Schools of Mission will include Haiti study

At the 2010 School of Mission, the youngest students surround their teacher, Rebecca Belase, a certified Christian educator. She returns as a leader at this year’s Weekend School.

"All Things Made New" is the theme for the Cooperative Schools of Christian Mission later this month. How appropriate that one of the studies is Haiti, where United Methodist volunteers are assisting in earthquake recovery!

The Weekend School is July 22-24 (Friday evening-Sunday noon). The One-Day-Plus School is July 24-25 (Sunday evening-Monday). Oklahoma City University is host site.

"God has used the School of Mission to feed my interest in missions and to prepare me as a VIM Team Leader," stated Dean Ann Marie Boyce of Tulsa. "I have been attending for 20-some years and wouldn’t miss it!"

In addition to the geographic study, topics are "Coming Out on the Side of Grace" (forgiveness/reconciliation) and "Joy to the World" (mission/evangelism).

The schools offer programming for all ages, as well as a Saturday class for Spanish-speaking participants.

The Weekend School includes sessions for children and youths. Rebecca Belase of Stillwater will lead the first- through sixth-graders as they learn about Haiti. Lindee DeRoin of Ralston will help youths, in grades seven through 12, put their faith into action through the forgiveness/reconciliation study.

The Spanish-language class will be taught by Tino Espinoza of Oklahoma City. Topic will be forgiveness/reconciliation.

Leading the adult studies will be:

• Haiti—Jim Jones of Enid, Stephen Hale of Oklahoma City, and Trina Bose North of Edmond.

• Forgiveness/reconciliation—Victor McCullough of Oklahoma City; Susan Southall of Enid; and Brantley Tillery, who serves in Criminal Justice & Mercy Ministries in Tulsa.

• Joy to the World—Jeremy Basset, Volunteers In Mission director and a native of South Africa.

During the Schools, donations of socks and underwear will be received for Restore Hope in Tulsa and Skyline in Oklahoma City, inner-city ministries supported by Apportionment giving.

For the One-Day-Plus event, all study classes will be held on Monday. A plenary and small-group enrichment programs will be offered Sunday evening.

The annual educational experience is a joint effort by United Methodist Women and the Mission & Service Ministry Team.

Registrar is Marilyn Quinn of Sulphur. Contact her at 580-618-3144, marilynq@brightok.net.  Scholarships are available, with preference given to first-time participants.