Briefly
 Women’s retreat in late April
All women are invited to grow spiritually at a retreat led by Pastor Amy Venable on April 26-28 at Canyon Camp, sponsored by the Oklahoma Conference United Methodist Women. Theme is "Awakening of the Spirit, One Step at a Time." Rev. Venable is pastor at St. Stephen’s UMC in Norman. The retreat begins at 7 p.m. Friday and concludes at noon Sunday. Deadline to register is April 10. Download the form at http://ok-umw.webs.com (Choose "Calendar.") Registrar is Coe Ann Patton of Tulsa, capatton2@cox.net. Step up to fight hunger May 5 On May 5, OKC-New Hope will lead a CROP Walk, one of the first in several years in the Oklahoma City metro. Walkers will follow the Lake Hefner Trail, hiking up to 3 miles. At 2:30 p.m. May 5, they will check in at the reserved pavilion lakeside. New Hope is working with Church World Service to organize the community-wide event that will raise funds to fight hunger around the world. The walk is one of the church’s mission efforts for 2013. Skyline Urban Ministry in south Oklahoma City will receive 25 percent of the money raised. Sign-up is under way now. Each walker will receive a packet and recruit sponsors for his or her participation. Packets will be turned in at the pavilion. Contact Luisa Medina, lmedina@okumc.org, or New Hope church, 405-721-5051. Shepherds’ Retreat at Turtle Rock On Feb. 18-19, Turtle Rock Farm will host UM clergy and lay leaders for a 24-hour Shepherds’ Retreat. Contact Susan Ross, ross-susan@sbglobal.net, or Pat Hoerth, pathoerth@gmail.com. The retreat center is near Red Rock in north-central Oklahoma. Save the dates Social Justice Retreat April 19-20 Canyon Camp Featuring Brian McLaren and Carrie Newcomer Sponsored by Board of Church & Society http://www.okumc.org/church_society Youth Worker Gathering "Youth Ministry That Goes the Distance" April 26-27 OKC-Church of the Servant Featuring Kenda Creasy Dean and Stephen Cady Sponsored by Discipleship Ministries http://www.youtheology.org/youthworkers2013
To raise funds for Mobile Meals and Free Friday Meals, OKC-Douglas Boulevard Church members recently baked and sold king cakes, popular during the Mardi Gras period leading into Lent. Originally from Louisiana, Jenifer Cameron, right, directed the project, in its second year; UMW member Alverta Hansen, left, was among other bakers. The Oklahoman and Midwest City’s Eastword reported on the effort. (http://newsok.com/midwest-city-church-offers-king-cake-fundraiser/article/3747040) Grants help 14 churches provide meals In December, 14 UM churches in Oklahoma County received Mobile Meals grants. The need for Mobile Meals typically increases during winter, when it’s more difficult for the elderly and people with special needs to access warm meals in poor weather conditions, noted Jana Steelman with the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. Foundation trustees approved a total of $25,200 in grants to 54 churches to help them meet the increased demand and carry them through the winter months. Mobile Meals Coordinator Carolyn Roslik said providing a regular source of food and personal contact helps seniors continue living in their own homes. The grants provide from one to five meals each week per recipient. Amounts range from $200 to $1,000, based on the number of meals provided by each site. Funds to offset food and transportation costs were awarded to these UM churches in Oklahoma County: Chapel Hill, Choctaw-First, Christ, Crown Heights, Douglas Boulevard, Grace, Leland Clegg, Linwood, Putnam City, Ridgecrest, Southern Hills, St. Luke’s, Village, and Wesley. |
Cake fit for a King