The Contact 11-20-24

THE OKLAHOMA UNITED METHODIST

Weekly

Volume 6, Number 47 • Nov.20, 2024 • www.okumc.org

Salt, Light, and Conscious Leadership 2

Northeast District Mission Trip Witnesses God’s Love at Lydia Patterson Institute 4

E HERbs, K CLIC ts, jo even for more! and

A Wesleyan Theology of Giving 8

Save the Date Employment Passages Appointments

7 Suggestions for Reaching More People This Christmas 10

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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

November 20, 2024

Salt, Light, and Conscious Leadership At our first retreat in April, we ave you ever wondered what Jesus really meant learned the when he called us to be principles of mastering “salt of the earth” or “the light of the world?” How do you “be” those our mindset.

We started things, anyway? by taking the A cohort of leaders from across Everything Oklahoma have been gathering DiSC® Agile since April to explore and apply profile and what the Scriptures mean when they talk about salt and light. These learning the eight leader have discovered that being salt and light impacts their mindset, mindsets. We Canyon Camp is a perfect location for a retreat. Submitted their spirituality, and their ability to went on to photos. explore Carol be visionary.

Dweck’s In fact, over the course of three concepts in-person retreats, and follow the unseen realm.” Angela Fleming of fixed and growth mindsets. up exploration sessions, these wrote, “I learned new ways of Finally, we looked at how to adventurous leaders have delved processing information, mindsets, deeply into a new way of practicing master our own mindset to avoid and how they work. I found that my self-sabotage. In the experience leadership, through the Conscious Agile emotional intelligence style Leadership program, the first of its of Ashley Green-Young, “As a is a part of who I am and the way I conscious leader, I can now be kind. think.”

What is Conscious Leadership? responsible for my own emotions.

At the second retreat in May, And be aware of the mindsets of Conscious Leadership is the in conjunction with School of others. I have grown spiritually capacity to master your mindset, Congregational Development, and emotionally, and I am better tap into your soul’s spiritual we entered into an intentional equipped to lead my congregation.” intelligence, and employ the time of awakening and deepening courage of imagination to envision Carmen Stafford said, “I loved our spirituality. We learned the and bring new realities to life. A set exploring my mindset—a vital part surprisingly effective practice of of skills very important in our post- of ministry that we aren’t often “2 Way Prayer.” We explored given space to discuss. Plus we had disaffiliation, post-election world, the differences between personal rich discussions that take us into when unity seems elusive and spirituality, communal spirituality, the consciousness of the mystery of leadership is harder than ever. and visionary spirituality. We took

BY REBEKAH SIMON-PETER

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on spiritual practices for each. As a result, Cindy Robertson Reidel found that “Conscious Leadership increased my awareness of God around me and in me.” Ashley Green Young said, “I loved the connection between DiSC and spirituality.”

Our third retreat in October focused on Visionary Intelligence.

We studied the roadmap to visioning, then used aspirational language to elevate facts into visions. Sandy Shepherd reported: “In Conscious Leadership I have learned how to be intentional about my spirituality and to be conscious of my leadership – what comes easy, and not so easy – and how to use both of those in my church to move towards visionary spirituality.” Carol Txipama found that “Conscious Leadership gave me encouragement to expand visions, dream dreams, and be all God created me to be for His glory.”

What’s it like to participate in Conscious Leadership? Worship grounded our time together. We engaged in Bible study, journaling, and deep sharing. Each leader designed a personal Salt and Light Project. Friendships formed

and true community bloomed.

Connections were strengthened with online exploration sessions and “Reports from the Field.”

This is how participants summed it up: Carmen Stafford said, “I love the pacing of Conscious Leadership: it is contemplative, active, and fun! Rachel Parrott wrote “Conscious Leadership brings a theology that speaks to so much of my explorations and experiences in a coherent whole with endless possibilities and joy!” Carol Txipama stated, “It’s been a great way to open my heart and mind to new possibilities for church renewal.”

Cindy Robertson Reidel spoke for all when she wrote: “The new connections with my peers brought healing after disaffiliations.”

If you’d like to participate,

November 20, 2024

please reach out to Derrek Belase (dbelase@okumc.org; 405-7141554) to participate in the next cohort.

I look forward to seeing you the next time I am in Oklahoma! I can’t wait to continue the explorations of Salt, Light, and Conscious Leadership.

The cohort enjoyed retreats as part of Conscious Leadership.

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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November 20, 2024

Northeast District Mission Trip Witnesses God’s Love at Lydia Patterson Institute experience, he declared he would n a powerful testament to unity “definitely do it and service, ten members from again.” five churches in the Oklahoma Sandy Singleton United Methodist Northeast District, from Bartlesville led by Pastor Tim McHugh of Grace FUMC, a seasoned UMC in Claremore, embarked on a servant in UMCOR life-changing mission trip to the Lydia and other missions, Patterson Institute (LPI) in El Paso. was moved by the Known for its mission of empowering compassion of a students from the U.S.-Mexico border fellow missioner region through faith and education, who bought socks LPI served as the perfect backdrop for for a refugee transformation and ministry. sleeping on the Over five unforgettable days, the sidewalk. team poured their talents, faith, and Rev. Tasha energy into a variety of activities that Holopeter, serving reflected their deep commitment to Ochelata and Oak Christ’s mission. From teaching and Park UMCs, led mentoring to repairing and creating, the team in a prayer every moment offered opportunities walk through the for connection, growth, and halls of LPI, laying transformation. Each team member hands on walls and brought their unique gifts, and each doors, and leaving a returned home with profound stories of spiritual imprint on The team stops for a quick photo in Juarez. Submitted transformation. the campus. photos.

CJ Shell, a retired math teacher from Bartlesville FUMC, witnessed the joy of seeing a struggling student succeed after improving his grade on a test. For CJ, the pinnacle of the trip was Friday’s chapel service, where missioners, students, and staff swayed together in worship, arms around one another, united by faith.

Rev. Pam Cottrill from Inola UMC played her clarinet and mentored budding violinists, embracing the chance to inspire young musicians.

Thomas Trollinger, also from Inola and a first-time missioner, took the lead on maintenance projects, including plumbing, painting, and Prayers are written on the walls of the Bishop Jimmy Nunn STEM Lab. landscaping. Transformed by the Here, Joy Reinhart signs the wall.

I

BY TIM MCHUGH

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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

November 20, 2024

The team poses with plates they made during Bible study at LPI.

Laura Gomez, a first-time missioner from Grace UMC in Claremore, found confidence in her newfound faith, affirming she is on the right path. She was transformed so much that she stopped at Family Dollar to get socks for a sockless migrant.

Audrey Braucher, Grace UMC’s worship leader and a mission newcomer, was invited to sing with the LPI praise band during chapel.

She witnessed God through the team’s evening devotionals and wrote a heartfelt poem on the flight home, which deeply touched another

missioner.

Joy Reinhart from Grace UMC was transformed by hearing students’ stories, realizing the media’s portrayal of the border often misrepresents the reality. She was inspired by the students’ resilience, including their determination to walk for hours each day to attend school.

Judy Tener from Bartlesville FUMC offered vital behind-the-scenes support, embodying quiet strength and humor that lifted the team’s spirits.

Pastor Tim McHugh summed up the heart of the trip: “One of my Rev. Tasha Hollopeter leads a prayer walk through the halls of Lydia Patterson Institute.

Rev. Tim McHugh offers a message at chapel at Lydia Patterson Institute.

greatest moments on any mission is when someone realizes why they are there—the ‘Aha’ moment of just being, not doing.” He also summed up the trip by saying, “From the classrooms to the basketball court, from a simple pair of socks to the worship service, we saw the love of God in action, it was a privilege to be part of His work” The trip’s highlights extended beyond service projects. The mariachi band practice impressed missioners with its celebration of cultural

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The district mission group delivered school supply items on LPI’s wish list.

The team returned heritage, and the newly formed dance home as witnesses to team’s performance brought joy and God’s work in El Paso, energy. Evenings were spent cheering carrying with them at a home basketball game and stories of transformation, bonding over shared meals and stories. gratitude, and hope.

Wednesday evening the team went This mission to Lydia to Trinity UMC in El Paso and made Patterson Institute stands Passing Plates with the LPI students as a powerful example bible study. of what happens when The spiritual apex came during God’s people unite to the student-led worship service on serve in His name. If you Friday. With heartfelt songs, Scripture, are interested in Lydia and testimonies, God’s presence was Patterson Institute or undeniable. Missioners left the service missions feel free to talk feeling renewed, inspired by the to your pastor, contact students’ faith and leadership.

OKVIM at okvim@ This mission trip demonstrated the okumc.org or email Pastor transformative power of collaborative, Tim at pastortimmchugh@ Christ-centered service. It reminded gmail.com. participants that missions are not only about giving but also about receiving—through lessons in humility, love, and faith.

November 20, 2024

Audrey Braucher got super involved during her time at Lydia Patterson Institute. She helped lead worship, taught cheer, and posed with Laura Gomes.

VIM leaders had hoodies made to match senior hoodies worn here by LPI students.

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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

November 20, 2024

Stay Safe and Healthy This Cold and Flu Season Covid-19 Testing & Return-toWork Policy If you test positive for Covid-19, As we head into the colder please notify your manager and months, we want to prioritize follow the recommended isolation everyone’s health and safety. Cold, guidelines. flu, and Covid-19 are more common You can not return to the office this time of year, so let’s work until you receive a negative test together to minimize their impact result. on our workplaces.

are highly effective in reducing the severity of illness. Consider scheduling your vaccinations if you haven’t already.

Practice Good Hygiene Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Stay Home if You’re Feeling • Use hand sanitizer when soap Sick and water aren’t available.

If you’re experiencing symptoms • Cover coughs and sneezes with such as fever, cough, sore throat, or a tissue or your elbow. body aches, please stay home and rest. Coming to work while sick Get Vaccinated puts both you and your coworkers Flu and Covid-19 vaccines at risk.

Your health matters to us, and taking these precautions will help ensure we all stay as safe and healthy as possible this season. If you have any questions or need additional guidance, please reach out to Connie Gibson or myself.

Thank you for helping to keep our workplace a safe and healthy environment.

BY MADISON AMBER

Key Reminders for Staying Safe:

depositphotos.com

Disinfect Common Areas Regularly clean shared surfaces and items to help reduce the spread of germs.

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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

November 20, 2024

A Wesleyan Theology of Giving to atone for sins (both known and unknown), ritual impurity, but e are in the midst of also for thanksgiving. One might our pledge campaign think of the majority of these as for our 2025 budget appeasement so that we might find at Boston Avenue and I recognize ourselves on God’s good side once there are many other churches more. moving through the same season.

Within Christianity, monetary From our United Methodist offerings have sometimes fallen tradition, I wanted to emphasize into this same theological rationale. what a Wesleyan theology of giving The indulgences that Martin Luther looks like. wrote against seemed at their basest In the history of giving back to as a kind of sale on salvation. The God, offerings were often made as Protestant Reformation stood a kind of restoration of relationship. against these, and the Roman Sacrificial offerings were given

BY REV. DR. SAM POWERS

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Catholic Church later reformed their stance on them as well. But in some Christian circles, our theology on giving reverts back to this same logic.

In Contrast, Wesleyans emphasize God’s Prevenient or Preceding Grace which starts with God’s love for human beings. The divide between God and person lies with the person’s ignorance or unwillingness to accept the love of God in their lives. They would be, instead of starting with a place where we need to somehow work

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November 20, 2024

to get into right relationship with half-full view when partaking in come, thy will be done, on earth God. In this understanding, we this look back! We give out of as it is in heaven.” Giving to God believe that we start with a state thankfulness for all that has shaped through the church is literally of blessedness. Within our idea of us and allowed us to be in this state putting our money where our giving to God, it begins with the of blessedness. mouth is! stance that God has given to us Finally, as we accept this Within United Methodist first. As Christians, we see this gift relationship in Christ, we seek tradition, our mission is “To make coming through disciples of Jesus Christ the incarnation for the transformation (Christmas), the of the world.” As we cross (Lent) and give, we trust that God the resurrection is working through our (Easter). It also offerings in order to comes through all bring good works to the teachings of all the world. We are Jesus (Ordinary transforming the world!

Time).

So, as we give, we All of these don’t do so out of guilt things preceded or duty, but we do so us before we were because we believe that born. we are making our world So, as we a better place. It is out give, we give in of our strong sense of response to what mission that we give. we have received.

We believe that God As persons multiplies our gifts to recognize and share grace with every accept God’s person.

Photo by Money via Flikr.com. Used under the Creative Commons license. great love for us Giving in this sense in Jesus Christ, for me is joyous to do. It to become more like Jesus in our we come to an acceptance of the feels good to put my check in the identities. This is how God partners offering plate (symbolically for me love, forgiveness and mercy we with us in Sanctifying Grace. In receive. We don’t bargain or pay as I’m always near the pulpit) as order for us to become more Christ- I know these dollars are spent on for atonement but receive it as a gracious gift. We repent of our sins like, we must engage in the various things that abide. spiritual disciplines regularly. One within this great Justifying Grace.

As you make your pledge or of these would be to methodically As we think about our generosity gift, may you do so with a sense of give out of our resources to God through this grace, we would begin gratitude and purpose! through the Body of Christ where to count our many blessings (and name them one by one) as the song we are connected in the faith. We This article is part of a series live out this connection through our published on the blog of Rev. Dr. goes. local church.

The counting of our blessings Sam Powers, Preceding Grace. To It is through these gifts that we may include a review of our lives. read more, click here. recognize that we are seeking to Where can we see God’s hand at influence the world around us for work? the better. We pray each week in We may have to train ourselves the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy kingdom to examine with faith as a glass-

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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

November 20, 2024

7 Suggestions for Reaching More People This Christmas 1. Equip church members to invite their friends, families, and neighbors.

2. Make a plan to personally invite church members you haven’t seen in a while.

3. Enhance hospitality and follow-up efforts.

4. Plan community-facing events and services.

5. Up your game online.

6. Give your Christmas visitors a glimpse of what matters most to your church.

7. Give visitors a reason to return.

These bullet points are part of a larger story by Ann A. Michel, co-author and consultant at Lewis Center for Church Leadership. Read more here.

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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

November 20, 2024

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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

November 20, 2024

Call to Action Do you have events or news you’d like to share with the conference? Send photos and stories to editor@okumc.org.

The Ministry Center will be closed for the following holidays: Nov. 27-28 - Thanksgiving Dec. 25-26 - Christmas

Share your event or job opportunity in the Contact.

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