Clergy train to help veterans

Photo provided by Jack C. Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center In Muskogee, a new clinical pastoral education program is helping clergy to better serve military veterans. Among the students are Oklahoma Conference pastors Joe Lynch, center, who serves Tulsa-Sheridan Avenue UMC, and Ricky Huggins, second from right, who serves at Journey UMC, Fort Smith, Ark. The inaugural...

Day With the Bishop -New model replaces retreats at camps

A new format debuts in September for the events formerly called "Bishop’s Retreats." On Monday, Sept. 19, Bishop Hayes will host "The Day With the Bishop," for both clergy and interested laypersons, at The Reed Center in Midwest City. Beginning with this event, the bishop’s programs will rotate annually between one-day and two-day models. These events seek to provide continuing education,...

31 attend Licensing School

For the 2011 Local Pastors Licensing School, held in June at Oklahoma City University, participants are shown from left. Front row: Antonio Porter, Chris Walker, David Fields, Jeff Hiller, Brandon Blacksten, Andy Nelms, and Phil Davis. Second row: Richard Woodford, Kevin McKinley, Preston Morgan, Phil Hodson, Max...

Clergy Family

In memoriam Dale Sullivan Rev. Dale Sullivan, 81, of Durant died June 26, 2011. Dale was born Dec. 18, 1929, in Clayton. He married Joyce Jenkins on Nov. 18, 1994, in Hugo. A part-time Local Pastor, he served Hugo-Wesley UMC and Tuskahoma. He retired in 2006. Survivors include his wife, Joyce; daughters Sherry Saunders of Florida, Tamara Rubenstein of Oklahoma City, Rene Harper of...

Denman awards go to Pace, Long

Layman Tom Pace, left, and clergyman Bob Long, right, are congratulated by Mark McAdow, pastor of OKC-First UMC. Layman Tom Pace and Pastor Bob Long received the prestigious Harry Denman Evangelism...

Clergy Family

In memoriam Jene Miller Rev. Dr. Walter Jene Miller, 86, of Arnett died May 17, 2011. Jene was one of twin sons born to Raymond and Nono Miller on Oct. 25, 1924, in Hollis. He knew from an early age that he was bound for the ministry. At 18, he enlisted in the Army. Because he held a preaching license, played the piano, and typed, he qualified as Chaplain’s Assistant. During World War II, he served in...

Recognizing our retirees

An Annual Conference Ceremony at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 31, will honor 20 retiring clergy members. Five of them have each served 40 or more years in ministry. Not shown above is Gary Graham. ...

Message to clergy: Money is not taboo topic

At the LEAD II seminar in mid-February at Oklahoma City University are, from left, President Myron McCoy of Saint Paul School of Theology, OKC-North District Superintendent Dan Pulver, presenter Michael Reeves of San Antonio, Dean Elaine Robinson of Saint Paul School of Theology at OCU, Oklahoma Conference Treasurer Brian Bakeman, and Pastor Dianne Peters of OKC-Crown Heights UMC. ...

Oklahoma leads in giving to clergy pension campaign

Because of your donations to help poor UM clergy in other nations, the Oklahoma Annual Conference ranks first in the jurisdiction—and sixth among the 67 U.S. annual conferences—in supporting the Central Conference Pension Initiative (CCPI). The campaign was launched when U.S. United Methodists learned the dire living situations of many retired clergymen and women outside America. A fully-funded pension system in...

Treasured Gifts

Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. accepts an autographed hymnal from Elaine Robinson, dean of Saint Paul School of Theology at Oklahoma City University. To raise scholarship funds for the United Methodist seminary’s students, the Oklahoma bishop submitted to an evening of roasts and toasts Dec. 2 at OCU. Former Miss America and OCU alumna Jayne Jayroe Gamble was emcee; and speakers included the bishop's sister Lauri Hayes Fluker, Oklahoma Conference Lay Leader Judy...

Clergy Family

In memoriam Milton Carlin Rev. Dr. Milton O. Carlin, 79, of Tulsa died Nov. 10, 2010. He was a retired Local Pastor. "Doc" was born Feb. 7, 1931, in Tulsa. An alumnus of the veterinary school at Oklahoma State University, he worked for 55 years at Affordable Pet Care Veterinary clinic. He ministered at Tulsa-Grace UMC from 1996 to 2001. Survivors include daughter Corby Carlin Winters of...

Bishop to preach at historic Tulsa-Wesley for centennial

At a Tulsa church that was burned to the ground during race riots in 1921, a three-day Christmas revival will be opened by Oklahoma’s first African-American United Methodist bishop As historically black Wesley UMC completes its centennial year, Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. will preach at 3 p.m. Dec. 12. Now known as Wesley Chapel Praise and Worship Center, the church is at 2750 N. Cincinnati. Current minister Chris Beach...

First LEAD seminar: Communion can replace conflict

  "Conflict management" was sure to be a hot topic during the recent LEAD clergy leadership seminar. More than 60 pastors had attended sessions on personal and corporate financial management before tackling this subject during the Oct. 8-9 seminar at Oklahoma City University. Presenter Robert Martin described conflicts within churches as "one of the really sticky problems." He pointed to the ritual of Holy Communion as a solution. "We get enamored by...

Itinerary announced for clergy Holy Land tour with bishop

Bishop Hayes has confirmed the itinerary for the July 4-15 clergy educational tour he will lead in the Holy Land. Those who have expressed their desire to participate will be contacted soon. "We will walk, see, feel, and touch the roots of our faith, encounter the Divine, and sense God’s presence," Bishop Hayes said. "Arriving home, our Bible will never be the same, for it will be alive in our eyes. ...

Bishop’s Retreats re-introduce class meeting model

Distinctive of the Wesleyan class meeting: Not a program Not a prayer meeting Not a self-help group Class leaders required to read in-depth materials Class leaders could be dismissed for impropriety ...

Wesley scholars to lead retreats

Seated are James and Molly Davis Scott, who are the guest presenters for the upcoming Bishop’s Retreats. With them are, from left, planning team members Derrek Belase, Janice Meese, Brian Matthews, Tish Malloy, and Craig Stinson. Focus for the 2010 Bishop’s Retreats later this month is "The Methodist Movement: Who Were We and What Were We Doing." UM elders James Scott and Molly Davis Scott...

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...

Couple finds unexpected kindness in far country

'My husband and I were planning a simple ceremony'—Leslie Long Leslie Long and Don Wheeler will never forget a church’s kindness to strangers. The Oklahoma couple wanted to renew their wedding vows in Ireland, Leslie’s...

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 of several changes in leadership for the Oklahoma Conference.   New chairmen were named for two Conference boards: Jim Hill of Hennessey, Campus Ministries; and Chris Tiger of Owasso, Congregational Development. ...

Ordained and Commissioned / Elders and Deacons

Commissioned on May 31 as provisional elders are: front row from left, Michael Frazier Sr., Everisto Chikanga, Tiffany Smith, Adam Ricks, and Josue Araujo; Linda Lusnia, upper left; and Sandra Shepherd, upper right. Standing with them are Michael Burkett, Board of Ordained Ministry chairman, and Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. Commissioned on May 31 as provisional deacons...