State UMW focuses on primary mission

At their fall Annual Meeting in Shawnee, United Methodist Women of Oklahoma reaffirmed their mission to help women, children, and youth—a commitment dating back to the organization’s beginning. In 1869, six Methodist women in Boston, Mass., organized to establish a school and hospital in India. This year, domestic violence and human trafficking were among the subjects examined by the 301 women gathered Sept....

Schools of Mission will include Haiti study

At the 2010 School of Mission, the youngest students surround their teacher, Rebecca Belase, a certified Christian educator. She returns as a leader at this year’s Weekend School. "All...

Women cheer for mission connections

Photo by Jane Bond At the UMW Annual Meeting, missionary Meri Whitaker signs copies of her book, "My Sister the Father." Her collection of stories was chosen for the 2011 UMW Reading Program. The book is available through Cookson Hills Center. ...

United Methodist Women will gather at Tulsa-Asbury

United Methodist Women from across the state will gather in Tulsa at the largest UM church in the state for their annual meeting on Oct. 1-2. Tulsa’s Asbury UMC will host the 37th UMW Annual Meeting. Theme is "Let’s Get Together!" Guest speaker will be Yvette Richards of Kansas City, Mo., an elected director in the Women’s Division. On Friday evening, sign-in opens at 5:30, with food and...

School of Mission: New dorm at OCU becomes home base

School of Mission participants will occupy new space in July on the Oklahoma City University campus. Dates are July 16-18 for the weekend session, and July 18-19 for the overnight event. The Centennial Hall dormitory becomes home base for the school this year. This building opened in 2007. For decades, School of Mission operations—registration, housing, classes, and more—were centered at Walker Hall. ...

UMW Assembly: Faith, hope, love in action

At the recent global UMW Assembly, Denise Rowell of Cookson Hills Center tells how Christ changed her life. By Shari Goodwin,Contact Correspondent ...

Day at the Legislature

Logo of the Oklahoma Conference of Churches Feb. 13 event begins at First Christian Church The annual Day at the Legislature, set for Feb. 10, will focus on four issues: criminal justice,...

Christian symbols in quilts

Inspecting handmade quilts, above, are United Methodist Women from McCloud, Yukon-Church of the Good Shepherd, and OKC-Hillcrest Fuente de Vida. The quilt workshop in October was presented at Hillcrest Fuente de Vida, a church formed by the merger of a primarily Hispanic congregation and one that was primarily Anglo. Pastor is Tino Espinoza, who is holding the fabric...

UMW Annual Meeting

Table topic Aprons worn by United Methodist Women from Muldrow reflect the Annual Meeting theme of "Come to the Table." From left are Theresia Lasiter, Josie Sargent, and Anna Shackelford. The aprons were gifts made by a former member of their UMW unit. ...

New UMW unit chartered on campus

Food gifts surround Rebekah Belase, left, and Katie Southard, president of a new unit of United Methodist Women. The campus ministry at OSU received the donations from Stillwater District UMW members. Top women’s ...

One-day mission school draws crowd

Styled for learning Carolyn Childers and Sue Ellis act their parts at the Curl & Swirl Beauty Shop, in a play staged at Edmond-First UMC in April. Earlene Smith wrote a humor-laced performance for the mission study "Giving Our Hearts Away—Native American Survival." About 120 people, mostly United Methodist Women from six churches, attended....

One-day program is new for Schools of Mission

For the first time, a one-day program will be offered as part of the annual School of Christian Mission in July. That new program, set for Monday, July 27, will include five hours of classroom study and a plenary. The School will also offer the traditional weekend program, July 24-26. Oklahoma City University hosts the annual School, which is a cooperative project by United Methodist Women and the Mission and Service Ministry Team. ...

Gift cards total $20,000

The 2009 Oklahoma Conference UMW officers surround Kathy Caldron of Ponca City, seated center, new president. Beside her are Nancy Whittaker of Madill,left, spiritual growth coordinator, and Marilyn Quinn of Sulphur, vice president. Standing, from left, are: JoEllen Reed, Oklahoma City, social action coordinator; Jane Bond of Tahlequah, membership nurture and outreach coordinator; Janice Bryan, Oklahoma City, education and interpretation coordinator;...

Enid-First hosts UMW meeting Oct. 3-4

UMW calendar District Officers Training, Oct. 25, Sunny Lane UMC in Del City. Tool Tyme, Nov. 7-9, Cookson Hills Center. Contact Genevera Powell, 580-338-6954 or 338-6039. Neighborhood Santa Operation, Dec. 6, Neighborhood...

School of Mission students assist OIMC church

Native American study leader Renee Hoover, standing, of Enid helps Barbara Blouch of Norman with weaving techniques. Hoover has won awards for her basketry. She taught one of the adult classes during the School of Mission. On a hot July weekend, youths in the Oklahoma Conference Cooperative School of Christian Mission joined forces with members of OKC-Angie Smith Memorial UMC, a congregation in the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference (OIMC). Each summer, the School offers UM-related...

Mother-Child Retreat is Aug. 1-3

A weekend getaway for moms and children ages 1-12 will be held Aug. 1-3 at Camp Egan, sponsored by United Methodist Women. For fees and registration, contact Genevera Powell of Guymon, 580-338-6954, vpowell@ptsi.net. For more information, contact the dean, Jane Bond of Tahlequah, 918-456-3667, bondj1117@att.net. The first UMW Mother-Child Retreat was held at Cross Point Camp in 1986. Membership in UMW is not required to attend....

Native American study offered at Weekend School of Mission

Native American life will be one topic of study at the School of Christian Mission, set for July 25-27 at Oklahoma City University. The weekend-only classes are designed for adults, youth, and children. For the second consecutive year, one adult class will be offered for Spanish-speaking participants. The annual school will begin Friday evening and conclude at 3 p.m. Sunday, said Mary Fitzhugh of Oklahoma City, dean. Adult participants will choose one of three study topics: "I Believe in...

Women to share glad tidings at retreat

Each woman is encouraged to pack a New Revised Standard Bible as she prepares for the 2008 Spiritual Growth Retreat sponsored by Oklahoma United Methodist Women (UMW). The event, open to all women, will be April 11-13 at Western Hills Resort in Hulbert. It will be led by Cecelia Brooks, executive director of the Wesley Foundation at Langston University. The theme for this year’s retreat is "Publish Glad Tidings." "The ‘glad tidings’ are how we get into touch with the transforming power...

Feb. 11 event draws Christians to Capitol

By Holly McCray Meet me at the state Capitol on Feb. 11. That’s the date for the 25th "Day at the Legislature" sponsored by Oklahoma Conference of Churches (OCC), an advocacy and ministry group that includes the United Methodist churches in the state. Morning activities will be held in the state House chamber. Luncheon and afternoon workshops will be at OKC-St. Luke’s UMC, 222 N.W. 15th St. Theme is "Voices in the Wilderness: Reclaiming Our Prophetic Role as a People of Faith." Keynote...

Women extend historic work in mission

Conductor Judith Willoughby directs members of Oklahoma City University's Ad Astra Women’s Chorus during their first concert of the season. They performed at the UMW Annual Meeting, held at OKC-Chapel Hill UMC. Dr. Willoughby also interpreted each piece, providing a program of both praise and education.     District UMW treasurers join Conference Treasurer Genevera Powell, left, for the offering. In 2006, total giving by Oklahoma UMW topped $438,000, for ministry near and...