Contact Newspaper May 6, 2011

8/7/2019 Contact Newspaper May 6, 2011

1/8

Contact, an edition ofThe United Methodist ReporterTwo Sections, Section A 039000 Volume 158, Number 01 May 6, 2011

THE OKLAHOMA UNITED METHODIST

www.okumc.org

The United Methodist Reporter (USPS 954-500) is published weekly by UMR Communications, 1221 Prot 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.

In Russia, 7-year-old Veronika drewthis colorful dragon. See the Russia

Initiative Consultation story, 7A.

B Holly McCray

On April 14, a tornado ravaged Tushka,

including the home of Leo and Sammie

Dement, members of New Zion UnitedMethodist Church there.

Killed were Sammie, 80, and her sister,

Ava Walkup, 75, of Sherman, Texas. Leo,

age 83, was critically injured.

As New Zions other members busy their

hands at work in storm cleanup, they remain

faithful in prayer for the Dements. Leos gui-tar playing is missed on Sunday mornings; he

chairs the Trustees, too. Sammie sometimes

sang as he played.

We dont need a prayer chain, said Pas-

tor Daniel Ramey, about the small congrega-

tion. Twenty worshipped on Easter.

According to Rev. Ramey, Sammie wasthere every time the doors were open, if she

was physically able. Leo helped build the

parsonage.

They always enjoyed music and singing,

bringing joy to many, especially ministering

at the local retirement and nursing homes,

stated Sammies obituary.Ramey assisted April 23 in Sammies

Beginning in September,

classes for Course of Study will

be offered at Saint Paul School

of Theology at Oklahoma City

University.

Course of Study is a path of

education for Local Pastors. The

2010 Oklahoma ConferenceJour-

nal lists 117 part- and full-time

Local Pastors under appointment.

Saint Paul at OCU initially

will offer study for those clergy

who are in part-time service. Each

semester, one class will meet on

three Saturdays.

The rst class will be Pastor

as Interpreter of the Bible, taught

by Jim Darby. Dates are Sept. 10,

Oct. 8, and Nov. 5. Hours will be

8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., with lunch

included.

Deadline is July 11 to sign up

for that class. Prior to enrollment,

a student must complete licens-

ing school, have superintendent

approval, and be serving a local

pastorate, explained Audrey Wil-

liams, registrar.

The Spring class will be Pas-

toral Care for Spiritual Forma-

tion, slated for Jan. 28, Feb. 25,

and March 24.

Because part-time Local Pas-

tors often are bivocational, Saint

Paul leaders hope the weekend

format will best accommodate

their needs.

When I started as dean, a

number of district superintendents

asked if we were going to have

Course of Study here in Okla-

Saint Paulbrings Courseof Study hereB Holly McCray

A teaching moment. A photo contest. An

evening session solely dedicated to the election

of the 2012 General/Jurisdictional Conference

delegates from Oklahoma.

The 2011 Annual Conference will deliver

new elements, building upon 167 years of such

meetings.

The conference meets May 29-June 1

(Sunday-Wednesday) in Oklahoma City, at St.

Lukes Church and Oklahoma City University

(OCU). It opens Sunday afternoon at St. Lukes,

with the Laity Session at 3:30 p.m. and Clergy

Executive Session at 4 p.m.

O C U w i l l

serve delegates

a free picnic sup-

per on campus

Monday.

Livestream-

ing of the An-

nual Conference

made its debut in

2010 and returns

this year. Anyone

with a high-speed

Internet connec-

tion can join the

virtual audience,

watching the in-

formative minis-

try reports and in-

spiring worship.

On Monday

morning at St.

Lukes, the Teaching Moment will feature

OCU President Robert Henry, presenting My

Favorite Methodist.

This segment responds to

young delegates requests for

more education at the yearly

meeting, explained Craig

Stinson, director of Connec-

tional Ministries/Congrega-

tional Development.

President Henry is noted

for his excellence as a teacher

and is completing his

first year as OCUs

leader. Thus his talk

introduces him as one

of the annual confer-

ences hosts

and is a way

for the delegates to see

him in his element, doing the

thing he loves to do most, which is

teach, said Rev. Dr. Stinson.

I think everybody who has ever

heard him has left wanting more.

Photo contest entries will be dis-

played at OCUs Freede Center. Dead-

line is May 6 to enter your creative

photo of an Oklahoma bridge, reect-

ing the Annual Conference theme,

The Plan: A Bridge to the Future.

Resolutions await action by church

representatives. Proposals include: 1)

a short-term mission policy, from-

Volunteers In Mission; 2) a call for

civility, from the Board of Church

& Society; 3) a request to hold every

annual conference in Oklahoma City,

from the Annual Conference Council; and 4) a

2012 Apportionment request of $16,674,647,

from the Council on Finance & Administration.

Voting on Monday:

All voting on General/Jurisdictional Confer-

ence nominees is scheduled for Monday after-

noon and evening, at OCUs Freede Center. The

rst ballot will be taken shortly after the 2 p.m.

opening of the afternoon session. Subsequent

balloting will take place in the 6:30 p.m. session.

Added recently to the online Annual Confer-

ence information are the three-digit numbers

assigned to the lay nominees and eligible clergy

nominees.

At St. Lukes on Sunday, lay nominees

will be introduced in the Laity Session, at 3:30

p.m. At 5 p.m., a Dinner for Laity will offer a

light meal and informal conversation with the

lay nominees. On Monday at OCU, a Meet

the (Lay) Nominees reception will be from 1

to 1:50 p.m. in the upstairs Leichter Room at

Freede Center.

Watch Annual Conference LIVE May 29-June 1 !Be a virtual guest and view the soaring worship and dedicated work of this gathering as it

unfolds in Oklahoma City at St. Lukes and Oklahoma City University.

Find instructions and more Annual Conference information at: www.okumc.org.

Tushka tornado rends church family life

2011 Annual Conference

Continued on page 3A



Format blends new segments with rituals

Eugene Lowry is this yearsguest preacher. He is also a

jazz musician. Story, 5A.

More news,4-5A


2/8

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact May 6, 2011Page 2A

The Oklahoma United Methodist Phone: 405-530-2075

Fax: 405-530-2093

1501 N.W. 24thokhm Ct, oK 73106

rbet E. Hes J., bsh

Jseh Hs, dect f cmmunctns

H McC, edt f ubctnsTo subscribe, send mailing information

and $15 to our address at left.

Mvng? Send chnge b m e-m: [email protected].

N Wn, dmnsttve ssstnt/vde cdnt

ac Gn, Web mnst/ghcs desgn

ame Bew, The Med Cente

Sign up forContact Digest, a fee electronic newsletter, at www.kumc.g.

Send news to [email protected]. Next publication date: May 27.okhm Unted

Methdst Cmmunctns

Continued from page 1A

Young people can make a difference. That message

resonated in a number of ways during Youth ServiceDay, held March 5 on the Oklahoma City University

campus.

More than 175 youths and adults, from 15 churches,

gathered for a day of service, fun, and food.

This year, starting time for the annual event was

moved to Saturday morning, to accommodate church

groups coming from farther distances. They engaged

in service projects

at 14 community

organizations and

c h u r c h e s . T h i s

ranged from gardenwork at Epworth Villa to neighborhood cleanup with

Mustard Seed Community Development Group.

The day included campus tours, an information

session with OCU Admissions Counselor Christina

Mallory, and games. Bishops Scholars and other OCU

student volunteers provided leadership.

The day closed with worship in the Bishop W.

Angie Smith Chapel. OCU students Nathan Oney and

Kristia Ford led praise songs. Jennifer Long, direc-

tor of Religious Life, presided at the service of Holy

Communion.

OCU welcomed Linda Harker, Muskogee Districtsuperintendent, as guest preacher. Her message, titled

Shout the Gospel! It Really Matters!,challenged all

to make deeper commitments to their faith and to livethat out in their actions. The benediction, based on a

prayer of St. Francis, continued that emphasis:

May God bless you with discomfort at easy an-

swers, half-truths, and supercial relationships, so that

you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppres-

sion, and exploitation of people, so that you may work

for justice, freedom,

and peace.

May God bless

you with tears to

shed for those whosuffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that

you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to

turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness

to believe that you can make a difference in this world,

so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

Bishops Scholar Alyssa Wardwell, a Religious

Life intern, coordinated the event for the Wesley

Center at OCU.

It is a wonderful thing to see youth give of their time

to serve the community, she said. It was also great to

have so many student volunteers to lead the groups andhave one-on-one interaction with the youth.

15 church groups extend handsto help on Youth Service Day

OCU held its rst-ever Easter

Vigil on April 23, in the evening

before Easter Sunday.

The service included lighting

the Paschal Candle, remembrance

of baptism, and Holy Communion.

OCU dance and theater students

made dramatic presentations of

four passages of Scripture: Cre-ation, Deliverance from Egypt,

Ezekiels Vision of the Valley of

the Dry Bones, and The Resurrec-

tion. University Chaplain Rodney

Newman expressed appreciation to

the 25-plus students and to faculty

and staff who shared their time

and talents.

This demonstration of faith was

offered as a gift to God and to allwho came to be a part of the service.

Easter vigil makes dramatic debut

Friends of Children

More from Saint Paul at OCU:nFirst-ever graduation ceremony, Aug. 19, at OKC-St. Lukes Church

nSeminary Lite, new educational program for laity, Fall 2011

www.spst.edu

Youths from Seminole shovel dirt at Oklahoma City's Central

Park Community Garden, as part of OCU's Youth Service Day.

Course of Study:

Circle of Care honored two individu-

als with the Burrel & JoAnn McNaught

Heart of Ministry Award, presented at the

organizations recent Friends of Children

banquets in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

Left photo: Dwight Maulding of Tulsa,

right, accepts his recognition from Circle

of Care President Don Batson.

Right photo: the award for the late

Charles Wells of Oklahoma City is

presented to his widow, Royleen Wells,

by state Rep. Harold Wright, right, andBatson.

Maulding is an active fundraiser for

the ministry and an emeritus member

of the Board of Directors, serving there

since 1999. He also works through his

Sapulpa mens group and church to

enhance the program sites.

Rev. Dr. Wells was executive director

for the Circle of Care in the 1980s, over-

seeing building of the Frances Willard

Center in Tulsa. A pastor and district su-

perintendent, he also was key in building

Epworth Villa in Oklahoma City. He diedin 2010.

homa, said Elaine Robinson, who leads

Saint Paul at OCU. Over the past three

years, we have worked to gure out how

we can. To bring it here means peopledont have to travel away.

The General Board of Higher Edu-

cation & Ministry (GBHEM) oversees

Course of Study for the denomination.

The ve-year curriculum consists of 20

classes.

Saint Paul School of Theology in Kan-

sas City, Mo., is one of the seminaries au-

thorized by GBHEM to offer the course.

Thus approval extends to the seminarys

site at OCU, described Rev. Dr. Robinson.

In Kansas City, Rev. Dr. Darby is the newdirector of Course of Study.

In whatever way we can support

the education of persons for ministry

whether clergy, Local Pastor, or laity

thats what we do, said Dean Robinson.

If theres a need of the Church that we

can support, were going to do our best to

make it happen. Thats always been my

commitment from the beginning.

She said about 200 people typicallyattend Course of Study each summer in

Kansas City.

Part of educating is for each person

to discover who God created them to be,

their gifts and graces to be the Church of

Jesus Christ, Robinson said.

To be ordained, you ordinarily go

through seminary, one path of education.

Course of Study is another path. Both

are intended to allow persons to serve

in ministerial functions in the Church. It

depends on how you think your educa-tion is best served.

Register via email, [email protected], or

call 816-245-4815.

Learn more onlinerequired read-

ing, pre-session assignments, enrollment

form.


3/8

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact May 6, 2011

Bishop Hayes

funeral at Atoka UMC and presided at her

graveside service later that day in McKin-

ney, Texas. He is also pastor at Atoka UMC.

He reported the tornado felled a large tree

that pierced New Zions metal roof in at least

three places. Volunteers from McAlester-

First UMC quickly removed the brush.

Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. recalled twotimes he has worshipped with the congrega-

tion in southeastern Oklahoma.

When you lose life in these storms, its

always a sad day, he said. Ive preached

there. I can remember the faces of the people,

and their church. My heart goes out to them.

I pray for those families and for that church,

as they seek to get beyond this tragedy.

He noted the storms occurrence during

the Christian season of Lent, leading into

Easter. We mourn and we grieve, but we

also realize God makes all things new. Godhas even defeated death. We celebrate their

lives and ministry, and we hope and pray

God will restore and renew the work of that

little church there.

The church burned about six years ago,

according to Ramey. Bishop Hayes met

with the congregation, prayed with them,

and viewed that devastation, then returned

a few short months later when rebuilding

was complete.

They are resilient, wonderful people,

Hayes said. Even though they are small,

theyre very active. Theyve been worship-

ping there over 100 years. I treasure the

memories of my visit.

He continued, They had to replace the

organ because it, too, burned up. They wentonline and found an organ exactly like the

one that had been destroyed. But it was in

Tampa, Fla. The price was $39.95! A brother

(of a church member) lived in Tampa and was

coming to the opening of the new church.

He put the organ in his truck and brought it

to the church, and they had that organ in the

church on the Sunday we dedicated the new

building. Thats how God works!

Since the April tornado, the disaster

response ofce of Oklahoma Conference

Volunteers In Mission is actively coordinat-ing help for Tushka. Volunteer groups should

contact Richard Norman in the Conference

VIM Ofce. He emphasized the goal is to

direct help to where it is most effective in

the area where 149 homes were destroyed.

The Oklahoma Conference Treasurers

Ofce is accepting donations. Checks should

have Tushka in the memo line.

Page 3A

Strength for the journey: Ideas and thoughts from our bishop

The courage of ChristOn the evening of that rst day of the

week, when the disciples were together,

with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish

leaders, Jesus came, stood among them, and

said, Peace be with you! After he said this,

he showed them his hands and side. The

disciples were overjoyed when they saw the

Lord. And with that he breathed on them and

said, Receive the Holy Spirit.

(John 20:19-20; 22)

B BiSHop roBErT HayES Jr.

A

long, bloody week had ended.

The crucixion of two thieves

and a so-calledprophet was a fading memory.

Life was returning to normal.

The restrictions of Sabbath,

which governed even how

far a person could walk, were

lifted. Most people likely went

outside, where lilies were

abloom and fresh air was free

for all to enjoy.

But one group of people

stayed indoors, shutters drawn,

hidden from the parade of gos-sipers still talking about the

events of the previous Friday.

On such a night, what would cause 10

menseveral of them shermen who loved

the out-of-doorsto bar themselves inside

a room? You might think they simply were

planning their shing the following morning.

A closer look reveals they were afraid.

Fear gripped their lives, for they knew

their actions of cowardice three days earlier

had made them targets for the Romans, the

religious leaders, and maybe even Jesus

whom, if they were to believe the women,

had risen from the grave! When we disap -

point those who love us most, the greatest

pain often comes from within us.

Jesus was alive! What would he say

to them when he encountered them? How

would he vent his anger at them for running

out on him when he most needed them? The

betrayal, the denial, the crucixion, the resur-

rectionhe had predicted all of it.

Behind closed doors, they waited in

stark fear.

Suddenly, Jesus was in the room with

them! The mysterious pres-ence of Christ penetrated even

locked doors! Yet with his rst

words, Peace be with you, he

shattered their fears. And Jesus

showed them the wounds in his

hands and his side.

Then he breathed on them.

What was that all about?

It wasnt an act of bestow-

ing peace, for Jesus greeted the

men with those words. It wasnt

an act of power, because Jesusknew the supreme power would

come some 50 days later.

An older version of the New Testament

may carry us nearer to the original mean-

ing than most modern-day translations. A

translation from the Aramaic, the language

which Jesus spoke, gives us this reading:

And when he had said these things, he gave

them courage.

He breathed on them and gave them

courage!

If you name all the ways and times cour-

age is needed in life, you will agree that cour-

age is almost life itself. Courage is needed

to hold fast to our heritage of good. When

religion is treated with indifference and dis-

respect, it requires courage to be true to the

deep instincts of the soul. When everyone

else is conforming, it takes courage to aspire.

It was courage that sent our Lord to

Jerusalem and enabled him to keep silent

when accused, that made his suffering vicari-

ous, and that transformed the instruments of

hatred into implements of love, using an old

rugged crossthe emblem of torment and

shameto save the world.It was courage that sent a young David to

meet Goliath and that kept Daniels window

open toward Jerusalem.

Courage is the essence of our faith that

keeps us going forward, not seeing what lies

ahead, but knowing we will encounter God

and God will make a way for us.

The courage Jesus gave to those disciples

quivering in that room is the same courage

he gives us today to meet our own crises.

He gives us courage to meet life head-

on, without fear and doubt. When weencounter our own dark Fridays, we know

Resurrection Sunday is coming! We take

on courage, believing Christ will find us

behind our locked doors of failure, hope-

lessness, sin, and shortcomings.

One of the most beautiful insects is the

dragonfly. With its iridescent wings and

graceful ight, it captivates and charms on a

summers day. Yet once it was a grub, lying

in a pond. Change came, and the dragony

emerged from its early form of life. It found

itself endowed with powers and beauty

entirely new.

So it is with those born anew through

the power of the Resurrection. We rise from

being frightened and discouraged followers

to being courageous, Spirit-filled people

of hope who now know even death cannotdefeat us!

In John Maseelds play The Trial of Je-

sus, Pilates wife asks the Roman centurion,

Do you think He (Jesus) is dead?

The centurion replies, No, lady, I dont.

Then where is he? she persists.

The centurion answers, Let loose in the

world, lady, where neither Roman nor Jew

can stop His truth.

I wonder how many of you this hour are

in your inner rooms, unsure the Lord is truly

alive. Youve heard others talk about seeinghim, being with him, and being transformed

by his presence. Can all of it really be true?

Yes, it is true. However, you will not be-

lieve it until you encounter him for yourself!

Tushka:Continued from page 1A

Give through your local churchto Restore Hope and helpfamilies avoid homelessness.

Your generosity will enablethis United Methodist urban ministry in Tulsato secure a $50,000 Matching Grant,from the George Kaiser Family Foundation,for emergency rent assistance.

Your gifts in 2010 helped 1,687 familiesthat experienced a sudden loss ofincome and faced eviction from theirhomes. Help us prevent homelessness!

Learn about all ourprograms at:

www.restorehope.org

Restore Hope Ministries2960 Charles Page Blvd.Tulsa, OK 74127-8318

918-582-5766

MATCHCONDITIONS:

After your churchfullls your 2011

Urban MinistryApportionmentrequest (Line 462),additional specialgifts to RestoreHope must bereported separately

(Line 499) onthe OklahomaConferenceContribution Form.

Kaiser will match,up to $50,000 total,nancial supportthat exceeds theagency's $89,250Apportionmentfunding in 2010.

$50,000Matching Grantannounced


4/8

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact May 6, 2011

Also Monday, voluntary practice voting

using the machines will be offered between

noon and 1:30 p.m. in the Freede Center

arena.

Direct any questions to Joseph Harris,

[email protected], 405-530-2077.

Items of note:nHusng reservations are due by May

13 for OCUs United Methodist Hall, and

by May 15 for Crown Plaza on Northwest

Expressway.

nReserve chdce, for infants through

fth-graders, by May 15, through St. Lukes

ofces. Deadline to sign up is May 6 for

uth gmmng, open to sixth- through

12th-graders; contact Youth Ministries at the

Oklahoma Conference headquarters.

Schedules for both age groups include

Monday evening, to accommodate the vot-

ing session.

nA number of United Methodist-related

groups host sec mes, wd esent-

tns, nd gms during the meeting.

Ticket deadlines vary; contact the group for

more information.

Among those special events are Tues-

days Celebrate the Laity Luncheon, with

presentation of the It Worked for Us

awards, and Wednesdays United Methodist

Rural Fellowship Luncheon.

n The Retired Clergys annual used-

bk se will be held in the OCU softballbuilding, north of the Freede Center. To

volunteer or donate, contact Phil Davis at

OKC-Wesley Church, 405-525-3524.

Primary worship: SundayService of Commissioning, 7

p.m., St. Lukes

MondayMemorial Service, 10:30

a.m., St. Lukes

TuesdayRetirement Service, 11 a.m,

OCU Freede Center

Tuesday Service of Ordination, 7

p.m., St. Lukes

Free health screening:

Monday7 a.m.-1 p.m., St. Lukes

Vaught Chapel

Tuesday/Wednesday7 a.m.-1 p.m.,

OCU Kramer School of Nursing (West)

www.kumc.g/ges/det/924

Page 4A

DennisAdlof

BruceBrotherton

JohnCorbin

EdDexter

GinnyHathaway

DickHouse

ErnestJackson Jr.

LarryJohnson

PerlaGoody

JosephLynch

B Holly McCray

You feel goosebumps rise. Yes, the room temperature is

in the low 60s. But the cool environment is not causing you

to quiver.

Christina Wolf takes a box from a shelf, l ifts the lid, and

reveals an Oklahoma treasure.

You look upon the original Journalthe 1844 record

from the rst annual conference of Methodists in Oklahoma.

You nd it hard to breathe as Wolf turns the books hand -written pages. (Though faded, the penmanship is splendid.)

You understand those goosebumps. This history lives on

today in you. The 168th annual conference meets this year.

ThisJournalis among precious artifacts carefully stored

in the Oklahoma United Methodist Archives, housed in the

OCU Library.

Some brand-new upgrades enhance the preservation of

these important keepsakes. A major renovation of the librarys

fth oor, including the archives, has just been completed.

Archivist Wolf and her staff will host an open house for

delegates and other visitors during the 2011 Annual Confer-

ence. The archives have gone green.Guests will note the fth oor has been recongured.

New group study rooms are wired for electronic presenta-

tions, and a large Honors Seminar Room is where Wolf of-

fers workshops in historical research and preservation. The

Archives Reading Room features low-energy, longer-lasting

LED lighting.

The biggest changes, however, are in the extensive Stor-

age Room. Access is through an unremarkable door, with an

electronic keypad. The archives security system is our rst

line of defense, Wolf said.

Inside the Storage Room, the temperature drops no-

ticeably. A new, separate HVAC system maintains it at 62degrees. Humidity also is monitored, programmed for a 45-

50 percent range. The uorescent lights are sheathed with

UV-blocking material, and only used when someone is in

the space. Special blackout material covers the windows.

Happy records are cold and dark, Wolf said.

Were mostly paper here. Light damage makes paper

brittle, yellow; and light damage is cumulative.

Carpet is absent. Instead, the Storage Room oor is a

special gray epoxy surface, swept and mopped weekly. Carpet

manufacturing uses chemicals that can cause the product torelease damaging off-gases. Even carpet bers in the air can

be abrasive to the artifacts, Wolf explained.

Baked enamel coats sturdy shelving unitswooden

shelves also emit off-gases, she noted.

Storage boxes and folders are acid- and lignen-free.

The goal here is to make it last, Wolf summarized.

An additional Processing Room is similarly designed to

maximize preservation work.

The Oklahoma Conference Council on Finance & Ad-

ministration approved funds to partner in the remodeling.

The funding support was requested by the Commission on

Archives & History, chaired by Jerry Gill of Stillwater.The Archives shelter records of local churches as well

as the Oklahoma Conference. The facility also houses early

railroad maps, Civil War letters, original sheet music, and

rare books that include an edition of Shakespeares works.

Among the rows of shelving, too, are records of the Oklahoma

Indian Missionary Conference and OCUs archival records.

Recently added is the collection of the late Ted Agnew

of Stillwater, whose passion for history was highly valued

in the Oklahoma Conference. Wolf said Agnews materials

ll about 150 boxes.

Know more:n The Reading Room is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-

Friday. ([email protected], 405-208-5919)

nHours for the open house during Annual Conference

will be 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.

n The Annual Conference luncheon for the Oklahoma

United Methodist Historical Society will be Wednesday, June

1. Contact Wolf to reserve tickets.

n On July 21-24, OCU will host a national Archives &

History event.www.kumc.g/achves_Hst

Continued from page 1A

Annual Conference:

Living with historyNew work preserves the pastfor future needs

In the controlled environment of the Archives'new Storage Room, Christina Wolf examines abox of historical church records.


5/8


The Annual Conferences guest preacher, Eugene

Lowry, is truly a Great Preacher and a jazz musician.

Rev. Dr. Lowry has been interviewed in Odyssey TVs

Great Preachers series, and four recordings feature his

music, which relates jazz and Christianity.

From Kansas City, Mo., Lowry was professor of

preaching for more than 30 years at Saint Paul School

of Theology, after pastoring churches. Now a professor

emeritus, his travels as preacher, teacher, and pianist

have broadened in scope. Thus he comes to Oklahoma

in late May.

He will preach at the Service of Commissioning onSunday evening, and at the Memorial Service on Monday

morning.

During his career, Lowry has preached at events for

20-plus denominations and lectured in 50 theological

seminaries. His teaching emphasizes the role of narra-

tive in preaching. He is a clergy member of the Missouri

Conference.

His writings include six books on narrative preaching.

Among them: The Sermon: Dancing the Edge of Mys-

tery, Living with the Lectionary, and Doing Time in

the Pulpit. His keyboard lecture/concerts led to CDs that

include The Sound of Good News, Inside OutMusic

for Steeple and Street, and Theology of the Blues.

Oklahoma Volunteers In Mis-

sion is proposing a wide-ranging

policy document for its work going

forward.

The proposal will be presented

for consideration at Annual Con-ference. Detailed on pages 71-73

of the Pre-Conference Workbook,

the plan was rst mentioned at last

years conference.

The policy denes a short-term

mission team as any mission group

that travels outside Oklahoma for

any length of time or any mission

group serving in Oklahoma for two

nights or more, explained OKVIM

Director Jeremy Basset.

The proposed policy will re-quire churches to register their

short-term mission groups with

the Conference VIM ofce, ensure

properly trained and certied lead -

ers are in charge of the teams, and

conrm that appropriate insurance

has been obtained for their teams.

The heart of this proposal,

said Rev. Basset, is to ensure

ongoing excellence in our short-

term mission program within our

Conference.

As we have askedand

received enthusiastic supportfromour local churches to as-

sume more organizational over-

sight of their own teams, it has

become important to make sure

we are all working together in the

best possible way for the benet

of those we serve and those who

are sent in service.

The increasing number of

teams being sent in mission has

meant the Conference OKVIM

staff can no longer coordinate theproject details for every team. The

ofce has, thus, reshaped its work

to focus on training leaders, setting

standards for teams representing

the denomination, and ensuring

safety and proper liability coverage

for teams in the eld.

The OKVIM office also re-

mains active in promoting VIM

and being a resource for teams

and team leaders, to nd suitable

places to serve and share up-to-

date information about the various

project sites.We see the proposed policy

document as a framework to main-

tain the integrity of our work in

Christs name, while letting each

local church determine where its

people feel God is calling them to

work, Basset noted.

Ultimately, effective par-

ticipation in Gods mission is the

work of the local church, not the

Conference ofce. So, enabling

churches to take ownership of thisministry, while using our strong

connectional system to oversee

what churches cannot do alone,

ensures that we in OKVIM do

what we can best to support this

ministry.

Travel and service in the

name of The United Methodist

Church is an increasingly complex

issue that demands our attention

and the development of best prac-

tices, remarked Brian Bakeman,

Conference treasurer.

This proposal, while aimed at

ensuring we do mission with maxi-

mum effectiveness, also protects

the Church and team participants

by clearly placing on record what

it is that constitutes an OKVIM

team under the oversight of our

Conference.

(Editors note: The document also

can be viewed online. Search for Pre-

Conference Workbook at www.okumc.org.)

Lets fll the truck!Oklahoma VIM is collecting emergency supply kits during

the Annual Conference, to be distributed where people are in

great need of humanitarian aid due to disasters.

Deliver donations Sunday through Wednesday to the des-

ignated truck parked in the lot north of OCU Freede Center.

Of special need at this time are School Kits, Birthing Kits,

and Cleaning Buckets, requested by UMCOR (United Meth-

odist Committee on Relief). However, all types of UMCOR

supply kits are appreciated.

A total of 10,547 kits were donated during the 2010 Annual

Conference VIM kit drive.

Please assemble kits carefully, as specied on the

UMCOR website: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getcon-

nected/supplies/

www.okvim.org

Annual Conference delegates

will notice changes at OKC-St.

Lukes.

The church has just completed

several major renovation projects,

the result of a $2.6 mill ion capital

campaign.

The cornerstone project was

expansion and renovation of the

Christian Life Center. New chairs

and reorientation of the spacethe

stage is on the east sideallowed

for expanded seating. The center

now accommodates up to 800

guests! And look for the cross

symbols in the carpeting.

The Narthex is being restored

and updated. First installed in 1957,

the vinyl oor has been replaced with

granite and marble in the exact colors,

patterns, and dimensions. Lighting

changes have brought additional light

and character to the space.

The centerpiece fountain will have

a golden bowl, 6 feet tall, from which

water will cascade into a granite tile

basin.

The capital campaign also enabled

updates to the Adult Education wing and

replacement of the Television Ministry

Equipment.

The entire renovation was conceived

in order to increase the hospitality and

welcoming ministries of St Lukes.

members. Five of them have each served 40 or more years in ministry. Not shown above is Gary Graham.

Conference-wide policy proposed for Volunteers In Mission

Lowry preachesand all that jazz

St. Lukesto unveilupgrades

LeonardMcCarty

RogerPitt

GerryRhodes

MarilynSchellhamer

TrinnetteSmith

MargeryVan Oostrum

PhilWare

StanWarfeld

RichardWhetsell

In St. Lukes Narthex, granite and marble ooring replaced the vinyl. The

original bronze crosses were restored and set into the new oor.


6/8


OpportunitiesFnnc Secet: Part-time. St. Marks

UMC, Search Committee, 8140 N.W. 36 th St.,

Bethany, OK 73008, 405-789-9033.

yuth Dect: Part-time. Roland Young-

berg, Clinton UMC, 580-323-3179, ryoungberg@

cableone.net.

Busness Mnge/admnsttve Cd-

nt: OKC-First UMC, Staff Parish Relations

Committee, [email protected], 405-239-

6493.Bkkeee/accuntnt: Full-time. Nichols

Hills United Methodist Church, Randy Scraper,

[email protected].

Musc Dect: Will Rogers UMC, Bob

Johns, 1138 S. Yale, Tulsa, OK 74112, 918-834-

0891, [email protected].

accmnst: Part-time. Tulsa-Trinity

UMC, Shelly Coulter, [email protected],

918-743-8911.

Dect f yuth Mnstes: Full-time.

Wagoner United Methodist Church, Shannon

Davis, [email protected].

Dect f yuth Mnstes: Part-time.Tulsa-New Haven UMC, 918-743-6491, info@

newhavenumc.org.

Sen Hgh Mnste: Part-time. Sec

anges (Sec Needs) Dect: Part-time.

Tulsa-Faith UMC, Heather Scherer, hscherer@

faithtulsa.org, 918-252-1679.

Dect f Chdens Mnst: Full-time.

Tulsa-Faith UMC, Chris Tabberer, ctabberer@

faithtulsa.org.

Jhn Mgn

Rev. John Baber Morgan, 98, died April

18, 2011, in Rolla, Mo. Service was April 22

at Rolla-First UMC.

Born on March 16, 1913, in Wineld,

Kan., he received his Doctor of Philosophy

from California Graduate School of Theol-

ogy. He began his ministry in the Evangelical

United Brethren Church (EUB). Hewas a

delegate to the conference at which the EUBand Methodist Churches merged.

Beginning in 1973 in Oklahoma, he

was pastor at Walters, OKC-Epworth, and

Cleveland/Blackburn. He also served in

Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, California, and

Arkansas. He retired in 1978 to Rolla, but

continued to serve churches. His ministry

stretched across 61 years.

He ofciated at the marriages of all his

children and grandchildren, and one great-

grandchild.

Survivors include three children: Johnie

Morgan of Branson West, Mo.; Ruth Hagg

of Floyd, Iowa; and Rev. Michael Morgan of

Tulsa, pastor at Keota and McCurtain UMCs;10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Two wives predeceased him.

in Cuve

Iona Jo Culver, 88, of Miami, Okla., died

April 5, 2011. She was the widow of Rev.

Leo Culver. Funeral was April 8 at Paul

Thomas Funeral Home in Miami.

Iona Jo was born Feb. 28, 1923, in Penn-

sylvania. A homemaker, she and Rev. Culver

were married for 67 years. The couple moved

from Grove to Miami six years ago. Rev.

Culver died March 4, 2010.

Survivors include sons Keith, of Jay,

and Tad, of Pennsylvania; daughters Shelby

Coltharp of Miami and Darlene Taylor ofGrove; 11 grandchildren, 24 great-grand-

children, and six great-great-grandchildren.

pegg June lngeh, 64, of Piedmont

died April 5, 2011. She was the mother of

Pastor Will Langrehr of Wister UMC.

In memoriam

Deadline to orderJournalis July 1

Deadline is Ju 1 to order the

2011 Journalprinted as a book.

Each Annual Conference delegate

will receive a CD copy, paid for by

the Conference.Cost is $15 for the printed book. If

you prefer this version, you are urged

to ce u de dung the an-

nu Cnfeence. Fill out the coupon

in the Pre-Conference Workbook,

attach payment, and turn them in at

the Communications display.

Or mail to: Jan Polson, 1501 N.W.

24th, Oklahoma City, OK 73106.

Books will be sent in September.

In Broken Arrow on May 14, Bishop Scott Jones of Kansas will headline a Conference-

wide evangelism training opportunity, at Abiding Harvest UMC.

Bishop Jones is a former professor of evangelism at Perkins School of Theology in Dallas.

Following his presentation, nine workshops will offer help to build your skills as a witness

for Christ. The program is from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is a cost for lunch.

The Saturday training is part of an ongoing evangelism initiative, named New Christians.

It is led by the Evangelism Task Group of the Conference Discipleship Ministry Team (DMT).

Some of the workshop titles and leaders are:

Local Church HospitalityBob Johns

Developing aBringers Culture in Your CongregationChris Buskirk

The Mobilized Prayer UnitBen Williams and Temple Diehl

Assimilating New MembersCindy Robertson

Who, Me, Evangelism?Frank Denney

Evangelism and Young AdultsJames Lambert

How To Share Your FaithBob Pierson

T egste, e-m rev. D. pesn, [email protected].

WeddingMichelle Coulter and Adam Daigle mar-

ried on March 26, 2011, at Tulsa-Trinity

United Methodist Church, where Rev. Coul-

ter is pastor.

New Christians training set for Broken ArrowAnnual Conferencespecial offering

BoliviaThe Bolivia/Oklahoma Methodist

Partnership began in 1986. Today

several ministry options enhance the

partnership, coordinated by David

Stephenson through Oklahomas

Volunteers In Mission.

http://bokp.org

The Cookson Hills Center ministry is

a joint effort of the Oklahoma Confer-

ence, the Oklahoma Indian Mission-

ary Conference, United Methodist

Women, and the General Board of

Global Ministries. The UM presence

among rural, low-income people in

Northeastern Oklahoma has shown

an important aspect of the way we

care for others as concerned Chris-

tian people.

Cookson Hillswww.cooksonhillscenter.com

New Hope ElementarySchool in LiberiaFunding is

needed for

a facility to

house this

school on

family land

given by

Bishop Ben-

nie Warner.

The focus of

the school is

holistic in ap-

proach. This

new facility will include a medical clinic.

Churches are encouraged to take a special

offering and send it with their delegates.

One-hundred percent of the offering will go

to these three areas


7/8


Will You Join the Growing Ranks of the

1000

To make your pledge today, please call 405-530-2078

or visit our website at:

http://www.circleofcare.org/1000.html

AnonymousAnonymousAnonymousAnonymousAnonymousAnonymousAnonymous

Kay AdairDonald & Cheryl BakerRandy & Eddisu BarkerDon and Lynn BatsonEnloe & Wanda BaumertDavid & Laura BealClara BrownSpencer & Mary Brown Jr.Mary ButlerIvan BysMichael & Leanne Chafn

Arlene ChriswellRalph & Midge CoffmanRandall & Kathryn Coit

Lloyd Cole Jr.Robert & Debbie CraineCC & Anna Marie Crooch Fund

John & Jamie CroochMichael & Janet CroochPhilip & Lisa CrowBobby & Shirley DarnellMarsha DavisGregory & Mary Ann EdwardsJo Fowler

David & Cindy FriezeMike & Elaine FrizzellJerry & Jany GambleRobert & Prudy GorrellUMW of Grove-First UMCGeorge & Jo HallRudolph & Madeline HargraveRalph & Linda HarkerValerie HatleyBishop Robert & Dee HayesJohn & Anne HeatonBilly & Ann HebblethwaiteJono & Jenny HelmerichHighland Park UMC

Leonard & Anna Lee HinderliterJim & Mary Nell HolderRoss & Jane Hutchinson

Robert & Ann IvesterMr. & Mrs. Ivan KeatleyKeith & Patricia KennedyJean KeySteve & Suzan KnightGreg & Anita LaPatBrian & Julie LaPat

Robert LeeEd & Melba LivermoreStony & Elaine LockstonHal & Jean LongBryan & Vicki ManneringDwight MauldingBob & Doris McKownBilly & Lora MeadeMike & Christy MordyDavid & Laura MorrisonTed & Laura MostellerChuck & DeeAnn NordeanPathnder ClassOKC-Grace UMC

Bob & Peggy Peters

Lenert & Bobbie PfeilerDonald & Valerie ReevesJohn & Helen Riley

Joe & Judy RobinsonJoe & Shirley RolstonGary & Sharon RothMike Self & Shannon NakvindaUMW of Shawnee-Wesley UMC

Arden & Rita Ruth SmithBill & Martha Smith

Craig Stinson & Krista JonesClark & Joy Struebing Sr.Carolyn TaylorKen & June TuckerJ. M. & Patricia Vanderwiele Jr.Kathy & Bob WestDavid & Suzan WolfBill & Lissa WrightDonald & Barbara WrightCircle of Care Staff:*OKC/Communications/Pearls Hope

*UM Boys Ranch*UM Childrens Home

*Independent Living*Child SHARE

Dear Friends of Circle of Care:Every Sunday morning on my way to the choir room at church, I witness children

climbing all over Jesus. At the entry of our Childrens area, we have a beautiful larger-than-life statue of our Lord. Isnt it fabulous that this piece of art is designed to inviteinteraction?

It is such a visual reminder to me of the importance of children in the eyes ofChrist. Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, Jesus says. And Hereminds us that whoever welcomes children in His name, welcomes Him.

Friends, since 1917, the Oklahoma United Methodist Circle of Care has providedhelp, healing, and hope to at-risk children, youth, and families across our state. Circleof Care is the United Methodist Boys Ranch and the United Methodist Childrens

Home, providing residential programs for teenagers. It is the David O. Beal Indepen-dent Living Program, providing shelter and support for high school and college-agedyouth making the transition into adulthood. It is the Holsinger Home for Children, alicensed foster home for large sibling groups. It is Pearls Hope, a transitional programfor homeless women and their children at the Frances E. Willard Home in Tulsa. It isChild SHARE, recruiting and supporting foster families statewide.

In my role as Miss America so many years ago and my career as a broadcastjournalist, Ive had the opportunity to see rsthand the plight of too many childrenwithout a future. I know that Circle of Care is making a difference.

Today, we are embarking on a new initiative to ensure that all these programs areable to continue, and expand to meet the growing needs. It is called Project 1000.We are seeking to recruit 1000 new donors who will each pledge $1,000 per year forthree years.

Project 1000 is an ambitious campaign that will allow Circle of Care to look ahead:How many more Child SHARE foster families can be lifted up? How many more

youths can be served at the Boys Ranch, the Childrens Home, the IndependentLiving Program? How many more families can be helped through Pearls Hope? Howmany more lives can be forever changed?

Look at it this way: For only $19.23 per week, you can invest in the future. Youcan help a child, a family. You can become one of the 1000. Wont you join us?

In His name,

Jane Jayroe Gamble

B Holly McCray

United Methodists from America and

Eurasia recently met at St. Lukes in Okla-

homa City to explore theEurasia Road Map,

an innovative path for partnering in Gods

mission.

The event was the 15th Russia Initia-

tive Consultation, held April 7-9, related

to the General Board of Global Ministries

(GBGM). Come Walk With Us on the

Road was the theme.

The meetings purpose was to educate

and encourage U.S. churches to expand their

commitment to mission with the younger,

growing UM presence in ve countries: Rus-

sia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldava, and Georgia.

A pastoral salary support project, com-

mended by the Oklahoma Conference Mis-

sion & Service Ministry Team (MSMT), is

one way Oklahomans are connecting.

Near Moscow, Pastor Daniel Starikov has

revitalized the church in Lytkarino, Russia,

after a period of decline, reported MSMT

Chairman Tom Hoffmann of Tulsa. MSMT

is encouraging Oklahoma congregations in

partnerships with the Lytkarino church and

other donors, to meet the basic salary needs

for Rev. Starikov.

Local church relationships deepen the

faith of both churches, said Rev. Hoffmann,

associate pastor at Tulsa-First. He is a former

missionary who served in Russia.

Starikov, who speaks some English,

visited several Oklahoma churches while he

was stateside for the Consultation. In an in-

terview, he described young people growing

in faith and number at the Lytkarino church.

He was his Conferences delegate to the 2008

General Conference.

Through a Partner Church Covenant, an

Oklahoma congregation commits at least

$1,500 for each of three years, beginning in

2011, Hoffmann explained.

Other mission opportunities exist through

Advance Special Projects and Volunteers In

Mission. TheRoad Maps vision is extensive;

the Eurasian churches are resolved to grow

into self-sufciency. Currently 125 congre-

gations are reported in that episcopal area.

Be under no illusion, Bishop Robert

Hayes Jr. told Consultation participants. As

I look at the plans you have, the road map

will take you to the narrow gate, the hard

way (Matthew 7:13-14).

Jim Athearn of Virginia said, It is dif-

cult to keep the heart steady on the mission

of Christ when there is such erce competi-

tion for resources. He is the GBGM Russia

Initiative coordinator.

Partnerships enable challenges to be

overcome, declared Eduard Khegay of

Moscow, a district superintendent and pastor.

Bishop Hayes recalled his rst journey to

Russia, 44 years ago. I went in a time when

the Church was not allowed to be a church.

We spent three and one-half months, spread-

ing seeds, learning about the culture. Now it

thrills my heart to see the work going on in

Russia, he said.

At every turn in the road, there will be

our Savior as our guide. God has given us the

greatest compass: Jesus Christ. He walks the

road with us, and he shows the way.

Know more:nKen Dstefn, Cnfeence Mssn

Secet, [email protected], 918-336-0351

n Tm Hffmnn, MSMT Chmn,

[email protected], 918-592-

3862 ext. 115

n htt://new.gbgm-umc.g/wk/

nttves/uss

Oklahoma hosts U.S.-Eurasian gathering

Russian pastor Daniel Starikov, left,is introduced by Tom Hoffmann ofTulsa, on April 9 at OKC-St. Lukes,during the Russia Initiative Consul-

tation.

Intricate paper artistry by TatyanaMolodyk is one source of support

for Saratov UMC in Russia. Fora greeting-card product line, thepastor cuts up magazine pages toform scenes, such as this Nativity.Three tiny pieces shape an eye, forexample.

Photos by Holly McCray


8/8


The okhm Unted Methdst Fundtn inc., 4201 Cssen Bvd., okhm Ct 73118; www.kumf.g; 800-259-6863

Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation insights

Events in May target personal nancesMake plans to attend our

free EQUIP training events:

nM 5 n okhm Ct

t Che H Unted

Methdst Chuch

nM 19 n Bken aw

t abdng Hvest Unted

Methdst Chuch.

These two events will pre-

pare your pastor and church

leaders to launch EQUIP in

your church. We especially

encourage attendance by the

senior pastor, the finance or

stewardship chairperson, and

other key leaders within each

church who desire to help the

members become debt-free.

EQUIP usesDave Ramseys Financial Peace University

(FPU) and teaches the members

of your church how to handle

money the way God intends.

The program leads each church

to prepare and offer FPU to a

majority of the congregation,

either in one large setting or

over the course of several ses-

sions.

EQUIP has the potential tochange the culture, even the

DNA, of our churches regard-

ing stewardship and money.

We believe our churches

are lled with faithful people

who would like to give more

in order for the Church and its

ministries to reach more people

for Christ. However, many

Americans have fallen victim to

our cultures call to spend all wemakeand even a little more.

Financial Peace University

helps people take control of

their nances, helps them get

out of debt, and shows them

how to wisely spend, save, and

give.

At the one-day EQUIP train-

ing, you will learn about demo-

graphic information specic to

your community, strategies forenrolling the majority of your

active members in FPU, and

a week-by-week how-to for

implementing EQUIP. We also

will provide promotional tools

you can use in your church and

community.

You will learn how FPU

relates to community involve-

ment, have opportunities to ad-

dress the unique characteristics

of your church family, and work

on ways to tailor EQUIP for

you. And there will be time toshare ideas with other churches

considering EQUIP.

The crown jewel of EQUIP

is to apply the same principles

it teaches to your church bud-

get, altogether avoiding nan-

cial emergencies within the

church, resulting in true nan-

cial peace.

Make plans to attend one

of the May training dates. Toregister for EQUIP or for more

information, call Kristin Van

Nort at the Foundation, 800-

259-6863, or visit our website,

www.okumf.org.

Photo by Jennie Kiner

Bishop blesses a Thunder storm

At center court, Bishop Robert Hayes Jr.offers the invocation for Nothing ButNets Night, April 8, at the OKC Thunderbasketball game. Players and a militarycolor guard surround him. Ticket salestopped 600 through the Oklahoma UnitedMethodist Foundation, beneftting the

global campaign to eradicate malaria.United Methodists and the NBA arefounding partners in the effort. Showcas-ing Nothing But Nets and raising more

funds at a booth that night are, from left,David Wiggs, Stillwater District superin-tendent; Loyce Gandy of the Foundation;volunteer Stefanie Van Nort; and KristinVan Nort of the Foundation. Funds nettedtotaled $10,214, and the Thunder beat theDenver Nuggets.

Ph

otoprovidedbyOKC

Thunder

Contact Newspaper May 6, 2011

Documents

Transcript of Contact Newspaper May 6, 2011