News Archive
Registration open for Big Tent Festival
published 9/8/2023
A group of clergy and laity have come together to create an event tailored to bring healing and harmony to United Methodists after a year of divisiveness, disinformation, and disaffiliations. The ...
Black Clergy Women Gathering an Oklahoma First
published 9/7/2023
Black Clergy Women of the UMC held their annual gathering July 31 to August 3, in Washington, D.C. The theme was Be You. This is the first time in the 30-year history of the event that the Oklahoma ...
New Faith Communities offers multiple initiatives and opportunities to learn
published 9/7/2023
New Faith Communities has been hard at work on multiple initiatives and events. Two initiatives are DreamAChurch and the Day of Discernment. DreamAChurch DreamAChurch is a new initiative recently ...
Passages
published 9/7/2023
Rev. Joe Robinson, retired pastor, passed away August 15. He served many Oklahoma churches since 1976, where he started at Bennington. From Broken Arrow First to Norman Goodrich to Ponca City ...
Save the date
published 9/7/2023
Lay Servant Training | Sept. 8-9, Meadowcreek United Methodist Church, Collinsville; Sept. 9-10, Bixby FUMC, Bixby. Mission Leadership Training | Sept. 16, 2023, New Hope UMC, OKC. University UMC ...
Stained glass restoration exposes mystery
published 9/7/2023
Some mysteries are written to be solved. Edmond First United Methodist has its own mystery. During a season of renewal, its members are on the case. A committee has been formed. Some unofficial groups...
The church has left the building
published 9/7/2023
Rev. Dr. Sonja Tobey At St. Paul’s UMC in Lawton, we have been busy living out our mission to “love God, love people, and connect people to God’s love.” Every year on the first Sunday of September, ...
Trauma informed faith communities are better equipped to help the hurting
published 9/7/2023
The Oklahoma Conference of The United Methodist Church has joined other faith-based and non-profit partners in supporting Trauma-Informed Faith Communities, which is a project led by Crisis Care ...
Dates set for Western Oklahoma United Methodist Rendezvous and Revival
published 8/9/2023
Several pastors and churches in western Oklahoma are joining their efforts to have an event they are calling The Western Oklahoma United Methodist Rendezvous and Revival. All people in western ...
Focusing on ethnic local church concerns
published 8/9/2023
At this year’s session of annual conference, members approved a name change for the conference entity responsible for ethnic local church concerns, monitoring and outreach to our state through ...
McFarlin UMC in Norman becomes UM historic site number 574
published 8/9/2023
One of the jewels of Oklahoma church architecture, McFarlin UMC in Norman, has recently been named a United Methodist historic site. The soaring church building, built in 1923 and 1924, by Holmboe ...
Ministry in a Minute
published 8/9/2023
Kingfisher UMC held a VBS experience complete with dancing, drama, art, and more. The church uses a unique curriculum, called How Great Thou Arts. LEFT: Genna Parr, children’s ministries director, ...
Oklahoma contingent attends Youth 2023 in Daytona Beach, Florida
published 8/9/2023
What does it mean to be Bold? Showing or requiring a fearless daring spirit. Sometimes we are called by God to do something, and we feel too scared to do it. Being bold is hearing that call and ...
Passages
published 8/9/2023
Glennda Louise Main, widow of retired elder Gerald Main, passed away Sunday, June 18. She was a pianist who directed children’s ministry as her husband served as pastor. The Mains served many ...
Project Transformation continues to transform communities through purposeful Relationships
published 8/9/2023
by ViaFaith McCullough The mission of Project Transformation is to transform communities by engaging children, college-age young adults, and churches in purposeful relationships. For 22 years, Project...
Save the date
published 8/9/2023
Conference-Wide Lay Servant Training | Aug. 18-19, Elk City United Methodist Church, Elk City. For more information, email Sharri Hiller at sharrihiller@gmail.com. New Faith Communities Day of ...
A very unique camp for the most priceless cause
published 7/13/2023
As a business model in today’s economy, Ceili Camp is an utter failure. It provides specialized, full-time care for children with special needs for a week during summer. It employs a full staff of ...
Classes on Methodism available online
published 7/13/2023
The United Methodist Commission on Archives and History offers classes on John Wesley and The United Methodist Church on the U.M. History Hub. Classes range in cost from free to $50, and cover a ...
Project partners mission-minded churches with families in need
published 7/13/2023
The mission is to connect “1 family and 1 church for 1 purpose.” This is where the name for 111Project originated. Churches, community service organizations, and other nonprofit agencies communicate ...
Save the date
published 7/13/2023
Mission U | July 20-22, Oklahoma City University Day of Discernment | Aug. 25, OKC-Wesley UMC Conference-Wide Lay Servant Training | Aug. 18-19, Elk City United Methodist Church, Elk City. For more ...
Annual Conference serves as balm for weary souls
published 6/8/2023
This year’s Annual Conference hit a little bit differently. The setting was the awe-inspiring Boston Avenue United Methodist Church in Tulsa, with its soaring tower and plethora of symbolic artwork. ...
Awards at 2023 Annual Conference
published 6/8/2023
The Harry Denman Evangelism Award for Clergy was presented to Dan Pulver (left), who was recently appointed to Frederick UMC. The Harry Denman Evangelism Award for Laity was presented to Ann ...
Circuit Runners at the OKC Marathon
published 6/8/2023
On April 30, a team of five runners represented the Lawton Circuit Runners at the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon in the marathon relay event. Each runner ran a different leg of the 26.2 mile course. ...
Four Oklahomans graduate St. Paul School of Theology
published 6/8/2023
Leawood, KS – Saint Paul School of Theology held its hybrid Commencement at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 12, 2023. Graduates came together for one celebration with attendees on both the Kansas and ...
Health insurance costs can be reduced with a few simple steps
published 6/8/2023
As part of the health insurance agreement the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church has with its benefits provider, Wespath, is a built-in incentive to develop - or keep - healthy habits ...
Hobart youth carries on tradition for Native American Ministries Sunday
published 6/8/2023
For Native American Ministries Sunday, Hobart First United Methodist Church was blessed by native youth Lani Kauahquo-Elix, Kiowa and Ponca. Lani performed the Lord’s Prayer in interpretive sign ...
Ministry in a Minute
published 6/8/2023
For several years, the West Tulsa UMC and First Church Tulsa have worked together to provide a fun opportunity for students at a local elementary school with food trucks, pizza (oh so much pizza), ...
Ordination, commissioning, and recognition of local pastors
published 6/8/2023
The 2023 ordination and confirmation class, from left: Bishop Jimmy Nunn; Sei Yoon Park, ordained elder; Meg Burris, ordained elder; Tim Navis, commissioned deacon; Betsy Stewart-Dooley, commissioned...
Passages
published 6/8/2023
Retired elder Bob Langston passed away at age 82 on May 5, 2023, in Ada. Rev. Langston was serving Allen UMC. He had served many Oklahoma churches since his initial appointment at Madill in 1976, ...
Save the date
published 6/8/2023
Juneteenth | June 19, Conferences offices closed. Mission U | July 20-22, Oklahoma City University Conference-Wide Lay Servant Training | Aug. 18-19, Elk City United Methodist Church, Elk City. For ...
Annual Conference Registration Deadline May 8
published 5/4/2023
The deadline to register for the May session of annual conference is Monday, May 8. Please take time to review the registration form and get registered before the deadline. There are no “late” ...
Conference smaller, more nimble with 365 churches
published 5/4/2023
On a sunny, cool morning in April, the spring-laden wind carried anticipation as over 600 clergy and lay delegates gathered at Church of The Servant in Oklahoma City to decide on the disposition of 55...
Doing good in Kingfisher
published 5/4/2023
Kingfisher UMC found a new opportunity to reach out to neighbors in novel ways. In May, they put their love of community into action. Through their “Do All the Good You Can” campaign, the congregation...
Easter story service project connects communities
published 5/4/2023
The Wacky Wednesday program at Checotah First United Methodist Church embarked on a unique service project this spring. On April 5, a group of 19 students and seven adult volunteers visited the ...
Late pastor’s family takes tour of many churches served
published 5/4/2023
The life of a good pastor leaves a lasting impact. That fact was borne out earlier this year by the adult children of Rev. Howard Roberts, who served many United Methodist churches during his tenure ...
Passages
published 5/4/2023
Marilyn Ehlers, wife of Rev. Richard Ehlers, passed away April 4. The couple were married for 63 years. Mrs. Ehlers was an active United Methodist throughout her life. She taught home economics in ...
Save the Date
published 5/4/2023
Annual Conference | May 22-25, Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, Tulsa Resilience: The Biology of Stress & the Science of Hope - Documentary & Discussion | 1:30 p.m., May 28, Moore First United ...
Tornado topples two UMC steeples, leaves churches intact
published 5/4/2023
An EF2 tornado blazed through Shawnee on April 19, killing three and damaging numerous properties. Two properties affected were United Methodist churches - Shawnee Wesley and Shawnee St. Paul’s. The ...
Tulsa church plant sows community goodwill on Maundy Thursday
published 5/4/2023
Holy week in Brookside is something special for the folks at Community Brookside. Being a new United Methodist church in Tulsa has allowed this young church to offer traditional Methodist services and...
Verdigris UMC Celebrates 100 Years
published 5/4/2023
Members and friends of Verdigris UMC gathered April 22-23 to celebrate the church’s 100th anniversary. Saturday’s events included a community cookout and a historical showcase highlighting special ...
Called conference and delegate elections planned
published 4/5/2023
A special called conference will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, at Church of the Servant in Oklahoma City. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and seating is by district. The voting ...
Keeping the Faith
published 4/5/2023
Matt Morgan I’m not sure exactly what year it was. What I do know is that it was some time in the early 1980s…and it was a Sunday. I remember walking back into the nursery and letting go of my mother’...
Making use of church facilities propels community forward
published 4/5/2023
Members of Barnard Memorial United Methodist Church in Holdenville looked at their huge building, which is only used a few hours on Sundays and a few more on Wednesdays, and began to wonder how they ...
New Day Camp offers volunteer opportunities
published 4/5/2023
Children whose parents are incarcerated carry more than backpacks to school every day. They also carry trauma, loss, stigma, and more. According to the National Institute of Justice Journal’s 2017 ...
On becoming a beacon of safety
published 4/5/2023
When it comes to serving as a safe space for church members, churches in the Oklahoma conference are in it with their whole hearts. Rev. Roger Parker, Conference Connections lead pastor, made 40 ...