Last week, we presented some information on legislative items related to the Pension and Health Benefit Report as well as the resolutions which will be presented on Saturday. This week’s article focuses on the 2025 budget apportioned to our churches and the associated report from the Council on Finance and Administration.
We encourage you to read the CFA report in the Pre-Conference Workbook as it details the work of the council and the various aspects of their work. There are some important matters we want to bring to your
attention.
The overall apportioned budget is being reduced by 3%. However, larger reductions have been made to most of the General Church apportionments based on action at their recent meeting. There is an increase in the Episcopal fund, which pays for Bishops across the world. There are no increases in conference programming budgets.
One budget reduction is the retiree health supplement program. As we said last week, while this program is unchanged from the previous year, the funding mechanism for the program is changing. In the 2025 apportioned budget the line to fund this is set at zero. This program will be funded from dollars received for
such purposes from disaffiliated churches. In this way, we do not impact money available for programs and we do not do any disservice to those who have faithfully served us and are now retired.
Two other changes come from the area formerly called “Mission and Ministries.” First, the amount allotted to support our 12 Wesley Foundations has been moved from that section back into the apportioned budget. The amount has been reduced over previous years, but in line with receipts over the last three years. It will be important for churches to continue to pay this line at 100% so that our campus ministries do not see a reduction in funding.
The final change is that our support for Oklahoma City University will become a pledge, joining six other extension ministries which were moved into that category in 2024. Local churches will decide on the level of support for OCU and notify the conference as with the other extension ministries. The support can be sent through the conference treasurer just as other apportionment and special gifts are remitted.
The conference budgeting process is an ongoing process of monitoring and evaluation, which is the responsibility of the Annual Conference Council as well as managing the process and providing oversight which is the responsibility of the Council on Finance and Administration. Both groups work in
tandem throughout the year to bring you the best possible apportioned budget each year. It is important to remember this budget, which is apportioned to each local church, is only one part of what it takes to operate the Oklahoma Annual Conference.
This helpful guide sets out which Bible stories are ageappropriate for developing young minds.
From the authors: Children need to experience the same Bible stories and Christian concepts at several different stages of their faith journey, because their ability to understand the concepts continues to evolve as they grow.
Included are tables on ageappropriate Bible stories, faith development broken down into ages and stages, and concepts appropriate for differing developmental levels. Find it here.
This is a quick read about the basics of what is needed for a strong, heartfelt, Jesus-following Children’s ministry setting.
Read it here.
Whether your church has a moment or a sermon just for children, it’s important to ensure
the message is being received by its intended audience.
Adults often get a lot out of children’s messages, but what about the children? Did you know kids don’t always understand metaphors that come with splashy object lessons?
This article contains tips plus a list of trusted resources your church can use to ensure its children’s message is the best it can be.
Read it here.
This service is an updated version of the baptism service, specially designed for infants and young children, plus those who are unable to speak for themselves. Find it here.
The 1996 General Conference was held in Denver, CO, while I was in seminary at Iliff School of Theology. I attended that General Conference to fulfill a class assignment. I remember wondering if I would ever have the opportunity to serve as a delegate. Thirty years later, I was able to serve as a delegate to the postponed 2020 General Conference in Charlotte, NC. Our Oklahoma delegation began meeting at the close of Annual Conference in 2019, right after we were elected. We continued to meet via Zoom through the pandemic and read through the two volumes of legislation submitted for our meeting in 2020 – then a third submitted in the intervening
years. We communicated with each other using a tool called Slack. Just before we departed, we shared in a mock legislative committee meeting to see what it would feel like once we got to Charlotte.
Much like the camaraderie experienced on a mission trip, I felt connected to everyone on the delegation. I enjoyed the conversations we shared during our preparatory meetings and especially those we shared in Charlotte. We developed a rhythm of gathering in a courtyard just outside the convention center each morning for prayer. We sat together in our assigned seats, sharing power strips and trading snacks. One day, I needed a lens wipe to clean my glasses. I put my request on Slack and within minutes, one of our Oklahomans sent the needed
You can watch the General Conference through a live stream and catch all of the proceedings, but you won’t see how Oklahomans with very different opinions work together and look out for each other during those two weeks. I was heartened by our cooperation with each other and our conversation with the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference delegates. I was also heartened by the cooperation with many international delegates in our legislative committees. We had so many serendipities, courtesy of the Holy Spirit.
As I was waiting for a ride to the airport to return home, I struck up a conversation with a delegate from Kenya. When he found out I was from Oklahoma, he asked me if I knew one of our recently retired colleagues. He
were coming to Kenya this summer and he invited me to come with them. It was a legitimate invitation.
Much has been written – and will continue to be written – about decisions made at the postponed 2020 General Conference, meeting in Charlotte
in 2024. I write to tell you that what happened there was about more than votes and changes to the Book of Discipline. It was about holy conferencing and becoming a world-wide church. What an amazing and beautiful gift!
TOP LEFT: The courtyard where the Oklahoma delegation met to pray together most mornings. TOP RIGHT: Charla Gwartney’s voting device. BOTTOM: The legislative committee on which Gwartney served, Church and Society 3. Submitted photos.
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church Food Pantry in Tulsa is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a generous grant from Woodworth Estates to support its mission of combating food insecurity and hunger within the Tulsa community. This grant, totaling $70,000, will enable the pantry to expand its services and reach even more individuals and families in need.
The Woodworth Estates grant comes at a critical time as the demand for food assistance continues to rise. St. Mark’s Food Pantry operates every Thursday from 10 a.m. to Noon, providing essential support to those facing unmet nutritional needs. With the support of this grant, the pantry aims to serve an even greater number of individuals and families, ensuring they have access to nutritious meals and essential sustenance.
“We are deeply grateful to Woodworth Estates for their generous support of our food pantry,” said Rev. Thomas W. Corrigan, II, senior pastor at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. “This grant will allow us to expand
our reach and make a tangible difference in the lives of those experiencing food insecurity in our community.”
St. Mark’s Food Pantry operates as a non-profit, volunteer-run initiative under the auspices of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. Founded on principles of compassion, service, and community, the pantry is committed to providing more than just food assistance. It prioritizes fostering dignity, respect, and spiritual nourishment for all individuals who seek support.
“We believe in the importance of feeding both the body and the soul,” added Corrigan. “We strive to embody the spirit of compassion and love in everything we do.”
In addition to expanding its food distribution efforts, the pantry plans to use the grant funds to enhance its outreach, promotion, and logistical support. This includes investing in outreach materials, promotional signage, and essential equipment to improve operational efficiency.
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church Food Pantry is dedicated to serving and supporting the Tulsa community, guided by its unwavering faith in Jesus Christ
and its commitment to compassion and service. With the support of the Woodworth Estates grant, the pantry looks forward to continuing its mission of making a meaningful and lasting impact in the lives of those it serves.
For more information about St. Mark’s United Methodist Church Food Pantry and its services, please visit www.stmarkstulsa.org.
St. Marks UMC in Tulsa hosts a food pantry which provides necessary provisions for those most vulnerable in the community. The organization was rewarded a significant grant from Woodworth Estates to continue and expand its ministries. Submitted photos.
Click on the picture above to watch the General Conference wrap-up video.
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