Briefly

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 this summer about several changes in leadership for the Oklahoma Conference.

• New chairmen were named for three Conference boards: Jim Hill of Hennessey, Campus Ministries; Chris Tiger of Owasso, Congregational Development; and Pam Cottrill of Heavener, Commission on the Status and Role of Women.

• David Stephenson is now mission interpreter for the Bolivia-Oklahoma Partnership, a ministry of Volunteers In Mission. He is based in Tulsa.

• Elaine Parrent of Oklahoma City has been commissioned as a new deaconess, a laity designation in the Church. She is business administrator at OKC-St. John’s.

• GBGM missionary Marsha Alexander of Oklahoma has received confirmation of her new place of service: the Philippines. Her assignment begins in late summer.

Rev. Wang began her new role on July 1, and her work will be with the Norman Chinese Fellowship.

Greg Tener earns doctorate

On May 14, Greg Tener graduated with a Doctor of Ministry degree from Saint Paul School of Theology, Kansas City, Mo.

His dissertation was titled "United Methodism and the Practice of Holy Communion: Resistance to the Means of Grace." Rev. Dr. Tener is pastor at Poteau UMC, and he chairs the Oklahoma Conference Discipleship Ministry Team.

Phillips presents UM awards

Mary Hughes Gaudreau of Guthrie, a national disaster consultant with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), has been named the 2010 Outstanding Alumna for Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa.

She was recognized June 2 at the seminary’s alumni luncheon, during the 2010 Oklahoma Annual Conference in Tulsa. Rev. Gaudreau is an ordained UM deacon and licensed professional counselor.

Also, Phillips has presented two other Oklahomans with United Methodist Awards. George Rowe, Outstanding Middler; and Patience Mutiso, Outstanding Junior. Rowe is pastor of Union City and Cogar United Methodist Churches. Mutiso is missions director at Tulsa-St. James UMC.

Epworth Villa purchases hospice

On July 1, Epworth Villa Retirement Community in northwest Oklahoma City finalized the purchase of Quality Life Hospice.

The two entities "have a common perspective in enhancing the lives of people so they may thrive—even in their last days," said Bob Benson, president of Epworth Villa.

Carl Pojezny, chairman of the board for Epworth Villa, said, "We need to expand services in areas in which we see a need. This is another step in over 20 years of service to the community." Epworth Villa is a not-for-profit center related to the Oklahoma Conference.

Quality Life Hospice was formerly owned by Doug and Shannon McClure. Shannon McClure will continue to manage the hospice, and its staff will report directly to President Benson.

For information about Epworth Villa: www.epworthvilla.com.

OCU training for non-profit groups

A new program at Oklahoma City University is designed to train the next generation of leaders of nonprofit organizations.

The Nonprofit Leadership master’s degree program, beginning this Fall, will be led by a board of advisers that includes leaders of nonprofit organizations throughout the state.

Such training is increasing in relevance as the industry becomes more complex, according to Bob Spinks, the program’s director. He has 40 years of experience in nonprofits. Leading a nonprofit creates a challenge that he calls the "great paradox": an agency uses volunteers, yet the volunteers also are considered the leader’s bosses.

This program will be through the OCU Sociology Department. Jody Horn, who chairs the department, said that students increasingly are seeking fields of study that emphasize helping people.

Food feeds fund for Lawton campus ministry

In August, Cameron Campus Ministry (CCM) in Lawton will benefit from a partnership with Buffalo Wild Wings in Lawton.

On every Monday in August, 20 percent of the restaurant’s food sales at 2506 N.W. Cache Rd. will go to CCM for student programming and community service projects.

For a diner’s food order to quality, a certificate must be presented to the server. You can obtain these certificates from your church office or by calling Susan Howe, CCM administrative assistant, 580-357-7226.

Lesson on cybersafety precedes school year

A free online seminar Aug. 5 will focus on "Cybersafety, Facebook, and Back to School," presented by the Oklahoma Conference Ministry Protection Committee and the denomination’s Property and Casualty Trust (PACT) insurance program.

The seminar begins at 3 p.m., and every church is encouraged to participate. Further information is on the PACT website: www.umcpact.org.