THE OKLAHOMA UNITED METHODIST
Weekly
Volume 6, Number 7 • February 14, 2024 • www.okumc.org
A Letter from Conference Leaders 2
Repenting on Date Night 4 Poverty: An Indictment on the Poor or Humanity? 6
Church and Society Retreat Scheduled for April 9
ERE , H K bs CLIC ts, jo even for more! and
Save the Date Dream a Church 10
Employment Passages
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February 14, 2024
A Letter from Conference Leaders which will include a devotion on a chapter of John’s gospel, a seven day prayer focus, a list of scripture readings and a We appreciate each of you suggested daily prayer. Each and your commitment to God’s kingdom as it comes on earth as of the devotions is written by a it is in heaven. United Methodists leader in our conference and you across Oklahoma are vital to the will be blessed by them. extension of Christ’s mission into The first email will arrive the world for the transformation on Monday, February 19 (the of it. As we move toward Lent, Easter and the trio of conferences first Monday in Lent) and will which are forthcoming - General, conclude 21 weeks later on the Monday that the South Central Annual and Jurisdictional we are launching a spiritual Jurisdictional Conference begins. formation series called “The Throughout the series, you will Word: A Study through the Book have the chance to pray for each of our churches on one particular of John.” day. Each week you will receive If you do not normally receive an email from the conference Greetings in the name of Christ.
Director of Communications: Joseph Harris Multimedia & Web Manager: Andrew Himes Editor of Publications: Jena Barber Communications Specialist: Tabitha Beckman 1501 N.W. 24th, Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Stories and photos by the editor unless otherwise noted.
emails from the conference, you can sign up for the weekly emails here. We pray this project will assist you as we move throughout these important times in the Christian year and the United Methodist calendar. Grace and peace, Bishop Jimmy Nunn Rev. Dr. Joe Harris Joe Holt Rev. Derrek Belase
Send news to editor@okumc.org. Submission deadline: Each Monday. Next publication date: Feb. 21
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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact
February 14, 2024
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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact
February 14, 2024
Repenting on Date Night BY DEVON KRAUSE
I
met my wife on Ash Wednesday in 2007, so it’s funny when it falls on Valentine’s Day. Pair that with my silly/sarcastic personality, I often joke with her that instead of putting a cross on her head I’m going to put at a heart. (cue the eye roll) Plus, it isn’t difficult to find a nice Ryan Gosling meme for such an occasion, like the one shared with this article. Ash Wednesday has deep meaning within the traditions of the church, but it can be hard to explain to the person you see standing
Wednesday that we forget to in line at a restaurant after the evaluate what it means for us worship service. When you can tell they see the sign of the cross personally. Instead, we might find ourselves focusing more on on your head and wonder what the need for others to repent of it means, what do you say? I something. It’s kind of like when might be tempted to reply with I write a sermon for someone in something like “the ashes are particular and then they don’t a sign of our mortality and our show up…maybe that sermon need for repentance.” was actually for me and I needed them to not show up to realize The only it… maybe I needed to repent problem is that those are of the assumptions I’m carrying about them. theological In the book Leadership and words and Self-Deception, the authors talk its entirely possible that about the box we put ourselves those words in relationship with others. Although the book is oriented won’t help towards working relationships deepen the conversation. I found several correlations to working with other Christians. It can At one point the author says, be easy “A little knowledge can be a as church leaders to get dangerous thing…you can use fixated on the this material to blame just as well as you can use anything else. theological Merely knowing the material language doesn’t get you out of the box. around Living it does. And we’re not important moments like Ash Director of Communications: Joseph Harris Multimedia & Web Manager: Andrew Himes Editor of Publications: Jena Barber Communications Specialist: Tabitha Beckman
1501 N.W. 24th, Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Stories and photos by the editor unless otherwise noted.
Send news to editor@okumc.org. Submission deadline: Each Monday. Next publication date: Feb. 14.
Subscribe online at www.okumc.org.
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living it if we’re using it to diagnose others.” This Ash Wednesday let’s put away our attempts to diagnose others and evaluate what it means to us personally. Let’s not lose sight of the reality that in order to lead others to a mindset of repentance we must first do so. So, what does Ash Wednesday mean for you? To the person standing in line at the restaurant after service asking what the ashes on my head mean I’m going to say, “it means I need Jesus and I want everyone else to know.”
February 14, 2024
Devon Krause proposed in front of the altar where the pair met - two years later - with the same candles she was helping light before the worship service. Submitted photo.
Daily Lent Devotions REV. DR. SAM POWERS DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT
devotions to the blog on Ash Wednesday and they will post in the early hours of the morning around 3 am in case there are any who rise early and wish to As we approach another begin their day with the reading season of Lent, I have decided and devotion as their Lenten to once again embrace the discipline. And just to be clear, discipline of journaling my I do schedule these to post - I’m thoughts through this blog as not up at this hour! reflections on scripture. In the I will also post these to my past, I have chosen a book of Facebook and X social media the Bible to read through but accounts in case you prefer to this year, I’ve decided to do a comment and engage with a deeper dive into the Sermon on larger community. These will the Mount and the Sermon on the post for the 40 days of Lent (I Plain. won’t post on the six Sundays I will begin posting these
of Lent) ending with a final post for Easter Sunday on March 31. If you haven’t decided on a Lenten discipline this year, I would invite you to read along with me through this important material. It may be that you would also like to set a discipline of commenting with your own thoughts about where the material took you as well! And of course, if you would like to share the blog on social media, this helps distribute it to a wider audience. I pray that your Lenten season is contemplative and fruitful for your spiritual growth in Christ!
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February 14, 2024
Poverty: An Indictment on the Poor or Humanity? of poverty by many of the lawmakers was perceived for the most part as a Black people’s problem. Remember, this was 1968. The gains of the Civil Rights Movement were taking hold with all deliberate speed. Before the demands of the Poor People’s Campaign were delivered at the Poor People’s March on Washington, Dr. King was assassinated. Without skipping a beat, the Rev. Ralph Abernathy picked up the mantle and continued the effort. The March presented six demands to Congress on behalf of all persons impacted by poverty. These demands included: fair, livable wages; cease all budget cuts from public education; insure livable housing to name a few. Roughly
3,000 people set up an encampment protesting for six-weeks on the Washington Mall. Though Dr. King For you always have the poor was not with them, one thing he put with you, and you can show in motion was the importance of kindness to them whenever you showing the every day American the wish, but you will not always have actual faces of persons affected by me. (Mark 14:7, CEB) injustice. Congress would have to see In 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, the many faces of persons— all skin Jr. and the Southern Christian colors, ages, ability, etc.— suffering Leadership Conference created due to poverty in the U.S. and so what was called the Poor People’s would any one watching or reading Campaign. At the time, the U.S. the daily news. government, under President While Methodists were uniting Lyndon B. Johnson, had much of in 1968, it was also a presidential their attention focused on the war election year. The Poor People’s in Vietnam. Although President March on Washington was a talking Johnson had begun a war on poverty point for those running for president. with the goal of eradicating poverty, Presidential candidate Richard Nixon it did not get much traction in spoke out against Congress yielding Congress. Unfortunately, the issue to the demands of the Poor People’s Campaign. News outlets cast a negative spin on the Poor People’s Campaign and its efforts. Even with real, impacted persons desperately pleading their cases, the protest would be squashed. Afterwards, some change did occur very slowly in its implementation. Yet, even 55 years later, poverty still exists and has grown. In 2017, the Rev. Dr. William Barber, III, resurrected the cause for giving voice to those suffering under the Rev. Valerie Steele and others from the Oklahoma Poor People’s Campaign at last interlocking injustices of year’s trip to Washington, D.C. Submitted photos. our day. Now called the Poor BY REV. VALERIE STEELE
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People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, this movement has gained momentum in 32 states including Oklahoma. Did you know that poverty is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S.? In 2019, before the COVID pandemic, that statistic equated to 183,000 deaths per year, or over 800 deaths a day! In THIS country, poverty should not be a death sentence! In a state where there is an overwhelming abundance of churches claiming to following the way of Jesus Christ, why between 2018-2020, 38 percent of the population consisted of poor and low-income people— 1,479,000 Oklahomans. In Oklahoma, a person receiving minimum wage, $7.25/ hour, must work 92 hours per week to potentially afford a modest two-
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bedroom apartment. The tragic effects poverty has on adults is far worse for children experiencing poverty. In 2021, 866,000 children in 497,000 households received the expanded Child Tax Credit. This expansion of the Child Tax Credit, which ended December 31, 2021, contributed to a dramatic decline in poverty. That decline was short-lived. When Jesus said, “For you always have the poor with you…,” did he mean it as an indictment against humanity? Did he know that humanity would be loathe to actually do something to help persons experiencing poverty? As the hands and feet of Jesus, we have a moral obligation to “Fight Poverty, not the Poor!” The time was then and the time is now to do our best to do away with poverty. It begins
February 14, 2024
at the state level. Saturday, March 2, is just one opportunity to join the Oklahoma Poor People’s Campaign for a rally on the south side of the State Capitol in Oklahoma City. This is a time to hear from impacted people, faith leaders and advocate organizations from across the state as they speak truth to power. At 11 a.m., a line forms at NE 21st St and N Kelley Ave - one mile east of the Capitol - for a peaceful march to the State Capitol. The rally begins at noon. You are welcome to be a part of this multi-state, non-partisan, diverse effort to bring awareness and a voice to the poverty which exists in Oklahoma. We must find ways to eradicate poverty for the least of these. We must “Fight Poverty, not the Poor!”
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February 14, 2024
Presented by the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference Multi Ethnic Office and the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
MOVIE NIGHT FREE EVENT
FEBRUARY 29TH 5-9 PM 5 pm Doors open (first 180 people) 6-8 pm Movie 8-9 pm Discussion led by John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation, Director of Outreach and Alliances Popcorn, drinks & candy supports local ministries
SHARED LEGACIES
The often forgotten story of the coalition and friendship between the Jewish and African-American communities during the Civil Rights Movement.
Homsey Hall in the Sarkeys Science and Math Center Oklahoma City University register at https://okumc-reg.brtapp.com/ RegistrationforBlackHistoryMonthMovieNight for more information contact Rev. Dr. Bessie Hamilton at bhamilton@okumc.org 405-509-0116
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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact
February 14, 2024
Church and Society Retreat Scheduled for April BY TWILA GIBBENS
P
erhaps it will be chilly, perhaps it will be warm, but the environment at Canyon Camp is the ideal place for a retreat for an “Ecofaith Revolution: The Community of All Creation”. Hosted by the Oklahoma UMC Board of Church and Society, the retreat team has invited two fine speakers to enlarge our vision: Rev. Chebon Kernell, ordained in Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference (OIMC), and Executive Director of the Native American Comprehensive Plan of the United Methodist Church. He is a land defender and water protector and has spoken across the world in defense of Mother Earth. Rev. Carole Divine, National Faith and Climate Director for ecoAmerica’s Blessed Tomorrow program. She is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and founder of the denomination’s creation care ministry. The retreat begins Friday evening with worship at 7:30 (or come early for dinner) and the ending session will be Saturday at 4 p.m. Hiking and activities for children and youth will be included, along with workshops led by UMC pastors and laity. Some of these are: “Fresh Expressions” led by Rev. Tim McHugh of Claremore Grace, “Christian Nationalism” by Rev. Jack TerrellWilkes, “Hot Topics and the Law” with District Judge Dynda Post,
“Bridging Cultural Boundaries: Living Like Jesus in Our Changing Communities” with Rev. Adam Young, “Revisions to the Social Principals” with Rev. Mark Davies,” and Diandra Nelson, seminary student, will lead “Climate Change through the lens of the Quadrilateral”. You can find registration forms here, and on the facebook page for Oklahoma Board of Church and
Society. There will also be facebook updates on the planning, so “follow” us! Let’s come together to celebrate God’s creation in the beauty of the Canyon and all the living beings we will see!
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W
hat is your dream for a new church start in your community? When you think of Oklahoma, where do you see the need for beloved community? This monthly video series is filled with facts, ideas, support, and more.
The Dream A Church program is tailor-made to help congregations discern the call to plant a new church. The videos and the church planting guide are offered by New Faith Communities. New Faith Communities will plant churches across Oklahoma
February 14, 2024
to mobilize disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Click here to learn more.
Watering the Earth :
S TA R T W I T H V I S I O N A N D A P U R P O S E
CONTACT US TODAY TO PROVIDE FOR THE MINISTRIES OF YOUR CHURCH AND LASTING GOOD IN YOUR COMMUNITY
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METHODIST
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February 14, 2024
Ministry in a Minute
The Seminole United Women in Faith raised $3,000 by hosting their annual Groundhog Day Dinner. Member Debbie Kuykendall and BancFirst employees helped with the dinner. Pictured are Alissa, Sonny & Robin with Grand Ground Hog Dr. Rebecca Kennedy. Submitted photo.
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February 14, 2024
Call to Action Get your tickets to Black History Movie Night! Space is limited. Entry is free; snacks and drinks are a fundraiser for a local nonprofit. Event is 5 p.m., Feb. 29, at OCU. Learn more here. Want to earn $100 just for getting a check-up? Sign up today for a health check with your Virgin Pulse account. The app can be confusing, so if you have any questions, please contact Madison at mamber@okumc.org.
Share your event or job opportunity in the Contact. For consideration, email your listing to editor@okumc.org.