Yikes, I forgot to register, can I still come? Yes, you can! Here are your options:

• Jennifer has agreed to take calls for a few days longer and register you by phone!  But do it NOW as the room block is almost filled. Her number (216)736-3888.
• If you want to to register on site, it is very likely rooms will not be available, but you can register for the the meeting.  
• If you want to register onsite AND have meals, just give call in the next week so we will know how many additional meals to might order.We want to be as helpful, but we don't want to order and pay for meals that go unused!

 

Annual Meeting Book

 

The Annual Meeting Book is online!  You can access it on the website or by using the link below. You can read it now and we will have hard copies on site for those who requested that they be provided. If you want to receive a hard copy by mail in advance of the meeting, send an email or call the office to provide your name and address.   Click here for the Annual Meeting Book.

  

 

HELP TORNADO VICTIMS WITH HOUSE IN A BOX

 

It's not in the news these days, but life continues to be very challenging  for those who were affected by the tornadoes in Oklahoma last May.  There are many families who are living in temporary housing, waiting for insurance or FEMA claims to be processed. The UCC is working with  the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as the long term recovery effort continues. There will be an update on the recovery efforts  during the Annual Meeting, but we can do something now to assist in meeting an immediate need by joining in to provide requested supplies for House in a Box. 

   

The House-in-a- Box (HIAB) Project was started during Hurricane Katrina by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.  In Oklahoma it is a unified effort of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Knights of Columbus, the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Catholic Charities and United Way. The intent of this project to provide start up items for families once they have secured housing. The KO Conference has the opportunity to support this effort by responding to a specific need and request.  HIAB needs BLANKETS and COMFORTERS (sizes, twin, twin xl, queen, and double).  PLEASE SEND ONLY NEW UNOPENED ITEMS. 

 

Please share this need with your congregation and if you are not attending Annual Meeting, check with a neighboring pastor or other UCC member and make sure these items get transported to the Annual Meeting. We can take it from there and help meet this particular need.  Remember that old UCC bumper sticker? To Believe is to care, to care is to do! Let's do this and make a difference!

 

 

Meet Mary Schaller Blaufuss

Mary is the Executive for Volunteer Ministries in the national offices and she is one of the faces behind the coordination of groups that volunteer for mission trips to work in recovery efforts following a disaster. Mary is a key partner in Oklahoma as volunteer groups begin to make plans to assist in the rebuilding work. Mary will be one of the guests at Annual Meeting and will spend some time with the youth and will also speak to the plenary  about her work and ministry on our behalf. 

 

Rainbow Scarf Project

Enid's CrossWalk United Church M a M creates Scarves

Enid's CrossWalk United Church began their "Make a Mission" evenings on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.   The first project was to create Rainbow Scarves by meeting together two times a month.  Nicki Bradford and Diana Gritz worked with the volunteers by teaching them to crochet, knit or weave a scarf.   Volunteers, Linda Whitley, Belinda Hannick, Radell Stone, Lynne Bussell, Nicki Bradford and Diana Gritz  have  created by knitting, crocheting and weaving  their way to creations 4 to 6 inches wide and 60 inches long.  The scarves are a bright and visible symbol of taking an action against violence.  Lynne said. " In a colorful, symbolic move to stem the tide of violence -- most notably, the recent wave of bullying  "There are some people who are just so full of hate and insecurities that they look for other people to pick on to make themselves feel better,". "It's not even about you."

The Rainbow Scarf Project of  CrossWalk United Church of Christ will be sharing their rainbow scarves with anyone who makes a commitment to act against bullying in the Enid  community on Saturday, September 21 at Enid Pride.   Each recipient will be asked to sign a pledge against bullying and will receive a business card with the pledge.  The CrossWalk  United Church presented their first Rainbow Scarf to Pastor, J F Wickey knowing his commitment to act against bullying.  The church mailed scarves to the Synod meeting in California and continued to create scarves.   Many youth have been viewing the scarves when they attend Enid LGBT Coalitions meetings on Neilson Drive.  There are 74 scarves to distribute at Enid Pride.

JOIN IN TAKING THE ANTI BULLYING PLEDGE       

Adult - My Pledge Against Bullying

I Pledge:

• To be a caring adult who works against bullying related to sexual orientation, gender identity, or anything else.
• To help bullied youth.
• To listen carefully to all who seek my help, and I will act on their behalf to stop the bullying
• To work with other caring adults.

Youth - My Pledge Against Bullying

I Pledge:

• To remember that bullying or threatening someone is not acceptable, whether in-person or online.
• To refuse to participate in bullying, which includes name-calling, threats and harassment.
• To have the courage to offer help by standing up for others being bullied, knowing that, as one person, I can make a difference.
• To act responsibility when someone is being bullied by telling someone who can help.

Rev. Mike Lake pastor at Community Congregational UCC in Garden City will conclude his ministry on September 29th.  Mike and his wife Mary will relocate to Connecticut where they will be closer to their family (especially a grandchild)!  We wish Mike the best as he retires and begins a new phase of life; we are grateful for the many ways he served and ministered among us. 

 The following churches are actively searching for new leadership: 

Fellowship UCC, Tulsa, OK

First UCC, Newton, KS

First Congregational Church, Manhattan, KS 

New Basel UCC, Abilene, KS

Community Congregational Church, Garden City, KS

Rosedale Congregational UCC, Kansas City, KS

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 kofocus@yahoo.com 

Oct. 1st; due Sept 27th 

Great Bend, First Congregational

Oct. 1^st; due Sept 27th

Oklahoma City, Church of the Savior

Oct. 8^th; due Oct. 4th                        

Haven, Congregational

Oct. 15^th; due Oct 11

Owasso, Open Table

Oct. 15^th; due Oct.11th 

Herndon, Immanuel

Oct. 22^nd; due Oct 18th

 Hiawatha, Bethany

Oct. 29^th; due Oct.25th                                                  

Holyrood, St. Paul's

Nov. 5^th; due Nov. 1st                                                   

Inman, St. Peter's

Nov. 12^th; due Nov. 8th

 Junction City, St John's-Alida

 Nov. 12^th; due Nov. 8th

Kingfisher, The Federated Church

Nov. 19^th; due Nov. 15th

 Junction City, Zion

Nov. 26^th; due Nov 22nd                  

 Lawton, Boulevard Cong'l & Christian

Dec. 3^rd; due Nov. 29th                                                                                       

Kansas City, Rosedale Congregational

Dec. 3^rd; due Nov.29th                                                                                        

  Lawton, Cong'l Christian Samoan

Dec. 10^th; due Dec. 6th

Tulsa, Fellowship Congregational 

Dec. 10^th; due Dec. 6th

 Kansas City, Welborn Community

Dec. 17^th; due Dec. 13th                                

 Archived e-NEWS emails  

United Church of Christ 

Kansas-Oklahoma Conference  

White Memorial Camp and Conference Center 

Kansas Christians United 

Oklahoma Conference of Churches

 LINKS TO CAMPUS MINISTRIES

IN KANSAS AND OKLAHOMA

Cameron University - Lawton OK 

East Central University - Ada, OK 

Kansas State University - Manhattan, KS 

University of Kansas - Lawrence, KS 

University of Tulsa - Tulsa, OK