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KANSAS-OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 

 
  K-O e-NEWS 
  June 5, 2013 
 
  
 
The Glory of God's Creation...SUN, MOON AND STARS
GLO
 
  
   
DO YOU KNOW a high school student who would benefit from this rare opportunity? Please pass on the information below:  
 
 
 

 

You will explore the concept of environmental leadership through the perspective of your own skills and interest in everything from theater, music and writing to philosophy, history and science. You will learn how essential elements of these varied areas - creativity, expression, innovation, observation, experimentation and teamwork - are critical to your effectiveness as a leader.

You will also acquire skills that will help you become a collaborative leader and effective communicator and return to your school and community empowered to make a positive impact.

Learn more about this incredible opportunity at
www.centerfortheenvironment.org and sign up for an experience you will remember for the rest of your life.

 

   
  
 
SAVE THE DATE
K-O CONFERENCE ANNUAL MEETING
"LIVING THE COMMA"
 
   
OCTOBER 11, 12 & 13

EMBASSY SUITES
NORMAN, OK


*** ANNUAL BANQUET
FOR AUTHORIZED MINISTERS AND MEMBERS IN DISCERNMENT
 is Thursday October 10th. 


SAVE THE DATE AND WATCH FOR DETAILS COMING SOON!

 

   
  
 
 ARE YOU INTERESTED IN AN ARTS/CRAFT SHOW IN OCTOBER?
 
   

How many of you would like an arts/crafts show at the Annual Meeting this year to share your "passion?"

 

Please email me to let me know. If many are interested, and we can find a way to deal with logistics (locating and bringing in panels, etc.) I'm willing to set it up. Show us that creative side of you we'd never know about otherwise!

 

[email protected]

 
 
   
  
   
   
  
First Congregational United Church of Christ
Goltry, Oklahoma 
   
 
 
   
Our vision and delight is serving the Lord and those we share the World with.  Our enthusiasm, energy and productivity brings this small church family together in unity. 

 

Our Ladies Aid organization participates in the following Missions and Services: 
  
World Wide Services -  health and school kits,
RED CROSS - most States and Area Disasters,
Care Boxes for Troops in Afghanistan - 3 boxes sent in April 2013,
White Memorial Camp and Conference Center 
YWCA Women's and Children Crisis Center, Enid, OK.,
Horn of Plenty, Enid, Ok,
Food baskets for those in need and shut-ins in November. 
  
The Goltry community sponsors a God Squad Youth Group weekly, the church pays for utilities for their building once a year.
  
We have Monthly Fellowship with  Pot Luck Dinners and an Annual Business Meeting.
  
Following Jesus Christ, who is our guide, and the well-being of someone else, we put our skills forth for the good of the whole Church. 

 

Editor's Note:  Goltry is a small town of approx. 300  residents in the north central part of Oklahoma.    Small but mighty!  Thanks for sharing some of your activities. 

  

 

 

 Dates for Churches to be Featured in the KO e-NEWS
  

 

In the three months that I have been with you, I have heard that we need to find ways to increase communication and our sense of being in ministry together. I can extend the invitation,but it will require all of us to actually increase our sharing and communication. This is one simple step we can take in that direction. So,please take a few minutes to find the date assigned to you and mark your calendars to remind you to participate at the assigned time.
 

Share the good news and ministry of your church with sister congregations! Churches have been assigned a date; so send in a paragraph or two about your congregation's ministry. You may feature a special event, a particular mission, anything that your church is doing well and you want to share. Your stories will encourage and inspire others; so share the good news!

 

The first date below is the date your church has been assigned and will be featured; the 2nd date the information needs to be submitted; send it early if you like! Send your information to [email protected]

Edith Guffey
K-O Conference Minister

 

 

Abilene, New Basel

June 11; due June 7

 

Abilene, Grace

June 18; due June 14

 

Carrier, Carrier Congregational

June 18th; due June 14

 

Alma, Peace

June 25; due June 21

 

Anthony, First Congregational

July 2; due June 28

 

Drummond, Puritan Congregational Christian

July 9; due July 5th

 

Athol, First Congregational

July 16; due July 12 2

 

Baldwin City, St. John's ,

July 23rd; due July 19

 

Bern, Friedens

July 30th; due July 26th

 

Carbondale, Community

August 6; due Aug 2nd

 

Centralia, First Congregational

August 13; due August 9th

 

Cheney, Trinity United Christian

August 13; due August 9th

 

Council Grove, First Congregational

August 20; due August 16th

 

Ellinwood, Immanuel

August 27; due August 23rd

 

Eudora, St. Paul's

August 27th; due August 23rd

 

 
 
 
 
EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES 
 
 
 
  UCC HISTORY, THEOLOGY AND POLITY CLASS
 
Hello, interested friends and friends or colleagues of interested persons!

Several folks have expressed interest in a new UCC history, Theology and Polity class in the greater Kansas City area.  This  comes to explore that interest more specifically as to participants, timing and location. If enough interest we will offer it under the sponsorship of the Western Association of the Missouri Midsouth Conference and Kansas-Oklahoma.  There will be no academic credit (and thus lower cost, $150) but the class offered will meet the recognized UCC standards for the class and will assist the class members who complete all assigned work in meeting requirements of most UCC Committees on Ministry.  The class will also be available for "audit" by lay folks or clergy who simply want to renew their understanding of the UCC ($75)

Though open to other options, I have found that offering the class in 6 four hour sessions (24 'face' hours) works well for many folks, usually spread over two or three months, usually in evenings.  I try to learn what dates work best for those who need the class for some form of authorization and then open it to others.

As to location, it is easy for me to offer the class at Southwood UCC in Raytown MO but again, I am open to other not- too-distant options depending on class needs.  (E.g. A Kansas side church?)

At this time, I am thinking of beginning a class in late July or early August, completing in September at latest. 

If anyone who receives this is interested in working with me on scheduling a class, please respond with your name, email, other contact info and any preferred or no-go dates in July, August and september. Also times (I can be flexible about days or evenings ).  Please also indicate where you would best prefer the class meet, either specifically or an area....then we'll see if something can be planned to meet most needs! 

Thanks! 
(Rev. Dr.) Jane Fisler Hoffman
Retired UCC clergy
[email protected]
       
 
 
     JUSTICE AND WITNESS ACTIONS
 
   
 
DIAPER DRIVE, ANYONE? 
  
Did you know diapers are not available at food banks?  
  
Diapers and baby food are needed at any organization that helps hungry and homeless families.  Diapers come, sized 1 (birth) through size 5.  All sizes are needed and especially sizes 3, 4 and 5.
  
In addition to diapers, baby wipes are needed.  The big packs the diapers are divided into 30 day supply.  So one big package of diapers (about $35.00) will have enough diapers for at least several babies.
  
If you have Harvesters in your community you can contribute money for diapers.  They are able to buy them from a manufacturer for $15.00 for a month' s supply.  
  
Colonial Church periodically has a diaper Sunday.  Recently we raised money and people brought diapers to church.  The next day they were at food banks and being distributed.  We are happy to announce we gathered 3,000 diapers.  
  
Baby cereal and level 1 and 2 foods - especially varieties of  fruits and vegetables are also needed.  These can frequently be found on sale at grocery stores or discount stores.
If your church is looking for an easy way to show care, please join us in doing a diaper drive.
  
Thank You for your consideration.
  
Marianne Foster
Colonial Outreach Committee
 
 
     EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
 
  
Country Club Congregational United Church of Christ (CCCUCC) is seeking a part-time professional Director of Music who will conduct the volunteer church choir.  Be part of an Open and Affirming, Peace with Justice congregation in the heart of historic Brookside in Kansas City.  The Director of Music reports to the Minister and will work with other church staff to support and enhance the message and ministry of our church.  View the full position description and application instructions at www.cccucc.net.
 
 
 
  
K-O PRAYER CALENDAR
 
   
  • First Congregational, Anthony, KS ~ Pastor Mary Hixon and Congregation

 

  • St. Peter's UCC, Inman, KS ~ Pastor Dennis Ureche

 

  • Highland Trinity UCC, Newton, KS ~ Pastor Gary Blaine and Congregation

 

UCC CALENDAR OF PRAYER
 

 UCC PRAYER CALENDAR

CLERGY CLUSTER SCHEDULES FOR
ALL AUTHORIZED MINISTERS OF THE K-O CONFERENCE

 

 

                      
 
The Committee on Ministry, Subcommittee Related to Churches, invites all authorized ministers to a time of conversation with Edith Guffey our Conference Minister. During her interview with the K-O Conference Search Committee last year, Edith indicated that she knew that support of our pastors is a key component to strong vital congregations and to our partnership with local churches. Strengthening that partnership and support is important to the Committee on Ministry as well. So, please come to one (or more) of the conversations that best fits your schedule and location and share the good news about the ministry in your local setting, your hopes and dreams for our common ministry and rediscover the importance of our connection as the leaders of the Kansas Oklahoma Conference.
 
June 11th at 3:00 -- Church of the Savior, Oklahoma City, OK
 
June 13th: 10:00-12:00 Plymouth Church in Lawrence
 

June 23rd: 3:00 in Oklahoma  place to be announced

 

July 21st     Tulsa -- Time and Place to be announced

 

July 23rd: 10:00  - Manhattan - place to be announced

 

August 24th: 3:00 Great Bend - place to be announced

 

 

 

 

 

K-O CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Link to

the K-0

Calendar 

 

  

June 8, 2013 - 10:30 K-O Conference Council Meeting.  Wichita

  

June 9, 2013 - 3pm  - Ordination of Nicole Woolsey - Colonial UCC Prairie Village, KS

 

June 11, 2013 - 3pm - Clergy Cluster in Oklahoma

 

June 13, 2013 10am - Clergy Cluster in NE Kansas - Plymouth UCC, Lawrence, KS

 

  

K-O CONFERENCE MINISTER'S SCHEDULE





 

June 9th

Ordination for Nikki Woolsey

Colonial Church Prairie Village

 

June 11th

Oklahoma Council of Communion Leaders

Clergy Cluster Conversations in the Oklahoma Area 3:00 (Place to be determined)

 

June 13th

Clergy Cluster Conversations 10:00am Plymouth Church

 

June 14th

COM Subcommittee A (Authorization)

 

June 15th

Community Congregational Gaylord, KS

 

June 18th

North Central Clergy Gathering 10:00am First Cong Manhattan

Events Commission 5:30 Conf Office

 

June 23rd

Worship at Church of the Open Arms; Kathie McCallie's last Sunday

Clergy cluster Conversations Enid, OKlahoma

 

June 26th

Leave for General Synod

June 28-July 2nd General Synod Long Beach, CA

Join us as the General Synod is live streamed at www.ucc.org

 

 

 

 

 

K-O CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
 

 

Fellowship UCC, Tulsa, OK

Paul,Ashby has accepted a call in the Pacific Northwest Conference

Church of the Open Arms, Oklahoma City, OK

Kathy McCallie has accepted a position at Phillips Theological Seminary

First UCC, Newton, KS

Jerry Scribner is retiring

First Congregational, McPherson, KS 

 

First Congregational Church, Manhattan, KS 

 

Central  Congregational Church, Topeka, KS

 

 Carrier Congregational, Carrier,  OK

 

 

QUICK LINKS
 

 Archived e-NEWS emails 

 

United Church of Christ

 

Kansas-Oklahoma Conference  

 

White Memorial Camp and Conference Center 

 

Kansas Ecumenical Ministries

 

Oklahoma Conference of Churches

 

Find us on Facebook

CONTACT INFORMATION
       
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)            
620-767-7244 (Fax)  [email protected]
 
Nancy A. LeDuc, Conference Communications Coordinator 
785-806-4580
[email protected]


 
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.