Adults www.episcorific.org.

 

Episcorific is a low budget, self-published, free-as-a-bird 'zine for and by young adults in their 20s, 30s, and beyond - like you! We started in the Diocese of Texas and now we're going Episco-wide, which means we're looking to hear voices from across the world.
 
The big idea? As exciting as it is to be a young adult setting out into the future, our lives are just as often hectic and unstable. We know that for many the church is an important site for self-creation - a place to expand the self and let God in. Wouldn't it be great if there was a forum where young Episcopalians could talk about what the church, their prayer books, and their faith means to them as they navigate these choppy waters? With a little help from our friends, a computer, and a photocopier, now there is. 

  

We're printing Episcorific on a seasonal basis so there is always an open call just around the corner. We'd love to hear from you. Fact or fiction, reviews, poems, interviews and horoscopes - we welcome any original written work under 1000 words, as well as black and white artwork.   
 
Check out past issues and upcoming deadlines at www.episcorific.org. Questions, comments, suggestions and submissions can be sent to [email protected]

 

Parenting - Bullying

 

Being bullied is an all-too-common problem for school-aged children. And for every bully, there is a victim.

  No Bullying

Who are the bullies?

Simply put, bullies want to control people, and they quickly learn that violence or the fear of violence will allow them to do that. They often choose to pick on kids who are alone and don't have a strong network of friends. Bullying takes many forms, including threats, violence, intimidation, destruction of property and theft. Essentially, bullies are thugs.

 

Why do they choose to be thugs?

 

1.A bully wants control over another person. With control comes power.

2.A bully doesn't know how to get attention in positive and acceptable ways. That's why he or she resorts to force.

3.A bully is antisocial. He or she is rude and hostile on purpose, and thinks bullying is a cruel but fun game.

4.A bully feels justified in picking on others and is probably even proud of it. In the bully's mind, weaker or smaller kids deserve to be picked. Picking on someone else does not necessarily make bullies feel better about themselves because they don't typically have low self-esteem. Contrary to belief, bullies usually have high opinions of themselves.

5.A bully learned how to bully. Bullying is a LEARNED trait. A family that uses force or aggression for punishments or to settle relationship problems can set an example that bullying is an acceptable way for a person to get what he or she wants. When toddlers learn that temper tantrums - and yelling and screaming - get results, it sets the stage for possible bullying later in childhood.

 

Bullies who don't change their ways in adolescence are heading for an adulthood filled with violence and aggression. These antisocial behaviors often result in employment problems, difficulty maintaining healthy relationships and even criminal behavior. That's why it is in a bully's best interest to receive strong, negative consequences for his or her harmful, antisocial behavior.

 

Who are the victims?

Victims often are kids on the fringe who have been rejected by others in their peer group. This makes them an easy target for bullies. Because bullies like to win, they pick on kids who won't or can't fight back.

 

What can parents teach their children so they can stop being victims?

 

1.Learn how to make friends.  Bullies  tend not to pick on kids who  have friends who will back them up. Friends equal physical and emotional support. If you have unlikable traits that prevent you from forming friendships, learn how to change those traits and develop good friendship skills. Seek out kids with common interests and make conversation. Ask people about themselves; don't just talk about yourself. Pay people genuine compliments.If a bully does insult you, don't return the insult. Deflect the comment with an "I" statement. For example, if a bully calls you a wimp, respond with, "Yeah, I'm working on that." If a bully is aggressive, leave the situation if you can and talk to an adult you trust. There is no shame in asking for help.  

2.Avoid the bully. While this isn't possible all the time, try to minimize your exposure to the bully.

3.Get other kids to help you. Children who are self-confident and assertive are in a position to exert positive peer pressure on the bully. Bullies don't want to look bad in front of someone they respect.

4.Stop acting like a victim. Weakness attracts bullies. So stand up straight, look people in the eye, speak with a firm voice and act confident even when you do not feel confident. If you are bullied, don't let the bully see that you are upset. This only feeds his appetite for more bullying.

5.If you are being bullied frequently or cruelly, talk to someone about the problem. This is not tattling. You are reporting violent behavior that needs to stop for your sake and the bully's.

Parents also should make school officials aware of any bullying that is occurring, whether the victim is their child or someone else's child. School officials need to know, and so do the bully's parents.

 

To Sum Up...

Bullies' anti-social behavior will cause problems for them as an adult, often preventing them from developing healthy, loving relationships and maintaining steady employment. Bullies must change if they want a happier future. Victims can take steps to "bully-proof" themselves by changing annoying traits, establishing a network of friends and seeking the help of a trusted adult if a bully becomes too aggressive to ignore. The cycle of bullying can be broken.

 

2nd Half of Life
Taking care of parents
As your parents get older, you may want to make sure they're successfully taking care of themselves and staying healthy. When you visit your aging parents, ask yourself the following five questions. Then, if necessary, take steps to help your aging parents maintain their independence.

 

1. Have your aging parents lost weight?Losing weight without trying could be a sign that something's wrong. For aging parents, weight loss could be related to many factors, including:

  • Difficulty cooking. Your parents could be having difficulty finding the energy to cook, grasping the tools necessary to cook, or reading labels or directions on food products.
  • Loss of taste or smell. Some loss of taste and smell is natural with aging, especially after age 60. In other cases, illness or medication contributes to loss of taste or smell. Your parents might not be interested in eating if food doesn't taste or smell as good as it used to.
  • Underlying conditions. Sometimes weight loss is a sign of a more serious underlying condition, such as malnutrition, dementia, depression or cancer.

2. Are your aging parents taking care of themselves?Pay attention to your parents' appearance. Are their clothes clean? Do they appear to be taking good care of themselves? Failure to keep up with daily routines - such as bathing, tooth brushing and other basic grooming - could indicate health problems such as dementia, depression or physical impairments.

 

Also pay attention to your parents' home. Are the lights working? Is the heat on? Are the bathrooms clean? Is the yard overgrown? Any big changes in the way your parents do things around the house could provide clues to their health. For example, scorched pots could mean your parents are forgetting about food cooking on the stove. Neglected housework could be a sign of depression, dementia or other problems.

 

3. Are your aging parents safe in their home? Take a look around your parents' home, keeping an eye out for any red flags. Do your parents have difficulty navigating a narrow stairway? Has either parent fallen recently? Are they able to read directions on medication containers?
 

4. Are your aging parents in good spirits? Note your parents' moods and ask how they're feeling. A drastically different mood or outlook could be a sign of depression or other health concern. Also talk to your parents about their activities. Are they connecting with friends? Have they maintained interest in hobbies and other daily activities? Are they involved in social organizations or clubs? If they're religious, do they attend regular worship services?

 

5. Are your aging parents having difficulty getting around? Pay attention to how your parents are walking. Are they reluctant or unable to walk usual distances? Is knee or hip arthritis making it difficult to get around the house? Would either parent benefit from a cane or walker? Muscle weakness, joint problems and other age-related changes can make it difficult to move around as well. If your parents are unsteady on their feet, they may be at risk of falling - a major cause of disability among older adults.

 

Taking action - There are many steps you can take to ensure your aging parents' health and well-being, even if you live far away. For example:

  • Share your concerns with your parents. Talk to your parents openly and honestly. Knowing that you're concerned about their health may give your parents the motivation they need to see a doctor or make other changes.
  • Consider including other people who care about your parents in the conversation, such as other loved ones, close friends or clergy.
  • Encourage regular medical checkups. If you're worried about a parent's weight loss, depressed mood or other signs and symptoms, encourage your parent to schedule a doctor's visit. You might offer to schedule the visit yourself or to accompany your parent to the doctor - or to find someone else to attend the visit. Ask about follow-up visits as well.
  • Address safety issues.
  •  Point out any potential safety issues to your parents - then make a plan to address the problems. For example, perhaps your parents could use assistive devices to help them reach items on high shelves or to help them stay steady on their feet. A higher toilet seat or handlebars in the bathroom may help prevent falls.
  • Consider home care services. If your aging parents are having trouble taking care of themselves, perhaps you could hire someone to clean the house and run errands. A home health care aide could help your parents with daily activities such as bathing and dressing. You might also consider Meals On Wheels and other community services. If remaining at home is too challenging, you might suggest moving to an assisted living facility.
  • Contact the doctor for guidance. If your parents dismiss your concerns, you might call the doctor directly. Your insights may help the doctor understand what to look for during upcoming visits. Keep in mind that the doctor may need to verify that he or she has permission to speak with you about your parents' care. Likewise, you may need to sign a form verifying that you have your parents' permission to discuss their medical information with the doctor and his or her staff.
  • Seek help from local agencies. Your local agency on aging - which you can find using the Eldercare Locator, a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging - can connect you with services in your parents' area. For example, the county in which your parents live may have social workers who can evaluate your parents' needs and put them in touch with pertinent services, such as home care workers and help with meals and transportation.

Sometimes aging parents won't admit they need help around the house, and others don't realize they need help. That's where you come in. Remind your parents that you care about them and that you want to do what's best to promote their health and well-being, both today and in the months and years to come.   

 Closing - Prayer for October  

 

st francis 2 

Most high, omnipotent good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may for love of you delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy.  O God, you have made us and all living things. You are even more wonderful than what you have made. We thank you for giving us these pets who bring us joy.  As you take care of us, so also

we ask your help    that we might take care of those who trust us to look after them.  By doing this, we share in your own love for all creation. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Contact Information

Sabrina Evans

[email protected]

(405) 232-4820