The Contact 6-5-2024

PAGE 2 TOP: Bishop Jimmy Nunn speaks over ordinand Aly Shahan, who was ordained as a deacon at Annual Conference 2024 at Chapel Hill UMC in Oklahoma City. BOTTOM LEFT: Rev. Brandon Blacksten places a stole on Rev. Aly Shahan as Bishop Jimmy Nunn assists. BOTTOM RIGHT: Bishop Nunn greets Rev. Michaela Drain as she prepares to receive her stole. Dr. Don Kim looks on. ABOVE LEFT: Rev. Blacksten places Rev. Bo Ireland’s stole during his ordination with assistance of Bishop Nunn. ABOVE RIGHT: Rev. Blacksten places a stole on Rev. John Hiller as Rev. Drain watches.

Photos by Tabitha Beckman and Jena Barber.

Commissioned, licensed, and ready for service

LEFT: Four people receive a blessing as they prepare for their commissioning. From left: Jennifer Hailes, Bessie Hamilton, Kevin Tankerson, and Sara Martin. TOP RIGHT: Rev. Jennifer Hailes kneels as Bishop Jimmy Nunn prays over her. BOTTOM RIGHT: Rev. Jimmy Nunn prays over Kevin Tankerson during his commissioning.

TOP LEFT: Rev. Dr. Bessie Hamilton kneels as she receives her commissioning from Bishop Jimmy Nunn. TOP RIGHT: Sara Martin is commissioned as a deacon by Bishop Nunn as Rev. Adam Shahan, Rev. John Breon, and Rev. Terry Koehn - along with others - look on. BOTTOM: Licensed local pastors, already working in ministry, are recognized. From left: TJ Seymour, Rachel Nightingale, JR Mayanga, Kadesh King, Michael Hull, Sam Harris, and Jason Brumit. Not pictured is James “Buster” Hall.

Ministry reports add context

TOP: Conference lay leader Sharri Hiller illustrates the many ways lay persons can serve at Annual Conference 2024. BOTTOM: Left: Kyla Powers, Kent Fulton, Rev. Dr. Sam Powers, and Sharri Hiller make a report on General Conference. Center: Rev. Dr. Bessie Hamilton reports on Ethnic Local Church Concerns and New Faith Communities. Right: Madison Belase reports on the work youth are doing across the conference.

LEFT: Keith Howard, executive director of Circle of Care, shows a concrete example of the way many children in foster care are forced to carry their belongings from house to house during the entity’s report at Annual Conference 2024.

RIGHT: Rev. Marla Lobo, along with Kathy Witzel and two Project Transformation Americorps members, describes the impact Project Transformation continues to have on families across the state.

Honoring those who honor us with their service

TOP: Retirees were honored at Annual Conference 2024.

BOTTOM LEFT: Rev. Jennifer Long makes an entrance as she receives her Frances E. Willard award from COSROW chair Emily Robnett and member James Hunt. BOTTOM RIGHT: Lake UMC in Tulsa is presented the One Matters award by Rev. Jeff Campbell, with Rev. Connie Gibson and Bishop Jimmy Nunn.

Dr.

Bishop Nunn’s retirement lunch featured Native American cuisine at the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City. Bishop David Wilson emceed the event. Speakers included Assistant to the Bishop for the OIMC, Rev. Margaret Johnson; Rev. Dr. Derrek Belase, chancellor Kent Fulton, and Rev. Connie Gibsone. Music was provided by cellist and composer Kiegan Ryan. Those present brought the gift of books Bishop Nunn can enjoy in his retirement. His planned response to those asking if he’s busy: “I’m booked.”

Rev.

Derrek Belase, along with Bishop Jimmy Nunn and Rev. Dr. Joe Harris, present the Denman Award to Rev. Diana Northcutt and Nancy Horton.

Music, Music, Music!

A variety of music from diverse cultures, and with varying group sizes and music styles, could be found throughout Annual Conference 2024. ABOVE: OIMC singers perform a hymn; TOP RIGHT: Korean choir singers harmonize; BOTTOM RIGHT: cellist and composer Kiegen Ryan plays an ode.

From the full Edmond First UMC choir, to the praise band from New Hope UMC, to a solo harmonica player, the spirit had a way to move just about every unique United Methodist during Annual Conference 2024 worship services.

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Call to Action

Future issues of The Contact will feature reports, events, and lessons from Annual Conference 2024. We’ve included a sampling of photos for this issue.

Share your event or job opportunity in the Contact For consideration, email your listing to editor@okumc.org.