Photos by Amelia BallewJeannine Gibbens and Jane Ellen Dibden prepare snacks for children at Fuente De Vida.

Pam Turner, Kena Utter, Linda Deberry, and Eric Snyder process donated clothing at Circle of Care's Child SHARE co-op.

Volume 1, Number 1 • June 28, 2013

THE OKLAHOMA UNITED METHODIST

www.okumc.org

By Holly McCrayDelegates prepared to give themselves in mission during

the 2013 Oklahoma Annual Conference. And while seeking to bless others, they received an extravagance of blessings.

The May 27-30 meeting in Oklahoma City opened one week after deadly tornadoes strafed the state’s center. Already the Church was deeply engaged in the disaster response, and more than $250,000 in aid donations had arrived in the Oklahoma Conference Treasurer’s Office.

But news images of devastation dared heartsick United Methodists to proclaim “Mission Possible,” theme of the conference.

So God sent global witnesses to help the Oklahomans assert this truth.

During the meeting, Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. of the Oklahoma Area accepted money gifts for the tornado victims from Manos Juntas VIM Mexico, a mission with the poor at Rio Bravo, Mexico; from Lydia Patterson Institute, a border high school at El Paso, Texas; and, from Africa University,

Isn’t it remarkable what is possible when we work together? — Barry Bennett, MSMT chairman

Annual Conference issue:

Global church wraps arms around Oklahoma

Delegates assemble supply kits for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) during one of 14 Mission Opportunities on May 29. The result: 647 school kits, 266 layettes, 296 health kits, 66 sewing kits, and some cleaning buckets. From left are Scott Spencer, Carolyn Brannon, and Chuck Rettig.

Photo by Holly McCrayAn emotional Bishop Robert Hayes Jr., left, accepts $200 sent from Methodists in Bolivia to start a new church in Oklahoma. During a 40-hour fast in late April, the Bolivians collected the offering, and it was delivered May 29 on their behalf by David Stephenson, right. He is the Office of Mission liaison for the Bolivia and Oklahoma Ministry Partnership. On June 19, a Bolivian pastor Modesto Mamani began a one-year residency in Oklahoma to support the new work. In September, Bishop Hayes will travel to Bolivia.

Calledto serve

amid tragedy

See Annual Conference, page 4

Photo by Deb CorrJonathan Kim wrestles boxes as the Youth At Conference group volunteers at the Regional Food Bank Mission Opportunity.

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact June 28, 2013

The OCU Wimberly School of Religion graduated a class of eight religion majors in May. We celebrate the accomplishments of these fine young people and commend them on their continued journeys:n Jake Tartarian plans to attend Saint

Paul School of Theology on OCU’s campus to work toward a Master of Divinity degree. He wants to become a Deacon with an emphasis on youth ministry. Tartarian said he especially appreciates his classes with Dr. Leslie Long. Studying the history of Christianity and Celtic Christianity, he was inspired by learning that Christians long have struggled with issues similar to current concerns. And summer in-ternships with Project Transformation helped him to sense his role within a community and to get firsthand experience in mission-type work with young children.n Keith Bethell came to OCU from his

home in the Bahamas specifically to gain an undergraduate degree in youth ministry, and he took full advantage of his opportunity. He served two years as a Religious Life intern with Rev. Jennifer J. Long and was active in Delta Alpha Chi, the Christian men’s service fraternity. Through his studies and interactions with students and professors, Bethell said he learned to look at the Bible in more creative ways and grew in finding his voice, especially in fields of ministry. He now serves as director of youth and young adult ministries at Choc-

taw United Methodist Church.n For Sean Crews, his experience at OCU

is exemplified in a summer mission trip with the brothers of Delta Alpha Chi to Roger’s Park UMC in Chicago. “It was a great trip, full of service and a whole lot of fun. This was enabled by an institution that promotes service learning to its individual students and organizations, encouraging and providing us with the hearts and minds to desire a servant’s heart in whatever field we may be in,” Crews

said. His professors cared “not only for my academic success, but for who I am as a person.” Crews will continue as the youth minister and children’s program coordinator at Kingfisher-First UMC. n Clinton Keller will spend the next year

researching graduate schools and gaining practical experience working in organizations that address his academic interests. He said he values being involved in the Religious Life activities and serving on the Chapel Worship

Team. His two most significant off-campus experiences were a class, held at the Wash-ington Center, in Washington, D.C., about the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and volunteering on a medical mission team in Honduras. n Clarissa Flint plans to continue her

studies for the Master’s of Public Adminis-tration at the University of Oklahoma. She wrote, “The professors at OCU have been great, and getting to take classes like Con-temporary Theology from Dr. Starkey has been the most enlightening part of my year at the school.”n While a student at OCU, luisa Medina

was engaged in active ministry through her work in the Oklahoma Conference Volunteers In Mission office. She is open to future pos-sibilities.n Jamison rudd continues as youth

minister at Blanchard UMC.n Daniel Clinton returns to his home in

Tulsa as he eyes future plans.For more information about pursuing an

undergraduate degree in religion at OCU, contact Dr. Sharon Betsworth, sbetsworth@okcu.edu. To learn more about the Master of Religious Education program, contact Dr. Leslie Long, llong@okcu.edu.

OCU School of Religion graduates 8

Vice President of Program Ser-vices: Full-time. Coordinator of Best Practices & CQI: Full-time. Circle of Care, Don Batson, 405-530-2078, don.batson@circleofcare.org.

Director of Children’s Ministry: Full-time. St. James UMC, Gary Harber, 5050 E. 111th Street South, Tulsa, OK 74137, garyharber@sbcglobal.net.

youth Director/Contemporary Worship leader: Full-time. Centenary UMC, Norma Quinn, P.O. Box 507, Lawton, OK 73501.

youth Ministries assistant: Part-time. Edmond-First UMC, Beverly@fumcedmond.org.

Director of Children’s Ministries: Part-time. St. Matthew UMC, Carol Scott, 300 N. Air Depot, Midwest City, OK 73110, carolscott44@gmail.com.

Director of Christian Education: Full-time. Norman-St. Stephen’s UMC, ststephensumc@coxinet.net.

administrative assistant: 32 hrs per week. Shawnee-Wesley UMC, brotherbenwilliams@gmail.com, 405-275-1556.

Financial assistant: Part-time. Sapulpa UMC, Allen Schneider, allen@sapulpafumc.org, 918-224-3006.

Page 2

The Oklahoma United MethodistPhone: 405-530-2075 Fax: 405-530-2093

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

For subscription information, contact 405-530-2075 or aballew@okumc.org.Moving? Send change of address by mail or e-mail: aballew@okumc.org.

Sign up for Contact Digest, a free electronic newsletter, at www.okumc.org.Send news to editor@okumc.org. Next publication date: July 19.

oklahoma United Methodist Communications

Opportunities

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact (USPS 954-500) is a publication of the Oklahoma Conference of The United Methodist Church-Department of Communications. Periodicals Postage Paid at Oklahoma City, OK. Postmaster: Send address changes to Contact, 1501 N.W. 24th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73106.

Photo by Michael WoodA volunteer group of Annual Conference delegates helps remove tornado debris from a field at Carney on May 29. Three disaster recovery projects were added to 11 hands-on Mission Opportunities that engaged delegates that afternoon in the Oklahoma City area.

From left, the 2013 OCU Religion graduates include: Jake Tatarian, Keith Bethell, Sean Crews, Jamison Rudd, Clinton Keller, and Luisa Medina.

In May, tornado sirens screamed again and again in central Oklahoma.

“We are pushed hard from all sides, but we are not beaten down; we are bewildered, but that doesn’t make us lose hope; we all suffer, but God does not desert us; we are knocked down, but we are not knocked out.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)n Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. of the Okla-

homa Area offered those Bible verses when he reached out to Oklahoma United Methodists on June 1.

He said, “The prophetic words of the Apostle Paul come to mind as we live in the aftermath of the tornadoes and flooding. The loss of life and devastation of property are constant reminders of how fragile we are and how quickly our world can be turned upside-down. As people of faith, we know there is no storm or wind or water that can destroy the foundation of our faith and hope, Jesus Christ! The people called United Method-ists already are providing invaluable assistance in the places that have suffered loss, and we will be there as long as necessary.”n The Oklahoma and Oklahoma Indian Mis-

sionary Conferences are partners in the disaster recovery work, which is expected to take at least two years.n The deadly storms on May 19-20 and May

30-June 1 seemed to bookend the Oklahoma UM Annual Conference on May 27-30.

One month later, the Church’s caring response for tornado and flooding survivors con-tinued to flow in prayer, in person, and in gifts of

money and practical aid. n As of June 19, total donations topped

$1.04 million to the Oklahoma Conference spe-cial fund “2013 May Tornado Relief,” according to the Treasurer’s Office. n On June 20, UMCOR reported donations

of $1.33 million, received since May 20, to the U.S. Disater Response Advance. UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief also sent two truckloads of supplies to Oklahoma.

Bringing peace after stormsUpdates about Oklahoma’s

recovery efforts:www.okumcministries.org/vim/announcements.htmFacebook (Oklahoma United Methodist Communications)Email mass messages

Volunteer to help in person, or request help, at: www.okumcministries.org/vim/Disaster_Response_Volunteer.htm

Watch for the fall issue of Contact, the Magazine, dedicated to UM disaster response ministry.

mailto:garyharber@sbcglobal.net

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

on May 28, Bishop robert Hayes Jr. gave this Episcopal address during the 2013 oklahoma annual Conference.

To all my sisters and brothers in Christ who have been born out of the Wesleyan tradition and who are distinctly called United Meth-odists: I bid you greetings, grace, and peace in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! This week marks the 170th gathering of Methodists in Oklahoma. We gratefully acknowledge our roles as living witnesses of a spiritual movement that has endured and will endure as long as God gives us life and breath — lifting high the cross of Jesus Christ!

What an awesome privilege it is for me to stand before you today in this first Annual Conference session since my reas-signment as bishop of the Oklahoma Area. To have the opportunity to begin and end my episcopal ministry here in Oklahoma is an answered prayer that exceeded all my expectations.

With one more quadrennium as your bishop, I want you to know what my pri-orities are and what I seek to accomplish before Sept. 1, 2016.

My top priority is to advance the Oklahoma Conference to its strongest-ever wit-ness for Christ. To accomplish that goal, I begin with an even greater emphasis on the local church, calling both clergy and laity to the daunting task of starting new faith communities and revitalizing our existing congregations.

Thus I am appointing Rev. Chuck Nor-dean to serve as director of Congregational Development and Clergy Excellence, a much-needed assignment starting June 1 that will assist this priority in many ways.

Rev. Nordean’s duties will include developing new congregations and strate-gies to assist existing congregations. He will work closely with Rev. Craig Stinson, our Connectional Ministries director, to enhance the work of every congregation, and with the Board of Ordained Ministry to better prepare capable leaders and pas-tors to do the work of ministry.

Oklahoma has always been acclaimed as a GOOD conference; we rank in the top 10 of all 57 United Methodist confer-ences in the United States. Although we are blessed with a robust heritage, it will not be an easy task to move our conference from GOOD to GREAT. This will require willingness on my part and yours to go the extra miles that truly will strengthen our local churches.

The Book of Discipline of our denomi-nation states, “The local church provides the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs.” I believe that. To be a stronger, greater conference, our focus must be on the local church.

General Conference action will not rescue our denomination. No general board

or agency can provide a blueprint for what is ahead.

Our future as Christ’s United Methodist ambassadors depends upon our willingness to preach Christ from each pulpit, to leave the comfort and safety of our sanctuaries and carry the life-saving Gospel message out to people in our communities and in mission fields throughout the world.

John Wesley showed us how! I’ve said before that we once were known as “shout-ing Methodists.” We must rally today for God with that same fervor, enthusiasm, and excitement!

From Guymon and Elk City, to McAl-ester, to Tulsa and beyond, innovative ideas are erupting in our local churches. I predict these new models will shape min-istry that looks quite different in 10 years. Will we be prepared for it?

To accomplish this No. 1 priority, I feel I need to dedicate more of my time and energy to Oklahoma. I am removing myself from general boards and agencies of the denomination, beginning next year. I do this to devote myself more fully to the main task right here. My only general-church assignments will be my duties within the Council and the College of Bishops, and with the United Methodist in-stitutions and agencies that operate within the bounds of this annual conference.

I have prayed about this decision for many weeks. I will work closely with Rev. Nordean and with our laity, clergy, and elected officials to achieve what I believe will be THE watershed moment for Okla-homa since half a century ago.

I do not intend to spend the next four years coasting toward an imaginary finish line, nor will I say, “Let the bishop who follows me” take responsibility for what I should be doing now as your episcopal leader. I intend to continue my practice of visiting as many churches as I can; exercis-ing the ministry of presence wherever I’m needed; and running the race God has set before me with energy, eagerness, and enthusiasm!

Now hear me clearly: I cannot succeed on my own to move this conference from GOOD to GREAT. There is one more cru-cial component needed to achieve this goal.

That vital factor is YOU! If you and I work together—side by side—I believe this conference will become a GREAT one. And generations to come will be benefac-tors of our labors today for Christ.

My second priority for this quadrennium is to stay the course with our Strategic Plan. Since its adoption in May 2008, we have made tremendous progress. At this time we can confirm that a majority of local churches have in place programs and ministries designed to enhance growth and stimulate disciple-making, or they are creating such plans.

The Strategic Plan provides a frame-work for us to intentionally explore the

ways we do ministry. Our Plan asks the hard questions, such as:

How do we do reach the growing popu-lation of young adults who are unchurched and absent from our places of worship?

How do we address the concerns of ag-ing congregations and population shifts in our cities and, especially, our rural areas?

How do we extend quality ministry in our current economic climate?

There are no easy answers. But if we do not plan, if there is no vision, we surely will find ourselves in chaos.

Here is one measurement of reality in the Oklahoma Conference: Among 523 worshipping communities, we have approximately 250 with attendance of 50 people or fewer. That’s a sobering statistic.

Our Strategic Plan is our way forward. Each day I am encouraged by the growing number of churches that offer Confirma-tion classes; by updated statistics that show more people engaged in short-term and long-term mission projects; and by the reports of more churches reaching outside their walls and into the communities where they are located, providing unique minis-tries.

Let us stay the course with our Strate-gic Plan, and we will accomplish every-thing we hoped for five years ago.

My third and final priority is to keep our missions program ranked No. 1 in our denomi-nation. There is no other conference in the United States that can claim to be in more places, reaching more people.

It is crucial that we continue this work, especially in impoverished areas where there is so much need.

One of the four Focus Areas of our de-nomination is defined as “ministry with the poor.” Seen at surface level, you may think that title means we United Methodists are

to go help others who are disadvantaged and deprived.

But I see a deeper meaning. WE are the ones at a disadvantage and

in need — I am not discounting the very real needs of the poor! — WE are blessed by our experiences WITH the poor.

Everyone who has participated in a United Methodist mission encounter can affirm what I am saying. So much can be learned from those who have little or noth-ing in the way of material things, but who are rich in matters of the Spirit. Thus WE actually become the benefactors of THEIR ministry TO US!

You will hear of a new United Method-ist-related initiative, launching in Oklaho-ma, called the Kingswood Institute for the Study and Practice of Christian Mission. Its focus will be to equip each local church to more effectively serve its community and beyond.

The Kingswood Institute has the capac-ity to change the shape of each church’s life in mission and ultimately to transform the width and breadth of mission living throughout the denomination. I am so excited for the Oklahoma Conference to be moving in this direction!

Dear sisters and brothers, the time al-lotted to me for this Episcopal Address is over, but time resets now, more time for me to roll up my sleeves and, ALONG-SIDE YOU, dig new and deeper fertile fields in Kingdom work. The delight of being with the people called Oklahoma United Methodists is as fresh for me in this moment as it was in July 2004 when my name was called to serve alongside you. The joy that I declared when I first arrived is still present, and my willingness to give you all of me is what keeps me in love with what I do and in love with each and every one of you. May God bless you all.

(edited for length)

June 28, 2013 Page 3

2013 Episcopal Address

Photo by Holly McCrayAfter opening worship, Bishop Robert and Dee Hayes, left, and retired Bishop Peter and Linda Weaver enter the reception May 27 at OKC-St. Luke’s UMC, during the Annual Conference. Weaver was Oklahoma’s guest preach-er; he serves as the Council of Bishops executive secretary. He delivered the Episcopal Address at the 2012 General Conference.

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact June 28, 2013

Videos of reports and sermons from Annual

Conference are available on YouTube to view and down-

load. Click the link “OKVideo” at www.okumc.org.

Delegates approve big changes in benefits

Page 4

Photos on this page show clergy commissioned and also welcomed on Recognition of Orders during Annual Confer-ence, on May 28 at OKC-St. Luke’s. With them are Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. and Linda Harker, wearing red stoles. Rev. Harker chairs the Board of Ordained Ministry. Above, new provisional elders are, from left, Philip T. Hodson, (Harker), Chris Symes, Kristiane Smith, Rusty L. Husted, (Hayes), Kip Heatley, Patience K. Mutiso, Gary Haynes, Cheryl New-ton, Nathan Mills, and Jana Dawn Hogg.

From far left: With Harker and Hayes, Cali Depue Eck, cen-ter, is a new provi-sional deacon.Garrett Drake and Semaj Vanzant, left and right, were received on Recogni-tion of Orders.

a 15-student touring choir. Oklahomans give ongoing support to these UM-related entities.

The bishop announced several U.S. an-nual conferences pledged funds for the relief effort, too.

As part of the meeting, more than 600 del-egates volunteered at 14 mission sites during the afternoon of May 29. At three of the loca-tions, groups helped remove tornado debris.

“We will always remember this Annual Conference as the one that took place in the aftermath” of tragedy, said Bishop Hayes.

Worship and business sessions took place at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and UM-affiliated Oklahoma City University, respectively.

Guest preacher was Bishop Peter Weaver, retired, known for his engagement in global missions. Guest teacher was Jeremy Basset, director of the Oklahoma Conference’s Of-fice of Mission. From the United Methodist Committee on Relief, Kathy Kraiza led delegates as they assembled more than 1,000 UMCOR kits for global distribution.

“See all these entities?” asked Barry Ben-nett, who chairs the Conference’s Mission & Service Ministry Team. “Isn’t it remarkable what is possible when we work together?”

He continued, “I am young, but I am con-vinced that I am not going to spend the rest of my life doing anything but endeavoring to change the world. Mission begins here, but it goes to the ends of the earth. I dare you to follow Jesus into the world. You’ll be changed, I can promise you, and the world.”

Bishop Hayes grew emotional when ac-cepting an offering of coins, wrapped in a shawl, from Methodists in Bolivia to start a new church in Oklahoma. The median in-come is $1 per day for a Methodist layperson in Bolivia, according to Skip Hodges, a Gen-eral Board of Global Ministries missionary serving there.

“So much can be learned from those who have little or nothing in material things but who are rich in the Spirit,” the bishop declared in his Episcopal Address on May 28. (See page 3)

A Sending Forth concluded the annual meeting. The bishop said his message for that service was “shaped by the events of the week.” He referenced Ephesians 3:20-21.

Hayes said the 2013 conference provided “a glimpse of what the Kingdom ought to look like. God asks us to go back to our places and put together glimpses of the Kingdom for the least and the lost”...for all.

AnnualConference:Continued from 1A

Proposed changes in Oklahoma clergy pension and health benefits drew high inter-est at pre-conference meetings.

Delegates approved all the plans, and also an incentive-based wellness program that can reduce a clergyperson’s individual health insurance premium by up to $60 monthly.

“The Board is making recommendations that will impact all areas of our ministry,” Mark Commons, who chairs the Board of Pension & Health Benefits, told the Annual Conference.

One delegate asked, “Will this not have a chilling effect on the vitality and survival of the smaller churches?”

“We think this will invigorate them, help them survive,” responded Commons.

All the pension and healthcare changes become effective Jan. 1, 2014.

“I could preach a sermon about the need for all of us to improve our health” and to help keep insurance costs in check, said JD Ward to clergy delegates. And he challenged laity “to become very intentional with how you assist our clergy to live and maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

A total of 580 people underwent health screenings during the conference.

Action by the 2012 General Conference and federal laws are driving the pension and health benefit changes.

n Health benefitsBeginning in 2014, the Health Benefits

Fund splits into two Apportionment funds, one for active clergy and one for retirees. These amounts are paid by churches.

Across four years, the active-clergy fund will be phased out. Instead, churches, agencies, and extension ministries that have full-time active clergy will be direct-billed monthly. That amount is $135.08 per full-time clergy in 2014.

The retired-clergy fund will continue. Both that Apportionment and the monthly premiums paid by retired clergy will rise by 2 percent in 2014.

In 2014, the monthly individual health insurance premium paid by full-time active clergy will be $248.

The Conference Plan insures only full-time clergy.

n Pension benefitsBeginning in 2014, only full-time clergy

will participate in the Clergy Retirement Security Plan.

Part-time clergy will participate in the United Methodist Personal Investment Plan.

Benefits officers will offer seminars for clergy this fall.

For further information about the changes and the wellness campaign, go to www.okumc.org/benefits.

n Other financial mattersThe Council on Finance & Administration

“is asking how must the Conference deploy its resources now so we are fulfilling our mission,” said Chair-man Tom Junk. Other groups also are ex-ploring this. Junk paraphrased na-tional church c o n s u l t a n t Lovett Weems: “What decisions must be made now if The United Methodist Church is to have a future?”

“Our resources will need to dramatically shift. We have to be willing to look at new models and be open to new ministries for reaching” new people for Christ, Junk said.

“You are going to hear things that cause you to think, wonder, pray,” said Judy Benson, who leads the Conference corporate board. “What does God want us to be doing? How can we accomplish that? ”

Delegates also approved an increase in the Ministers Moving Fund, and voted to mandate participation by all churches in a Workers’ Compensation program. The latter action becomes effective on or after Sept. 15, 2013, based on a church’s current policy renewal date.

Photos by Holly McCray

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

Board of Church & SocietyThe Board of Church & Society is design-

ing a mediation training event, details to be announced, and partnering with utility com-panies to help churches become “cool con-gregations,” as described by Mark Davies.

“Sometimes those of us who advocate for social justice are seen as the squeaky wheel,” said Chairman Mark Whitley, “but to others [we] are the sound of hope.”

Archives & HistoryThe Commission on Archives & History

seeks your help to expand its Church History Project, urged Chairman Tom Albin.

Provide a copy of your church’s history, whether print, oral, or video format, to in-clude in the Conference Archives, which are housed in the OCU library.

If you need assistance, contact Confer-ence Archivist Christina Wolf, 405-208-5919, cwolf@okcu.edu.

Home for Christmas“Home for Christmas” again is a major

focus for the evangelism task force of the Discipleship Ministry Team.

Chris Buskirk said 168 churches signed in for the initial holiday outreach campaign. It uses TV and online advertising. Learn more at www.ChristmasEveWorship.com.

OIMC galaA fundraising gala on Oct. 10 will sup-

port an endowment for the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference.

The event includes an auction, and one item will be a meal cooked by Bishop Hayes.

Lower Apportionment won't inhibit plans to grow

$1 million challenge: Match grant to educate clergy

Saint Paul at OCUwill add doctorate

Take note:

June 28, 2013 Page 5

Photos on this page show clergy ordained during Annual Conference, on May 29 at OKC-St. Luke’s. With them are Bishop Hayes, in white robe, and Rev. Harker, with red stole. Above, newly ordained elders are, from front left, Sandra Reeves Shepherd, Josue Araujo, James Bruce Perkin II, Matthew D. Franks, Daniel Dennison, (Harker and Hayes), Tiffany Ann Smith, Linda Lusnia, Aaron Christopher Tiger, and Barbara A. Fyffe.

At right, newly ordained deacons are Josephine E. Kee-Rees and Yvonne Marie Buchanan (front left and right) and Peter J. White (center back).

Lots of news surfaced in the report by Dean Elaine Robinson for Saint Paul School of Theology at Oklahoma City University. n Rev. Robinson said the seminary will

add the Doctor of Ministry degree program on campus, beginning in January, in partner-ship with OCU.n In September, the school’s first preach-

ing workshop will feature professor and au-thor Mike Graves speaking on “Recovering from Homiletical Burnout.”n “Seminary Lite on the Road” is being

introduced. The popular “Seminary Lite” classes, designed especially for laity, will be presented on location to groups of 50 people or more, whether comprised of one church’s members or a district-wide event.n Professor Amy Oden, originally from

Oklahoma, will join the Saint Paul faculty at OCU in July. She will teach church history and spirituality.n Commencement is scheduled Aug. 23

in Oklahoma City.“Everything we do, every person that we

educate is aimed at strengthening and sup-porting local churches in making disciples,” Robinson said.

A $1 million challenge grant — the Oklahoma United Methodist Pastor Educa-tion Fund — was announced by Bill Junk, president of the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation.

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Milburn of Shawnee will give $1 million to create an endowment for pastoral education in Oklahoma if other donors collectively match that amount.

“We’ve been seeing our seminary stu-dents graduate with $50,000-plus in debt,” Junk said.

“That becomes a burden on the backs of these young people who want to serve Christ that many will never shake. This endow-

ment is intended to recruit quality clergy, help them get through seminary without a debt load.”

In exchange for funding in an academic year, a scholarship recipient will covenant to minister in the Oklahoma Area for two years

Delegates received commitment cards to return to the Foundation.

Bob Long echoed the president’s call. “Paul and Ann Milburn are such a blessing to Oklahoma United Methodists. We have to show them we want this to happen. Every church can do something if we are really serious about the future; I hope every pastor will choose to do something. Together we

really can make a difference.”Rev. Long said financial help he received

in seminary changed his ministry. He chairs the Foundation Board of Trustees.

During one-day seminars in districts in the fall, the Foundation will introduce ARISE!, a 12-month visioning process for churches.

From the Foundation’s 2012 report:n $51 million in gifts received.n A partnership with OCU, to manage

the its endowment funds, about $40 million.n Annual return of 12.5 percent for the

Foundation’s Endowment Investment Fund.n As of Dec. 31, 2012, total assets of

about $225 million.

The 2014 Apportionment was set at $16,663,047, a drop of about $300,000 from this year’s budget.

Conference leaders believe the smaller budget will accommodate a big mission: Oklahoma is realigning existing funding in order to plant more churches and grow more pastors.

Strategic Plan and Congregational De-velopment reports highlighted this emphasis. Bishop Hayes appointed Chuck Nordean to the new post of director of Congre-gational/Clergy Development.

“The lens is always dis-ciple-making,” not church

survival, said Craig Stinson, director of Connectional Ministries.

“Bill Gates doesn’t hope to eradicate polio; he plans to. Having a plan means choosing what to focus on and what to filter out. We are making major headway in all areas” through the Strategic Plan.

Last year, Rev. Stinson said, 54 more Oklahoma churches “bucked the trend” of decline that is prevalent in mainline U.S. churches.

He specifically promoted the Part-Time Local Pastors Academy, Confirmation classes, and use of the resources “Credo” and “A Disciple’s Path.”

He reported 2,174 professions of faith in Oklahoma last year. Of those, 280 occurred in churches that did not have Confirmation in 2011 but did in 2012.

“We’ve identified 13 ways to start new

places for new people,” reported Brad Humphrey, who chairs the Department of Congregational Development. “We’re also restarting some churches.”

Land has been purchased for the new Connect congregation in Edmond. In Tulsa, the Living Water church plant operates as a coffeeshop.

Three churches were officially discon-tinued: Renfrow, Commerce-First, and OKC-Hillcrest; and OKC-Asbury closed June 2. However, two of them, Hillcrest and Asbury, immediately were re-established as campuses of St. Luke’s UMC.

And Rev. Humphrey said that Caddo church, after becoming a satellite campus for Durant-First, grew from half-a-dozen wor-shippers to currently average 35-40 people.

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact June 28, 2013Page 6

Call to get Highlights DVDA 2013 Annual Conference Highlight

video is now available free through the Conference Communications Department. The video includes 16 chapters on prominent ministries and agencies of the Oklahoma Conference.

Also available are the evening worship services at St. Luke’s. Charge for worship DVDs are $5 each or $12 for the set, and a bill will be included with shipment.

Full-length Annual Conference video reports can be viewed at www.okumc.org. Click on “OKVideo” in the left panel.

Order DVDs at 405-530-2075 or aballew@okumc.org.

New in the Media LibraryCheck out “Black Marks on White

Paper,” a documentary about the life and work of Bishop Bennie Warner, retired, whose homeland is Liberia and who pastors at OKC-South Lee UMC. Oklahomans are helping build a UM-affiliated school in War-ner’s home village on land he has donated.

DVD is one hour. Contact Amelia Ballew: aballew@okumc.org, 405-530-2075.

Campus ministries need your help

Do you know students who begin college journeys this fall? Submit their information to the Conference campus ministries. At 16 locations, UM leaders are ready to welcome them. Click “Submit student information” at www.okumcministries.org/Campus_Ministry.

Save the dateSept. 14-16

OKC-Chapel Hill UMCEvangelism training opportunity

Preaching and teaching: Kevass Harding, senior pastor, Dellrose UMC, Wichita, Kan.

Sponsors: Evangelism Task Force of the Conference’s Discipleship Ministry Team and Chapel Hill’s Rogers Lecture Endowment

Grant to update Mount Sequoyah

The United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas recently awarded a $300,000 matching grant to Mount Sequoyah Retreat & Conference Center, a 32-acre site in Fay-etteville, Ark.

The grant will support repairs, mainte-nance, and upgrade of facilities, processes, and programs.

Mount Sequoyah is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of The United Method-ist Church.

Dr. Blue gets writing awardThe General Commission on Archives &

History named Ellen Blue of Tulsa as 2013 recipient of “The Women in United Method-ist History Writing Award.”

An elder of the Louisiana Conference, Rev. Dr. Blue teaches at Phillips Theological Seminary. Her winning paper was “Yes, We Are Everywhere: 30 Years With the Women for Progressive Action, Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans.”

Martha Frances Harvey, 69, of Kremlin, died June 4, 2013. She was the wife of Rev. James A. Har-vey, who retired at the 2013 Annual Conference.

Martha was born Feb. 5, 1944, in Conway, Ark. She and Jim married on Feb. 2, 1993, in Tahlequah.

She owned the Kremlin Tag Agency for 33 years. She was active in United Methodist Women.

Survivors include Rev. Harvey, son Steve Uhrig, daughters Alanna Hart and Toni Uhrig, stepson Justin Harvey, and two grandsons.

Service was June 8 at Kremlin Community United Methodist Church, where she was a longtime member.

Memorial gifts to: Kids for Christ at Kremlin UMC.

Vela Wasson of Tulsa died May 29, 2013. She was the mother of Rev. Norm Wasson, who is on official leave.

BirthJames Denson Hill was born May

28, 2013. He is the son of Brad and Rev. Katie Hill, an associate pastor at Tulsa-Faith UMC.

Briefly

Passages

The 2013 Denman Evangelism Award Committee announced three recipients of the prestigious award: Irene Potts, Trevor Smith, and Amy Venable.

The awards were presented May 29 during the Annual Conference business session, at Oklahoma City University’s Freede Center.n Irene Potts is an active member of Lawton-First UMC. She teaches

Sunday School, leads in worship, and serves many hours as volunteer director for the church’s Celebrate Recovery ministry, which reaches out to those struggling with hurts, habits, and hang-ups.

Among members added across five years, about half have been introduced to First UMC through Celebrate Recovery.

Potts has a passion for sharing how the Christian faith can impact people’s lives in a personal way. She said the large cross necklaces she wears open doors for her to share what God has done in her life.

Recently Potts was instrumental in bringing the movie “Homerun” to Lawton. In the film, an alcoholic ballplayer comes to know God through a Celebrate Recovery program. Through Potts’ efforts, 550 tickets were issued.n Trevor Smith is pastor of Sallisaw-First UMC. He writes weekly

prayer and study guides to accompany his messages in worship.He has engaged the congregation in “The Simple Church” model for

discipleship, and First UMC has experienced growth both numerically and spiritually. In three years, 36 new members have been received on Profession of Faith.

The Sallisaw church has added a new worship service under Rev. Dr. Smith’s leadership.

Smith also is sought out as an effective speaker for stewardship campaigns and church training events. He has led teams to do mission work in Oklahoma and Mexico.

n Amy Venable is pastor of St. Stephen’s UMC in Norman. Since beginning her ministry there in 2007, the church has added 164 new members. She has welcomed a diversity of families.

Rev. Venable provides nurture and care to those who have been hurt or rejected by their religious communities or traditions and who long to “return home,” and to those who have left church because of doubt.

Her approach to evangelism is lived out in relationship. She is a strong voice for justice, love, and non-violence both locally and in the wider community; she has spoken out against intolerance and bullying. St. Stephen’s is a community that welcomes all persons as equals and actively practices reconciliation.

Throughout her life, Venable has been involved in mission trips. She also has pedaled to raise funds through FreeWheel, an annual 400-mile bike ride across Oklahoma.

Janelle Brammer of Claremore chairs the Oklahoma Conference’s award committee.

From left are Denman Evangelism Award recipients Trevor Smith, Amy Venable, and Irene Potts, with Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. on stage at the 2013 Annual Conference.

Evangelism awards honor 3 Oklahomans

The Oklahoma United Methodist ContactJune 28, 2013 Page 7

The global church

Will You Join the Growing Ranks of the

1000Project 1000 Asks: ‘Can We Do More? Can we support more at-risk children, youth, and families?

More than 130 individuals, families, and groups have made the pledge to support Circle of Care $1,000 per year for the next three years. That puts us more than 10 percent of the way to our goal!

What Can Project 1000 Do?With your support, Circle of Care can change even more lives through our programs:

*United Methodist Children’s Home*United Methodist Boys Ranch*Independent Living Program*Pearl’s Hope*Child SHARE*Holsinger Home

For only $19.23 per week, you can invest in the future. You can help a child, a family. You can become one of the 1000. Won’t you join us?

Anonymous (x13)Kay AdairBill & Karen Anderson Harvey & Alene ArnoldDonald & Cheryl BakerRandy & Eddisu BarkerDon & Lynn BatsonDavid & Janet BattlesEnloe & Wanda BaumertDavid & Laura BealWesley Fellowship - Boston Ave. UMC TulsaClara BrownSpencer & Mary Brown Jr.Trav & Kara BrownMary ButlerIvan BysMichael & Leanne ChaffinUMW - Claremore FUMCRalph & Midge CoffmanRandall & Kathryn CoitLloyd & Melissa Cole Jr.Edgar & Betty CollinsMike & Mary CollinsRobert & Debbie CraineCC & Anna Marie Crooch EstateJohn & Jamie CroochMichael & Janet Crooch

Philip & Lisa CrowCurtis & Patricia CroweAnna CypertBobby & Shirley DarnellMarsha DavisNancy DeckerJohn DixonWilliam & Donna DodsonRobert & Brenda DuranGregory & Mary Ann EdwardsBarbara EskridgeDon & Wanda FischerJo FowlerDavid & Cindy FriezeMike & Elaine FrizzellJerry & Jane GambleJeannine GibbensRobert & Prudy GorrellJim and Elaine Gragg Bud & Jane GriffyUMW - Grove FUMCEarl & Marlene HaggardGeorge & Jo HallMarie HancockRudolph & Madeline HargraveRalph & Linda HarkerValerie HatleyBob & Dee Hayes Jr.

John & Anne HeatonBilly & Ann HebblethwaiteJono & Jenny HelmerichHighland Park UMCJim & Mary Nell HolderRoss & Jane HutchinsonRobert & Ann IvesterMr. & Mrs. Ivan KeatleyKeith KennedySteve & Suzan KnightBrian & Julie LaPatGreg & Anita LaPatCentenary UMC LawtonRobert LeeEd & Melba LivermoreRalph & Elaine LockstoneMr. & Mrs. Hal Long Joe Lucas & Kay McSpaddenBryan & Vicki ManneringEmery & Lisa MasonDwight MauldingIrma McCaskillDick & Lavonn McKnightBob & Doris McKownBurrel & Jo Ann McNaughtBilly & Lora MeadeLou & Pat MeadorsPaul & Ann Milburn

Larry & Sandy MochaKirt MoellingMary MoellingMike & Christy MordyDavid & Laura Morrison Ted & Laura MostellerJim Neel & Jan KingStan NicholsThrift Store-Nicoma Park UMCChuck & DeeAnn NordeanClark NuttingPathfinder SS Class -Grace UMC (OKC)St. Andrew's UMC (OKC)UMW - Okmulgee UMCUMM - Okmulgee UMCDee & Barbie PaigeBob & Peggy PetersLenert & Bobbie PfeilerAllan RauDonald & Valerie ReevesAnna RichardsonJohn & Helen RileyMargaret RitterJoe & Judy RobinsonJoe & Shirley RolstonGary & Sharon RothGale & Martha SadlerMike Self & Shannon Nakvinda

To make your pledge today, please call 405-530-2078 or visit our website at:

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

Stanley & Sherry SelvidgeLogan & Donna SharpeUMM - Wesley UMC ShawneeUMW - Wesley UMC ShawneeArden & Rita Ruth SmithBill & Martha SmithCraig Stinson & Krista JonesCarolyn TaylorAndrew TevingtonKen & June TuckerJ.M. & Patricia Vanderwiele Jr.Jim & Vickie WagnerBob & Kathleen WestRobert & Karen WilliamsDavid & Suzan WolfBill & Lissa WrightDonald & Barbara WrightEarnestine WrightSteve & Ann Zenthoefer

Circle of Care Staff: *OKC/Communications/ Pearl’s Hope Team

*UM Boys Ranch*UM Children’s Home*Independent Living*Child SHARE

Full pews in ChinaNANJING, China — Bibles come off

the presses at the rate of one every second in the Amity Printing Press factory in this city.

The company produced its 100th million copy of the Bible in late 2012. Of those, 60 million Bibles are being read in China. That country’s Protestant churches are full again. See the United Methodist News Service online series titled “The Church in China.”

New outreach to oilfieldsBISMARCK, N.D. — United Methodists

from across North and South Dakota offered more than $250,000 to start a ministry in the Bakken region of North Dakota, where the oil rush is leaving thousands of people homeless and disconnected. Key startup ac-tivities will be sending kids to camp, summer programs for kids, and setting up an outreach center in Watford City.

Mosquitoes on the runBATON ROUGE, La.— The Louisiana

Conference helped change the world with the Louisiana Skeeter Run, consisting of 10 events held simultaneously in 10 cities on March 2. Runners, walkers, and volunteers — even UM “swat teams” — raised aware-ness and more than $75,000 for the denomi-nation’s Imagine No Malaria campaign.

UMReporter continues onlineNASHVILLE, Tenn. — Earlier this

month, CircuitWriter Media purchased The United Methodist Reporter name, website, and other digital assets from UMR Com-munications Inc., which ceased operations in May. Through digital distribution, Cir-cuitWriter Media seeks to continue the Re-porter’s long tradition of independent news and commentary for United Methodists.

Time for a road trip?By action of the 2012 General Confer-

ence, the denomination now has 46 Heritage Landmarks, including one in Oklahoma: Newtown Indian United Methodist Church, Okmulgee. General Conference designated five new Heritage Landmarks; three are outside the United States. Locations at www.gcah.org.

United Methodist bishops in North Caro-lina have signed a joint statement with Epis-copal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic leaders urging the state legislature not to make drastic cuts in programs, such

as Medicaid, that help the most vulnerable in society. People have been rallying on Monday evenings in the state’s capital. The rallies have come to be known as “Moral Mondays.” — Compiled from UMNS reports

Photo by Holly McCrayHEART SONGS — In several languages, a traveling student choir from Africa University blesses Oklahoma United Methodists on May 27 in the OKC-St. Luke’s sanctuary. The Annual Conference concert was part of a 10-day choir tour in the state. In Mutare, Zimbabwe, on June 8, the UM-affiliated university celebrated 450 graduates at its 19th commencement. The Annual Conference Offering was designated for AU.

n The denomination’s website: www.umc.orgn United Methodist News Service: http://umns umc.org (Sign up to receive the UMNS Daily Digest.) n Track news updates through the Church’s social networking on Twitter and Facebook.n View and download videos on the UM YouTube channel. “Chuck Knows Church” is a popular series.

‘Moral Mondays’ in North Carolina

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact June 28, 2013Page 8

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

Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation insights

Foundation honors Egan award recipientsMouzon Biggs Jr. is a name widely rec-

ognized in the Oklahoma Conference. With 54 years of pastoral ministry, Rev. Dr. Biggs recently retired as senior minister of Tulsa’s Boston Avenue United Methodist Church. Mouzon and his wife Gayle’s legacy will live on at Boston Avenue for many contributions to the church, including growing the church’s endowment funds.

Mouzon and Gayle were instrumental in helping grow Boston Avenue’s endowments during his 33-year tenure at the church. When Mouzon was appointed to Boston Avenue in 1980, the church’s general en-dowment fund totaled $200,000. Today the general, building, and missions endowments total more than $31 million collectively.

The Oklahoma United Methodist Foun-dation recently honored Mouzon and Gayle with the Jim Egan Legacy Award. During the May 29 report to the 2013 Annual Con-ference, lay and clergy delegates responded with a standing ovation for the couple when the award was presented by Bishop Hayes; Bill Junk, Foundation president; Dr. Robert Long, Foundation board chairman; and Bob Bowles, Jim Egan’s grandson.

“Mouzon and Gayle are great encouragers

of the Foundation. Throughout his years at Boston Avenue, Mouzon has talked openly about legacy giving and the impact of endow-ments, which is evident from Boston Avenue’s significant endowment funds,” said Junk.

Mouzon often spoke about the church’s

endowments from the pulpit. He said every such gift was like putting money in the of-fering plate each week and truly leaving a legacy within the church. When the church received planned and estate gifts, he would talk about the impact those fund will make

on the future of the church. This has inspired countless people to remember Boston Avenue through planned or estate gifts.

“What makes Mouzon so very special is not only his love for Boston Avenue, but his love for the Oklahoma Annual Conference. He had many laypeople with the means and desire and encouraged them to give to United Methodist ministries such as senior adult homes and camps. He helped his congrega-tion step up and be generous and bless so many things you and I benefit from today,” said Dr. Long as he presented the award.

The Foundation instituted the Jim Egan Legacy Award in 2003. The award recogniz-es persons who model Christian stewardship and philanthropy. As an original incorpora-tor of the Foundation, Jim Egan exemplified stewardship and dedicated his life to United Methodism.

Past recipients of the Jim Egan Legacy Award include the late Jim Egan of Muskogee, Richard and Norma Small of Tulsa, the late Dail West of Miami, Bob and the late Cissy Parker of Tulsa, Elliott and Lu Fenton of Okla-homa City, Jean and the late Joe Holliman of Tulsa, Glenn and Veronica Cox of Bartlesville, and Paul and Ann Milburn of Shawnee.

Dr. Mouzon and Gayle Biggs receive the Foundation's Jim Egan Legacy Award. Pictured are Bob Long, Foundation board chairman; Bob Bowles, grandson of Jim Egan; Mouzon and Gayle Biggs; and Bill Junk, Foundation president.

Mission snapshots winScenes from afternoon Mission Opportunities May 29 won prizes in the Annual Conference photo contest, sponsored by the Department of Communications. Madelyn Parker's gesture, “I (heart) Rebuilding Together,” won first place for youth delegate Ali Wonderly of Tulsa-Boston Avenue. Tulsa-Living Water Pastor Heather Scherer took second place with her picture of three clergymen painting, also at a Rebuilding Together site: Roger Parker, Mark Jardine, and Chris Buskirk. A photo of “Mission Possible” volunteers on the Positive Tomor-rows playground earned third place for Charlotte Teel, associate pastor at Yukon-Good Shepherd.

In August, “Grad Weekend” is a special camp for new high school graduates.

At Egan on Aug. 2-4, campers will discuss life after high school, hear relevant speakers, and connect with new friends as they embark on this new life chapter.

The program begins with check-in at 7:30 p.m. Friday and concludes at noon Sunday.

The United Methodist Motorcycle Association will share their stories with the group on Saturday. A panel discussion on Sunday will discuss healthy relationships and dating.

Preacher will be James Hunt, associate pastor at Broken Arrow-First UMC. Worship music will be led by Kyle Beard of Muskogee. He just completed his freshman year at Okla-homa City University.

Breakout sessions and leaders: n “Living the Red Letters of Christ in a Gray World,” by

Nick Lee, youth director at Bixby-First. Focus on living as a follower of Christ in a world that doesn’t understand. As we continue on our journey after high school, we must know what Christ said and we must learn to follow no matter what! n “Know Your Money,” by Elizabeth Horton-Ware,

campus minister at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. What are the most common mistakes young adults make concerning finances? Learn how to talk with your parents about money, understand credit cards and loans, and more.n “Finding Your Faith Instead of Losing It,” by Rev.

Hunt. Life after high school brings new experiences and new questions that can strengthen and deepen your faith, if you come at them from the right direction.

Register: www.okumc.org/registrations/register/255.Ques-tions: Janey Wilson, 405-321-6266, Janey@okwesley.org.

Weekend camp designed for new high school grads

mailto:Janey@okwesley.org