Briefly

CF&A videos available

Now available online are two videos shown by the Council on Finance & Administration at the 2011 Annual Conference in Oklahoma City.

Both can be viewed and downloaded as free resources for your church. Access them at www.okumc.org. Click the link "OKVideo" on the left side of that homepage, then search by title.

Titles are: "God Is Not Finished With Us Yet—Realities of the UMC" and "Moore-First UMC Embezzlement."

 Update on tornado recovery efforts

Oklahoma UM disaster response officials are keeping churches updated on work in Tushka, Okla., and Joplin, Mo., after recent tornadoes.

Volunteers to assist with the recovery in both locations are being recruited by the Volunteers In Mission Office. A registration form is available at www.okumc.org. 

Pastors in parts of the state damaged by storms are encouraged to take part in long-term recovery team meetings, which assess and direct resources and next steps by government agencies and other aid groups. Richard Norman, with VIM, has information. Contact him at RNorman@okumc.org,  800-231-4166 ext. 2032.

 Young adults plan mission after storm

Young adults are invited to join a tornado relief mission and rafting adventure on Aug. 1-6 in Tennessee.

The team will depart from Tulsa’s University UMC, which is donating use of a van. The Oklahoma volunteers will be joined in the work by young adults from the Holston Conference.

Sponsoring group is the Young Adult Ministries Council, co-chaired by Andy Benson and Nathan Mattox. The council will assist with some expenses.

The mission will help people rebuild in Cleveland, Tenn., where a tornado struck April 27.

To contact Rev. Mattox, pastor at University UMC: 918-592-3633, nathanmattox@yahoo.com.

 OKC-Clark to mark 50 years

On July 31, Clark Memorial UMC in Oklahoma City will celebrate its 50th anniversary, and you are invited. For information call Carol Brown, 405-721-8901, or Carol Thornton, 405-373-1577. The church is at 5808 N.W. 23rd.

Cottrill to lead mom/child retreat

Pam Cottrill will lead the Mother/Child Retreat at Camp Egan on July 29-31.

The retreat is designed for women and young children, ages 1 to 12.

Rev. Cottrill, the mother of two teens, is pastor at Blackwell and chairs the Commission on the Status & Role of Women.

The event is sponsored by United Methodist Women.

Registrar is Betty Prentice of Pryor, 918-695-7745, prentice_betty@yahoo.com.

 Public notice--Saint Paul School of Theology is seeking comments from the public about the seminary in preparation for its periodic evaluation by its regional accrediting agency.

Saint Paul will undergo a comprehensive evaluation visit Sept. 26-29, by a team representing The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The UM-affiliated seminary has been accredited by the Commission since 1976.

The public is invited to submit comments online at the Commission’s website: http://www.ncahlc.org/information-for-the-public/third-party-comment.html;  or by mail to: Public Comment on Saint Paul School of Theology, The Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, Ill. 60604

Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or its academic programs. Comments must be in writing and signed; comments cannot be treated as confidential.

All comments must be received by Aug. 25.