We hope you enjoy this inaugural issue of the Contact, a monthly magazine-style publication.
Say So: OKUMC Spirit in Action, (USPS 954-500) is published quarterly by The Oklahoma Conference of The United Methodist Church, 1501 NW 24th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73106. Periodical postage paid at Oklahoma City, OK.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to “Say So OKUMC Spirit in Action”, 1501 NW 24th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73106.
the Swedish art of FIKA the Swedish art of FIKA
By Bishop Laura Merrill
As I write this, I am trying to think ahead, to the beginning of the new year. But where I actually am is in the middle of the end of year crush of work and preparations for travel and family events. “Renewed” is not exactly how I’m feeling.
Yet I know, too, that there’s not some magical time when the tiring things stop completely. Renewal is something we have to intentionally make space for, even when we think we can’t. Milestones on the calendar can be a good time for that sort of reset—the new year, a birthday or church anniversary.
I also think about the need for little bursts of renewal. Some folks get that through exercise—even just a five minute stand-up can help our health and our attitude when we’ve been sitting for too long. I like the grounding I receive in the morning when I sit next to a
window and spend time with my journal and prayer books.
I’m remembering, too, a custom that I learned about last summer during a few days in Sweden. Each afternoon, many people there take what they call “fika.” It’s basically a coffee break, but one that involves a little treat and face-toface time with other people. Companies have found that employees’ productivity goes up when they make fika an official part of the work day. All I know is that it felt civilized and joyful, a special moment in an otherwise ordinary day.
I wonder how we might extend fika in other ways—acknowledging that we do better work (or are just better people) when we take a break, enjoying the attention of other people who also need to take a break, looking for joy and treat and company where we otherwise might just plow through to the next thing. It sounds a little like sabbath, like something that might give delight not just to us, but to God as well.
Whether it’s a walk, a good and simple meal, a call or text to a friend, a surprise treat, an actual getaway, or just a momentary pause to breathe and rest, seeking out patterns of renewal is a way to allow ourselves to be blessed, and it might just lead us to bless others as well.
Let’s talk about resolutions.
(Or How I Accidentally Started a Years-Long Spiritual Practice at Walmart)
by Jena Barber
When we lived in Arkansas, I made a biweekly trip for groceries to Walmart. I cooked everything from scratch, so I generally filled the cart to bursting. I was a busy mom with two kids in school, a full-time job, and various volunteer obligations. I was getting pretty involved with the church, leading both a preschool Sunday worship and a Saturday women’s group.
When I went to Walmart, I wanted to get in and get out as quickly as possible. I wrote my lists by department, and by aisle. I color-coded the lists and brought menus to refer back to in case I couldn’t remember how much of something I needed. I was efficient.
This part of the state was Walmart Country. I was in Springdale, where there were three Super Centers and as many Neighborhood Markets - or more. I was often derided for going to the “ghetto Walmart” instead of a shinier one. But the newer stores had the new layout, and I liked how quickly I could find things in my store.
Every other Sunday, I parked my car in row five, got a squeak-free cart at the front, and then headed to the nonperishables. I’d start off fine, checking the time and telling myself I had 40 minutes to get everything and get to the checkout.
This was before self checkout, or at least it was before self checkout was a thing for people who had overfilled shopping carts.
The Talkers
Generally, around my third or fourth aisle, I’d come across The Talkers. You know the ones. The people who seem to have a family reunion in the aisle at the store. You’re trying to get your shopping done, but you have to wait for them to move along. You clear your throat. You make distracting noises with items in your cart. Finally, you’re forced into the only other course available to you: Loudly and dramatically turn your cart around, go one or two aisles over, go down that aisle, and then come back to the original aisle and straight up to the people talking and - very obviously, of course - look for the items on your list. If you’re lucky, your performance will garner an, “I’m sorry,” or at least a guilty look.
I was that shopper. I was always so annoyed by my shopping duty. It was a chore. It was an aggravation. It was a menace.
Perhaps, I was the menace.
But surely not. I was a good and faithful United Methodist.
The Good and Faithful United Methodist
We had an evening study at church which was very behavior-oriented. That’s right up my alley, of course. I
watched videos about groups setting up lunch under a bridge for the unhoused, standing around laundromats putting money into machines, and mending literal fences at homes in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
I suggested we start a similar group, which we later dubbed the ARK Team (Acts of Random Kindness). We served hot chocolate at the local free indoor ice rink; we provided lunch in the park. We did more. I was so proud of what I was doing in service to others!
Imagine the cognitive dissonance, then, as I seethed with self-righteous outrage every other Sunday afternoon. At Walmart.
Who were these people standing in my way? Didn’t they know I was a GOOD PERSON?
And then it hit me. I was in a mission field every other week. On Sunday, no less.
I was in a very abundant mission field.
My New Mission Field
My new mission field was - well - Walmart. And it was time to get to work.
I began by giving myself a whopping four hours to get my shopping done. In no reality would it ever actually take four hours to shop, but that was the point. If I wasn’t in a hurry, I didn’t have to get annoyed with people for unintentionally slowing me down.
Second, I started looking people in the eyes and smiling at them. Saying hi to them. Offering to help find items. Chatting with children. People started thinking I worked there.
I even had the courage to go up to The Talkers and say something like, “Hi, y’all! How are you doing? I’m just going to sneak by you here.”
My Super Power
I found I had this super power. Sometimes, when I was smiling away and being overly and intentionally kind, people would have that startle reaction - the one they have as if they were just waking up - and begin to smile, too. I saw my kindness literally rolling across
Walmart in waves. I would be nice, and then that person would be nice to someone else.
This might sound like an exaggeration, but I literally saw it. It took a while, but with years of biweekly - then weekly - encounters, I realized being nice to people at Walmart is a ministry. I kept it up for years. I don’t go as often, now that there’s curbside pickup and my beloved Aldi, but I still keep that attitude when I’m at the store.
I realized relatively early on that I was receiving much more than I was giving. My Walmart ministry made me a better person. I thought I was a good person. Then I became a good person. And the better I treated people, the better I expected myself to treat people. When I wore my church t-shirts on Walmart shopping trips, I knew I was serving as an excellent witness.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but that Walmart ministry was a type of spiritual practice. It did more for my self esteem and for my fellow shoppers than anything else I had ever experienced. And it was a powerful spiritual practice.
This Year’s Practice
This New Year, I’m considering taking on a new spiritual practice. Maybe I’ll give other drivers the benefit of the doubt, and I’ll slow down and stop worrying about getting to and from work one or two minutes earlier. Or maybe I’ll start picking up trash around my neighborhood.
Whether you’ve already started - or discarded - a resolution this year, or whether you think the whole idea of a New Year’s resolution is pointless, consider adopting a new spiritual practice. It can be great for you, for others around you - and for the Kingdom of God!
Read on for other thoughts and ideas about ways to make the new year the fresh start you’ve been dreaming of.
New Year’s Resolutions as a Spiritual Practice
by KC Curry
Have you ever struggled to pick a New Year’s resolution? Or perhaps you don’t have a hard time picking one but rather you have a hard time keeping up with one (calling myself out here with this one).
New Year resolutions can be tricky; we aim to do good things such as going to the gym more, eating out less, or being more diligent in our finances, but we often times can find ourselves dropping the resolution by the end of the second month of the year. This isn’t because we weren’t committed to the intention behind the good thing we resolved to do; everyone wants to accomplish something they set out to do.
What if it’s not about us?
Maybe we have a harder time keeping up with these types of New Year Resolutions because they are only centered around us and how we as individuals can grow. I know I can have a harder time keeping up with something if I’m the only person that’s being affected by the results.
So, what if this year we are intentional in framing our New Year’s resolutions around the needs of the world around us? When our resolutions involve committing to the needs of the communities around us, the meaning behind the resolution means that much more to our hearts. When we involve the world around us in our resolutions, our hearts will be that much more committed to keeping up with the work throughout the year.
Making the world a better place
As a lay member to our conference’s Board of Church and Society, a board globally dedicated to living out our faith, seeking justice, and pursuing the power of peace, I have been working with some dedicated Oklahoma United Methodists to better the world around us. Through God’s guidance, we have been diligent in watching for the ways that we can better the world around us.
Members of our board gave a report at the close of our Annual Conference this past year in an effort to
affirm the sacred worth of LGBTQ+ persons and, if we had the time, to take a stand against Christian Nationalism -- two of the biggest topics within churches today. It’s important that our historic church stay relevant by engaging topics such as these so we can stay committed to being disciples of Christ in the modern day.
The UM Social Principles
One way we can do that is through our denomination’s Social Principles. Our denomination’s Board of Church and Society says, “The Social Principles articulate our ethical aspirations for the common good in our public policies and personal commitments. Through them, we seek to love God with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength and to desire for our neighbors what we desire for ourselves.”
So, I wondered, how can I help to re-envision the work of a New Year’s resolution with that of our denomination’s newly revised Social Principles?
Some ideas
I framed some ideas around the four types of community that are found in the Social Principles, as adopted by this year’s General Conference. Here are some resolutions that we can use to help deepen our spiritual practices and can help us to be more intentional in caring for the communities we find ourselves in.
Community of All Creation
“The great lesson that our blessed Lord inculcates here…is that God is in all things, and that we are to see the Creator in the glass of every creature; that we should use and look upon nothing as separate from God.”
--John Wesley, “Upon Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount.”
• Pick up any litter that you see.
• Use reusable bags when grocery shopping.
• Buy recycled goods (shampoo, conditioner, things that are restored for use from recycled materials).
Economic Community
“When the Possessor of heaven and earth brought
you into being, and placed you in this world, [God] placed you here not as a proprietor, but as a steward: As such [God] entrusted you, for a season, with goods of various kinds; but the sole property of these still rests in [God], nor can be alienated from [God]. As you yourself are not your own, but [God’s], such is, likewise, all that you enjoy.”
--John Wesley, “The Use of Money.”
• Pick a nonprofit or extension ministry that you love and donate to it throughout the year. Some of my favorites include The Homeless Alliance in Oklahoma City, The Ceili Community, and Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries.
• Reduce extra expenses throughout the week and use that money as part of your church tithe.
• Be intentional in buying from locally owned shops.
Social Community
“The gospel of Christ knows no religion but social; no holiness but social holiness.”
--John Wesley, “Hymns and Sacred Poems.”
• Find ways to educate yourself on current events and have an open mind to what you read. An example includes Christian Nationalism and LGBTQ+ inclusion. Two books over these topics include “The False White Gospel” by Jim Wallis and “God and the Gay Christian” by Matthew Vine.
• Read over the newly revised Social Principles. These can be found at www.umcjustice.org.
• Witness to the power of God’s redemptive work in our world.
• Bake goods for/support your local NA/AA community.
Political Community
“Love is the fulfilling of the law, and the end of the commandment. Very excellent things are spoken of love; it is the essence, the spirit, the life of all virtue. It is not only the first and great command, but it is all the commandments in one. Whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are amiable, or honorable; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, they are all comprised in this one word—love.”
--John Wesley “The Circumcision of the Heart”
• Be intentional in praying for our leaders within our government entities and those who advocate for change within the contexts that they are in.
• We all need prayer, especially at such a time as
now with our world being so divided. Let us pray for efforts of peacemaking to be made through such agents of change.
• Stay engaged with the news, locally, nationally, and globally.
• Being a historical church in the modern day means staying connected to what is happening in the world around us.
• Don’t overconsume in this area, it’s OK to take a break and disengage when the news gets too heavy. Just be sure to reengage when you feel the time is right.
• NewsNation is a great, neutral news outlet!
• Be a sheep!
• Live into the calling that comes from Matthew 25
• Volunteer at food pantries or give to your local blessing boxes
• Smile and acknowledge the stranger around you
• This can be a simple smile and wave to those on the street or a new visitor at your church!
• Send a text to those who are sick and let them know you are praying for them
• Donate to organizations who help those who are or were incarcerated. The Exodus House and Redemption Missions are two great ministries through Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries.
These are just some ideas for us to keep in mind as we think of how we want to grow in the new year. These are spiritual practices meant for us to be in prayer about. This year, for our New Year’s resolutions, let us ask for God’s guidance in how God wants us to dive deeper in our own spiritual practices. There can be a sense of defeat that can come when we drop a resolution we aspired to fulfill, going to the gym, eating healthier, etc. I know for me, at least, I can feel that way. But, with God’s guidance and our hearts open to hearing how God wants us to engage with the world, there can be no sense of defeat.
So, won’t you join me in framing your New Year’s Resolutions on the needs around us? With our hearts focused on the needs of others as our New Year’s Resolution, we will be adding onto the work of bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to earth.
Let’s do this, church. Together. See you in the new year!
OKUMC Board of Church and Society Board Members: Jen Logsdon-Kellogg, Jalyn Betts, Vernona Dismuke, Adam Young, Jonathon Clinesmith, Twila Gibbens, Mark Davies, KC Curry, Jack Terrell-Wilkes, Ann Needham, Sharri Hiller, Rebekah Hasty, and Jaqueline Dismuke.
The Trouble with New Year’s Resolutions
By Dr. Robyn Goggs, DMin, LPC
The start of a new year often stirs hope and a desire for self-improvement. For many of us, setting New Year’s resolutions is a tradition rooted in reflecting on the past year and wanting to do things differently. This can be a helpful moment of focus and recalibration. However, studies show that by February, most resolutions are already forgotten or abandoned.
The journey from setting a resolution to achieving it is frequently derailed by a lack of motivation, external challenges, or unrealistic goals. Often, resolutions focus on areas of perceived deficiency rather than building on strengths we already possess. This focus on weakness can set us up for failure, leading to discouragement, self-doubt, and even negative impacts on mental health.
Additionally, the pressure to change just because it’s the “right time” can be counterproductive. January 1, after all, is just another day; it doesn’t necessarily hold deep personal significance for everyone. Forcing change at this arbitrary time may not be the right approach for many of us.
Another issue with New Year’s resolutions is that they often emphasize fixing what we dislike about ourselves. This focus on negatives, rather than building on what’s already working,
can lead to feelings of inadequacy. Instead of motivating us, it may result in regret and undermine our self-worth. If we’re constantly measuring ourselves against unrealistic goals, we may only reinforce feelings of failure.
Donald Clifton, the late psychologist and creator of the StrengthsFinder assessment, argued that focusing on our strengths yields better results than trying to minimize weaknesses. He suggested that people grow more effectively by nurturing what they already do well.
Rather than concentrating on everything we think needs fixing, we can reframe the new year as a time to build on our existing strengths. This approach not only increases the likelihood of success but also helps us maintain positive momentum throughout the year.
Instead of setting vague or daunting resolutions, consider asking yourself some key, solution-focused questions to help guide your intentions for the year ahead:
Where have my strengths shown up, and how can I build on them in the coming year?
What positive changes or outcomes from last year can inspire me this year?
What habits or attitudes are no longer serving me well?
What do I want my life or work to look like this year?
What specific steps do I need to take to get there?
What would I notice about myself if I achieved my goals?
These questions shift the focus from what’s wrong with us to what’s going right and what can be further nurtured. They offer a more positive and achievable framework for growth, one that builds on existing strengths rather than trying to fix flaws. This approach not only fosters success but also encourages selfcompassion and resilience.
Most of us already know where we’re going wrong in our lives, whether it’s through unproductive habits, poor health choices, or unresolved challenges. But setting realistic, achievable goals that build on our strengths can help us make lasting changes. Rather than focusing on vague or unattainable resolutions,
we can make small, meaningful resets -- changes that are within our reach and aligned with our values. These resets can foster personal growth, build momentum, and create lasting impact.
Perhaps the key to change in the new year lies in imagining what God might want to do in and through us. As Revelation 21:5 says, “Behold, I am making all things new.” How might we clear out the clutter -- mental, emotional, or physical -- that blocks God’s work in our lives? What can we do to make ourselves available to participate in the new things God wants to bring about in us?
As you approach the new year, I encourage you to reflect with hope and self-compassion. Instead of relying on external pressures to drive change, ground your intentions in what is already good and true in your life. Build on your strengths, embrace small resets, and make space for God’s transformative work. Wishing you a year of meaningful growth and lasting change.
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Ideas for Using January Down Time
By Jena Barber
After Advent, Christmas Eve worship, caroling, cookies, new visitors, old friends, cards, gifts of appreciation, and all the busyness of Christmas, it can feel as if a church might collectively breathe a sigh of relief beginning the day after Epiphany, and then take a long, well-deserved break.
After that break, January is often a time of - wellboredom. Going through the motions. Getting your “mojo” back. Oh, and exercising more, eating better, and all those things you resolved to do on the first day of the year.
Luckily, the January lull can also be an opportunity. The blessing of a little down time is that congregations can really focus in on long-range goals, since there’s (usually) no pressing deadline or taxing worship schedule - that is, until Easter time, of course.
need to plan for that months in advance!” And, ideally, you would. Fortunately, we don’t have to wait for ideal conditions to have a retreat. You can host a retreat right in your own church. Multiple resources are available to you. We’ve included one to get you started. And next year, consider a retreat at one of our three gorgeous camps!
Do a Church Clean-Up
This may sound boring, but it’s often necessary. Have you ever checked out the toy selection at your church nursery? How about the pots and pans in the kitchen? It may be time to go through things and get rid of anything that is broken or unusable. Just please, please don’t do this without talking to your ministry volunteers first!
Start a New Group
What should churches do during this down time? We’ve put together a list of ideas to get your congregation thinking of how to use these lovely, less-stressful days.
Reach Out to Visitors
January is the perfect time to reach out to people who visited your church for Christmas Eve service. Send a card, drop off a gift, or make a phone call, thanking them for coming and asking what they’re looking for in a church family. This can be done by a committee, a Sunday School class, or even a cardsigning event after worship one Sunday. This is the prime time to turn those visitors into regulars!
Have a Pop-Up Leadership Retreat
With the word retreat, you might think, “Yikes, we’d
Consider starting a new study or affinity group at your church. You never know what people will respond to, so January is a good time to experiment! Are some of your members planning to read the entire Bible in 2025? That’s a group! What about people who sew or knit or bake or ride bikes? These - and more - could be groups who would love to meet at your church to practice and discuss their hobbies. It’s also a great way for others to explore new hobbies in a safe and nurturing environment.
Throw Spaghetti At the Wall
OK, not literally. But January is a great time to try new things! Like the saying, “Let’s throw spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks,” consider empowering your members - especially the ones with big ideasto experiment with cool ideas. Does someone want to start a community garden or clothing closet? Did someone suggest a yard sale or a hula hoop dance class? Make January “Spaghetti Month!” Oh, and maybe serve a community spaghetti dinner while you’re at it.
God is doing a new thing...
The Five Dreams of the
Oklahoma Conference
by Rev. Dr. Derrek Belase
It’s a new year … new daily planners, clean slates, opportunities before us that only come around because the calendar has changed from one year to the next.
Theologically, the prophet Isaiah is also clear that God is up to a new thing. In the 43rd chapter we read these profound words:
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
The Oklahoma United Methodist Church perceives what God is doing. This “new thing” that is springing up for us we called The Five Dreams.
You have heard about these dreams if you have been to Annual Conference or a meeting of a conference ministry team. They are:
Dream 1
New Churches for New People with a goal of 127 churches planted across Oklahoma in communities impacted by disaffiliation as well as new places where people are moving.
Dream 2
Revitalized and Lighthouse Congregations with a goal that all existing congregations in the Oklahoma Conference effectively engaging their mission field and making disciples who transform the world.
Dream 3
Communities Impacting Poverty with the goal that our congregations in every community across the conference making a positive impact to reduce poverty among children and youth in their communities, specifically reducing poverty in as many zip codes as possible.
Dream 4
Healthy Clergy Leading Healthy Churches with the goal of a partnership between clergy and lay leaders creating healthy environments for leadership structures and discipleship systems that allow both to flourish.
Dream 5
New Lay and Clergy Leaders for an Emerging Conference with the goal of a new generation of leaders including bi-vocational pastors and lay
servants who can reach people in an ever-changing religious landscape with the good news of Jesus Christ in the Wesleyan tradition.
The entire conference is a part of making these dreams happen. It starts with each local church and extended ministry taking seriously their role in becoming a place where new things can happen, where relationships are nurtured, leaders are developed and the community is served in new and innovative ways.
The conference is structured (or being restructured, where necessary) to make these dreams a priority. Asking questions like, “Does the budget align with these dreams?” “Are we funding ministries and prioritizing programs that help us reach our goals.” When the answer is out of alignment, corrections can and are made.
You can read more about each dream or watch a very brief video at our website: https://www. okumc.org/5dreams. In addition, please watch this publication as well as our weekly OKUMC Connectionto keep up to date on how, together, we are making these dreams come true.
Paragraph 128 of our Book of Discipline summarizes the five dreams in a succinct way:
The church as the community of the new covenant has participated in Christ’s ministry of grace across the years and around the world. It stretches out to human needs wherever love and service may convey God’s love and ours. The outreach of such ministries knows no limits. Beyond the diverse forms of ministry is this ultimate concern: that all persons will be brought into a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ and be renewed after the image of their creator (Colossians 3:10).
Indeed, the dreams of the Oklahoma conference know no limits! These five dreams are intended to help each part of the conference from the smallest local church to the largest to help people connect with Jesus and to be renewed in their likeness of God, our creator.
Let’s dream together and, together, let’s make it happen!
Did you notice? The
Contact looks a whole lot different this year!
by Rev. Carlos Ramirez
Happy New Year, Oklahoma Annual Conference! I am Carlos Ramirez. Since July of 2024, I have served as the Director of Communications for our Conference. Perhaps you have caught some of the videos we made during the General Conference, Annual Conference or our monthly podcast: Circuit Update. I am looking forward to serving you all and seeking ways to amplify the voice of your local congregation, making our conference stronger.
Reformatting the news
During the last part of 2024, the Communications team has been hard at work in order to provide the best possible information and materials that you, in the local church, can use. With this in mind, we are reorganizing our content and the cadence in which each publication is produced.
The Contact is the Oklahoma Annual Conference historical news outlet and it will continue to be. Yet, instead of the Contact serving as a weekly publication, the Communications team will produce monthly issues. The reason behind this change is to provide a robust edition that can be used for sermon preparations, Sunday School class material, small group studies or personal faith development.
Each Contact will follow, to certain degree, the Christian and secular calendars addressing the major milestones in each month (i.e., Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Black History Month, Women’s History Month, etc.). We will have an array of collaborators, including a monthly article from Bishop Laura Merrill.
You will also be sure to find an article or articles that remind you of the Five Dreams our conference has discerned to go about the work of United Methodists in Oklahoma: New Churches for New People, Revitalized Congregations, Communities Impacting Poverty, Healthy Clergy Leading Healthy Congregations and New Leaders for an Emerging Conference.
You, our most important contributors
We will not stop having a weekly publication. You will still receive a weekly update as to what is happening locally, in your district, our conference, or nationally and internationally. This weekly publication will be delivered as an e-newsletter. All through 2024, you submitted many articles to be published on the Contact Weekly. This will continue -- not as a PDF publication, but as a newsletter. The content will continue to be the wonderful day-to-day blessings God is doing through you, the local church, in your local communities.
We cannot stress enough how important your participation and your updates are. Please keep sending your news and newsworthy announcements to editor@okumc.org. This weekly publication will be known as OKUMC Connection. Please think of this platform as our Conference bulletin board (with a few limitations)!
We will continue to produce the podcast, Circuit Update. The purpose of the podcast is to highlight ministries and leaders who are doing important work. We will also interview collaborators who can give us further insights into the important celebrations of each month. You can see the actual footage of the podcast through YouTube. Look for the Oklahoma Annual Conference channel and subscribe. You can also listen to the podcast through Spotify or Apple Podcasts. We also encourage you to subscribe so that you can receive the latest episode and be up-to-date on what is going on in and around our Conference.
As you can see, the communications ministry is hard at work in order to be a megaphone that heralds what Jesus is up to in your local communities, in our districts, in our conference, in our country, and in the world. We want to be a partner and a resource to you in the local church.
GOOD news
I think, many times, we are bombarded by bad news. Almost every time we tune in to the news, something upsetting or depressing is at the top of the newscaster’s list. I think it is very easy to be inundated by bad news and to become cynical about the state of our local communities, our state, country and world.
Yet, how many times do we hear about all the GOOD that is being done in the name of Jesus every single day? There are food pantries open every day in different parts of the state. There are church alliances in small towns providing gifts to people who need some help with bills or gasoline.
There are countless groups meeting in our churches that seek to alleviate addiction and
domestic violence. Other groups meet to mentor and tutor children and youth so that better opportunities can be opened to them. Other groups cook and prepare meals for people experiencing homelessness or that are homebound. Other groups knit shawls that the pastor uses as he or she prays with somebody in the hospital.
Other groups either make toys or collect toys for children during the Christmas season. Every Sunday (or any other day designated for communal worship) we gather to celebrate what God has done in us and through us. We celebrate all the GOODNESS God has poured out all around us.
There may not be much breaking news about this, but the work is done nonetheless. We, the Communications Ministry of the Oklahoma An-
nual Conference, want to shout from the rooftops what every United Methodist congregation is doing in order to bring about here on earth the Kingdom of Heaven. We are looking forward to working alongside you and to announce all the GOOD God is doing through the United Methodist Church in Oklahoma. Do not hesitate to reach out to me at cramirez@ okumc.org. May God continue to bless us all!
(re)Introducing Our Conference Staff by having them tell
you about their pets!
Have you heard that saying that a lot of people begin to look like their pets? We don’t know if that’s true or not, but we do know there’s one sure-fire way to learn about people - and make a good impression while you’re at it!
You can learn a lot about a person’s personality by the way they talk about their pets. We asked our conference staff to share photos (with or without their pets) and descriptions of their pets.
We had all sorts of responses. We think you’ll love learning about our colleagues by learning about their furry friends.
We also asked them to tell you what they do by answering the prompt, “Call me for...” This is what they said.
My name is:
Rev. Nancy Hamilton
Call/email me for: information regarding clergy status changes or help navigating the process of becoming a licensed or ordained clergy member.
This is Roscoe. He is a golden doodle/ silver lab mix, which makes him a one-hundred-pound gold and silver mess!! He loves his good boy treats, his night-night treats, and “Roscoe, get on the couch, I am leaving the house treats.” He lets us know when he needs his water bowl filled, his food bowl filled, and of course his tummy rubs. He always wants to know what I am cooking, what I am eating, and where I am going. Life is never dull with Roscoe!
My name is:
Rev. Marla Lobo
Call/email me for:
I love connecting our churches, volunteers, children, and young adults in relationships for positive change. Let me know how I can help you connect!
This is our rescue dog Martin. He’s named after one of my heroes, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Martin is the gentlest of souls. He is a friend to all humans and animals. He loves meeting people, especially children, long walks, and hugs. He is the faithful companion of his rescue fur sister Lily, barn cats Sonic and Liberty, and 5 chickens.
My name is:
Jena Barber
Call/email me for:
News, photos, editing, graphic design, and anything related to OKUMC publications!
This is Pekoe. He’s 50% cat, 50% tail. He lived in a car engine for five days before a group of four grown adults pulled him out, getting two bites (not me) and a million scratches (all of us) in the process, when he was 12 weeks old. Pekoe’s nicknames are Peeky, Beeboo, PeekyTeeky-Tavi, Pekoe Tico, etc., etc. We also have Bagheera (cat), Penelope (dog-horse combo), Stella (bulldog-piggy combo), and Mojo (just dog). Pekoe’s hobbies are being carried around on my shoulders like the conquering emperor he is, getting brushed, hiding in dresser drawers, and bullying the dogs.
My name is:
Madison Amber
Call/email me for:
Questions about benefits, retirement, human resources, or stories about Bruce!
Meet Bruce!
Bruce is our only child and does he sure know it! While mom and dad work, Bruce attends Ninth Street Barking Lot day care three times a week, where he even completed his good citizen courses. This doberman thinks he’s the man of the house with his big, big personality and even bigger love for cuddles! He’s turning two in February, but don’t let his age fool you; he’s already mastered the art of being center of attention. He’s a sweet and energetic bundle of joy who can go from zoomies to snuggles in no time. His goofy antics will have you laughing for days. Bruce is a star that we cant get enough of.
My name is:
KaitlynCantrell
Call/email me:
if you need help finding specific registration forms sent by the Office of Connectional
Ministries or the Board of Ordained Ministry, Annual Conference information regarding memoirs, display tables, and youth delegation information. I am also available to try to assist you when Derrek or Nancy are out of the office.
This is Klaus, our only cat. In 2018, we had planned to pick up a male kitten out of a litter found in a barn, but there had been a mix up with the kittens and we received a female. We are forever grateful for the mix up but she kept the masculine name she was given. We get all the wonderful things about a cat out of Klaus. She loves hunting and is a top tier mouser. She is the cuddliest of cats, but also loves playing with her fur sisters and staying active. One distinct feature about Klaus is that she has a patch of hair that sticks up at the top of her head making her a true unikitty.
Shyla is my first baby. I got her before I met my husband and before I had human children. She is 8 years old and is a mix between a Rottweiler and Pitbull. She is my protector, a snuggle bug and the most gentle and patient big sister. She loves summertime, her family and special treats. She is not a fan of the vet, nail trimmings or the mailman. My allergist once told me that I needed to get rid of my fur babies. As any sane person would do, I got rid of my allergist.
Aspen is the first fur baby my husband and I got together. She is a 7 yearold Great Pyrenees and quite small for her breed at 84lbs. While we don’t live on a farm, we live at a house with a family to protect. You can find her pacing and barking to make sure her presence is known. Another way she grabs your attention is physically. She has double dewclaws which give her the ability to grab things, almost like humans do. She loves spending time outside no matter the weather conditions.
Poppy is our youngest and smallest fur baby. She was given to us by my grandmother-in-law 5 years ago. She is a Morkie, but certainly has more of the Maltese features. She is extra sassy but her sister Klaus keeps her in line. She loves meeting new people, going for walks and wearing her sweaters. She does not like her paws touched and she will require that you carry her if the temperature is below 50 degrees.
While he is not an official member of our family, this is Harold, our local toad. His hard work around the house does not go unnoticed. Thanks to Harold, we have seen a decrease in bugs on the front porch. We enjoy watching him at night eating all the June bugs. Every spring, we hope to see Harold make his appearance but if he doesn’t he has left a million babies to carry on his legacy.
My name is:
Kathryn Witzel
Call/email me for:
Project Transformation.
As I scrolled Facebook on a day in October of 2012, one of the former students in our church posted a picture of his dog that was expecting puppies. Several months later this sweet pup was delivered to our home. Pippen captured our hearts from the first moments and eventually endeared herself to our other dog at the time. Having been an only dog for several years now, she rules the house, prompting us to get outside and enjoy our neighborhood with her on a leash. When the granddaughters come over, she works diligently to make sure nothing harms them and that any food that is dropped is quickly cleaned up. Squirrels, bunnies, and plastic bags beware as Pippen is constantly on the lookout for any invaders in our yard. She is often content to sit on a lap or alongside us as I read and Randy watches sports and she has a bed in the office to keep her company while I paint or create other types of arts and crafts.
My name is:
Wanda Coder
Call/email me for:
Questions related to our children/youth camps or for contact information for the campsites! Our sites handle their own calendars for retreats.
This is Sage! She loves to lounge all day and demands love and attention as you walk in the door. You must drop everything so she can have her “I missed you” pets. She is afraid of moving cars but loves going for rides. Sage is finally excited about squeaky toys which makes her dad and I so excited! Her stocking was very full this Christmas. Wherever you are, that is where Sage is going to be which is why we lovingly refer to her as our Velcro Dog.
My name is:
Rev. Carlos Ramirez
Call/email me for:
a tour of my Star Wars collection. The dog with the glasses is Chuy. In Mexico it is very common to name people Jesús. It is also common for names to have a nickname. In the case of Jesús is Chuy. I guess an apt dog name for a clergy couple! Chuy is a chunky Havanese with a friendly disposition only to his family. Any other person, well, he is not that cuddly.
The skinny one with black ears is Xochi (short for Xochitl that means flower). Xochi is a shih-poo (a new breed of shih-tzu and poodle). She is a busybody. Always chewing something, exploring something, barking and wanting to play. If she was a human, she could easily fit into the ADD category. She is very friendly.
Both dogs are hypoallergenic because my wife is allergic to dog dandruff. In fact the doggies are actually Wendi’s dogs. They follow her everywhere she goes. They are always around her. It is very cute to see their interactions and the love they have for Wendi and Wendi for them.
My name is:
Sherry Helton
Call/email me for: whomever you may need that is with the UMC office of Oklahoma as I should be able to transfer you to that person. I can also transfer you to the people with Circle of Care, as they are located in our building. If you need contact information for any of our District Superintendents and/or their assistants, I have that on hand. If you should need contact information for one of the pastors that serve our UM churches in the state of Oklahoma, I can find that as well.
If I were to introduce myself to someone’s pet, as I do not happen to have a pet of my own - I would probably say, “Good morning Pet So & So, we are so glad to see you today! How can we help you this morning? Perhaps you would know right away that I am the Receptionist/ Hospitality Coordinator for the Oklahoma Conference Office of the United Methodist Church located on the outskirts of OCU in Oklahoma City.”
My name is:
Dana Parker
Call/email me for: Disaster response, missions.
There are no pets in our household anymore, and I like the ability to take off without worrying about who look after of our dogs. But I do have an old sewing machine that requires quite a bit of care and encouragement to keep running. It’s been a long-time companion and has shared lots of projects with me over the years!
My name is: Rebekah Hasty
Call/email me for: all things related to youth and young adult ministry, campus ministry, Board of Higher Ed & Campus Ministry, Annual Conference Council, ministry audits, Annual Conference planning, etc.
Hello, I’m Angus (Gus for short) Hasty. I’m a 2 ½ year old micromini goldendoodle. I came to live with my family when Gillian moved to Florida and Hayden moved to his apartment, so Mom calls me her “empty nest” dog. I love affection from my family, playing outside, chewing up my toys, and having play dates with my best friend, Ellie, the micromini goldendoodle next door. I’m rather shy around new people, but warm up quickly once I can tell they are nice. I’m a great guard dog because I sit at the front window and bark at all the strangers who like to take walks in my neighborhood.
Hello, I’m Nico Hasty. I’m a small 12-year-old domestic shorthair cat and have been a member of the family since they moved into their home. I put on a really sad face for my mom years ago and she brought me home from PetsMart. I pretty much run the house except for that blasted dog that mom got a couple years ago. He totally loves me, but I am kind and I, mostly, tolerate him. I like to roam the neighborhood and visit my other families until it’s time to rest and then I sleep at home around 20 hours a day.
My name is:
Rev. Roger Parker
Call/email me for:
The Gathering and Lighthouse churches.
All throughout my life, I’ve had dogs for pets, but not long ago, my oldest daughter acquired 2 two grey coated, green eyed cats from a local shelter. Since she does not have children and because they are brother and sister, I think of them as my grandchildren.
Anya is a beautiful cat that is very introverted and Lexi is a handsome rascal. However, I love it when Anya comes and cuddles up to me when we are watching a movie and how Lexi loves to play and act silly. It never ceases to amaze me what kind of trouble he can find and how high he can jump. Both love their “grandpa”.
My name is: Wayne Wilczek
My name is Charlie. I will turn 9 in January. Wayne Wilczek, and his wife, Quen, work for me. Wayne drives me around almost every day, throws balls for me, makes my meals (often from fresh venison), and picks up after me. In return, I allow him an 18” portion of my Queen-size bed. I am loyal to my parents, and very leery of strangers. I am very active. I will chase a ball til I give myself a heart attack if Wayne doesn’t limit his throws. I seldom relax, but when I do it is often in a “road-kill” pose.
You can reach out to Wayne at OKUMC if you have questions or concerns regarding Church Apportionments or payments to/ from others. He is also available to assist churches with finance procedures, HR/Payroll procedures, and general accounting processes. He will also discuss solutions to OSU sports and the Dallas Cowboys, if you are interested.
My name is: Gary White
Call/email me for: accounting related questions.
While I don’t currently have any pets in OKC, my family has longhorn cattle on our property that are my pets when I visit them.
My name is: Tabitha Beckman
Call/email me for: editing videos, graphics, and Pre-Conference Workbook.
We are Maya and Styx. We recently moved to Albany. NY with our humans, Tabitha and Krithi. We like to go on hikes around our new home. We also love treats and snuggles.
My name is:
Bishop Laura Merrill
I am happy to introduce you to Bella. She is approximately 14 years old, some mix of German Shepherd and something else that gave her white feet and belly. Current white face is due to age; all of that was black when she was younger. She has a bad hip and sheds prodigiously, both when it’s about to be cold and when it’s about to be hot.
Bella is a gentle spirit who found her best life during covid, when any work meetings happened outside, and she got to go along. One of her favorite spots currently is under the cabinet table in Little Rock, where she conveniently lies down to sleep right next to people’s feet and chair wheels and then protests when they move. She loves walks and sniffing all the sniffs, and she has pretty much been my personal fitness plan for about 13 years. She is reliably disobedient when off leash, with the selective hearing of a 12 yearold boy.
Bella has been fortunate to receive the hospitality of a number of persons and families over time who have welcomed them into their homes and onto their beds and couches, when I have to leave for travel. She is a good girl who gives love and joy, expressed through her eyes and doggy smile. While she hasn’t made the trip to Oklahoma yet, one of these days we will make that happen. There are many sniffs yet unsniffed there.
United Methodists Share MLK’s Dream
by United Methodist Communications
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was the face of the African American civil rights movement throughout the 1960s until his assassination on April 4, 1968.
The United Methodist Church recognizes the right of individuals to dissent when acting under the constraint of conscience and, after having exhausted all legal recourse, to resist
or disobey laws that they deem to be unjust or that are discriminately enforced. Therefore, many United Methodists joined King in his march toward equality, and in his wake, those United Methodist voices continue to advocate for justice for all, as their faith calls them to.
In this video series we meet some of the United Methodists who walked with Dr. King and share his dream. Click the photos to view each video.
The Rev. James Lawson
The Rev. Jim Lawson was a friend and fellow “warrior of peace” with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. He played a prominent role in the civil rights movement.
Dorothy Height
Height marched at major civil rights rallies, sat onstage with King when he delivered his famous “I have a dream” speech, and was president of the National Council for Negro Women for more than 40 years.
The Rev. Gil Caldwell
The Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell was a young seminarian when he met the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at Boston University. He spent time with the civil rights leader as part of an effort to support public schools in the area.
Bishop Melvin Talbert
Retired Bishop Melvin Talbert was a 25-year-old seminary student caught up in the civil rights movement when he landed in a jail cell with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1960. King’s commitment to nonviolence and to seeing all humans as brothers and sisters changed Talbert.
Bishop Felton May
Bishop Felton May was a local pastor in Chicago and served as master of ceremonies when the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. came to speak on behalf of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
The Rev. Joseph Lowery
As president of the ministerial alliance in Mobile, Lowery received an offering from all the churches in the city to support the Montgomery, Alabama, bus boycott that began in December 1955 under King’s leadership. In 1957, he co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with King and served as president and chief executive officer from 1977 to 1998.
Bishop James Thomas
Bishop James Samuel Thomas met the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1955, when King was on his way to speak at Tennessee State University in Nashville. Later, both men addressed the 1965 Methodist Youth Conference in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Victor Cyrus-Franklin
United Methodist pastor Victor Cyrus-Franklin was first introduced to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at a young age. His family made an effort to celebrate and remember the civil rights champion’s life every year.
Local Resources
Ethnic Local Church Concerns
Our ELCC, headed by Rev. Dr. Bessie Hamilton, is a robust program offering support and resources to churches. Read more.
Resources in Response to Racism
Find links to websites, articles, videos, and suggested readings to help United Methodists and local churches understand and respond to this most pressing issue. Read more.
Suggested Reading on Racism
Find a list of suggested books anyone can read to learn more about racism and the church. Read more.
GCORR Offers Small Group Study on Racism in the UMC
Based on the book “Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm: The American Methodist Church and the Struggle with White Supremacy,” written by the Rev. Dr. John Elford, a retired United Methodist clergy living in Austin, Texas, this six-session small group resource will focus on the history and life of The United Methodist Church in the United States, and how anti-Black racism has negatively affected its witness, mission, and trustworthiness.
The General Commission on Religion and Race presents a six-session small group study for “Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm: The American Methodist Church and the Struggle with White Supremacy.” This study invites Christians—especially white Christians—to engage in deep reflection and open dialogue about the impact of racism, with a focus on antiBlack racism, within both the church and society.
Drawing directly from the insightful 2023 book by Rev. Dr. John Elford, a retired United Methodist clergy member, the study examines the history of The United Methodist Church in the United States. It explores how systemic racism has affected the church’s mission, credibility, and overall witness. By reflecting on these historical and ongoing issues, participants are challenged to see how these struggles extend beyond the church and mirror broader societal patterns in the American Christian context.
(BIPOC). It’s designed to create a thoughtful and safe environment for discussing how racism, perpetuated by those in power, has impacted Black Americans, particularly within religious institutions.
What will participants gain? This study aims to deepen participants’ understanding of what racism and white supremacy are, and how they operate within the church and beyond. Through engaging discussion, guided reflections, and historical context, the resource empowers participants to:
Recognize the historical and ongoing impacts of antiBlack racism in the United Methodist Church.
Understand how this legacy affects the church’s mission and witness today.
Learn about the persistent efforts of Black Christians and white allies to address and dismantle these injustices.
Engage in honest, transformative dialogue to envision a future of equity and inclusivity within the church.
“Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm” challenges all who follow Jesus to reflect deeply on the ways institutional bias hinders the mission of God’s beloved, global Christian community. By confronting these difficult truths, the church can reclaim its integrity and commitment to justice, and stand as a more effective, authentic witness of God’s love in the world.
Who is this study for? This resource is crafted for small groups of up to 13 people and is ideal for:
• Sunday school classes
• Campus ministries
• Clergy covenant groups
• Congregational leadership teams
• Community mission teams
• Faith-based discussion groups
While the content is particularly relevant for spaces where most participants are white, the study welcomes Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color
Pricing: Take advantage of our special launch pricing available through the end of this year! To make this resource accessible for churches of all sizes, GCORR offers tiered pricing starting at $99. Note: This study is available as a digital download—no printed materials will be shipped. The book itself will have to be purchased separately.
Get Started Today! Start the journey towards deeper understanding and healing in your community. Purchase this small group study and receive all the tools you need to facilitate meaningful, impactful discussions on racism, faith, and justice.
