The Contact 6-26-24

THE OKLAHOMA UNITED METHODIST

Weekly

Volume 6, Number 26 • June 26, 2024 • www.okumc.org

Leading between faith and patriotism 2

Turning your church into a cooling station 4

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

Celebrating John Wesley’s Birthday with 10 Facts About Him (and maybe one about his horse) 6

Save the Date Employment Passages

Campers are never bored at Cross Point Youth Camp 8

Appointments

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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

June 26, 2024

Leading between faith and patriotism

BY LOVETT H. WEEMS JR.

As we read the stories of people ational holidays and in once powerful celebrations offer both nations in biblical opportunities and dangers times and ever since, for congregations and their leaders. we are often struck Preachers and worship leaders often by how they would feel the tension between conflicting have benefited from a options. One possibility is to ignore perspective rooted in the national holiday completely when faith in God who cares it has no special Christian significance. for all people, instead Another is a temptation to have a of a perspective holiday theme for worship with little limited to the interests connection to Scripture and the One of the nation. Instead we know as the God of all nations and of shaping faith to peoples. conform to nation, depositphotos.com there is much that We are called to thank God for nations, including faithful men and women of every our own, can learn from the lessons generation who understand that a of Scripture. The “bringing down of nation’s strength rests more in faithful the powerful from their thrones” and inward purpose than in outward power “lifting up the lowly” (Luke 1:52) is and possessions. a warning for all nations who exhibit Instead of looking at worship and little interest in God’s hopes for all preaching around national holidays citizens and all the world. through the lens of the holiday, another approach is to look at the holiday Strong nations such as ours do well theme through the lens of biblical to remember Ezekiel likening a once faith. It is a form of reframing that great nation to a cedar whose fair leaders often must do to be faithful and branches overshadowed the forest. It effective. We affirm a common value, grew taller than every other tree. No in this case a national celebration, and cedar in God’s garden overshadowed reinterpret its meaning from a biblical it, and no fir could compare with its perspective. boughs. Not a tree in God’s garden

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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

could rival its beauty. But the eminence of the giant cedar tempted it to forget that it was the waters beneath it that made it great (Ezekiel 31:4).

All Christians face a struggle around the tension between loyalty to country and to God. Our faith says that loyalty to God should occupy first place in our lives. And yet, many voices imply that we are something less than patriotic if our ultimate

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allegiance is not to our own country.

The Bible illustrates that a primary loyalty to country has been a perennial temptation for all people, including people of faith. Although the Bible warns against making a god of one’s nation, this form of nationalism continues to be a tempting alternative to radical allegiance to God. Today’s deeply polarized political climate makes the challenge of this tension between nation and faith even more pressing. Secular rulers have always sought to surround themselves with religious leaders who give their blessing. Billy Graham learned painfully how powerful leaders can betray one’s trust and values.

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Christians understand that God’s truth does not lie with the agenda of any political party. All positions need thoughtful affirmation and critique based on how these policies align with God’s hopes for all humankind.

June 26, 2024

bless and to judge based on the more excellent way to which most nations aspire but never completely achieve.

Lovett H. Weems Jr. is senior consultant at the Lewis Center for Church Leadership, distinguished professor of church leadership Thomas Jefferson once wrote, “I tremble for my country when I reflect emeritus at Wesley Theological that God is just.” Indeed, we all should Seminary, and author of several books on leadership. tremble. But we should do more. We are called to thank God for faithful men and women of every generation who understand that a nation’s strength rests more in faithful inward purpose than in outward power and possessions. As we enjoy the Fourth of July, let us remember that we worship a God who reigns over all nations and systems and let us ask for vision to

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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

June 26, 2024

Turning your church into a cooling station

T

emperatures in Oklahoma have already topped 100 for multiple days, causing Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) to issue two medical heat alerts already - and it’s only June.

The medical heat alert is a system put in place to react to a higher-than-normal volume of heat-related emergency calls.

According to weather predictors, it seems there is no relief in sight for the oppressive heat and humidity blasting the state.

Many people, especially the unhoused, will be stuck in the heat with nowhere cool to go.

Meanwhile, churches often sit empty during the week, with air conditioners running to ensure pianos stay tuned, electronics equipment survives, and staff are healthy.

It would seem to be a foregone conclusion that churches would open their air-conditioned doors and welcome in all those who are hot, tired, and thirsty.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy.

Stumbling blocks include staffing, liability, safety, and other concerns.

According to the CDC, a cooling center is a location, typically airconditioned or otherwise cooled, which is designated as a provider of respite and safety during extreme heat.

Cooling stations are indoors, like libraries or churches, or outdoors, like

tents with fans, shade, and water.

Often, no one agency is responsible for the implementation of cooling stations; it’s up to each municipality and to citizens - to create safe spaces

to heat injuries, so cooling centers are advised to make provisions for pets.

Additionally, there is stigma associated with using cooling centers. Whether it’s the independent Oklahoma spirit of taking care of oneself, or whether it’s a perception of weakness, many simply will not use anything that is perceived as a charity.

Many members of the unhoused population are suffering from some sort of mental illness. A real worry is that those individuals will be asked to leave if their behavior is seen as unwanted.

Lastly, many people simply do not know of the existence of local cooling centers. What may seem obvious to those on depositphotos.com the inside may be invisible to others. Advertising is key.

to rest out of the heat.

Advice from the experts The CDC has much “grey Barriers to use literature” - information that has been According to the CDC, many vulnerable community members do not gathered but not yet peer-reviewed about how to make cooling stations recognize their vulnerability and may feel that they have adapted to the heat work.

Of course, no one solution will and are therefore less susceptible than work for every church, and this advice they really are to the heat. has been adapted.

Another barrier is that many lack Staff are essential. Ensuring that transportation to and from cooling there are staff on hand to explain the centers. When offered a choice between walking a mile or more in the purpose and capacity of the cooling station, as well as keeping supplies on heat to a cooling station and staying still in the shade without it, many will hand, restrooms clean, etc.

It’s also important that staff have opt for the latter. basic training in hospitality, deIf pets are not allowed in cooling escalation, and recognizing signs of centers, many will opt to stay with their pets. Pets are just as susceptible

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heat-related illness.

Promote the services you offer.

When opening a cooling station, it is imperative to get the word out. Not only should the planners advertise with public service announcements in all the usual places; they should also promote what it is they offer.

While some cooling stations are strictly for humans and offer cool air and water, others might offer charging stations, pet-friendly spaces, meals, snacks, internet access, comfortable seating, and more.

If your church is interested in opening a cooling station this summer, check out this resource for helpful information.

Do you know someone who is a dynamite administrator? Musician?

Church secretary?

Check out the conference employment page.

We’re hiring TWO District Administrators.

Churches across the conference are hiring for multiple positions.

We are looking for a few great United Methodists to fill these positions!

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June 26, 2024

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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

June 26, 2024

Celebrating John Wesley’s Birthday with 10 Facts About Him (and maybe one about his horse)

BY JEREMY STEELE

H

istory is more than facts and figures. It is full of real people with real stories.

Connecting with those people and stories helps us understand our lives and discern God’s direction for our future. That is why it is important constantly to connect our teaching back to the important people in our church history. To help you do that, we have gathered some interesting, and maybe even surprising, facts about John Wesley to help you connect United Methodist history to your next lesson.

1. JOHN WESLEY WROTE ONE OF THE ALL-TIME BESTSELLING MEDICAL TEXTS. Wesley was deeply convicted that God is concerned about our earthly life as well as our heavenly one. To that end, he wrote a medical text for the everyday person titled “Primitive Physick.” The book detailed the current knowledge about home remedies and went through 32 editions, making it one of the most widely read books in England.

accepted. While some of his advice was wishful thinking, the most important part of his philosophy was his insistence on continual observation to support hypotheses.

Wesley boldly questioned modern

they lacked evidence to support its efficacy. By the same token, some of Wesley’s beliefs certainly needed more supportive evidence. For instance, Wesley recommended holding a puppy against the stomach to cure stomach pain. He offered dried and powdered toad pills for asthma.

He also enjoyed regular dips in cold bathwater, thought to be a near panacea. It sounds strange to us, but many leading minds during Wesley’s time, espoused these sorts of folk remedies.

And honestly, who doesn’t feel better after holding a puppy?

The point is, like David — who had the heart of God and still fell short — even the greatest leaders with the biggest hearts are fallible.

2. JOHN WESLEY COINED THE TERM “AGREE TO DISAGREE.” Over the years, Wesley had serious theological differences with another popular pastor named George Whitefield. Though they both argued passionately, Wesley reflected on these differences A life-size statue of John Wesley at Asbury in a memorial sermon for Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. John Whitefield by saying: “There Wesley’s birthday is June 28. Photo by Adam are many doctrines of a less Davenport. essential nature. ... In these, we may think and let think; we may doctors — how they sometimes treated ‘agree to disagree.’ But, meantime, let humans like machines; that much of us hold fast the essentials. …” This Many of Wesley’s cures and tips their “medicine” lacked merit and appears to be the first recorded use of on healthy living remain widely

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the term. It was a hallmark of Wesley’s Staying slim was far from Wesley’s way of holding to his convictions goal (1), though he did weigh in while remaining in connection with around 128 pounds. This was not those with whom he disagreed. the result of dieting, but rather of a practice to ensure that people were 3. JOHN WESLEY RODE FAR not ruled by their natural desires, but ENOUGH ON HORSEBACK TO exercising control over them.

CIRCLE THE EARTH 10 TIMES. Wesley rode 250,000 miles! He 7. WESLEY NEVER INTENDED was convinced that it was important TO SPLIT FROM THE CHURCH for him personally to spread the OF ENGLAND. gospel through relationships and However, when the revolution continue to grow closer to God in happened in the American colonies, those relationships. Asked if he would most of the Anglican priests returned consider walking instead of riding, he home. Faced with the fact that none replied, “Nay.” of the Methodists in the colonies could receive the sacraments, Wesley 4. WESLEY HAD SERIOUS ordained ministers whom he sent to do DOUBTS ABOUT HIS FAITH. the same in America (he was practical Questioning one’s faith should not even when it caused problems). That be disparaged. Doubts are essential to act was the beginning of the separation making any belief system one’s own. that formed the Methodist Church (2) They do not mean that one will let it in America. The Methodist Church in go. In fact, even as Wesley struggled England did not officially form until with deep doubts about faith, he after Wesley’s death. followed the wise instruction of a mentor who told him to “preach faith 8. WESLEY NEVER SAID THIS till you have it; and then, because you FAMOUS QUOTE ATTRIBUTED have it, you will preach faith.” Even as TO HIM. we struggle, we can maintain our hold It has been on the back of more on the truths we question until we can than one United Methodist youth settle all of our doubts. camp T-shirt: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all 5. “METHODIST” WAS the ways you can, in all the places you ORIGINALLY A DEROGATORY can, at all the times you can, as long TERM. as ever you can.” Though the quote is Though the origins of the term often attributed to John Wesley and is “Methodist” are in dispute, it is clear consistent with his perspective on life, that it was originally used by outsiders many historians have confirmed there to mock John Wesley and his early is no record of Wesley ever saying societies because of their dedication to that. following a method for growing closer 9. WESLEY BELIEVED YOU to God. They ended up accepting COULD NOT BE A CHRISTIAN the term, considering it a positive ON YOUR OWN. descriptor of their movement. Way to He said that we needed to be own it, Methodists! involved in “social holiness.”

Though some often think this term 6. WESLEY COUNSELED is synonymous with “social justice,” PEOPLE TO “EAT A LITTLE its meaning is quite different. Wesley LESS THAN YOU DESIRE.” believed we could only grow as

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Christians in community. In his preface to the 1739 hymnal, he was adamant that “the gospel of Christ knows of no religion but social; no holiness but social holiness.”

10. METHODISM GREW FROM FOUR TO 132,000 MEMBERS IN WESLEY’S LIFETIME. The beginning of Methodism (3) was a group of four who called themselves the “holy club” at Oxford.

When Wesley died in 1791, he left behind a movement with 72,000 members in the British Isles and 60,000 in America.

United Methodist Communications and the General Commission on Archives and History teamed to test your knowledge of more than 200 years of our church’s past. So after you study up, take the United Methodist Church History Quiz and share it with your friends and family!

WANT TO KNOW THE NAME OF JOHN WESLEY’S HORSE? Actually, we don’t know that one.

But if you need help clarifying the denomination’s position on baptism or if you’re looking for mission opportunities, contact Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications and the official information service of The United Methodist Church.

These facts will equip you with lots of great discussion starters you can use at your next dinner party or church gathering. Let’s have some fun with history!

Jeremy Steele is a freelance writer and United Methodist pastor. He is the author of several books and resources that you can find at jeremy-steele.com.

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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

June 26, 2024

Campers are never bored at Cross Point Youth Camp painful season, these churches came together to provide an opportunity for youth to grow in their faith as they Youth from across the state and learned what it means to be called. outside of the denomination came Most of these churches have worked together for a week of fun, learning together at camp when they were all in and worship at Crosspoint Youth Camp The United Methodist Church. It was (CYC). We had 68 campers from at a joy to see the youth and adult leaders least eight churches. Some churches continue to build relationships. were United Methodist and others were Methodist churches which have Each day the campers did a rotation disaffiliated. of either archery, the high ropes course, or slip-and-slide kickball.

In the midst of a difficult and The lake was open at free time for swimming and tubing. Even the campers who came off the tube with bumps and bruises would tell you that it was their favorite activity at camp.

BY REV. JOHN HILLER

LEFT TO RIGHT: Rev. John Hiller, Claire Trachte, Lauren Lashley, Wesly Sue Downey, and Kennedy Kline from Lawton Centenary UMC.

We had six small groups split up by age from our campers who ranged from sixth graders through graduated seniors. A wonderful team of volunteers led the small groups and taught the Calling curriculum provided by the OKUMC camps office. The first day, campers learned that they are all called by God to love God, love their neighbors and

make disciples. On Tuesday we used the story of Esther as an example of discerning God’s call. Wednesday’s theme was Respond. We looked at the stories of the disciples responding to Jesus’ call, “follow me,” and the story of Jonah responding in a different way.

Thursday, campers learned how to share their calling by telling their story.

Finally, on Friday, the campers were encouraged to “Go” into the world and live out their calling.

I had the honor of preaching at our evening worship services. Rev. Sonja Tobey, incoming District Superintendent for the Southeastern District, preached on Wednesday night.

Alli Milligan from the OSU Wesley led worship.

On the Sunday after camp, Synder Methodist Church celebrated two baptisms of campers who responded to a call they received while at camp.

Countless others were touched by their experience at camp, and I pray that we will see the fruit of the seeds that were planted.

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

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I’d like to give a special thank you to the other deans of CYC, Adam Brinson, Karlee Brinson, and Shelby Finley. And a thank you the OK Camps Board of Trustees for allowing us to have an ecumenical camp. I believe the success of CYC and CLUE camp shows that we can continue to work together to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

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ABOVE: Sean Bigger and his father Jason from Snyder UMC on the archery range at Cross Point Camp. TOP RIGHT: Campers worship at the cross on Thursday night.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Campers enjoy tubing on Lake Texoma.

Submitted photos.

June 26, 2024

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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

June 26, 2024

Ministry in a Minute

Friends, family, coworkers, and two Bishops honored Rev. Dr. Joe Harris and his wife Nancy on his retirement.

The Harrises served the conference for over 42 years. For the past 18 years, Rev. Dr. Harris has been the communications director and assistant to the Bishop.

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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

June 26, 2024

Learning opportunities for churches from UMCom United Methodist Communications (UMCom) offers multiple opportunities for church staff, leaders, and volunteers to learn important skills.

Courses include internal communications, interpersonal communication, inviting and welcoming, social media, technology and websites, and The United Methodist Church.

While many courses are free, others have a small fee. Microcourses that take less than 15 minutes are also

available. Offerings are also available in Spanish.

For a list of class offerings, click here.

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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

June 26, 2024

Call to Action Make a pledge! Help our extension ministries in 2024 The Conference budget approved in October made a change to the ways that six of our extension ministries are going to be supported in the future, beginning next year. Each local church will be able to determine their own “pledge” to these groups. To report your church’s pledge, please go to this website and enter the information. You will be able to track your giving on your monthly apportionment reports. Don’t delay...

The ministries impacted were as follows (and they are hyperlinked so you can find out more information about each of them): Circle of Care Criminal Justice & Mercy Ministries Neighborhood Services Organization Restore Hope Ministries Skyline Cookson Hills Center Share your event or job opportunity in the Contact.

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