The Contact 7-17-24

THE OKLAHOMA UNITED METHODIST

Weekly

Volume 6, Number 29 • July 17, 2024 • www.okumc.org

Meet Bishop Laura Merrill 2

South Central Jurisdiction Meets, Makes History 4 Artists use their gifts to beautify worship space 6

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

Save the Date Employment Free haircut event at Purcell Trinity UMC 8

Passages Appointments

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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

July 17, 2024

Meet Bishop Laura Merrill FROM THE ARKANSAS CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Early Life Bishop Merrill was born in San Antonio, Texas. Her father, Rev. J. Charles Merrill, and maternal grandfather were both Methodist pastors, and she grew up deeply affirmed by the local churches they served.

As a young adult, she was selected for the 3-year Mission Intern Program (MIP) of the General Board of Global Ministries. She served at the Centro Ecuménico de Misión Urbana-Rural de la Iglesia, in Concepción, Chile, during the final days of the Pinochet dictatorship. Her U.S. assignment was with the Desert Southwest Conference Border Ministry in Tucson, Arizona, where she continued as a National Division missionary following the MIP.

Ordained Ministry Merrill’s local church appointments in the Southwest Texas Conference began in 1997 and included five years as associate at First UMC Victoria, two years at Los Fresnos UMC, and six years as senior pastor of Wimberley UMC. During this time, she grew in her love of the liturgical life of the congregation.

Bishop Laura Merrill, who was appointed Bishop

Superintendency during South Central Jurisdictional Conference, In 2010, Merrill was speaks in Rogers, Arkansas. Photo by Todd appointed to the Cabinet and Seifert. assigned as superintendent of the McAllen District, along Excellence. Finally, in July 2021, the Texas-Mexico border.

Merrill was once again appointed as She worked to build relationships district superintendent, this time of the between churches and clergy in her Capital District, in Austin. district and those of the Rio Grande Conference (RGC), which shared Episcopacy many of the same communities.

At the November 2022 South She served a brief time as Central Jurisdictional Conference, Education and Ordination superintendent of the Southern District Merrill was elected to the episcopacy Bishop Merrill earned a Bachelor of of the RGC and was instrumental on the first ballot, along with Dee Arts degree in 1984 from Southwestern in the 2015 unification of the two Williamston and David Wilson. The University in Georgetown, Texas. conferences, resulting in the new Rio vote was historic, electing the first Following her time in Chile and Texas Conference. In 2016, Merrill Black woman bishop in the SCJ, two Tucson, she attended Candler School was appointed to the position of women for the first time in the SCJ, of Theology at Emory University and Executive Director of the Mission and a Native American for the first in 1995 earned the Master of Divinity Vitality Center for Rio Texas, degree. She was ordained deacon in following the election of Ruben Saenz time in the denomination. Bishop Merrill was assigned to serve the 1996 and elder in 1999 by Bishop to the episcopacy.

Arkansas Conference, beginning Ray Owen in the Southwest Texas Ten months later, Bishop Robert January 1, 2023.

Conference.

Schnase appointed her as Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Clergy 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

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Connection with her kids, and walks Before her election, Bishop with her curious dog.

Merrill served two quadrennia on the committees that developed and implemented the National Plan for Hispanic Ministry. She also served as a member of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, and the Commission on General Conference. She served as a jurisdictional reserve delegate in 2008 and as first-elected clergy delegate to General Conference in 2012, 2016, and 2020.

Family Bishop Merrill is mother to Joe Sisto, a graduate student at Boston University, and Caroline Sisto, an undergraduate at Texas State University. Merrill enjoys the theater, live music, travel, thrift shops, time

Bishop Laura Merrill presides over Holy Communion during a Native American-focused worship at Jurisdictional Conference. Photo by Todd Seifert.

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South Central Jurisdiction Meets, Makes History

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and Northwest he sacrament of Holy Texas – Ruben Communion and powerful Saenz worship framed the three • Great Plains – day meeting of the South Central David Wilson Jurisdictional Conference July 10 • Louisiana – to 12 in Rogers, Arkansas. The Dolores “Dee” opening worship, with a Native Williamston American focus, and the closing • Missouri – worship both included a time to Robert “Bob” feast at the table for delegates and Farr guests meeting at Central United • Texas and Rio Methodist Church.

Texas – Cynthia All around the neighborhood The Cherokee Nation Choir performed at South Central Harvey were scenes of destruction from Jurisdictional Conference in Rogers, Arkansas. Photo At the time of the May 26 tornados that ravaged

by Todd Seifert. the announcement, the area, including damage to First Lippoldt said that the UMC in downtown Rogers. assignments, the delegates acted New Mexico area would be covered by on a report from the Boundaries a bishop from another jurisdiction. On Episcopal Assignments Committee of the Jurisdiction which On July 3, the Interjurisdictional Saturday, it was announced that Carlo recommended the creation of the Rapanut of the Western Jurisdiction Episcopacy Committee announced Horizons Texas Conference, which will provide episcopal oversight for the that the South Central Jurisdiction would be a unification of the Central, New Mexico annual conference. would not have any elections for North and Northwest Texas annual Immediately after the new Bishops, but would assign conferences. These conferences had announcement that Bishop Merrill the six remaining Bishops to the all approved this merger during their would serve Oklahoma, Bishop Nunn nine areas in the jurisdiction. This spring conference sessions. decision was based on action by the commented on his excitement about Delegates unanimously approved his replacement: “Bishop Merrill General Conference in May. this merger and committee chair Dr. loves God and people. She is a gifted Since there were no elections to Susan Brumbaugh said, “I just got preacher, offers a dynamic vision, and be held, Rev. Amy Lippoldt, chair goosebumps,” as members of the three is a capable administrator. She forms of the South Central Episcopal Texas conferences greeted one another new relationships easily and is equal Committee, announced the throughout the sanctuary. to the challenges and opportunities we assignment of Bishops to the areas during the opening business session face today. She is the episcopal leader Retirement Celebrations on Thursday. They were as follows: we need in this next chapter of our Bishop Jimmy Nunn had lives together.”

• Arkansas, Oklahoma, announced his retirement earlier in Oklahoma Indian Missionary 2024, but on July 1, Bishop Robert Creation of a new conference (OIMC) – Laura Merrill Schnase unexpectedly announced Immediately following the • Central Texas, North Texas his retirement. Both were honored announcement of the Episcopal

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on Thursday during the retirement recognition service.

Bishop Nunn also preached at the closing worship service on Friday, reiterating his famous nine words for the church – Love God. Love people.

Make a difference. Make disciples.

To much applause, he reminded us, “God isn’t through with the United Methodist Church.”

Focused on the scriptural theme of the conference – Isaiah 55 – Nunn said, “When we go with joy, we are vessels of the healing power of God.” LED Talks On Thursday afternoon, ten LED (TED-style) talks were presented by leaders of the various conferences.

Topics included discipleship, creation care, campus ministry, affordable housing and the history of the OIMC. One of the talks was by Oklahoma Rev. Carlos Ramirez on his work and findings regarding Hispanic and Latinx Ministry.

Quadrennial budget SCJ delegates voted to pass the budget for the next quadrennium. The new budget of $795,000 annually represents a 30 percent decrease from the previous quadrennium. The total assumes a 100 percent payout from each annual conference.

The Finance Committee reported

July 17, 2024

back, at the request of the Committee on the Episcopacy, to address concerns about grants provided by the General Council on Finance and Administration for episcopal offices.

SCJ delegates approved the proposal that the six offices that currently receive grants — Arkansas, the new Horizon Texas, Great Plains, Louisiana, Missouri and Texas conferences — forward the grant amount from GCFA each year to then be divided equally among all annual conferences in the SCJ. The other conferences include Oklahoma, Oklahoma Indian Missionary, New Mexico, and Rio Texas.

At the current amount — $80,845 — the new amount would be $53,896, with Oklahoma and the OIMC, sharing one share of those funds since the two conferences comprise one episcopal area.

Oklahoma leaders There were many Oklahomans who provided leadership for the conference and who were elected to Jurisdiction and General boards agencies and commissions.

Rev. Charla Gwartney and Courtney Blacksten served on the Boundaries Committee, while Kristen Harlin was on the Journal Committee.

The work of the nominations process was led by Associate

Conference Lay Leader Sharri Hiller of Oklahoma. That group met for two days to fill all of the vacancies that would be required by the Discipline and other rules of the conference.

On Friday, the following nominations were approved related to Oklahomans: General Conference entities: • Rev. Dr. Sam Powers, Advisory Committee on Ecumenical Relationships and Interreligious Concerns • Rev. Dr. James Kim, United Methodist Communications Jurisdiction Conference entities: • Rev. Tish Malloy, Committee on Investigation • Rev. Dr. Derrek Belase, Mission Council • Rev. Kwan Young Kim serves as the jurisdiction’s Korean Ministry Director.

2028 Meeting The conference concluded with an announcement that the 2028 jurisdictional conference will be hosted by the Great Plains Conference and held at Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS. The dates will be set by the Council of Bishops and announced at a later date.

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Artists use their gifts to beautify worship space

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t seems churches in the OKUMC are often blessed with abundance.

Sometimes that abundance is gifts or volunteers, and sometimes that abundance is talent.

Meadowcreek UMC in Collinsville is just such a blessed congregation. From painters to quilters to metal sculptors to a glass artist, Meadowcreek’s congregation is a hotbed of talented individuals putting their creative genius to work.

When Rev. Nathan Mattox arrived at Meadowcreek, he was introduced to Mary Odom, a member and hobby quilter. She loaded him up with quilts that he could take to the homebound or to hospital

A quilted banner illustrating Psalm 23, by quilt artist Mary Odom, a member of Meadowcreek UMC. Photos by Nathan Mattox.

visits as gifts.

Mattox also noticed that church was - well, colorless. It was a relatively new building with plain white walls and no stained glass in the windows.

He looked at Odom’s quilts, then at the walls. The quilts had a stained-glass appearance.

Then he got to work. The sanctuary

decorators hung the quilts around the sanctuary and were a beautiful blessing.

Not only did the quilts add color and dimension; they also helped with acoustics.

Odom approached Mattox and offered to create a set of purpose-made banners.

The two collaborated on the symbolism and inspirations they’d like to use.

Enter Randy Johnston. Johnston is a painter. One of her artworks was the inspiration for the most intricate banner, titled Psalm 23.

Johnston is also responsible for writing and creating an original VBS curriculum based on the Chronicles of Narnia.

Odom created a series of four quilted banners to bring color and beauty to the sanctuary.

“Psalm 23 is a theme at Meadowcreek,” intoned Mattox. “It was my first sermon when I came here in 2020. We worked it into our vision statement and we found some of our identity in it.”

Odom insists she was only part of a group of ladies who did the fine work, but Mattox knows she’s a true artist, working in a true artform.

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“The church is a patron of artforms,” observed Mattox. “Quilting is more of a folk art, and sometimes the folks who do it might not consider themselves artists.”

Mattox and Odom also chose a cross, for obvious reasons. Of the colorful cross, Rev. Mark Whitley quipped, “The cross might be U of A, but the light it bears is LSU.” For context, Mattox hails from Arkansas, Whitley from Louisiana.

One woman in the church who is very active and loved by adults and children alike is a school superintendent named Jackie. She has a real connection to the Tree of Life, even sporting a tattoo of the tree. Mattox and Odom decided

The Bible and trefoil representing the Holy Trinity is the fourth in a series of quilted banners.

on the tree for the third banner. They intentionally hung that banner by where Jackie sits.

Of course, United Methodists are known for having unofficial assigned seats, so the banner is well placed.

The last panel is an open Bible. The two discussed whether a scripture should be included, but Mattox liked the idea of

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said Mattox, “you can see the stitching is hearts. So what you find there is God’s love.”

God’s love - and Odom’s love for God - is apparent in the artistry of the creations adorning Meadowcreek UMC’s sanctuary.

The Tree of Life has symbolism for the church and special symbolism for one beloved member at Meadowcreek UMC.

allowing people’s minds to add the scripture they needed at the time.

“If you look at the blank Bible pages,”

Another connection Meadowcreek UMC has a deep connection with its neighboring congregation, Owasso New UMC. In a quirky twist of fate, Mattox received a quilt pattern from his mom - a cross.

He gave it to Odom, and she created a quilted piece of art and gifted it to the new church. The quilted cross hangs as a focal point behind the altar at Owasso New UMC. “We’re looking forward to a partnership with Owasso New UMC,” said Mattox. “That sense of connection is a really good thing. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.”

A member at Owasso New UMC makes announcments in front of the quilted cross gifted from Meadowcreek UMC.

A painting by member Randy Johnston inspired the Psalm 23 banner.

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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

July 17, 2024

Free haircut event at Purcell Trinity UMC

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ith the help of three stylists from Supercuts in Purcell, Trinity UMC was able to bless 25 students with free haircuts. Girls and boys from Pre-K to grade 12 were able to get a basic haircut for free. They were also treated to face painting and could “shop” for free toiletry items like shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash, lotions and so many more items.

After receiving their haircuts, the students were beaming and ready to show their new haircuts to everyone in the room. The stylists even showed the students how to style their new hairstyles.

One young lady had several inches taken off her long hair and it changed her looks tremendously. Another young lady came in for her first haircut ever. Her mother was a little reserved but loved the results.

One young man had his hair cut and gelled in a faux hawk.

One mother expressed her thankfulness for the free haircuts for her children.

She said there was no way she could afford for them to get their hair cut in a salon.

Team Trinity volunteers were blessed to hear the gratitude from the adults and see the incredible smiles on the students’ faces. It was such a reminder that sharing God’s love is a blessing for all concerned.

The day was such a success that Trinity UMC and Supercuts will be teaming up again in January to provide more free haircuts. Rev. Tracy Hoskins’ dream is to expand the day to include a resource fair for the families in conjunction with the free haircuts and toiletries.

Purcell Trinity UMC offered free haircuts, toiletries, and face painting, and in exchange received smiles galore. This partnership with the church and Supercuts was a great success and will be repeated. Submitted photos.

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July 17, 2024

Birds of a Feather

decide whether to remain UMC or to disaffiliate. Many of the churches in the ennifer Lark grew up in the Woodward District were choosing to small town of Goodwell, OK, leave using Paragraph 2553. There was just 10 miles southwest of pressure from all sides to disaffiliate.

Guymon. Her dad was a professor at But as the congregation began to Panhandle State University, and her understand the issues, they wrote a family attended Panhandle Centenary letter to the bishop, saying they wanted United Methodist Church in Goodwell to remain in the UMC. Member Sarah her entire life. This is the church that Strain Green said, “As the UMC taught her about God’s love and what persisted for LGBT inclusion, many it meant to be a United Methodist. churches left the UMC. We chose to So as an adult in Oklahoma City, she stay. This tiny church in the middle of made Crown Heights United Methodist a conservative region decided that ‘the Church her home. greatest of these is love.’”

Over the past couple of years, Since deciding to stay UMC, Panhandle Centenary UMC had to PCUMC has lost some members but

BY REV. TRINA BOSE NORTH

J

found its identity. The members want their church to be a welcoming place for everyone - and since the nearest UM church to them is 62 miles away, they want to be the United Methodist presence in their area as part of the Elk City UM Hub. Because of Jennifer Lark and her mom Sue’s visits to OKC, the people of Crown Heights UMC began to care about and support this church in Goodwell. Crown Heights UMC is a Reconciling congregation and had an affinity for what Panhandle Centenary UMC was doing. When Sue Lark made trips to OKC, I would bless the communion breads that would be used

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in worship in Goodwell.

Then Crown Heights UMC’s youth group decided to drive out to Goodwell for a mission trip from July 11 to 13. They wanted to serve and show up for this sister church. These city kids got to experience small town life, like exploring a corn field at 10 p.m. The church hosted the youth group to perfection. The youth stayed in their empty parsonage, and the church cooked all their meals. The youth returned the favor by painting the exterior steps leading into the sanctuary.

On Friday evening, the youth drove to all the members’ homes to leave pink flamingos in their yards. They taped a sign to each front door saying, “Birds of a feather...we are so glad to flock together!”

By the time this mission trip ended, both churches felt the love. Crown Heights UMC and Panhandle Centenary UMC found they have much in common, including a love for each other and a mutual prayer for each church’s ministry of being God’s loving presence in the world.

Rev. Trina Bose North is the pastor at Crown Heights UMC in Oklahoma City.

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Call to Action The Korean Ministry Plan of the General Board of Global Ministries is seeking to update information on Korean American clergy. If you are an active or retired clergy member, please click here to update your contact information.

The 2024 mentor training will take place on August 1, 2024, from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. at the Oklahoma Methodist Ministry Center located at 1501 N.W. 24th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73106. This training is for candidacy, provisional and local pastor mentors. You can register here.

The 2024 Candidacy Summit will take place on August 2-3, 2024, at the Oklahoma Methodist Ministry Center located at 1501 N.W. 24th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73106. This training is for declared candidates, certified candidates and provisional members. You can register here.

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