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KANSAS-OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
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K-O e-NEWS
March 26, 2013
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"As we continue through Holy Week and Easter,
may our lives be touched as we experience again
and in new ways the gift of the Risen Christ among us."
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Friends,
The calendar indicates it is Spring but I have wondered if I am in Kansas or Cleveland. Snow on Palm Sunday indicates Cleveland, but sunny days indicate Kansas! The calendar also indicates that I have been serving here for almost two months and it has been a busy time. Part of the dilemma I have been wondering about is how best to communicate so that you will know what is happening in the Conference on a regular basis. One way is for periodic updates, so here are a few things that might be helpful for you to know:
The 2013 Directory is complete!
In an effort to be especially conscious of both our resources and the environment, we will not print the directory and will send it out to each church electronically. We will also put much of the directory online. The part that will not be online is the section that includes home addresses and phone numbers. Putting this part of the directory online gives unfettered access to personal information as it can be accessed by anyone anywhere. We realize that most would use this personal information only in legitimate ways, but unfortunately we also have to be concerned about those who might find information online and use it in inappropriate ways. Consequently the section with home addresses and phone numbers will be sent only to churches in their electronic copy. Others who may need or want this information can get copies from their churches or contact the conference office and we will send it to you electronically. If a church does not have an email address or the ability to print a copy of the directory, they may contact the office and we will mail a copy as needed. The Directory will be in PDF, a format that can be opened regardless of the word processing program being used. If you don't have the program, download it at no cost. We realize that those without email are not likely reading this message! So if you hear of someone asking about an updated Directory, please ask them to call the Conference Office. Look for the Directory to arrive in your email boxes at church next week.
2013 Annual Meeting:
The Event Planning Committee has met and reminds you to hold the dates of OCTOBER 10-14 for the Annual Meeting in OKLAHOMA! The Council voted some time ago to hold the 2013 Annual Meeting in Oklahoma so this is a reminder to PLEASE put these dates on your calendar. As in past years, the banquet for Authorized Ministers will be on Thursday evening and the full meeting will begin on Friday.
The pattern in the recent past has been that many people leave on Saturday evening; the committee and I encourage everyone to make plans to STAY for the ENTIRE meeting.
Since we no longer have Associations, this is the one meeting where we are gathered as the Kansas Oklahoma Conference and the Events Committee is planning to make it worth your while! You won't want to miss a great keynote speaker, fabulous workshops, and inspiring worship. You can see old friends and make new ones and we will also have time to focus on the business of the conference.
The committee can plan the program, but it can only be successful if you come! Our sisters and brothers in Oklahoma have been coming to Kansas the last several years for Annual Meetings, it's time for us to go to Oklahoma and experience the welcome and hospitality of our churches and members in Oklahoma!
Look for announcements soon about the theme, speakers and workshops, hotel and registration information. In the meantime please get the dates on your calendar and plan to come and stay through Sunday morning. Pastors, your lay leaders can preach and lead worship while you are away that Sunday morning!
General Updates:
- The Commissions that were voted as part of the new bylaws are almost all up and running. The Committee on Ministry Subcommittees (A for Authorization, D for Discernment and C for Church) are all meeting regularly.
- We continue to explore which technology works best and will make adjustments as needed.
- There has been a Consultant working with the Outdoor Ministries Commission and you will likely see some new changes in the ministry at White Memorial Camp.
- General Synod delegate orientation is scheduled for April 6th; if you plan on attending General Synod you are welcome to attend the orientation as well. Just let us know so that we can plan accordingly.
- Conference Staffing: I continue to serve as the solo staff person in the Wichita office. I have not filled the administrative support position as I am not convinced it is the best use of our resources. I have been using these first few months to assess this and will speak more about this with the Personnel Committee in late April. For now, if you call the office and get voice mail, feel free to leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible. If you need to reach me immediately feel free to use the number provided on the voice mail to reach me/
I can do these periodic updates and will continue to do so, but communication has to be two way! I know there are many great things happening in our churches, so please share the good news about the ministries where you are! Send news of upcoming events and other exciting news so it can be shared in the weekly e-NEWS or on our Facebook page. Send this to kofocus@yahoo.com; let's use every tool we have to stay connected. I look forward to seeing and meeting many more of you in the weeks and months ahead.
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- Midland Community Church, Nickerson, KS- Pastor Judy Connors and Congregation
- The Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court
- First UCC, Newton, Ks -- Rev. Jerrold Scribner and Congregation
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UCC CALENDAR OF PRAYER
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K-O CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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Link to
the K-0
Calendar
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April 6, 2013 - General Synod Delegates Orientation
Apr 11, 2013 The UCC Clergy of the Tulsa Area of the K-O Conference will gather at 11:30 at Phillips Theological Seminary in support of the seminary UCC students.
Apr 19 - 20, 2013 - Brueggemann Lectures 9:00a.m.-12:30 p.m. Host Church: First Christian Church, 220 South Webster, Norman, OK
May 5, 2013 - 4:00pm - Installation of Pastor Dennis Ureche at
St. Peter's UCC, Inman, KS
June 2, 2013 -- 2:00 - 4:00 - Reception in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the ordination of Reverend Ken Tubbesing, Details will follow.
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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 CONFERENCE MINISTER'S SCHEDULE
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Apr 3-5 - Pension Board Meeting in New York
April 6 - General Synod Delegates Orientation
April 9 - COM Subcommittee D (Discernment)
April 11 - Outdoor Ministries Meeting
April 12 - COM Subcommittee A (Authorization) Conference Call
April 14 - Preaching at Fairmount UCC, Wichita
April 19 - COM Subcommittee C (Churches)
April 21 - Preaching at Plymouth UCC, Lawrence
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K-O CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
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Central Congregational UCC, Topeka, KS Carrier Congregational UCC, Carrier, OK Crosswalk United Church, Enid, OK First Congregational UCC, Great Bend, KS First Congregational UCC, Manhattan, KS First Congregational UCC, McPherson, KS First Congregational UCC, Stockton, KS Open Table UCC, Owasso, OK Zion UCC, Junction City, KS. |
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CONTACT INFORMATION
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Edith Guffey, 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)
Nancy A. Wolfe, Conference Communications Coordinator
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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