Contact, an edition ofThe United Methodist ReporterTwo Sections, Section A • 039000 • Volume 157, Number 36 • January 7, 2011

THE OKLAHOMA UNITED METHODIST

www.okumc.org

The United Methodist Reporter (USPS 954-500) is published weekly by UMR Communications, 1221 Profit 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.

n Youth Worker’s Academy accredited, 3An Oklahoma Methodist Manor expands, 4A

Ardmore District—Feb. 5, Ardmore-First UMCBartlesville District—Jan. 29, Claremore-FirstClinton District—Jan. 15, Weatherford-FirstEnid District—Jan. 30, Enid-FirstLawton District—Jan. 30, Lawton-CentenaryMcAlester District—Feb. 12, McAlester-FirstMuskogee District—Jan. 16, Wagoner-FirstNorth & South OKC Districts—Jan. 15, OKC-St. Luke’sStillwater District—March 26, Stillwater-FirstTulsa District—Jan. 22, Tulsa-Boston AvenueWoodward District—Jan. 29, Woodward-First

“Recruit, assess, equip, and send Spiritual Leaders”—goal of the Strategic Plan for the Oklahoma Anuual Conference

Clever class titles appeal to Oklahoma United Methodists to attend the annual Local Church Leaders Workshops.

“We Believe WHAT?” “State of the Child in Oklahoma”“What the Bible REALLY Says About Women in Ministry”“Cover Your Assets” (church finances in a difficult economy)“Mixing Faith and Politics”“How Appointments Are Made”“Judaism, Christianity, Islam—and Peace”Beyond such titles, class participants will gain insights from

well-prepared leaders, receive extensive resource materials, and find opportunities to share ideas with people from other churches. Participants affirm the value of the workshops by returning, year after year.

The districts’ training sessions, in 11 locations across the state, begin Jan. 15 and extend into March. Bishop Hayes will personally attend eight of the sessions.

Churches’ officers and all others seeking to enrich their leader-ship skills and their lives are encouraged to take part.

n Special featuresAlthough some classes are universally offered, some workshop

features are specific to a district.“Dine with Bishop Hayes,” in four venues, is planned in

Stillwater. That district also will have a children’s celebration and youth rally, parallel to the adult classes.

A youth rally will be part of the Muskogee District event, too, in Wagoner.

Special offerings will be received for Muskogee District’s sum-mer youth camp and, in Clinton District, for the Reydon Mission, assisting Oklahoma State Reformatory inmates with college study.

And lay nominees from the two Oklahoma City districts will be chosen, after the workshop concludes, as potential delegates to the 2012 General and Jurisdictional Conferences.

n ‘New Christians’ emphasis“Prunes or Peaches” is one of several classes offered as part

of the “New Christians” emphasis by the Discipleship Ministry Team’s evangelism task force.

Following the Plan

Leadingwith class

Continued on 5A

TREASURED GIFTS—Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. accepts an autographed hymnal from Elaine Robinson, dean of Saint Paul School of Theology at Oklahoma City University. To raise scholarship funds for the United Method-ist seminary’s students, the Oklahoma bishop submitted to an evening of roasts and toasts Dec. 2 at OCU. Former Miss America and OCU alumna Jayne Jayroe Gamble was em-cee; and speakers included the bishop's sister Lauri Hayes Fluker, Oklahoma Conference Lay Leader Judy Benson, and David Wilson of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference. Charter Donors gave $65,275 as of Dec. 20. The bishop said, “The people helped by this are going to make a difference for the King-dom of God.”

HOPE IN HAITI—Children surround their new friend, Jeanne Hathcock of Yukon, an Oklahoma Volun-teer In Mission who served in the quake-ravaged country in early November. The gate sign at top identi-fies the guest house, where the VIM team stayed, which is operated by the Methodist Church of Haiti.

Pages 4-5A

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact Jan. 7, 2011Page 2A

The Oklahoma United Methodist Phone: 405-530-2075 Fax: 405-530-2093

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

Robert E. Hayes Jr., bishopJoseph Harris, director of communicationsHolly McCray, editor of publications

To subscribe, send mailing information and $15 to our address at left.

Moving? Send change by mail or e-mail: aballew@okumc.org.

Nyla Wallin, administrative assistant/video coordinator Alicia Galyon, Web ministry/graphics designAmelia Ballew, The Media Center

Sign up online for Contact Digest, a free electronic newsletter. Find information at www.okumc.org.Send news to editor@okumc.org. Next publication date: Jan. 21.

Oklahoma City University presented the 2010 Bishop Paul Milhouse Award to Cary Pirrong at a campus dinner Dec. 10. Cary and his family are members of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City.

OCU established the award in 1982 for the purpose of recognizing people who demonstrate outstand-ing leadership in their community, local United Methodist church, and the Oklahoma Conference, in addition to being an advocate for the partnership between OCU and the Church.

Cary wears many hats at St. Luke’s. He is a member of the Administrative Board, the Board of Trustees, and the Management Council; teaches a children’s Sunday School class; serves as a Disciple Bible Study teacher; volunteers with the Studio 222

after-school program; and gets up early enough on Sunday morn-

ing to usher in the 8:30 worship service.

His service in the community is equally broad. He is a Den Leader and Assistant Pack Master for Cub Scouts Pack 469 and an active member of the Watch Dog Dads at Wilson Elementary School in Oklahoma City.

He received the Governor’s Commendation in 2005 for his work as General Counsel for the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. Cary’s commitment to service now finds him offering his legal expertise at Indigent Defense.

His commitment to OCU is of equal measure and devotion. He is a member of the OCU Alumni Board and was president of the board during the university’s Cen-tennial in 2004. It was during that period that the Alumni Association became a dues-paying association. He serves as a volunteer and com-mittee member for the Marianne

Vannatta Race for the Stars, which benefits the OCU Kramer School of Nursing. And he serves as a member of the Athletic Advisory Committee.

In presenting the award, Mar-garet Ball, vice president for University-Church Relations, summed up Pirrong’s continuing life of service: “He is a STAR in every sense of the word.”

The University-Church Rela-tions Office welcomes nomina-tions for this annual award. You are invited to submit the names of outstanding laity you know who express their faith in concrete ways in their communities and in support of OCU.

Rev. Ball may be reached at mball@okcu.edu or 405-208-5060. Deadline for receiving all nomina-tions for the 2011 award is Oct. 1, 2011.

OCU announces Milhouse Award recipient

Oklahoma Conference’s Mis-sion and Service Ministry Team wants to help churches keep en-thusiasm for missionary support strong all year, by sharing a year’s worth of ideas about how to inform your congregation about these special Christian servants.

January is a natural time to kick off an awareness campaign. Here are ideas from the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM):n Introduce him or her to your

church. Make sure everyone knows the missionary you support by show-ing a photo, a biographical sketch, and announcing her or his birthday.

n Create a display, using an enlarged biographical sketch and photos. Place the display on an ea-sel, near the sanctuary doors. This could be a great project for any craft group in your church!n Develop bulletin inserts

about the missionary. Tailor them for age-specific inserts if you have worship services for teens or children.

For more information about domestic or international GBGM missionaries, Covenant Relation-ships, or Global Ministry Partners, contact Karen Distefano, 918-336-0351, kririe@aol.com.

Save the dates:

Your church supports a missionary. Now what?

OCU President Robert Henry, Cary Pirrong, and Maggie Ball celebrate at a recent dinner.

n “Social Holiness: On Earth as It Is in Heaven”

A Retreat on Social JusticeMarch 11-12 at Canyon CampFeaturing Dr. Tony Campolo

Co-sponsors: Peace with Justice Committee

and Board of Church & Societywww.okumc.org/church_society

n “Nothing But Nets” fund-raiser

Basketball gamesOCU vs. Oklahoma Baptist

UniversityJan. 20 at OCU Freede Center

Host: OCU Wesley Foundation

jlong@okcu.edu

By SHARON CApRONpastor, prague UMC

Jeanne* was angry. Her daddy was in prison. Mama had moved everybody in with Auntie, in an-other town, and taken a full-time job. No daddy, no mama, no friends, no privacy—Jeanne was angry.

In our church’s fifth-grade Wednesday night class, Jeanne cussed; she insulted others; she hit. My teaching partner often had to lead the class while Jeanne and I sat out in the hall.

Then one day, the class had a new project: writ-ing letters to prisoners who were attending a Kai-ros weekend. Suddenly, Jeanne came fully alive and focused. She wrote several letters and took several blanks home for her siblings to complete.

The following week, we collected the letters. Jeanne’s personal message was simple: “I pray to God. He helps me. He can help you, too.”

At the closing service of the Kairos experience, several men gave their testimonies. A big man, a drug dealer and repeat offender, stood. He said he grew up as a “PK” (preacher’s kid). He was well practiced in arguing against the Bible.

But the note from 12-year-old Jeanne gave him an argument he could not refute. That man reclaimed the faith of his childhood.

(*Name has been changed.)(The Kairos program in Oklahoma prisons is

coordinated by Criminal Justice & Mercy Minis-tries—CJAMM—of the Oklahoma Conference.)

The youngest disciples of Christ—children and teens—are not waiting for future roles in God’s service. They are taking steps now to transform the world. Read their stories in the Winter 2011 edition of Contact, the Magazine. Watch for it in your mailbox this month.

Here is a taste of what you’ll find in this publication by the Oklahoma Conference Department of Communications:

‘I pray to God. He helps me. He can help you, too.’

ontactCThe Magazine

Contact

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact Jan. 7, 2011

Bishop Hayes

Page 3A

Strength for the journey: Ideas and thoughts from our bishop

What will the future bring?“Give your entire attention to what God

is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomor-row. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”

(Matthew 6:34, The Message Bible)

By BISHOp ROBERT HAyES JR.

Ready or not, 2011 is here! Like an unwelcome visitor, we got kicked out of last year, and

we’ve landed in the new year a bit dazed. Why couldn’t we stay a little longer where we were?

Be honest. How long before you stop putting 2010 on checks and other documents that re-quire the full date? Will you be adjusted by February? March? Few people ever are prepared for this yearly calendar ritual, although we know that it’s coming. And vast numbers of people constantly strive to learn in advance what the future holds.

I’m fascinated by our obsession with seeking and searching for answers about what lies ahead. The American public spends billions—that’s with a B—on horoscopes, tarot cards, psychics, fortune-tellers, and a host of other so-called “mediums” to tell us what no one really can predict.

This need to know what the future holds is not new. In fact, it’s biblical. The Old Testa-ment is filled with prophecies, and the New Testament concludes with Revelations, vi-sions of things to come. Between the Bible’s cover pages, questions abound concerning imminent events. Even the disciples revealed their angst regarding the future; they asked Jesus about times to come (Acts 1:6).

To help you in this mad dash into the

unpredictable, often frightening future, I want to arm you with wisdom for the journey. Some of it is gleaned from lessons taught by the greatest teacher who ever lived—Jesus! And some comes from the “travel stains” accumulated over my 42 years in ministry.

n The first and most important rule is laid out in Matthew 6. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminds you to live one day at a time. Yes, you’ve heard that advice before,

but few people practice it. Do you constantly carry the weight of yesterday? That robs tomor-row of its possibilities, thus making each day an exercise in meaningless, pointless living.

Jesus says to you, “Don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.” He reminds you that “God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up.”

n Secondly, I urge, be pre-pared for whatever life throws at you! We live in a world where anything can happen at any moment.

God has equipped us with marvelous resources to meet head-on any circumstance or obstacle. Your attitude, your faith, your courage, and your confidence that God will see you through anything will go a long way in preparing you for the unseen turns in the road.

From my life’s experiences, I know this firsthand. Strength will be supplied. (Or, as one minister told me, “Manna falls.”) In other words, bread for the day is given, and strength is furnished when you keep your life opened and focused on God.

n Lastly, I invite you to look for the good,

and hope for the best! If you seek the good from every situation, then good ultimately will come. Life is too short to dwell on the negative and unpleasant.

Go into this year looking for the best and the brightest, seeking to do and be the person God wants you to be. Then every day will be an adventure in learning and growing. Just around the corner, you may find a chance to show uncommon kindness to someone. You may be entrusted with pain that you can turn into spiritual gain. You may be thrust into a crisis through which you demonstrate how a person of spiritual conviction can become victor over the worst that life can offer.

Yes, there is uncertainty as we enter 2011. But I know for sure that, ahead of me, God is already there! A modern translation of Psalm 59:10 declares: “My God, in His loving-kindness, shall meet me at every corner.”

You can face the successive demands of every day without fear or flinching. Our Lord never promises any follower that being a disciple will be easy. He does promise that in him and with him we will be more than con-querors over any foe or adverse condition.

Some 450 years ago, mapmakers wrote fearful warnings on charts of the eastern coastline of North America. Across unknown areas, the superstitious mapmakers wrote inscriptions such as “Here be demons! Here be dragons. Here be fiery scorpions.”

Those maps later came into the posses-sion of Sir John Franklin, a British explorer. It is reported that when Franklin saw those notations printed on the maps, he scratched them out, one by one, and wrote in large letters over the entire map: “Here be God!”

Along the uncharted roads and byways of 2011, you will find God already is waiting for you to arrive!

What: Orders MeetingWhen: Tuesday, Jan. 18

10 a.m.-3 p.m.Where: OKC-St. Luke’s

Who: All clergy under appoint-ment are expected to attend, and retired clergy also are wel-come. (Order of Elders, Order of Deacons, and Fellowship of Local Pastors)

Details: Bishop Hayes will preach, and worship will include Holy Communion and the Wes-ley Covenant Renewal Service. Lunch will be provided by the Board of Ordained Ministry.

Rev. Charles WallaceRev. Charles Presley “Chuck” Wallace,

77, of Oklahoma City died Dec. 10, 2010. He ministered in Oklahoma and Kentucky.

Chuck was born Feb. 18, 1933, in Hous-ton, Texas. He attended Asbury Theological Seminary and Oklahoma City University. He was a Navy veteran.

In 1957, he began his ministry service in Oklahoma at Woodlawn. He also served at Alex, Chickasha-Epworth, Choctaw, Nicoma Park, Hugo, Weatherford, Pryor, and Guymon Victory Memorial; and, in Oklahoma City, at Southern Hills, Village, Linwood, and Lam-buth. He retired in 1996.

Survivors include his wife, Donna Jean Kane Wallace; son, Charles “Chip” Wallace Jr. of Houston; daughter, Deborah Jean Wallace of Oklahoma City; and two grandchildren.

Service was Dec. 15 at Southern Hills UMC.

Frank JamesDr. Frank William James, 57, of Wyn-

newood died Nov. 30, 2010. He was the husband of Rev. Kay Karen Kennedy, who is the pastor at Paoli UMC.

Frank was born Feb. 19, 1953, in McAl-ester. The couple married on April 23, 1983, at Edmond.

He graduated from Panhandle State Uni-versity and Oklahoma City University, where he received his doctorate in law. In 1990, he moved his private practice from Oklahoma City to Wynnewood, where he also farmed and ranched.

He was a founding member of the Harts-horne United Methodist Church and associ-ate member of the Wynnewood and Paoli churches. He was active in several civic groups, including as chairman for the Washita District of Boy Scouts. He was a member of the Choctaw Nation.

Survivors include his wife, Rev. Ken-nedy; daughter Mary Sparks and son Dale Wade James, both of Hartshorne; and five grandchildren.

Service was Dec. 3 at Wynnewood-First.

• Ann L. Rettig of Norman died Dec. 2. She was the mother of Rev. Chuck Rettig, pastor of the Holdenville church.

In memoriam

Youth Worker’s Academy in Oklahoma Conference has achieved special status with the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry (GBHEM).

The study course has secured approval as a paraprofessional certification program for adults called to youth ministry in The United Methodist Church. The accreditation followed a visit to Oklahoma in November by GBHEM leaders from Nashville, Tenn.

The approval means Oklahoma’s special-ized training can be extended to youth min-istry workers throughout the denomination.

Leslie Long and Diana Northcutt estab-lished the academy in 2007.

“Think of the developmental and spiri-tual growth that takes place over the sixth- through 12th-grade years,” said Rev. Dr. Long. “These are important years to nurture and educate youth in the church, and we can-not take the task lightly. Quality youth pro-grams have long-term effects on individuals, helping them grow in their faith; bad youth

programs can push individuals farther away from the church.

“It is so important for our churches to take training seriously for those working with youth.”

For workers in youth ministry, whether volunteers or paid staff, the two clergy-women designed classes on understanding the Bible, United Methodist beliefs, develop-mental information, safe sanctuary practices, issues youth face, and cultural trends, among other topics.

The Track 1 and Track 2 training extend over two years. Each takes place over four weekends at Canyon Camp.

“We invest much in the training of our pastors. It seems just as essential that we take the ministry of our children and youth as seriously,” Long said.

“It is a responsibility given to us at or-dination and given to the Church to provide training for our youth and children, to help them know Jesus Christ.” (Book of Disci-

pline, paragraph 226.4)Rev. Northcutt said Oklahoma’s academy

is only the second such accredited UM pro-gram in the nation.

“We average 12 in a class, and have had up to 18 people,” she said. “We’re small enough to have a lot of interaction, relatively inexpensive, and we’re centrally located.”

She explained there are two ways to re-ceive certification in specialized ministry in the Church. One requires a college degree.

“A paraprofessional doesn’t want the college degree but wants certification in an area,” Northcutt said. “Now, after they com-plete our two-year academy, they can apply.”

The process includes interviews with the Oklahoma Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and the GBHEM board.

Academy registrar is Long, who also is the UM campus minister for the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond. Contact her at: 405-341-5450, lalongokc@sbcglobal.net.

Youth Worker’s Academy earns accreditation

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact Jan. 7, 2011Page 4A

On Dec. 2, Oklahoma Methodist Manor (OMM) in Tulsa officially broke ground for its Crestwood senior-living center.

On the 40-acre OMM campus, the new four-story build-ing will contain 103 residences, ranging in size from 670 to 1,500 square feet. Crestwood is scheduled to open in 2012.

On display at the groundbreaking ceremony was a time capsule, filled with items related to the special day and with memen-toes from Charter Club members, those who have reserved space in the new building. The time cap-sule will be built into Crestwood’s walls and be opened in December 2015.

Main speakers at the ceremony were Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett and OMM Board Chairman Gail Runnels. The Manor’s executive director is Steve Dickie.

“After considerable time in the planning and design phase, we are excited to begin construction on this new neighbor-hood,” said Cari Owens, sales and marketing director.

Besides the added housing, Owens ex-plained, Crestwood en-ables OMM to keep up with trends in elder care, according to a Tulsa World story.

Residents will enjoy five dining venues, ga-rage parking beneath the building, and covered walkways to other build-ings on the Manor cam-pus. The Spann Wellness Center in Crestwood will offer an indoor walking track, heated salt-water pool, and wellness programming. Continuing education courses and a business center are planned.

The building will offer more than 20,000 square feet of common areas, including a Members’ Club with fireplace, demonstration kitchen, two hobby zones, a living room/library, mail center, and theater.

OMM is affiliated with the Oklahoma Conference and has served senior citizens since 1956. Its campus, at 4134 E. 31st St., provides independent living, assisted living, and nursing care to about 300 residents. A memory care center is set to open in the spring.

(www.ommtulsa.org)

Manor breaks ground for more housing in Tulsa

In Tulsa, Crestwood Charter Club members take their turn during the ground-breaking at Oklahoma Methodist Manor. At left, an architectural sketch provides an aerial view of Crestwood.

By JIM JONESpastor, Enid-Christ UMC

Living in Oklahoma, we have seen our share of disasters. Yet even after the May 3, 1999, tornado, you could travel a mile or so away

from the destruction zone and life was back to normal. With the quake in Haiti, there is no normal.How can people survive in such adverse conditions? How can they live

when all seems to be lost? My return trip took us to Thomas. Most of the people had stories about

the quake and what they had lost—family, friends, houses, jobs, etc. But they were finding ways to survive. They found ways to feed their children and, in many places, they came together as a community to help each other.

The profound affect on me was to witness people who lost everything but haven’t given up hope. The churches and people we worked with knew that God was with them, during the quake and always.

When we arrived in Thomas on Nov. 1, it was a national holiday (All Saints Day). Schools were closed and businesses shut down. At the church, there was a praise service taking place. We discovered they had been wor-shipping since 8 a.m., and the service would last until noon. Four hours of praise and worship. And on a holiday!

In terms of my personal spiritual journey, I was moved at the depth of their faith, despite all the hardships of life. I am challenged to be as joyful as they are in the midst of difficult circumstances, and I am challenged to be as faithful in my daily walk.

Our work was to move the rubble from a wall that had fallen during the quake. We used buckets and wheelbarrows to move this from

the back of the church to the front and side, where it was used as filler for concrete. We also worked on pouring a slab to be used as a basketball court and to keep the mud away.

While there, we were able to assist in pouring about 25 percent of the

One year ago this month, an earthquake struck Haiti, in the Caribbean, and the horrific results jolted people worldwide to provide aid. Among those responding to the unprecedented disaster have been the people called United Methodists.

The needs remain acute for the Haitian people. And among the ways Oklahoma UMs continue to minister is through Volunteers In Mission (VIM) teams.

Above, Oklahomans and Haitians work together on a concrete project at the Thomas church on the island in November. Bibles in hand, below, the men gather for worship and study.

Photos provided by Jim Jones

Seeking hope in Haiti

Oklahoma Volunteers In Mission pledge ongoing service

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact Jan. 7, 2011Page 5A

Also among these classes are “Welcoming Church-es,” “Who, Me, Evangelism?” and “Belong: Changing Visitors into Friends and Family,” also “Building a Young Adult Ministry from the Ground Up.” Teach-ers include Jim Hollifield, Bob Johns, Frank Denney, and Randy Scraper.

n Board of Laity classesThe Board of Laity will offer two classes in all

the districts.n “Servant Leadership: All Sizes Fit ONE” will

offer specifics for church lay leaders and also benefit Nominations committee work.n “Helping It Happen” is designed to motivate

the congregation for mission and ministry through a church’s Strategic Plan. Ideas and assessment tools will be shared.

The Local Church Leaders Workshops are coordi-nated by Aly Shahan.

(www.okumc.org/LCLW)

“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Matthew 9: 37-38

Continued from 1ALeading with class

Small churches are the right size. In November, Da-vid Ray reaffirmed that in half-a-dozen Oklahoma work-shops based on the statement. A sponsor was the Small-Church Commission.

Benefitting from Rev. Dr. Ray’s insights were 246 Unit-ed Methodists, representing 84 churches. The workshops were open to all, but the target was churches with worship attendance of 25-80 people.

For more than 30 years, Ray has helped smaller-membership churches work creatively to overcome chal-lenges and to grow in effec-tive ministry and mission. The handouts as well as Ray’s lectures in Oklahoma proved he has studied smaller congre-gations in depth.

As he has traveled, he identified “Common Denomi-nators from 21 Smaller Faith and Effective Churches from Coast to Coast.” Among those he listed: n They are more concerned

with being living churches than surviving institutions.n These churches are not

trying to be all things to all people, but have found their niche (what they do really well) and are superb at filling

that niche.n Worship is a priority.n None are embarrassed

by their size.n They really enjoy each

other and have lots of fun together.

Ray also tackled the topic of finances in smaller church-es. His resource “Affording To Be a Smaller Church” noted:n No church ever thinks it

has enough money.n No one knows how

much your church is capable of giving until tested.n Raising or making money

shouldn’t be all a church does.And the adviser introduced

ministry strategies, including “Thoughtfully Growing by Adoption.”

The questions Ray urged his audience to explore could be asked of any church.

Why do you want to grow? What price will you pay? What does your church have to offer? What are its specific gifts? What specific areas do you need to address to be more attractive and equipped for new people? What indi-viduals and groups are un-churched or have unmet needs in your community?

Ray also pursues these topics as an author.

Expert: Smaller churches are just right

Oklahoma Volunteers In Mission pledge ongoing service

In November, Jim Jones of Enid led one such team. Rev. Jones initially traveled to Haiti in May, with VIM officials from several states.

Due to the conditions there, Rev. Jones explained, no one can lead a VIM team to Haiti unless that person has been to that nation since the quake.

Jones described both trips as sensory overload for him. In November, he also witnessed signs of hope. He writes here about the November experience.

—Holly McCray

concrete, and the Haitian workers we employed were finishing it. By now, the slab around the church should be complete, and the kids can now play basketball.

Our mission with the people of Haiti is multifaceted. The most obvious is to help rebuild structures lost in

the earthquake. Yet with each VIM team limited to 10 persons, due to

transportation issues, the reality is we can’t get much done in one week. So part of the project money is used to hire local workers. Our goal is to pay two Haitian workers for each team member. Thus each team should be able to employ 20 locals, to work side-by-side.

I can’t say what I saw in Haiti was the poorest I have ever seen. But the level of poverty across the nation is so disturbing. In Haiti, I saw firsthand how systems keep an entire nation of people downtrodden.

There are signs of hope for Haiti. From May to No-vember, the amount of tents I saw had declined in the

Port-au-Prince area. There is still high fear of more quakes, and many people are still afraid to go into buildings.

But some buildings that were still structurally sound are now being used again. Housing is becoming available.

I experienced the people of Haiti as people of hope. I sensed deep desire in the people we worked with to

change their country. They feel the way they can change is to get an education. Hope also is seen in the large number of aid organizations from around the world. People from across the globe have gone to Haiti, to help them rebuild.

UM Volunteers in Mission have been active in Haiti for over 30 years, although Oklahoma teams had not been scheduled

there for some years. Because of the scope of the crisis, the denomina-tion’s VIM office is coordinating all teams that serve there, working with the Methodist Church of Haiti.

Next steps for Oklahomans: n Each of the eight VIM

team members will schedule a mis-sion for 2011-12. Cost will be between $1,700 and $2,000 per person. Part of the amount is for the overall $3,500 project fund, which is matched by UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) for a total of $7,000 per team. n Always keep the people of Haiti in our prayers. We are

fulfilling our pledge to the Methodist Church of Haiti to work on their priorities. In Thomas this year, teams will finish work that began over a dozen years ago. n My church has been very supportive for both trips. Funds

were raised to assist me and L.D. Rapp, and for supplies to take to the Thomas church. There have been lots of prayers. n Other members of the November team were: Ray Craw-

ford of Claremore, Stephen Hale of OKC-Chapel Hill, Margie Van Oostrum of Altus, L.D. Rapp of Enid-Christ, Paula Kelcy of Chapel Hill, Jeanne Hathcock of Yukon-Good Shepherd, Kristen Brown of Blackwell, and Vicki Spurgeon of Lawton.

Among the most challenging aspects of working in Haiti are the conditions on the ground. In Haiti, there

is nothing others haven’t experienced on mission trips across the globe, but the earthquake brought together a perfect storm of conditions.

In person in Haiti, you see the devastation and destruction;

you can smell, taste, feel, and hear it. The noise seems to be constant, and smells change in an instant—you smell the scent of flowers and, in a split second, it changes to burning trash.

In both of my experiences, the end of the mission brought a level of sadness and depression that is not always a part of mission work. In so many of our short-term missions, we leave with a sense of accomplishment. We complete a project and leave with a happy family or church and new friends.

I have faith that each team member who went with me in November will return and continue the process of assisting Haiti in rebuilding.

A 10-year-old boy sat outside with us one evening. He asked if we knew Jesus. So to each in the circle of

people there, we asked the question. Do you know Jesus? Yes. Do you know Jesus? Yes.Finally, we asked the boy the same question, and he re-

sponded with a great big smile.“Yes! I know Jesus. He is my Savior!”I hope I can have that same joy as this young lad, and that

joy never goes away. It is easy to get so burdened with respon-sibilities that we lose the joy of knowing Jesus.

(www.umvimhaiti.org)

David Ray, above, led the groups.

Seeking hope in Haiti

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact Jan. 7, 2011Page 6A

Chris Stinnett to supply Apache UMC (Lawton District), effective Jan. 1.

Norman “Buddy” Bolin to Drum-right (Stillwater) from Coalgate/Clarita (McAlester), effective Jan. 1.

Harold Hunt to discontinued from Healdton (Ardmore), effective Jan. 1.

Lyle Shipley to Coalgate/Clarita from Hinton Rural Life Center in North Caro-lina, effective Jan. 1.

Tolbert Dill to Hugo-First (McAl-ester) from retirement, effective Jan. 1.

Charlotte Teel to Choctaw/Chapel Hill-Summit associate (North OKC) from OKC-St. Luke’s associate (South OKC), effective Jan. 1.

Virginia Hathaway to retirement from Drumright (Stillwater), effective Dec. 31.

Jeffrey Hiller to supply Healdton (Ardmore), effective Dec. 31.

Alex Flores, new, to supply Ardmore-Asbury (Ardmore), effective Dec. 15.

Julie Dowler to supply Jay (Bartles-ville), effective Dec. 1.

Kevin McKinley to supply Duncan-Wesley/Velma (Lawton), effective Nov. 15.

Eddie West to withdrawn from Moore-First (South OKC), effective Nov. 15.

Jennifer Pasco to Incapacity Leave from Ardmore-Asbury, effective Nov. 1.

Herlinda Lucia Aleman to discon-tinued from Lawton-Grace associate (Lawton), effective Oct. 1.

Director/Manager Camp Egan Retreat Center: Full-time. Randy Mc-Guire, 1501 N.W. 24th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73106; rmcguire@okumc.org, 405-530-2016.

Executive Director: Full-time. Restore Hope Ministries in Tulsa. Clarence Zitterkob, 7820 E. 101st St. Ste. E, Tulsa, OK 74133; clarence@clarencezitterkob.us. Deadline Feb. 1.

Administrative Assistant/Com-munications Coordinator: Part-time. Staff Parish Relations Committee, OKC-First UMC, 405-239-6493, SPRC@FirstChurchOKC.com.

youth Director: Part-time. Roland Youngberg, Clinton-First, 580-323-3179, ryoungberg@cableone.net.

youth and Contemporary Wor-ship Director: Full-time. Muskogee-St. Paul, mjardine@stpaulmuskogee.com.

Director of Caring Ministry/Homebound: Part-time. Minister of Music: Part-time. Traditional/blended worship. Yukon-Good Shepherd, Jeff Burress, pastorjeff.cgs@sbcglobal.net.

Director of Music Ministries: Part-time. Alva UMC, 580-327-2571.

pianist: Clark Memorial UMC, Lamarla Cook, 5808 N.W. 23rd St., Oklahoma City, OK 73127, 405-641-5524, pastorcook@sbcglobal.net.

Choir Director: Part-time. Tul-sa-Memorial Drive UMC, Sharon Fletcher-Taylor, 918-398-3891, pastor.mdumc@tulsacoxmail.com.

Director of Children’s Ministries: Part-time. Durant UMC, Greg Tolle, 580-924-4670, revtolle@sbcglobal.net.

Appointments Opportunities

Will You Join the Growing Ranks of the

1000

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

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

Dear Friends:I would like to make you aware of a new campaign that the Circle of Care is undertaking. It is an effort to take the ministry to the next level, to pursue a grand vision of extend-ing help, healing and hope to even more children, youth and families.It is called Project 1000. We are seeking to recruit 1000 new donors who will each pledge $1000 per year for three years. Project 1000 is an ambitious campaign that will allow Circle of Care to look ahead: How many more Child SHARE foster families can be lifted up? How many more youths can be served at the Boys Ranch, the Children’s Home, the Indepen-dent Living Program? How many more families can be helped through Pearl’s Hope?How many more lives can be forever changed?In just seven short years, Circle of Care will celebrate 100

years of ministering to those in need in Oklahoma. Our board of directors has taken this bold step forward to envision a future in which even more lives are impacted by Circle of Care’s programs.I hope that you will join me and the others listed here in sup-porting Circle of Care, and our ministry to the children, youth and families of Oklahoma. For the Children,

Lissa WrightBoard Chair

AnonymousDonald & Cheryl BakerDon & Lynn BatsonDavid & Laura BealClara BrownMary Wheeler & Spencer BrownMary ButlerDr. Ralph & Midge CoffmanLloyd Cole Dr. John & Jamie CroochG. Michael CroochBobby & Shirley DarnellGregory & Mary Ann EdwardsRobert & Prudy Gorrell

Rev. Linda & Ralph HarkerBishop Robert & Dee HayesJenny & Jono HelmerichRobert & Ann IvesterKeith & Patricia KennedyGreg & Anita LaPatDwight MauldingRobert & Doris McKownBilly & Lora MeadeChristy & Mike MordyDavid & Laura MorrisonLenert & Bobbie PfeilerJohn & Helen RileyGary & Sharon Roth

Shannon Nakvinda Self & Mike SelfMartha & Bill SmithRev. Craig Stinson & Dr. Krista JonesKen & June TuckerJ.M. & Patricia Vanderwiele Jr.Lissa & Bill WrightBarbara & Donald WrightCircle of Care Staff: *OKC/Communications/ Pearl’s Hope *UM Boys Ranch *UM Children’s Home *Independent Living *Child SHARE

After a nationwide search, William Tab-bernee has been ap-pointed new executive director of the Okla-homa Conference of Churches (OCC).

Dr. Tabbernee, for-merly president of Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, has had extensive experience in ecumen-ism and interfaith dialogue.

He was moderator of the Australian Council of Churches’ Commission on Faith of Order before coming to the U.S.A. in 1991. For more than 20 years, he also served on the World Council of Churches’ Commission on Faith and Order. From 2005 to 2009, he co-chaired the International Bi-lateral Dialogue between the Disciples of Christ and Roman Catholic Church.

In 2006, Tabbernee received the Interfaith Un-derstanding Award presented by the Islamic Soci-ety of Tulsa, the Jewish Federation, the Oklahoma Conference for Community and Justice (OCCJ), and Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry (TMM). In Tulsa, he served on the OCCJ and TMM boards. In the early 1990s, he served on the OCC board.

A prolific author, over 40 of his publications relate specifically to ecumenical and interfaith issues.

In accepting the appointment, Tabbernee said, “The Oklahoma Conference of Churches has long been the vehicle by which the voices of the

churches of Oklahoma have been able to be heard on crucially important issues—especially in the areas of faith and social justice.” The organiza-tion receives Oklahoma United Methodist support through the Apportionments.

Tabbernee emphasized the time is now to build on OCC’s current programs, such as the annual Day at the Legislature, and develop a new vision of how the organization can best serve the churches and communities of Oklahoma.

He said, “My aim is to make sure that OCC becomes truly an Oklahoma-wide, not merely Oklahoma City-based, organization taking on challenges such as poverty, immigration, an ag-ing population, and issues associated with health care, the criminal justice system, and rural and urban life.”

Tabbernee also stressed that ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, while important, is not enough.

“Sensitivity to each other’s theologies and practices,” he stated, “must translate into common action and engagement, even with people with whom we differ theologically—including people of different faiths.

“Interfaith dialogue needs to become interfaith engagement and ecumenical discussion needs to result in interchurch action,” he concluded.

Tabbernee may be contacted at the OCC of-fices, 301 N.W. 36th St., Oklahoma City 73118; phone 405-525-2928 or 918-237-7810; e-mail wtabbernee@okchurches.org.

Tabbernee named to leadConference of Churches

Tabbernee

The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact Jan. 7, 2011Page 7A

RETIRED CLERGy (UNDER 65):Single (covered under Active Plan) ............. $ 268 ...........$ 3,216Two Party (both under 65—on Active Plan).....533 ..............6,396Two Party (spouse over 65 and Medicare Primary) .......................................... 402 ..............4,824RETIRED CLERGy (65 AND OvER):Single (Medicare Primary) ........................... $ 154 ...........$ 1,848Two Party (clergy Medicare Primary and spouse on Active Plan) ................................. 334 ..............4,008Family (under 65) ........................................... 405 ..............4,860Two Party (both on Medicare Primary) .......... 304 ..............3,648DIvORCED OR SURvIvING SpOUSES:Single (under 65—on Active Plan) .............. $ 216 ...........$ 2,592Surviving spouse with child (under 65 —all on Active Plan) .................................... 422 ..............5,064Single (over 65—Medicare Primary) ................ 82 .................984RETIRED DIACONAL MINISTERS:Single (Medicare Primary) ........................... $ 221 ...........$ 2,652Two Party (both on Medicare Primary) .......... 442 ..............5,304

Note for active ministers: Since the Group Insurance premiums listed at right are either a salary reduction or a benefit and, therefore, not reported as income on the W-2 form, they should not be reported as a medical deduction on Schedule A for tax purposes by active ministers.

Note for retired ministers and divorced or surviving spouses: The total amount of your Group Insurance premiums, listed below, is reportable for tax purposes as medical expenses, with this exception: If you were eligible and participated in the Flexible Benefit/Cafe Plan, you would not list premium amounts below as medical expenses.

ACTIvE CLERGy:Individual—Special rate ............................$ 223 ..............$ 2,676Individual—Regular rate ..............................279 .................3,348Two Party—Special rate ...............................435 .................5,220Two Party—Regular rate ..............................544 .................6,528Family—Special ...........................................486 .................5,832Family—Regular ...........................................640 .................7,680

If you have questions, call the Conference Benefits office at 405-530-2069.

MONTHLy pREMIUM

2010 clergy tax information

ANNUAL COST

3 updates on campus ministryn Campus ministry groups from eight states will meet

Feb. 18-20 at Cross point Camp, beside Lake Texoma, for a jurisdictional retreat.

Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. of Oklahoma and Bishop Scott Jones of Kansas will be key presenters. The Wesley Founda-tion at the University of Oklahoma has hosting duties. For information, contact that campus ministry in Norman. n On Jan. 29 in Stillwater, United Methodist Game Day

will be hosted by the Wesley Foundations at OU and OSU.Open to all, the activities begin at 10 a.m. at the OSU

Wesley Foundation, 823 W. University. The events include attendance at the OSU-OU women’s basketball game.

Sign up by Jan. 14 at: www.wesleyosu.com (“Student Registration” and “Special Events”). More information: Rebekah Belase, wesleyosu@gmail.com, 405-372-5830.n In Ada, the United Campus Ministry (UCM) at East

Central University touched Jesse’s heart last semester. Her story was shared by Leanne Penny, administrative assistant, via e-mail Dec. 10 to the ministry’s board of directors.

“We have a student named Jesse who comes around UCM in the mornings. She never responded to ‘good morning’ but only informed staff when something was lacking or out of stock in our coffee area,” Penny wrote.

“We only learned her name this semester. We learned she is a Wiccan who reads tarot cards and has a lot of grudges against the church. This semester she came to one Bible study.

“Then this morning she came in for coffee, and gave me a huge hug and thank-you for just being here this semester. This semester we got to be the place that showed her Jesus is loving and his people can be channels of that love.

“Many things on our goal list didn’t happen this semester, but we focus on what came together. Jesse is one of them.”

Grants go to 15 churchesIn the Oklahoma City area, 15 United Methodist churches

recently received grants to provide meals to home-bound elderly residents.

These churches in Oklahoma County received grants: Cha-pel Hill, Choctaw, Christ, Leland Clegg, Crown Heights, Doug-las Boulevard, Grace, Linwood, May Avenue, Putnam City, Ridgecrest, Southern Hills, St. Luke’s, Village, and Wesley.

The Mobile Meals grants in December ranged from $150 to $1,000, based on the number of meals provided by each site church. The Oklahoma City Community Foundation awarded funds to a total of 62 churches.

COSROW stoles availableFor the past two years, the Oklahoma Conference Com-

mission on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW) has presented stoles to newly ordained women at the Annual Conferences.

As a project, COSROW is now making the stoles available to others, after receiving additional requests for the clerical garment. The white satin stole, for Elder or Deacon, is em-broidered with the UM Cross and Flame and the COSROW symbol. It is made at Cookson Hills Mission Center.

To order, contact Denise Rowell at Cookson Hills, drowell1212@hotmail.com. Cost is $25. Specify whether the stole is for Deacon or Elder, and any preferred length.

Tax bill affects clergy calculationsTreasurer Brian Bakeman recently notified all Oklahoma

clergy to adjust their financial records after a major tax bill was approved last month in Washington, D.C.

Among the law’s provisions, a Social Security tax cut now affects the payment of Self-Employment Contributions Act (SECA) taxes for clergy in 2011.

“When you complete your new W-4 for 2011, you will need to correct your estimated taxes to reflect the drop from 12.4 percent to 10.4 percent,” Rev. Bakeman explained in an e-mail to clergy. It was titled “FW: New Tax Bill Will Impact Nearly Every Nonprofit in the U.S.”

For more information, contact the Treasurer’s Office.

BirthJoshua Lloyd Daniel and Ann Taylor Daniel were born

Nov. 5, 2010. Their parents are Ginger and Rev. David Daniel, senior pastor of Ada-First UMC.

Briefly

Photo by Leslie BergerFOR CHRISTMAS FEASTING—Vice presidents Maggie Ball, left, and Liz Hedrick help prepare food gifts for 50 needy families in the metro, following the annual “Light the Campus” holiday events Dec. 1 at Oklahoma City University. More than 1,500 toys were collected that night, too. Additional food was donated to Skyline Urban Ministry and the CJAMM Exodus House. More than 100 families also received Christ-mas gifts through OCU’s Angel Tree program.

Each year, January is recognized as Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation Month throughout our Annual Conference.

The work and resources of the Foundation are emphasized; church-es and individuals are encouraged to learn more about the financial ministry it performs and how it can help them be good stewards of what God provides.

Especially during this designated time, the Foundation seeks to create awareness of the need for proper estate planning.

More than half of all adults in our country do not have a will.

If you die without one, the state will decide how your estate is dis-tributed, and who will care for your minor children or dependents with special needs.

The Foundation confirms that the cost of preparing a will is worth the peace of mind in knowing your desires will be accomplished. With just a few words, you can take care of your family, your friends, and the causes important to you.

Consider including a tithe of your will to benefit your church or favorite

ministry, Foundation officials en-courage. By doing this, you ensure your passion for mission and ministry continue well beyond your lifetime.

A bequest is perhaps the easi-est and most tangible way to have a last-ing impact on the people and organizations that mean the most to you. A bequest also can be an ef-fective way to make a gift and lessen the tax burden on your family or your estate.

The purpose of the Foundation is to ensure and enrich the ministries of future generations through endow-ment funds for our United Methodist churches, institutions and agencies.

This month, contact the Founda-tion, 800-259-6863, www.okumf.org, for information about legacy planning and establishing permanent endowment funds. Your generosity and planning today will make a sig-nificant difference to your church’s future.

Recommended for 2011 by the Council on Finance & Administration:

January—Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation Month

Jan. 16—Human Relations Day

Feb. 13—Circle of Care Sunday

April 3—One Great Hour of Sharing

May 1—Rural Life Sunday/Camps Day

May 15—Native American Ministries Sunday

June 19—Peace with Justice Sunday

Oct. 2—World Communion Sunday

Nov. 27—United Methodist Student Day

(Call to Ministry Sunday—set by your church)

—Oklahoma Conference Journal

The Oklahoma United Methodist Foun-dation:n assists churches to establish and

promote permanent endow-ment fund programs.n presents seminars to

encourage estate planning and charitable giving.n assists individual do-

nors, and their professional advisers, with gifts to their churches or other United Methodist causes.

n has four planned-giving staff specially trained in estate planning, endowment formation, and church finance.n is a resource for donor recognition

programs; gift acceptance policies; financial literacy programs; and seminars on wills/trusts and stewardship, offered to church leaders, Sunday school classes, and other groups. n provides customized brochures,

will-and-trust guides, and bulletin inserts to increase awareness about permanent endowment programs within a church.

Contact the Foundation at 800-529-6863, www.okumf.org.

Did you know?

January is Oklahoma UM Foundation MonthSpecial Sundays