|
KANSAS-OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
K-O e-NEWS
November 28, 2012 |
|
Kansas Oklahoma Conference Annual Meeting Wrap Up
|
| |
The 51st Annual Meeting of the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference United Church of Christ was held November 9 through 11 in Wichita, Kansas.
Amid the celebration of our ministries, the reconnecting of friends, and the sharing of hopes and challenges, delegates transacted important business in the life of the conference.
New Governance Documents were adopted by the meeting. The new Articles of Incorporation, Constitution, and By-Laws reflect the changed structure of the conference. Over the past year our four associations have dissolved and now the model of "conference acting as an association" has been adopted. This is the model used by a number of conferences in the UCC. The structure of commissions has been streamlined to provide clearer lines of accountability. A virtually full slate of nominees was elected so that commissions can move forward fully staffed.
Edith Guffey was called and elected at Designated Conference Minister of the KO Conference fro a 3-year term. Edith will begin her work in the conference on February 1. 2013. Acting Conference Minister Kent Cormack will continue to serve the conference until that time.
Other business at the meeting included the adoption of the 2013 budget and approval of changes to the Articles of Agreement of the K-O Conference Foundation. The Rev. Dr. J. Bennett Guess, Executive Minister for Local Church Ministries, was the keynote speaker at the meeting and preacher at closing worship.
Thank you! to the countless volunteers from our churches, the delegates who represented their congregations, and the conference leaders who shepherded our work together. You made the 51st annual meeting a success.
|
|
Chautauqua United Church of Christ Society
|
|
|
The Chautauqua United Church of Christ Society is seeking nine outstanding individuals to serve as Chaplain of the Week during the 2013 summer season.
Chautauqua is our nation's foremost cultural festival, and the UCC Society is located right in the center. Chaplains receive housing and two gate passes. In exchange they preach at our Sunday morning service and offer leadership for an informal vesper service. They are also expected to engage in conversation with our other guests and be available in case pastoral care is needed. Compared to the opportunities for renewal and growth, the expectations are quite small. The Society sees this as our ministry to its chaplains more than as their ministry to us.
To learn more about Chautauqua in general, visit www.ciweb.org. For more on the UCC Society or on how to apply visit www.cuccs.org
The deadline is November 30, 2012. UCC ordination is required.
|
|
Half time Campus Minister at the University of Kansas |
| |
The Ecumenical Campus Ministries (ECM) at the University of Kansas invites applications for a half-time position as Campus Minister to begin July 1, 2013. A comprehensive compensation package between $25,000 to $35,000, depending on the applicant's qualifications and experience will be offered. Complete information on qualifications and specific duties for the position, the history and reviews of current programs, and additional information about ECM can be found on the ECM website: www.ECMKU.org. Application deadline is January 15, 2013.
|
|
Storm Victim Relief |
|
If your congregation has collected funds to aid victims of super storm Sandy, please forward those funds to the conference office soon so that they might be shared with disaster relief efforts in a timely manner. You can also make online contributions through the UCC Website, www.ucc.org.
|
|
Tax Smart Giving
|
| |
With the holidays and yearend approaching, thoughts turn toward giving. December ranks as the month when most churches receives by far the greatest amount of pledge, plate and special gifts. Realizing tax regulations are more unsettled than usual, here are some favorite options.
Expired 2011/Extention Uncertain
Currently, the tax saving provision allowing direct charitable IRAgifts by people 70½ or older expired at the end of 2011 and Congress has not decided whether or not to extend it. While Congress mulls over extending this tax benefit, time is running out to make such gifts without some assurance the provision will be extended. Although the tax benefit is currently in doubt, this method of donating to the church is still available and should an extension be enacted, you would be able to take advantage of the tax benefit.
Even if the direct IRA donation
is not used for 2012, several other tax advantages are available for making a donation to Colonial.A donation to the church of stock held more than a year that has appreciated in value can avoid tax on the capital gains and still provide a charitable deduction in the amount of the appreciated value. Depending on the Congressional action, tax rates on capital gains and qualified dividends are scheduled to increase in 2013.
A direct donation in 2012 is still deductible. Charitable contributions are also a method of reducing the alternative minimum tax which may affect many more taxpayers in 2012 if legislation is not enacted before the end of the year.
Estate tax rules will also likely change in 2013. If Congress doesn't act, rates will increase and the exempt amount will be reduced. Even if Congress acts, rules will probably change. When reviewing your will or trust, consider including a bequest to your favorite church, ministry or conference.
Consulting your tax preparer when making year end or strategic tax decisions is always advised, but even more important this year due to the uncertainty over tax law changes that will take effect in 2013 and beyond.
|
|
2013 Directory Updates |
| |
We are going to be working on 2013 Directories soon. Please review your listing in the 2012 Directory and let the Conference Office know if there are any changes or additions that need to be made. You can email all changes/additions to kmoore@kocucc.com.
|
|
UCC History and Polity Class
|
| |
A collaborative program of the Center for Progressive Renewal and PATHWAYS, a program of the Southeast Conference UCC, this online UCC polity class is currently accepted as a 3-credit course at a number of seminaries. Spring semester class begins on January 30 and ends May 1, 2013. Students can find a course description and register by going to |
|
K-O PRAYER CALENDAR |
| |
First Congregational, Russell, KS ~ Pastor Kasey Crosby and Congregation
First Congregational, Stockton, KS ~ The Rev. Vince Williams and Congregation |
|
UCC CALENDAR OF PRAYER
|
|
K-O UCC CALENDAR OF EVENTS
|
|
Link to
the K-0
Calendar |
|
December 15, 2012 - Conference Council Meeting, Wichita KS, 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM
December 24-28, 2012 - Conference Office Closed for Christmas Holiday
January 1, 2013 - Conference Office Closed for New Year's Day Holiday
January 5, 2013 - Committee on Ministry Training Event at Pilgrim UCC Parish House, Wichita, KS |
|
We know there is a lot of things going on around the Conference. Let us
know. If you have something you want to share, please send it to us at kofocus@yahoo.com |
|
K-O INTERIM CONFERENCE MINISTER'S SCHEDULE
|
| | |
December 4-7 - Council of Conference Ministers Meeting and Authorizing Ministry for the 21st Century in New Orleans
December 22-28 - Vacation |
|
K-O CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
|
|
| |  |
Central Congregational UCC, Topeka, KS ~ Rev. Scott Kenefake is interim pastor Carrier Congregational UCC, Carrier, OK ~ Rev. Gordon Epps is interim pastor. Colonial UCC, Prairie Village, KS - has made the decision to call an Associate Minister for Christian Development to work with the congregation and their Senior Pastor, Rev. Aaron Roberts Community of Hope, Tulsa, OK First Congregational UCC, Anthony, KS First Congregational UCC, Centralia, KS First Congregational UCC, Goltry, OK ~ Rev. James White is pulpit supply First Congregational UCC, Great Bend, KS ~ Julie Shields is pulpit supply First Congregational UCC, Manhattan, KS ~ Rev. Victor Force is interim pastor First Congregational UCC, Onaga, KS First Salem UCC, Wichita, KS Immanuel UCC, Ellinwood, KS - Rev. Chris Edwards will serve as interim pastor beginning October 1, 2012 Open Table UCC, Owasso, OK Puritan Congregational Christian Church, Drummond, OK. ~Rev. Matt Perkins is supply pastor United Church of Norman, Norman, OK ~ Rev. Warren Jensen is interim pastor Zion UCC, Junction City, KS. ~ Rev. Patty Brown-Barnett is interim pastor |
| QUICK LINKS |
|
|
CONTACT INFORMATION
|
| | |
The Rev. R. Kent Cormack, Acting Conference Minister
Kansas-Oklahoma Conference 1245 Fabrique
Wichita, KS 67218
800-880-6466
Sara Shaw, Camp Director
1271 South 1050 Road
Council Grove, KS 66846-8520
620-767-5165 (Camp Office)
620-202-0311(Cell)
Kelli Moore, Office Associate
1245 Fabrique
Wichita, KS, 67218
800-880-6466
Our Church's Wider Mission is the lifeblood of ministry and mission in the United Church of Christ. Your contributions to this offering make this weekly e-communication and much, much more possible. Thank you for your generous support! Our covenant as local churches, associations, conferences and the national setting of our denomination is made evident through this mission together. |
|
|
|
|
|
