Tahlequah church studies Sudan

Earl Mitchell holds a watercolor print of a Sudanese girl by artist Karrel Stevens, right. The art was a gift to Dr. Mitchell for leading an all-church mission study at Tahlequah.

In September, small-group studies at local churches—especially by United Methodist Women—often launch on one of the three topics introduced each July at the Conference’s Cooperative School of Christian Mission.

Tahlequah-First UMC presented the topic "The Beauty and Courage of Sudan" as a combined Sunday school focus on Sept. 19. Janet Stucky, who co-chairs the church Mission and Service Team, reported more than 80 people attended the evening program.

Youths led a Sudanese hand-washing ritual. Dudley Brown provided a Sudanese soup, a green-leaf vegetable soup with chicken, and Sara Brown prepared a special tea. A local pizzeria owner made the bread for the meal.

Dressed in Sudanese clothing provided by Sara Brown, youth members at Tahlequah model a hand-washing ritual.

Earl Mitchell of Stillwater taught the class. He was a leader at the July school and continues to offer the study in Oklahoma churches.

One of his resources was the book "Out of Darkness: The Lost Girls of Sudan." Priscilla, one of girls featured in the book, spoke at the 2009 School of Mission.

175 attend School of Mission

The July 2010 school drew 175 participants, reported dean Ann Marie Boyce of Tulsa, including a dozen in the Spanish-language study of John. That class was taught by Tino Espinoza of Oklahoma City.

Video resources for two of the studies are available on DVD for free checkout from the Media Library, 405-530-2075, aballew@okumc.org.  One title is "When Freedom: Sudan in Captivity," and the other is "Joy to the World: Mission in the Age of Global Christianity." Full list of Media Library titles is at www.okumc.org.

The School of Mission was held at Oklahoma City University, and participants were housed in the newest dormitory, Oklahoma United Methodist Hall.