Online option expands audience

Contact, an edition ofThe United Methodist ReporterTwo Sections, Section A • 039000 • Volume 157, Number 07 • June 18, 2010

THE OKLAHOMA UNITED METHODIST

www.okumc.org

The United Methodist Reporter (USPS 954-500) is published weekly by UMR Communications, 1221 Profit Drive, Dallas, TX 75247. Periodicals Postage Paid at Dallas. Postmaster: Send address changes to The United Methodist Reporter, PO Box 660275, Dallas, TX 75266-0275.

Annual Conference edition

Delegates learn of lives transformedBy Holly McCray

Testimonies of transformed lives moti-vated delegates at the 2010 Oklahoma An-nual Conference, May 30-June 2, at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church in Tulsa.

Theme was “Following the Plan—Faith-ful Witness, Transforming Presence.” Again and again, personal stories of God’s power spurred standing ovations in the Boston Av-enue sanctuary, and surely inspired people watching the live broadcast online.

“I grew up wildly unchurched,” said Temple Diehl. Then as an expectant

mother, she accepted a friend’s invitation to attend a worship service only after eliciting promises that no one would hug her and that she could dress casually. When the baby was born prematurely, Diehl said, the church “overwhelmed us with love. They were the hands and body of Christ.”

Today, Rev. Diehl is the United Methodist pastor at Elmore City, and her daughter is a student at Oklahoma City University. Diehl spoke during the evangelism report by the Discipleship Ministry Team.

Throughout his first summer at Tulsa-Southern Hills, Pastor Jeff Jaynes

said, the church office was the only room used on weekdays. “We needed transforma-tion,” he said.

A mile from the church, families lived

in government-supported housing. “Parents kept their kids inside because there was no safe place for them to go,” said Rev. Jaynes.

Then Southern Hills became a host site for Project Transformation, a United Meth-odist literacy day-camp, held in summertime.

The first camp on site served 60 children. Four years later, rooms and halls teem

with activity at the church. Visiting the nearby elementary school, “I hear shouts of ‘Pastor Jeff!’ from kids who can’t wait to come back to camp,” Jaynes said.

Using Internet live streaming for the first time, more than 4,600 virtual guests witnessed the Oklahoma Annual Conference. Online viewers watched a total of 1,280 hours, tracked by ourchurchvideos.com.

Those numbers shape yet another story of transformation—about the potential of the annual meeting as an effective tool for ministry. Typically, about 1,200 people attend the confer-ence in person.

Because the technology enabled more people to experience the event,

leaders hoped the education and inspiration always central to the an-nual gathering were expanded across the Connection, explained Joe Harris, director of Communications. Feedback was encouraged, and the 46 responses were largely positive. Among the on-line comments:n I am really enjoying the Confer-

ence. It is my first time experiencing one, and it is making my decision to join the UMC much easier. I see and hear what you are doing for the community

Newly ordained elders gather June 1 at Tulsa-Boston Avenue Church with Bishop Robert Hayes Jr., center; Michael Burkett, upper left, Board of Ordained Ministry chairman; and David Mercer, upper right, welcomed on Recognition of Orders. From left, new elders are: front row, Kyle Clark, Fuxia Wang, Pam Cottrill, Wendi Neal, Claudia Lovelace, Erma Pregler, and Jennifer Pasco; middle row, Jeremy Smith, Rachel Parrott, Derrek Belase, and Brandon Dollarhite; and Taud Boatman, top row, center.

Front row, newly ordained deacons Harriette Kemp, left, and Kristopher Tate stand June 1 with Bishop Rob-ert Hayes Jr. and Michael Burkett, Board of Ordained Ministry chair.

(Continued on page 5A)

(Continued on page 5A)Twila Gibbens-Rickman and Lesly Broadbent take turns pouring water as 38 clergy and spouses are memo-rialized. (Photos by Holly McCray)

Alderson .................................... Charles SaviersAntlers/Soper ........................... Robert Duran Sr.Atoka/New Zion ............................Daniel RameyBoswell ........................................................ TBSBroken Bow/Eagletown .......... Marvin StuckeyCalvin........................................................... TBS Coalgate/Clarita .............................Norman BolinEdgewood/Dow ................................ Linda PopeEufaula ............................................. John BreonHeavener/Hodgen ............................Pam CottrillHeavener Hispanic Fellowship ...........Obed AlbaHenryetta .........................................Dale DurnellHoldenville ....................................Charles RettigHowe ................................................ Wayne BellHugo, First ................................... Kevin McClainHugo, Paul’s Chapel/Ft. Towson ...Michael FrazierHugo, Wesley .............................Wesley KimballIdabel ....................................... Bruce BrothertonKiowa/Pittsburg............................................ TBSKrebs/Stuart ..................................... Phil BeattyMcAlester-Christ ...........................Lisa Anderson

McAlester-First.... ............................Charles Neff Associate ................................. Ruth AtterberryMcCurtain/Keota .............................Mike MorganPoteau ..........................................Gregory TenerQuinton/Canadian......................Rudolph FreeseRedland/Pleasant Hill ....................Trent BaggettRocky Point ..............................Robert Cocke Jr.Savanna ........................................ Madlyn RuchSeminole........................................ Gary WilburnStigler ............................................ Jack KemperTalihina/Tuskahoma ..................Shaun WickerValliant/Wright City ....................... Linda Baggett Weleetka ..................................................... TBSWetumka .......................................Dan EischenWewoka, First/Bowlegs ........Amanda LockwoodWilburton/EOSC Campus Ministry ..................... ....................................................... April CoatesWister .................................... Robert Van House

ExtEnsion MinistriEs:U.S. Air Force Chaplain ............... James Parrish

Aline/Cleo Springs ...........................Scott HeuselBlackwell........................................Kristen BrownBraman ............................................C. M. WilsonCanton ....................................Richard WehrmanCarmen/Dacoma ..............................John BizzellCherokee ...........................................Paul Calkin Associate .......................Jeni Markham ClewellEnid ChurChEs: Bethany .................................... David Jones Jr.

Christ ............................................James Jones First ..........................................Grayson Lucky Associate .................................Susan Southall Peace Korean ...........................Heung Sun Lee New Hope .......................Sheila Combs-Francis Willow View .............................Lesly Broadbent Associate ................................ James LambertFairview ....................................Richert RedingerGarber/Hunter................................ Steven Littrell

Helena ........................................ Joel ThompsonHennessey......................................... James HillHitchcock ......................................James FarmerJefferson/Renfrow ......Sandra Reeves ShepherdJet/Prairie Valley ...................................Mary IrbyKingfisher...................................Michael StrangeKremlin ....................................Sharon CochranLamont............................................. Vera WaltonLoyal ................................................. Robert BarrLucien/Covington ........................Dane LemmonsMarland.........................................................TBSMedford/Billings ..................................Ruth TippsNardin ...........................................................TBS

Newkirk .......................................James HollifieldOkeene ............................................ Jan FletcherPond Creek.................................Kay BuchananPrairie Chapel .............................. Wanda LittrellRingwood......................................... Terrill ParvinTonkawa ...................................Michael BrannonWakita/Manchester .......................Kyle AndersonWaukomis/Drummond .............. Garry VincentExtEnsion MinistriEs:U.S. Air Force Chaplain ....................Sam TuckerChaplain, The Commons, Enid ...... Gail Edmison

Adair ............................................Patricia HarrisBeggs/Schulter ..................... Josheua BlanchardBethel/Westville...........................Darrell MaddoxBokoshe ........................................Bennie WallerBraggs/Woodall .........................Carla Robison Checotah ........................................Wayne Loftin Associate .....................................Jeremy SmithChouteau .................................William ButtramCookson ........................... Marilynn SchellhamerCoweta .........................................Susan WhitleyFt. Gibson .....................................Barry CollinsGore ............................Christopher "Craig" ClarkHaskell/Porter .................................Paul VickeryHulbert .................................. Thomas CorriganInola ....................................Eugene Van AlstyneLocust Grove ................................. Cydni TilleryMorris ...........................................Nathan MattoxMounds ..........................................Gary HaynesMuldrow/Roland Trinity ...................Aaron TigerMuskogEE ChurChEs: First ................................ John “Rusty” Williams

Spencer/Honor Heights .............Barbara Brown St. Paul ........................................ Mark Jardine Associate ...............................Gregory Boyd Trinity ............................................. Mary Ewing Wesley .......................................Marsha PurtellOkay ..........................................Raymond GriffinOkmulgee .....................................Craig DenslowPocola ..........................................Darin McCartyPryor ..............................................Robert HarrisSallisaw .........................................Trevor SmithSpiro/Cameron ............................. Gary WithrowStilwell ............................................. Barry HayesTahlequah ..................................Allen SchneiderVian ......................................... Leonard McCartyWagoner ......................................Shannon Davis Associate .........................Yvonne BuchananWarner/Oktaha ........................... Michael Enright

ExtEnsion MinistriEs:Circle of Care Director of Residential Services ... .......................................................Mark Howard

Anadarko-First ..........................Tracy SchumpertAnadarko-St. Paul ...........................Arthur LyonsApache ............................................ Michael DyeBethel/Hulen .................................Rusty HustedCache ...............................................Bryan TenerCarnegie/Mountain View ................. Ronald KingCyril/Cement ................................... Laurie LongdunCan ChurChEs:: First .................................................Phillip Ware St. Paul’s ...................................Daniel Fletcher Stephens .......................................Lee Jackson Wesley/Velma ................................Linda LusniaElgin.................................................Coy ReemerFletcher...............................................Lory FahleFort Cobb/Highland ............... Timothy Trujillo Sr.Frederick........................................... Eric SnyderGracemont ................................. Adonna BridgesGrandfield/Randlett.......................David GardnerLawton ChurChEs:: Aldersgate/Redemption ......Becky Baxter-Ballou Centenary .......................Norma Gravely-Quinn Associate ................................... Chris Symes

First ...................................................Alton Potts Lawton Heights/Grace .................. Charles King Associate .................................. Lucia Aleman Korean New Light ...................... Kiyoung Jeong St. Paul’s ........................................Terry Koehn Wesley Chapel ................................ Ken BadenManitou ...........................................David JonesMarlow ............................................. Travis MuseRyan ................................................. Debra KerrSnyder/Indiahoma .................Patrick McPhersonSterling/Rush Springs ................Sharla ReynoldsTemple/Comanche ........................Nathan MillsVerden ....................................... Charles WatsonWalters ...................................... Steve HarshawWaurika ..........................................Carl SterlingExtEnsion MinistriEs:CJAMM Associate Director ......Becky Baxter-BallouCCM/Wesley Foundation Co-Directors ............................................................................. Montie Jones............................................................Galeda Jones

McALESTER DISTRICTDarrell Cates, District Superintendent

2010 AppointmentsOklahoma Annual Conference

n Boldface words signify new clergy assignments and parish changes implemented in June 2010.

Ada, Asbury ....................................... Don GriffinAda, First .......................................David DanielAllen/Gerty ...................................... Lenn MurrayardMorE ChurChEs: Asbury......................................Jennifer Pasco First .................................. Jessica Moffatt Seay Associate .......................................Tony Caro Warren Memorial/Redemption .......................... ............................................. Everisto ChikangaCaddo .......................................................... TBSCalera ..........................................Roland BarrickColbert/Southeastern Oklahoma State University Wesley Foundation ......... Gloria McGee-DentonCourtney .....................................Carolyn HigdonDavis...................................... Benjamin WilliamsDurant ................................................. Greg Tolle Elmore City .....................................Temple DiehlFitzhugh ...........................................Steve TaylorGene Autry...................................... Sharen HaleHealdton ......................................... Harold HuntKingston..................................... Paul McDowellKonawa.......................................... Pamela ShirkLighthouse .....................................Terry ThomasLindsay ..........................................Stephen HaleLone Grove ..........................................Tom Riley

Madill ............................................ David RowleyMannsville................................... Frank SimpsonMarietta/Thackerville ....................Lester BussellMaysville ......................................Edward DexterMill Creek ..........................................Betty StonePaoli........................................... Robert HarrisonPauls Valley ................................... Mark Watson San Mateo Fellowship/Assistant....................... ........................................Perla Martinez GoodyPontotoc ........................................ Duane BakerRingling............................................ Alex CosteaRoff ............................................Claud BaltimoreSpringer ........................................ Pearl BroomeStratford ..................................Charles BaumannSulphur ...................................Richard TrobaughTishomingo .................................Will PasiecznyWanette ..................................... Ralph WanglerWhitebead ..................................... Dennis YatesWilson ........................................Sherry KendrickWynnewood ................................... John CorbinExtEnsion MinistriEs:Chaplain, Horizon Communities In Prisons/ Pontotoc........................................Duane BakerChaplain, Ardmore Mercy Memorial Hospital.................................................................Lin Stern

Altus, First ....................................... David Player Associate ....................... Margery Van Oostrum Associate ................................Deborah TeaganAltus, Grace/Blair............................Bruce DavisAltus, Highland Heights/Duke ....Charles StewartArapaho ....................................Dean BrookshierCalumet/Red Rock ....................Matthew Franks Canute ..........................................Timothy IsraelCheyenne ..................................... Gregory KeithClinton ...................................Roland YoungbergCordell ...................................... David CroningerCuster City/Independence/Chapel Hill................................................ Debra Marlett CampbellEakly/Alfalfa ................................................. TBSEldorado .........................................Bobby JonesElk City .............................................. Daniel Peil Associate ........................................Wendi Neal Associate ..................................Carlos RamirezElmer/Tipton ....................................... R.T. Perry

Erick/Carter ......................... Sheri Smith LashleyGeary .............................................. Karen SlaterHinton ................................................Kyle KinerHobart ................................................. Kyle ClarkHollis/Gould .....................................Sally BarberHydro ............................................ Steven BrantLeedey/Hammon ...........................Chuck GilbertLone Wolf/Granite ...........................James HiltonLookeba/Bridgeport ..................... John Gable Jr.Mangum....................................Donald TabbererSayre ............................................ Margo VestalSentinel/Rocky......................... Delbert WatkinsThomas/Fay.....................................Larry HarlanWatonga ...................................... Larry MasonerWeatherford .......................................Lynn BrackWillow ........................................... Scott Northrip

ExtEnsion MinistriEs:SWOSU Campus Minister ..........Elizabeth Horton

Avant ........................................... Earleen ReedyBarnsdall........................................ Paul OverholtBartLEsviLLE ChurChEs: East Cross ...................................Emery Mason Associate .................................. Chad Perceful First ...................................................Kevin Tully Associate ................................ Connie Taylor Associate ................................... Bisby Wierick Grace Epworth...............................Blesvilla Yap Oak Park......................................David Stewart Big Cabin ........................................ Donald ScottChelsea, Memorial....................... David SandersClaremore, First .............................Ray Crawford Associate ..............................Janelle Brammer Associate ........................................ Lisa HinesCleora ........................................Richard BrasherCollinsville, Meadowcreek .............Brian ManganCommerce/Quapaw..................... Furan JacksonCopan .........................................Tari CarbaughDelaware/Chelsea, Epworth ...............Darrel CoxDewey..........................................Richard RobartFairland.......................................... Carole Minter

Foyil ....................................... Cynthia RobertsonGrove ............................................Randall HamillJay ................................................ Barbara PlankKetchum ....................................Dianna BradfordMiami .......................................Kathleen LeithnerNowata .......................................Cheryl NewtonOchelata ....................................Bonnie BatmanOologah ....................................... David WheelerOtterbein .....................................James Bradford Owasso.................................... Christopher Tiger Associate ....................................Taud BoatmanPawhuska ........................................Ted HoffmanShidler/Foraker/Grainola ................. Gary MoodySkiatook ...................................Norman WassonSouth Coffeyville/Lenapah ...........Stephen PoseySpavinaw/Salina ............................. Doyle CarrollSycamore Chapel/Wyandotte .....Jonathan BatesVinita .......................................... George GillandWelch .................................................Lee Hilliard

ExtEnsion MinistriEs:U.S. Air Force Chaplain .............Donald Simpson

ARDMORE DISTRICTGuy C. Ames III, District Superintendent

BARTLESVILLE DISTRICTGeorge Warren, District Superintendent

CLINTON DISTRICT Charles L. Nordean, District Superintendent

ENID DISTRICTGary Holdeman, District Superintendent

LAWTON DISTRICTCharles W. Horton, District Superintendent

MUSKOGEE DISTRICTLinda M. Harker, District Superintendent

Alex/Ninnekah .............................................Sue LykinsBlanchard ............................................. Travis HopperChickasha, Epworth......................... Rockford JohnsonFranklin ...................................................Gerry RhodesFriendship ............................................... Marie GeorgeLexington ................................................Adam ShahanMinco ...................................................... David ConradMoore, First ...........................................Patricia Malloy Associate ............................................. James Perkin Associate ...............................................Chris Dodson Associate ..................................................Eddie WestMoore, New Life .................................................... TBSMustang .....................................................Larry HolderNewcastle ..........................................Brett ThomassonNoble ...........................................................James KimnorMan ChurChEs:: Bridgeview ..............................................Allen Carson Goodrich ............................................... Jim Shepherd McFarlin ...............................................Richard House Associate ...........................................Calvin Brannon Associate ............................................Randall Wade Associate .......................................George Shepherd Associate ................................ Harriett Leigh Kemp St. Stephens .......................................... Amy VenablePocasset ................................................................ TBSPurcell, Bowman Chapel .......................Dwayne HeathPurcell, Trinity ............................................Doyle SharpshawnEE ChurChEs: Bethel .......................................................Chris Talley St. Mark’s ................................................... Carla Hale Trinity ..........................................................Kay Smith St. Paul’s ............................................... Kim Domnick Wesley ................................................ Marvin HudsonTecumseh .....................................................Keith King Associate ............................................ Trinnette SmithTuttle/Okla. Dept. of Communications ...Andy JamesUnion City/Cogar .................................... George RoweWashington ............................................. Mike WinchellWayne ................................................Brian AndersonWheatland ..................................................David RoseokLahoMa City ChurChEs: Asbury .................................................Dawn Richards First .......................................................Mark McAdow

Korean, First ........................................... Joon No Um St. Andrew’s ............................................D.A. Bennett Associate ...........................................David Johnson Southern Hills ......................................Connie Gibson Sunny Lane ..........................................Larry BaumanokLahoMa City CoopErativE urBan parish: Capitol Hill ...................................... Harold Branstetter Christ/Shalom Zone Ministries.......Ernest Jackson Jr. Clark .....................................................Lamarla Cook Epworth ........................................ Deborah Ingraham Hillcrest Fuente de Vida ...................................... TBS Lambuth..............................................Larry Jacobson Linwood .........................................Reed Montgomery Penn Ave/Redemption ...........................Stephen Byrd St. John’s .............................................Stephen Davis St. Luke’s .................................................Robert Long Associate .........................................Wendy Lambert Associate ............................................ Charlotte Teel Associate ..........................................Phil Greenwald Associate .................................................Linda Truitt Associate ................................Juventino Espinoza Associate ............................................David Poteet Selecman.............................................Richard Ehlers South Lee .......................................... Bennie WarnerExtEnsion MinistriEs:OU Campus Ministry ..........................Daniel Dennison Associate .............................................. Fuxia WangOCU, Dean, College of Arts & Sciences .........Mark DaviesOCU Chaplain ...................................Rodney NewmanU.S. Air Force Chaplain ..........................Martin BarnesSkyline Urban Ministry, Director ........Claudia LovelaceCriminal Justice and Mercy Ministries (CJAMM) Director ............................................... Stanley BaslerGBGM Mission Interpreter in Residence, Western Jurisdiction............................................Glenn RowleyGood Shepherd Hospice ............................John GoberSOKC Volunteer .......................... Jack Terrell-WilkesWesley Theological Seminary ......... Carol Cook MooreGBGM........................................................Marsha AlexanderConference Treasurer...........................Brian BakemanPastoral Counseling of Norman....... Jo Beth Kee-ReesdEaConEss:St. John's .............................................Elaine Parrent

Cashion ................................................Felecia HensleyChoctaw.............................................. Charla GwartneyCrescent ........................................................ Roger PittCrescent, Mount Vernon ...............................Alan Nagel Edmond: Acts 2 ........................................................Mark Foster Associate ..................................................... Kris Tate Associate ..........................................Nancy Hamilton Church Planter .....................................Adam Ricks Chinese International UMC ................ Puong Ong Lau First .........................................................Bertha Potts Associate............................................. Robert Foos Associate ................................................. Tara Foos New Covenant .......................................... Adrian ColeEl Reno, Ellison Ave .............................. Charles BroamEl Reno, Wesley ....................................... Richard CatoGuthrie, First ............................................ Mike DeMossGuthrie, West ............................................ Susan GroveHarrah........................................................Randy LittleJones ........................................................Sherry HeathLuther/Nicoma Park ........................... David CressmanMount Zion.................................................. Diana PruittPiedmont ..............................................Samuel Powers Associate ............................................Mary Beth FoyeSpencer .....................................................Elijah NagbeYukon, First............................................Robert Younts Associate ............................................... Patti McCallYukon, Good Shepherd ......................... Jeffrey Burress Associate ...........................................Christy JamesokLahoMa City ChurChEs: Chapel Hill ...............................................Robert Rose Associate ............................................. Valerie Steele Associate .........................................Sara Bodenstein Diaconal...............................................Suzann Wade Church Planter .......................................Allen Buck Church of the Servant............................Robert Gorrell Associate ................................................ Tim Travers Associate .........................................Randy Shrauner Associate ......................................... Jeremy Sanders Associate ........................................ Matthew Judkins Associate ................................................. Curtis Nigh Associate...........................................Robyn Goggs Douglas Boulevard .............................. Jeannie Himes Grace .......................................................Ed Coy Light Lakeside ..............................................Kirtley Moelling May Avenue ............................................ Larry Gaston Mayfair Heights............................................ Ted Uhlig New Hope .................................................... J.D. Ward Nichols Hills ........................................Randy Scraper Associate ............................................. Janice Meese

Quail Springs ........................................ David Clewell St. Matthew............................................. Ron Perceful Associate ........................................Wendee Perceful Village .........................................................Rik Marion Wickline ...................................................Mark Barnett Associate ..................................... Tiffany D'Amours Diaconal.................................................. Phyllis FordokLahoMa City CoopErativE urBan parish: Crown Heights ...................................... Dianne Peters Leland Clegg ...................................Andrew Tevington Putnam City .......................................... Robert Kanary Quayle ............................................ Victor McCullough Associate ............................................. Erica Thomas Ridgecrest .................................................Dylan Cole St. Mark’s ............................................Keith Cressman Wesley .........................................Diana Cox Crawford Associate ................................................Phillip DavisExtEnsion MinistriEs:UCO Campus Ministry .................................Leslie Long Langston Campus Ministry ..................... Cecilia BrooksAssistant to Bishop/Conference Director of Communications ................................... Joseph HarrisConference Director of Connectional Ministries/ Congregational Development ...............Craig StinsonVolunteers In Mission, Director .............. Jeremy BassetOCU, Director, Student Religious Life ....Jennifer J. LongOCU, Vice-President, University-Church Relations ....... ................................................................Margaret BallOCU, Dean, Wimberly School of Religion ................................................................................Sharon BetsworthSaint Paul School of Theology at OCU, Dean ............... ...........................................................Elaine RobinsonCamp and Retreat Ministries, Director ...Randy McGuireAssistant to the Director of Camping .............Kathy CoitDirector of Discipleship with Small Membership Churches ....................................................................Diana NorthcuttAlaska Missionary Conference, GBGM ............................... Soldotna ........................................... Richard WhetsellCenter for Therapy and Wellness/Church of the Servant ................................................................... Curtis NighNational Disaster Consultant ................ Mary GaudreauThe Education and Employment Ministries (TEEM) ...... .................................................................... Tony ZahnMercy Health Center Pastoral Care Dept. .... Beverly PowellVIM Coordinator of Disaster Response & Domestic Missions ........................ Richard NormanSalvation Army Area Development Coordinator ............ ............................................................... Teresa GreendEaConEss:Reaching Our City Inc. ...................Nancy Van Antwerp

OKC NORTH DISTRICTDaniel W. Pulver, District Superintendent

OKC SOUTH DISTRICT Frankye A. Johnson, District Superintendent

Agra/Ripley ..........................Hugh WillobyBlackburn/Maramec................... Jeff KuhnBristow ....................................Kip WrightChandler ...........................Sungsu HwangCleveland/Hominy .............David MingusCushing ...............................Sonja TobeyDale ....................................Russell CurrieDepew ........Cheryl Peters (Kansas West)Drumright/Oilton .......... Virginia HathawayEden Chapel... ...................... John CurtisFairfax....................... Robert MontgomeryGlencoe ............................. Ron WeathersKellyville............................ Charles HannaLost Creek ................................Max RuddMannford ............................David JenkinsMcCloud ........................Michelle McCartyMeeker..............................Michael MeltonMorrison..............................Arron GrantzMulhall/Orlando ..................Adrian PollardOkemah, St. Paul’s .......... Brian MatthewsPawnee/Skedee ....................Susan RossPerkins..................................Kip Heatley

Perry ....................................Edward CookponCa City ChurChEs: Albright..............................Scott Spencer Asbury/Kaw City .................. Carol Reich First ...................................Michael Smith St. Paul’s ...............................Lisa CronePrague/Arlington ..................Scott Keneda Prague Associate.........Sharon CapronSapulpa ................................Darrel OwenstiLLwatEr ChurChEs: First .......................... Stanley Warfield Jr. Associate .........................Steve Roach Highland Park .................. Derrek BelaseStroud ............................Matthew ScraperWellston ............................Adam LeathersYale .........................................John MarksExtEnsion MinistriEs:OSU Campus Ministry ......Michael BartleyPresident, Hinton Rural Life Center, Hayesville, N.C. ..................Lyle ShipleydEaCons:OSU Campus Ministry Assistant............... ........................Rebekah Wallace BelasedEaConEss:Turtle Rock Farm ...................Patricia Hoerth

Alva, First ........................Terry MartindaleArnett ..........................Brandon DollarhiteBeaver ............................... Paul HamiltonBoise City/Kenton ...........George LuptonBuffalo/Fort Supply .............Joel BetowCapron ................................. Clark StruebingFairview/Catesby .............. Mike MahaffeyFargo/Gage .................Michael ShepherdFelt..................................... Royce BurschForgan/Gate ...................... David GordonGoodwell, Centenary ................ Alex TrueGuymon, Victory Memorial .... Michael Burkett Associate .........................Barry BennettHardesty/Union Center.... .Herb BridgewaterHooker/Tyrone ........................ Jerry RaabKeyes/Marella ..................... Jerry ColdrenLaverne/Rosston ................ Roger ParkerMooreland........................... David Mercer

OPSU Campus Ministry/Morning Star ...... ............................................ Jacki BanksPanhandle Hispanic.................................. ..........................Sara Hickson de SalazarQuinlan/Freedom .....................Scott Ware Seiling ............................... Rick ForthmanSharon/Mutual .......................Jeff RalstonShattuck...............................Lisa BeaversTexhoma .............................Rachel ParrotTurpin/Baker ..................... Todd BergmanVici/Lenora ..........................Don WhitmanLaverne-Vida en Abundancia/Woodward Hispanic Outreach ................... Jose EstradaWaynoka/Cheyenne Valley ..........Ron Lukawoodward ChurChEs: Faith .................................. Aaron Martin First ................................Charles Graves New Horizon ....................Becky Pierson

Bixby ..................................Randy Mitchell Associate ........................... Mark WhitleyBrokEn arrow ChurChEs: Abiding Harvest .......Christopher Buskirk First ......................................Larry Varvel Associate ...........................James Hunt Associate .........................Larry Mitchell Heritage ..........................Scott Rodgers St. Stephen’s .................. Donna DodsonCatoosa-Disciple/Claremore-St. Andrew’s ... .........................................Pamela StewartJenks ...................................David KargesLeonard .............................Kenneth SmithSand Springs ........................Dennis AdlofTurley ........................................Estell RayVerdigris........................James Graham IIItuLsa ChurChEs: Aldersgate.................Marcia Shoemaker Asbury.....................Thomas Harrison Jr. Associate ........................ Richard Read Associate ............... Warren Ambrose III Associate ................... Todd Miller Craig Associate ...................Charles Ryser Jr. Associate .......................Spencer Smith Associate ................ James Lenderman Associate ......................... Tiffany Smith Assistant ....................Darlene Johnson Boston Avenue ............Mouzon Biggs Jr. Associate ............ William Tankersley III Associate ......................William Crowell Associate ...............EvaMarie Campbell Associate ................Mary Ann Emmons Associate ............................Paul Staat Centenary ....................... Keith McArtor Christ ...................................Robert Feist Associate .............Ashley Green-Young Associate ...................James Stilwell Jr. Epworth .............................. James Peek Faith......................... Bradley Humphrey Associate ....................Katherine Brown Associate .........................Erma Pregler First ..................................Wade Paschal Associate .................Thomas Hoffmann Associate ......................... Tom McElroy

Associate ................Connie Cole Jeske Associate ........................... Peter White Grace ..........................Richard McIlnay Harrison ........................... Dolores Willis Harvard Avenue ..................Kurt Glassco Korean ...............................Tae Won Son Lake ..........................................Roy Betz Memorial Drive .....Sharon Fletcher-Taylor New Haven ...................... Cynthia Havlik Associate .....................Suzanne Davis Nueva Esperanza ................................... ..........................Daniel Llanos-Jimenez Rose Hill ........................David Reynolds St. James............................ Gary Harber Associate ......................... Josue Araujo St. Luke’s Fellowship/Redemption II ...... .......................................Brantley Tillery St. Mark’s ........................ Cynthia Mayes St. Matthew’s .....Michael Fletcher-Taylor St. Paul’s .......... Twila Gibbens-Rickman Sheridan Avenue .............. Joseph Lynch Southern Hills .................... Jeffry Jaynes Trinity ............................ Michelle Coulter University ......................... Sanford Wylie Wesley ...................... Christopher Beach West Tulsa .....................William Welch II Will Rogers ......................Robert JohnsExtEnsion MinistriEs:Grace Hospice Chaplain .... Barbara FyffeOK VIM OK-Bolivia Partnership...................................David StephensonRestore Hope Ministries, Director............. ..................................Lawrence JohnsonUniversity of Tulsa Campus Ministry .............................................Charles Spears Jr.Oklahoma Methodist Manor, Director ....... .......................................... Steven DickieTulsa Metropolitan Ministries Director.......................... Mark Gibbens-RickmanTulsa Sheriff’s Dept. Chaplain .................. ..................................Michael HardgroveUpper Room, GBOD........... Thomas Albin

STILLWATER DISTRICTDavid Wiggs, District Superintendent

TULSA DISTRICTMichael D. Chaffin, District Superintendent

WOODWARD DISTRICTDavid Burris, District Superintendent

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact June 18, 2010Page 4A

The Annual Conference conducted business by following the Strategic Plan on May 30-June 2 at Tulsa-Boston Avenue United Methodist Church.

The delegates’ work tracked the progress of the Plan’s three main goals: fruitful congregations, spiri-tual leadership, and partnership ministry. Laity and clergy got updates on subjects ranging from Addiction Ministries to Young Adult mission volunteers.

“So, how are we doing? We have 529 churches and a quarter of a million United Methodists in Oklahoma. Our goal is to have fruitful congregations who are help-ing one another grow in Christ and are making a dif-ference for good,” said Craig Stinson, director of Con-nectional Ministries/Congregational Development.

How is your relationship with God? What does

a disciple do? How does your church meet the risen Christ? Is your neighborhood, city, or world being transformed? Answering these questions helps both an individual and a church measure effectiveness, Rev. Stinson explained.

With the Strategic Plan, “we all know where we’re going. We’re on the road, following God. But we’re not there yet,” said Lay Leader Judy Benson.

She described giant wind turbines installed in the Wichita Mountains of southwestern Oklahoma. “There is power in the turbines when moved by the wind. When we welcome and respond to the divine, driving force of the wind of the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to be faithful witnesses and to transform the world.”

In his episcopal address May 31 to the Annual Confer-ence, Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. vowed to help eliminate clergy debt due to educational expenses.

He appealed for gifts to the newly created LIFE Scholar-ship Fund, established with the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation, to help eliminate such debt.

Bishop Hayes spoke of his burden for clergy minister-ing at entry-level salaries, yet owing $40,000 or more in student loans after seminary study, according to national surveys. A seminary degree is required for elder ordination in the Church.

“Gifted and desiring young men and women who want to go into ordained ministry cannot afford it,” the bishop said. “This issue consumes me. It goes to the heart of who we are.”

He pointed out the roots of Methodism began growing with John and Charles Wesley when they were college stu-dents at Oxford, England, in the 1730s. By the mid-1800s, churches were establishing secondary schools and colleges. Predecessor denominations “instituted courses of study for their preachers to ensure that they had a basic knowledge of

the Bible, theology, and pastoral ministry” (page 13, United Methodist Book of Discipline).

LIFE stands for Leadership Investment Fund through Education. Hayes said the fund will become a model for the denomination.

At the fall Bishop’s Retreats, clergy will be able to ap-ply for assistance.

The goal is to begin awarding aid after one year. For more information, contact the Foundation, 800-259-6863.

“Assist us with this vision to eliminate the educational indebtedness of our clergy,” Hayes urged. “It is a financial crisis.”

Education about finances surfaced in other reports dur-ing the conference.

New ministerial formation master grants went to Claremore-First, Owasso, Muskogee-St. Paul, McAlester-First, and Tulsa-Wesley, announced by clergy recruiter Jack Terrell-Wilkes.

In October, a seminar series called LEAD! begins for clergy. The first class, designed as a sort of Local Church Finance 101, seeks to teach “What I Wish I’d Learned in

Seminary.” The series is a partnership by Saint Paul School of Theology at Oklahoma City University, the Oklahoma Conference Treasurer’s Office, and OCU.

Saint Paul School at OCU will celebrate its first graduat-ing class next May, announced Elaine Robinson, dean of the school.

In recognition of the support the university receives, OCU is renaming Centennial Hall, its new dormitory, to be Oklahoma United Methodist Hall.

Various awards saluted individuals and groups for lead-ership in Scouting ministries and more. The next issue of Contact will feature some of those.

A leadership shortage spurred an urgent call by Camps Director Randy McGuire for help at youth camps this sum-mer. Bishop Hayes repeated the appeal.

“District and Conference camps are in desperate need” of adult volunteers this summer, said Rev. McGuire.

The United Methodist connectional sys-tem astonishes with transforming work that one church could not accomplish. Annual Conference provides vivid evidence.

Engraved on two awards presented to the Oklahoma Conference, from the Advance, the denomination’s program of second-mile giving for missions worldwide: n “For the highest church participation

in designated giving in 2009 in The United Methodist Church.”n “For the highest amount of missionary

support and highest church participation in 2009 in the South Central Jurisdiction.”

The Annual Conference Offering, ap-proximately $53,600, was shared between the denomination’s “Imagine No Malaria” project for Africa and, in eastern Oklahoma, Cookson Hills Center. This mission is an Advance project that serves the rural poor,

especially Native Americans. The late Wilma Mankiller, a former chief

of the Cherokee Nation, was featured in a video recording. She told how Cookson Hills Center helped her when she was in need as a young, single mother. “Imagine No Malaria” was affirmed by Bishop Thomas Bickerton, guest preacher and leader of the denomina-tion’s Global Health Initiative.

Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. said the 2009 An-nual Conference Offering, given to support work in Liberia, is building 20 wells to supply clean water in communities and supplement-ing salaries for 10,000 Methodist pastors, whose monthly income is about $5 each.

The bishop also announced Oklahoma Conference United Methodists donated $613,509.43, as of May 1, for disaster re-sponse in Haiti, according to Advance records. More than 2,200 UMCOR kits for Haiti were

collected during Annual Conference. In November, Oklahoma Volunteers In

Mission (VIM) teams will begin serving in Haiti in the earthquake recovery work.

Gifts totaling almost $15,000 purchased 74 wheelchairs for people in Rio Bravo, Mexico. Rob Harris gave that update, and he applauded the many children who contrib-uted their coins for that VIM project.

The Five-Star Church award for missions was presented to 43 congregations by Karen

Distefano, who is Conference secretary for Global Missions. Beginning this year, that honor is restructured as “The All-Star Church Recognitions and Awards Program,” announced Tom Hoffmann, chairman of the Mission and Service Ministry Team.

Circle of Care leaders said they are as-sisting more at-risk children and youth in Oklahoma. Mark Howard reported a record 13 students in the program graduated from high school this year.

Strategic Plan goal: spiritual leadership

Strategic Plan goal: partnership ministry

Bishop presses to erase educational debt

Tops in mission giving Calls to act quickly were generated for two urban ministries of the Oklahoma Conference: Skyline, in Oklahoma City, and Restore Hope, in Tulsa.n Internet voting through June can

help Skyline’s “Clothes for Kids” program win a $50,000 grant from Pepsi.

Go to: www.refresheverything.com/clothesforkids. Click “Vote for this idea.”

“Skyline needs you to vote once every

day,” urged director Claudia Lovelace. n Money gifts received by year’s end

can help Restore Hope secure $150,000 for its work.

The George Kaiser Family Founda-tion gave the agency a $50,000 grant for emergency rent and food assistance, then pledged to match all new donations, up to $50,000. Find guidelines at www.restore-hope.org or call 918-582-5766.

Annual Conference news

Commissioned on May 31 as provisional deacons are: front row from left, Rose Marie Le Roy, Barbara Fyffe, Yvonne Buchanan; and Paul Staat, at center back. They are joined by Michael Burkett, upper left, Board of Ordained Ministry chairman; and Bishop Robert Hayes Jr., upper right.

How are we doing?

Campaigns for Skyline, Restore Hope

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact June 18, 2010Page 5A

Strategic Plan goal: fruitful congregations

2 churches will be planted in Edmond

Commissioned on May 31 as provisional elders are: front row from left, Michael Frazier Sr., Everisto Chikanga, Tiffany Smith, Adam Ricks, and Josue Araujo; Linda Lusnia, upper left; and Sandra Shepherd, upper right. Standing with them are Michael Burkett, Board of Ordained Ministry chairman, and Bishop Robert Hayes Jr.

(Continued from page 1A)

(Continued from page 1A)

The Oklahoma Conference, proud parent of a 1-year-old, is expecting twins.

Churches, that is. CrossTimbers United Methodist Church in Moore cel-

ebrated its first birthday on Easter Sunday. Its records show 47 professions of faith.

First United Methodist Church in Moore is the “anchor church” for CrossTimbers, and the pairing has boosted both of them. Lay Leader Kenny Quenzer reported that First Church just broke ground for a multipurpose center.

Other congregations are serving as anchors for two new-church plants, launched this month. Allen Buck and Adam Ricks were named Church Planters for the startups, in southeast and northeast Edmond. The anchor churches are OKC-Chapel Hill and Edmond-Acts 2, respectively.

“A new church is one place where we get a financial return on our investment, as well as a spiritual return,” said Craig Stinson in the report for the Department of Congregational Development. The department directs funding support and more to grow churches.

Rev. Stinson saluted three churches established in this

decade: Acts 2, Abiding Harvest in Broken Arrow, and Bridgeview in Norman.

“Each of these has already paid back more in Apportion-ments than the Conference gave them to start,” he said. “From 2002-09, these three churches paid a total of $626,000 in Apportionments.”

Delegates also approved action by other Conference entities to reach new people of faith. The Racial Ethnic Coordinating Committee (RECC) disbanded, shifting funds to a new category: Racial/Ethnic Church Starts. Six racial/ethnic representatives will be added to the Department of Congregational Development.

The Committee on Equitable Compensation added new church starts as a fourth category for salary supplement. Chairman Bruce Brotherton said the goal is to give new churches “every opportunity to succeed.”

The Discipleship Ministry Team will roll out an evan-gelism initiative later this year, according to Chairman Greg Tener. James Graham encouraged churches to use the Natural Church Development (NCD) tool.

n Delegates approved a budget of $16,534,735 for 2011. That total reflects an overall Apportionment increase of $550,000 over the current year. About two-thirds of that increase is for health-care benefits.n To pay the increasing cost of

health insurance, that Apportionment

item is increasing 8.6 percent for local churches, and the monthly premiums for the clergy and lay employees are going up 10 percent, reported Chairman Rick Kelly of the Health Benefits Committee. The changes take effect Jan. 1, 2011.

n The annual conference, which began Sunday evening, adjourned at

4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, 15 minutes ahead of schedule. In previous years, the conference has met through Thursday. A task force recommendation led to the shortened schedule.

By making the change, Conference leaders expected to save money and time at all levels.

By the numbers

n Transformation

n Online

Youth and Family DayJuly 11

White Water Bay, Oklahoma CitySponsor: Campus Ministries

Ticket information: 405-530-2013cgrunow@okumc.org

Colors @ CrossPointYoung Adult Weekend Retreat

July 29-Aug. 2Cross Point Camp

For ages 18-25Information: www.okumc.org,

405-530-2035 (Camps registrar)

Family Gathering CampsJuly 30-Aug. 1 at Egan

Aug. 13-15 at CrossPoint Single-Parent Family Camps

Aug. 13-15 at EganAug. 20-22 at Cross Point

www.okumcministries.org/Camps/Family_Gathering.htm

Mother/Child RetreatJuly 30-Aug. 1Camp Egan

Contact: Jacci Frenojaccifreno@cox.net,

405-677-3279

Academy for Spiritual FormationOct. 17-22

Canyon CampSpeakers: Elaine Heath, Perkins

School of Theology, and Native American spiritualist

Ray Buckley

Social justice retreatLeader: Tony Campolo

March 11-12, 2011Board of Church & Society

Youth Workers’ Gathering March 25-26, 2011

OKC-Church of the Servantwww.youtheology.com

“We have seen when God’s people are faithful to God’s call, amazing things can happen. For two years, a church that once struggled with Apportionments has paid them in full by May. We have grown numerically in people, too. I have been transformed by this. Your prayers—we covet them.”

Between June 7 and July 29, Project Transformation will serve about 500 youngsters in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Bartlesville.n Now a young adult, Alethia Bartley was age 7 when

she went on her first mission trip. With writing help from adults in her church, she gave her first sermon at age 11. At 16, she became a Lay Speaker. At Oklahoma City University, her studies related to social justice have been “a direct result of growing up United Methodist,” she said.

Bartley challenged perceptions that limit young people to future church leadership.

“My church treated me as the NOW,” she emphasized in the Board of Laity report. “Let’s raise our leaders as the NOW, no matter what age!”n “Above all I have achieved, I am a Christian,” said Tao

Tao, a member of Edmond Chinese International UMC. She was baptized there nine years ago. She is a new mother and a certified public accountant. She told her story of transforma-tion as part of the report by the Department of Congregational Development.

“While I continue to grow in Christ, so does my church,” Tao said. “I got a baby; my church got a new building!”

Initially, a multi-ethnic group of 14 college students gathered in a small room for Bible study. Tao was one of two students from her native region of China. Today, more than 25 adults from Tao’s homeland are among 150 people worshipping in a church building purchased merely months ago. The mortgage has been paid in full.

A member of the church’s Finance Committee, Tao quoted Malachi and spoke of “first fruits.” She described donating her first paycheck to the church after she began working. She said practicing tithing is teaching her “to revere God first.” n Pointing to scars on his head, a former member of the

Aryan Brotherhood told of his prison conversion experience, then introduced his fiancée, who is African-American. The couple has found a source of Christian support in Exodus House, a program of Criminal Justice & Mercy Ministries (CJAMM).

and what you believe in, and I feel that I want to be part of a church community that rightly divides the Word and is putting it into practice. Thank you for live streaming the conference.n Thanks very much for this new method of being there

without the travel. My walking and standing don’t hold up well at 77 years. What a blessing to experience this at home.n The Skyline (fund-raising) project was mentioned

and, having my laptop, I logged in and voted for the project. WOW, it has already moved into 163rd place in just a few hours. I cannot wait to check tomorrow to see how much faster it moves up. What a great example of what we can do when called to action.n Watching on Internet has been like a revival for me.

I'm very pleased and thankful for the opportunity to join in at home.

Calendar

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact June 18, 2010Page 6A

The Oklahoma United Methodist Phone: 405-530-2075 Fax: 405-530-2093

1501 N.W. 24th oklahoma City, oK 73106

robert E. Hayes Jr., bishopJoseph Harris, director of communicationsHolly McCray, editor of publications

To subscribe, send mailing information and $15 to our address at left.

Moving? Send change by mail or e-mail: aballew@okumc.org.

Nyla Wallin, administrative assistant/video coordinator alicia Galyon, Web ministry/graphics designamelia Ballew, The Media Center

Sign up online for Contact Digest, a free electronic newsletter. Find information at www.okumc.org.Send news to editor@okumc.org. Next publication date: July 9.

OpportunitiesDirector of Ministries to youth, Children and

Families: Full-time. Tulsa-Memorial Drive UMC, pastor.mdumc@tulsacoxmail.com, 918-398-3891.

administrative assistant: Full-time. St. Stephen's UMC, Donna Dodson, 400 W. New Orleans St., Broken Arrow, 74011, ddodson@ssumcba.org.

Pianist/organist: Part-time. Ponca City-Albright UMC, 580-765-6432.

Director of Discipleship: Full-time. McFarlin UMC, Jennifer Sims, P.O. Box 6390, Norman, 73070, jsims@mcfarlinumc.org.

Musician: Part-time. Checotah UMC, Wayne Loftin, 918-473-5714, revloftin1@windstream.net.

Needed: Warehouse space and truck in Oklaho-ma City for Project Noel. November and December. Joe Tilton, 580-331-7733; or Amanda Lockwood, 405-257-3105.

Executive Director: The MUTUAL Girls Club (Methodists United To Use Applied Love), Bartles-ville. Executive Committee, MUTUAL Girls Club, P.O. Box 2405, Bartlesville, 74005.

M u s i c M i n i s t r i e s D i re c t o r : F u l l -time. Randy Shrauner, Church of the Servant, 14343 N. MacArthur, Oklahoma City, 73142, rshrauner@churchoftheservant.com.

Churches receive new and returning pas-tors this month. In advance, this clergyman wrote for the Tishomingo UMC newsletter.By Will PaSiECzNy

I’m taking a break from home-work—I have just one week of school left, though it’ll be all over by the time you read this—to write my new fam-ily in Tishomin-go. We are eager to meet each and every one of you. With that in mind, let me introduce you to the Pasiecznys.

I was raised in the U.S. Air Force and

spent most of my life growing up in Europe. I graduated with a degree in art. Web design and development are what I had been doing when I answered my call to ministry.

I had just joined Acts 2 UMC in Edmond, and I had been downsized at work. Rev. Foster asked me if I had thought about going back to school. I replied, “Yes,” but I was not sure what classes I would take.

Then he asked if I had ever considered go-ing into fulltime ministry. I was stunned.

Ten years earlier, I had been deployed to Saudi Arabia for the Gulf War. With plenty of spare time to read my Bible, to pray, and to consider my mortality (I was in a war zone), I began to hear God’s call. I had never mentioned it to anyone, so imagine my surprise when a decade later someone affirmed my call.

From that time, I’ve been working toward becoming an elder. It has been eight years.

God willing, by the time you read this I will have graduated from seminary.

I grew up in the Roman Catholic Church, but I joined the UMC in 2001. Ever since then, I have been active in serving. Over the years at Acts 2, I served as chair of the Wit-ness Committee and of the Administrative Council. I also taught Sunday School and Disciple Bible Study.

Heidi has been a registered nurse for 14 years and (as I write this letter) she is in Haiti on a medical mission trip. We have two boys, Alex and Joshua.

We are happy to have been appointed to Tishomingo, and we look forward to working with you all.

It is my distinct privilege and honor to have the opportunity to serve at First UMC. I know God has big things in store for us, and I am committed to be about His business.

n Retreat for young adultsTerry Koehn of Lawton is dean for “Colors@

Cross Point,” a retreat for young adults, ages 18-25, on July 29-Aug. 2.

“Those first years after high school,” said Rev. Koehn, “can be some of the most awkward when it comes to ‘fitting in’ at church—and fitting church into one’s life.”

Theme is “Know Your Gifts, Find Your Place.” The retreat at Cross Point Camp opens at 1 p.m. Friday and concludes Monday morning. To contact Koehn: 580-483-6822, terry-koehn@sbcglobal.net.

n Cokesbury reopens in OKCCokesbury in Oklahoma City has reopened, af-

ter a May hailstorm damaged its original space.The store relocated only a few doors away, in

the same shopping center, at 6811 N. May Ave. It is open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Only salvaged merchandise is available at this time and is offered at discount, according to manager Julie Wise. Orders for new items cannot be processed. Inquiries can be made at: oklahomacity@cokesbury.com.

n Accelerated study at OCUOn July 13, an information session is set for

the School of Adult & Continuing Education at Oklahoma City University.

This program offers accelerated study for bachelor’s degrees in Behavioral Studies and Liberal Studies, with concentrations in Business, Accounting, Mass Communications, and Organi-zational Communication. Classes meet one night per week, in eight-week cycles. Online classes also are available.

The information session will be in Room 151 at the OCU Walker Center for Arts & Sci-ence. Details, including fall class registration and transcript assessment: www.okcu.edu/sace or 405-208-5820.

Pastor introduces himself to new congregation

Briefly

Pasieczny

By Holly McCrayThe bishop held a baby girl in his arms and prayed for her dur-

ing his recent tour in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Two days later, the baby died.

Imagine a world with no malaria.“Think of the heartache of a mother. Think of the hopes and

dreams and aspirations for that child,” said Bishop Thomas Bick-erton, father of four and guest preacher for the 2010 Oklahoma Annual Conference, in an interview.

A million people die from malaria every year—75 percent of them children younger than 5, Bickerton said. He is passionately driving forward the denomination’s “Imagine No Malaria” cam-paign, launched in April. One-half of the annual conference offering supported the cause.

“I live under the conviction that every one of God’s children deserves to live a healthy, sustained life,” he said.

Children affirm that statement when they visit his Pennsylvania episcopal office during confirmation tours. “They’re in tune that the world isn’t as privileged as our kids are,” Bickerton said.

“We are the country of abundance; we have great resources. We’ve got the technology to do away with this killer disease. We have the know-how to prevent it. Why aren’t we getting rid of it?”

He described a mission trip to Africa in the 1980s as “a second conversion” in his life as a Christian. “I prayed about what could I do to offer something back to people who have absolutely nothing materially but everything spiritually. I live where there’s everything materially, and we struggle for joy.”

Bickerton’s prayer was answered when he was asked to lead “Nothing But Nets,” a precursor to the new campaign, for the denomination. “Imagine No Malaria” is more comprehensive. It continues the $10-mosquito-net distribution project and adds com-ponents of education, water removal work, and more.

The goal is lofty: elimination of malaria-related deaths by 2015. The United Nations Foundation is founding entity. The bishop said 40 faith-based groups have joined with secular partners from around the world to accomplish it.

“It’s working,” Bickerton said. Tanzania reported a 62 percent reduction in malaria-related deaths 18 months after a countrywide distribution of mosquito nets. A New York Times article in May noted child mortality rates “are nose-diving” in Africa.

“It’s working because of a comprehensive, coordinated, inte-

grated program—because of connected churches working together, not independent of one another,” he said. “One church in Oklahoma may get excited about providing a generator for a hospital. But that generator may not be compatible with the wiring system, the hospital may not have the money for the fuel—and the effort of that church has gone by the wayside.”

He continued, “In Africa, in the midst of corrupt government, economic depravity, and more, there is one trusted vehicle: the Church. The eyes of Africans are turned toward the Church because it’s demonstrated it is concerned about saving their physical lives and their spiritual ones.”

He heard Mrs. Nelson Mandela testify she was born in a Meth-odist hospital, came to know Christ in a Methodist church, and was educated at a Methodist school.

“Our people want to be wise in their giving,” Bickerton said. “When they sense the need, they respond. I don’t think people want us to be talking about mosquito nets in 2020. They want to give the money, know it’s been used for the right purpose, and see the job done. We have a window of opportunity; the global community has converged.”

Bishop carries banner in battling malaria

Thomas Bickerton preaches at Annual Conference.

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact June 18, 2010Page 7A

In memoriamCharles Puckett

Rev. Charles D.W. Puckett, 86, of Broken Arrow died May 30, 2010. He began his min-istry career in 1947 and retired in 1994.

Charles was born Jan. 31, 1924, in Bro-ken Bow. He was a World War II veteran. He married Oma Lee McClendon on Feb. 14, 1946.

He attended East Central State College and Perkins School of Theology.

He served the Pickett Circuit and at Loco, Minco, Fletcher, Chandler, Henryetta, Bro-ken Arrow-First, and Tulsa-First.

Survivors include his wife, Oma Puckett; son David Puckett of Jenks; three daughters, Susan Blaylock of Broken Arrow, Ruth Rose and Sarah Childers, both of Tulsa; six grand-children and two great-grandchildren.

Service was June 4 at Tulsa-First.Clara Griggs

Clara M. Griggs, 96, of Amarillo, Texas, died May 21, 2010. She was the wife of Rev. Douglas A. Griggs, who retired from the Oklahoma Conference in 1988.

Clara was born Sept. 19, 1913, in Plains, Kan. She married Doug Griggs on Aug. 20, 1971, in Clovis, N.M. For the past 13 years, the couple lived at Craig Methodist Retire-ment Center in Amarillo.

Survivors include Rev. Griggs, two sis-ters, and two brothers.

Memorial service was June 2 at Craig Memorial Chapel, Amarillo.

Viola WilliamsViola Geraldine Williams, 89, of Cordell

died May 24, 2010. She was the wife of Rev.

Homer Ray Williams, who retired in 1989.Viola was born July 31, 1920, in Newton,

Kan. She married Williams on May 1, 1938. The couple lived in Kansas, Colorado, and California before moving to Oklahoma, in 1976, to serve at United Methodist churches.

Survivors include Rev. Williams; daugh-ter Ellen Scott of Cordell; four sons, Law-rence, of Cathedral City, Calif., Gerald, of Weatherford, Dean, of Stockton, Calif., and Steven, of Henryetta; 18 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren.

Funeral was May 27 at Cordell UMC.Mary alexander

Mary Elinor Alexander, 82, of Nowata died May 12, 2010. She was the widow of Rev. Charles M. “Pappy” Alexander, who died in 1992.

Mary Elinor was born March 3, 1928, in Bartlesville. She married Rev. Alexander on Aug. 30, 1950. She was a journalist, report-ing for the Associated Press and owning two Oklahoma newspapers.

Survivors include three sons, Charles, John, and Bill; two daughters, Candy Fielder and Joyce Chitwood; 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral was May 17 at Nowata-First.

• Funeral was June 5 for Joe Ramey, fa-ther of Rev. Daniel Ramey, who is the pastor at Atoka and New Zion churches.

• Funeral was June 3 for Vernon Norris, father of Rev. Sonya Tobey, who is the pastor at Pond Creek UMC.

Oklahoma Annual ConferenceFollowing the Plan: Faithful Witness, Transforming Presence

May 30-June 2, 2010, Tulsa

Video and Audio Recording Order Form

Audio CD DVDSession

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Episcopal Address (Monday) ________ ________

Service of Commissioning (Monday) ________ ________

Retirement Service (Tuesday) ________ ________

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Mail to: Oklahoma Conference Department of Communications 1501 N.W. 24th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73106

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact June 18, 2010Page 8A

The oklahoma United Methodist Foundation inc., 4201 Classen Blvd., oklahoma City 73118; www.okumf.org; 800-259-6863

Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation insights

Jim Egan Award honors Bartlesville coupleBy KriSTiN E. VaN NorT

The Foundation is honored to present the 2010 Jim Egan Legacy Award to longtime supporters Glenn and Veronica “Ronnie” Cox of Bartlesville.

On May 31, the Coxes received the award in Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, as Oklaho-ma Annual Conference delegates rose in a standing ovation for the couple’s service and generosity to The United Methodist Church. Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. and Rev. Dr. Robert Long, vice chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, presented the award.

The Jim Egan Legacy Award recognizes persons who model Christian stewardship and phi-lanthropy. An incorporator of the Foundation, Egan exemplified stewardship and dedicated his life to United Methodism.

Glenn and Ronnie are members of Bartlesville-First UMC and literally joined that church three times in the span of their long membership there. Glenn worked

for Phillips Petroleum, and his career involved relocating the fam-ily many times. But they always returned to Bartlesville—and First Church.

Family, friends, church, and community are among the things Glenn and Ronnie value most. These priorities can be seen in where they serve and share their resources.

They are an example of Chris-tian love and generosity to all they meet.

Glenn and Ronnie have served on their church’s board of trustees, staff-parish relations committee, and in the children’s area building campaign, plus many other com-mittees.

Glenn has shared his expertise on the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation’s investment commit-tee for more than 20 years, and he chaired the Foundation’s board for five years.

He also has been involved in numerous civic efforts, including the OK Mozart Festival, the Bartles-

ville Community Foundation, and Boy Scouts. Ronnie is active in the community through Girl Scouts, the Symphony Society, and many service leagues.

“We feel it a responsibility to contribute to the community in different ways, to take into account needs that are community-wide. We want the community to benefit and become an attractive place to live,” said Ronnie.

The Coxes also choose to sup-port organizations that help people who face difficulties, such as the Salvation Army and United Way.

“We want to give back since we didn’t start out with much,” said Ronnie. “If you are comfortable and healthy enough to serve in some way, you should.”

Additionally, Glenn and Ronnie support a place that made a signifi-cant impact on Glenn’s life: Central Methodist University, Fayette, Mo. Glenn attended Central Methodist for his first two years of college and is a longtime member of its board of trustees.

“Many students who attend Central Methodist are the first in their families to attend college, like I was,” said Glenn.

He attributes his strong values to a great upbringing in a supportive

family that always valued church involvement.

Married for 57 years, Glenn and Ronnie have three children: Martin, Grant, and Cecelia, and five grandchildren.

From left, Bishop Robert Hayes congratulates Ronnie and Glenn Cox after they received the Foundation’s Jim Egan Legacy Award at Annual Conference.

In May at Oklahoma City University, the Wimberly School of Religion graduated a class of 12 religion majors, with nine re-ceiving bachelor’s degrees and three earning master’s degrees.

Master of Arts in ReligionMelissa Thompson will continue work-

ing as director of Student Ministries at St. Matthew’s UMC in Midwest City. She said the OCU faculty “made a point to teach us with love, understanding, and pushed us to be the absolute best we could be. These last two years have been absolutely amazing!”

Carron Jones continues to serve as an Army chaplain.

Chunhai “anthony” li described the 1½ years at OCU as one of the best times of his life; the university became his spiritual home. Anthony appreciated learning about various cultures and praised OCU for its “advanced academic scholarship and, more importantly, outstanding professors.”

Bachelor of Arts in ReligionBrandon Kyle is deciding where to

study philosophy in the fall, after receiving a number of acceptance offers from gradu-ate schools. His goal is to write and teach at a university. Kyle explained, “Wisdom is meaningless if not paired with kindness. The professors at OCU teach this by example. The faculty affords their students respect and friendship. In addition to creating a familial atmosphere, this serves to create the best possible environment for learning.”

Eric Brown will work at an Oklahoma City auto dealership as he considers his op-tions for future seminary studies.

Tina Dean-McDaniel works at Wesley UMC in Oklahoma City.

Tasha Sargent served as an intern in OCU’s Religious Life office, where she

coordinated the “Wednesday at the Wesley” lunches and Youth Service Day. She was grateful for opportunities to attend confer-ences and events and to participate in service projects. In August, she will begin studies at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill., as a Leadership Scholar.

She plans to return to Oklahoma to become ordained as an elder in the Church.

Tino Herrera serves as director of Mid-dle School Student Ministries at McFarlin UMC in Norman and is considering future seminary studies.

andy Nelms became a passionate student of the Hebrew Bible and largely attributed that interest to Dr. Lisa Wolfe, who spe-cializes in the area. Nelms said, “I took so many of her classes because of her teaching style. She doesn’t stand up at the front of the class and lecture; she sits in a circle with the students and discusses the topic. She treats students as equals with valid ideas.” Nelms plans to attend Saint Paul School of Theology at OCU in the fall.

Michael Madison is considering future seminary studies.

adam Shahan will continue as pastor of Lexington UMC and begin studies at Saint Paul School of Theology at OCU in the fall. He and his wife, Aly, are anticipating the birth of their first child and celebrating the recent publication of his fiction book “The Fall of the Four.”

Shannon rodenberg said, “The profes-sors genuinely cared about me and were always ready to challenge me and support me as I learned about my studies and about life." Rodenberg plans to attend Saint Paul School of Theology at OCU in the fall and then become a pastor in the Oklahoma Conference.

OCU School of Religion graduates 12

The Class of 2010 from the Wimberly School of Religion: from left, Tasha Sargent, Shannon Rodenberg, Michael Madison, Eric Brown, Tino Herrera, Adam Shahan, Tina Dean-McDaniel, Andy Nelms, Anthony Li, and Brandon Kyle. Not pictured: Carron Jones and Melissa Thompson.