Briefly

The author of the highly acclaimed "Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations"—Bishop Robert Schnase of the Missouri Conference—will lead a workshop March 5 in Norman.

McFarlin UMC is hosting Bishop Schnase’s presentations, and inviting clergy and laity from other churches to attend. The program will be held from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at the Norman church, 419 S. University Blvd., and includes lunch.

"What Does a Vibrant, Fruitful Congregation Look Like?" Three sessions will respond to this workshop title.

• Session One examines the five practices: radical hospitality, passionate worship, intentional faith development, risk-taking mission and service, and extravagant generosity.
• Session Two: how our churches work, congregational practices, and systems for ministry.
• Session Three: personal practices and roles in ministry.

Early registration is $15. After Feb. 18, fee is $20. Sign up online at: www.mcfarlinumc.org/featureevents.

Quayle choir marks special month

The Mass Choir of OKC-Quayle UMC will present a "Musical of Spirituals" at 4 p.m. Feb. 13.

The free concert will celebrate Black History Month at the church, 5001 N. Everest Ave. The program is under the direction of Quayle’s minister of music, Jessie Davis-Wesley, along with Jacqueline Devereaux. The public is invited.

Wedding

Rev. Scott Heusel and Buffi Rene White married on Dec. 25, 2010. Rev. Heusel is pastor at Aline and Cleo Springs churches, Enid District.

Youth input wanted for addiction ministries

Youths ages 13-17, and youth leaders, are asked to take part in focus groups for Had Enough, a United Methodist youth movement that responds to drug and alcohol abuse.

The groups will use Skype technology to communicate in several Web meetings. Participants will voice their opinions about the Church, drugs, and alcohol, as well as review resource materials. They will help shape the Church’s ministries with youths nationally.

This is an important leadership opportunity for young United Methodists, said Annette Harper, director of Addiction Ministries for the Oklahoma Conference.

Had Enough is an initiative of the denomination’s Special Program on Substance Abuse and Related Violence (SPSARV).

March 7 is the application deadline for those interested. Find application forms and more information on http://umspsarv.org/.  Completed forms should be e-mailed to Juliana Mecera, Had Enough coordinator, jmecera@gbgm-umc.org.

Harper also announced some grant funds for addiction ministries are offered through SPSARV.

Jurisdictional office moves

The Oklahoma City office has been relocated for the South Central Jurisdiction’s executive director. David Severe can now be contacted at 3160 W. Britton Rd., Suite F. The e-mail address is: scjdirector@okumf.org.  In July 2012, the eight-state Jurisdictional Conference will be held at the Cox Center in Oklahoma City.

Birth

Patrick Xavier Tate was born Jan. 31, 2011. He is the son of Kinsie and Rev. Kris Tate, associate pastor at Edmond-Acts 2.