'New Christians' event is Aug. 6 in Ardmore

Bishop Scott Jones of the Kansas Area, second from left, is greeted at the “New Christians” evangelism training event on May 14 at Abiding Harvest UMC in Broken Arrow. Bishop Jones was featured speaker. Welcoming him are, from left, Bob Pierson; Chris Buskirk, pastor at Abiding Harvest; Donna Larrison; and...

New Christians training set for Broken Arrow

In Broken Arrow on May 14, Bishop Scott Jones of Kansas will headline a Conference-wide evangelism training opportunity, at Abiding Harvest UMC. Bishop Jones is a former professor of evangelism at Perkins School of Theology in Dallas. Following his presentation, nine workshops will offer help to build your skills as a witness for Christ. The program is from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is a cost for lunch. The Saturday...

Weekly prayers launch year

"New Christians," an evangelism emphasis in Oklahoma, launched a weekly prayer program this month that calls United Methodists to focus on growing their lives and churches in spirit and in number for God. Some 150 laity and clergy—a total of 14 groups—last year began developing "New Christians." They are working through the Oklahoma Conference Discipleship Ministry Team’s evangelism task force. ...

Save the date

What: The Big Fun Thing Includes RedHawks baseball game When: April 18 Where: Oklahoma City Sponsor: Oklahoma Conference’s campus ministries Contact: Phil Jones, pjones@okumc.org, 405-530-2013 What: Children’s Choir Festival When: April...

State coalition names Kurklin to lead ecumenical office

By Joseph Harris, Director of Communications Joanne Kurklin of Norman, a former Conference president for United Methodist Woman, began a new journey of ministry on July 1. That’s when she officially became the executive director of the Oklahoma Conference of Churches (OCC). This is an ecumenical fellowship of 16 faith communions in Oklahoma and represents 515,656 Oklahomans. The group includes The United Methodist Church. ...

Southwest Oklahoma Older Adult Rally

A rally on April 14 in Lawton is designed to energize older adults for ministry in their churches. Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. will lead worship and an afternoon forum at the "Southwest Oklahoma Older Adult Rally." The event will be 9:15 a.m.-3 p.m. at Lawton-First UMC. Topics will include: n What’s YOUR Next Vocation? n So Now You’re a Grandparent—the challenge of parenting grandchildren. n It’s a Technical World—Make It EASY! n What’s new in older adult studies? Gospel singing, exhibits,...

Natural Church Development

33 coaches prepare to introduce model for growth The Discipleship Ministry Team is providing opportunities for Oklahoma churches to use the Natural Church Development model for effective ministry and growing churches. The team has trained 33 coaches to help churches use this model. The program begins with a survey. Taking the survey allows a church to determine its "minimum" factor—areas that can be improved to aid that church in effectiveness. Trained Natural Church Development coaches...

March seminars explore smaller-church successs

On two successive Saturdays in March, Mollie Stewart from Hinton Rural Life Center will present workshops on using the Nurture Outreach and Witness (NOW) model for effective administration and ministry in rural and smaller-membership churches. The workshops will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 1 at Eufaula UMC and on March 8 at Cordell UMC. "This is one of the workshops that was requested following the ‘Effective Ministry in Small-Membership Churches Workshop’ held in Oklahoma City at...

Seminar returns for small-membership churches

In early 2007, an overflow crowd at an unusual Conference workshop confirmed that small-membership churches yearn to be effective for Christ. Two upcoming workshops in March seek to expand that theme this year. Dates are March 1 at Eufaula UMC and March 8 at Cordell UMC. Sessions will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. "Effective Ministry in the Small-Membership Church" is offered by Oklahoma Conference sponsors: the Rural Fellowship, Small-Membership Church Commission, Board of Laity, and Department...

2 grants help urban ministry

Imogene Bates, left, plays the maracas to accompany the Tune Twisters country-music band at the McKee Center Prime Timers meeting Nov. 16. George Cockrum, left, a member at OKC-Sunny Lane UMC, and other gleaning program volunteers deliver turnips to McKee Center. Cockrum directs a hunger relief project that is a partnership between United Methodist Men and the Society of St. Andrew. Skyline can expand aid for senior citizens By Amelia Snyder Skyline Urban Ministry recently received...

Save the date

n What: Conference-wide Confirmation Retreat When: Feb. 29-March 1 Where: Four locations—Laverne UMC, and campsites Egan, Canyon and Cross Point Learn more: www.okumcministries.org/youth   n What: The Source, a jurisdictional event Who: For adult workers with youth and young adult ministries When: Feb. 9-10 Where: OKC-Grace UMC Learn more: www.gbod.org/thesource   n What: Caring for Creation When: March 7-9 Where: Mount Sequoyah Conference and Retreat Center,...

Weekly donation plan helps feed Tulsa's hungry

CROP Walk updates   What: 2007 Tulsa Area CROP Hunger Walk When: Oct. 14 Where: Step-off is at 2 p.m. at Tulsa’s First Christian Church. Why: Annual CROP walks across the state and nation raise funds that are distributed by Church World Service, an international relief agency. United Methodist Restore Hope Ministries in Tulsa is one beneficiary. Did you know: The 2006 Tulsa Walk raised more than $13,000. Find out more: Go online to www.cropwalk.org  or...

Project Transformation: Read all about it

Piedmont UMC volunteer Alex Howell, left, reads with a camper during Project Transformation at the OKC-Ridgecrest site in early July. Tulsa mother praises program This excerpt is from a letter by a mother whose son participated in Project Transformation’s 2007 summer programming at Tulsa-Southern Hills UMC. "This is a letter to say thank you for everything Project Transformation has done for my son. "When my family went through Hurricane Isabel in Virginia, assistance for those...

August workshops offer blueprints for growth

Register On-lineBrochure (PDF) What will help you be more effective in your local church? An informal survey of Oklahoma United Methodists provided answers to that question. Two "Building Disciples" training conferences, scheduled in August, are the result of that research. An array of 48 workshops and special speakers, including national church leaders, will be offered to empower both clergy and laity. Dates are: Aug. 17-18, at St. James UMC, 5050 E. 111th St. S., Tulsa. Aug....

Mount Sequoyah to host singles retreat

A weekend retreat for single adults is planned Nov. 2-4 at Mount Sequoyah, a United Methodist conference center in Fayetteville, Ark. "If you have a singles program or are looking to start a singles program in your church, there will be workshops that will answer the questions you might have," said Jim Stilwell, chairman of the Singles Ministry committee for Oklahoma Conference. "This is an excellent retreat and opportunity for the singles of your church. It is a great place for them to get...

Building Disciples

A total of 48 classes will be offered in August at the Building Disciples Workshops. Aug. 17-18, Tulsa-St. James UMC Aug. 24-25, OKC-Chapel Hill UMC These Conference-wide training events seek to cover all aspects of local church development and local church life, including missions, children, worship, and other subjects. Participants may attend up to six workshops and six plenary sessions by denominational leaders. For registration information, contact Linda Abbott, 405-530-2006,...

Money gift boosts Project Transformation

  Intern Andrew Rose greets two campers at OKC-Quayle United Methodist Church during a summer day in 2006. By Brooke Glass, Executive Director Project Transformation is gearing up for our summer enrichment camps. Dates are June 11-Aug. 2 for the seven camps that will reach out to elementary children in urban areas. In order to continue this transforming program, our 2007 Annual Campaign for financial support is now in progress. Donations help secure our mission of educating...

Religion & Race supports general board's campaign

Members of Oklahoma Conference’s Commission on Religion and Race are joining with the denomination’s General Commission on Religion and Race to promote the initiative "Inclusiveness Counts!" The partnership particularly addresses the election of delegates to the 2008 General and Jurisdictional conferences. "This initiative is intended to remind our Conference of the importance of racial/ethnic diversity and, indeed, inclusiveness in all our deliberations," said Renee Hoover of Enid,...

Book fair for Project Transformation

Book fairs on May 12 at two Oklahoma City stores will benefit Project Transformation (PT). Barnes & Noble will host the events, from 9 to 11 a.m., in its stores at 63rd and North May Avenue and at Memorial and May. PT staff will be available at the bookstores to distribute vouchers and share information about the United Methodist summer ministry that serves 500 elementary children. Brooke Glass is PT director, and Ashleigh Sorrel is administrative assistant. The vouchers are to be...

2 workshops focus on "Building Disciples"

Coming in August: Two statewide training events are scheduled in August by the Oklahoma Conference Discipleship Ministry Team. Dates are Aug. 17-18 in Tulsa and Aug. 24-25 in Oklahoma City for "Building Disciples Who Make a Difference." Each event begins at noon Friday and concludes at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. As part of the conferences, classes will be offered in every area of local church ministry—missions, children’s ministry, music, leadership training, and more—reported Bob Pierson, chairman...