Gleaning project goes to market

Boxing autumn's bounty Heather Oelke and Howard Zimmerman, both of Norman-McFarlin UMC, divide vegetables that they gleaned from the Norman Farmer's Market. The produce will be given to charities to help feed the hungry.  Photos by Amelia Ballew By Holly McCray NORMAN-United Methodist Men sought out farmers-market merchants to secure a way to feed more hungry people in the...

UMMen celebration

    Registration gets under way July 29 for an event celebrating 100 years of United Methodist Men’s ministry. About 125 people attended at Yukon-First UMC. Guest speaker was Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. New officers were elected for Oklahoma Conference UMMen: Jack Parsons of Claremore-First, president; Russ Kline of Yukon-First, vice president; and Dick Wegener of OKC-Chapel Hill, secretary/treasurer....

UMMen to meet at Yukon for centennial celebration

 On July 26, the United Methodist Men of Oklahoma Conference will hold "A 100-Year Celebration" at Yukon-First UMC. Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. will be keynote speaker. Sign-in begins at 9 a.m., and the program concludes at 11:30 a.m. The celebration in Yukon is open to all. In 1908, the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church formally recognized the Methodist Brotherhood. Local church resources for celebrating this centennial year are online at www.gcumm.org. Rev....

Carl Young elected president of UMMen Foundation

Carl Young, an Edmond attorney and veteran United Methodist leader, is the new president of the national UMMen Foundation. Young told UMMen magazine that he enjoyed his eight years as president of Oklahoma Conference United Methodist Men, "and now I am privileged to serve with some deeply spiritual and talented individuals who seek to grow and expand UMMen ministries with increasing resources provided by our Foundation." In February, Young succeeded Robert Powell as president. He was...

Special events honor military veterans

Nowata UMC recently hosted a dinner in honor of the military veterans in the community. From left are some of the honorees: Wayne Fry, Everett Sears, Ed McArtor, and Chuck Price. Pastor is Jim Perkin.   Veterans honored recently at Owasso UMC are: standing, Jim Zink, Bob Hamm, Mike Michel, Mike Robinson, Jay Hendricks, Jerry Carper, Bert Abla, Dale Stockton, Dave Stein, and Charlie Kee; and seated, Vardon Goble, Dale Rice, Elgin Harris, Glen Phillips, and Taud Boatman.   Milita...

Leader traces God's help in his life

President's project "Family" (Fast a Meal in 1 Year)Find information online about this joint fund-raising effort to combat hunger in America. National UMM President Glenn Wintemberg helped develop it. Web sites are www.nacpumm.org and www.endhunger.org.   George Cockrum of Midwest City, left, and UMM National President Glenn R. Wintemberg display an original copy of "Strength for Service." The pocket-sized inspirational book was first used by U.S. military troops during...

Men choose multiple ways to serve

  A team of United Methodist Men installs siding during a Conference workday at Cleo Springs UMC. The national president of United Methodist Men had a field day when he visited Oklahoma in August. Glenn R. Wintemberg of Saint Charles, Mo., was keynote speaker at an August UMM retreat at Canyon Camp. However, he first accompanied George Cockrum of Midwest City to a watermelon patch at Hydro, where they did field work. They gleaned melons to donate to the camp. A focus on feeding...

Regional responsibilities

Severe prepares for Jurisdictional meeting By Holly McCray His title is: director of Mission and Administration for the South Central Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church. A much shorter description of David Severe’s job: party planner. Dr. Severe is responsible for organizing an upcoming regional gathering of United Methodists. It’s a major event that occurs once every four years. About 450 delegates and reserves from eight states, including Oklahoma, will meet in Dallas on July...

Harvest for the hungry

The new gleaning project in Oklahoma Conference continues to grow—literally. Jack Burmeister and Tom Harkins harvested these two big turnips and others from a field in November. The United Methodist Men from OKC-Sunnylane church gathered the produce left behind after commercial food orders were filled. Volunteers also collected beets, pumpkins, and cabbages near Hydro late in the year. Weight of that cabbage totaled 8,745 pounds! Food collected in 2006 totaled 58,587 pounds, reported...

Gleaning project bears fruit for hungry

United Methodist Men from OKC-Sunny Lane discuss their harvest beside a melon patch at Hydro. From left are David Freno, Bill Officer, Al Stuart, and Don Brader. By Holly McCray George Cockrum likes leftovers. Misshapen melons left in the field. Cabbages that fail to meet grocery market standards. Ripened peaches grounded, jostled loose by pickers. Food imperfect in appearance, perhaps, but perfectly good for eating. Cockrum produces such produce in an ongoing effort to feed people who...

UMM to serve as big brothers

The agency responsible for men’s ministry in The United Methodist Church consecrated its new headquarters March 3 and launched an effort to provide big brother relationships with sons of men who are incarcerated. The staff of the Commission on United Methodist Men has moved to a new address in Nashville, Tenn. The nine-year leadership of the agency’s former chief executive, Joseph Harris of Oklahoma, was applauded during the service of consecration. Dr. Harris and Rob Walton of Helena,...