Briefly

How is your community doing?

Regional workshops on six October evenings will help churches be more intentional as they think and act missionally.

The "Kingswood Initiative" draws its name from the roots of Methodist history. The story is widely known about John Wesley’s heart-warming moment at Aldersgate. But he followed that with action, preaching the Gospel beyond church doors; he went to the Kingswood mine.

Each workshop will explore realities in communities, such as people who never attend churches, and will help with ways to respond in caring, effective ministry. Leader will be Jeremy Basset, director of the Office of Mission.

The class will be 5-9 p.m. and is open to all, but especially designed for churches with 25 to 80 in membership. Supper will be provided.

Oct. 2, Rosston UMC

Oct. 3, Perry UMC

Oct. 4, Locust Grove UMC

Oct. 16, Antlers UMC

Oct. 17, Wynnewood UMC

Oct. 18, Hobart UMC

Register at www.okumc.org/Small_Membership_Church.  Fee: $10. Questions: Megan DeCastro, 405-530-2199, mdecastro@okumc.org.

Claremore-First will host ‘Home for Christmas’ training

On Sept. 29 at Claremore-First UMC, a regional training event will help local churches implement the "Home for Christmas" evangelism program.

The event, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., offers two class sessions and keynote speeches by Darrell Cates, McAlester District superintendent, and Bob Crossman, director of the Arkansas Conference New Church Leadership Institute.

Class topics range from "Membership Matters" to "Growing a Medium-Sized Church into a Large Church" and "Becoming a Blessed Congregation." The presenters are Max Rudd, Janelle Brammer, Ray Crawford, Bob Pierson, Steve and Wanda Littrell.

The event is part of the "New Christians" series sponsored by the Evangelism Task Group of the Oklahoma Conference Discipleship Ministry Team.

Pre-registration is important to plan the meal and supply of materials. Email: bpierson@leadershipnexus.net.

Now in Media Library

A pair of resources from Abingdon Press is newly available in the Media Library. Each is designed to help enliven worship experiences.

1. Prayer Stations: CD with videos and Adobe PDFs. How to set up prayer stations, still-life images you can use with these stations, and eight original musical compositions for worship.

2. Liturgical Dance: DVD and manual with step-by-step instructions for eight dances that are set to a variety of songs, including hymns and contemporary Christian music.

Also available in the Media Library is the DVD "Bullies Are a Pain In the Brain." Host Trevor Romain is a children’s motivational speaker, best-selling author, and award-winning video personality. This resource provides strategies to help all affected by bullying: targets, bystanders, and bullies.

To check out these resources, contact Amelia Ballew at the Conference headquarters in Oklahoma City, 405-530-2075 or aballew@okumc.org.

UMW to meet in Elk City

Oklahoma’s United Methodist Women (UMW) are packing their saddlebags to travel west—well, as far as Elk City—for the UMW Annual Meeting on Oct. 5-6.

Elk City UMC will host the statewide event on Friday evening and Saturday.

Keynote speaker will be Jeremy Basset, director of the new Office of Mission for the Oklahoma Conference.

Focus groups are planned to develop support and advocacy for women, children, and youths affected by human trafficking, domestic violence, and immigration challenges. Gift cards will be donated for Neighborhood Services Organization and Cookson Hills Mission Center.

Business will include election of a new Conference UMW president and other officers, as well as proposals on Standing Rules changes. Among them:

1. Due to General Conference action, the Women’s Division has become "United Methodist Women’s National Office," and Schools of Christian Mission became "Mission U."

2. Regional Schools of Christian Mission, where teachers are trained for Conference schools, will end, and also Mother-Child Retreats in Oklahoma.

Registration for the Elk City event, due Sept. 28, includes lunch. Contact Coe Ann Patton, registrar, 918-836-0071.

The annual Toole Tyme service weekend is Nov. 9-11 at Cookson Hills Mission Center. Lodging will be in motels. Registration deadline is Nov. 1. Contact Betty Prentice, 918-695-7745.

Tulsa UMMen plan 1st General Meeting

United Methodist Men in Tulsa District will gather Oct. 27 at Tulsa-Aldersgate UMC for an inaugural General Meeting.

"Spread the word to as many men as you can, as we pray for a rebirth of enthusiasm in our churches for the role that men play in their home and church lives," said Michael Palmer, UMMen district vice president.

The program includes special guest appearances and a catered meal. Proposed initiatives will be discussed. The event begins at 9 a.m. that Saturday.

Palmer said he and District President Antonio Porter are committed to build cooperation between UMMen "for the betterment of the whole Methodist movement."

Aldersgate church is at 3702 S. 90th E. Ave.

Watch a related video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rV4i555BJY

Dates change for Ada event

Dates have changed for professor Billy Abraham to speak at Ada-First UMC, due to a schedule conflict.

On Oct. 14-16, he will preach in worship services and speak to Ardmore District pastors.

Dr. Abraham is professor of Wesley Studies at Perkins School of Theology.

VIPs VISIT OCU—On Sept. 6, this team from the denomination’s University Senate conducted a site review at Oklahoma City University. Every 10 years, each United Methodist educational institution is reviewed by the Senate, an elected body of higher education professionals. These reviews ensure UM-supported schools meet criteria of "institutional integrity, well-structured programs, sound management, and clearly defined Church relationships," as stated in Senate guidelines. This trio attended the Thursday chapel service. They met with OCU officials, Bishop Hayes, students, faculty, and a group of Trustees. Shown at Walker Center are, from left, Marianne Inman, president of Central Methodist University, Fayette, Mo.; Kenneth Schwab, president emeritus of Centenary College, Shreveport, La.; and Melanie Overton, assistant general secretary for Schools, Colleges, and Universities of the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry.