Cover photo and feature graphics: Deposit Photos & Jena Barber
Stories and layout by Jena Barber (unless otherwise noted)
The Contact, a publication of the OKUMC Connection (USPS 954-500) is published monthly by The Oklahoma Conference of The United Methodist Church, 1501 NW 24th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73106. Periodical postage paid at Oklahoma City, OK.
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from the editor
This month, the day before Easter, Oklahomans - and others across the nation and the world - will observe the 30th anniversary of the single most deadly act of domestic terrorism in the history of the United States.
This heinous massacre was attributed to a wayward ex-military man who was later put to death for his crimes. The blame, however, goes far beyond the actions of one man - including his two accomplices, or the white supremacist group that allegedly supported him - and to a broken world in which we often still find ourselves.
I don’t think anyone can take the causes and tie them up into a neat little bow. The thing I do know, however, is that the events of April 19, 1995, changed everyone, especially in Oklahoma City.
Upon seeing the news, most everyone in the US immediately thought of Middle Eastern terrorists who “hate our freedom.” It shocked us all when we found out it was an American military veteran who murdered those 168 people, including 19 children, with not an ounce of remorse.
We learned that day that terrorism is not unique to “others.” We very well might have passed that terrorist on the street or even thanked him for his military service. He was, tragically, “one of us.”
We came out of those events both stronger and more divided.
While everyone condemned the actions of the murderer, opinions began to diverge as to the reasons why it happened. Even so, while the bombing was appalling, it brought together Oklahomans in a deep and meaningful way.
The Communications department was recently invited to visit one of the heavily-
affected buildings on the day of the bombing and in its aftermath.
We toured First UMC in Oklahoma City. In their history room, we saw photos of the damage the church sustained. We heard moving stories of members whose lives were forever changed as a result of the damage to their beloved church building. And we saw the gorgeous facilities that still stand - or have been rebuilt - today.
We also saw incredible hope as we read about United Methodists who jumped in to serve in multiple ways.
First UMC, even with its building in shambles, hosted the Medical Examiner and became a makeshift morgue.
St. Luke’s UMC fed 2,000 relief workers daily during the events, hosted the Red Cross, and gathered donations for those in need.
Circle of Care provided free counseling services.
Multiple UMC clergy served as chaplains, with two holding late night vigils throughout as the nation held hope that more people would be rescued or bodies recovered.
Other United Methodists served as interpreters, worked with affected children, offered counseling, prepared comfort kits, donated blood, raised funds for those affected, and more.
Trinity Baptist Church hosted First UMC as they rebuilt after the disaster - that’s 800 extra people in worship each week!
As we go into this sombre anniversary, we remember the support given, not just to our own UM church, but the community as a whole as it healed in the wake of the terrible tragedy that was the Oklahoma City bombing.
Disaster Recovery: A Story of Resilience and Connection
by Dana Parker
John and Susan (not their real names) had built their beautiful home on a hill near the Verdigris River in Claremore, Oklahoma. For more than 20 years they raised their family and enjoyed creating spaces for outdoor living. Family and friends were often gathered for picnics, outdoor movie nights, or just simply enjoying the birdsong in the shade. Susan loved to decorate and cook, hosting Christmases and birthday parties in their lovely home.
In May of 2019, torrential rains caused the Verdigris (along with other lakes and rivers in eastern Oklahoma) to rise to the unfathomable height of 37 feet, and the couple was forced to evacuate. Their home was flooded with five feet of water, and they lost nearly everything they owned. This was when I met them. I was a new Disaster Response Case Manager, funded and trained by UMCOR, representing the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference. John and Susan were my first clients.
We navigated the many layers of disaster response from FEMA to SBA to unmet needs. Over the course of 20 months, Susan lived with their daughter in another community while John stayed with a friend, continuing his job and working in his spare time to clean out their home. Susan tackled the applications and phone calls. John met the contractors and material deliveries. Susan and her daughter spent their time putting together a video of digital pictures to remember their life around their home, and they all grieved its loss.
I will be forever honored to have them in my life. They shared not just their needs, but their struggles and their determination. We talked about their daughter’s illness, which occurred after the disaster, and prayed for her healing. We talked about my unexpected journey becoming a disaster
case manager. We shared excitement and disappointment as their house came closer and closer to restoration. We praised God when they were finally able to move back in. We became friends, and I still marvel at the trust they placed in me.
Disasters are tricky things. They can cause dissension in a community and they can bring a community closer together. They can bring forth the good in people while being opportunities for scammers. However, in all my limited experience, the people and agencies I work with put the survivor first, above each agency’s gain or acclaim. They are some of the most selfless people I know. Out of such great loss, the resiliency of people shines through. But it only comes when we help each other. Recovery requires assistance and connection. There are so many ways to respond: listening to a survivor’s story, sifting through the ashes, removing broken tree limbs, providing a place to stay or a meal, collecting funds and supplies to fill the gaps that arise, volunteering to repair damage.
As followers of Jesus, we try to bring survivors not just to recovery, but to restoration. In whatever we do, we show the love we have for Jesus through openness and cooperation, patience and kindness. Without forcing a doctrine on a survivor, we always let them know we are ready to share a hug, a prayer, a conversation at their invitation.
Dana Parker is the Associate Director of Connectional Ministries, Disaster Response and Community Engagement.
The Best Kept Secret in the Church
by Discipleship Ministries
Alittle-known but fascinating corner of United Methodist mission work consists of a small corps of retirees scattered throughout the country. They call themselves Nomads.
The name fits because they spend their lives roaming the country in the RV’s in which many of them live full-time.
But as they roam, small groups of them converge at various locations – at United
Methodist churches, children’s homes, camps or retreats, or at disaster sites. And where they meet up, good things happen.
Dilapidated doors and windows get replaced, faded furniture refinished. Leaky plumbing and outdated wiring and electrical fixtures get modernized.
Parking lots get striped, storage areas deep-cleaned, floors replaced, sanctuaries painted — and sometimes, entire new buildings are built from the ground up.
Team leaders Jack and Barbara Schmoll returned to Oklahoma to work in Barnsdall and Bartlesville after storms damaged homes in the area. ROAD (Recovering Oklahomans After Disaster) was the contracting agency that brought them to Oklahoma. ROAD is an Oklahoma VOAD member agency that assesses damage of homes after a disaster and coordinates volunteer groups for rebuilding and repairs. Learn more about ROAD here. Photos by ROAD.
Oh, and jelly and salsa get cooked and bottled for charity sales.“They’re the bestkept secret in the church – a group of incredible servants who will do just about anything you ask of them,” said Rev. Ted Wood, pastor of Community United Methodist in Casselberry.
Nomads have worked every year at the two Florida churches he has led for the past 17 years.“I’ve had them build a twostory garage for a church, but I’ve also had them just clean the floors, scrape off the old wax,” he said. “They’re some of the humblest and most Christ-like people you’ll meet.”The Nomads, with about 850 active members and 180 or so alumni, are actually a division of the United Methodist Church’s Global Ministries, but they’re based nowhere except on the Internet. Most are retired contractors, craftsmen, or handymen of various kinds and their spouses, but some just provide labor and learn skills on the job.
They come from all 50 states and can be male or female, single or couples, but they must have access to an RV, said Director Carla Kinsey, the only paid individual involved. She coordinates their work from her home in Hot Springs, Ark.
Churches or other Methodist agencies apply for their services.
Nomad members go online to choose projects in locations where they want to work during any of 15 or more three-week project periods each year – and then hit the highway.
The agencies benefiting from the work must provide nearby RV parking facilities, but Wood said a parking lot with access to a water source and power outlets are
sufficient for the groups that have worked at his church.
The agencies also provide most of the materials and supplies, but Nomads do the work.
They work nationwide and year-round, but winter is the busiest time of the year, Kinsey said. Many are warmth-seeking snowbirds and like to work in states like Florida, Texas, and Louisiana during the winter.
According to the Nomads’ website, https:// www.nomadsumc.org/, one of them told the group, “I am bored; there must be some good we can do here.” They approached local Methodist churches and offered their services. In their first year, 24 members finished five projects in Texas and Oklahoma.
The all-volunteer organization grew and eventually incorporated under the church’s General Board of Global Ministries.
Kinsey was working in a church camp in New Mexico when Nomads came through in 2004 and got recruited to replace the director who was then retiring.
Their services, said Wood of Community UMC, are particularly valuable to small and mid-sized churches that don’t have a lot of money to pay for contractors, but he believes comparatively few church leaders nationwide know about them.
He learned about them from a pastor friend in Jacksonville, FL, and said more churches could benefit.“They come with a lot of skills –painters, plumbers, electricians, you name it,” Wood said. “But the big thing is, they come with a servant’s heart.”
Disaster relief is Biblical - and any church can be part of it!
by Rev. Tim McHugh
Over the last several years I have been involved in disaster relief in some way or another, and it has had an incredible impact on my faith walk and my ministry life. Under the tutelage of Jeremy Bassett and Lori Foster, I became the CDRC and that introduced me to the incredible network of resources available to me from the Oklahoma annual conference and the UMC in general. But greater than that, I have seen what a profound impact on the Kingdom of God that disaster relief is, was and always will be. Disaster relief embodies the very heart of the teaching of Jesus: compassion, service, and love in action.
organizations get organized and do what they do, the local church remains present for the long haul, ensuring that recovery efforts extend beyond the initial crisis.
Many churches open their doors to serve as temporary shelters, food distribution centers, and places of refuge for those displaced by the storm. Any church can be an asset during a time of need. Showers, cooling stations, gathering centers, supply depots, and cafeterias are just a few ways churches and their congregations can respond to those in need.
After the May 2024 tornado in Claremore, a group of Indiana UMCOR ERTs took on the weight of serving those affected, both literally and figuratively.
When disaster strikes, the response of a community often determines the speed and effectiveness of recovery. In the aftermath of devastating disaster, local churches continue to be a cornerstone of disaster relief, offering aid, hope, and resilience to the community. While emergency response teams and national
Churches can even partner with organizations such as the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), Samaritan’s Purse, and the Red Cross to coordinate efforts and maximize
impact. Smaller churches need to get better at looking outside the box when it comes to what they can do and be for their community. Smaller churches are just as valuable as bigger churches; they just aren’t used to seeing themselves as assets. All churches should be asset driven when it
comes to disaster relief.
When the church steps in to provide aid, shelter, and emotional support, it demonstrates God’s love in a real, visible way. Jesus commanded his followers to love their neighbors (Mark 12:31), and disaster relief is a direct way to fulfill this command. People who may never have stepped into a church experience the Gospel through the hands and feet of those serving them. Grace UMC has three new families who now attend regularly because of what was provided to them during the May 2024 tornado. Dianne needed a generator; we gave her one and since she returned it (which rarely happens), she has joined and is now a leading volunteer. Laura came to help with the warming station and now runs the food pantry at Grace UMC.
Moments of crisis often open hearts to spiritual conversations. When people experience loss and uncertainty, they are more receptive to the hope found in Christ. Churches involved in relief efforts have opportunities to share the Gospel, not just through words but through actions that reflect God’s character. This can lead to lasting discipleship and transformation. Many churches hold special prayer services, grief support groups, and community gatherings to help people find peace amidst the devastation.
Disaster relief brings churches and ministries together. Grace UMC has worked with Tahlequah UMC, Pryor UMC and Bartlesville UMC to help after a disaster, and plans on getting together with Okmulgee and Pryor to help with some VIM clean up projects from the Claremore tornado last May
The early church in Acts was known for
The training was so valuable and Tim McHugh did a great job. Here are a couple of highlights:
I love the fact that we don’t go until we’re invited. It is intentional. Rather than adding to the chaos following a disaster, we go in to help with specific needs at the appropriate time.
Second is, when we see emergency response teams in the media, we often see young, strong, and licensed individuals. What this training helped me see and prepare for is that anyone can help. There are many jobs to be done when assisting with relief and much like the body of Christ we all have different abilities we bring to the table.
Do all the good you can…”
Michele Shahan-Hale, Pastor Dow/Edgewood UMC
its generosity and care for those in need (Acts 2:44-47). Disaster relief allows the modern church to live out that same mission, reminding us that faith is not just about Sunday worship but about actively engaging in the needs of the world. It shifts the focus from the church as a building to the church as a movement of people bringing God’s kingdom to earth.
God takes what is broken and makes it whole. When churches help rebuild homes, provide for families, and walk with survivors through trauma, they mirror God the work of God. Isaiah 61:1-3 talks about proclaiming good news to the brokenhearted and binding up wounds - a mission the church fulfills in disaster response.
Every act of service in these moments becomes a testimony of Christ’s love and power to heal. Disaster relief touches both those who give and those who receive. Those who give learn to trust God with their resources, while those in need experience His faithfulness through the generosity of others. This cycle of giving and receiving strengthens faith and deepens reliance on God.
Supporting relief efforts, whether through financial donations, volunteerism, or prayer, reflects the call to be good stewards of God’s blessings. Every act of mercy and justice is a glimpse of what God’s Kingdom will look like. When the church responds to disasters, it offers a small glimpse of the restoration and healing that will one day come fully through Jesus.
If you or your church wants to support
disaster relief efforts, there are several ways to get involved. Many churches accept donations of food, clothing, and funds to support their relief work. Volunteering your time to assist with rebuilding efforts, cooking meals, or providing emotional support can make a significant impact. Most importantly, prayer remains a powerful tool in bringing comfort and strength to those affected.
Disaster relief is more than just humanitarian aid; it is Kingdom work. It reveals God’s heart, advances God’s mission, and brings hope to the hopeless. Every meal served, every home rebuilt, and every prayer offered in times of crisis reflects God’s love and draws people closer. In serving others, the church brings God’s kingdom to earth, one act of compassion at a time. Even long after the news coverage fades, churches remain— helping, healing, and rebuilding lives with faith and compassion.
How long does it take to recover from a disaster?
You can predict the length of a community’s recovery by the number of days spent in rescue mode. For example:
If a community spends 5 days in Rescue
the work of First Responders
+search and rescue
+securing the disaster site
Expect 10 times that, or 50 days for Relief
the work of OKUMC Early Response Teams and others
+debris removal
+tree limb cutting
+roof tarping
+removal of water-soaked drywall, insulation and furnishings
Then expect 10 times that, or 500 days for Recovery
the work of OKUMC UMVIM and others
+repair +rebuilding
The Tale of the Traveling Trailer
OKUMC Disaster Response has had many kinds of vehicles and trailers to assist in response. As it became harder to maintain all this equipment, we have sold or given them to other agencies to use.
One such trailer is a shower trailer that was given to the Lazarus Community for its vision in serving the unhoused in Oklahoma City. When that ministry closed, the trailer came back to OKUMC Disaster Response. But greater plans were in the making! Recovering Oklahomans After Disaster (ROAD), a 501(c)(3) non-profit, coordinates and manages volunteers as they rebuild homes damaged in Oklahoma disasters.
OKUMC Disaster Response regularly coordinates with ROAD to connect UMC
volunteers with projects. Often, a place can be found to house these volunteers, but showers are not available. Gifting this shower trailer to ROAD will bring it back to use as a Disaster Response resource.
ROAD’s executive director and creator is United Methodist Chad Detwiler. Several United Methodists serve on ROAD’s board. It’s an invaluable agency in Oklahoma’s Disaster Response and a great partner to OKUMC Disaster Response. Find out more about it at the organization’s website.
ifIf an individual has a disaster
We asked Dana Parker, our resident disaster response expert, for advice on different disaster scenarios. This is what she said.
Before Create a disaster plan for yourself and your family. Find resources at ready.gov and redcross.org or plan with your local church to host OKUMC/UMCOR’s Connecting Neighbors disaster preparedness workshop. Ask your church leadership to request one here
During Carry out your disaster plan: gather your kit with supplies, meet at your family’s designated meeting place, shelter in place, or evacuate as directed by emergency personnel; wait for the all clear signal.
After Continue following your disaster plan: check on family and vulnerable neighbors, assess any damage, if needed find available shelters through the American Red Cross Emergency App or at redcross.org/shelter.
If your local church has a disaster
Before Church staff and trustees create a disaster plan. Learn how with OKUMC/UMCOR’s Connecting Neighbors disaster preparedness workshop. Request one for your church here.
During Carry out your disaster plan: If in the church building, direct people to the church’s shelter space or evacuate as directed by emergency personnel; wait for the all-clear signal.
After Continue following your disaster plan: check on vulnerable church members, assess any damage of church property, contact District Superintendent and District Disaster Response Coordinator (DDRC); if assistance is needed request from the DDRC.
If your community has a disaster
Before If your church offers space to the community for disaster sheltering, stock and have the shelter open, monitored, and ready; if your church has an Early Response Team, coordinate with the church’s and district’s Disaster Response Coordinator for the ERT to be ready to deploy; become certified as an Early Response Team member with OKUMC/UMCOR’s ERT Training here
During Carry out your local church’s disaster plan; keep any people sheltering at your church calm and comforted with comfortable seating, water, snacks, relevant information, and quiet activities for children.
After Continue following the church’s disaster plan, utilizing the church’s assets and Emergency Management connections; when authorized, assess the community’s damage, contact the District Superintendent and District Disaster Response Coordinator; deploy church’s Early Response Team or request assistance if needed from the DDRC; request “Just-In-Time” OKUMC/UMCOR Training for Disaster Response Navigators to canvass community to discover needs; coordinate volunteers to serve as Ambassadors at a county Multi-Agency Resource Center when it is scheduled.
If a community in your district has a disaster
Before Coordinate with church Disaster Response Coordinator, District Disaster Response Coordinator, and church Early Response Team to be ready to deploy if needed.
During Pray for the community in your district experiencing disaster and those responding to the disaster.
After Contact the District Disaster Response Coordinator to offer available assets; wait, but stand ready if assistance is asked from you; coordinate collection of monetary donations or donations specified by the affected community; coordinate volunteers to serve as ambassadors at a county Multi-Agency Resource Center when it is scheduled.
If a community in your state has a disaster
Before Coordinate with church Disaster Response Coordinator, District Disaster Response Coordinator, and church Early Response Team to be ready to deploy if needed.
During Pray for the Oklahoma community experiencing disaster and those responding to the disaster.
After Contact the District Disaster Response Coordinator to offer available assets; wait, but stand ready if assistance is asked from you; coordinate collection of monetary donations.
If a community in your country has a disaster
Before Coordinate with church Disaster Response Coordinator, District Disaster Response Coordinator, and church Early Response Team to be ready to deploy if needed.
During Pray for the community experiencing disaster and those responding to the disaster.
After Contact the District Disaster Response Coordinator to offer available assets; wait, but stand ready if assistance is asked from you; coordinate collection of monetary donations.
1. Gather Your Core Team
Developing a Green Team
Steps for Success
• Start with at least two or three committed individuals—Jesus said that’s enough for him to be present!
• Identify additional people passionate about creation care and justice, to join the team
• Seek out a mix of skills and interests, including advocacy, education, and hands-on sustainability efforts.
by United Methodist Creation Justice News
• Invite someone to commit to praying for the team’s mission and growth.
2. Engage Your Church Leadership
• Talk to the pastor and church council about forming a Green Team.
• Keep leadership informed and encourage them to integrate creation care into sermons, liturgy, and ministry planning.
• Seek support from trustees and Sunday School leaders.
3. Identify Needs and Opportunities
• Look at the church’s land, building, traditions, and surrounding community.
• Identify issues like food insecurity, waste management, or energy efficiency that the team could address.
• Consider the assets available: space for gardens, members with expertise, or local environmental challenges to tackle.
4. Start with a Small, Meaningful Project
• Choose an initial project that is achievable and visible to build momentum.
• Examples: planting native trees, setting up a recycling program, replacing Styrofoam with reusable dishes.
• Celebrate small successes to encourage participation and engagement.
5. Educate and Communicate
• Provide Bible studies or book discussions on creation care.
• Host guest speakers, film screenings, or workshops on sustainability and environmental justice.
• Use church newsletters, social media, and worship bulletins to keep the congregation informed.
• Develop a Green Team logo, T-shirts, or posters to build identity and awareness.
6. Expand and Sustain the Team
• Recruit new members through personal invitations, announcements, and events.
• Encourage participation at different levels—some may want to take leadership roles, while others may
contribute occasionally.
• Partner with other churches, community groups, and organizations for support and shared projects.
7. Incorporate Worship, Education, Practice, and Advocacy
• Worship: Organize Earth Sunday services, include prayers for creation, and integrate environmental themes into sermons.
• Education: Offer Sunday school lessons, Bible studies, and forums on environmental justice.
• Practice: Implement eco-friendly changes like composting, energy efficiency, and sustainable landscaping.
• Advocacy: Engage with policymakers, write letters, and support initiatives that promote environmental justice.
8. Connect to Larger Movements
• Use resources from our United Methodist connections: The United Methodist Creation Justice Movement; your conference staff, especially the Caretakers of God’s Creation coordinator, the conference green team, and the conference resilience and response efforts.
• Find out about potential funding sources, including the UMC Faith Foundation.
• Join regional or national environmental efforts, such as Interfaith Power & Light and local environmental groups.
• Encourage team members to become trained advocates or facilitators.
9. Keep the Momentum Going
• Schedule regular meetings and report progress to church leadership.
• Share stories of impact to inspire ongoing involvement.
• Recognize and celebrate accomplishments, both big and small.
10. Potential Green Team Projects
Worship
◊ Organize a Creation Care Sunday service.
◊ Include environmental prayers in worship.
◊ Plan an outdoor worship service to connect with nature.
◊ Develop eco-friendly liturgy and hymns.
◊ Host a prayer vigil for environmental justice.
Advocacy
◊ Write letters to policymakers advocating for environmental protection.
◊ Participate in local clean-up and conservation projects.
◊ Host an Earth Day fair or sustainability expo.
◊ Support fair-trade and sustainably sourced church supplies.
◊ Encourage congregation members to vote with environmental concerns in mind.
Education
◊ Offer Bible studies on creation care and environmental justice.
◊ Invite guest speakers from environmental organizations.
◊ Screen films and documentaries on climate issues.
◊ Host nature walks or eco-retreats.
◊ Organize children’s activities focused on creation care.
Practice
◊ Start a community garden or food forest.
◊ Install energy-efficient lighting and appliances.
◊ Set up a church-wide composting program.
◊ Plant native trees and pollinatorfriendly plants.
◊ Reduce plastic and Styrofoam use at church events.
By following these steps, your Green Team can create a lasting impact, helping your church live out its calling to care for God’s creation and serve the community with justice and compassion.
“We
Epworth Villa: Where Faith and Community Flourish
We offer many opportunities for spiritual growth through worship, enrichment, and community:
• Vibrant Spiritual Life, diverse worship services, study groups, and prayer opportunities.
• Meaningful Connections, mission and service projects that connect you to the wider community.
• Ecumenical and Inclusive, all faiths and denominations welcome.
• Compassionate Pastoral Care, dedicated chaplains and staff.
• Enriching Experiences that deepen your faith.
Pastor Laura Glover Epworth Villa Sr. Chaplain
Feed My Sheep
Perkins First United Methodist Church has a ministry called Neighborhood Ministries which is a regional food bank site that passes out bags of groceries, produce, meat and snacks twice monthly. Perkins/Tryon, Ripley, Agra, and Carney school districts are served by this site.
Moore First UMC hosts Five Loaves Food Pantry, open 1 to 3 p.m., Sundays, and 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays. They also provide meals through Ice Angels in OKC.
The Hominy UMC provides a free community breakfast the last Saturday of each month. When Barnsdall got hit by a tornado last year, the Hominy UMC helped provide funds to feed first responders. Barnsdall is within 20 miles of Hominy.
McAlester FUMC partners with Circle of Care, with COC facilitating “Father Empowered” at McAlester FUMC Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
Lawton Centenary hosts a free Neighborhood Breakfast On the fourth Saturday of each month. Everyone is welcome to enjoy a good breakfast of biscuits and gravy, pancakes, eggs and sausage or bacon, hash browns, fruit, cereal, milk, juice and coffee! Guests are invited to visit the clothes closet and pick out a couple of outfits. They are also able to sign up for showers! All guests have the opportunity to leave with fresh clothes, a shower, and a full belly! Each month, they serve between 130 and 180 guests. The congregation also supports an
ecumenical daily feeding ministry through St. Johns Baptist Church. They feed guests there twice a month, averaging more than 150 guests each day. The United Methodist Men provide holiday meals to 50 families during the Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday and at Easter. They take seriously, Jesus command to “Feed My Sheep!”
Eufaula First United Methodist Church currently hosts a community free meal. They serve lunch every Saturday, and have done so for 13 years. The meal is sit-down as well as takeout available to anyone who enters. They offer a non-judgmental, friendly, safe environment, along with spiritual support. Currently, three community churches, the VFW, and a local philanthropic service organization rotate cooking and serving. There are also three other community churches that serve on an occasional basis. Each serving group supplies food for the meal that is not provided or available from the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.
Eufaula FUMC recently received a $1,100 grant and is utilizing the money for improved signage and opening a food pantry available to the community. It’s in the final planning stages, but will be up and running shortly.
The mission runs on voluntary donations. The donations are primarily used for paper goods, utensils, drinks and to-go containers.
Do you have a program similar to one of these? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at editor@okumc.org.
Holy Week Four Days, Four Perspectives
Palm Sunday
by Rev. Tari Carbaugh
It was our last Palm Sunday at our old Bartlesville First United Methodist Church facility. We had purchased 64 acres and were building a beautiful, new campus. Since it was our last Palm Sunday in the old sanctuary, why not try something a little “extra”. I proposed a live donkey for our palm processional. I found a guy with a sweet, miniature donkey named Reese who agreed to bring his donkey.
On Palm Sunday, Reese had his picture taken with hundreds of children and their families. He walked into the sanctuary, up the aisle and onto the altar area like a champ. It was like he did this every Sunday.
The following year, we were in our new building and planning for Palm Sunday.
you sure you want to chance it?”
The committee pressed for a donkey for Palm Sunday. “He didn’t potty last year. It will be fine,” was the consensus of the whole group.
“Get Reese back,” was the unanimous vote of all worship committee members.
Rev. Tari Carbaugh poses with donkeys Jethro and Evie, who love to star in Palm Sunday worship services.
“Remember,” I warned, “we got Reese last year because we were in the old building. If he had an accident on the old carpet, it wouldn’t have been a big deal. This year we are in the new sanctuary, if he makes a mess, this will be on the new carpet. Are
I invited Reese back and this year another donkey named Penny joined the fun. Again Palm Sunday was full of joy, excitement and pictures. Reese and Penny entered the sanctuary like pros, and just as Reese began his ascent up the stairs in the first service he pottied. The congregation roared with laughter as maintenance rushed in with brooms and dust pans for a quick clean up. That sealed the deal, it wasn’t Palm Sunday for Bartlesville First Church anymore unless there were palm branches, children and donkeys enacting Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The following year, the donkeys were not available. I panicked, we needed a donkey. By this time, I had started an animal ministry at Bartlesville First United Methodist Church. We had three horses and I was willing to add a donkey. A donkey was donated, the only problem
was the donkey hadn’t been handled. He was afraid of everything. I couldn’t get within twenty feet of him, but I accepted anyway. That year he didn’t come in the sanctuary, but stayed in a pen just outside. We held a NAME THE DONKEY contest, and out of several hundred submissions, his name was chosen. He would be called Jethro. Fortunately Jethro was food motivated, so I spent most lunch breaks in his pen leaving snacks behind me so he could sneak up and take them. Eventually he would come and take a snack from my hand. Jethro learned to trust and became gentle. He now allows kids to groom him and love him. He has lead many Palm processionals and been a part of many nativity scenes. A few years later, Reese and Penny, the original Palm Sunday donkeys, had a baby
and she came to be a part of the Animal Ministry. Her name is Eveangeline, Evie for short. One other donkey joined the group. His name is Ramon and his original task was to guard the smaller animal ministry animals, the goats, sheep, mini pig. But Ramon is so friendly and outgoing, he has become the number one Palm Sunday donkey. For the past several years he has lead the procession at Dewey UMC. This year he will lead Dewey UMC and then rush over to Disciples Christian Church of Bartlesville for another procession. Not only do the TLC Animal Ministries animals assist with Palm Sunday and Christmas Eve nativity scenes, but kids from different community camps have visited. The animals have visited nursing homes and schools. Everywhere they go, they are a wonderful example of love, kindness and joy. Ministry isn’t always hard work, sometimes it’s loads of fun.
Last Palm Sunday, Ramon the donkey celebrated Palm Sunday at Dewey UMC.
Rev. Michael Robnett had a chance to hang out with Ramon on Palm Sunday.
Maundy Thursday
by Rev. Carlos Ramirez
To me the celebration of Maundy Thursday is one of the most special worship services in Lent and, in particular, during Holy Week. As a pastor in the local church, I always looked forward to this service.
The way that I usually observed Holy Thursday was by conducting a Tenebrae Service. “Tenebrae” is the Latin word meaning “darkness.” For Protestants, this single service is typically held at night on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday. For United Methodists and some other Protestants, the story of the suffering and death of Jesus is divided into many readings. After each segment of the story is read, a candle is extinguished. After the last reading, which confirms that Jesus had died on the cross, the last of the lit candles is extinguished. This is done to convey the sense of total loss of God’s presence and the effect of the death of Jesus on the universe. Worshipers leave in silence to ponder the impact of Christ’s death and await the celebration of the coming Resurrection.
Holy Communion and, in later opportunities, we added the washing of hands. Both acts are guided by Jesus’ actions during the last supper.
Then we shift to the readings. After each reading we would sing an appropriate song or hymn. I liked to incorporate chants from the Taizé community. When the last scripture was read, we had the sound of thunder and rain and a moment of silence.
Then we would sing “Were You There” in complete darkness. Each time I led this service and sang the last song, I could not help but to be emotional. I am always confronted by my sin, my sin that took Jesus to the cross. Yet, I am also met with unlimited and unconditional love. The love that washes away my sin. Each time, ultimately, what I feel is gratitude toward God.
In the celebrations I led, we started with a meal. This to remember that Jesus had a meal with his friends one last time. As the culmination of our meal, we would share
Maundy Thursday observance reminds me that our God is not a distant God separated from us. Our God is a God that intervenes in history and changes it. Our God cares very much about our lives. Jesus’ sacrifice reminds us how much God cares. May the silence of Maundy Thursday be a reminder of our sin. May the cross be a reminder of Jesus’ immense love toward us. May we all feel grateful for the love that washes away our sin.
Good Friday
by Rev. Desi Sharp
While it might be tempting to skip from the joyful waving of the palms and shouts of Alleluia on Palm Sunday directly to the transcendent awe of the resurrection on Easter morning, it is important to use the seven days leading up to Easter, or Holy Week, to get a full picture of the events in Jesus’ last week of earthly ministry. Good Friday is perhaps one of the best-known days in Holy Week, with many faithful Christians choosing to attend worship services that help us to reflect on Christ’s suffering and death. Those of us who observe this day use Good Friday to remember the events from Jesus’ betrayal and arrest in the garden, through his sham trial, to his crucifixion and burial in a borrowed tomb. All of the Gospels recall these events; they can be found in Matthew 26:36-27, Mark 14:32-15, Luke 22:39-23, and John 18-19. There are many types of services that people attend on Good Friday. Some
communities pray the Way (or Stations) of the Cross on this day, commemorating Jesus’ journey to Calvary. Some meet for a reading of the Passion, or Good Friday, scriptures and strip the worship space bare of any adornment. The Tenebrae service, or service of darkness or shadows, is a personal favorite because of its immersive qualities. This service utilizes the gradual extinguishing of candles, interspersed with scripture reading and song, to symbolize the deepening sorrow and growing darkness in the world as Jesus moves toward the cross.
The Stations of the Cross. A prayer guide by Rev. Carlos Ramirez is available here.
Good Friday is a solemn, reverent day and should help us to truly empathize with, to participate in, Christ’s sacrifice. Much like we need a season of fasting, such as Lent, before a season of Feasting to fully appreciate the feast, the grief of Good Friday intensifies the glory of Easter morning, when we gather to celebrate the resurrection!
Easter Sunday
by Rev. Jinx Barber
Easter, the semicolon, and the promise they share.
As children, many of us were taught grammar lessons that stuck with us. One particular lesson, perhaps, was the function of the semicolon: a pause, a bridge, a promise. “The answer lies ahead,” our teachers might have said, “look ahead, and I’ll explain.” This simple punctuation mark, now adopted by suicide awareness groups as a symbol of hope – “Don’t put a period where you can put a semicolon; it’s not over yet” – offers a powerful lens through which to understand Easter, particularly from a United Methodist perspective.
Our faith, rooted in the Wesleyan tradition, embraces the notion of an unearned grace, a journey of sanctification, in a world perpetually in need of God’s redeeming love. The Bible, far from presenting a polished narrative of perfect victories, reveals a story of incremental, haphazard, and incomplete goodness. It’s a story of messy humanity, of doubt and fear, and of moments of profound grace breaking through the darkness.
Easter, in this context, isn’t a magical eraser that undoes the trauma of the crucifixion for Jesus or those who witnessed it. The pain, the injustice, the crushing weight of human sin – these realities don’t simply vanish. Easter also doesn’t promise a world perpetually fixed, free from suffering. Instead, it offers a glimpse, a moment, a profound answer to the “semicolon” of the Lenten season in the grand narrative of creation.
Just as the semicolon anticipates further explanation, Lent anticipates the ongoing work of God’s kingdom. Easter a moment, like the concept of Christian perfection in Wesleyan theology, that is fleeting yet immensely powerful. It’s a moment where, against all odds, God’s love triumphs over the structures and systems of oppression and pain. Lent receives its explanation.
The resurrection doesn’t erase the scars, but it transforms them into a testament to God’s enduring presence. It doesn’t eliminate suffering, but it offers hope that suffering does not have the final word. It doesn’t promise a world without conflict, but it empowers us to participate in the ongoing work of reconciliation and justice.
In the United Methodist tradition, we understand that Easter is not a single event, but a continuous unfolding. It’s the promise that the long winter of despair is over, and we have permission to live again, to love again, to hope again. It’s the permission to participate in the ongoing work of building God’s Kin-dom on earth as it is in heaven.
Easter is the answer that the semicolon promises. It’s the assurance that even in the face of death, despair, and seemingly insurmountable challenges, God’s love persists, endures, and will eventually overcome, offering a future filled with hope and the promise of new life. It’s a reminder that the story isn’t over, that God’s work continues, and that we are called to be a part of that ongoing narrative of grace and redemption. We are called to live into the promise of the semicolon, to embody the hope of Easter, and to work towards a world where God’s love reigns supreme.
Finding Hope in even the darkest places
“After he took his seat at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Weren’t our hearts on fire when he spoke to us along the road and when he explained the scriptures for us?’” (Lk. 24: 30-32 CEB).
If there is something that perhaps we can all agree on, is the fact that we are living through challenging times. Regardless of our political leanings, we can see that our country is very divided. It does not take much to start a social media war. The most vocal sides in the political spectrum argue with each other, and the vast majority of us are just exhausted by the amount of news and challenges we face on the daily basis. Then we add wars in the Middle East and Europe, the aftermath of a global pandemic, an economy that seems to leave many people behind, a climate crisis, and the daily (average) struggles of life (work, illnesses, raising a family, etc.).
by Rev. Carlos Ramirez
We humans don’t have a great track record.
I have had many conversations where the tone about the future is at best cynical and at worst filled with despair. I have discerned an attitude that points to the fact that it seems as if all we humans can do is mess things up. Without a doubt, there is plenty of evidence and reason to be hesitant in placing too much stock on us humans. After all, we do not have that great of a track record.
Perhaps we are not that different from the disciples who were walking back home to Emmaus after Jesus’ trial and execution. These disciples just saw their master being executed in one of the most cruel and humiliating ways: death on a cross. They saw their teacher being beaten by Roman soldiers and denied by the same people who just a few days earlier were yelling, “Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!”
These disciples witnessed the humiliation of being betrayed and denied by Jesus’ closest friends. These disciples saw how Jesus was nailed to the cross, naked, while passers
by and fellow convicts mocked him. They saw as the one whom they thought was the Messiah died on the cross. What was left for them? Nothing. What to do now? Return home and try to move on.
It’s easy for us to judge the disciples for leaving.
It is easy for us to judge these disciples: “Jesus told them about this! Jesus told them about his suffering, but also about his resurrection! How thick one most be to not understand this!”
Yet, if we are honest with ourselves, when things go awry, it is easy for us (at least for me it is!) to let the struggles, the challenges, the darkness take hold on us. I think that the opposite of faith is not doubt but despair. Despair is understood as the complete loss or absence of hope.
J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of The Lord Of the Rings (LOTR), wrote extensively about hope. Throughout the LOTR books, hope is mentioned almost 500 times. For Tolkien despair assumes that the outcome of any quest is foreordained. Yet, the reality is that none of us know the future, and every day we are given the opportunity to make choices. We can continue the path we are currently on or we can surrender ourselves to hope.
We Christians don’t understand hope as optimism.
We Christians do not understand hope as optimism. “Optimism deals in probabilities: if the odds are sufficiently favorable, optimism is a reasonable attitude…Neither is optimism as stable as hope. Optimism may be here today but replaced by pessimism tomorrow.”
“Hope is not so much about what will be; rather it is anchored in the ideals of the present and even the past.”
Our hope is anchored in the conviction that
we have been invited to be part of Jesus’ table. And in that table our hearts, minds and eyes have been opened. Our hearts are on fire because Jesus walks alongside us: in the good, the bad, the absurd and the ugly of life. Our hope is anchored in the fact that we believe (not with our heads, but with our hearts) that ultimately the light of Jesus Christ will overcome all the darkness of the world.
The disciples returned transformed, filled with the hope of the resurrection. This is why the disciples ran back to Jerusalem. They returned transformed, filled with the hope of resurrection. Their choice was not to give in to despair, but to fully embrace the hope of the resurrected Jesus.
Do we choose hope in the kingdom of God?
We are facing many difficult challenges in our homes, in our congregations, in our cities, in our country and in our world. There is no denying this fact. Our God has given us a choice: do we retreat to our “safe space,” defeated, filled with cynicism, and allowing despair to flood our heart? Or do we embrace hope anchored not in our strength, not in evidence, not in probabilities, not in people (politicians, celebrities, religious leaders, etc.), but in the conviction that Jesus has defeated death and all the powers of this world; in the conviction that everyday we can choose to give the benefit of the doubt to others, seek building bridges, have compassion, humility, and truly love (seek the wellbeing of) our neighbor. If we choose hope the kingdom of God will be that much closer on earth as it is in heaven.
The Power of Hope in Times of Adversity: A Therapist’s Journey
“Don’t ever make decisions based on fear. Make decisions based on hope and possibility. Make decisions based on what should happen, not what shouldn’t.” –Michelle Obama
These powerful words from Michelle Obama have always resonated with me, and they have shaped my approach to both my personal life and my work as a therapist. For many years, I began my sessions with clients by asking simple, open-ended questions: “How are you? What would you like to use our time
by Dr. Robin Goggs
together for today?” These questions, while essential for understanding the current state of mind of my clients, didn’t necessarily open up space for possibility or growth. They were more about where clients were, not where they hoped to be.
After attending a transformative training on the power of hope in mental health, I decided to shift my approach. I began opening each session with a different set of questions: “What are you hoping for in our session today? What are you hoping will be different when you
leave here today?” These questions immediately frame our time together around the concept of hope, inviting clients to envision a positive future, one that is achievable even amidst their struggles. Hope isn’t just a wishful thought; it’s a powerful force that helps guide us through difficult times. It’s a game-changer in our lives when we allow ourselves to believe that transformation is possible.
One moment from my counseling training that has stayed with me was a remark made by a professor during a pharmacology class. He said, “We aren’t drug dealers, but as mental health therapists, we are hope dealers.” Those words have stuck with me ever since. They reminded me that, as therapists, our primary role is not to offer quick fixes or instant relief, but rather to nurture hope, to instill in our clients the belief that things can improve, that change is possible, and that they have the strength to face their challenges.
A person who embodies this concept of hope in profound ways is Dr. Chan Hellman, a doctor, author and speaker from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Through his years of research on hope, Dr. Hellman has discovered just how essential hope is for overcoming adversity. He explains, “When you are anchored to hope, you have the best chance to overcome difficulties and navigate challenges. No matter what you face, no matter how big the challenges, you can know that God is bigger than what you are facing.” These words highlight the role of hope not just as an emotional response but as a stabilizing force that empowers us to persevere, no matter the difficulties before us.
Hope, as Dr. Hellman suggests, is the belief that things can be different, despite the adversity we might currently face. This definition feels especially important in the context of our current cultural climate. We live in a time where politics, religion, social media, and human connection all seem increasingly polarized. It can feel like the world is spinning out of control, that chaos is the dominant force shaping our lives. But in these moments of tension and division, we have a choice. We can either be swept away by the storm around us, or we can pause, turn inward, and reconnect with our sense of hope. We can ask ourselves: “How is hope grounding me at this moment? How do I believe things can be different?”
Throughout history, human beings have faced immense struggles—no era has been without its darkness and its trials. The challenges we face today are difficult, yes, but they are not unique in the grand scheme of human history. Take, for example, the Passion Week of Jesus Christ, a moment of fear, doubt, and disappointment for his followers. In the face of profound uncertainty, they responded with actions fueled by fear— betrayal, fleeing, hiding, and shame. These reactions were grounded in their deeply human need for self-preservation in the face of trauma.
Even Peter, one of the most outspoken and devoted disciples, found himself unraveling during this week of intense crisis. It was a moment of profound loss and despair. Yet, despite the darkness surrounding them, the story of the Passion and Resurrection offers a powerful message of hope—a message that nothing is impossible, even in the darkest of times.
When we experience trauma, whether it’s through personal loss, betrayal, or profound disappointment, it can leave us with a residual lens through which we view the world. This lens can sometimes color our decision-making, pushing us to act out of fear and to imagine the worstcase scenario. The trauma of witnessing something as horrific as the crucifixion of Jesus likely shaped the decisions of his followers, just as the traumas we experience shape our own responses to adversity. When faced with overwhelming fear and uncertainty, it’s natural to retreat, to freeze, or to act impulsively out of a need for self-protection. In this sense, the responses of Jesus’ followers after the crucifixion— fleeing, hiding, and returning to familiar patterns— are relatable. They reflect our own human tendencies when faced with immense pain.
a constant reminder to make hope-filled decisions. As someone who tends to think catastrophically, I know the challenge of allowing fear to dominate my choices. But I also know that making decisions from a place of hope—not fear—is the true path to healing and growth. It’s an ongoing practice, one that requires patience, selfawareness, and trust in the process.
Making decisions from a place of hope is the “Easter way,” not the “worldly way.”
Making decisions from a place of hope is the “Easter way,” not the “worldly way.” It requires courage, grit, and, for those of us who have faith, a reminder that nothing we are facing is bigger than what God is capable of handling. Hope is an act of trust— trust in ourselves, trust in others, and trust in something greater than us. And when we embrace hope, we are empowered to move forward with confidence, clarity, and a renewed sense of possibility.
Michelle Obama’s life shaping quote from her book Belonging, offers a perspective that can help shift our mindset. These words are a reminder that our decisions don’t have to be driven by fear or past trauma. Instead, we have the power to make choices based on hope, guided by the belief that things can improve, that change is possible, and that the future holds more potential than we often allow ourselves to imagine.
I’ve framed these words in my office as
Hope isn’t just a feeling; it’s a way of life. It is the foundation upon which we can build resilience, strength, and transformation. It is a mindset that reminds us that, no matter how dark the days may seem, there is always the potential for light, for change, and for renewal.
UMC
Constitutional Amendments
(#3 of 4)
by Rev. Dr. Derrek Belase
As we have shared in the last two editions of Contact, one of the unique elements of United Methodist Polity is that while the General Conference can consider and approve amendments to the constitution of the United Methodist Church, those amendments have to also be approved by members of the annual conferences around the connection.
For a constitutional amendment to be finally approved, two-thirds (2/3) of the aggregate of all Conferences have to also vote to approve those amendments.
At this year’s session of Annual Conference in May, there will be four constitutional amendments considered by members of the conference. Three of those amendments are very simple and straightforward, but another series of amendments deal with the “Regionalization” of the church.
Over the next two months, we will run informational articles so you can know more about the content and context of each amendment.
The third amendment being considered is
to paragraph 5, article V of the Constitution, concerning racial justice.
This article serves as a pivotal framework for the United Methodist Church’s commitment to addressing and eliminating racism in all its forms. Amendments to this article will strengthen our commitment by explicitly recognizing the church’s role in combating racism, racial inequity, colonialism, white privilege, and white supremacy both within the denomination and in broader society.
In our baptismal liturgy, we agree that we will “resist evil, injustice and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.” Approving this amendment to the UM constitution will affirm that we believe that racism is an injustice for us to work against.
This change explicitly acknowledges systemic racism and commits The United Methodist Church to actively combat it. These changes challenge the Church to claim its prophetic witness as a redemptive and transformative force in both its community and the wider society, dedicated to the principles of equity, dignity, and respect for all individuals.
¶5 Article V. Racial Justice – The United Methodist Church proclaims that from God’s goodness and love, God created all persons as God’s unique and beloved children. Racism opposes God’s law, goodness and love and diminishes the image of God in each person.
Fueled by white privilege, white supremacy and colonialism, the sin of racism has been a destructive scourge on global society and throughout the history of The United Methodist Church. It continues to destroy our communities, harm persons, obstruct unity and undermine God’s work in this world. Racism must be eradicated. Therefore, The United Methodist Church commits to confronting and eliminating all forms of racism, racial inequity, colonialism, white privilege and white supremacy, in every facet of its life and in society at large.
