|
Bishop Ed's Schedule
| |
May 5
All Souls'
OKC
May 6
Bishop Ed Begins Sabbatical
|
|
Visiting Bishops' Schedule
| |
May 12
St. Mary's, Edmond
Bishop Bruce MacPherson
May 12
St. Christopher's, Midwest City
Bishop Wallis Ohl
May 19
St. Augustine, OKC
Bishop Bruce MacPherson
May 19
St. Patrick's, Broken Arrow
Bishop Wallis Ohl
|
|
Save the Date
| |
June 29
EfM Gathering of Mentors, Participants, Grads, and Possible Participants!
10 - 2
Diocesan Offices
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:
|
|
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.
New Web site:
http://uruguay.anglican.org/
|
| | |
The Next Issue of this Newsletter will be on Friday,
May 3, 2013.
|
|
|
We Are Epiok.org
May 3, 2013
Issue 17
|
|
|
News, Events, and Offerings |
2013 TENS Flourish in Faith Stewardship Conference
Salt Lake City, July 11th - 13th, 2013.
The conference is geared towards those who serve on stewardship ministry teams (both lay and clergy) at the congregational and diocesan level.
What is unique for this conference is that for the first time ever, TENS will broadcast opening worship, keynote presentation by Joan Chittister and Bishop Bruce Caldwell and four workshop presentations all for a web-cast registration fee of $75.00. Imagine stewardship ministry teams gathered in parish halls and parishioner's homes throughout your diocese experiencing an inspiring two days of stewardship formation. The Webcast will be broadcast in real time (mountain standard time) and will not be available for available for re-broadcast.
Please contact
Shoshana Lipson
Communications Officer
The Episcopal Network for Stewardship
840 Echo Park Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90026
www.tens.org
and she will send you an invitation to DropBox (a cloud-based file storage system) that includes a JPEG banner of the Conference, a PDF for the Conference, a PDF for the Pre-Conference, and a schedule for the Webcast Registration Package to use on your diocesan website, E-Newsletters, Email blasts or any other diocesan communications. The buttons on the web-banner will need to be hyper-linked to http://www.tens.org/2013-conference.
|
Province VII ECW Retreat
Kindle in Us the Fire of Your Love
August 2-4, 2013
Camp Allen Conference Center
18800 FM 362, Navasota, TX
Come for a weekend of sharing and worship with Episcopal Church Women from the states of Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Family and friends are welcome.
Scheduled Sessions Include:
- Opening Business Meeting with updates from Province Officers
- Daily morning and evening prayer
- Sessions led by Rev. Catherine Thompson, Rev. Jane Patterson, and Rev. Debora Jennings
- Movie night and discussion of Babette's Feast
- Sunday Eucharist with Rev. Carlye Hughes
- A wonderful marketplace for shopping
- An opportunity to needlework, play games, or relax with friend.
Cost Full Conference $220 for single, $160 for double.
|
Society of Catholic Priests Offers Annual Conference and Is Open to Laity
Five years ago a handful of Episcopal priests had a visio | Picture from last year's conference. |
n. They wanted to bring an organization called The Society of Catholic Priests (SCP) from the Church of England to the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada. The SCP was founded in the Church of England in the mid-nineties, with the Archbishop of Canterbury serving as the patron, to provide an Anglo-Catholic devotional society for clergy who also sought the full welcome and affirmation of women and GLBT persons in the life of the church. The North American founders of the Society shared that ideal, but also believed that the primary reason for existence should be a renaissance in Anglo-Catholic theology and spirituality in North America. In those five years the Society has grown to over two hundred members on its rolls, with the majority of those members being active in local chapters and their Annual Conference. Preparations are now underway for the Fifth Annual Conference and it marks yet another turning point in the life of the Society. For the first time, laity and others who may wish to participate in their conversations and formation are welcome to register as guests. The Fifth Annual Conference will take place in Philadelphia, PA, from October 9 - October 12, 2013. Keynote Speakers include the Most Rev. Frank Griswold, 25th Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, the Rev. Dr. Benjamin King, Assistant Professor of Church History in the School of Theology at Sewanee, and renowned author and retreat leader, the Rev. Martin Smith. More information on the Conference, including how you can register to attend, is online at: http://tinyurl.com/SCP2013-Form. For the past five years, the Society of Catholic Priests in North America has sought to promote its twin aims: the cultivation of priestly spirituality and catholic evangelism. It welcomes as members all those ordained to holy orders in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada. For more information about the life of the Society, you can visit their website: www.theSCP.org. or contact The Rev. Bill Carroll, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Shawnee, at [email protected]. |
Companion Diocese to Ordain Next Bishop
The Diocese of Oklahoma celebrates with our Companion Diocese, Uruguay, in the ordination of Michael Pollesel as their next Bishop.
If you or your congregation would like to make a financial contribution as part of a gift from the whole diocese, please send your check to the Diocesan Offices, made payable to the Diocese of Oklahoma, and indicate Bishop of Uruguay in the memo line.
|
Musica Sacra to Perform at St. Augustine's, OKC
On Trinity Sunday, May 26 at 5:00 pm, Musica Sacra, a chamber choir consisting of singers from many churches and denominations, will sing Choral Evensong at St. Augustine of Canterbury, The Rev. Joseph Alsay, Vicar. The choir will sing music of William Mundy, David Conte and Morten Lauridsen. The parish will host a reception following the service. St. Augustine is located at 14700 N. May Ave. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
|
New Hope to Hold Garage Sale at Christ Church, Tulsa
Doing your spring cleaning? New Hope will be holding a garage sale June 1 from 8 am to 5 pm at Christ Episcopal Church, 10901 S Yale, Tulsa. We are needing all kinds of items (except adult clothing) to make this sale a success. You may bring donated items to Christ Church anytime during the week beginning May 1 or contact Judy Gann, 918-361-3903 if you need your items (Tulsa area only, please) picked up. Proceeds will be used to launch a new after-school program in the fall at Christ Episcopal Church for children on the south side of Tulsa, Jenks and Bixby who have a parent in prison. |
Safeguarding God's Children
May 11, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. St. Andrew's Grove, OK Call 918-786-4113 to register. May 18, 2013 at 9 a.m. St. Luke's, Bartlesville Contact Lauri Watkins ([email protected]) to register June 26, 2013 at 6 p.m. St. Augustine of Canterbury OKC, OK Call 405 751 7874 to register. |
Safeguarding God's People
All Clergy in the Oklahoma City Clericus (or clergy from other areas)! Here's your opportunity to receive Safeguarding God's People training.
August 13, 2013
All Souls' Episcopal Church 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Please register by calling Sabrina Evans at the Diocesan Offices 405 232 4820 or emailing [email protected] of your plans to attend. |
EfM Graduates for 2013
Congratulations to the following individuals who will complete the four-year program - Education for Ministry - offered from The University of the South, Sewanee!
Nancy Strothman
Kathy King
Jacquie Robertson
Susan Rogers
Patti Morgan
Ann Zuk
Judy Luce
Amy Parsons
Leon Wood
Linda Newcomer
Susan Glynn
Pam Rosser
Peggy Steeves
Laura Wilson
Jack Wise
Kathy Davis
Linda Reed
Michael Reed
Kathy Matthews
Kathy Schlachtenhaufen
Fran Rahn
Doris Bradley
Roby French |
EfM Mentor Training Scheduled for St. Crispin's
EFM Mentor training and formation event is scheduled for August 15 - 17, 2013, at St. Crispin's Episcopal Camp and Conference Center. Training will begin on the 15th at 3 p.m. and conclude no later than 2 p.m. on Saturday. DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS JULY 29 AND THIS IS ON A FIRST COME-FIRST SERVE BASIS.
Basic training is required for anyone who is attending the mentor training for the first time, seeking certification, or anyone who has been previously certified but has not been actively mentoring, or has been inactive as a mentor for more than a year or a certified mentor that is returning after one year mentoring; a certified mentor that has attended three consecutive Formation training events.
Formation training is required for a certified mentor that has attended a basic and an in-service training (2 years of training) and has been actively mentoring for that period and has been approved by a trainer to attend a Formation training.
|
Heard the News? Changes are Coming to EfM!
Want to learn about the new curriculum and how it will impact your present groups? Want to learn about the Alumni Association and the benefits it has? Want to gather with other EfM Mentors, participants, grads, or those thinking about EfM?
Here's your chance! On June 29, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. we will meet at the Diocesan Offices (924 North Robinson, OKC) with Angela Hock and Rick Brewer - both excellent resources for EfM. Rick has been involved in the background for EfM with regards to curriculum and will have the latest information to help ease any concerns, and ideas to make this transition as smooth as possible. Angela has been a mentor and trainer for EfM for numerous years.
Cost is $15 to cover your lunch. Click here to download the registration brochure. |
Development and Stewardship - Why Outcomes are Important
Solid impact and outcome measures are often the deciding factor as to which nonprofit programs get funded and which ones get left behind. If your congregation closed its doors tomorrow, who would know or care? What damage would be done to your community? Are you sure?
Having clear answers for questions like these is critical to your church's relevance, value and ultimate survival. You must clearly articulate the value and impact of your work in the community. I know you deeply believe your work is known and valued in the community, but have no evidence or data to prove it. I can attest that it is far easier to write a case for support or grant proposal based on solid qualitative and quantitative data. And, the proposal generally fares better in the review and funding process. As you likely know, funders - government, corporate and individual - want assurance that they are making a sound investment in work that produces value for the community. We can no longer guess about this.
Creating a measurement culture within your church is essential. A focused investment of time and money into the creation of a data capturing and management process will prove extremely valuable for the church's planning, decision-making, hiring, fundraising, and value creation.
So, where do you start? Here's a strategy I've found to work every time. Ask people what they find personally meaningful about the program or service they just participated in. Notice, the question is not "what they liked." That question will bias the results. In my experience, people are eager to tell you. Be sure to have a notepad ready to capture all the rich language they will use. The words, phrases and metaphors will prove to be a good resource for your next marketing brochure or grant application. If they agree, take their photo and ask for permission to use their story in your next proposal or on your website.
Funders and donors are increasingly interested in learning about the impact you make in people's lives. It is imperative that your church find ways to capture and use data in your everyday practice.
Emily Elizabeth Abernathy Director of Development and Stewardship The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma 924 North Robinson Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102 405-232-4820 [email protected]
Preparing an estate plan is good Christian stewardship --- saying thanks to God, expressing your love and concern for family and showing charity towards others.
|
Whole Creation Community
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" http://stpaulsokc.org/whole-creation for daily meditations.
Below is a meditation/ reflection posted by Dean Lindstrom-St. Paul's Cathedral, OKC.
Today, all across Oklahoma there will be gatherings of prayer to ask God to send much needed rain to our environment. When I think of rain I am reminded of the creation story. Ponder the first two days: "In the beginning when God created the heavens and earth...God said, let there be a dome in the midst of waters..." Pray for rain and while you pray realize that water is a gift of life from God, thus we are called to conserve it and be good stewards of it. Peace, Dean Justin Lindstrom
Focus Story - On April 22nd, many concerned Oklahomans of all backgrounds and faith traditions gathered at the Capitol on the 2nd floor rotunda for the launching of the "Pray 4 Rain" stewardship project. "Pray 4 Rain" is a collaborative effort of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, Whole Creation Community, and the Oklahoma Conference of Churches to encourage prayer and promote awareness of our natural resources, especially water.
http://newsok.com/groups-urge-oklahomans-to-pray-for-rain/article/3796074
| Dean Justin Lindstrom, St. Paul's Cathedral; Bishop Ed, Bishop Charleston |
Afterwards, many joined us for a luncheon at St. Paul's Cathedral. Katy Blakey with KOCO was our master of ceremonies. Dean Lindstrom opened with prayer. Duane Paul provided beautiful music with his hand made Native American flute. Bishop Ed addressed the group about the importance of taking care of our natural resources. Gary McManus, Assistant State Climatologist reminded us that we are still in a drought despite the recent rain. The food was provided by Tom March and an awesome crew of volunteers.
| (L - R) Ferrella March, Katy Blakey, Rev. Bill Tabbernee, Executive Director Oklahoma Conference of Churches, Bishop Steven Charleston |
Next week look for a story on the May 1st prayer service which was held at OCU in the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel.
GreenScope tip: If you biked to work rather than drove, you could save 407 gallons of gasoline each year - half the amount burned annually by a typical American car. Apart from walking (and distance permitting), there is no more energy efficient way to get to work than by bike. More than half of all commuting trips are 5 miles or less in length, a distance that could easily be covered by bicycle. http://www.earthshare.org/2008/04/take-a-spring-f.html
Contact Information:
Ferrella March
405-397-7960
Mary Horn, St. Paul's Cathedral-OKC photographer.
|
Youth Ministry News
|
Countdown to Summer Camp
Days to Go! |
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
Big Questions, Worth Dreams: Mentoring Young Adults in their Search for Meaning, Purpose, and Faith (Revised Edition) - Sharon Daloz Parks (Jossey-Bass, 2011)
Building on the foundation she established with her ground-breaking book, The Critical Years, Parks invites us to take up responsibility for providing thoughtful mentorship and mentoring environments during the wilderness years of young adulthood. In this updated edition she addresses recent current events: violence in our culture, smart phones, mixed spirituality/religious identities, social media/networking, the economic crisis, changing racial identity, cultural shifts and other forces shaping the narrative of young adulthood today. She provides concrete ways of employing the theory in different types of mentoring communities, more on the relationship between meaning-making (faith/religion/spirituality) and disciplinary learning and includes new (and more timely) stories and illustrations. |
Older Adult Ministries
Baby Boomers and Beyond - Amy Hanson (Jossey-Bass, 2010)
Baby Boomers-arguably the largest segment of the population-are entering their retirement years at an unprecedented rate. With more discretionary time and increased longevity, this group is searching for a way to make a meaningful impact with their lives. Baby Boomers and Beyond explores the opportunities and challenges that the older adult population presents for the Christian community. Author Amy Hanson dares church leaders to let go of stereotypes about aging and embrace a new paradigm, that older adults are for the most part active, healthy, and capable of making significant contributions for the Kingdom of God. Hanson offers a realistic view of the Boomers and reveals what matters most to this age group: staying young, juggling multiple relationships, and redefining retirement. By tapping into their needs, pastors can engage this burgeoning group and unleash the power of the Boomer generation to enhance and strengthen the mission of the church. The book digs into the questions that arise when working with this growing population. How do we let go of "one-size-fits-all" ministry? What spiritual growth can we encourage? How do we meld multiple generations? And, most important, how do we harness the potential of this new generation? These are important considerations for those who want to be serious about ministering with aging boomers. Baby Boomers and Beyond contains numerous illustrative examples from churches and Baby Boomers across the country and offers church leaders best practices to put in motion.
Growing Older, Thinking Younger - Keith Haemmelmann (Pilgrim Press, 2012)
Baby Boomers are maturing, more Boomer than baby, and redefining what it means to age gracefully. Growing Older, Thinking Younger...Ministry to Boomers helps church leaders Discover what successful ministry with aging members of your congregation looks like. Readers will learn how the church can reach out to this large segment and adapt to their needs as they move into retirement. Haemmelmann reveals to readers what boomers look like, what is important to them and how church fits into their everyday lives. He illustrates for readers how to propel your ministries with older adults forward as they enter their golden years. Discover examples of proven ministry programs designed for seniors; ideas for embracing older adults through needs-specific ministry; and how to prepare Boomers for retirement.
Parish Ministry for Maturing Adults: Principles, Plans, & Bold Proposals - Richard P. Johnson (Twenty-Third Publications, 2007) Richard Johnson wants churches to become more active, more assertive, and more focused on the fundamentals of ministering to those in their maturing years. This includes a greater appreciation that this time of life has immense spiritual purpose when people draw closer both to God and their true selves. He calls for a new vision of ministry with maturing adults that moves beyond social activities to a new model of spiritual growth and personal development. Maturing adults need the nurturance of the church's care and compassion; the understanding of their real needs as they are now; the necessary help in discerning the call of God today; encouragement to continue their spiritual pilgrimage; and direction to reach out to others in new ways. Senior Adult Ministry in the 21st Century - David Gallagher (Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2006) Over one quarter of Americans are age fifty or older. This sizable group has unique needs and requires specialized ministry. In this resource, pastor to senior adults Dr. David Gallagher offers invaluable insights, practical ideas, and successful strategies for ministering effectively to people over 50. This book offers a fresh framework of ministry goals and vision, as well as the practical insights to accomplish them. It includes steps for effective senior adult ministry, characteristics of senior adults, ways to involve senior adults in ministry, and practical strategies and activities for senior adult ministry.
A Vision for the Aging Church: Renewing Ministry for and by Seniors - James M. Houston & Michael Parker (IVP Academic, 2011) Are we ready for the opportunities and challenges facing the aging church? Now is the time for the church to offer ministry to its increasing numbers of seniors and to benefit from ministry they can offer. In this book James M. Houston and Michael Parker issue an urgent call to reconceive the place and part of the elderly and seniors in the local church congregation. Confronting the idea that the aging are mostly a burden on the church, they boldly address the moral issues related to caring for them, provide examples of successful care-giving programs and challenge the church to restore broken connections across the generations. Cowritten by a theologian and an expert in the fields of social work and gerontology, this interdisciplinary book assesses our current cultural context and the challenges and opportunities we face. The authors show us that seniors aren't the problem. They are the solution.
|
Christian Formation Resources |
Sacred Celebrations for Seniors of All Ages
For the past few years, Emmanuel, Shawnee, has offered a Sacred Celebrations Honoring Seniors of All Ages on Pentecost. Below is the introduction to the Celebration:
As a community of faith, both old and young, you have walked with us these past years, praying for our growth and health in every aspect of our lives. We are not being sent into the next phase of our lives alone. We go with the collective wisdom and prayers of our elders. We have depended on you these past years. We as seniors in high school and college ask the senior adults in our parish to join us as we honor the work of God's Spirit in our lives-- yours and ours. If you are a senior adult, an older member of this congregation or want to show your support, would you, right now, stand with us?
If you would like to have a copy of this Celebration, email me at: [email protected], and I'll send it out to you.
|
Cart of Craft Supplies Available for Asking
All Souls', OKC, brought to our offices lots of craft supplies for sharing! These include: beads green craft sticks silk flowers green plastic cups Oasis woven hats tissue paper - green and blue 1 unopened box of Kaleidoscopes (kit) and 1/2 of an opened box cardboard fish fish nets plastic life preservers 5 1/2" x 7" blackboards trash bag full of Foamies - lots of different shapes rolls of ribbon foam door hangers confetti - tissue paper foam letters
If you are interested, please contact Sabrina Evans at [email protected]. |
What is a Mandala?
The word mandala means circle in the ancient language of Sanskrit. Because of this, many people associate mandalas with Buddhist or Hindu art, but they can also be found in other religions and cultures around the world. Examples of mandalas in Christianity are the Rose windows on European Cathedrals and the celtic cross. A broader understanding is that a mandala is anything created with the frame of a circle to express wholeness. We even see this type of representation in Navajo sandpainting.
It may be used for focusing attention, establishing a sacred space, or aid to meditation. It can be thought of as an active meditation.
There are many ways to create a mandala, but you first begin with a lightly drawn circle on a sheet of paper or canvas of your choice. You can fill in the circle spontaneously, letting the drawing emerge step by step in a creatively unpredictable way, like doodling, or you can fill it with special images that come to you. You are not limited with your choice of materials to fill the mandala - you can use sand, clay, paint, pencils, markers, wood, cloth...the ideas or limitless.
When you are finished, give the mandala a title. It should sum up your first impression when you see it from a distance.
List the name of the colors in your mandala, starting from the predominant color to the least.
After each entry, write your associations: the words, feelings, images, or memories that come to mind as you look at that color.
Then list the numbers and shapes in your mandalas. Numbers are found by counting objects. You may want to concentrate on each shape, becoming aware of words, feelings, or memories. Make a note as they occur. They do not have to make sense, as meanings become clear later in the process.
Once complete, read back through your lists and see if you notice a pattern or theme.
http://pinterest.com/tammya9555/mandalas/ - this also has coloring pages that you can use if you don't want to draw your own mandala.
http://www.creatingmandalas.com/faq.html
|
Contact Information
Sabrina Evans
|
|
|
|