The Contact 9-25-24

THE OKLAHOMA UNITED METHODIST

Weekly

Volume 6, Number 39 • September 25, 2024 • www.okumc.org

Volunteer of the Year 2

Churches dream big together 9

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

Children take the lead in worship at Tahlequah FUMC 4

Save the Date Employment

Three United Methodist Faith Leaders Among Most Influential 10

Passages Appointments

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Volunteer of the Year

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e’re thrilled about our first annual Volunteer of the Year nominations process. So far, nominations have uncovered some hidden gems in churches across the state.

From a dedicated Sunday School teacher to a fabulous men’s group, these volunteers are knocking our socks off!

who volunteer give their best for the glory van maintenance, and lawn care are often of God and the care of the service they done by volunteers. provide.

Volunteers are youth groups, men’s For this reason, the simple fact is, groups, women’s groups, cooks, drivers, we won’t be able to choose the “best” paper folders, communion servers, volunteer, but simply one whose story acolytes, and so much more. touches our hearts.

Volunteers respond to disasters and We plan to share as many volunteer respond to the call to mission work near stories as we can in the fall issue of the and far. They are resourceful, innovative, Volunteers are necessary for the running helpful, and kind.

Say So. We encourage you to nominate an of a church, an extension ministry, or really Oklahoma United Methodist volunteers individual or a group for Volunteer of the any endeavor that is taken up in love. are the lifeblood of their communities, and Year. If you’re working on a nomination, According to Donorbox, a platform for they respond to crises with open hearts and please have your submission turned in by Sept. 30. nonprofit donor and volunteer support, strong support. volunteers are essential for five reasons: “Volunteers are so very important in • They help boost visibility. disaster response,” • They can be turned into advocates stated Dana Parker, for your cause. associate director of • They save money and increase Connectional Ministry Does the nominee have to be an individual? donations. for community Not at all! We can take nominations for • They can increase your impact. engagement and disaster • They can bring a diversity of skills response. “Volunteer groups, Sunday school classes, clubs, and to your organization. labor stretches our more - as long as their work is through a United dollars so that, by only Methodist church or extension ministry.

More than that paying for materials, Can I make more than one nomination?

Churches can definitely benefit from we can help twice the those reasons; however, even more amount of families Yes! Please just fill in the form for each essential is the role volunteers play in recover. But also, I nomination. evangelism. Volunteers are vital because always feel such joy What are the criteria for Volunteer of the they are the hands and feet of God. By working alongside folks Year? living out their faith with their actions, serving their neighbors! volunteers serve not only as ambassadors We’re looking for moving stories of fantastic for the church, but as the church itself.

Nominations are UM volunteers. As long as you fill in the form and Churches in the Oklahoma conference still open! send a photo, we’ll consider your nomination. host numerous food pantries run by As we finalize the How will I know the results? volunteers. Volunteers teach children’s nominations process, Sunday school and adult Bible studies. this article should serve Our October issue of the Say So magazine Volunteers prepare communion and as a catalyst for those comes out in late October. It will be published decorate buildings for holidays. considering nominating online via Issuu, and will be available on our Choirs and modern worship bands are someone for Volunteer website and social media. It will also go out to staffed with volunteers. Students are fed of the Year. our email list. lunch by volunteers on college campuses There is no “perfect across the state. Building upkeep, church volunteer,” since all

FAQ

Director of Communications: Carlos Ramirez Multimedia & Web Manager: Andrew Himes Editor of Publications: Jena Barber Communications Specialist: Tabitha Beckman 1501 NW 24th, Oklahoma City, OK 73106

Send news to editor@okumc.org.

Submission deadline: Each Monday.

Next publication date: Oct. 2.

Stories and photos by the editor unless otherwise noted.

Cover art and graphics by depositphotos.com.

Subscribe online at www.okumc.org.

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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

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Children take the lead in worship at Tahlequah FUMC Last Supper and asked what they saw. After the expected “Jesus!” ids are not just the future of the church—they are an response, I anticipated essential part of God’s work hearing answers like, “bread,” “a table,” or in the world right now! At Tahlequah “people eating!” However, FUMC, our children are actively one child shyly raised her engaged in ministry, both within the hand and surprised me by church and beyond. saying, “Believers. Like In TFUMC Family Ministries, us.” That moment captured we strive to help children and youth my heart and deepened my explore three fundamental questions: respect for these young 1. Who is God? – We teach that Christians. It reframed God is powerful, loving, holy, and for me the privilege of always present. Children learn that witnessing these young God is not distant, but a friend, redeemer, savior, and parent who cares believers grow in their curiosity, intellect, and deeply for them. understanding of faith.

2. Who am I? – Helping kids Week after week, I’ve understand God’s character gives been awed by how deeply meaning when we tell them they are these children engage with made in His image. They begin to scripture. There’s Marcus, see themselves as beloved children who recited the entire story of God and learn that God’s expert A young boy shares a message of faith on of the Walk to Emmaus craftsmanship shapes their identity.

Children’s Sunday at Tahlequah FUMC. Submitted weeks after we read it, or photos.

3. Who is my neighbor? – Truman, reminding me Once children see God’s image in how the disciples cast their themselves, they begin to see it in just a talent show—it’s a true worship nets on the other side at others. This recognition drives them service led by our young disciples.

Jesus’ command. Mary Alice boldly to serve and love their neighbors, The children aren’t performing for engaging in mission work that reflects proclaimed the Good News of God’s the congregation; they are leading love, while Zayden, after creating God’s love for the world. us in worship, with God as the true King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden idol audience. Through prayers, songs, out of felt for our felt board lesson, Ministering to others liturgy, artwork, and personal witness, Our kids aren’t just being ministered very seriously warned us all not to each child contributes to a meaningful bow down to it! These children are to; they are ministering to others and service that invites the entire church participating in worship, discipleship, insightful, thoughtful, and spiritually into a deeper and richer faith. gifted. They approach their faith with and mission work as active members Each child crafted a message to a mix of innocence and wisdom that is of the body of Christ. demonstrate our theme, “Be Disciples, both inspiring and humbling.

One of my first Sunday School Make Disciples,” and brought along lessons as the Family Ministries an object or a costume to illustrate it.

More than just a talent show Director was on Communion Sunday.

For example, one child shared that Children’s Sunday is more than I showed them a picture of the

BY ABIGAIL SHAW-BOLEN

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being a disciple is like learning to solve a Rubik’s Cube—you have to be patient for all the pieces to fall into place, and you have to learn to love the puzzle before it’s finished. Another child compared a disciple to a sunflower, saying, “We keep our eyes turned to Jesus, the Son and Light of the World.”

Every child is uniquely gifted If you’d like to develop something like this, you can spend time discerning the spiritual gifts of your children, just as we have at Tahlequah FUMC! Every child is uniquely gifted and has a special calling to share within the local church. Every child can learn to be faithful to God with those spiritual gifts. By celebrating these gifts and inviting children to take part in ministry, you help them realize their God-given potential and inspire them to live out their faith with confidence.

When children are embraced as leaders, servants, and contributors, they bring fresh energy, hope, and joy to the entire congregation.

Together, we can watch them flourish as active members of the body of Christ, making a lasting impact on the church and the world—starting right now!

By creating space for children to lead, we’re not only empowering them, but we’re also growing together as a church. These young disciples are helping to shape the future of the church while teaching us how to live faithfully in the present.

September 25, 2024

We are grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside them as they continue to grow in their faith and leadership.

Each child crafted a message to demonstrate the Children’s Sunday theme, “Be Disciples, Make Disciples,” and brought along an object or costume to illustrate it.

Children served communion, prayed, sang, and shared art and personal witness to contribute to a meaningful service, inviting the entire church into a deeper and richer faith.

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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

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GNTV Celebrates 50 Years support at a time of need. Now, GNTV needs your help to repair its roofs. The over 30,000 square feet NTV invites you to of roof that covers the ministry is help us celebrate 50 due for long-term maintenance and years of ministry on has some leaks to prove it. Would October 25, 2024. GNTV started you help cover the cost of one as a Television Ministry in 1974 square foot for $40, two square feet and grew to support events as an for $70, three square feet for $100, Audio Visual Production Ministry. or more? Donate here.

GNTV is a ministry of the South A brief history of Good News Georgia Annual Conference and has TV / GNTV: supported annual conferences and Good News TV started in other events since the 1980s. GNTV September of 1974 with a daily has supported the South Georgia 30-minute program for a potential Annual Conference since 1985. audience of 29,000 on cable in Macon. At first, all of the programs Very few people who have seen were produced locally by one staff GNTV at an event have ever seen person and a team of volunteers. its location in Macon, GA. GNTV The purpose of Good New TV’s is going to open its doors and have venture was “to reach the churched a celebration at 6 p.m., Friday, and unchurched of our city who October 25. GNTV will celebrate its have access to cable TV.” The idea history with stories of the ministry was that local people, ministers and will offer a behind-the-scenes and laity who came to share their look at its ministry. testimonies of how Jesus changed Do you want to see where all the their lives would make an effective gear that shows up at conferences evangelism tool. Individuals were comes from? Do you want to encouraged to share scripture, learn more about the history of poems, prayer requests, victories this unique ministry? Would you and Bible teachings with viewers consider joining the celebration who were given the opportunity to at GNTV? If you can’t join in in call in questions. person, there is a virtual connection option. RSVP here.

In the years that followed, the programming offered on Good Also, as GNTV’s ministry crosses News TV expanded. The anchor the 50-year mark, they could use program that was often live was some support. GNTV has survived broadcast every weekday and because people in the past gave their took on the name “Good News” NEWS RELEASE

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based on Proverbs 25:25 “As cold waters to the thirsty soul, so is Good News.” In addition, a variety of live programming allowing for community interaction via phone was a staple of several programs produced in the Macon area over the next 30 years on Good News TV. Local programs included Pacesetters, Openline, Talk, Art: with a Capital A, My Turn Now, Agape Rock, Country Music Mornings, The Georgia United Methodist, SportsPulse, High School Football Game of the Week, and Macon Braves Baseball. Each program sought to reach people in different ways by sharing the care and compassion of Christ with those watching. In 1992 Good News TV officially became WGNM, a full power television station in Macon.

This allowed the ministry to expand beyond the single cable company reaching more communities around Middle Georgia.

Starting in 1980, Good News TV began a ministry of supporting events. Most of the events in the ‘80s were part of the work of the South Georgia Annual Conference.

These included Winter Camp Meeting, Georgia Pastors School, Annual Conference, District Teaching Events, and local church special events. During this time the decision was made to switch the name to GNTV for the event

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ministry work.

GNTV was also asked to be part of the video team at the General Conferences in 1980, 1984, and 1988 in conjunction with communicators from across the denomination and United Methodist Communications. This led to GNTV expanding to support more annual conference sessions; first to North Georgia and Florida Conferences.

GNTV’s event work continued to grow as the ministry expanded to handle not just video but lights and sound in order to achieve the best results possible for our partners.

In 2004 GNTV’s event ministry had grown to be a significant part of the work of the ministry. GNTV was supporting about 35 events annually at this time. Unfortunately, due to new FCC requirements,

September 25, 2024

United Women in Faith, The Salvation Army Regions, several Presbyterian groups, and many more.

In 2014, our organization began producing teaching and training virtual sessions for individuals who were unable to physically attend in-person significant upgrades were going meetings so that these to be required in Middle Georgia meetings could extend their reach for WGNM if the local television and share important information. ministry was to continue. WGNM Then with the COVID pandemic was unable to secure the needed there were expanded opportunities financing or donations to meet for GNTV to support a plethora of the FCC requirements, but virtual meetings with technology God provided for the Christian and a new voting system developed Television Network out of Tampa, because of the needs created by the Florida, to take over the ministry of pandemic.

WGNM. This allowed GNTV as a ministry to solely focus on its event GNTV is a self supporting support and video production.

501c(3) that is an extension ministry of the South Georgia GNTV has been involved in Annual Conference of The United supporting events with a growing Methodist Church. GNTV supports team of professional production annual conferences and other church staff and a better set of equipment and nonprofit events with their since narrowing our focus. Today, audio, video, lighting, and voting GNTV supports around 75 events needs. annually working with 26 annual conferences, United Methodist general agencies, Africa University,

Watering the Earth :

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CONTACT US TODAY TO PROVIDE FOR THE MINISTRIES OF YOUR CHURCH AND LASTING GOOD IN YOUR COMMUNITY

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Reclaiming our voices ... telling our stories

Norman First American UMC Gala Indigenous People’s Day Dinner & Fundraiser October 14 at McFarlin UMC

September 25, 2024

Our Goal Norman First American UMC is partnering with McFarlin UMC on a critical capital campaign to complete the NFA church and educational facilities. As the sole Native congregation in the Norman area and the only provider of regular fellowship for Native students at OU, NFA holds a vital role as a spiritual and cultural hub for Native peoples across Oklahoma and the United States. Serving over 5,000 Native individuals annually, we have outgrown our current space and urgently require expanded facilities to meet the growing demand.

Our vision includes the construction of a new sanctuary, an expanded kitchen, and additional classrooms for children and youth. These enhancements are essential for strengthening and expanding our Native ministry in Norman. The new facilities will also feature a state-of-the-art multimedia technology center, enabling us to foster connections and collaboration with tribal communities and institutions nationwide.

Please RSVP online by scanning the QR code, visiting our website, or filling out the enclosed RSVP card. We look forward to celebrating this special evening with you!

5:30pm–Silent Auction 6pm–Dinner 7:45pm–Live Auction

RSVP by scanning the QR code or by visiting mcfarlinumc.org/nfa-gala

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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

September 25, 2024

Churches dream big together

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hat began 30 years ago as a student ministry group of the OU Wesley Foundation by former Native students is today a thriving church, First American UMC, pastored by Rev. Dr. Justine Wilson.

The group came together to support Native American students during their education. The church still offers a campus ministry for Native students, but it offers much more.

This church formed with the vision of offering a different experience for Native Americans in the UMC. After conversations with the bishop, the church was provisionally approved, with the expectation that the ministry embrace the totality of Native culture.

After a few locations, the congregation bought an eight-acre parcel of land in Norman and built the first phase of a church. The plan was to move on to phase two, three, and four - but like many United Methodist churches, the space the church is using is still at phase one.

This location is a blessing, since the large land tract allows First American UMC to not only host Sunday services, but also to hold ceremonial gatherings, traditional prayer services, and more.

The challenge of the location is that, since stopping at phase one, the indoor facilities are small. Phase one included a fellowship hall, offices, and a kitchen.

Since the building was built, the church’s activities have outgrown the facilities.

“We do everything outside,” remarked Wilson. “We cook outside, we dance outside, we eat outside.” With weather in Oklahoma as unpredictable as it is, this means First American UMC needs an indoor backup.

McFarlin UMC, also in Norman, serves as a weather backup for First American UMC. While this is a working solution, it is not ideal, since First American UMC could do so much more with its own dedicated facilities.

Wilson and the congregation at First

American felt the outsized impact the Covid pandemic had on Native Americans.

Many elders were lost to the disease. In addition to those losses, youth and family programming were disrupted, and have struggled to come back.

Wilson didn’t see this as a time to shrink - instead, she saw this as an inception point. She saw it as a time to honor the elders who did not live to see the vision of the finished church.

“We need to go big,” she said. “The weight of those aspirations, and those dreams and visions of what could be. Not all of our elders have made it through, but they have given that to us, as a sacred trust.”

Church; there’s so much to look forward to and dream big about.”

The two churches have decided to partner for a fundraising dinner featuring a Native feast at 6:30 p.m., Oct. 14. Using McFarlin UMC’s facilities, members of First American UMC will prepare, by hand, food that they harvested themselves, including wild bison and wild onions, plus multiple traditional Native foods.

On top of the delicious meal, attendees will have the opportunity to learn from a panel of speakers spanning three generations of OIMC faith leaders. The speakers will talk about what it means to be both Native and Christian. They will open the conversation up to all of those Enter McFarlin UMC in Norman. present.

While the churches have had relationships With the meal and speaker panel, historically, it has often been one of attendees will also have an opportunity simply sharing resources. to bid on silent auction items - many of When Rev. Wendi Neal, associate which are handmade, as in gifts for the pastor at McFarlin UMC, met Wilson, they upcoming holidays, and services. instantly bonded. “We met in fall 2022, One service is a live painting by and we became friends,” recalled Neal.

Chickasaw artist Brent Greenwood, which “We found that we have a shared mission will be sold at the end of the event. and vision of serving the community.”

Neal continued, “We talked about what it means to have a mutually beneficial partnership and relationship where we’re sharing with each other and learning from one another and growing together.”

Neal also pointed out that the two churches are only about two and a half miles from one another. “In this post-General Chickasaw artist Brent Greenwood will perform a live Conference era is painting at a fundraising event Oct. 14, at McFarlin UMC a new era for the in Norman. Pictured above is his 2015 painting, “Native United Methodist Sisters,” which was named Best in Show at the 22nd Annual Art Exhibition in Denver.

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Three United Methodist Faith Leaders Among Most Influential

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ccording to The Oklahoman, three Oklahoma United Methodist leaders rank among the most influential in the Oklahoma City metro area.

First listed is Bishop Jimmy Nunn, who retired in August. The article noted his leadership through the difficult disaffiliation season and his helming of both the Oklahoma and Oklahoma Indian Missionary conferences.

The article also quotes the nine words Bishop Nunn uses to illustrate his faith: “Love God, love people, make a difference, make disciples.”

Rev. Trina Bose-North, pastor of Crown Heights UMC, also made the list. She shared her thoughts on leading that church. “In 2016 as I was appointed to this church, the United Methodist Church was clashing over marrying and ordaining gay people,” shared Bose-North.

“My image of God as love placed me on the side of inclusion. My theology found a home in Crown Heights UMC.” The church voted to become part of the Reconciling Ministries Network and has served as an example of an inclusive church.

“Earlier this year, the United Methodist Church removed all the bans on gay marriage and ordination.

I celebrate this step forward. Doing

Rev. Dr. Jimmy Nunn Retired Bishop 2016-2024

Rev. Trina Bose-North Senior Pastor Crown Heights UMC

this work for inclusion has been a joy because I have done it with the support of the wonderful people at Crown Heights UMC.”

Rev. Dr. Derrek Belase Director of Connectional Ministries

Methodist Church across Oklahoma.”

While this list included leaders from across denominations and cultures, it could not begin to illustrate the Rev. Dr. Derrek Belase was listed influence United Methodist clergy and laity have on their communities. as an influential Oklahoma faith When faith leaders - whether leader. ordained clergy or lay persons or even, “I have sought to influence or especially, children - share their Oklahoma United Methodists by faith, big things can happen. Just ask simply telling the story of our the members of Crown Heights UMC! impact,” he said. “We are in ministry everywhere. When disaster strikes, we are there. When people are hungry, we feed them. We help students learn to read and we are in ministry with people throughout their lives in all circumstances. As director of connectional ministry, I simply tell others about what I see and hear in hopes of inspiring them to effective ministry in their own contexts. I am so proud of who we are in the United

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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

September 25, 2024

Retired Clergy Retreat How do you spell "RELIEF"? - How about a 24-hour retreat in beautiful Canyon Camp near Hinton OK with friends from across the Conference?

Time for visiting, resting, & relaxing. Friends, fun, campfire, singing, learning.

Cost per person is $123 for a single, or $76.50 for a double (lodge & 2 meals). Contact Brian Bakeman, registrar, at brian405@prodigy.net with questions.

JOIN US SEPT. 30 - OCT. 1 Thomas Hoffman will speak on two topics: • The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre • Pilgrimage to Camino de Santiago (The Way of St. James) in Spain

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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

September 25, 2024

Call to Action Register for a Communities Impacting Poverty Workshop.

• OKC (Lakeside UMC) - 10 am - 2 pm, Saturday, Oct. 5 • Weatherford - Sunday, 3-7 pm, Oct. 6 • McAlester (First UMC) - 10 am - 2 pm, Saturday, Oct. 12 • Lawton (Centenary UMC) - 3-7 pm, Sunday, Oct. 13 Click here to register.

The Ministry Center will be closed for the following holidays: Oct. 14 - Indigenous People’s Day Nov. 27-28 - Thanksgiving Dec. 25 - Christmas

Share your event or job opportunity in the Contact.

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