Methodist Messenger. Prague/Arlington Charge July, 2016

Transcription

1 Methodist Messenger Prague/Arlington Charge July, 2016 My Reflections on General Conference 2016 Part of our baptismal liturgy includes this question: Will you support the Church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations and races? Those of us who are baptized have said yes to that question and many of us have heard it asked hundreds of times to those standing before our congregations. The question the churches face today is whether or not all people feel welcome in our churches. Since 1972, the General Conference of the United Methodist Church has been dealing with this very issue ever since we included a line in our Book of Discipline regarding our stance on homosexuality. And in each subsequent General Conference, petitions have been submitted about how this could be changed, altered or removed completely from the church s official teaching. This year, the Council of Bishops (all active and retired Bishops in our denomination), in response to a request by the delegates to General Conference, requested that all petitions dealing with human sexuality be referred to a special commission which will be set-up to make recommendations about these issues and possibly call a special General Conference sometime before What will this commission recommend? No one knows yet. In fact, the commission members have not been appointed. According to Bishop Bruce Ough of the Dakotas/Minnesota Episcopal Area and current president of the Council of Bishops, they are in no rush to get this work underway. The sense was we need to do this very well. And if it takes a little longer than many people would like, it s better to make sure we have a commission that represents all the voices of the church and will bring the wisdom to the table to find our way through a very difficult situation, he said in a recent interview with the United Methodist News Service. Conflict in the church over very personal issues is not new to the church. Acts 15, the so-called Jerusalem Council, presents a fascinating case study in how we might navigate this particular issue in our church today. Read that story when you have a chance. But all of this reminds me of another story. It was the coldest winter ever. The porcupines decided to group together to keep warm. This way they covered and protected themselves, but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions. After a while, they decided to distance themselves one from the other, but because of the cold they began to die alone and frozen. They had to make a choice: accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the earth. Wisely, they decided to bear the pain and go back to being together. They learned to live with the little wounds caused by the close relationship with their companions in order to receive the heat that came from the others. This way they were able to survive. My deepest desire is to see the United Methodist Church survive. It will take all us to survive and to do so may mean we all end up with some wounds as we huddle together. I do not see any reason for this one issue to drive us apart. I love the UMC and I think those of you reading this newsletter article love it too. I have devoted my life to serving it through a full-time Christian vocation but you have devoted your entire Christian witness to it. I promise to keep you posted as the work continues. I hope you will join me in prayer for our church and for the discernment of our Council of Bishops as they lead the church through the appointment of this special commission. Until I see you again, Pastor Derrek

2 Annual Conference 2016 in Review We ll let God write the remaining chapters. With those words, Bishop Robert E. Hayes, Jr. completed his last act of the 2016 annual conference and then delegates joined hands across the meeting room to share in a final prayer for Bishop Hayes and his wife, Dee. Words for that prayer consisted of two different hymns in honor of Bishop Hayes penchant for using the words of hymns as his prayers, especially before his sermons. It was a spirit-filled, emotional gathering this year as it was the bishop s last year at the helm of the conference and as we honored our relationship with the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference. The conference theme, Enriched by our diversity, united in our love featured the logos of both conferences. The conference began with a service of repentance for the ways the United Methodist Church has participated in racist actions against our Native American brothers and sisters. At the conclusion of the commissioning and ordination service on Wednesday night, Sara Martin responded to her own call to ministry and prayed with Bishop Hayes. It was a beautiful moment for all who were at the service. Members of the annual conference from this parish included Revs. Derrek Belase, Rebekah Belase and Sharon Capron as well as laity Jean Bradburn, Diana Kinzey and Martin. Each church donated to the conference offering which is going to the creation of an endowed scholarship at Africa University in honor of Bishop and Mrs. Dee Hayes. Just over $60,000 has been collected to date. The annual conference is responsible for electing those who will serve on the various committees, boards and agencies of the conference. Three persons from our parish 2 are serving in various positions at the conference level: Rev. Derrek Belase Annual Conference Council Jean Bradburn Commission on Archives and History Lisa Hefner Board of Pensions and Health Benefits

3 UNITED METHODIST MEN Information from secretary/treasurer Jerry Opela The Prague/Arlington UMM met Saturday, June 6, Pres. Jack Vaughan presiding. Rick Martin offered the devotional, Prayer and Transformation. The next potato bar was set for Sunday, June 26, which is the Sunday after Vacation Bible School. The next UMM meeting will be 7 am, Saturday, July 9, for breakfast, fellowship, and service. Randy Eby will bring the devotional, Authenticity. UNITED METHODIST WOMEN Information from secretary MM Greene The ladies are adjourned for the summer, but birthday parties continue at the Parkland Manor Nursing Home. This month s party is 2 pm, Thursday, July 21. All are invited to come enjoy the company and singing. July Sermon Series Summer Psalms Following up on our King David sermon series, we will turn to the book of Psalms, a book of worship material rarely used for sermons. A range of emotions are expressed in the sometime short, other times lengthy worshipful pieces of poetry and prose. The Psalms comprised the worship book for the Jewish tradition. What do these Psalms say to us today? July 3 Holy Communion Psalm 3 Salvation Belongs to the Lord God and Country Day July 3 Our friends at the First Baptist Church will be hosting the annual observance of God and Country Day on Sunday, July 3, beginning with a free dinner at 5 p.m. A gospel concert, featuring the Neighbors Family, will begin at 6 p.m. The swimming pool will be open from 7 to 8:30 p.m. with free admission. There will also be other games being played around the park. The celebration will take place in the area nearest the Prague Swimming Pool just south of Highway 62. For more information, contact the First Baptist Church. July 10 Psalm 27 My Light and Salvation July 17 Psalm 30 Joy Comes in the Morning July 24 Rev. Sharon Capron preaching Psalm 41 Considering the Poor July 31 Psalm 100 Steadfast Love August 7 Holy Communion Psalm 138 You Answered Me 3

4 UNITED METHODIST YOUTH Written by Youth Team Leader Tina Thompson Summer camp season is in full swing! Youth Force took place the week of June 5th in Oklahoma City; this is an opportunity for youth to provide mission work by repairing the homes of senior citizens. Youth from Prague were Alauna Parker, Carlton Bond, Gage Powell, Leslie Clark & Wanda Clark. Robert Thompson & Tina Thompson attended as God Squad Leaders. Back: Wanda Robert Alauna Front: Gage Carlton Tina Leslie The theme this year was Awake! By the end of the week, we all had memorized the Bible verse Ephesians 5:14: Awake o sleeper, rise from the dead, and the light of Christ will shine on you. Each day started with breakfast, devotion & communion; then off to our job sites. Our picnic lunches included short devotions and sharing within our God Squads. This is a very spiritual time which usually results in youth, who didn t know each other, becoming good friends and sharing sensitive information about themselves. After much needed showers, it s off to dinner, worship and fun activities. We went on a scavenger hunt, broke in Moore s new public pool (We were the first to ever use it.), had fun classes (including making a castle out of Rice Krispies squares), and had a lot of interactive music. If you want to hear more, please talk to any of the youth who went. They would love to share their personal experiences! 4 Gage Powell and Leslie Clark represented our church at JEM Cam, held from June 13 through 17 at Canyon Camp. Pastor Derrek was a counselor and Sara Martin was a Leaderin-Training. JEM stands for Junior High Effectiveness Ministry and is a leadership camp for middle school students. There were over seventy participants in the camp. Pastor Gage Bishop Leslie Sara Derrek Hayes The theme was Lead Like a Shepherd and each day focused on particular traits leaders should cultivate. Traits included honesty, integrity, compassion, justice and the fruits of the Spirit. The theme text was Matthew 5: A highlight of the week was an opening sermon from Bishop Hayes.

5 Morning workshops and small group experiences are the main teaching method. In a spirited game of "Capture the Flag," Leslie Clark collided with two high line pole guy wires and ended up with seven stitches. She'll be happy to tell you the story! The youth had an opportunity to serve at home with our Vacation Bible School, which ran from the 19 th to the 24 th. Please see Melinda s note and the following VBS pictures where many youth served. We will be taking several youth to District Camp on June 27 th ; more about that in the next newsletter! Jurisdictional Conference to convene in Wichita Twenty-eight Oklahoma United Methodists (14 clergy and 14 lay persons) will make the short jaunt to Wichita, KS from July 13 through July 16 as delegates to the Jurisdictional Conference. They will join 216 other delegates with the primary task of electing 3 new bishops. When the four day meeting is complete, Oklahoma United Methodists will know who will be assigned to the Oklahoma area. The newly elected bishops, along with those to be reassigned, will begin their assignments on September 1. You can watch all of the deliberations and elections at the website: As soon as our new bishop s name is made public, we will make the announcement on our Facebook and webpage as well. Let us be in prayer for all involved in this important meeting. New DVD available for both churches During the Monday afternoon reconciliation worship service at this year s session of Annual Conference, members viewed the premier of a great video about the United Methodist Church and our Native American brothers and sisters. Who Is My Neighbor? is a 26-minute documentary produced in conjunction with the Acts of Repentance toward Healing Relationships with Indigenous Peoples conducted at General Conference in 2012 and at Oklahoma Annual Conference in The documentary tells the history of the complex relationship between Native Americans and the Methodist Church, why the General Conference performed the 2012 Act of Repentance, and how United Methodists can work toward reconciliation with their Native American neighbors. Bishop Robert E. Hayes, Jr., Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference Superintendent David Wilson and Kiowa leader Dr. Bud Shumant are three among the many people interviewed in the video. Lay and clergy members are planning an upcoming viewing and discussion session this fall. Watch this publication as well as the weekly bulletin insert for more information. Photo credits for this issue of the Methodist Messenger go to: Pastor Derrek, Lisa Hefner, Melinda Pruett, Tonya Clark, Tina Thompson and Rev. Sharon. 5

6 The sanctuary (and much more) was constructed by Kara Davis, assisted by husband Casey, Barbara Holman, Bob Holman, Melinda Pruett, and Destiny Donaldson. Egypt - Joseph's Journey from Prison to Palace started great and ended great with an awesome group of volunteers from building the sets to working it. Thank you to the youth who came in and helped working different parts and the adults too. Now to get ready for more fun camp! - Melissa Pruett, Children s Team Leader 6

7 the costume shop music at daily openings and closings brick making Wanna be a mummy? the food market hieroglyphics basket weaving 7

8 Joseph in prison the barnyard Joseph in the palace Goats, birds, and kids make a happy combo. ancient Egyptian toy making On Sunday, it was a whirligig. Want an Egyptian collar? 8

9 Friday, July 01 Saturday, July 02 WA Levoy & Sandra Sue Dukes Sunday, July 03 Salvation Belongs to the Lord Psalm 3 God and Country Day Monday, July 04 Independence Day Church Office Closed CYME Camp begins at Egan (continues through Friday) Tuesday, July 05 BD Buck Poteet Wednesday, July am Arlington Ladies Day Out 6:30 pm Staff/Parish Relations Committee Thursday, July 07 BD Norma Foreman Friday, July 08 BD Maxine Lokey Saturday, July 09 7am United Methodist Men Sunday, July 10 My Light and Salvation Psalm 27 Monday, July 11 WA James & Melinda Pruett Tuesday, July 12 BD Sarah Fridrich BD Jonah Bond BD Madalyne Lloyd JULY 2016 Wednesday, July 13 Jurisdictional Conference opens in Wichita 11 am Arlington Ladies Day Out BD Jean Bradburn Thursday, July 14 2 pm Parkland birthday party Friday, July 15 Saturday, July 16 Jurisdictional Conference concludes BD Connie Reynolds Sunday, July 17 Joy Comes in the Morning Psalm 30 Monday, July 18 Tuesday, July 19 Wednesday, July am Arlington Ladies Day Out BD Robert Clark Thursday, July 21 2 pm Parkland Birthday Party BD Tina Thompson WA Bruce & Doris Huff Friday, July 22 Saturday, July 23 Sonshine Camp begins at Canyon (ends on Sunday) BD Wayne Stricklin Sunday, July 24 Considering the Poor Psalm 41 BD Gage Powell Monday, July 25 Tuesday, July pm AA & Al-Anon Wednesday, July am Arlington Ladies Day Out WA Ola Bon & Charlotte Fouquet Thursday, July 28 Friday, July 29 BD Avis VanZant BD Rheta Smith Saturday, July 30 5 pm Arlington UMC 115 th anniversary picnic Sunday, July 31 Steadfast Love Psalm 100 BD = birthday WA = wedding anniversary UPCOMING AUGUST EVENTS Aug 7 You Answered Me Ps 138 Aug 14 Blessing teachers/students Aug 16 First day of school Aug 21 Camp Sunday Aug 24 Quest Kick-off at the Park 9