Conference Communications Update
Beginning in July, the Oklahoma Conference is shifting from sending out weekly updates related to COVID-19 and other ministry needs via email to sharing updates twice a month: once in the Contact and once via email. The updates will continue at least until Annual Conference in November, at which point the need and frequency will be reevaluated.
PPP Loan Awareness
The SBA is currently hiring individuals who will be tasked with reviewing the eligibility of a borrower to receive a PPP loan, the PPP loan amount and use of the proceeds, and the PPP loan forgiveness amount claimed by the borrower. Consequently, local churches and other PPP borrowers should be aware that their PPP loans and the eligibility for loan forgiveness are potentially subject to audit and review. Therefore, good stewardship makes it essential for local churches to carefully and accurately document the use of PPP loan proceeds for permissible purposes in order to avoid a potential repayment obligation.
OKUMC Resources in Response to Racism
The Oklahoma Conference has created a page for church leaders to use as a starting point to find resource to respond to racism in their ministry context.
The page includes links to the General Commission on Religion and Race, General Board of Church and Society and Resource UMC, as well as additional articles, videos and suggested readings to help United Methodists and local churches understand and respond to this pressing issue.
The resource page can be found on the OKUMC website at www.okumc.org/racismresources.
UM Communications Launches “End Racism” Campaign
United Methodist Communications has launched a new campaign encouraging United Methodists to End Racism. The campaign includes graphics and resources, including a new video series titled “Dismantling Racism.” The first two videos in the series are listed below, and more will be announced at www.umc.org/EndRacism.
Dismantling Racism: A Service of Lament
Multi-language and multi-cultural time of worship. A time of repentance, communion and commitment as the church examines racial injustice. Find the video here.
Dismantling Racism: Pressing on to Freedom Denominational Town Hall
A deep dive into the true (and sometimes suppressed) history of our nation and church. Learn more here.