Oklahoma prepares to host regional UM conference

By Holly McCray

On July 18-21, join your Oklahoma United Methodist family in welcoming our kinfolks in the faith, from seven other states, to a rare reunion.

The UM South Central Jurisdictional Conference only meets every four years. And 44 years have passed since it was last held in Oklahoma. That year was 1968.

Hundreds of elected delegates and guests from 15 annual conferences will gather in Oklahoma City—to worship, conduct church business, complete a mission service project, and rejoice in how we are "Woven Together for Transformation" through the UM connectional system.

Your participation will enhance and your prayers will bless this special time. Here are several ways to take part.

• Attend "Area Night" on July 20, 6:30-8:30, at the Cox Convention Center. All are invited to enjoy the "Flavors of Oklahoma" meal and entertainment by talented Oklahomans.

Register for this online at www.okumc.org/registrations/register/126.  (On this form, simply provide your basic information, choose "Area Night," and choose payment option at the end.)

Native drummer June Sovo will call diners to the banquet, and tribal princesses will greet all. Entertainment will include classical guitarist Edgar Cruz, the Cherokee National Youth Choir, a mariachi band, Miss OCU singing "The Lord’s Prayer," and Native dancers.

Buffet tables will serve: Flavors of Oklahoma, with barbecue pork ribs, country fried steak, chicken pot pie, cornbread, and buttermilk mashed potatoes; Native American Tribute, including Cheyenne Corn Soup, Sweet Potato & Maple Roasted Turkey, grilled buffalo sirloin, even a salad with Sage & Wild Sweet Onion Viniagrette; and Tex-Mex, with beef and chicken fajitas, and house-made tortilla chips. (Each option offers additional dishes, and a dessert station will tempt all, too.)

• Add your voice to a multicultural choir that will present music in the opening worship service, at 7 p.m. July 18 at St. Luke’s UMC. Four rehearsals, each at 4 p.m., are set: June 23 at OKC-Quayle UMC; and June 30, July 7, and July 14 at St. Luke's. More information: Jacquie Devereaux, 405-823-3812, jydev@att.net.

• Attend the 10:30 a.m. Consecration service on July 21 at St. Luke’s UMC, 222 N.W. 15th. Newly elected bishops are recognized in this sacred Church ritual. All also are welcome at the opening worship, at 7 p.m. July 18 at St. Luke’s.

• Every Oklahoma church is asked to provide a vertical wall banner to deck the halls on Area Night. Deliver yours to OKC-Douglas Boulevard UMC, in Midwest City, by July 10. Questions? Contact that church, 405-732-3035.

• Be a virtual guest of the SCJ Conference by watching the Internet live stream, wherever you may live and work. Click the link at http://scj.umportal.org  or www.okumc.org. 

Viewers will be able to see the election of bishops. Daily business sessions and the two worship services will be livestreamed, but not Area Night.

A Host Planning Committee with members from both the Oklahoma Conference and the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference is co-hosting this regional meeting.

About 500 participants are expected, including the 44-member elected delegation from the Oklahoma Conference.

In the afternoon July 20, OKC-Church of the Servant will host participants as they assemble and package 150,000 dried meals, supporting the Stop Hunger Now ministry.

http://scj.umportal.org