All the events swirling around the globe when Paul McCartney composed Let It Be perhaps encouraged him to write this song. When all is not well in the world, we want answers. For some individuals, those answers are demanded and vehemently sought. That is the intersection where real change for the good of humanity occurs.
Have you ever heard of Bayard Rustin?
Like so many hidden figures in history, it was not until decades later that current history lifted his story and accomplishments to the light of day. He was a proponent of nonviolence. He was a civil rights activist and one genius of an organizer.
the scenes, pushing others forward to the spotlight. He worked with some heavyweights of African American history such as A. Philip Randolph on the initial March on Washington in 1941. This effort demanded and led to the desegregation of the U.S. military. Yet, a literal march never occurred. He was a close family friend of the Kings (yes, that King family.) Working with the up and coming Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., he organized the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. This was a
busing laws. Although there was unprovoked violence and bloodshed by white mobs and mass arrests, a change did come.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be There will be an answer, let it be. ~The Beatles, 1970
While the 1941 March on Washington did achieve the results it sought, his crowning glory of a monumental movement was the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Rustin organized this March with a group of young people seeking and demanding that this be a nation with liberty and justice for all. In the mix were some other behind-the-scenes veterans of the Civil Rights Movement such as Ella Baker and Dr. Anna Hedgeman and once again, A. Philip Randolph.
Rustin was a man humbly comfortable with his place behind
vehicle that assisted in catapulting Dr. King into the spotlight as its first president and this civil rights organization exists to this day.
Rustin organized Freedom Rides which demanded the southern states, still wielding Jim Crow laws, abide by the desegregated federal
Following John F. Kennedy’s Civil Rights address on national television and the assassination of Medgar Evers the same day, something stirred inside Bayard Rustin to strike while the iron was hot. In less than two months, just seven weeks, the team of young and veteran civil rights
marshals were present to guide the crowd; celebrities like Harry Belafonte, Charlton Heston, Mahalia Jackson, James Baldwin, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Marlon Brando and many more were present.
workers, under his leadership, pulled off the miraculous.
From the very beginning, the movement was fraught with naysayers, stumbling blocks and saboteurs from outside of the movement. There were even a few leaders within the civil rights movement - Adam Clayton Powell and initially Roy Wilkins - who attempted to cut it off before it could even be born. After King and Randolph publicly put their stamp of approval on the March, it was a go!
Under Rustin’s leadership, tens of thousands of dollars were raised; hundreds of buses were chartered; multiple flights arranged; food was prepared with plenty water made available; a multitude of unarmed
It is estimated that at least 250,000 people were at the largest rally in that space ever. Dr. King gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech right there on the steps of the of the Lincoln Memorial. When it was all done, it was said that Bayard Rustin picked up a trash collecting sack and began picking up the trash left by attendees. His successful efforts and giftedness led to the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 followed by the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Rustin was raised by his grandmother, who taught him Christian values in the Quaker faith tradition. She preached and lived the virtue of humility. She taught him that no person was worth any less than any other person. He worked wonders behind the scenes, pushing so many future leaders of the civil rights era to the forefront. As in that time and even today, his being a gay, Black man loomed heavy over his life. His efforts to make America a more just society for ALL were called into question simply because of his being homosexual.
How many times throughout history, in our churches and our own lives, have we counted
someone out or excluded specific groups because of who are considered the outcasts of the time? Persons who are of a different race/ethnicity. Persons whose first language is not English. Persons who may be undocumented immigrants. Those experiencing homelessness and poverty. Low-wage earners unable to keep up even in Oklahoma’s economy. A whole community of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals.
Of course, there are more lines of division we humans have created. No doubt Jesus’ words from the cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do,” had to include humans’ propensity to exclude others. We need to remember that in these often “excluded groups” are gifted, prophetic people willing to speak truth to the status quo, powers that be, the church even, seeking answers and demanding justice pushing us toward our best selves as humanity together.
The German philosopher Georg Hegel was quoted, “The only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history.” Frightening, but true. But, if we have learned anything from history, it is you cannot legislate morality. That is a heart issue.
As Christians, It comes down how well we really understand the mission of the one who came over 2,000 years ago reflecting God to us as a holy example. We still have much to learn if we both seek and demand the answers.
BY DANA PARKER
Are you prepared for disaster? With tornado season coming with spring storms, it’s a question that needs asking. OKUMC Disaster Response Ministry is offering a guided program called Connecting Neighbors that helps your congregation and/or community’s individuals and families develop or review their own disaster plan. This program helps individuals and families make sure all their needed documents are readily
available, understand and review their insurance coverage, have supplies on hand, and have a plan in place in case families are separated when disaster strikes.
The program also offers guidance for the local church to have a disaster plan in place as well. The third component of the program is to become aware of the church’s assets that place it in
a position to offer comfort to the community when disaster hits.
What unique things come from your congregation’s people and property? With helpful ideas, areas that fit your specific congregation become starting points to building a disaster response outreach within your community.
This program is designed to be offered in 3 sessions with each session lasting about 2 hours. It’s very flexible and can be presented over 3 weeks, a weekend, or in one day.
Life at Epworth Villa is all about freedom. Freedom from home maintenance and chores. Freedom from having to drive all over town. Freedom from worrying about future needs. And when you’re free to live your best life, it’s amazing the joy that each day brings. Experience the freedom you deserve and check out our spacious cottages and beautiful apartments at EpworthVilla.org.
The curriculum is provided by the United Methodist Committee on Relief, and presented by our Oklahoma Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Dana Parker and Rev. Tim McHugh.
Call or email Dana Parker (918510-7507, dparker@okumc.org) to schedule your church.
construction or physical labor, congregations can provide meals or even simply check on neighbors. Photos by depositphotos.com.
One of the greatest parts of our United Methodist connection is the United Methodist Committee on Relief. You can find UMCOR in places all around the world, offering humanitarian aid after disasters, developing programs for environmental and agricultural sustainability, and serving people in the middle of migration. UMCOR offers financial support and training in these areas so that local churches and agencies can be the hands of Jesus in the midst of human suffering.
UMCOR does its work through donations from you. Money raised during the UMCOR Special Offering Day is designated for operating costs so that any money given through its Advance projects is 100% used for the project. One of UMCOR’s Advance projects is U.S Disaster Response. Through this Advance, OKUMC has received $80,000 in grant funding that has helped 33 families in Eastern Oklahoma recover from flooding in May 2022, and will be able to help 35 more. A recovery grant for $150,000 was approved for residents of Pottawatomie, Cleveland, and McClain counties that received damage from the April 2023 tornado.
You can be a part of this great work and learn more about all the ways UMCOR is active in our world by celebrating the Special Offering Day on March 10, or whatever day best fits your church’s schedule. Find out more at this link.
Members from McFarlin UMC clear debris after the February tornado in Norman in 2023. Submitted photos. Beyond
BY LEVI DUGGAN
Xzavion often serves as a greeter to churchgoers at our new church plant. A big part of ability inclusion is making sure that everyone’s included in service in the church.
He can use his skills of incredible friendliness, and love for people to make guests feel welcome. Kiah is a 10-yearold in our church who is on the autism spectrum. She particularly loves yoga on Wednesday nights during our children’s ministry time. There are many ways to make people of differing abilities feel included and welcome and safe in your church spaces. The name of the game is flexibility. In addition, it’s really important to focus on listening to the voices of those who experience different abilities.
March 5th, 2024 marks People with Disabilities Awareness Day (PWDAD). Often caregivers, advocates, and people with disabilities will visit the Capitol in Oklahoma City to meet with legislators and discuss pressing issues of accessibility, health care, caregiving, and education. Then in the afternoon, we make our way over to the Oklahoma History Center where scores of tables are set up with various information including
Xzavion greets members and visits with a smile at Ceili Community. Photos by Levi Duggan.
assistive technology, adult group homes, therapy and respite options, and more.
What can you do this week to support PWDAD? This is a moment each year where churches and followers of Christ are invited to reflect on disability, to consider your worship spaces and programming, and ask if there are ways to improve accessibility or outreach to families impacted by disability. While it makes a lot of sense to add supports like noise canceling headphones or sensory fidgets to your worship experience, the best place to start in
becoming more ability inclusive is to listen to the voices of people in your congregation who are impacted by disability. Here are some ideas on how to get started:
● Start an Ability Inclusion Task Force and invite individuals of all abilities to serve
● Utilize the free United Methodist Accessibility Audit, which the Conference asks about every year on your annual reports!
● Consider more training for Children and Youth leaders in the area of special needs. If maximal inclusion is a focus or passion of your church, you can go to my website for resources that include everyone.
One of my favorite passages of Scripture is 2 Corinthians Chapter
5. I love verses 14 and 15 which read: “For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.” One of the reasons I love these words so much is that they connect life to service. Our truest and best life comes when we live for others, when we strive to serve and love others. When we live for Christ, we are compelled to love people. One of the most important questions any church can ask themselves is: who are we leaving out?
So often, this includes individuals
with disabilities who do not feel included for physical, cultural, or relational reasons. If the sermons, songs, worship liturgy, and ministry programs all assume ability first, it becomes difficult to retrofit inclusion on the back end. Instead, work to listen to others, to live for them, and constantly seek new ways of including those who are left out the most. This is the best way to respond to the invitation that is People With Disabilities Awareness Day.
When Boston Avenue staff members Teresa Bond-Mason, Lisa Hines, Evelyn Caruso, and Blaire Hines (pictured above from left to right) took an after lunch walk in the church building one day, their conversation about food turned into questions about cookbooks. One of them wondered when Boston Avenue had last published a cookbook of member recipes. One question led to another, and the conversation launched the idea of creating a Boston Avenue Cookbook.
The Boston Avenue Cookbook was an inspired idea. It was one that brought smiles to their faces. I believe this is often how God’s spirit works. As Galatians 5:22 reminds us, God “brings us gifts into our lives much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard….”
$2800, funds which were donated to one of Boston Avenue’s newest mission projects, The Smiles of Faith Mobile Dental Clinic. And this ‘pop up’ mission activity not only raised funds for missions, but also created a sense of community among those who sent recipes and shared stories with those who purchased the cookbook.
Boston Avenue UMC staff members Teresa Bond-Mason, Lisa Hines, Evelyn Caruso, and Blaire Hines, took a walk, had an idea, and turned that idea into a fundrasier for the church’s mobile dental clinic.
The blessings come when we allow those ideas to spur us on to action. After the walk had ended, the idea that had brought smiles to their faces turned into action, with each of them making plans on how this idea could become a reality.
The idea of the “Boston Avenue Eats” Cookbook went from a topic of conversation to becoming a reality in less than two months after that walk. The idea was shared with Boston Avenue members, and it brought smiles to the faces of dozens of members who responded with recipes, photos, and stories. Recipes were typed, editing was done, photos were cropped, graphics were developed, and soon orders were being taken for what had once been nothing more than an idea that brought a smile to the faces of those four.
The Boston Avenue Cookbook sold 250 copies! It raised almost
Everyone who has read the Cookbook can’t help but smile at the photos and stories along with the recipes it contains. The Boston Avenue Work Area On Missions has been smiling ever since it heard the idea and even more so after they learned how much money the cookbook raised. The Smiles of Faith Executive Director, Staff and Board smiled when they received the muchappreciated donation, and the Smiles of Faith patients are smiling because of the dental care the proceeds help to fund. Truly, because these four women on an after-lunch walk responded with action to an idea that God’s spirit had planted in their hearts and minds, there are ‘Smiles all Around!”.
“A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face….” Proverbs 15:13a Ed Payton is the missions facilitator at Boston Avenue UMC in Tulsa.
WHAT: The BFW health screening includes a blood draw and a few measurements such as blood pressure and waist circumference. You’ll receive personalized data on 30 health factors.
WHY: Earn $100*
REGISTER: It is strongly recommended that you register for this event. Walk-ins are very limited. There are two ways to register:
• Online: Log in to your Virgin Pulse® account and find Blueprint for Wellness under the “Benefits” tab or through Benefits Access (for participants).
• Phone: 1-855-623-9355
Employer group: Wespath2024
ALTERNATIVES: If you can’t attend the BFW event, you can complete the BFW at a Quest Diagnostics® facility at not cost to you. Registration is required. The Well-Being Programs FAQs includes additional ways to complete the BFW if you can’t get to this event or a Quest facility.
Event:
Date:
Time:
Location:
Register by:
May Annual Conference Health Check 5/30-5/31 6:00AM-10:00AM OCU-Freede Center 5/29/2023
• Wellness Credits
Earn 20 Wellness Credits for each of seven health measures that meet the American Heart Association’s recommended range or are improved over your previous year’s BFW results. Seven qualifying health measures = 140 Wellness Credits total. Participants and spouses in HealthFlex can each earn $100*—and up to 140 Wellness Credits depending on results. Earn 150 Wellness Credits before the end of the year and receive an additional $150*
If you missed the BFW last year, you’re still eligible for Wellness Credits for achieving healthy results, and you’ll have a baseline next year.
• Fast Overnight
Fasting overnight gives the most accurate results. Ask your doctor or other primary care provider (PCP) if it’s safe for you to fast.
• Confidential Results E-mailed and Mailed Directly to You Share with your PCP.
• Health Check
Don’t forget to take the Health Check to avoid a higher deductible in 2025.
Reasonable alternatives or waivers will be made available for those who cannot achieve recommended or improved measures due to an underlying medical condition. Requests for a reasonable alternative may be made by:
• E-mail healthteam@wespath.org
• U.S. mail—Wespath Benefits and Investments
Attention: Incentive Request, 1901 Chestnut Avenue, Glenview, IL 60025
Participation in HealthFlex well-being programs is voluntary.
* Incentive rewards are provided in “Pulse Cash,” the “rewards currency” for HealthFlex—you must be enrolled in Virgin Pulse to earn and redeem Pulse Cash. Pulse Cash is delivered straight to your Virgin Pulse account and can be transferred to your checking account or redeemed for gift cards, merchandise or charitable donations. The IRS considers wellness incentives as taxable income. Please consult your tax advisor.
On January 31, The SWOSU Wesley had its annual pancake dinner fundraiser. Over 150 people came to eat, and the event raised over $3,000 for future mission work.
Submitted photos.
Purcell Trinity United Methodist Church youth decorated and filled goody bags for their local assisted living community, Westbrook Gardens. The bags contained useful items like hand lotion, tissues, eye glass cloths and, of course, just a few pieces of candy. When the youth director asked the youth if they would like to do something for the United Day of Kindness on February 16, they jumped at the idea. Area retailers and organizations donated most of the items. The youth decorated 45 bags with hope-filled messages and images to raise the spirits of the recipients. The youth also took cookies to the police and fire station for first responders to enjoy. They plan on expanding their acts of kindness next time to include the nursing home and other areas who need a bit of hope. Submitted photos.
CONTACT US TODAY TO PROVIDE FOR THE MINISTRIES OF YOUR CHURCH AND LASTING GOOD IN YOUR COMMUNITY
