Group ponders plan to reduce number of bishops

Eight states (15 annual conferences) form the South Central Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church. By Holly McCray In 2012, the number of active bishops must be reduced from 11 to 10 in the South Central Jurisdiction, an eight-state region that includes Oklahoma Conference. On March 14, a listening session in Oklahoma City presented a forum for Oklahomans to discuss the pending change. Action...

TEEM raises $280,000

Funds aid work with impoverished people By Laura Gamble TEEM (The Education and Employment Ministry) raised more than $280,000 in pledges and cash for its ministry when it held the first-ever TEEM Builders Luncheon, on Nov. 11 at the Oklahoma History Center. More than 150 guests attended the hour-long presentation about the students and services of this UM-related agency. Michael Martin, TEEM instructor and a...

The Bartlesville District connection

During the annual Day of Sharing, Owasso-First youth members John and Brad haul away tree limbs damaged by an ice storm. Bartlesville District is located in the northeastern corner of Oklahoma, in the heart of what state officials designate "Green Country." "We are at our best when we are about the Lord’s business outside the doors of our churches," Maurice Major proclaims to the 44 churches in the district when he leads each Charge Conference. He arrived in 2004...

The District Connection

Oklahoma United Methodists act on their faith in myriad ways.   Rachel Tilley, Emily Mackay, Cole Davis, and Josh Brown, members of Piedmont UMC, help recycle plastic in their community. Left, Macy Griffin of Highland UMC moves discarded shingles as volunteers from several churches replace an Eakly home’s roof.   Members of Tulsa-Shepherd and Hugo’s William-Anderson churches move pews. At center is Earl Davidson, Shepherd UMC administrative council chairman.   A.J....