K-O e-NEWS 

 

What a wonderful gathering we had in Norman! Diana Carter and her team, Jennifer Kubala and  Cleveland staff, and of course Edith did an amazing job bringing us together in a fabulous venue with dynamic presenters and messages. Our business meetings were on target and the blessings from those discussions were bountiful.  Thank you to everyone that attended, contributed, and served. It was a great ending and a great beginning.

 

And so to that beginning! As we move forward leaning into the future of our community, I have several immediate goals I would like us to achieve. They are:

• Gather the newly elected or re-elected Conference Council leaders for a time of leadership training and goal and vision setting
• To immediately engage the 10 or so churches in our conference that are not connected electronically to get connected using available resources from Cleveland and elsewhere
• To support and encourage all stewardship activities and prioritize that action.
• Work with the Finance and Asset Commission to continue on a diligent path examining the use of our facility in Wichita
• Support Edith in her work to engage the wider church in new innovative ways to be in community together. 

We have already planned a Leadership retreat for the Conference Council for November 8 and Don Clark, the General Counsel of the United Church of Christ, will lead a leadership workshop on Saturday and we will also have first council meeting that same weekend. All of the immediate goals I named and the longer term goals we set at that retreat will focus on the 3 year Ministry Plan that the conference adopted last year.

 

The 3 Year Ministry plan is an important document. I encourage everyone to read it and consider it. The leadership of your conference has used this document to make important decisions and to set goals. Our conference minister, Edith Guffey, was called based on the criteria set out in that plan. Her job performance is measured against that plan. The goals and visions the leadership will set will be mirrored in that document. It is vital that we all know, own and engage in the vision it sets out. So I encourage you to read it, pray about it, and help us as we move forward to the future it envisions. Click to access the the Ministry Plan

 

Thank you for the trust you have placed in me. I am only a simple person. I make mistakes and miss opportunities. I promise, however, when those mistakes happen or those opportunities are missed, I will own them, and learn from them. That's the only way I know to operate.  Please always feel free to contact me. I have an e-mail address set up through the conference office. It is koconfpres@kocucc.com.   You may also leave  me a message at the conference phone number or call me on my cell phone.

 

 Please pray for our conference, its leadership and our churches. We are a mighty people with an infallible leader in Jesus. Pray that our Lord's will be done in the United Church of Christ in Kansas and Oklahoma. 

   

She's Back!

WELCOME

We learned that Dorothy Berry died early Thursday morning and those who have been visiting Dorothy for the last several months say it was a blessed release. Many remember Dorothy as an incredible leader, not only in the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference, but in the national United Church of Christ as well.  She was fiercely committed to ecumenism, she was a mentor for many, especially women and  she navigated the halls of power with skill and grace. Dorothy was never shy about speaking her mind, but she was kind and caring even when difficult words had to be spoken.   Dorothy welcomed many new leaders and her influence on  many lives on. Thank you Dorothy!

Services have not yet been planned or announced. 

 At 1:30 pm on Saturday, November 9, 2013, in the Bradbury Thompson Center on the Washburn University campus, Bishop John Shelby Spong will speak on his latest book, "The Fourth Gospel: Tales of a Jewish Mystic." This presentation is co-sponsored by the Department of Philosophy at Washburn University and by Central Congregational Church in honor of its 125th anniversary. 

 

Then, at 3:30 pm at Central Congregational Church, Spong will speak on his book "Jesus for the Non-Religious."

 

There will be opportunities for book signings after each event. Books will be available for purchase through the Ichabod Shop at Washburn University.

 

Because seating is limited at both venues, advance tickets are recommended. There is no cost for tickets, but donations will be accepted at the events.

 You may request tickets and find additional information at:

Bishop Spong 

 

EVENTS AT WHITE MEMORIAL  CAMP

 

Here is some fall fun for the Whole Family...

Rev. Rachel Pryor Firsst Congregational Church in McPherson on Sunday,  November 3rd at 4:00PM