Briefly

The Media Library has received three United Methodist-specific resources on DVDs.

Contact Amelia Ballew at 405-530-2075, or aballew@okumc.org.

• "Imagine No Malaria—Faith in Action: A Video Collection."
  This DVD contains 10 videos that tell the story of the Church’s Imagine No Malaria initiative, including the feature presentation "A Killer in the Dark." This one-hour documentary was created to increase awareness and action against malaria, a disease that kills a child in Africa every 45 seconds. Hosted by actress Pauley Perrette, the documentary chronicles the daily struggle against malaria that people in Africa face. It also highlights the community-based efforts under way to fight the disease through Imagine No Malaria, an initiative of the Church that aims to eliminate death and suffering from malaria by 2015.
  The Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals has recognized the Imagine No Malaria documentary with its prestigious Platinum Award.Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications, said, "The award turns the spotlight on two very important issues. We hope to send the message that we need to care more and do more."

• Upper Room Ministries presents "Where the World Meets to Pray." Two short preview videos on this DVD promote the Upper Room’s devotional booklet in various languages.
   

• "The United Methodist Way: Faith Working Through Love."
  This 20-minute Adobe Flash presentation shows how following John Wesley’s rules in both doctrine and practice leads to transformed lives and a transformed world.

TIMELY TWIRLS—Umoja Kids in Oklahoma City recently took part in the global Pinwheels for Peace project. The youngsters created pinwheels to visually express their thoughts about world peace and peace in their own lives, and they discussed the importance of tolerance and living free of violence. Umoja is a Swahili word that means unity; the program is part of the Community Youth Outreach (CYO) ministry supported by OKC-Quayle UMC. CYO is directed by Quayle member Teri Green.

Orders Meeting is Jan. 17 in OKC

The Orders Meeting of clergy will be Jan. 17 at OKC-St. Luke’s, with guest presenter Elaine Heath of Perkins School of Theology.

Her topic: "Becoming a Missional Church through Networks of Micro-Communities."

Rev. Dr. Heath initiated the New Day and Epworth Project, a network of missional, monastic faith communities in the United Methodist tradition. She has led retreats and seminars in spiritual formation and leadership development for clergy. She is McCreless Associate Professor of Evangelism at Perkins.

The Orders Meeting begins at 10 a.m., with Bishop Hayes preaching at the Wesley Covenant Renewal Service, and Holy Communion. Heath will speak at 1 p.m.

Her recent publications include "We Were the Least of These: Reading the Bible with Survivors of Sexual Abuse"; and "Longing for Spring: A New Vision for Wesleyan Community."

Lectures in Tulsa feature Brueggemann

In Tulsa, Boston Avenue UMC will present world-renowned theologian and scholar Walter Brueggemann on Feb. 26-28 in the Barton Clinton Gordey Lecture Series.

He will speak at 8:30 and 11 o’clock Sunday morning, and at 7 o’clock on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday evenings. The public lectures are free.

Mouzon Biggs, senior pastor at Boston Avenue, regularly uses Brueggemann’s commentaries in his sermons.

Brueggemann has written more than 58 books and participated in the PBS "Genesis" television series. He holds a Th.D. from Union Theological Seminary and Ph.D. from St. Louis University.

He is known for his method of combining literary and sociological modes when reading the Bible.

Among his most heralded work has been his commentary on the Psalter. His method, especially examining the Prophets and Writings, is buttressed by an overwhelming number of monographs and articles on specific portions of the Hebrew Bible.

Bedlam game for youth groups

Deadline is Jan. 30 to sign up your youth or children’s group for the Feb. 4 Bedlam Bash hosted by the OU Wesley Foundation.

Activities begin at 10 a.m. at the Wesley center, 425 W. Lindsey St., Norman. Registration, $10 per person, includes lunch and ticket to the OU/OSU women’s basketball game.

Contact Janey Wilson, associate campus minister, janey@okwesley.org  or 405-321-6266.

Grants assist churches with Mobile Meals

Trustees of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation recently awarded grants to 15 United Methodist churches that provide Mobile Meals to homebound elderly.

Amounts ranged from $200 to $1,000, based on the number of meals provided by each site. Overall, the agency distributed $23,975 to 61 churches.

Carolyn Roslick, a Mobile Meals coordinator, said severe winter weather can disrupt delivery of meals. "Thanks to these grants, we will be able to provide each senior with two nonperishable meals so they will have food available in case of bad weather," she said.

Metro UM churches that received funds: Chapel Hill, Choctaw, Christ, Leland Clegg, Crown Heights, Douglas Boulevard, Grace, Linwood, May Avenue, Putnam City, Ridgecrest, Southern Hills, St. Luke’s, Village, and Wesley.

Fundraiser for Langston campus ministry

During Black History Month, celebrated nationwide in February, the Wesley Foundation at Langston University plans to raise funds in honor of Cecelia Brooks.

The campus ministry’s goal is to sell 10,000 pencils, at $1 each.

Rev. Brooks, director of the Wesley Foundation, also is an African-American writer. Historical articles by her have been published in The Chronicles of Oklahoma, the quarterly journal of the Oklahoma Historical Society. Their titles: "Oklahoma’s ‘First Black Governor’: Dr. Isaac William Young" and "Touch the Bottom and Lift: African-American Women Home Demonstration Agents, 1912-1935."

Contact langstonluwesley@aol.com.

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