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KANSAS-OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 

 
  K-O e-NEWS 
  October 29, 2013 
 
    
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

K-O Conference Annual Meeting 2013
Jesse Manering (outgoing Chair, K-O Personnel Commission and Edith Guffey

     
 Youth at Annual Meeting

  
Blanket Donations from the delegates and guests of K-O to be distributed by HOUSE IN A BOX

 

YOUTH SERVICE PROJECT DELIVERING BLANKET DONATIONS

 


  Oklahoma City University Lecture Series


 

Rita Nakashima 

Brock Lectures

Three Presentations with Discussion

November 1-2, 2013

Friday Evening: 7 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

 

 

The first book to explore the idea and effect

of moral injury on veterans, their families,

and their communities.

  Although veterans make up only 7 percent of the U.S. population, they account for an alarming 20 percent of all suicides. And though treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder has undoubtedly alleviated suffering and allowed many service members returning from combat to transition to civilian life, the suicide rate for veterans under thirty has been increasing. Research by Veterans Administration health professionals and veterans' own experiences now suggest an ancient but unaddressed wound of war may be a factor: moral injury. This deep-seated sense of transgression includes feelings of shame, grief, meaninglessness, and remorse from having violated core moral beliefs.

  

Hosted by:  Grace United Methodist Church

6316 N Tulsa Ave   Oklahoma City, OK 73112

 

$15 Registration Fee

 

Register online at

www.okibl.org  or contact Debbie Ingraham at [email protected]

 

 

 


Don't Miss Bishop John Shelby Spong!

  

  

  

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:

  
  




  Facebook Group for KO Clergy

 

 

Join the conversation! All clergy persons in the KO Conference are welcome to join the Facebook group "Kansas-Oklahoma Conference UCC Clergy". This group has been set up to allow a conversation space for clergy persons.  Come and join us!

 

How do I join a group on Facebook?

  

1.     Search for the group you would like to join.

 

2.     To join a group, click Join Group in the top-right corner of the group's page.

 

3.     You may have to wait for a group admin to approve your request.

 


 
The UCC Center for Analytics, Research and Data (CARD)  Statistical Profile of our Denomination


Our Mission

We are a church-wide resource whose task is to gather, provide, and interpret information and trends for the purpose of illuminating the past, realizing the present, and envisioning the future of the United Church of Christ in the larger context.

Current Reports  

Fall 2013 Statistical Profile Click on the title of the report to view a snapshot of who we are as a denomination. This report was prepared as a resource for the United Church of Christ.


EVENTS AT WHITE MEMORIAL  CAMP


ZIP LINE at White Memorial Camp
 

Making a Difference in the Community 
 
  

Fairview United Church of Christ, Fairview, KS

 

If we could choose only one word to describe Fairview United Church of Christ, the word "vibrant" would be an apt choice.  Established in 1873, Fairview UCC has served the people of Fairview for over 140 years.  "Our mission statement is: 'Bringing People to Christ; Bringing Christ to People,'" says Rev. Shane Spangler, who has pastored Fairview UCC, and sister congregation Bethany United Church of Christ in Hiawatha, since the spring of 2007.  Ordained in December, 2008, Spangler is a 2005 M.Div summa cum laude graduate of Andover-Newton Theological School in Boston.  A recipient of the Hancock Church Fellowship from 2001-2004, the Russell Chase Tucker Biblical Studies award, the H. Otheman Smith Preaching award, and a member of the Jonathan Edwards Society, Spangler, who is also a classically-trained concert pianist and composer, brings his love of Jesus Christ, sacred scripture, preaching, scholarship, music, and people, to his congregations and to the larger community.  "We give God the glory for all that continues to be accomplished through the ministry of our people and our church," says Rev. Spangler.  Since 2007, Fairview UCC attendance has grown slowly but steadily to an average Sunday attendance of between 40 and 50.  The mission and outreach ministries and activities, however, often leave standing-room only.

 

Fairview United Church of Christ is passionate about spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ through outreach, and is host and sponsor to several charitable and mission organizations.  "Grains for Hope," a nonprofit, international food-aid foundation started in 2002 by Carol Spangler, a member of Fairview UCC, delivers a patented, nutritionally complete grain product to people in Mozambique and Haiti.  Fairview UCC also helps to support the work of two local peace workers: one who works with battered women in Tajikistan, and one who teaches and coaches inner-city children in Istanbul.   Other outreach includes monthly food drives for the local food pantries, regular worship and music services in local nursing homes, broadcasting Sunday services and concerts on Brown and Nemaha County local access television channels, and weekly radio broadcasts on KNZA, FM 103.9.  An annual ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve service brings together the two local Baptist congregations with Fairview UCC, as well as other locals, and the offering from this service goes to the Fairview Helping Fund, set up to help locals in times of hardship.

 

From the early days of Fairview UCC, music has been a vital part of church life.  "Brown County Breakdown Bluegrass Festival," now in its 11th season, was begun by Fairview UCC members John and Joann Keim, a husband and wife team who wanted to share their love of Bluegrass music with the Fairview community.  It is now widely regarded as a destination for both listeners and musicians around the four-state area and beyond.  "In the Plains Chamber Music Festival" completed its second season of bringing top-quality, live classical music to rural northeast Kansas.  Hosted at Fairview UCC during the week after Memorial Day, an international faculty gave music lessons to local children during the day, and then performed a series of free concerts in the evenings for the public. 

 

Fairview United Church of Christ also offers Country-Western style Gospel worship on the third Sunday of each month, which is followed by a potluck lunch.  Each Sunday morning, volunteers take turns hosting coffee and refreshments prior to worship.  Traditional Sunday school is offered for all ages, ranging from pre-school through adult.  For those whose schedules don't permit Sunday attendance, Christian-themed "Kids' day" activities are also offered on chosen weekdays after school.  The Women's Guild meets monthly to plan church social and mission activities.  "We are very proud to have raised enough money in 2013 to send several goats and rabbits overseas through Church World Service," said Ann Tozier, a senior member of the Fairview Guild.  In addition to the time-tested ministries at Fairview UCC, new ones are being introduced.  This fall, some new members have formed an adult Bible study class.

 

"Another exciting development has been the growing cooperation among local church congregations and leadership," says Rev. Spangler.  "Through our music, mission work and outreach, we have built bridges with our Catholic, Lutheran (LCMS), Baptist, and Apostolic Christian neighbors.  Though we may not agree completely on doctrinal matters, we agree on our love for Jesus Christ, and for his brothers and sisters around the world.  Only the Holy Spirit can do this!" 

 

For more information about Fairview United Church of Christ, and for upcoming events, please visit our website at www.fairviewucc.com.  To find links to the above-mentioned outreach and music ministries, please click on the "activities" tab.  You can also listen to podcasts of Rev. Spangler's sermons at the website of Bethany UCC, our sister church: www.hiawathaucc.org

 

INSTALLATIONS SCHEDULED
Pastor Richard Mize at Carrier Congregational in Carrier, OK Sunday, November 3rd at 3:00PM

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

K-O CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
 

 

 

The following churches are actively searching for new leadership; please pray for the leadership of these churches and search committees. May they be open to the spirit, to risk taking in spreading the good news of our Stillspeaking God!

 

First UCC, Newton, KS

 

First Congregational Church, Manhattan, KS 

 

New Basel UCC, Abilene, KS

 

Friedens UCC, Bern, KS is beginning a time of transition as Rev. Ken Tubbesing retires at the end of 2013.  Prayers for them as they form a search committee.

 

St. Paul's UCC, Eudora, KS is also beginning a time of transition

as Pastor Rodney Nitz has announced his retirement at the end of the year.  

 

Community Church, Garden City, KS welcomes  Steven Birdwell who will begin serving as interim pastor on November 24.  

 

Fellowship Church, Tulsa, OK has called Rev. Chris Moore as their settled pastor.  Congratulations and prayers for their ministry together.

HOW IS YOUR CHURCH MAKING A DIFFERENCE ? 
MARK YOUR CALENDARS 
Dates for Churches to be Featured in eNEWS
  

We have heard that churches feel disconnected; well here's an opportunity to learn about the ministry of sister congregations. It's a simple process as churches have been assigned a date to 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. Connections can be built, and the opportunity is here, you have to accept the invitation to participate! 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] 

 

If your assigned date has passed and your church still wishes to participate, send your article in and we'll use it at a later!

   

   

Owasso, Open Table

Oct. 15th; due Oct.11th 

 

Herndon, Immanuel

Oct. 22nd; due Oct 18th

 

Hiawatha, Bethany

Oct. 29th; due Oct.25th                                                  

 

Holyrood, St. Paul's

Nov. 5th; due Nov. 1st                                                   

 

Inman, St. Peter's

Nov. 12th; due Nov. 8th

 

Junction City, St John's-Alida

Nov. 12th; due Nov. 8th

 

Kingfisher, The Federated Church

Nov. 19th; due Nov. 15th

                              

Junction City, Zion

Nov. 26th; due Nov 22nd                  

 

Lawton, Boulevard Cong'l & Christian

Dec. 3rd; due Nov. 29th                                                                                       

 

Kansas City, Rosedale Congregational

Dec. 3rd; due Nov.29th                                                                                        

Lawton, Cong'l Christian Samoan

Dec. 10th; due Dec. 6th

 

Tulsa, Fellowship Congregational 

Dec. 10th; due Dec. 6th

 

Kansas City, Welborn Community

Dec. 17th; due Dec. 13th                                

 

 

 

K-O CONFERENCE MINISTER'S SCHEDULE



November 3: Zion UCC, Kansas City, KS

                     Rachel Pryor Installation at First Congregational,McPherson

 

November 7: COM Subcommittee A

 

November 8-9: Conference Council Leadership Retreat

 

November 10:  Evangelical UCC, Marysville, KS 

 

November 11-14: Cabinet of Conference Minsters, Cleveland

 

November 16: Outdoor Ministries Meeting

 

NOTE: When Edith is  out of the office at meetings or travelling, please feel free to contact her by email at [email protected] or to call her cell at (440) 759-0031 

QUICK LINKS
 

 Archived e-NEWS emails  

 

United Church of Christ 

 

Kansas-Oklahoma Conference  

 

White Memorial Camp and Conference Center 

 

Kansas Christians United 

 

Oklahoma Conference of Churches

 

 

 

Find us on Facebook 

 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 

 

CONTACT INFORMATION
       

Edith Guffey, Conference Minister
Kansas-Oklahoma Conference 
1245 Fabrique                                         
Wichita, KS 67218
800-880-6466
     
                
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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.