 |
Bishop's Schedule
| | |
March 16
Vestry Academy
St. Crispin's
March 17
St. James
Wagoner
March 24
Palm Sunday
St. Paul's Cathedral, OKC
March 25
Holy Monday
Clergy Renewal of Vows
St Paul's Cathedral, OKC
March 28
Maundy Thursday
St. Paul's Cathedral, OKC
March 29
Good Friday
St. Paul's Cathedral, OKC
March 30
Easter Vigil
St. Paul's Cathedral
March 31
Easter
St. Paul's Cathedral
|
|
Save the Date
| | |
April 15 - 16
Retired Clergy and Spouses Retreat
St. Crispin's
April 26 - 28
Altered (formerly Vocare)
St. Crispin's
May 2 - 4
Men's Retreat
St. Crispin's
August 2 - 4
Happening 10th - 12th Graders
All Souls' Church
Oklahoma City, OK
August 15 - 17
EFM Mentor Training
St. Crispin's
|
|
Upcoming Diocese Events
| | |
To register or for more information please go onto the Dicoesan Web Site below or call the local congregation:
Altered/Vocare
April 26-28, 2013
Open for Young Adults 19 - 30
http://tinyurl.com/aqvv8uj
|
|
New Web Sites and Links
| |
Kevin Martin, Diocesan Congregational Development Officer's Blog
www.kevinoncong.blogspot.com
|
| | | |
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.
Web site for Diocese of Uruguay:
http://uruguay.anglican.org/
|
| | | |
The Next Issue of this Newsletter will be on Friday,
March 22, 2013.
|
|
|
|
We Are Epiok.org
March 15, 2013
Issue 11
|
|
|
|
 News, Events, and Offerings |
|
Holy Monday Gathering Renewal of Clergy Ordination Vows and Blessing of the Oils
The service of liturgy for the Blessing of Oils, Renewal of Ordination Vows, and Holy Eucharist will be on Holy Monday, March 25, 2013, at St. Paul's Cathedral, 10:30 a.m. This event is open to all people of the diocese, and you are invited to be a part of this ancient service.
In the course of Christian history oils blessed for the purpose have come to be used in many ways for the setting apart of people and things for a special place in the life of the Church, for Bishops and priests at their ordination, and for churches and altars at their consecration. During the service two oils will be blessed - the oil of Chrism, and oil for the anointing of the sick and those close to death. The oils will then be distributed to the attending clergy to take back to use in their parishes.
Clergy must register and can do so online at www.epiok.org by clicking on the "Calendar/Events" tab, then, "Event Registration" and scroll down to Holy Monday Gathering and click "register now." You can also call or email the Assistant to the Canon to the Ordinary, Diane Ellsworth via phone at 405-232-4820 or by email at dellsworth@epiok.org. Only the altar party needs to vest. The deadline for registration is March 18. |
|
Lenten Madness Reaches to Midwest City!
So you have been voting every day for the saint of your choice and each time, learning more about these incredible individuals' lives? Well the good folk at St. Christopher's, MWC, have gone one step further by making and sharing these "I Voted" pins!
|
Education for Ministry (EfM) Gathering of Mentors, Participants, Grads, and Possible Participants!
 As you have been seeing in the newsletter for the past couple of weeks, EfM will be having some changes coming soon. We are fortunate in this diocese to have two individuals who have had close ties with EfM for many years, and in fact, one has been a author in the EfM program since 1970!
Angela Hock and Rick Brewer will be leading us in a discussion of the changes, and how it will impact your present groups.
The event is open to anyone interested in EfM.
We will meet on June 29, 2013, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Diocesan Offices. There is a cost of $15 to cover your meal and handouts. You can get a registration form by clicking here. |
What a Great Question!
Recently a member of the diocese called and wanted to talk about Evangelism. She was made chair of a parish Evange lism Committee and she was trying to find some resources. She explained that in her web search she was confused whether evangelism was outreach or marketing her church. What is Evangelism anyway? she asked.
WHAT A GREAT QUESTION, and it gives me a chance to talk about this critical issue.
First, she is absolutely right. There is a great deal of confusion about what we mean by Evangelism in the Episcopal Church. Many church leaders I know believe that acts of mercy and kindness are acts of Evangelism. They are right to see such acts as critical to the Christian life, but wrong to call it Evangelism. Other clergy say that being fully inclusive of all people is what Evangelism is. They need to read my most recent blog at Kevin on Congregations (www.kevinoncong.blogspot.com) because they too are wrong to mix the terms.
Then there is church marketing. This means advertising and getting the word out about the Episcopal Church. I have written on this topic and in the Chapter "Opening the Front Door" of my 5 Keys for Church Leaders, I offer numerous suggestions. It is true that often the Episcopal Church is one of the best kept secrets in our communities. I believe there are many un-churched persons out there who would be blessed by being a part of an Episcopal Church. But, marketing is not Evangelism.
The Episcopal Church has an official definition of Evangelism. "Evangelism is to present Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit so that men and women are led to believe in him as savior and follow him as Lord within the fellowship of his Church." Evangelism involves, therefore, witness, preaching, teaching, sharing our faith and acting in loving others in Christ's name. Evangelism comes from the word "evangel" in Greek meaning "The Good News."
Unfortunately many Episcopalians think of our Church as a faith community that does not ask people to make a decision about Jesus, to believe in him and to follow him, but we do. Nothing makes this clearer than the Baptismal Covenant said at EVERY baptism. "Will you proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ?" The answer is "I will by God's help."
Many Church leaders seem to believe that the Baptism Covenant is "Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?" In recent years, the Episcopal Church has put a great emphasis on justice and peace issues along with being an inclusive community. However, it is wrong to reduce the Christian life to these issues. In the Episcopal Church, personal conversion and public witness are all part of who and what we are as Christians.
Evangelism is then those activities that present these claims of Christ to others. I often recommend that every parish have a clear path to discipleship and a clear path to membership. By this I mean that it helps our leaders to think through our organized and intentional efforts "to present Christ" and bring others into the fellowship of his Church.
This would have to start in our worship and liturgy and it does. Every Eucharistic prayer makes a proclamation of God's redeeming work in Christ and our incorporation as Christians into this work.
We are now entered into the Season of Lent. In this season we rightfully focus on those things that will bring us into closer relationship with God in Christ and prepare us to be more faithful in our witness to Christ and our lives of compassion that flow from this relationship. As Dean of St. Matthew's Cathedral, each year I told my people that "Lent is a spiritual journey that leads to the events of Holy Week that lead us to Good Friday when we see the fullness of God revealed in the face of Jesus Christ."
Of course, Good Friday shows us that this work of redemption is done for us and is a gift and grace of God; however, this does not mean that we do not have to respond to this gift and grace. There is a "YES Lord" that is asked of all of us. After all the first step of the Christian life and the last step are the same, surrender to God's love.
Evangelism, the "E" word as some call it, is an Episcopal thing because it is a Christian thing. Instead of having a Committee on Evangelism, what would happen if every Vestry of our Diocese was challenged to ask how our Church intentionally does the work of Evangelism and to honestly ask ourselves how we are doing at this work. One answer to this question can be found in our record keeping; namely, how many adult baptisms did we record in the last year?
The Very Rev. Kevin Martin
Congregational Development Office |
|
Slay the Dragon of Poverty Fundraiser
 The Guild of St. George "Slay the Dragon of Poverty" fundraiser is set for April 18, 2013, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Dean Wiley Hall, St. Paul's Cathedral, Oklahoma City, OK. Last year, $47,000 was raised for the guild to put back into the community.
The Guild of St. George tries to meet the critical needs of those who live at the edge of poverty in our community. This Episcopal outreach is a joint project of Episcopal churches in the metropolitan area. The Guild provides food, help with utility bills, bus tokens, and deposits for public housing and assists with medical prescriptions, Oklahoma identification cards and birth certificates. Since 1983 the Guild has served over 100,000 people.
For more information, contact Melody Bereman: melodybereman@yahoo.com |
|
Episcopal Night with the Drillers!
The tickets have been reserved by Christ Church but each church should collect their own money and ticket reservations and then contact Christ Church to give them updates. At the end, you can send them one check for the cost of the tickets. Questions?Contact Everett Lees. Thanks!
Vicar, Christ Church Tulsa
www.christchurchtulsa.org
10901 S Yale Ave
Tulsa, OK 74137
918-299-7510 |
SAVE THE DATE FOR SAINT SIMEON'S ANNUAL WESTERN DAYS EVENT!
 Saint Simeon's has announced Western Days 2013 will be held Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at Expo Square's Central Park Hall. The event committee has selected Take Me Back to Tulsa! as the theme for Western Days 2013, honoring Tulsa's rich history and the catchy tune. Saint Simeon's Western Days is "The World's Greatest Auction and Dinner", and Take Me Back to Tulsa! marks the 17th annual milestone of this fundraising event benefiting Saint Simeon's Foundation.
If you are interested in serving as a sponsor for the event, donating an item for silent or live auction, or if you would like to discuss other ways you can help, please contact Carolyn Blair, Executive Director of the Foundation, at (918) 794-1937 or cblair@saintsimeons.org. Individual tickets for Western Days 2013 will become available in July.
|
|
Retired Clergy, Spouses, and Widows Retreat Registration Deadline - March 15
If you are planning to attend the April 15 and 16 gathering at St. Crispin's, this is your last call! Bob and Georgia Gates have to turn in the numbers attending on March 15th. This will assure we have ample food and room availability.
Those who plan to attend but have not notified them really need to do so quickly.Email: Frb426@aol.com |
|
Cursillo #124 Scheduled for April 4 - 7 - Registration Deadline is March 25!
 Cursillo is a movement of the Episcopal Church designed to renew and deepen Christian commitment. Its goal is to help those in the church to understand their individual callings to be Christian Leaders by equipping and encouraging them to live out their Baptismal Covenant to serve Christ.
To participate in the April 4-7 weekend at St.Crispin's, please consult with your clergy about sponsorship, and submit an application at least two weeks prior to the weekend. You can find the application at: http://www.epiok.org/links.html.
|
|
Mind, Body, and Spirit in the 2nd Half of Life II - Event for All Ages! Registration Deadline - March 25
We're doing it again. The Diocese of Oklahoma and the Senior Ministries Committee is offering a great opportunity to gather with your friends to learn about issues specifically tailored for those in the 2nd Half of Life. No, This event is open to all ages!
The date is April 4, 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. and will be held at Church of the Resurrection Episcopal Church, 13112 North Rockwell, OKC. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE REGISTRATION BROCHURE THAT CAME IN THE MAIL HAS THE CORRECT DATE AND NOT THE CORRECT DAY. IT IS ON THURSDAY, APRIL 4.
Program will include: Plenary Panel Session "Getting It All Together: The Messy Paperwork of Life." The Rev. Michael A. Jasper, Rector at Church of the Resurrection and Shirley Cox, Legal Services Developer, OK Department of Human Services will share their knowledge and the session will be mediated by The Rev. John Belzer.
Four workshops will be offered, of which you may choose two: Laughter Yoga, Driving Safely and Safety, Scripture, Aging, and Lectio Divina, and Being a Grandparent in Today's Society.
For Registration forms Click here. If you have questions now, contact Sabrina Evans, sevans@epiok.org, or call 405 232 4820.
|
|
Stewardship and Development - Meeting Your Goals in the Coming Year
Albert Einstein was quoted as saying "It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer." Unfortunately, the world of development can be notoriously fickle and unfocused. Clearly we are in a major recession with no end in sight. The trick is not to panic. Here's how you can meet your goals and, yes, even prosper in the upcoming year!
1. Stay the course. Develop a balanced, thoughtful budget approach which includes realistic goals for grants and corporate support, individual support, program support and events. Plan for "multiple streams of income," yet with an eye to maximizing those activities which bring you the highest yield.
2. Start a Monthly Giving Program. This one is a no-brainer and I am astounded that more organizations have not picked up on it. If you've got donors who are giving you $1,000, $100, even $25 every year, they're prime candidates for a monthly giving program. The best book on monthly giving is Hidden Gold by Harvey McKinnon. Yet you needn't think of this as a huge endeavor when you're just starting out. Introduce it with your next annual appeal - as a P.S. Talk to your bank about an EFT option. Monthly giving has been a popular tool in the UK for years. Implement one now. Give donors the option of monthly credit card or checking account debits. And what rule says you can only mail once a year? Why not twice or even three times a year?
3. Refine (or Define) Your Story. Benevon calls it the organization's "emotional hook." It's your church's "story" - what makes donors give to you. The most compelling stories bring on the crocodile tears. Talk to your vestry, talk to your parishioners, talk to your staff, talk to foundation funders and individual funders to find your emotional hook. Bring your mission to life.
4. Diversify.Think in terms of "multiple streams of income." If you have a solid and engaged volunteer base, even smaller nonprofit organizations can host modest (but profitable) events, solicit donations and operate a neighborhood thrift store or sell on eBay. Many smaller organizations have their own used book stores, bringing in $25,000 to $50,000 extra yearly. Get creative!
5. Steward, steward, steward. It doesn't have to be on a weekly or monthly basis but it absolutely needs to be consistent. Donors would rather be kept notified on a timely basis in a simple manner than receive a glossy magazine publication (that makes them wonder what the heck you are doing with their money) once every two years. A two to four-page quarterly or triennial newsletter is ideal. If you don't have an email newsletter, now is the time to start.
Now is the time to set aside an hour, two hours - whatever you can spare - every week to both phone and visit key donors one-on-one. Don't make that age-old mistake of only querying your donor database for your largest donors - pull up your most loyal donors and thank them, profusely. Focus on your church's most loyal donors - take them to lunch, to tea, drop by with a basket of home-baked goodies.
Don't panic and stay steady to survive - and prosper!
--Adapted from Pamela Grow's blog
www.pamelagrow.com
|
Whole Creation Community - Spring Cleaning
Whole Creation Community is a spiritual community that brings together people of faith who will commit themselves to praying for God's creation, teaching stewardship of God's creation, and  working to sustain God's creation. Please join us daily on facebook http://stpaulsokc.org/whole-creation for daily meditations.
Below is a meditation/ reflection posted this week by Fr. Bill Carroll, Emmanuel-Shawnee.
Lent is a desert season. In his book, Thoughts in Solitude, Thomas Merton notes that the desert, or wilderness, is the place of primitive encounter with God, precisely because it is not terribly useful to human beings. The desert is an ecosystem and there are people who live there. But what if we viewed all creation as something that did not primarily have instrumental value to us and our purposes? Fr. Bill Carroll
Focus Stories - Submitted by Heather Sessing, Chair, St. Paul's Cathedral Green Team
On Saturday, March 9th, St. Paul's Cathedral Green Team sponsored an Adpot-a-Street event with the goals of encouraging fellowship among members and providing an avenue for volunteerism for our members. The Brotherhood of St. Andrew started off the morning with a delicious breakfast for all the volunteers. Biscuits and gravy, eggs, and fruit were some of the items on the menu that gave an early Saturday morning boost to the trash clean up crew.
After breakfast and a monthly Green Team meeting, we hit the streets picking up trash along Robinson between 4th Street and 16th Street. Some of the more interesting items f
ound along the path were a whoopie cushion, a library card from Enid, and some very creative homeless shelters. While the weather provided us a chilly wind, the rain held off until after we were finished with our project. The event was a great way to spend a Saturday morning with fellow members and a fantastic way to give back to our community!
GreenScope - Carry your own Pyrex or reusable to go box to restaurants. You are saving the restaurant from buying (typically) styrofoam & you can reuse it when you get home.
Order Coffee/Support WCC - Whole Creation Community has partnered with Pura Vida Create Good to provide you with your morning coffee!
The Create Good Foundation is: Committed to helping the poor who live in coffee growing regions around the world through water and economic infrastructure investments aimed directly at creating sustainable communities.
Please click on this link to be directed to the Pura Vida Create Good website. A portion of your purchases will be rebated to Whole Creation Community.
You may also navigate directly to the Pura Vida Create Good website and make your purchase, attributing it to Whole Creation Community by typing WHOLECREATION in the "Coupon/Fundraising Code" box in your shopping cart.
Thank you for your support!
If you have a story or green tip you would like to submit, please contact me.
Contact Information: Ferrella March Ferrella@hotmail.com 405-397-7960 |
Safeguarding God's Children Training Opportunities
April 6th
9 a.m.
St. Luke's, Bartlesville
Contact Lauri Watkins to register
Lauri-watkins@sbcglobal.net
April 21st
St. Michael's, Norman
2: 00 p.m.
Contact Amy Gardner to register: awgardner@yahoo.com
May 18th
9 a.m.
St. Luke's, Bartlesville
Contact Lauri Watkins to register
Lauri-watkins@sbcglobal.net
|
|
Safeguarding God's People Training Opportunities
March 20 9 - 12 Northeast Clericus Pryor, OK Contact Lauri Watkins to register lauri-watkins@sbcglobal.net March 23rd 9 - 12 St. Luke's, Bartlesville Contact Lauri Watkins to register Lauri-watkins@sbcglobal.net |
|
Oklahoma Episcopal Youth Events
|
|
Acolyte Masters - National Acolyte Festival Scheduled
Each year, Washington National Cathedral is host to the National Acolyte Festival. This year's festival is scheduled for October 12.
In the past, St. John's, OKC, has taken their acolytes to this incredible event. We are hoping that we will have others from throughout the Diocese be able to attend.
If you are interested in taking your acolytes, please contact Sabrina Evans. We have set aside some funding to help with transportation and would like to connect together all interested Acolyte Masters and seeing how this might become a reality.
|
Diocesan Acolyte Festival Scheduled
No, you have not missed it! Calendering issues, the Diocesan Acolyte Festival was moved to October 19, 2013. It will be held at St. Paul's Cathedral, OKC. Please get this on your schedules and watch for more information soon! |
|
Episcopal Youth Event 2014
Calendar it now! July 9 - 13, 2014, in Philadelphia, PA. We will want to take a group from this Diocese!
|
|
Dates of Interest
Province VII Mission Week in Dallas, July 8 - 13 - for HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ONLY. Check out information at: http://province7youth.org/
Happening for 10th - 12th Graders - August 2 - 4, All Souls' Episcopal Church, OKC, OK. |
|
Summer Camper Registration Forms Now On-Line
Yes, everything you need to register for Summer Camp 2013 is now on-line. Camp sessions are as follows: May 31 - June 1 ABC (overnight camp for children who have finished Kindergarten through 2nd grade) and a parent/guardian. This gives the child and parent a taste of the camp experience. Campers stay in cabins with other campers, swim, make crafts, and play like big campers! |
|
June 2 - 8 Sr. High (10th - 12th graders)
June 9 - 15 8th and 9th graders
June 16 - 22 3rd - 5th graders
June 23 - 29 6th and 7th graders
June 30 - July 6 8th and 9th graders
July 7 - 13 3rd - 5th graders
July 14 - 20 6th and 7th graders
|
|
Young Adult/Campus Ministry News
Altered: A Retreat for Young Adults 19-30
Who is God calling you to be? Come explore this question April 26-28, 20-13, at St. Crispin's. This is a weekend of exploring your faith, personal growth, meeting other young adults, worshiping God, singing, reconnecting with God, thinking about your life purpose, stepping back from your busy life, and especially relaxing. This retreat is run by and for young adults, led by Episcopal lay and clergy leaders from around the diocese. Go to: http://www.epiok.org/Christian%20Formation/vocare.html for additional information and registration form. |
|
Christian Formation Resources |
|
The Power of Youth - CD
This video program for teens features youth specialist Rodger Nishioka, along with a special appearance by the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori - in eight video segments. Each segment is then discussed by a group of high-school teens under the facilitation of the Commissioner for Youth for the Episcopal Church, Bronwyn Skov.
The eights sessions are: 
Being Important
Being a Prophet
Being a Servant
Being a Consumer
Being Generous
Being a Change Agent
Being Yourself
Being a Connector
It comes with a Leaders Guide and other printed material. This video is available for check-out from the Diocesan Office. |
Certificate for Youth Ministers, Educators 
The Seminary of the Southwest in Austin will offer a certificate program for practitioners in the field of Christian formation, youth ministers and/or Christian educators, the week of June 24-28, 2013.
|
|
Experiencing Silence
Jane E. Vennard - From the Alban Weekly - Week of 4/30/2007
Silence is hard to find in our culture. Our homes are filled with the whining of kitchen appliances, the clanking of exercise equipment, and the beeping of computers. People carry their own boom boxes. Cars play stereos at top volume. Neighborhoods are filled with power lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and snow blowers. City streets sport garbage trucks, jackhammers, and backfiring buses. Whistles blow, sirens shriek, horns honk, and helicopters fly overhead. Stores play music continually, people talk through movies and concerts, and cell phones ring in church.
We long for silence, and yet we are afraid of silence. For when the outer world is quiet, we begin to hear our inner noise. Our heads are filled with chatter, our hearts with emotions. We replay history and rehearse the future. We wander away from the present moment by making lists, or planning supper, or anticipating an argument, or remembering who said what to whom at yesterday's meeting. In the silence we begin to realize that we are everywhere but here.
Another reason some people are afraid of silence is because they have been wounded by it. Most of us have been told at some time: "Keep quiet!" "Shhhhh." "Lower your voice." "Shut up!" Silence can be used in relationships as a weapon. "When my wife is angry with me, she gives me 'the silent treatment.' I don't know what I have done, and I feel uneasy and on edge," one man reported. A young woman shared that her father used to clam up, not speak during dinner, not wish her goodnight. Her father's silence frightened her because it was usually followed by an explosion of anger. Another woman remembered the silence of a friend that was hurtful: "My friend would get quiet and then just walk away and leave me if I said something to displease her."
For people who have been wounded by silence, solitary silence may be comfortable, but silence in community feels too close to painful memories. Listen to these brief stories from a silent retreat: "Eating in silence with others is still very uncomfortable for me, even after three days. It is too much like the meals in my family of origin, where everyone was afraid to speak." "When I sit down next to someone and they don't speak to me, I feel rejected, even though I know that no one is talking to anyone." "When we are together in the kitchen, I feel an almost compulsive urge to fill the silence with chatter. I think I am looking for the approval I never got from my mother."
To read entire article, click here. |
|
|
|
|
