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KANSAS-OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
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K-O e-NEWS
January 29, 2013
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A message from our new incoming Designated Conference Minister
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Friends,
I am delighted to be able to say that I am now officially here and to I hope that together, we can "hit the ground running! I am deeply grateful for the interim work that Krista Betz did over the last several years and for the ministry of Kent Cormack. Having Kent serve after Krista left was a huge gift as he knew the conference, the churches, the pastors, etc and was able to step right in. Kent and I have spent many hours together in an effort to bring me up to speed on where churches are in the search process, what specific challenges need to be attended to and the overall leadership and management of the conference. So, I am deeply grateful for the gift of his leadership and know that you join me in thanking him and wishing him the best as he returns to living full time in Tennessee!
Life does not stop just because there are transitions in leadership! I was pleased to be able to be present for the initial meeting of the newly configured Committee on Ministry in early January and those committees seem to be forming well; look for more information in the weeks ahead on their progress. The end of the year has come and gone and our treasurer, Mike Munz has been busy working on the end of the year financial reports.
The exact dollars are still being calculated, but it is safe to say that OCWM for 2012 will come in OVER the projected amount!
This is fabulous news and we are grateful to our pastors and members for this concrete expression of support to spreading the good news of the gospel beyond our local churches and communities!
So, what do you need to know about the weeks ahead as I settle in here? Well, a huge piece of news is that by the time you read this, the office assistant, Kelli will have had surgery so she will not be in the office for at least 4 weeks. She is also moving to Indianapolis in mid-March, so her time working with the conference will be coming to a close at that time or possibly earlier depending on her recuperation. The surgery is necessary, but not especially serious and we will stay in touch with Kelli as we determine the next steps for her...and for us! And we hope she will have a speedy, non eventful recovery. What this means is if you call the office, you are likely to reach me. However, the work of Conference Ministry is both administrative and relational, so I will not be in the office every day as I am anxious to begin meeting with pastors and many of you as together we explore the next steps in implementing the good plan and work of the last several years. So, if you call and I am not in the office, but you need to speak with me, follow the instructions on the voice mail. The good news is that in our technological world, our office travels wherever we are, so we can be in contact even if I am not sitting in the office.
Yes, I know that there is lots of work to be done and yes I know the road ahead is not easy. But it is a road that we will travel together as we seek to embody the voice and witness of the Stillspeaking God and of the United Church of Christ in Kansas and Oklahoma.
Blessings,
Edith
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A message from our outgoing Acting Conference Minister
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Dear Friends in the Kansas Oklahoma Conference,
How can four months pass so quickly? Later today my e-mail address at the conference will go away, so if by no other indicator, I do know that the months have passed! This week Edith Guffey and I are working together to facilitate a smooth transition in the conference office, and by the weekend will be back at home in Tennessee. These have been a busy and immensely enjoyable four months to be in ministry with you. I was once again reminded of the unique witness of the United Church of Christ in Oklahoma and Kansas. Thank you for this opportunity to serve with you. Thank you for your support and help along the way-it has been invaluable. I pray that God will continue to bless your ministry and mission as you move forward in a new chapter with Edith as your partner in ministry. With God, all things are possible.
Grace & Peace,
Kent
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2013 Yearbook Updates
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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. kmoore@kocucc.com
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2013 Mission Trips
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Does your church or organization have any upcoming Mission Trips? We want to know about them! Please let the Conference Office know the dates and locations of your mission trip. You can email kmoore@kocucc.com.
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Confirmation Retreat at WMC
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A Day Away Retreat at WMC
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Attention Women of the Churches in K-O
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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 Dámaris Velez at 866-822-8226 x3876 or by email at uccwomen@ucc.org.
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Women in Partnership....
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with fabric, knitting needles, sewing machines, etc.
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
In the COMMON LOT magazine --
which is available IF women
or send a note of request to:
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,
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
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K-O PRAYER CALENDAR |
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Rosedale Congregational - Kansas City, KS - Rev. Jane Heide and Congregation
Highland Trinity UCC - Newton, KS - Rev. Gary Blaine and Congregation
Rev. Kent Cormack - KO Conference Acting Conference Minister
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UCC CALENDAR OF PRAYER
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K-O UCC CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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Link to
the K-0
Calendar
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Feb 2, 2013 - Foundation Board Meeting in Conference Office in Wichita, KS
Feb 23, 2013 - Conference Council Meeting in Conference Office in Wichita, KS
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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
Additionally, if you have a committee meeting coming up, please let us know.
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K-O INTERIM CONFERENCE MINISTER'S SCHEDULE
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K-O CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
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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
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Edith Guffey, Designated 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.
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