News Archive

When the pandemic hit, the conference’s lay servant training was unable to meet safely in person. The topic, lay pastoral care, was timely and relevant to dozens of churches across the state. However,...

2021 District Superintendents. Back row: Sam Powers, Crossroads District; James Kim, Wichitas District; Bishop James Nunn; Larry Bauman, Lake Country District; Connie Gibson, Council Oak District. ...

When Rev. Travis Ewton learned that two of his lay members would be participating in the Great American Relay on a Sunday morning, he sent out a message to his congregation: church is cancelled; come ...

After at least two years, the Conference Council on Youth Ministry met Oct. 2 for their Fall Summit at OKC-Village. Youth from nearly every district came to participate in group building, officer ...

One week before the start of Annual Conference, roughly a dozen friends and fellow clergy joined together to celebrate a new multicultural church plant in Tulsa. One day after the end of Annual ...

Sandy McIlnay passed away on July 21 at the age of 85. She was married to Rev. Richard “Mac” McIlnay, who pastored several churches in the Oklahoma Conference between 1976 and 2000, including ...

UMVIM Awareness Sunday - October 17, 2021 Resources available, including a list of suggestions, poster, mission moment, fact sheet and sermon starter. https://www.umvim.org/umvim-sunday Global ...

The Oklahoma Annual Conference, held Oct. 8-9, voted unanimously to confirm Joe Holt as the new Conference Treasurer and Chief benefits Officer. The conference also passed resolutions regarding ...

Reading the campus ministry reports across Oklahoma, a common theme begins to emerge: students are craving connection now more than ever. A year in quarantine took its toll on students and ministry ...

In August, the conference wrote to the members of the Oklahoma Annual Conference with information about our upcoming session of conference. Since then, we have closely monitored the rise in COVID ...

The Conference Council on Youth Ministry has announced that the annual CCYM Youth Summit will return this year after being canceled last year due to COVID-19. This year’s theme is “Called to Serve.” ...

By Pat VerSteeg The road from Lavern was long, hot and tiring. On Aug. 26, 22 cyclists came into Cheyenne from the north, ready for a rest and respite from the heat. “It was so nice to come into ...

When Rev. Josue Araujo introduced himself to the principal of Santa Fe South Hills Elementary School to ask whether OKC-Lambuth could be of service, he didn’t expect that the church would be hosting ...

A team of 14 members of Tulsa-Boston Avenue traveled to Española, New Mexico to volunteer at McCurdy Ministries Community Center for a week-long mission trip. The team worked primarily on the ...

Stephen Ministries St. Louis is now training caring ministry leaders through a live, interactive online training experience called the Bridge Leader’s Training Course (BLTC). This event fully trains ...

Congregations in Norman, Oklahoma City and Tulsa are joining with local organizations to help refugees who are coming to Oklahoma from Afghanistan. Rev. Adam Shahan who leads OKC-Wesley said the ...

Ynette Elizabeth Sapp, surviving spouse of Rev. Charles Sapp, passed away in her sleep on July 19 in Parker, Colorado. She was 94 years old. Charles served in the Oklahoma Conference from 1976 until ...

Rural Church Sunday will be held on Sept. 19, and this year, the Oklahoma Conference is focusing on the role of small and rural churches in disaster response. Dana Parker, the new conference disaster ...

Rural and Smaller Membership Church Sunday Sept. 19 | Theme: Disaster Response Celebrating how rural and smaller membership churches impact disaster response in Oklahoma Rural and Smaller Membership ...

The Shattering the Stained Glass initiative has started its next resource offerings for ministry leaders in the Oklahoma Conference. “Stained glass windows can bring beauty to our spaces of worship, ...

The General Commission on United Methodist Men will host the 2021 Virtual National Men’s Gathering on Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Keynote speakers will be Rev. Ron Bell and the Rev. Tom Albin, a ...

The Oklahoma Conference will host the 2021 Annual Conference this fall at multiple dates and venues. All portions of the Annual Conference will be livestreamed, and some events will have the option ...

Lawton-New Light pastor Rev. Kiyoung Jeong is one of five people chosen to receive the 2021 National Order of Merit Award from South Korea. A representative from the Houston Consulate will travel to ...

LSM Fall 2021 Promo Video On Sept. 17 and 18, the Wichitas District Lay Servant Ministries will be offering both the basic and advanced courses, in-person, at Marlow-First. The training cost is $35 ...

Students and parents attending Edmond-First gather at the front of the sanctuary for a Blessing of the Backpacks on Aug. 8. Edmond Public Schools return to school on Aug. 13. Screenshot taken from ...

Rev. Jack Atkinson passed away on July 3. Atkinson served in the Oklahoma Conference between 1960 and 2019, serving past his retirement in 1993. During that time, he served 10 churches: Fairfax, Yale,...

Project Transformation is asking for churches who would like to host a reading site next year to apply for the Summer 2022 program. Roxie Hacker, the Oklahoma director for Project Transformation, ...

St Yootz Day featuring Toby Mac 2021 Event Cancelled 2021 National Men’s Gathering | A Virtual Event General Commission on United Methodist Men Aug. 28 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Central time zone) Keynote...

The First Americans Museum is recruiting volunteers to help with their grand opening events on Sept. 18 and 19.  Volunteer shifts for grand opening activities will likely be held in three- to ...

A national advocacy group for rural and smaller membership churches is offering 10 congregations a $500 grant. Likewise, the Oklahoma Conference is offering grants, workshops and other resources to ...

Members of Tulsa-Faith brought chairs and drinks to Turkey Mountain for an outdoor Fourth of July worship service. The church had previously held worship there on Easter Sunday. “Both times, on ...

The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference will host their next immersion experience from Oct. 24 to 28. The immersion will include visits to the new First Americans Museum, the Washita “Massacre” ...

OK Camps has updated one of its curriculums to address issues relating to justice and the church. “Breaking Down the Walls” encouraged students to see what “walls” exist between groups of people, in ...

By Roxie Hacker 2021 saw the re-opening of in-person Project Transformation summer camps. There were many modifications to ensure the safety and good health of all participants, and the board and ...

2021 UMVIM Mission Academy Classes offered July 26 to Aug. 7 All sessions begin at 5:30 p.m. Register at https://forms.gle/LrEfyU2boLDjUQop8    “A Night of Health and Hope with Skyline” Aug. 6 | 6 ...

Skyline Urban Ministry will honor an athletics director at its annual fundraising event in Oklahoma City. A Night of Health and Hope with Skyline will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Aug. 6 at Chicken N ...

By Rev. Bessie Hamilton What is Juneteenth? Juneteenth is a holiday celebrating the emancipation of African Americans who had been enslaved in the United States. The matter becomes rather complex ...

If anybody doesn’t have power, my house is open. Please come over for a warm meal, shower, and power.” It was a simple offer, but it was an offer Rev. Victoria Lee knew would make a difference to ...

By Travis Ewton "Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift at the altar and go. First make things right ...

There are four principal factors that John Wesley believed Christians could use to understand their faith. Built on the Anglican theological tradition of including scripture, tradition and reason, ...

Restore Hope had one of its busiest years on record in 2020. Since 1978, the Tulsa nonprofit has sought to “restore families in financial crisis to economic and spiritual vitality.” One of the ways ...

The financial audit for 2020 has been completed within the first 150 days of 2021, ensuring the Oklahoma Conference is in compliance with the Book of Discipline. The finalized audit report as well as ...

This spring, the leaders of the Oklahoma Conference Cabinet read through the book study for Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. Rev. Joseph Harris, assistant to the bishop and director of ...

LEAWOOD, KS – The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection announced registration is now open for Leadership Institute 2021, held September 29 – October 1. The annual leadership conference will be ...

Bishop James Nunn (left) places hands on Steve Littrell (center, kneeling) to commission him as a provisional elder at Madill on May 23. Bishop Nunn has been travelling to various churches around the...

The Minority Local Church Concerns team is creating a new series that they hope will bring attention to traditional and sometimes foundational practices that either started with or perpetuate systemic...

OK Camps is looking for Volunteers In Mission teams or individuals to serve during June and July, and extending through October. Those interested can sign up to serve for a week or a weekend. ...

The Board of Oklahoma Methodist Manor has unanimously voted to change the name of the retirement community to Trinity Woods. The announcement was shared in a statement on May 28.  “Even though we have...

Rev. Tarrill Parvin passed away suddenly on June 7. The retired elder was serving congregations in Salina and Spavinaw. A viewing was held on June 13, and a funeral service followed the next day. ...

Youthforce 2021 Vinita: June 20-25 Ardmore: June 20-25 Learn more at https://yf.okumcmission.org    NSO Good Samaritan Awards Program June 17 | Noon Corporate sponsorships available https://nsookc.org...