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8/8/2019 Contact Sept 10, 2010
1/8
Contact, an edition ofThe United Methodist ReporterTwo Sections, Section A 039000 Volume 157, Number 19 September 10, 2010
THE OKLAHOMA UNITED METHODIST
www.okumc.org
The United Methodist Reporter (USPS 954-500) is published weekly by UMR Communications, 1221 Prot Drive, Dallas, TX 75247. Periodicals Postage Paid at Dallas.
Postmaster: Send address changes to The United Methodist Reporter, PO Box 660275, Dallas, TX 75266-0275.
qGrow in your spiritual life, 4-5Aq Chainsaw class is new training tool, 8A
Photo by Amelia Ballew
Mike Brown and Evelyn Phyffer of OKC-Crown Heights
UMC are surrounded by boxes lled with books,
ready for shipment to Ganta United Methodist School,
Liberia, for a new library. The book drive began inNovember, and the donations lled several rooms at
Crown Heights. Total: 12,000 books and 1,000 periodi-
cals, in 271 boxes. Phyffer said donors were creative
in procuring materials. One church member visited
the Oklahoma City Friends of the Library book sale;
former teachers donated from their education collec-
tions. The Hobby Lobby company delivered the books,
plus other school supplies, to Indiana. From there,
UM-related Operation Classroom will transport them
to Liberia. Phyffer has served on multiple missions to
Liberia, including a team trip with Bishop Hayes. In
February 2011, she and Gay Abarr of OKC-Wesley willlead a VIM construction team to Liberia.
Booked for travel
Wagonload of love
God Squads spark
a powerful force for good
Volunteers from Fairland UMC prepare to deliverbackpacks lled with food for elementary students.
From left are Norma Kraus, Glenda Sparkman, Joe
Kraus, Pastor Carole Minter, Kim Anderson, and Jane
Wilson. More projects feed the hungry, 6A.
Volunteers swarm the
Walnut house in Altus,
refurbishing it as a
Youth Force project.
See the inset above for
the outstanding results.Youth Force stories, 7A.
Worshippers literally will
always stand on the Words
of God at East Cross UMCin Bartlesville. A remodeling
project is under way, and the
congregation is writing biblical
verses on the concrete oor.
As they write, they pray for all
the people who will use the
facility and be impacted by
the churchs ministries. Pic-
tured are mother and daugh-
ter Kay and Kary Ruehlen.
At one entryway, Welcome
all children was inscribed.Some people pen favorite
Scriptures, and the Prayer
Group compiled a list of sug-
gested verses. If a selection
is lengthy, several people
may take turns to complete
it. Special ink pens are used,
and helpers assist people
with physical challenges.
Carpet and tile will cover the
verses, but the words will
remain to form a rm founda-tion for East Cross witness.
Emery Mason is senior pastor
at the church.
Photo by Paula Lindblom
Grounded
in prayer
8/8/2019 Contact Sept 10, 2010
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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact Sept. 10, 2010Page 2A
The Oklahoma United Methodist Phone: 405-530-2075
Fax: 405-530-2093
1501 N.W. 24thOklahoma City, OK 73106
Robert E. Hayes Jr., bishop
Joseph Harris, director of communications
Holly McCray, editorTo subscribe, send mailing information
and $15 to our address at left.
Moving? Send change by mail or e-mail: [email protected].
Nyla Wallin, administrative assistant/video coordinator
Alicia Galyon, Web ministry/graphics design
Amelia Ballew, The Media Center
Sign up online forContact Digest, a free electronic newsletter. Find information at www.okumc.org.
Send news to [email protected]. Next publication date: Oct. 1.
The Oklahoma Regatta Festival and
Head of the Oklahoma regatta return
to the Oklahoma River on Oct. 7-10 in
Oklahoma City. The festival is a four-
day celebration of rowing, kayaking,
dragon boating, and family fun on the
Oklahoma River.This years festival includes a na-
tional coaching clinic, OCU Head of
the Oklahoma racing, OG&E Night-
Sprints, and a family festival with live
music, art, a childrens area, and food
from some of Oklahoma Citys best
restaurants. For more information, visit
www.headoftheoklahoma.com.OCU and OKC National High Per-
formance Center athletes will celebrate
the christening of the Devon Boathouse
on Oct. 7. With the boathouse open, the
community will have opportunities to
enjoy recreational river sports. Kayak
and bicycle rentals, tness classes, and
trails are open to the public through theOKC RIVERSPORT program.
August also saw the
opening of a new venture
sponsored by the univer-
sity.
Bluetique, a resale
shop for donated items,
opened in a convertedhouse at the northeast cor-
ner of 23rd and Virginia,
at the edge of the campus.
This new enterprise
offers employment op-
portunities for students,
and proceeds from sales
will fund more student jobopportunities on campus.
Oklahoma City University began the new
academic year with the Matriculation Convo-
cation on Aug. 18 in Kirkpatrick Auditorium.
This opening worship service previously
was held in the chapel, but an overow crowd
there last year
n e c e s s i t a t e d
the move to the
larger Kirkpat-
rick Auditorium.
Almost every seat was lled in this perfor-
mance hall this year.
OCU continued the tradition of greeting
new undergraduates with applause from
faculty, administration, and trustees, who
lined the sidewalk to the auditorium. The line
began in Centennial Plaza, near 23rd Street,
and stretched to the Fine Arts Center.
New President Robert Henry put the
freshmen at ease by noting this also is his
rst year at OCU. A stirring anthem by the
80-voice Matriculating Freshmen Chorus was
one highlight of the service, led by the vice-
president for University Church Relations,
UM clergywoman Margaret Ball. Freshmen
joined in an-
other university
tradition; touch-
ing the gold star
symbol on their
way from the building. This gesture served as
a sign of their covenant to uphold the United
Methodist tradition of academic excellence,
spiritual development, and service to others.
Throughout orientation week, a number of
freshmen commented on the warm welcome
they received. This included appreciation
for upperclassmen helping them move into
the dorms and opportunities to share meals
together and meet new friends.
Freshmen begin school year with worship
Faculty and administrators line the sidewalk to applaud freshmen walking tothe new school years convocation.
Boutique supports studentsBoating events set for Oct. 7-10
United Methodist Women from across the state
will gather in Tulsa at the largest UM church in the
state for their annual meeting on Oct. 1-2.
Tulsas Asbury UMC will host the 37th UMW
Annual Meeting. Theme is Lets Get Together!
Guest speaker will be Yvette Richards of Kansas
City, Mo., an elected director in the Womens Divi-
sion.
On Friday evening, sign-in opens at 5:30, with
food and entertainment planned.
For Saturdays program, Asburys Hands of Love
Choir will perform, and Richards will speak. Also
on the agenda are presentations about two missions
in Oklahoma, Neighborhood Services Organization
and Cookson Hills Center, and special guest Bishop
Robert Hayes Jr.
Gift cards to support the two missions are being
collected by UMW chapters.
Richards 20-year career in the insurance industry
includes work as a catastrophe claim representative.
She has a communications degree.
She is highly involved in church and civic endeav-
ors. She joined UMW in 1987, and her leadership
includes ofces in the Missouri West Conference
UMW, dean of that conferences School of Mission,
and regional Schools of Mission study leader. She
served on the Teen and College/University Women
Adult Consultative Team.
Richards also has volunteered with Ronald Mc-
Donald House, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and Girl Scouts.
Christian activist Shane Claiborne will
speak at several United Methodist venues on
Oct. 16 and 17 in the Oklahoma City area.
His presentations that weekend are jointlysponsored by the Youth and Young Adult
Councils of the Oklahoma Conference.
Claiborne writes and travels extensively,
speaking about peacemaking, social justice,
and Jesus.
Claiborne is a founding partner of The
Simple Way, an inner-city faith community
in Philadelphia. His ministry experience has
varied from working alongside Mother Te-
resa in Calcutta; to a post at Willow Creek
Community Church, a megachurch outside
Chicago; to serving with the Iraq Peace Teamin Baghdad.
His work was spotl ighted in the Septem-
ber/October issue ofInterpreter, the Churchs
ministry magazine.
His books include The Irresistible Revo-
lution, Jesus for President, and Becoming
the Answer to Our Prayers.
Here is Claibornes schedule.
n Oct. 16
10 a.m., Youth Summit 2010, Yukon-First
UMC
7 p.m., plenary on solidarity with the poor,Edmond-Acts II UMC
n Oct. 17
8:30 and 10:50 a.m., guest preacher, morn-
ing worship, Norman-St. Stephens UMC
3 p.m., workshop on creating intentional
community, Smith Chapel, Oklahoma City
University
(www.thesimpleway.org/shane)
Young leaders invite Christian activist to OKC
Claiborne
Richards
United Methodist Women will gather at Tulsa-Asbury
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Page 4A
Two witnesses honored
A question is asked on the nomination
form for the prestigious Harry Denman
Evangelism Award. What difference has
this person made in the lives of people, the
Church, and the community? Nominees
should be persons respected for their
outstanding success in helping others ex-
perience Gods transforming love through
Jesus Christ.
Pastors Stan Wareld and Sharen Hale
received Denman Awards at the 2010 Oklahoma
Annual Conference.The witness of these two United Methodist
champions for Christ is vividly described in the written
words of those who nominated them, quoted in this story.
Their witness should be emulated by all.
They are bringing about holy transformation in widely dif-
ferent settings: Rev. Wareld in Stillwater, population 47,000-
plus; Rev. Hale in Gene Autry, population 120.
Stan Warfeld:
Were glad youre riding
with us, Preacher
An American serviceman from Stillwater was killed in
Afghanistan. From the local airport, his cofn was escorted
into town by military veterans on motorcycles, each ying the
American ag. These men in leather jackets and motocycle
boots were joined by Stan Wareld, in his helmet, suit jacket,
and orange necktie, riding his orange motor scooter. Were
glad youre riding with us, Preacher, said
one of the men. They knew him and
welcomed him.
He is also known as Pastor
Dude. In his years in Stillwater,
Warfield has met and shared
with people from all parts of the
community.
The Oklahoma clergyman
began preaching when he was in
high school. Ordained in 1976, he
was appointed to lead Stillwater-
First UMC in 2000.
Fruits of the spirit attributed toWareld: Personal. Peacemaker. Com-
munity-minded. Empowers people to do their
own ministries. Encourages diversity. Embraces and
embodies the idea that we are a Church Beyond Walls. In-
tentional about becoming involved with those searching for
meaning in their lives.
nWareld met with a class of college students. Are you
going to stay for the church service? he asked. They declined;
they had to hurry to lunch. He learned the dormitories and
fraternity houses served no noon meal on Sundays. Come to
church next Sunday, and Ill see that there will be lunch for
you after church. Since then, when Oklahoma State Universityis in session, the Sunday School classes take turns providing
lunch for students.Will Paine
nWe had been attending church sporadically for about a
year when Stan was appointed. We listened carefully to see
what the new preacher would bring to the church we consid-
ered joining. Week after week, I would watch Stan work his
way through the people in the sanctuary with a welcoming
greeting, a kind word, and a hand of friendship outstretched.
Stan was the ofciating pastor when my daughters, then ages 4
and 2, were baptized. My children have benetted by knowingthat a pastor enjoys laughing and knows it is OK to cry, that a
pastor honors his faith through word and deed. My youngest
daughter referred to Stan as the talking God because of the
weekly conversations with the children about Gods love for
them.Brenda Rolls
n He interacts comfortably with executives and hourly
workers, men and women, young and more mature people.
When I have faced business challenges, Stan has proven to
be a good listener, helps me work through issues, and sup-
ports my desire to create a business that honors Christ and my
faith. He has helped me understand that my position as CEO
allows me to minister to people I encounter in the businesssetting.Brenda Rolls
nWareld has served as a chaplain and mentor for re de-
partments and law enforcement agencies. I have witnessed him
going to an apartment for a death notication. Many times he is
invited in, and offers Gods grace and hope to those who have
never experienced the grace of Christ. You can imagine the im-
pact this has on the family in such situations.Andrew Ranson
n I walked with Stan through helping move a grand, his-
torical, and wonderful church into becoming one transforma-
tional in nature, ready to meet challenges of this new century.
As a Don Nations Association pilot church, Stan and other
Stillwater-First leaders worked with the district on issues oftransformation. The associations transformation score for that
church was 41, the highest level awarded.Bert Potts
Another nomination letter eloquently summarized this
clergymans impact: Stan does not expect people to seek him
out; rather, Stan seeks out the people to whom he can share
Gods love and grace. Stan is clear about his commitment to
ministry. Stan says we must let them see Jesus. Rev. Stanley
Wareld Jr. does just that.
Sharen Hale:
She identifed with theheart-language of the people
In southern Oklahoma, Sharen Hale is appointed quarter-
time to minister at Gene Autry UMC. She holds a full-time
secular job; more time goes to her college studies.
Her timing is right for God.
The church in southern Oklahoma reported 26 professions
of faith in 2009. Worship attendance averaged 20 people in
2007; in 2009, that average was 80.
Rev. Hale believes and practices that no one should be in
the same place now than they were a year ago in their relation-ship with God, stated Katherine McQuistion.
The Ardmore area has always been home to Hale. In child-
hood, she attended Ardmore-First UMC. She experienced her
call to ministry in 2006, while attending a Walk to Emmaus
event. She became a Lay Speaker, lling pulpits for two years
in Ardmore District before receiving her license to preach.
Gene Autry UMC is the rst appointment for this Local Pastor.
Chuck Stewart, an associate lay leader for the Oklahoma
My
individua
lfaithisfocusedin
ward
Living thePlan
Lets get personal. Your own faithgrowth is key in the OklahomaConferences Strategic Plan.
The Churchs mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the
transformation of the world is both personal and collective. Transformational
ministryby churches, districts, the conference, and beyonddepends on you.
Are you closer to God today than you were last year? Further away? Or about the same?
What does a disciple do? Have you shared your experiences? Has your church helped you?Those questions were posed by Craig Stinson, director of Connectional Ministries and
Congregational Development, at the 2010 Annual Conference.
Faith is both inward and outward, Rev. Stinson said. My faith has an individual compo-
nent and a group expression within my community of faith. With a quarter of a million United
Methodists in Oklahoma, we ought to see transformation going on!
This Living the Plan series in Contactlaunches today with stories of individual spiritual
development and personal Christian witness. Holly McCray
8/8/2019 Contact Sept 10, 2010
5/8
Page 5A
Conference, taught a Lay Speaking class in which Hale was en-
rolled. I saw in Sharen a passion for people that exceeded her
own anxieties, he said. People can learn relationship-building
skills. Sharen is the person who should be teaching the class. She
leads with her heart, and I believe she knows no other way.
Attendance at Gene Autry UMC had been steady, about
20 people, for several years prior to her appointment. Few
children or youths participated. Building debt totaled about$75,000.
In March, the church celebrated; that debt has been
fully repaid. More than 40 children and youths participate
in learning and fellowship on Sundays and Wednesdays. A
community Vacation Bible School, a joint effort with First
Baptist Church, drew more than 100 people. As you enter
each Sunday, you will probably be greeted by a teenage
usher, wrote Guy Ames, Ardmore District superintendent.
In over 30 years of ministry, I have rarely witnessed such
a t between pastor and congregation, said Rev. Ames. Hale
immediately identied with the heart-language of the people of
Gene Autry. Her personality and passion for people has created astrong lay-led ministry, into many areas of witness and mission.
With Hales leadership, the congregation has organized ac-
cording to the Book of Discipline, has begun using The United
Methodist Hymnal, and is learning about the liturgical seasons,
Ames said. And the church is always looking for more opportu-
nities to be in mission.
Ames provided several powerful examples of that.
n A tornado roared through nearby Lone Grove. The Gene
Autry Fire Department was called out that night. Almost before
the sirens had subsided, Hale was teaming up with her reghting
church members, going through debris, bringing aid and prayer to
people in desperate need. More than 300 households were impacted.Within days she had organized the congregation to team with an
Ardmore District response.
nWildres struck an area that included Ratliff City, where
Hale works, and other rural communities in Carter and Stephens
Counties. More
than 250 homes were badly damaged or burned to the ground.
Hale initiated a daily volunteer support operations service out of
her ofce and later worked as a volunteer in the case management
response led by UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief).
n On a Palm Sunday, as an act of faith and statement of the
servant nature of this church, the people carried a large cross during
a 2-mile walk through the countryside and to the church, callingtheir neighbors to walk with them and join them for worship.
As a result of (Sharen Hales) energetic witness and servant
model, lives are strengthened, the church is healthier, and people
have been invited to join the Kingdom family, Ames said.
By HOLLY McCRAY
New deaconess Elaine Parrent is legally blind. Because of
her visual impairment, she cannot drive. She always enlargestext on a computer screen. Indistinct shifts in oor surfaces
may cause her to fall.
But she clearly sees Gods purpose for her life.
She was commissioned as a United Methodist deaconess
a specialized laity rolein St. Louis, Mo., on April 29, in a
ceremony piggybacked with the global Assembly of United
Methodist Women (UMW). Side by side, Parrent and Kathy
Caldron walked in the processional and assisted in serving
Communion. Caldron is Oklahoma Conference UMW presi-
dent; Parrent serves in that role for South OKC District.
Other Oklahoma UMW members were in the St. Louis
audience of 1,600 people.Heres this church full of people. My sister from Kansas
was there. And, of course, I cant see past the rst row, Par-
rent said.
But she could feel her goosebumps.
It was a very humbling experience. All these people were
coming through, and they were speaking to me. They were
thanking me for doing this! It was so afrming.
Today Parrent continues her work as church business ad-
ministrator at OKC-St. Johns, her employer since 2003. She
views her work career differently due to her study and training
as a deaconess. Its more than a job; its her mission.
Her faith journey has not always been so focused.When she began attending St. Johns in 1995, she volun-
teered for kitchen duty. Thats where I always went when I
worked for any organization, she said. I was comfortable
there. My vision was my excuse to not do (more).
But there had always been this ache. Its hard to put into
words.
Parrent holds college degrees
in mathematics and psychol-
ogy. She supervised in an ac-counting ofce for 12 years.
At St. Johns, she began to
expand her volunteerism,
including ofce tasks.
Ed Dexter was ap-
pointed as pastor. He
emphasized mission
outside the building,
she said. And her
view of God began
to blur. Parrent said,
It was the natu-ral progression of
learning what the
ache was about:
mission. And having some-
body verbalize it.
(Ed) said God is someone you can be a
friend with. And I wentHuh? In my perception, God was
this huge man, up in the sky, beating down on you.
Dexters teaching was transforming.
My eyes were never the problem. My attitude was,
summed up Parrent. I used (my vision) as an excuse instead
of letting myself see what I could do.At St. Johns, the people were so hospitable, so loving.
With the church body allowing me to do whatever I felt like
I could, I grew out of that visually-impared excuse mode and
became much more mission-oriented.
Her mission knowledge increased so much by her partici-
pation in UMW and the annual School of Christian Mission.
In 2007, UM deaconess Susan Hunt spoke to the
St. Johns UMW members about deaconesses, of
which Id never heard, Parrent said. I went home
and went to the website. It just made sense to me.
The formal path to becoming a deaconess begins
with discernment and includes ve core studies: Church
history, polity, doctrine, the Testaments, and theology of
mission.
Parrent traveled to New York City and Nashville; she
read a lot. She expressed deep thanks for the support she
receives from her home church.
Most deaconesses work in secular rolesinner-city
schools, health care, rural communitiesrather than as church
staff. Parrent relishes the variety of mission connections at
St. Johns. Among them: a daycare, quilters guild, Financial
Peace University, Girl Scouts, food pantry, and New Journey
fellowship.
Her duties at the church continue, but as a deaconess she
now sees all her life in new ways. Its a learning experience
in the whole faith journey, of different ways to look at things,
interpret, and understand from people outside my little niche,
she said.
The business part of me wont let me just sit. Im still
learning.
Parrent is one of three deaconesses in the Oklahoma Confer-
ence. Pat Hoerth serves at Turtle Rock Farm, a retreat center
in northern Oklahoma, and Nancy VanAntwerp directs Reach
Our City, providing health care in Oklahoma City.
Photos, from far left: Lyndon James Redman sits
with Sharen Hale, his grandmother; Stan
Wareld presents an achievement
award to a teen at JEM Camp; and
Elaine Parrent wears her
deaconess scarf at OKC-St. Johns.
PhotobyHollyMcCray
Elaine Parrent: There had always been this ache
We will recruit, assess, equip, and send spiritual leaders. (One of three specic goals for the Strategic Plan)
Myindi
vidual
faithisfocusedoutw
ard
Native American storyteller Ray Buckley and
evangelism professor Elaine Heath will lead the
Academy of Spiritual Formation on Oct. 17-22 at
Canyon Camp.
Open to all, the academy is offered every two
years and is sponsored by the Upper Room and the
Oklahoma Conference. The event seeks to:nProvide a comprehensive experience in spiritual
formation;
nEducate participants in the history and develop-
ment of the Christian spiritual life; and
n Encourage participants to live out their call
through recovering the disciplines of daily prayer and
participating in personal and group spiritual guidance.
Topics will be The Mystic Way: A Contemplative
Vision for Evangelism, Outreach, and Community,
by Rev. Dr. Heath; and When God Changes Your
Name: A Spiritual Journey Through Native Tradi-
tions, by Buckley.A native of Alaska, Buckley also is an author and
illustrator. His books include The Give-Away: A
Christmas Story in the Native American Tradition.
He previously directed the Native Peoples Com-
munication Ofce within United Methodist Com-
munications, and he led Connectional Ministries for
the Alaska Missionary Conference.
Heath is the initiator of New Day, a network of
missional, monastic faith communities in the United
Methodist tradition. She is the McCreless Assistant
Professor of Evangelism at Perkins School of Theol-
ogy and director of the Center for Missional Wisdomat Southern Methodist University, Dallas.
Scholarships are offered for lay and clergy mem-
bers of the Oklahoma Conference. Registrar is Diana
Northcutt, 405-530-2144, [email protected].
October academy explores
personal spiritual formation
8/8/2019 Contact Sept 10, 2010
6/8
The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact Sept. 10, 2010Page 6A
OpportunitiesYouth Director: Part-time. El
Reno-Wesley UMC, richardcato1@
sbcglobal.net, 405-262-3734.
Worship Leader: Contemporary
service. Barry Collins, Fort Gibson
UMC, [email protected], 918-
478-3811.
Church Secretary: Part-time.
Computer skills. Cookson UMC, Box
15, Cookson, OK 74427, 918-457-
5717, [email protected].
Youth Director: Part-time. Susan
Whitley, Coweta UMC, swhitley@
cowetafumc.org, 918-486-5544.
Youth Director: Part-time. Kyle
Kiner, First UMC, Box 310, Hinton,
OK 73047, [email protected],
405-542-3347.
Musician: Part-time. Wayne Lof-
tin, Checotah UMC, 918-473-5714,
Youth Director: Part-time. Kip
Wright, Bristow UMC, bristowfumc@
sbcglobal.net, 918-367-3227.
Free: Outdoor sign metal letters.
Dan Eischen, Wetumka UMC, 405-
452-3367, [email protected].
Joseph Christopher Beach was
born July 23, 2010. His parents are
Anna and Rev. Chris Beach, pastor
of Tulsa-Wesley UMC.
Back-to-school blessingoffered in Lawton
To mark the beginning of the
school year in Lawton, Pastors Norma
Quinn and Chris Symes conducted the
Blessing of the Backpacks on Aug.
15 at Centenary UMC.
The prayer ritual blessed students,
school teachers, and Centenary mem-
bers who work with children in any
settingplus backpacks, briefcases,
and daily planners.
Pins imprinted with I have been
blessed were presented to 102 peo-
ple, who were in turn urged to be a
blessing to others. The blessing was
offered in both the traditional and con-
temporary Sunday worship services.
STORM UPDATEIn Tulsa,
broken roof rafters were
bound together to form a cross
in Aldersgate UMC after a tor-
nado. Amid ongoing repairs,
Aldersgate hosted almost 50
children for Project Transfor-
mation, buoyed by the gift of
space at a former UM churchbuilding and by volunteers
from nine partner churches.
Clarita church to mark100 years this month
Clarita-First United Methodist
Church will celebrate its 100th
anniversary on Sept. 26, starting at
10 a.m. and continuing through the
day and into opening night of the
annual Fishermens Revival.
The 10 oclock worship service
will feature music and pastors from
years past as special guests. At
noon, a catered BBQ lunch will be
served. At 2 p.m., the centennial
commemoration program begins.
The 5 oclock meal will feature
hamburgers and hot dogs.
The revival begins at 7, with
guest pastors Charles Hanna, Don
Johnson, and Ken Boatman.
Reservations for the lunch must
be made by Sept. 19. Contact Ann
Nelson, 580-428-3355, or Betty
Collins, 580-428-3560.
Find out more online at: www.
okumc.org/churches/detail/2413.
Margaret Southall, 81, died Aug. 13 at Overland
Park, Kan. She was the mother of Rev. Susan Southall,
associate pastor of Enid-First UMC.
Ina Frisby, 91, of Yukon died Aug. 29. She was the
mother of Rev. Dan Frisby, retired elder.
Viola Brotherton, 92, of Tulsa died Aug. 17. She
was the mother of Rev. Bruce Brotherton, pastor of
Idabel-First UMC.
Oologah lls kids packsfor weekends
By CHRIS EDENS
OOLOGAHMoney is tightduring this tough economy, and
some families are struggling to
put food on the table. Children
shouldnt go hungry because their
parents are struggling nancially.
Thats the philosophy behind
the Food 4 Kids backpack pro-
gram.
For the second school year, the
program is offered by the Oologah
United Methodist Church, through
its mission fund, and the OologahMinisterial Alliance. Church mem-
ber Lee Imhoff is the program
coordinator.
Students at risk of going hungry
on weekends are given sacks of
non-perishable food that are placed in their backpacks at school on Fridays.
In September 2009, 10 children were originally enrolled. That number
reached 49 by November.
Enrollment for this school year was not yet reported.
Weve been blessed with
enough money to take care of
these kids, Imhoff said. As long
as theres a kid in need, well take
care of them. One way or another,well take care of them.
Counselors at the upper and
lower elementary identify children
who are at risk of going hungry
over the weekend. To be eligible,
children must be enrolled in the
school free lunch program. Parents
must give permission for their child
to take part.
The Food 4 Kids program
bridges the gap between lunch on
Friday and breakfast on Mondayfor several of our students. The
program has been a great addition
to the lower elementary, said
Principal Gina Metcalf.
National studies have shown a
childs performance in school is profoundly affected by hunger. Children
in the backpack program attend school more often, are more condent in
learning, behave better, and stay more alert, educators reported.
(Reprinted with permission from the Oologah Lake Leader)
Generosity is feeding the success of a
meal delivery program, for senior adults,
offered by Douglas Boulevard UMC in
Midwest City.
Last fall, the church applied for a grant,
to address reports of state cutbacks in senior
nutrition programs. The church already had
in place a free meal program, in which about
150 people were served dinner once a week.
The new idea was to deliver meals twice a
week to senior citizens.
Food coordinator Donna Bassham
was thrilled when the church was granted
$33,900 from the Midwest City Hospital
Authority in the spring.
The rst week we were in operation, a
reporter fromEastwordnewspaper came out
and did a front-page feature on the new pro-
gram, said Pastor Jeannie Himes. Represen-
tatives from a local corporation, which chose
to remain anonymous, read the article and
donated new commercial appliances for the
church kitchen: an oven, freezer, and double
refrigerator, valued at almost $10,000.
Douglas Boulevard volunteers now
deliver over 100 meals each Tuesday and
Friday to seniors in the Midwest City area.
All summer, members of the youth group
worked side-by-side with adults in the
church to cook, package, deliver, and clean
up. Rev. Himes said the church receives calls
of thanks every week from meal recipients.
Feed His People is the mobile meal pro-gram at Douglas Boulevard UMC, Midwest
City. Janet Fryar steers a cart of bread.
Photo by Chris Edens
From left, volunteer Dolores Salyer helps Oologah High School
students Lindsay Johnson and Cindy Helvick pack food.
The delivery vehicle was a childs red wagon
when the Backpack Program in Fairland was
launched by First UMC in the 2008-09 school year.
The ministry has become a larger, community-
wide effort, and the food requires transport by car
or pickup truck.
The program has been an energizer for our
congregation, said Pastor Carole Minter.
Our congregation has been generous with time
and resources. We sincerely feel it is a privilege to
serve the children and families of this area. The
looks on the youngsters faces tell it all.First Church for several years hosted the Boys
and Girls Club of Fairland, providing leadership and
space for that after-school program. The congrega-
tion again was ready to step up to start the Backpack
Program for elementary students who need healthy
weekend snacks.
Church volunteers on Fridays initially delivered
12 backpacks of nonperishable food items to the
school, which sent them home with children identi-
ed as needing food support. In i ts second year, 23
students were served. Rev. Minter expects the need
to increase this school year.
We try to get a months worth (of food) at once.
Anytime we need funds, immediately they come
in, Minter said.
Instead of backpacks, sacks have proven more
practical, explained program director Glenda Spark-
man. Weekly, two volunteers ll each sack withabout a dozen goods, and another volunteer makes
the delivery. School personnel distribute the sacks.
Sparkman said the monthly cost was $340 last
school year. Businesses, clubs, and other churches
have given funds. An electric co-op awarded the
program a $2,500 grant.
Feeding projects packed in love
Fairland Backpack Program enters 3rd year
In memoriam Birth
Douglas Blvd. delivers meals to senior citizens
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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact Sept. 10, 2010Page 7A
By JORDAN GRUMMER
Jean Eagan was skeptical when she
learned her house in Poteau was about to be
refurbished free of charge.
Those offering to help werent trying
to scam her. They were with Youth Force,
sponsored each summer by the Oklahoma
Conference of The United Methodist Church.
This is the second year Youth Force has come
to LeFlore County.
Teenagersthose entering the seventh
grade to just-graduated seniorsand adult
leaders volunteer to build, paint, clean, or
refurbish whatever the homeowner may
need. Wheelchair ramps, porches, lawn care,
and painting are some
of the jobs the partici-
pants undertake.
Theyre a god-
send. Theres no way
in the world I could
afford it, Eagan said.
Not much had been
going right for Eagan,
age 77, in recent years.
Her sister applied for Youth Forces services
after seeing a notice in the newspaper.
She had lost two jobs, the second of which
put her in the hospital because of a bad back.
On top of that, I had a small lump on my
nose, Eagan said. When she found out the
growth was cancerous, she traveled to a Fort
Smith plastic surgeon.
He said the cancer was so bad that he lit-
erally had to scrape the bone to get it all out,
said Eagan, who endured 25 days of radiation
therapy. I almost lost my nose.
Youth Force brought some positive energy
into Eagans home.
It makes me feel great. It really does,
Eagan said. Its a wonderful program.
About 70 teens, from churches in Camer-
on, Heavener, Henryetta, Norman, Oklahoma
City, Poteau, and Princeton, Texas, worked at
10 job sites across LeFlore County from July
18-23. The group split into God Squads
teams of about seven teens and two adults
who spend the week together at a specic site.
The week can seem like its all about the
physical work, but Pam Cottrill, pastor of
Heavener-First UMC, said the kids also spend
the week building relationships.
As the week goes on, and they travel
together and do these things together, they
really form a bond, Rev. Cottrill said from
First UMC in Poteau, the base of operations.
Its a pretty neat thing to see that happen. It
would denitely be different if they just keptthem in their own church groups.
The homeowners also forge special bonds
with the volunteers, Cottrill said.
For the homeowners, its their little ock
or their little chickadees, Cottrill said. The
homeowners lives are touched deeply that
these youths are willing to give up ve days
of their summer vacation to come and work
in the hot sun for them.
Poteau High School graduate Josh Gra-
ham, 18, didnt mind the work or the heat.
I think Id rather help someone than justsit at home all day and wait for Mommy and
Daddy to tell you what to do, Graham said.
This was his second year with Youth
Force and his last as an eligible participant.
But he plans to continue his service as a God
Squad leader.
This is my way to give back. Its just a
way to let people know there are still people
in this world who still generally care about
helping, Graham said.
Mayte Vasquez, 14, of Heavener said Ea-
gans house was going to look great.We have to scrape the paint off, so we
can paint it over to look new again, she said.
Vasquez found herself in a unique posi-
tion; her home also was chosen by Youth
Force to be refurbished. I see that teenagers
and kids are working at my house, and I think
thats pretty cool, Vasquez said.
Lamarla Cook, a God Squad leader at
Eagans home, traveled from Oklahoma City,
where she is the pastor of Clark Memorial
UMC. She said giving back is easy because
she knows those being helped would do the
same if the roles were reversed.Ive never been a part of any mission
team where the people havent been loving
and appreciative, Cook said. I know they
would want to be able to help me.
(Reprinted with permission, Fort Smith
(Ark.) Times Record, July 24, 2010)
Youth Force 2010:
The prayers of their home congregations
lifted 190 people at work during Youth Force
Altus.
Altus-First UMC hosted the mission
teams for the second time. A total of 150
students and 40 adults volunteered to work,
from Claremore-First, Enid-Christ, Mustang,
OKC-St. Lukes, and Owasso churches, as
well as the host church. They formed 15 God
Squads that worked on 10 houses, painting,
siding, and roong.
The homes were selected by a groupfrom Altus-First, explained Amy Givens, that
churchs youth director. Tarps covered roof
holes, and siding was badly damaged.
Many of the projects selected this year
were very big jobs, but we knew God had
called us to work on these, Givens said. In
just four days, the homes are transformed, and
the lives of the homeowners and God Squad
members are transformed also, as Gods love
and grace are shown in a unique way.
She continued, God blessed Youth Force
Altus that week with cool weather, hard-working attitudes, and loving hearts focused
on the service that needed to be done.
About 100 more Altus volunteers prepared
meals, delivered snacks, opened their homes
so workers could shower, committed to pray,
and delivered supplies during the week.
This is my
way to giveback
Summer 2010
sites:
Hennessey
Oklahoma City
Guymon
LeFlore County
Lawton
Altus
15 God Squadshelp Altushomeowners
Wetumka broadcasts Internet radio program
Photo by Corey Krasko, Fort Smith Times Record
From left, Drew Chancey of Henrietta, Taryn Shelton of Poteau, and Austin
Abshire of Heavener build a wheelchair ramp and deck for a home in Pocola.
Wetumka-First UMC is taking advantage
of growing interest in Internet radio by of-
fering a weekly 30-minute program of Bibleteaching by Pastor Dan Eischen.
The program, Biblical Principles for
Kingdom Living, airs at 12:30 p.m. Sundays
and can be accessed at www.tenacityradio.
com. It is archived on that website for listen-
ing at any time.
Rev. Dr. Eischen has 17 years of broad-
casting experience, in country and news/talk
formats. He noted that, unlike the limited
frequency range for traditional radio sta-
tions, Internet stations can be heard aroundthe world. Due to his Sunday schedule,
Eischens teaching is recorded rather than
presented live. It is uploaded to a station in
North Carolina for airing.
The program began Sept. 5. The subject
title for Sept. 12 is When Are You Going
To Grow Up? and, for Sept. 19, the topic is
the Sermon on the Mount.
8/8/2019 Contact Sept 10, 2010
8/8
The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact Sept. 10, 2010Page 8A
Some disaster response volunteers were puzzled. Did
they really need three days to learn about chainsaw safety?
In the Storm Damage CleanUp Course, six Oklahoma
volunteers came to value that time commitment.
Trainer Joe Glenn, a professional logger and woodsman,
made believers out of all of us, said Richard Norman, disas-
ter response coordinator and associate director for Volunteers
In Mission (VIM). Joe provided many key elements for us
to implement into our overall training program.From six districts, the volunteers traveled in July to Mount
Sequoyah Conference Center, a UM facility in Fayetteville,
Ark. They gave their time, money, and talents to learn skills
that will further enable Oklahoma United Methodists to
safely, effectively serve victims of disasters.
One of my responsibilities is to ensure the utmost se-
curity and safety conditions are met in any activity in our
disaster response ministry, Rev. Norman said. Discussion
of chainsaws, their use, their safety, their liability, etc., has
been at the forefront. We need to have access to expertise if
we are going to provide a safe environment.
Norman emphasized:n Chainsaws are vitally useful and necessary tools in
many disaster response situations.
n They are among the most dangerous hand tools.
After the training, Michael Sheehan commented, The
chainsaw course is the needed, appropriate length, although
I did have my doubts before we came. Richard is on the right
path with his ideas of not getting the cart before the horse in
disaster response. Sheehan is from Boston Avenue United
Methodist Church, Tulsa.
Ed Bevers of Lindsay UMC said, Perhaps the single most
important element of this course is highlighting the need for
serious thinking and evaluation of every situation and helpingthe student to develop capacity to do this.
From OKC-Lakeside UMC, Curtis Cromwell said, Pre-
planning should be used in every case, in order to keep every
team member safe. We can use this plan as we go forward to
be used for storms or whatever we are challenged.
This was very informative and a necessary step in our
evolution of the early-response capability, said Kent Car-
baugh of Copan UMC. A previous class he took in chainsaws
and safety equipment did little to teach useful techniques
for utilizing the chainsaw, safely and effectively, in a disaster
response scenario. Having a trainer who actually used the
techniques and understood what might be encountered whenusing the chainsaw was a lot more benecial. Also, the hands-
on experiences we had are irreplaceable.
Norman said education, leadership, and training are his
top priorities at this time for effective and viable disaster
response ministry. He urged interested people to contact him
about participating in this type of ministry: 800-231-4166 ext.
2032, [email protected].
(www.okvim.org)
VIM putssafety rstwith training
Participants practice chainsaw safety skills. They are Richard Norman, Ed Bevers, Kent Carbaugh,
Mike Sheehan, trainer Joe Glenn, Curtis Cromwell, and Scott Stone.