Volume 1, Number 7 • November 22, 2013

THE OKLAHOMA UNITED METHODIST

www.okumc.org

Signs of changeCustomized for you

It’s the most welcoming time of the year

With God, a thousand years are like a single day (2 Peter 3:8). Think of that verse when you consider the speed of Internet changes. Responsive Web Design (RWD) is a prominent tool of change in this moment.

In early November, the Department of Communications implemented this technology as part of a redesign of the Oklahoma Conference website, http://www.okumc.org.

The website’s appearance now adapts to fit your mobile device or desktop computer. With RWD, a page adjusts itself for screen size and for vertical or horizontal viewing. On your smartphone, the elements stack, and larger type aids touch-screen interaction.

“More people than ever are using their tablets and smartphones to look at the Internet,” said Alicia Galyon,

One size won’t fit all

Website adapts to your device

n Turn to page 6 to see highlights of the new website design.

In three cities, strategic church planning has led to distinctly different outcomes this year — in McAlester, Barnsdall, and Oklahoma City.

Their work is reflected in guiding principles of the Conference’s Strategic Plan:n Discern what God is

doing in our midst.n Be open to creative

solutions … and emerging truths.n No one strategy fits all

churches.n Refocus assets and

energies to serve our mission: Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Left, outside OKC- Cornerstone Church on Nov. 4 are co-pastors Diana Pruitt and Steven Brant. The merger of Ridgecrest and May Avenue church-es, with similar worship numbers, created Corner-

stone. It meets at the former May Avenue location.

Lower photo: In McAlester, the former Christ UMC closed in June to become a mission outreach center of First UMC. In 2009, the merger of Grand Avenue and Wesley churches formed First UMC.

— Pages 4-5

Photo by Holly McCray

As you deck the church halls, also sign up for the Christmas Eve marketing campaign that is free for all Oklahoma’s United Methodist Churches.

It’s the most opportune time of the

year to invite new people to try church, studies show.

G o t o h t t p : / / C h r i s t m a s E v e Worship.com/oklahoma/app/ to post your church’s holiday activities.

Deadline to sign up is Dec. 10. “In our secularized society, there is

still a thread of understanding that per-ceives Christmas as holy time,” wrote

See Christmas, page 8

See Website, page 6

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact Nov. 22, 2013Page 2

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact (USPS 954-500) is published every 3 weeks, 17 times a year, by the Oklahoma Conference of The United Methodist Church-Dept. of Communications, 1501 N.W. 24th St., Okla. City, OK 73106. Periodicals Postage Paid at Okla. City, OK. Postmaster: Send address changes to Contact, 1501 N.W. 24th St., Okla. City, OK 73106.

The Oklahoma United Methodist

1501 N.W. 24th Oklahoma City, OK 73106

Moving to a new address? Contact Amelia Ballew, 405-530-2075, or aballew@okumc.org.

Sign up for Contact Digest, a free e-newsletter, at www.okumc.org.Send news to editor@okumc.org. Next publication date: Dec. 13.

Oklahoma United Methodist Communications

Director of Communications: Joseph HarrisEditor: Holly McCray The Media Library: Amelia Ballew Web Ministry/Graphics Design: Alicia GalyonVideo Production: Nyla Wallin, Andrew Himes

NAMED TO HALL OF FAME — In Chicago on Oct. 19, Boyce Bowdon of Oklahoma City displays his award as a new member of the United Methodist Association of Com-municators (UMAC) Hall of Fame. Across almost 25 years, he served as an adviser to four bishops and directed communica-tions in the Oklahoma Conference. He is the author of several books as well as the Crisis Communications training manual used by the Church. His clergy service began in 1959. Rev. Dr. Bowdon retired in 2005, and an endowment in his honor was set up at the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation. His wife, Arlene, and daughter Melody also attended the UMAC awards banquet.

Photo by Arthur McClanahan

OCU Hearts and Hands:

Giving Thanksfor Serving Others

1 p.m., Nov. 7Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel

This campus-wide interfaith service will pay tribute to the many ways in which the

OCU community serves others. Veterans who are part of the OCU family will be

recognized during the service.

The Mission Statement of Oklahoma City University

notes that our goal is to prepare students to become “effective leaders in service to their communities.” This is accomplished by academic study and spiritual development and, most im-portantly, by example. Those words are put into action every day by departments, groups, and individuals reaching out in tangible ways to those in need.

On Nov. 7, the weekly chapel time featured an interfaith service, which recognized outreach efforts campus-wide. “OCU Hearts and Hands: Giving Thanks for Serving Others” was a fitting celebration of this important work. Along with prayers and music, congregants shared how they have been blessed this year.

Dr. Bob Spinks reported the OCU United Way campaign achieved a record high, with more than $25,000 raised through pledges and gifts. Rev. Margaret Ball led as military veterans within the OCU community were recognized for their service and lifted in prayer.

Students representing the academic schools recited specific ways groups have reached out. Several supported Skyline Ur-ban Ministry. The Library and Athletic Departments sponsored food drives. Athletes collected more than 8,000 cans of food last year — and a total of 25,910 food items over the past six years. The University-Church Relations Department continues to annually sponsor Christmas Grace, through which people in the OCU community provide gifts for area families.

Here are more ways OCU has touched the lives of others this year.n The Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts

Management provided Halloween costumes for Positive To-morrows, an elementary school for homeless children.n The Kramer School of Nursing completed mission

trips to Cookson Hills Mission in eastern Oklahoma, and to Honduras.n The Meinders School of Business assisted international

students with preparing U.S. tax returns.n The Bass School of Music joined with OKC-St. Luke’s

United Methodist Church for El Sistema, a free music educa-tion and mentoring program for children in grades 3 to 6.

n The Admissions Department offered uni-versity financial aid seminars to local churches.n The Multicultural Student Affairs Office

hosted the YMCA Young Achievers Leadership Summit.n The Intergenerational Computer Center

offered free community classes and free walk-in computer services.n University-Church Relations and the Wesley

Center campus ministry sponsored monthly mis-sion projects, including a coloring-book drive for hospitalized children. n Fraternities and sororities raised funds to

support victims of domestic violence and mentor-ing programs for young women.n The Petree College of Arts and Sciences

provided readers at Positive Tomorrows and tu-tors at the WhizKids afterschool reading program.

Many OCU-related groups also provided as-sistance in the aftermath of the May tornadoes. n The baseball program coordinated equip-

ment donations from across the country for the Moore Youth Baseball Association.n The Student Government Association

hosted Moore Tornado Relief Day and joined the rebuilding effort.

n The alumni chapter in New York City joined alumni from other Oklahoma universities to organize a benefit cabaret that raised more than $2,000.n A special task force coordinated temporary housing on

campus for displaced people and donation drop sites.n The university granted each employee 16 paid hours

in May and again in June to help with the disaster recovery.

Giving thanks for gifts of service

From left, music professor Sarah Sarver, facilities staff Ryan Lavey and Kevin Thornburg, music professor Dave Easley, communications staffer Rod Jones, and student Jeff Cheng joined the cleanup effort in Moore on May 30.

n TYPHOON DISASTER — In the Phil-ippines, missionary Marsha Alexander reported via social media there is much suffering in the southern part of that nation after Super Typhoon Haiyan hit on Nov. 8.

Rev. Alexander, whose home conference is Oklahoma, said she and others are fine where they live in the north. She leads Asbury College on the island of Anda.

An initial emergency grant of $97,000 from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is aiding disaster recovery in Taclo-ban City, Leyte Island. The money will provide food, water, and water purification tablets to 7,500 people.

You can donate to International Disaster Re-sponse, UM Advance No. 982450. Missionary Alexander is Advance No. 10772Z.

n YOUNG CLERGY GRANTS — Applications are open through Feb. 1 for Young Clergy Initiative grants, to develop innovative projects of all sizes that could attract young people to UM ordained min-istry. Go to: http://www.explorecalling.org/yci/grant/.

n COKESBURY SALES UP — Meeting Oct. 30, the board of The United Methodist Publishing House reported sales of $2 million above annual budget projections. Abingdon Press plans a spring 2014 launch of Covenant Bible Study. Cokesbury.com cited a 14 percent increase in sales.

n GIVING TUESDAY — On Dec. 3, United Methodists are invited to par-ticipate in UMC #GivingTuesday, when every gift made online that day through The Advance will be matched, dollar for dollar, by the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM).

Building on the U.S. shopping tradi-tions of Black Friday, Local Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, UMC #GivingTuesday promotes giving instead of getting, to help UM missionaries and projects that are transforming the world. This is an opportunity to build awareness

and maximize support for a project or mis-sionary that your local church supports.

See more at: http://www.umcmission.org/Giving-Tuesday/Giving-Tuesday-Resources#sthash.UGrC137d.dpuf

Visit www.umcmission.org/give to search for specific Advance projects and people.

n RACIAL-ETHNIC GRANTS — Dec. 2 is the deadline to apply for a GBGM grant of up to $10,000 to strengthen and develop a racial-ethnic churches. Contact Sonia Brum at sbrum@umcmission.org.

n SPECIAL SESSION — More than 800 people gathered Nov. 2 as the Greater New Jersey Conference held a special an-nual conference session.

They made decisions related to the con-ference’s strategic ministry plan and 2014 budget. Bishop John Schol announced a $750,000 grant from the Hurricane Sandy NJ Relief Fund.

n 2016 GENERAL CONFERENCE — Deacon Laura Jaquith Bartlett of Eagle Creek, Ore., will direct worship and music for the 2016 UM General Conference. The assembly meets May 10-20 in Portland, Ore. Theme is “Therefore, go.”

The global church

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact

Bishop Hayes

Nov. 22, 2013 Page 3

Strength for the journey: Ideas and thoughts from our bishop

The attitude of gratitude

“Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” (Psalm 103:1-2, KJV)

By BISHOP ROBERT HAYES JR.

We again are in the season of Thanksgiving. The displays in retail stores tell

you that businesses again have skipped over this time of re-membered blessings. Merchants have ushered in Christmas with-out giving thought to what the fourth Thursday of November means. Some major retailers even have decided to open their doors to shoppers for the first time ever on Thanksgiving Day! Need I ask in what direction we are headed with this kind of thinking?

If Thanksgiving is going to have any meaning in this culture of diminishing appreciation, we must acquire the attitude of gratitude.

We must come to recognize that every blessing is a gift from God, it requires a re-sponse, and how we respond to God’s gifts will shape our attitude. Unfortunately, some people think they simply can wait until this one day to express their thanks to God.

In the 17th century, the religious poet George Herbert wrote: “O Lord, thou hast given us much; give us this one thing more, a grateful heart.”

Thanksgiving is more than a holiday declared by Congress in 1941. It is more than sentiment. It goes much deeper than reminiscing.

In purest form, true gratitude is the rela-tionship between you and God.

Genuine thanksgiving is voluntary; no one can force anyone else to be grateful. It is neither one of the 10 Commandments, nor a mandatory law in any state. It is an elective in the great school of life.

But living with gratitude is intentional.The Psalmist knew this. The passionate

words of the 103rd Psalm convey to us that something mighty is happening in his life. He struggles with language to fully express how he feels to know he is redeemed! From deep within his being, he cries out to his soul to remember all God’s benefits! As he looks around, seeing that God has supplied all things needed, his praise and joy bubble to the surface.

When you get to a place where your thanksgiving exceeds expressions of ap-

preciation or courtesy, then you are halfway toward achieving the attitude of gratitude. Fulfillment comes when you can rejoice in all circumstances — even when life isn’t going well.

The great failure in this season is our reluctance to bring into our thanksgiving the brokenness and pain that also are part

of our journeys. When we gather around our Thanksgiv-ing tables, what do we do with those things that cause us to despair? Do we leave them outside the door?

In his letter to the church at Philippi, the Apostle Paul says that, in everything, we should give thanks.

For myself, it’s not so easy to do that this Thanksgiving. I’ll tell you why.

On Sunday, May 19, as I prepared to go to church, my phone rang at a most unusual

time. A family member was calling. My sister, unable to breathe, had been rushed to a hospital. I was told paramedics were attempting to revive her and that I would receive another call as soon as they arrived at the emergency room.

Minutes seemed like hours and, as I waited, I prayed out loud to God to spare her life. The second call came; my sister had been pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

Less than 24 hours later, one of the most devastating tornadoes to touch down in Oklahoma cut a long path through the state’s center. More deadly tornadoes hit the metropolitan area as May ended. Thousands of families were displaced, hundreds of people suffered injuries, and two dozen lost their lives.

For the storm survivors and for me, the first Thanksgiving approaches since the tragedies of that month. How do we approach this time of remembered blessings? Do we try to put what occurred out of our minds and move on with our celebrations? Or do we ac-knowledge God’s presence in the midst of it? How can we live in the attitude of gratitude?

The only way I can answer is by telling you this:

In the wake of my sister’s death and in the aftermath of the destruction in Oklahoma, I have witnessed God’s grace, solace, healing, strength, and peace in so many, many ways. God has shown me that God shines light even in the darkest moments, gifting us with hope and the sacred promise that we are not alone.

For that, I am so thankful.

Circle of Care is partnering with OKDHS and other nonprofit agen-cies to find homes for 10,000 Oklahoma children in need of a safe, nurturing home. You, or someone you know, can save a child’s life. Join us!

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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact Nov. 22, 2013Page 4

By LOUISE RED CORNThe Bigheart Times

For 105 years, Barnsdall’s first church quietly served the town in ways both small and large. With a tiny membership in recent years, it operated the only community food bank to feed the hungry, rustled up school supplies and Christmas gifts for poor children, filled Thanksgiving baskets for the needy, and regularly opened its doors to community groups.

The United Methodist Church was a beacon of good, but the congregation on Sept. 29 sadly bid its church home goodbye. With eight in attendance, they held its last service.

Janetta Forbes extinguished the candles after the die-hard attendees loudly sang, “Freely, freely you have received; freely, freely give.” Then Joe Cook rang the church bell, and folks stood about, not sure what to do.

“We’re just wondering who’s going to go first,” said Joy Campbell, who attended the church for decades.

“Hundreds have come before us,” said her husband, Jim, trying to express his love and memories of the

church he has attended for 70 years. “I can’t talk,” he went on, tearing up. “It’s like a

funeral.”And so it was. The church at the corner of Seventh

and Cedar quietly passed away, in part a victim of changing times and, perhaps, a casualty of a town with 10 other churches, one for every 110 residents.

Even its guestbook speaks to the church’s dwindling visitorship. The last entry: Scott Cook, Salt Lake City, Utah, July 19, 2012.

The church was the first in Barnsdall (then Bigheart), started by a group of 25 souls who met in the railway depot in 1908. The flock was tended by missionary preachers who rode the train to Barnsdall each Sun-day. Because Rev. Mauldin, a Methodist, was the only preacher who always made the trip, it became First Methodist Episcopal Church in 1909. Then property was bought and, in 1913, in what lore says was akin to a barn-raising, Mauldin and his congregation built the church.

The church thrived until recent years. Even in their

Exit strategy for Barnsdall UMC includes gifts to help burned church rebuild

Times

By HOLLY McCRAYThe faithful remnant celebrated in the worship service

that closed Christ United Methodist Church in McAlester. The people had chosen to discontinue so that their building could take on new life as a mission outreach of McAlester-First.

For Charles Neff, that property transfer is another in a recent series of inspiring moments, affirmations of God’s

presence. Rev. Dr. Neff is senior pastor at First UMC.“We received this gift. We asked, ‘God, what do

you want us to do with this gift?’ We immediately identified the need to feed the hungry and let that be our first outreach in Northtown, (the informal name for north McAlester),” he said, “to show that it’s a safe place, a welcoming place, and that people care.”

The Christ Church congregation had dwindled to two families, according to Dis-trict Superintendent Darrell Cates. Attendance averaged 7, according to the 2013 Oklahoma Conference Journal.

The 1970s metal building was shuttered in June, and First Church received the keys.

In July, renovations took place with the help of a youth mission team from the Central Texas

Conference. In August, the space reopened as Community Outreach Center.

By October, more than 50 people were eating supper there each Monday, as the free First Fruits Community Meal was served by First Church’s mission committee.

Bonnie Cates said, “It’s neat how members at First Meth-odist embraced this.” She described Be the Church Sundays, when members engage in service projects throughout the city. “This is a natural outgrowth.”

Youth director Tonya Martin blinked back tears when sharing one volunteer’s comment: “You get so much more out of it than you put into it.” The youth group presented a Halloween festival during the Oct. 28 dinner.

Diners are all ages and growing in number, Martin said. “A lot of people request prayer, and we pray with them while they’re there.”

“I know the quality of people at First Methodist. I know Charles’ spirit,” said Rev. Darrell Cates. “It seemed those are the kind of folks that would come into this place and do something important for God. First Methodist is doing it right; they’re coming in and sitting down with folks. They’re at the table, too.”

On Wednesdays, the Choctaw Nation rents the center for a counseling program. The space serves as a precinct voting site on election Tuesdays.

The roots of Christ Church extend back to 1874; it was McAlester’s first Methodist congregation.

Its remaining members made the June service of dis-continuance a homecoming, said Cates, and that was well attended. Also, part-time pastor Lisa Anderson, a new seminary graduate, was moving to a full-time church. The members “saw that as a natural time to discontinue,” Cates said.

“They were celebrating a lot of new possibilities, not a funeral. Rather than strip the sanctuary and carry out all the elements of worship, we celebrated the birth

A happy ending in north McAlester

At McAlester-First Community Outreach Center (formerly Christ UMC), food and friendship are served Monday evenings.

Clergy couple Laura and Charles Neff of McAlester-First stand before the unique cross that is the focal point in the Family Life Center, also the sanctuary. The piece glistens, covered with glass shards, from dishes broken and then attached to it by youths as they grew in discipleship at the former Grand Avenue UMC. Robin Woodley was their youth director.

of transition

The Oklahoma United Methodist ContactNov. 22, 2013 Page 5

By HOLLY McCRAYThe marriage of Ridgecrest

and May Avenue churches birthed Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City’s inner core this year.

Marriage seems the best word to describe what officially is a merger, because two churches of equal size united. Each had been averaging about 70 people in worship. One mile separated their properties.

About 150 attended the unit-ing service on May 19 — Pente-cost Sunday.

The blended congregation occupies the former May Avenue location, where the outdoor sign declares the new Cor-nerstone witness.

In the curving driveway, another sign of new life is a weekly drive-in prayer opportunity. During this special hour, more signs sprout. “Drive in for prayer.” “Need prayer?” “Let us pray for you.”

In response, those traveling busy May Avenue wave and signal thumbs-up. Horns honk. And some drivers turn in to be blessed.

Five brawny workmen spilled out from one vehicle. They had passed by the previous week and had eagerly anticipated the next prayer time.

At Cornerstone, Diana Pruitt and Steven Brant are ap-pointed as co-pastors, rather than in senior/associate roles.

“Mergers are unique. Each congregation has its own culture and traditions,” Rev. Brant said.

“It will take 18 months for people to feel comfortable in this new skin. We pray a lot,” said Rev. Pruitt. The co-pastors sat side-by-side for a November interview.

Ridgecrest’s ministry dates back more than 100 years, and May Avenue had served 70 years. But analysis of each showed much energy and resources going to structural maintenance. In churchspeak, that’s “survival mode.”

But the churches yearned to thrive, to reach new people for Christ, not merely survive.

In Summer 2012, the prospect of merging — already in open discussion — heated up when the Ridgecrest air-conditioning system failed.

In January, an 18-member transition team formed, with

equal church representation. Continuing to build relationships, committees and

Sunday School classes combined. The pastors preached about Noah, Abraham, and Moses, called away from or-dinary lives to extraordinary witness for God. Members read the books “Sacred Cows Make Gourmet Burgers,” by William Easum, and “Our Iceberg Is Melting,” by John Kotter. They held Dinners for Eight.

On Oct. 22, about 40 people attended Cornerstone’s first Charge Conference. This month, five stained-glass windows from the Ridgecrest building will be installed on the south side of the Cornerstone sanctuary. The Ridgecrest property will be sold.

To be successful, a merger “has to be for a greater purpose,” Pruitt emphasized. “It’s easy to hunker down in comfort zones. We have some brave souls.”

Brant concurred, “The reason you merge is for the Gospel, the mission of Christ.”

He studies changes in the Northwest 23rd Street cor-ridor, which is “reinventing itself.” For him, more children at church has been the highlight of the merger.

“Our outreach into the community is really critical,” Brant said. “We are attracting people who are not all white and middle-class,” reflecting that area’s demographics.

New people confirm God’s presence, Pruitt said, and carefully unfolded a special towel to display. She recently had baptized a 60-year-old man. Joyous, he had lingered with that towel around his neck. His extended family, his son, and even his ex-wife had celebrated with him.

Exit strategy for Barnsdall UMC includes gifts to help burned church rebuild

Merger in OKC chisels Cornerstone

final actions, the members continued to give themselves away for God’s Kingdom. On that last Sunday, they started services with a vote and bit of altruistic business.

Unanimously, they agreed to give all the

furnishings or anything else useful to Okay United Methodist Church, which burned to the ground in August.

Barnsdall UMC had decided on Sept. 8 to shut down. Right after that, the church be-queathed the community food bank to FreeWill Baptist Church. And Nelda Branstetter will continue to operate the Christmas Angel Tree program, coordinating with American Heritage Bank.

Otherwise, the fate of the buildings is up in the air. “They will belong to the Bartlesville Dis-trict of the Methodist Church,” said Pastor Paul Overholt, who has led the church since 2002.

“Thank You for our church and its history,” Rev. Overholt prayed that last Sunday. “While we are in transition, we pray for blessing on the people of this church.”

The church also prayed for others, including high school student Ethan McGill, who broke

his leg during the Sept. 27 football game. Jok-ingly, Forbes also suggested the church pray for Notre Dame, whose Fighting Irish lost to the University of Oklahoma Sooners in football on Sept. 28.

During his sermon, Overholt was pressed for words.

“What do you preach at a time like this?” he asked, then turned to verses in Acts.

“We will not meet again at this place for worship, but there will be other places.

“There are other Methodist churches in Avant, Pawhuska, Dewey, and Ochelata, and 10 other churches in Barnsdall. Surely there will be one that satisfies your needs. Visit several and see what you can do for your church.”

Barnsdall’s United Methodists recalled Campbell’s dad, Charlie, toting mail for at least 15 elderly members of the church. He

committed 15 post-office-box combinations to memory, and braved blizzards and sleet to perform the kindness.

For Overholt, the fondest memory will be the tiny flock that did so much for Barnsdall. “A loving congregation, always willing to do things to help others,” he said. “It’s sad, but we’ve ac-complished a lot along the way.”

Reprinted with permission, The Bigheart Times, Oct. 1, 2013

UpdateIn October, Bartlesville District United

Methodist Men gathered at Barnsdall and loaded a truck with pews and other items to deliver for Okay UMC, according to District Superintendent George Warren. Muskogee District United Methodist Men met the truck and unloaded its contents, storing them until Okay UMC rebuilds.

At OKC-Cornerstone, worshippers model their Pentecost-red garments on May 19, which was Uniting Sunday for their church and also Pentecost Sunday in the liturgical year. From left are Dick Parker, Anna Guest, Susan Bryant, Donna Davis, Reba Dawkins, and Ginny Harvey.of the mission center.”

Neff said the Community Outreach Center “not only means new life for what had formerly been Christ UMC, but for McAlester-First, too. Our members have another avenue to be the hands and feet of Christ. It’s outward-focused as well as inward, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and through our connections.”

For First Church to thrive in discipleship, its ministry must extend “five-six-seven days a week,” Neff said. The congregation’s strategic plan has four components: “Pray for growth. Staff for growth. Program for growth. Build for growth.”

Neff arrived in McAlester in 2007, to pastor Grand Avenue UMC downtown. On New Year’s Day 2009, Grand Avenue and Wesley UMC, in southern McAlester, merged as First Church. Late in 2012, this newly named group occupied a newly constructed building, 20,000 square feet, on the expanded property of the former Wesley Church.

And now First Church is the one United Methodist entity in McAlester. Throughout, Neff has seen the leading of the Holy Spirit. By a re-

sounding vote of 96 percent, Grand Avenue’s people agreed to merge with Wesley, to sell the aging edifice and relocate. Existing endowments provided $4 million for new construction. An unexpected royalty check, for mineral rights held by the church, “showed up out of the blue.” A landowner willingly sold 5 undeveloped acres beside Wesley Church’s 5 acres. The addition of an associate pastor post has brought Chris Symes’ gifts to McAlester.

“We’re attracting younger families,” Neff said. “The average age of our members definitely has decreased.”

He described the attitude of the multi-generation congregation as “mindful of our heritage, while excited about our future.”

Cates said many churches resist merging; “they would almost rather die.” Mergers succeed “when churches give themselves away and become a completely new entity,” he summed up.

Photo by Rachel Anne Seymour/Bigheart TimesJanetta Forbes wipes tears during the last sermon at Barnsdall UMC by Paul Overholt. “I don’t do change well,” she said.

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact Nov. 22, 2013Page 6

Passages

who is the Web ministry coordinator/graph-ics designer in the department.

“To make the experience better, you have to adjust to whatever device the person is using,” Galyon said.

“I want them to see all our resources. Through the website, we’re telling the story of the ministries, what’s going on, just how much we do in the Conference.”

Just how extensive is the website? The

tally of main pages greatly exceeded 200 some time ago, she said. For example, Camp and Retreat Ministries is a main page, with many secondary pages.

Galyon steered the website’s overall re-design from a fresh perspective. She wanted the navigation “to fit more intuitively what any user would search for.”

She explained, “I tried to get away from Conference-speak. If I was a new user, I would not have a clue about that. The navi-

gation is not organized by the Conference structure.”

On the homepage, she pointed out the “Events/Registrations” link, a new feature. One click connects you to a list of forms, to shorten search time and signup. Also new is a “Directories” section.

Funding for the redesign came from the Annual Conference Council, Administrative Services, and Department of Communica-tions.

n A celebration service for Rev. Randa L. Norman, age 77, of Mead will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 14 at Cross Point Camp. She was pastor of Colbert UMC at the time of her death.

She died Nov. 4, 2013. Randa was born Feb. 19, 1936, in Cass-

ville, Mo. She met Billee Joe Norman at Putnam City High School, and they married on May 23, 1955.

The couple was active in Lay Witness Missions. Then he entered the ministry in 1975, and she became a Local Pastor in 1994. She led both Calera and Colbert churches.

She served as a local, district, and confer-ence officer of United Methodist Women. She also was active in the Emmaus and Chrysalis communities.

Survivors include her husband, Rev. Bill Norman, a retired Elder; sons Chuck and Kirk; daughter Kemily Norman-Wallace; nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchil-dren.

Memorials to: Oklahoma United Method-ist Foundation (Rev. Randa Norman Memo-rial Fund).

n Edith Norris of Midwest City died Oct. 30, 2013. She was the mother of Rev. Sonja Tobey, pastor at Vinita-First.

Opportunities

AppointmentsTony T.J. Huffman to Muldrow/Roland-

Trinity UMC (Muskogee District), effective Oct. 1.

Paul Overholt to retirement from Barnsdall UMC (Bartlesville), effective Oct. 1.

Darryl Owen to Withdrawn from South Coffeyville/Lenapah (Bartlesville), effective Oct. 15.

James Riggs to Ponca City-Asbury UMC (Stillwater) from Wellston UMC (Stillwater), effective Nov. 1.

Youth Ministry Summer Intern: Begins May 2014. Fairview-First UMC, Adam Brin-son, umcprogramdirector@att.net.

Director of Youth Ministry: Part-time. Cushing UMC, Kathy Leithner, 918-225-5683, katleit2@aol.com.

Youth Worship Leader: Part-time. Worship Assistant: Part-time. Organist: Part-time. Johannus Ecclesia D-470 organ. Tulsa-Faith UMC, ctabberer@faithtulsa.org.

Director of Children’s Ministry: Clin-ton-First UMC, 1001 Frisco Ave., Clinton, OK 73601, Roland Youngberg, 580-323-3179, ryoungberg@cableone.net.

Director of Substance Abuse Minis-tries: Full-time. OKC-St. Luke’s UMC, Jamie Williamson, 405-609-1012, http://jobs.stlukesokc.org, apply to “General Employment.”

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The Oklahoma United Methodist ContactNov. 22, 2013 Page 7

Briefly

Will You Join the Growing Ranks of the

1000Project 1000 Asks: ‘Can We Do More? Can we support more at-risk children, youth, and families?

More than 130 individuals, families, and groups have made the pledge to support Circle of Care $1,000 per year for the next three years. That puts us more than 10 percent of the way to our goal!

What Can Project 1000 Do?With your support, Circle of Care can change even more lives through our programs:

*United Methodist Children’s Home*United Methodist Boys Ranch*Independent Living Program*Pearl’s Hope*Child SHARE*Holsinger Home

For only $19.23 per week, you can invest in the future. You can help a child, a family. You can become one of the 1000. Won’t you join us?

Anonymous (x13)Kay AdairBill & Karen Anderson Harvey & Alene ArnoldDonald & Cheryl BakerRandy & Eddisu BarkerDon & Lynn BatsonDavid & Janet BattlesEnloe & Wanda BaumertDavid & Laura BealWesley Fellowship - Boston Ave. UMC TulsaClara BrownSpencer & Mary Brown Jr.Trav & Kara BrownMary ButlerIvan BysMichael & Leanne ChaffinUMW - Claremore FUMCRalph & Midge CoffmanRandall & Kathryn CoitLloyd & Melissa Cole Jr.Edgar & Betty CollinsMike & Mary CollinsRobert & Debbie CraineCC & Anna Marie Crooch EstateJohn & Jamie CroochMichael & Janet Crooch

Philip & Lisa CrowCurtis & Patricia CroweAnna CypertBobby & Shirley DarnellMarsha DavisNancy DeckerJohn DixonWilliam & Donna DodsonRobert & Brenda DuranGregory & Mary Ann EdwardsBarbara EskridgeDon & Wanda FischerJo FowlerDavid & Cindy FriezeMike & Elaine FrizzellJerry & Jane GambleJeannine GibbensRobert & Prudy GorrellJim and Elaine Gragg Bud & Jane GriffyUMW - Grove FUMCEarl & Marlene HaggardGeorge & Jo HallMarie HancockRudolph & Madeline HargraveRalph & Linda HarkerValerie HatleyBob & Dee Hayes Jr.

John & Anne HeatonBilly & Ann HebblethwaiteJono & Jenny HelmerichHighland Park UMCJim & Mary Nell HolderRoss & Jane HutchinsonRobert & Ann IvesterMr. & Mrs. Ivan KeatleyKeith KennedySteve & Suzan KnightBrian & Julie LaPatGreg & Anita LaPatCentenary UMC LawtonRobert LeeEd & Melba LivermoreRalph & Elaine LockstoneMr. & Mrs. Hal Long Joe Lucas & Kay McSpaddenBryan & Vicki ManneringEmery & Lisa MasonDwight MauldingIrma McCaskillDick & Lavonn McKnightBob & Doris McKownBurrel & Jo Ann McNaughtBilly & Lora MeadeLou & Pat MeadorsPaul & Ann Milburn

Larry & Sandy MochaKirt MoellingMary MoellingMike & Christy MordyDavid & Laura Morrison Ted & Laura MostellerJim Neel & Jan KingStan NicholsThrift Store-Nicoma Park UMCChuck & DeeAnn NordeanClark NuttingPathfinder SS Class -Grace UMC (OKC)St. Andrew's UMC (OKC)UMW - Okmulgee UMCUMM - Okmulgee UMCDee & Barbie PaigeBob & Peggy PetersLenert & Bobbie PfeilerAllan RauDonald & Valerie ReevesAnna RichardsonJohn & Helen RileyMargaret RitterJoe & Judy RobinsonJoe & Shirley RolstonGary & Sharon RothGale & Martha SadlerMike Self & Shannon Nakvinda

To make your pledge today, please call 405-530-2078 or visit our website at:

http://www.circleofcare.org/1000.html

Stanley & Sherry SelvidgeLogan & Donna SharpeUMM - Wesley UMC ShawneeUMW - Wesley UMC ShawneeArden & Rita Ruth SmithBill & Martha SmithCraig Stinson & Krista JonesCarolyn TaylorAndrew TevingtonKen & June TuckerJ.M. & Patricia Vanderwiele Jr.Jim & Vickie WagnerBob & Kathleen WestRobert & Karen WilliamsDavid & Suzan WolfBill & Lissa WrightDonald & Barbara WrightEarnestine WrightSteve & Ann Zenthoefer

Circle of Care Staff: *OKC/Communications/ Pearl’s Hope Team

*UM Boys Ranch*UM Children’s Home*Independent Living*Child SHARE

SUPPORTING OUR BISHOP — The Oklahoma Area’s bishop, Robert Hayes Jr., stands between Tom Harrison and Vinnie Hoover, who respectively lead the Episcopacy Committees of the Oklahoma Con-ference and the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Con-ference. The groups met together on Nov. 7 at the United Methodist Ministry Center in Oklahoma City and plan more joint sessions. Hoover is a member of Fife Indian UMC, Muskogee, and Rev. Harrison is senior pastor at Tulsa-Asbury.

A HEART FOR CHILDREN — The Oklahoma United Methodist Circle of Care honored Bill Junk, left, president of the Okla-homa United Methodist Foundation, with the Burrel and Jo Ann Mc-Naught Heart of Ministry Award at a recent prayer breakfast. Presenting the award was Circle of Care President Don Batson.

n Nov. 30 is health insurance deadlineAn important deadline looms for all participants in the

Oklahoma Conference’s Health Benefits Plan. By Nov. 30, completed enrollment forms for 2014 insur-

ance coverage must be received in the Conference Health Benefits Office, at the United Methodist Ministry Center, Oklahoma City. Active clergy must enroll online.

The deadline applies for medical, dental, and vision coverages for individuals and families, as well as for the spending accounts.

In addition to insuring active and retired clergy and their dependents, the Health Benefits Plan is available to qualified lay employees of churches and Conference agencies, based on hours worked per week, and their dependents.

Enrollment information and reminders were emailed to current Plan participants.

More information: http://www.okumc.org/benefits/fsa or 405-530-2069.

n Donation to aid Colorado flood victims

A gift of $10,000 from Oklahoma United Methodists will aid disaster recovery in Colorado after extensive flooding there in September.

The Council on Finance & Administration approved the donation from the Conference Contingency Fund.

A letter from Bishop Robert Hayes, along with the money gift, went to Bishop Elaine Stanovsky of the Mountain Sky Area.

Bishop Hayes wrote that the Oklahoma Area “was inun-dated with assistance, with much of that aid coming from within our United Methodist connection,” after tornadoes struck Oklahoma in May. “It is in that same spirit that the people of the Oklahoma Area donate this gift.”

He stated, “We know firsthand that recovering from catastrophic loss takes time and resources. As you reach out to those affected, share a word of hope and encouragement from people who have also experienced God’s grace in the aftermath of loss.”

n Matching funds will help BoliviansOn Dec. 3, each dollar donated online to the Oklahoma

Conference Global Ministries Bolivia Endowment will qua-druple in value, through matching donations from two groups.

Thus each $1 gift will become $4.On “Giving Tuesday,” the Woodworth Estate in Oklahoma

will add $2, and the General Board of Global Ministries will match each dollar contributed to this endowment.

The endowment provides income for clergy of The Meth-odist Church in Bolivia.

The fund total exceeded $330,000 as of Oct. 31. The fund is at the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation.

http://www.bokp.org/stories/bolivian-pastors-fund

Young Adult Winter RetreatFor ages 18-35

Dec. 13-14, Camp EganContact Matt Franks

405-919-8567, justfranks@gmail.com

Confirmation retreatsFor grades 6 through 8

n Feb. 21-22, Canyon Camp

n Feb. 28-March 1, Camp Egan

www.okumc.org/camps

Save the dates

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact Nov. 22, 2013Page 8

The Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation Inc., 4201 Classen Blvd., Oklahoma City 73118; www.okumf.org; 800-259-6863

Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation insights

Memorial gifts: Creating a legacyThere are many ways to make a gift in remem-

brance of someone special that will have meaningful significance for years to come for your local United Methodist church or favorite United Methodist cause. Here are a few options to consider:

A memorial gift of cash or propertyA gift of cash is one of the simplest ways to re-

member your loved one or a friend. This gift can be made to your church’s permanent endowment fund, to a memorial fund, or to a specific ministry dear to your loved one. When you make your gift, please designate the person you wish to remember.

If you are making a memorial gift of appreciated stock or real estate, your tax deduction may depend on the type of property gifted. Call the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation for more information on giving appreciated stock or real estate, or visit the planned giving section of our website at www.okumf.org.

Make a deductible gift and receive life income

You may wish to make a memorial gift while providing current life income for yourself. With a memorial gift annuity, you make a gift of your cash or appreciated property in honor of someone and we will pay you fixed income for life (with rates based on your age). You receive a charitable deduction for

the value of your gift. After your lifetime, the gift annuity will be used for mission and ministry by funding an endowment for your United Methodist church or favorite ministry. You will create a legacy for your loved one.

Make a bequestYou may consider making a memorial gift in the

future. By directing a gift be made in memory of your loved one in your will or trust, you can continue their legacy.

Any of these methods are ways in which you can remember your loved one and create a lasting memory. Contact the Foundation at 800-259-6863 or visit www.okumf.org for more information on memorial giving.

If you are over age 70½, the federal government per-mits you to roll over up to $100,000 from your IRA to a charity without increasing your taxable income or paying any additional tax. These tax-free rollover gifts could be $1,000, $10,000, or any amount up to $100,000, and can satisfy your required minimum distribution.

The IRA rollover gift is a simple and easy way to give to your local United Methodist church or favorite United Methodist ministry while not increasing your taxable income.

To participate in the IRA charitable rollover, contact your IRA custodian and request an amount be transferred to the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation for benefit of your United Methodist cause. Your church will receive a nice gift; you avoid any additional tax and satisfy your required minimum distribution for the year.

Contact the Foundation at 800-259-6863 for more information.

Make a current gift through an IRA rollover

Mack Strange, a Tennessee pastor, in the Leading Ideas e-newsletter.

“On Christmas Eve, it’s as if the world stops, looks at the church, and says, ‘We don’t pay much attention to you through the year but, tonight, we’ll listen. What do you have to say?’”*

Titled “Home for Christmas,” the cam-paign made its Conference debut in 2012. It includes a website referral process, TV ads, and social media strategies.

Leaders are Jim Hollifield, pastor at Wagoner-First, and Chris Buskirk, pastor at Abiding Harvest, Broken Arrow.

Cost is underwritten by the evangelism committee, part of the Discipleship Min-istry Team.

“Most of our churches are already open-ing their doors on Christmas Eve,” said Rev. Buskirk. “Why not do all we can to make this a targeted time to invite, welcome, and win the continuing interest of guest worshippers?”

Shawnee-Wesley reached out through “Home for Christmas” last year. Pastor Ben Williams said close to 300 people attended Christmas Eve events. Previously, turnout had been 80 or 90.

“We were aiming for visitors, people not familiar with our church,” Rev. Williams said. “Having a success like that raises self-esteem as a congregation. We’re hopeful about our church and our ministries when

good things like that happen.”He said key was implementing ideas in

the “Home for Christmas” manual. “Debra Christian, the individual that coordinated, really put her heart into it.”

Potential guests received personalized letters. A creative worship service featured drama, fellowship time followed, then a brief Communion ritual. Shawnee-Wesley will participate this season, too.

In Lawton, First UMC gained name recognition through “Home for Christmas” in 2012, according to Pastor Al Potts. For about $1,000, that church customized a TV spot for its community and purchased additional local TV advertising, he said.

“People may not respond the first time they see the commercial, but when a per-son begins to think about issues of faith, we want the name First United Methodist Church to come to mind,” said Rev. Potts.

Rev. Hollifield was pastor at Newkirk UMC in 2012. On Christmas Eve, the church concurrently offered fellowship and come-and-go Communion, in separate spaces.

“People especially ages 30 and down really embraced it. They came in and just visited,” he said. “We did see some com-ing back.”

For the 2013 campaign, the sign-up process has been simplified. Information will go directly to The Crouch Group, a Dallas advertising agency.

n By Dec. 10, register online at http://christmaseveworship.com/oklahoma/app. Fill in the form and click submit; your information soon will be posted on the website www.ChristmasEveWorship.com by The Crouch Group.

You may post all your church’s holi-day events; the campaign is not limited to Christmas Eve.n Two different TV ad spots will air

multiple times on Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Lawton stations during the days before Christmas Eve.n The ads will direct viewers to www.

ChristmasEveWorship.com to find all post-ed services available near their locations.n People will attend services of their

choice, where churches will welcome them with a winsome service and give them relevant opportunities to return.

Purchase the “Home for Christmas” manual, $20, at the United Methodist Ministry Center. (Contact Megan DeCastro, 405-530-2199, mdecastro@okumc.org.)

Contact The Crouch Group directly, 1-888-211-0273, if your church is inter-ested in additional resources. Among those: custom postcards, yard signs, and radio spots; insider pricing on localized radio or TV ads; and free consultation on using social media tools.

(*Oct. 9, 2013. Quotation reprinted by permission from Lewis Center for Church Leadership, Wesley Theological Seminary)

Christmas:Continued from page 1

Key dates for each church:

n Dec. 2 through 16 — During this period, each local church must enter all 2014 officer information into the online Conference database (i.e., Brick River console). Go to www.okumc.org and use “Church Log-In.”Complete, correct information is crucial — names, phone numbers, email and postal addresses. For example, the mailing list of your local-church officers and other key people who receive this Contact newspaper is generated anew each year from that database.

n Jan. 1 – Begin reporting your church’s end-of-year statistics. (Watch for upcoming information on the new online procedure for this.)

n Jan. 6 — By this date, all 2013 Apportionment contributions by local churches must arrive in the Conference Treasurer’s Office.You can check your church’s giving records online, to confirm informa-tion is posted accurately. That link is www.okumc.org/ChurchStatements.