We are pleased to welcome The Rev. Dr.  Douglas P. Johnson as Interim Rector of Grace, Ponca City, starting February 19. Douglas comes from the Diocese of Western Missouri, and previously served as Rector at St. Peter's, Harrisonville, MO.

The annual Quiet Day will be conducted this year by the Right Reverend Michael Hawkins, Bishop of the Diocese of Saskatchewan in northern Canada. Bishop Hawkins is an outstanding speaker and we are blessed to have him with us for his second visit and Quiet Day with us.  This year the Quiet Day comes in the first full week of Lent and can set the tone of our Lenten observance.  Please plan to attend this day of reflection and invite others from outside the parish to join you. 

Go ahead and send in your registrations as soon as possible. You  can pay at the door.

From the "What Not to Wear"

workshop, we will again discuss what is and isn't appropriate acolyte attire!

Each group will also have time to visit with Bishop Ed and participate in a Festival Eucharist using your congregation's banner and processional cross. 

We will have learning workshops, games, lunch, unique craft, and awarding of the Bishop's Bowl, a tradition started two years ago, an award for one of our events!

This year, we will be making Tabrets (which is a small timbrel) and need several adults to help in this area. Other areas where adults are needed include our Olympics, Registration and lunch set up and take down. If you are willing to serve, please contact Sabrina Evans, sevans@epiok.org. You will be provided all information and training to lead your workshop! 

When church leaders talk about stewardship, they tell me it is being the caretaker of all of God's creation. Yet, when they tell me about their stewardship initiatives, often times they say the only time they present stewardship concepts is when asking members to make financial commitments.

This seems to me to be fundraising in the name of stewardship. Even so, fundraisers understand the process of involving donors in the mission and work of the organization is ongoing throughout the year, every year. When donors are integrated into the fabric of the charity, commitment increases in every aspect of their service... including financial contributions.

Our church has the greatest mission of any charity: bringing people to relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Other charities that do good works may compete for donors, but they do not share the Church's ultimate mission. Our role in the church is to help our members live out that mission.

The following information is intended to help understand who is attending our churches so that members can become more involved in stewarding the Church's Mission. For assistance in developing a year-round stewardship plan please contact The Office of Stewardship at 918-712-7002 or email cfabian@epiok.org.

Generally 40-45% of our members do not pledge. The church provides a service. These members are not engaged in the community. It doesn't occur to them to give. Some will give when they attend, but do not pledge.  

20% of this group we'll call Visitors (They may or may not be members.) They do not plan to go to church and attendance is irregular. They have a very limited vision of themselves as related to the Church. They are not involved in life of parish, and do not give to pledge or plate.

20-25% are Unconnected Members. Their vision/relationship is about 3 months. They have sporadic attendance but think about coming to church. They are not involved in life of the parish but give to plate when attending. Their gift is cash, usually $5, $10 or $20.

Another 45% are Belonging Members: the core of the church. These people care deeply for the church and are committed to its future. Their pledges follow a secular, charitable pattern. They consider their giving dues or fair share giving.

Dues Paying Members have a self-vision of relationship of about a year. There is a strong need for belonging. They are marginally involved in life of the parish and think of pledges as dues. Pledges tend to be influenced by secular experience and are given in the range of $150 - $600 per year.

Fair Share Members have a self-vision of relationship of 3 years and think of themselves as members. They are involved in life of parish, especially when asked. When considering their pledges, they will divide the church budget by the number of members for their "fair share". These gifts will range from $400 - $1200 per year.

10-15% are our leaders. They are involved with the mission of the church and consider themselves partners with Christ. These people see themselves as stewards and give out of the need to give God a thankful response for the blessings in their lives. They give an intentional percentage of income. This group gives 75% or more of the annual income of the church.

10% Meaningful Membership Their vision is for a lifetime. They are asking spiritual questions; exploring spiritual practices and practicing holy habits. They pledge a percentage or tithe

1-5% Purposeful MembershipTheir vision is eternity. Their purpose is to serve God and are able to minister to others. They make Joyful gifts of tithe and beyond.

We are up-dating our web site to include a page for congregations. It will have a colored photograph of your building, service time, and brief synopsis of the life of your parish. We have sent the email to each congregation requesting this information and will up-date the page as your information is received! Seekers will be able to link from this page to your own web site.

Work is continuing on the Liturgical Seasons portion of the Christian Formation page. Information has been added through the Easter Vigil as a part of the Holy Week information.

Key Words included - Liturgical Year B. Maundy Thursday, Book of Common Prayer, Passover Seder. stripping of the altar, washing of the altar, rubrics, reserved sacrament, Good Friday, Holy Friday, stations of the cross, seven last words of Jesus, Tenebrae, Great Vigil, Easter lilies, paschal candle, renewal of Baptismal vows.

Does your congregation offer a health ministry?  The National Episcopal Health Ministries Conference is set for May 10-12 in Racine, WI .The theme is Faith, Hope, and Health. Keynote is Edwina Gateley with 20 workshops. For more information, go to:  www.episcopalhealthministry.org.

Have you had an event in your parish? Have you attended an event offered throughout the Diocese? We'd love to copies of your photographs. We would like to change out the photo slide show on our Diocesan web page but found that we are severely lacking in pictures of adults. You may send them to Sabrina Evans at sevans@epiok.org. Please send in jpg format. Thanks.