Briefly
| Event designed for new high school grads
"Life After High School … What’s Next?" An August retreat at Camp Egan will help recent high school graduates answer that question. The question is also the theme for the weekend program, Aug. 3-4, designed especially for members of the Class of 2012 as they prepare to embark on a new chapter in their lives.
Bishop Hayes will kick off the retreat, informally named "grad weekend." Games, other speakers, and fellowship times also are planned. "Grad weekend" is a brand-new program offered through the Oklahoma Conference Camp Ministries. Register online at www.okumc.org/camps. Cost, $35, includes housing for one night and two meals. Contact Janey Wilson, janey@okwesley.org, 405-321-6266. Havlik to lead women’s retreat Clergywoman Cindy Havlik will lead the spring Spiritual Growth Retreat annually sponsored by the Oklahoma Conference United Methodist Women. Rev. Havlik is pastor at New Haven UMC in Tulsa. Retreat dates are April 27-29 at Camp Egan. The program begins at 7 p.m. Friday and concludes at noon Sunday. Registration fee includes lodging for two nights and four meals. To sign up, contact Coe Ann Patton of Tulsa, capatton2@cox.net.
Perkins’ Laity Award goes to Turner Perkins School of Theology named William "Bill" Turner, a member of Tulsa-Faith UMC, as the 2012 Woodrow B. Seals Laity Award recipient. The award was made at a luncheon March 3 in Dallas. Heather Scherer, youth minister at Faith Church, said the layman is very deserving of the honor. For eight years, he has directed a church golf tournament that has raised more than $80,000 to scholarship youth participation in mission service. She also cited his work coordinating volunteers who repair homes for low-income families. "He shows his faith by the way he cares for his extended family, the church, and the stranger," Scherer said. Pastor Brad Humphrey of Faith Church echoed her. "Because of his leadership, our church will have a team and/or project somewhere in the world every other week, from the inner city of Tulsa to Nicaragua." Malaria deaths decline in Africa Every 60 seconds, malaria claims a life in Africa. But the rate of death from this disease has slowed from every 45 seconds, announced leaders of the denomination’s Imagine No Malaria initiative. They drew from the 2011 World Malaria Report, issued by the World Health Organization. Oklahomans have continued to give financial support to the initiative. What sounds slightly different to us means a huge difference to families in Africa. Malaria’s toll has been reduced to an estimated 655,000 deaths annually—down from 1 million just three years ago. — United Methodist News Service
Tonkawa extends help, hospitality Committees at Tonkawa-First UMC reported significant community outreach through two recent projects. Operation "Bundle Up" provided winter coats, and a Valentine’s Day gala was designed for families as well as sweethearts. The Mission Committee led a drive to collect coats, hats, gloves, and scarves. The plan was published in the local newspaper, and a drop-off point was established at the church. When the project concluded, on Jan. 31, donations totaled more than 100 coats, ranging from infant size to XXXL, as well as warm accessories. The gifts were washed and delivered to Tonkawa’s food pantry and two schools for distribution. The Community Outreach and Nurture & Care Committees joined forces to host the Valentine’s Day program. Families with children as well as individuals comprised the sold-out crowd. Proceeds supported work on the gym in the church’s Family Center. A homestyle meal and dancing under the stars (i.e., disco ball) were highlights. Dean Pearcy served as DJ, and guests could capture memories at a photo booth. Janice Sharp is pastor at Tonkawa. Nutty project succeeds at Nicoma Park Although fewer than 30 people attend Nicoma Park United Methodist Church, the small congregation recently made a big gift to Skyline Urban Ministry in Oklahoma City.
During January and February, the church collected 139 jars of peanut butter and 25 jars of jelly to help stock Skyline’s pantry, which serves homeless people and other needy families. Skyline had requested the specific food donation because peanut butter is nutritious and easy to store. Before the jars were delivered, they were lined up along the Communion rail in the church sanctuary. Cathy Jones said the church plans another peanut-butter drive soon, as Skyline supplies food to the hungry year-round. Church volunteers also operate a thrift store in Nicoma Park, east of Oklahoma city, that won a readers’ poll by The Choctaw Times. All proceeds support missions and the Apportionments. Jones reported that the church fulfilled its 2012 Apportionment request in January. 'Forgiveness' opens film series The 14th annual Documentary Film Series at Oklahoma City University will begin at 2 p.m. April 1 with Helen Whitney’s "Forgiveness: A Time to Love and a Time to Hate." The public may attend the free screening, in the Kerr McGee Auditorium at OCU’s Meinders School of Business. |
