The Contact 4-3-24

THE OKLAHOMA UNITED METHODIST

Weekly

Volume 6, Number 14 • April 3, 2024 • www.okumc.org

Day of Learning 2

Celebrating Holy Humor Sunday 4

E HERbs, K CLIC ts, jo Revised Social Principles reflect increased attention to creation care 6

even for more! and

Save the Date Employment Passages Skyline Urban Ministry celebrates 50 years of service 8

Appointments

Page 2

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

March 27, 2024

Preparing for Annual Conference 2024 Part 1 of our 8 part series

Day of Learning

BY REV. DERREK BELASE

O

ne of the five dreams of our annual conference is the dream of Communities Impacting Poverty. This comes out of the Council of Bishops’ request that each annual conference reaffirm and work toward its commitment to the Pan Methodist Campaign for Children in Poverty. In Oklahoma, we are calling our initiative, “Let’s Do This, Oklahoma.”

Data from the Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey shows that the poverty rate in Oklahoma is 15.7 percent, which puts us as the eighth poorest country in the US. For children, it’s even more dismal. The data show that poverty is especially concentrated for Oklahoma’s children, with 19.5 percent - or almost 1 in 5 children living at or below the federal poverty

level.

In many of our communities, the United Methodist Church is responding with community food banks, weekend backpack programs, and many other outreach ministries which are making a difference across Oklahoma.

The Mission and Service Ministry Team and the team working on “Let’s Do This, Oklahoma,” will host a conference-wide Day of Learning on Wednesday, May 29, the day before the annual conference begins. If you are a member of the conference, you will have a chance to register when you register for the conference session.

However, this day of learning is for ALL leaders in churches around our state. Whether you are coming to the conference or not, you are encouraged to participate in this important day.

You can register here for the day, for which a $15 registration fee covers

Director of Communications: Joseph Harris Multimedia & Web Manager: Andrew Himes Editor of Publications: Jena Barber Communications Specialist: Tabitha Beckman 1501 NW 24th, Oklahoma City, OK 73106

lunch and the material for the day. The day begins with registration at 8:30 a.m., with the seminar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., including a lunch break. The workshop will be held in the Gardner Conference Room at the Meinders School of Business on the campus of Oklahoma City University.

The presenter will be Treasure McKenzie, director of Muskogee Bridges Out of Poverty. She will focus on a framework for understanding poverty in your communities.

McKenzie is affiliated with the aha! Process and the Ruby Payne Organization.

A series of district workshops will be held in the fall to follow up on this important event. If your church is interested in future grants for impacting your communities regarding poverty, this workshop will be required.

Send news to editor@okumc.org.

Submission deadline: Each Monday.

Next publication date: Apr. 10.

Stories and photos by the editor unless otherwise noted.

Cover art and graphics by depositphotos.com.

Subscribe online at www.okumc.org.

Page 3

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

March 27, 2024

About Bridges Out of Poverty

M

uskogee Bridges Out of Poverty focuses on empowering those in poverty to investigate the barriers that keep people from getting ahead and educates the entire community on the complexities of poverty.

The initiative seeks to empower those in poverty to identify and use the abilities they already have to solve their own problems through

analyzing their realities.

This Community of Practice brings together community leaders, faith communities, employers, community organizations, social service agencies, and individuals address and reduce poverty in a comprehensive way.

Graduating over 400 families in 10

years, Muskogee’s Bridges program has become a national model for success in moving the needle on generational poverty.

Page 4

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

March 27, 2024

Celebrating Holy Humor Sunday of our favorite traditions as a family of faith. On Easter, people were only a little less enthusiastic about If we try this thing I’ve Holy Humor Sunday than they were been wanting to do since about Easter!

I moved here, will you If you are at a church large all support me?” enough to have an associate was the question I pastor, the joke has been that the posed at the staff Sunday after Easter is “Associate meeting when I Pastor Sunday.” Others refer to it introduced Holy as “Low Sunday,” since the high Humor Sunday and attendance of Easter is generally how much I missed not replicated the following week. celebrating it since I The air feels electric on Easter, and moved to Oologah. there are more people there than “What’s any other Sunday, but then the next that?” they week, things don’t feel as full of asked, followed celebration. shortly by, “Oh, According to The Joyful absolutely!” The Noiseletter, the origin of Holy choir immediately Humor Sunday, also known as jumped on board, Bright Sunday, is rooted in the early and when you traditions of the Eastern Orthodox, have the support of Catholic, and Protestant churches the choir, you’ve who spent the Sunday after Easter essentially got it as “days of joy and laughter” in made.

Maddie Major and Dian Root understood the which “churchgoers and pastors Holy Humor assignment for bright attire. Submitted photo. played practical jokes on each other, Sunday is not a drenched each other with water, tradition that I grew told jokes, sang, and danced.” up celebrating. I could muster were yellow balloons The writings of John first learned about it when I became drawn to look like emojis since Chrysostom, Augustine, and a pastor from one of the online everything was suddenly online.

Gregory of Nyssa influenced the clergy support groups of which I I was reappointed to Oologah celebrations in that they discussed am part. The more I read, the more right before Easter 2021. In that the concept of the Easter laugh I knew that the church I was serving season of change and getting to (Risus paschalis) or God playing then, Fairland UMC, would be up know each other, Holy Humor the ultimate joke on the evil of to the challenge of learning this Sunday came and went. I was still the world by Jesus’ resurrection new way of continuing the Easter trying to earn trust in a new church, triumphing “life over death and celebration with me. but finally, last year, the time was good over evil.” These earlier The first year was pretty mild. right again. It quickly became one celebrations were revived in

BY REV. SHANNON RODENBERG

“

We wore our brightest clothing, and I purchased brightly colored balloons for the sanctuary. Over the years, the celebrations grew until Easter 2020 when the most joy we

Page 5

1988 by the Fellowship of Merry Christians who renamed the day “Holy Humor Sunday.”

Some ways we have celebrated Holy Humor Sunday in the congregations I serve with: • Dressing in our brightest, loudest clothing. This year, we had new tie-dye church shirts made that will be perfect for such a celebration. We also have sparkly paper glasses for the kids to wear and will have a tie-dye party with the children and youth in advance of Holy Humor Sunday.

• Buying cheap helium balloons and taping them to the pews.

Painter’s tape works well.

• Serving fun snacks. Everyone loves snacks!

• Blowing bubbles. We bought a bubble machine for a dance party during our contemporary worship praise time and gave everyone bubbles to take home with them to remind them that the joy of the resurrection bubbles forth within us, spilling out into the world.

• Telling jokes. We have the confirmands tell churchappropriate jokes throughout the service “What song should you never play before the offering?

‘Jesus Paid it All.’” • Out of place singing. We’ve sung Easter words to Christmas tunes and this year will sing Easter words to the “Limbo” song.

• Rearranging furniture. Like many good UM churches, the back row is the most popular row in my church. In our second service, which is set up with chairs, I moved the chairs into a hexagon

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

shape, so that for one Sunday, everyone was on the front row.

• Letting creativity shine. I gave the staff new titles (because “Queen of Clean” sounds more fun than “Custodian” and “Baby Whisperer” is accurate for a nursery attendant).

These went into the bulletin, which was printed upside down for the occasion.

• Group planning. The choir is cooking up some holy mischief for this Sunday, and I cannot wait to see what that is. Rumor has it that the praise band also has something planned as well.

From reading the descriptions,

March 27, 2024

some people might think this seems like a sacrilegious service; however, over the past few years, my congregation has begun to view things like this: We take our faith seriously, but we don’t always take ourselves so seriously.

Christ is risen! Nothing can change that!

Laughter is one of the greatest gifts we share together as a family of faith, and what better cause for a celebration of uncontrollable joy than Christ’s resurrection?

Page 6

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

March 27, 2024

Revised Social Principles reflect increased attention to creation care

BY PHILIP J. BROOKS

I

n 2012 the General Conference called upon Church and Society to initiate the process for revising the United Methodist Social Principles. In 2019 Church and Society unveiled a revised draft of the Social Principles that had been created by a team of writers from Africa, Europe, the Philippines and the United States. These will be submitted for approval to General Conference 2020 in April of 2024. The Revised Social Principles include expanded content on the need for Christians to protect and care for all God’s creation. These changes come at “Historically, we have tended to a time when the impact of global climate change is being felt more and perceive ourselves as somehow apart from creation. The old language more around the world.

“Our work was framed on the idea talks about our responsibility for the that the revision should both be more natural world as though we are not succinct and theologically-grounded. a part of it. In the new document we are setting ourselves more within the We also wanted to make sure they community of all creation to show were reflective of the worldwide our interdependence with the earth,” nature of our denomination. I think said Hill. all three of these conditions are The Community of All Creation evident in the content concerning section begins by describing the creation care,” said Interim General Secretary of Church and Society John dire threats creation is facing at this time including climate change, Hill.

One of the most notable changes in overdevelopment, and use of the document involves the title of the unsustainable energy sources. The first section, which was revised from document then calls on Christians The Natural World to Community of to adopt more sustainable and just practices. The Revised Social All Creation. The section is divided into two subsections titled Creation in Principles also acknowledges the ways unjust environmental policies Peril and Stewardship of Creation.

touch other social concerns such as racism, classism, and the historic mistreatment of indigenous peoples.

“We brought in voices and perspectives from a lot of different countries, cultures and backgrounds who helped us create a more holistic approach to creation care,” said Church and Society Director of Communications Jeffery Corey.

“We’ve incorporated language and themes around environmental stewardship and climate justice into other parts of the document such as the Preamble. This is reflective of the way creation is connected to everything. When we talk about creation, we can’t stop talking about other forms of justice. I hope when people read the Preamble they will see how our responsibilities to God,

Page 7

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

to our neighbor and to creation are all interconnected,” said Hill.

Another noticeable change from the old Social Principles is the presence of more direct references to scripture and Christian theology throughout the document. The Community of All Creation section opens with the following excerpt from one of John Wesley’s sermons. It also references Genesis, Matthew, Romans, Psalms and Isaiah.

The great lesson that our blessed Lord inculcates here…is that God is in all things, and that we are to see the Creator in the glass of every creature; that we should use and look upon nothing as separate from God…who pervades and actuates the whole created frame, and is, in a true sense, the soul of the universe.

(John Wesley, “Upon Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount 3”) “The Bible begins with the creation story and our covenant with God to care for the earth. In Micah 6:8 we are told God requires that we ‘seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.’ Often when it comes to creation care we emphasis justice and kindness, but neglect our humility by forgetting we are part of creation and dependent on it,” said Hill.

Proponents of the Revised Social Principles believe its adoption by General Conference would be an important step in helping The United Methodist Church become more just and conscientious in its collective responsibility to love and care for all God’s earth and all creatures, great and small.

To learn more or read the Revised Social Principles in one of seven languages go to umcsocialprinciples2020. org.

Philip J. Brooks is a writer and content developer on the leader communications team at United Methodist Communications in Nashville, Tennessee.

March 27, 2024

COHORT BENEFITS spiritual direction s piritual direction is a chance to paus e and notice God’s pres ence in your lif e.

cohort members each receive one- onone s piritual direction and group direction.

play get cozy with f un again! receive books in the mail ( and craf ts ) to s park your

inner child and prophetic imagination.

come to kans as city f or the paus e/ play

gathering in july and enjoy a retreat in a box in january.

coaching meet with an experienced coach who will encourage you to integrate your paus e/ play practices in the pulpit.

Our year- long cohort journey is designed to hold space for busy preachers to pause and play their way into a renewal of their vocation.

Apply today at pauseplaycenter.com

Page 8

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

March 27, 2024

Skyline Urban Ministry celebrates 50 years of service

S

BY JOEL ALLEN

Oklahomans.

for nearly 60,000 service deliveries each year. To put the broad reach into perspective, Skyline provides enough service deliveries to fill the Paycom Center more than three times.

Need within the Oklahoma City community is growing and we are fortunate to partner with incredible churches, volunteers, and donors who help meet community needs every day.

We would love to find a place for you or your ministry group to volunteer in any of our programs.

We also want to extend a formal invitation to join our fundraising luncheon 11:45 to 1 p.m., Thursday, May 9. We would love to have you join us to learn how partnerships and support from our donors ensure that we continue meeting community needs. Visit our website for more details.

While serving the Oklahoma City kyline celebrates 50 years community, the team at Skyline of service to the Oklahoma learned of the importance of bridging City community this year. resource gaps in food, community Incorporated in 1974, Skyline has relationships, and healthcare. a long history of meeting needs The Skyline Eye Clinic was within the metro. In 1964, the United established in 1989 and provides free Methodist Conference launched a pilot eye exams and glasses for more than program to advance downtown focus 1300 Oklahomans each year. and support of urban city centers.

Food support has been a large part Skyline’s founder and first director, of Skyline’s service to the community Reverend MacKenzie Thompson, outlined the original focus of Skyline’s throughout its storied history. In 2014, we built the current 6500-square-foot service to the community by saying, Food Resource Center to enable all of “Skyline seeks to relate any youth in this particular downtown scope of life Skyline’s programs to operate under one roof. to Christian young adulthood and to help youth ‘through the complicated Skyline Today process of putting away childish things Fast forwarding to today, Skyline’s and becoming an adult.’”

Food Resource Center, Mobile Pantry, Rev. Thompson’s commitment to and Garden program serve more making a difference in the Oklahoma than 26,000 households accounting City community has carried along throughout Skyline’s storied history.

In 1973, Skyline launched a program that is now the Food Resource Center, entitled “Cup-Board.”

As Skyline’s services expanded, the programmatic focus shifted to respond to ever-changing community needs.

In 1979, Skyline provided food support Volunteer opportunities include the Food Resource Center, the Mobile Food Pantry, the to more than 13,000 garden program, vision services, and more. Photos courtesy Skyline Urban Ministry.

Page 9

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

March 27, 2024

Skyline Urban Ministry was founded by the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church. Though it has changed over the past 50 years, it stays true to its roots, focusing on food insecurity in the OKC metro. Serving over 26,000 households per year, Skyline is making a difference. They’re looking for ministry partners and local churches to help continue their ministry.

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

OKLAHOMA

METHODIST

F O U N DAT I O N

405-525-6863

•

W W W. L AST I N G G O O D.O RG

Page 10

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

March 27, 2024

Native American Ministries Sunday Resources

T

he 2024 Special Sunday kit provides a full package of ready-to-use resources to help your church celebrate native American Ministries Sunday and define how we give, why we give and the impact we make through connectional efforts. The official date for Native American Ministries Sunday is April 14, 2024, but you are encouraged to celebrate on a day that works best for your church.

For suggestions on how to use the material, check out the How to Guide

or for those who value a schedule, the Sunday to support vital ministries planning calendar is the perfect way to and churches in the Native American communities. The offering allows us to consolidate all the opportunities. partner with existing native ministries to develop new programs on behalf For those who appreciate print of Native Americans. Last year, your resources, special envelope and pew generosity delivered over $243,000 cards that can be ordered here or you toward this ministry. can call at 1-800-991-6011 to place an order. The resources are free and available for you to promote this ministry.

YOU change the story!

An offering is taken on this Special

Page 11

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

March 27, 2024

Sister Margaret Johnson, OIMC Conference Superintendent, performs a hymn at the 2023 OIMC immersion trip.

EXPERIENCE LIFE AT ITS FINEST, EVERY 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.

14901 N. Pennsylvania Avenue | Oklahoma City, OK 73134 | (405) 225-3038 |

Page 12

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

March 27, 2024

Call to Action Register now for Annual Conference 2024. Hotel space may be limited, so be sure to reserve yours today.

Send us your Easter (and beyond)! photos! We’d love to share your photos, stories, ministries, and more in the Contact! Simply email us at editor@ okumc.org.

Share your event or job opportunity in the Contact.

For consideration, email your listing to editor@okumc.org.