Briefly
"Where’s Wesley Weekend" will be held 4-7 p.m. April 11 at Edmond-First UMC and is sponsored by the Wesley Foundation at the University of Central Oklahoma. Reservations are due by April 7. Call 405-341-5450. The free event informs junior-high and high school students about what Wesley Foundations offer on college campuses.
Oklahoma Methodist Manor (OMM) in Tulsa named Matthew Loyd as new administrator of health services, effective March 8. Loyd brings to the center 13 years of experience in the senior living field. He is a licensed long-term care administrator, and he holds a degree in Communications Sciences & Disorders and Gerontology from Kansas State University.
Turtle Rock Farm, near the town of Red Rock, will host a Shepherd’s Retreat for clergy April 19-20. Contact Pat Hoerth, 580-917-6011, pathoerth@gmail.com. To register, e-mail Susan Ross, ross-susan@sbcglobal.net.
Use of wireless microphones that operate in the 700 megahertz band is banned after June 12, as ordered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC action will clear the band, which will be dedicated to commercial and public-safety wireless systems. Each church needs to determine if it has wireless microphones that transmit in the 769-806 MHz range. Such equipment should be replaced or not used after June 12. The devices could disrupt public-safety communications. FCC spokesman Matt Nodine said most wireless microphones operate on bands other than 700 MHz, especially newer ones. Some of the devices can be retuned for use in another band, he added. "We’re trying to notify every organization we can think of that could potentially be affected by this," Nodine said. "That ranges from school systems to churches, amusement parks, theaters, and civic theaters." To learn whether your church’s devices need to be replaced, check with your audio/visual provider, phone 800-CALL-FCC, or go to the commission’s Web site, http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/wirelessmic_advisory.html.
The 2010 Annual Conference offering will support "Imagine No Malaria" globally and Cookson Hills Mission Center locally. The Annual Conference guest preacher, Bishop Thomas Bickerton of Pennsylvania, is traveling in support of the Church’s campaign against malaria. He leads the UM World Health Initiative. On April 24-25, churches are being asked to spotlight the denomination’s new ministry to eradicate malaria globally. That weekend, churches nationally will host mosquito-net sleepouts, screen the new documentary "When the Night Comes," hold community workdays, and present information Sunday morning about the "Imagine No Malaria" campaign. Special offerings are encouraged. "Change the World" is the name of the weekend promotion, and it coincides with World Malaria Day, April 25. The promotion officially launches "Imagine No Malaria," which expands on the "Nothing But Nets" effort initiated several years ago by the denomination and the National Basketball Association. "Imagine No Malaria" is in partnership with the United Nations Foundation. Find lots of resources online at www.ImagineNoMalaria.org and www.RethinkChurch.org/changetheworld. The sites also ask churches to report their activities in connection with the "Sleepout to End Malaria."
Deadlines are approaching to submit applications for the awards that each year honor individuals and churches for their Christian ministry and mission. Among those honors are the Oklahoma Conference Harry Denman Evangelism Award. Deadline is April 15 to submit nominations for this award. Two are presented, to a lay member and a clergyperson, for personal evangelism. "It’s our privilege to celebrate those who are making an active difference in sharing Christ with others," said Mark McAdow, Denman committee chair and pastor of OKC-First. To find application forms, go to "Resources" on the homepage, www.okumc.org.
The evangelism task force has rescheduled a Tulsa visit by George Hunter. He will speak at two events on April 26, after plans for a February appearance by the widely acclaimed evangelist were cancelled. To register, contact Randy Thompson, rthompson@okwu.edu. |
