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KANSAS-OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 

  K-O e-NEWS 

January 15, 2013   

2013 Directory Updates
 
2013 Directories are being worked on and published this month.  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 [email protected].

2013 Yearbook Updates
 
 
Churches:  It's that time of the year again!  Time to update your information for the year book. 

All information has been emailed AND mailed out to you.  Please make note of the deadlines below:

If filling out paper forms, deadline to have them in the office is Friday February 8, 2013.  Once they are completed please mail them to:
Kansas Oklahoma Conference
1245 S Fabrique
Wichita, KS 67218

If filling out online forms (WHICH IS THE PREFERRED METHOD) the deadline is Friday, March 1, 2013.  

Please send an email to the Conference Office to let us know if you will be doing the updates online or by paper.  [email protected] 
 
Confirmation Retreat at WMC
 
 
 
 
Couples Retreat at WMC

  
 
A Day Away Retreat at WMC

   
 
Attention Women of the Churches in K-O
 
 
February 3-9, 2013 - SUNDAY, FEB. 3, 2013
WOMEN'S WEEK/ WOMEN'S DAY SERVICE

Throughout the United Church of Christ, local congregations will take part in the annual Women's Week activities. This year's theme, drawn from the lectionary gospel text, Luke 4:21-30, is "Prophets on the Edge."

All resources for Women's Week 2013 will be posted  here by January 18. Included will be a worship service, two reflections (including one in Spanish), a poem and an advocacy action concerning the reauthorization of the  Violence Against Women Act. You will be able to download and print the worship service,reflections and poem. If you need a printed copy sent to you, please contact D�maris Velez at 866-822-8226 x3876 or by email at [email protected].
 
Women in Partnership....
 
 

with fabric, knitting needles, sewing machines, etc.  

How can YOU connect?

 

As noted earlier, KO and KS Disciples Women have worked together

this fall on the Church World Service "Baby Kits."

 

Other ways of connecting as women can continue. More "baby kits"

can be made. The next Church World Service project for KO/KDW

Women will be the "school kits." The sturdy fabric totebags can be

begun to be sewn for that project now! (info at www.churchworldservice/kits)

 

In the COMMON LOT magazine --

which is available IF women

simply send an email to [email protected]

or send a note of request to:

 

Common Lot,

700 Prospect Ave. East,

Cleveland, OH 44115 --

one page shared information about "The SCARF Project" for UCC

knitters across the country. Rainbow-colored scarves (pattern and

are to be shared at the 2013 General Synod in Long Beach, CA.

The focus of the rainbow scarves is to highlight persons who are victims

of violence-- bullying, domestic violence, etc. - and to offer the opportunity

to those who are given a scarf to commit themselves to an action in

support of stopping such violence... in partnership with women, others,

victims, friends...


Women's Partnerships have been made with a women's

fabric sewing cooperative in Nicaragu that will also be helping provide

the special stoles used by key leadership and speakers at General Synod.

Fabric, needles, sewing machines and/or money for these items are

needed, through Wider Church Ministries-Just Hope. (See article below)

http://www.ucc.org/news/general-synod-2013

 
Eden Theological Seminary Masters of Divinity Degree
 
 

"I'm dreaming of a Masters of Divinity degree". Maybe you have wrestled with a call to ordained ministry but just can't seem to find your way to seminary. Eden Theological Seminary, a United Church of Christ seminary located in St. Louis, Missouri, is helping people explore theological education by providing free tuition for first year students in the Masters of Divinity degree beginning Fall 2013. If you have a bachelor's degree and are interested in learning more about the extravagant welcome which Eden is extending, please contact Rev. Carol Shanks, Director of Admissions at 877-627-5652. You can also read more at www.eden.edu 

 
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.
 
EXTENDED IRA CHARITABLE GIVING OPTION
 

Besides sidestepping the fiscal cliff (for now), Congress extended the provision allowing those over 70� to make a tax-free distribution of up to $100,000 from an IRA to the church or other charity in 2012 and 2013.   Since 2012 was already over when the legislation was enacted, a special rule permits those who took a distribution in December of 2012 to contribute the amount of their distribution to charity by January 31, 2013 and for it to qualify as an eligible charitable rollover.  In addition, taxpayers may elect to treat qualifying distributions made in January 2013 to a charity as deemed made on December 31, 2012.

 

Under the provision that was extended, a distribution to a charity is not included on the individual's tax return as income or as a charitable (itemized) deduction.  As with any tax related decision, members should consult their tax advisor.

 

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
www. progressiverenewal.org.  Go to the "train" button, and to the drop down for "online learning and webinars".

K-O PRAYER CALENDAR
 

Immanuel UCC - Ellinwood, KS

 

First Congregational UCC - Great Bend, KS

 

World Peace in the New Year


UCC CALENDAR OF PRAYER
 

 UCC PRAYER CALENDAR

K-O UCC CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Link to

the K-0

Calendar 

 

Jan 19 - KO Womens meeting at the KO Conference Office

 


We need your help...    

 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 [email protected] 
K-O INTERIM CONFERENCE MINISTER'S SCHEDULE
 

 Nothing on schedule   

 

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

 

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, McPherson, KS  

 

First Congregational UCC, Onaga, KS

 

First Salem UCC, Wichita, KS

 

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

 

 

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CONTACT INFORMATION
           

   The Rev. R. Kent Cormack, Acting Conference Minister

    Kansas-Oklahoma Conference 
    1245 Fabrique                                         
    Wichita, KS 67218
    800-880-6466
    [email protected]     
   
Sara Shaw,
Camp Director     
1271 South 1050 Road
Council Grove, KS 66846-8520
620-767-5165 (Camp Office)     
620-202-0311(Cell)            
620-767-7244 (Fax)  [email protected]
 
    Kelli Moore, Office Associate
    1245 Fabrique
    Wichita, KS, 67218
    800-880-6466

 
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