Focus on OKVideo

Your church can submit videos to share through OKVideo, a new Internet tool offered by the Oklahoma Conference. Did you film volunteers serving in mission? Gather for a dedication ceremony? Get crafty in Vacation Bible School? OKVideo is offered as a free resource for education and inspiration to your congregation. Policies and instructions are included on the website. Go to www.okumc.org  and click "OKVideo" to make this connection!...

Net result: saving lives

Leia Williams emerges from beneath mosquito netting, part of the United Methodist "Imagine No Malaria" resources displayed at the 2010 Annual Conference in Tulsa-Boston Avenue Church. With her are Sara and Dudley Brown, guests at the conference, who said they have seen communities ravaged by malaria. Their work as teachers has taken them around the globe. They are the parents of Pastor Kristen Brown of Blackwell UMC. Williams is field coordinator for the "Imagine No...

Connecting with groups that serve youth

Camp Fire USA is heralding its 100th year. The Camp Fire representative on the Oklahoma Conference youth-serving agencies committee is Susan Williams of OKC-Quail Springs United Methodist Church. The Heart of Oklahoma Council of Camp Fire...

New specialist expands church's outreach

Ministries with civic youth groups: Who to contact in your district: Scouting/Other Youth Agencies Committee of the Oklahoma Conference This group supports Scouting Ministries in...

CORR retreat filled with workshops

On Sept. 10-11, the Commission on Religion and Race (CORR) invites you to join its 24-hour retreat at Canyon Camp. Theme is "Celebrating Diversity in the Body of Christ," with six workshops, devotions, and fellowship supporting that purpose. Spanish translation will be provided. Scholarships are available for youth participants. The event begins at 5 p.m. Friday and concludes at 5 p.m. Saturday. Here are workshop titles. ...

Sept. 11 training open to all churches

The term safe sanctuaries prompts images of background checks of church staff who work with children. But the Safe Sanctuaries program encompasses other policies and procedures in addition to those security screenings (which are required every two years by the denomination for all adults, paid and volunteer, who have responsibility in church settings for the safety and oversight of children, youths, and vulnerable adults). ...

Robert Henry assumes presidency of OCU

President Robert Henry's first day in office was July 1. Oklahoma City University welcomed Robert Henry as its 17th president on July 1. In late May, when United Methodists gathered at...

Chaplain to speak at Orders Meeting

A hospital chaplain will be the featured presenter on Aug. 24 when the Orders Meeting is held at St. Luke’s UMC in Oklahoma City. Karrie Oertli will speak in the Tuesday afternoon session. She is director of the chaplains at Integris Baptist Medical Center, Oklahoma City. Preacher for the day will be Chuck Rettig, pastor of the Holdenville church. He will give the message in the morning worship. The program begins at 10...

Older Adult Ministries

Richard Gentzler Jr. autographs one of his eight books, on aging and spirituality, for Phyllis Poston of Wagoner at the "Fully Alive, Fully Mature!" training event April 30-May 1 in Oklahoma City. I don’t know why God keeps me here ...

Clergy Family

In memoriam George Needham Rev. George L. Needham of Norman, 90, died July 1, 2010. His four-decade ministry career began in 1950. George was born April 24, 1920, in Middletown, Ohio, and grew up in Pennsylvania. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1941, he married Ethel Miller, who preceded him in death in 1974. He married Ann Smith Moomau in 1975. He held a degree in music education...

Saint Paul School at OCU hires Cherokee professor

Saint Paul School of Theology at Oklahoma City University has announced Justine Smith will join its faculty at the start of the 2010-11 academic year. She will teach Biblical and Native American studies. Smith, a member of the Cherokee Nation, will become the first full-time American Indian professor on the faculty. It is believed that she also will be the first full-time Native American woman to serve in any full-time faculty position in theological education in North America. "The...

Briefly

Leadership changes include new role for Wang Clergywoman Fuxia Wang of Norman has been approved by the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) as a new Church and Community Worker in Oklahoma. The announcement tops news this summer about several changes in leadership for the Oklahoma Conference. New chairmen were named for three Conference boards: Jim Hill of Hennessey, Campus Ministries;...

United Methodists open doors for families without homes

From left, Jennifer, Norma, Elizabeth, Janet, and Amanda are moving their families into private homes and apartments after their stay at Pearl’s Hope, a Circle of Care transitional housing program for women with minor children. At center back is Julia McDonald, director of the program...

Opportunities

Grounds Caretaker/Maintenance Technician: Full-time. Live on site. Circle of Care in Tulsa, Julia McDonald, julia.mcdonald@circleofcare.org,  918-583-2093. Children’s/Youth Minister: Part-time. Nursery Attendant. Part-time. Eden Chapel UMC, David Shelton, P.O. Box 441, Perkins, OK 74059. Music Director: Part-time. Yukon-First UMC, Bob Younts, 405-354-8858, revcoffee@coxinet.net. Director of Communications:...

Planting seeds for ministry

As a way to help churches promote and grow their permanent endowment funds, the Foundation is now providing a Planting Seeds promotional kit for use quarterly. The kit supports and prepares church trustees and other leaders to regularly communicate with donors and church members about stewardship, giving, and bequests. The kit provides information and step-by-step instructions for leaders to effectively raise awareness about their...

Grants available for special ministries

As the Sept. 15 deadline nears, churches and ministries are encouraged to apply for the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation’s Petree Grant. These funds are awarded for projects specializing in the care of children, youth, the aging, or those in need or disadvantaged. Applications require your district superintendent’s approval and signature before being sent to the Foundation. Since 1996 the Petree Committee has awarded more than 200 grants, totaling more than $1 million, to...

Local Pastors Licensing School -- Class of 2010

In mid-June, 33 people attended this two-week training course. Oklahoma City University annually hosts the school. Sessions range from how to conduct weddings and funerals, to financial information, to Church history and polity. Participants must attend the full course to receive the license to preach; some United Methodists, already certified, attend specialized training segments offered during the school. Above are, from left:...

Poteau making space for next century of ministry

Pastor Greg Tener and acolyte Versile Johnson prepare May 30 to lead the congregation of Poteau-First from the sanctuary to the Christian Family Life Center, the temporary worship location. ...

Church relocation seminar set Aug. 26

Is your church considering relocating? Does your church plan major renovations? Perhaps a building addition? On Aug. 26, "A Day of Church Relocation" will be offered at Piedmont-First for pastors of congregations pondering such changes. This event is sponsored by Congregational Development and the Discipleship Ministries Team of the Annual Conference Council (ACC). Among topics to be addressed that day...

Videos from Annual Conference are online

You can view online and download videos of presenters at the 2010 Annual Conference. The new OKVideo tool enables you to access these videos. They are offered as free resources for education and inspiration to your congregation, through the Conference Department of Communications. Among the videos available are: Cookson Hills Center, CJAMM (Criminal Justice & Mercy Ministries), Addiction Ministries, Lydia Patterson...