Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Kristen Brown
will serve
in Jerusalem
By Holly McCray
Since 1996, clergywoman Kristen Brown of
Oklahoma has been to Jerusalem seven times. When
she returns again this year, she will be going to her
new home.
Rev. Brown is a new missionary, assigned to
Jerusalem through the General Board of Global
Blaze of glory Ministries. Her UM Advance support number is:
3021280.
On Jan. 29, ministry by Randlett United Methodist Church truly “I’ve been very affirmed every time I’ve gone”
was refined by fire. A controlled burn of the parsonage, no longer to the Holy Land, Brown said. “It’s home on some
habitable, provided a rare training experience for rural firefighters and, level; I’m not just a Christian wanting to go there.
for the church, saved the expense to tear down the unsafe structure. It’s very, very much deeper than that.
Randlett and Devol Volunteer Fire Departments conducted a “Not everybody can go, or has that desire, so
search-and-rescue simulation and observed how a fire moves out I can represent the Oklahoma Conference and our
from its point of origination in a room. As smoke and flames rose greater Church while I am there.”
heavenward from the former home, a century old, the teams imple- In Jerusalem, she will have many opportunities
mented precautionary measures for nearby buildings. to minister using her translation skills. Sabeel, an
“We not only had a prayer inside the parsonage before the big ecumenical theology center, is her mission assign-
burn,” said David Gardner, pastor at the church in southwestern Oklahoma. “We had a prayer at Sunday service to celebrate the ment.
servants who lived there, the love shared, and the ministry that continues to uphold the church universal.” Some of the ashes At Oklahoma City University, Brown majored
were carefully buried at the site. in French and minored in Chinese and German.
Read more about the fire and the parsonage’s history at www.okumc.org. Search for “Randlett parsonage.” Continued on 5A
www.okumf.org www.NothingButNets.net
The United Methodist Reporter (USPS 954-500) is published weekly by UMR Communications, 1221 Profit Drive, Dallas, TX 75247. Periodicals Postage Paid at Dallas.
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Page 2A The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact March 4, 2011
29-June 1 in Oklahoma City. Election rules in full connection, associate members, and pleted all their educational requirements as delegates.
n Clergy under suspension from pastoral
for lay delegates do not change. those provisional members and local pastors including History, Doctrine, and Polity
4. local Pastors, active or retired, who duties may vote but may not be elected as
All voting will be on Monday, May 30. who have completed all of their educational delegates.
This year, Oklahomans will choose requirements and have served a minimum have completed Course of Study or an
M.Div. degree and have served a minimum Who may NoT vote for clergy delegates
representatives to the 2012 General and Ju- of two consecutive years under appointment to General/Jurisdictional Conference?
risdictional Conferences of our Church. The immediately preceding election.” of two consecutive years under appoint- Laity.
delegation will be equally divided between Here is how the change will apply in the ment immediately preceding election Clergy on honorable location.
clergy and laity, elected by their peers. Oklahoma Conference. Clergy on administrative location.
n The Course of Study or M.Div. Local Pastors who do not meet the requirements listed
In 2008, the Constitution in the United degree, including History, Doc- above in No. 4.
Methodist Book of Discipline was revised to Who may vote for the clergy delegates to trine, and Polity, shall have been Who may be elected as a clergy delegate?
expand clergy voting rights to some Local General/Jurisdictional Conference? completed prior to the 2011 annual Elders and Deacons in full connection, active or retired.
Pastors. Under the previous Discipline (the 1. Elders and Deacons in full connection, conference session. Who may NoT be elected as a clergy delegate?
denominational law book), Local Pastors were active or retired n appointment (full or part- Provisional Members, Associate Members, Local Pas-
not allowed to vote on clergy representatives (Note: Persons who are to be received time) for both the 2009-10 and the tors, Elders and Deacons in full connection on Involun-
to these top legislative meetings. into full membership and ordained Elder or 2010-11 annual conference years tary Leave of Absence (paragraph 255.7), Suspended,
The United Methodist Council of Bishops Deacon in full connection at the session of the Honorable Location or Administrative Location.
n Each district superintendent
certified the change in spring 2010. The Judi- annual conference may vote or be elected to has determined the voting eligibility (This is Part One of a series on the voting
cial Council issued its clarification on Feb. 14. the General Conference delegation after they of local Pastors. process at Annual Conference in late May.)
A
By BiSHoP roBErT HayES Jr. for your life. Remember that Jesus said, “If SAVE $25 on a $100 purchase (promo code LN11)
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the sun. The potential of fields and gardens grow in God. A DEDICATION SERVICE
would be planted in vain without the yearly From darkness to light will be held at the
adjustment of the earth in the heavens. Few people are familiar with the inner Oklahoma City Cokesbury Store
Likewise, our human personalities are darkness and personal struggles of George location only on
planted with hidden possibilities. And when Frederick Handel, who composed “Mes- Monday, March 14, at 9:00 a.m.
we come into the right adjustment with 7005 North May Avenue
siah,” one of the most famous classical
the Source of light and life— Oklahoma City, OK 73116
music works. Its “Hallelujah
God—those fertile possibilities Phone: 405.858.5195
Chorus” segment is often
grow into reality. Toll free: 866.647.1634
performed at Christmas.
It is not by accident that The year was 1741. Handel
the Christian season of Lent KingsPointe Village Shopping Center
walked the back streets of Lon-
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don, thinking of past triumphs,
rived from the Old English Tulsa, OK 74135
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word lencten, Lent literally Phone: 918.663.9885
Misfortune, ill health, and
means spring. Thus Lent can Toll free: 877.281.5809
bankruptcy dogged him at age
be described as springtime for 60. His audiences had dwin-
our souls, to readjust our lives dled. A cerebral hemorrhage
with God. had partially paralyzed him.
With God’s help, use these Bishop Hayes As he looked deeply within
40 days (March 9—April 24) himself, he acknowledged the
to look deep within yourself and into the darkness that had overtaken his soul.
depths of God. Then the miraculous happened! Returning
The model of Jesus to his apartment, he found a package from
I know that, for some people, Lent is Charles Jennens, asking Handel to write a sa-
simply abstaining from dessert or lengthen- cred oratorio. The dramatic lyrics, filled with
ing a 15-second prayer to 30 seconds—brief verses from Isaiah about the promised mes-
moments of discipline. As we enter this high
holy season, let us observe Lent like our
siah, challenged Handel’s discouraged heart.
With lightning speed and divine inspira-
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Lord did!
The Master in the wilderness refused
tion he wrote music for: “He was despised
and rejected of men… Comfort ye, comfort Fundraising Banquets
the most basic necessity of physical life— ye my people, saith your God.” For endless
bread. Why? Because he was keen about the hours Handel wrote, often jumping from his
quest—the adventure of God. chair to play a passage on his harpsichord.
Let us follow his example this season.
We may find ourselves giving up that which
“Hallelujah!” he would shout, as tears rolled
down his cheeks. When “Messiah” was
March 31: Tulsa
weighs heaviest upon us, letting go of that
which truly holds us back. When we aban-
complete, an exhausted Handel fell on his
bed and slept for 17 hours. Asbury UMC
don the artificiality we so often invest in Handel rediscovered meaning and pur-
Lent, our own quest for God springs into
action.
pose for his life in his darkest hour, and
his words have brought light and hope to
April 7: OKC
For me, Lent is a season of spiritual
adventure! Here is what I propose in this
millions.
A miracle awaits you at the end of these Church of the Servant
season for your own great adventure into 40 days. Embrace this Lenten adventure of
the depths of God’s being
n One of the most vital things you can
moving from the darkness of sin into God’s
marvelous light—and thus to the miracle of Featuring:
do is to examine yourself daily. Reflect on rediscovering God’s love for you. This sacred
who you are, what you are, and what direc-
tion you are going. Develop the desire to
season celebrates the victory of spirit over
matter, life over death, of God’s creative and
Bishop Robert Hayes
expose your inner self to honest scrutiny in renewing love over the worst that human hate
the cleansing light of God’s presence. Rec-
ognize those faults and feelings that keep
and blindness can do.
You will grow to realize that Lent doesn’t
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frustration that prevent you from abundant
It begins when Christ enters your heart—and
continues every day.
Contact: 405.530.2078
Page 4A The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact March 4, 2011
This continues a series focusing on the Oklahoma Conference Strategic Plan.
‘I was in prison,
and you visited
T he Oklahoma Conference Strategic Plan provides the framework to
envision, implement, and assess all ministries and missions for every
church. The Plan targets 3 key areas.
This story focuses on: “Be more fruitful in our ministry partnerships in
spaces the local church alone cannot.”
The Book of Romans proclaims all parts of Christ’s body are connected
together in ministry and mission that strengthen and support. This story
spotlights our United Methodist connection in prison ministries.
“W
50-year celebration of clergywomen in the Church.
hen I was in prison, “Some of my gifts and graces lie in language,”
you visited me.” That Brown agreed.
Scripture echoed throughout inter- She graduated from Duke seminary and, in 1996,
views with several inmates that day began serving as a pastor and campus minister in
Oklahoma.
at Lexington. They told stories of
But she has a lifetime of experience traveling
Christian volunteers who inspired Photos by Amelia Ballew and living beyond the state’s borders. She’s been a
them to seek God. They stressed the security mea- to one inmate’s transformation. leader and member of Volunteers In Mission teams.
sures for visitors. They invited more Christians to n “If you feel it is your calling, please come.” She spent a month in personal discernment in the
visit. “We can change,” the inmates at Lexington Holy Land in 2007, and she has traveled to Europe
and Taiwan.
n “Lifeline.” That’s how one man described such wanted free Christians to know.
Her parents, Dudley and Sara Brown of Tahle-
volunteers. The prison system had provided him “When we come to know the Lord Jesus Christ, quah, met as students at the American University of
the help he needed to overcome drug addiction, we’re not the same people we were before.” Beirut in Lebanon. Brown and her sister were born in
and Christian visitors had helped him recover his “There are a lot of men and women behind these New York City; her brother, in Zambia. The family
walls that have changed.” lived in Libya, too.
faith. He faced two more years of incarceration. She is undeterred by the power struggles that
n “Awesome.” Serving a life term, one man said,
C
roil the Middle East. “I wouldn’t get out of bed in
“I was not a nice person when I came in. Today I JAMM is a multi-faceted program powered the morning if I was afraid of life. We’re in God’s
am a child of the King. (Volunteers) come in, give by United Methodist connectionalism. hands. If we could learn to look at a person through
us God’s word, and teach us things. They treat us Among its work outside prisons, CJAMM also the eyes of Christ, see the beautiful creation God has
offers summer camps for children of incarcerated made, then we’d do things differently,” Brown said.
like a human being.” The population is reportedly 3 percent Christian,
parents, advocates for justice at the Capitol, assists
n “Appreciation,” said another man about Chris- Brown said, in the land where Jesus walked. Yet
people re-entering community life, and operates a man once declared to her, “My people were the
tian volunteers. “They know my name.”
Redemption Churches and Exodus Houses. shepherds who went to see Jesus.”
n “A volunteer came in and sat and read his Bible
Brown said, “I would hate to see a day where we
whether anyone else did or not.” His example led (www.cjamm.org) have zero Christians in this area.”
From Jerusalem, her blog will feature her
journey and ministry—womanatthewell2008@
blogspot.com.
Presentations in Oklahoma
Missionary Kristen Brown of Tahlequah
is speaking to groups about her new minis-
try, prior to departing for service in the Holy
Land. Below is her tentative schedule. Most
programs are in mornings and afternoons,
and all are welcome. For more information,
contact Karen Distefano, Oklahoma Confer-
ence Secretary of Global Ministries, kririe@
aol.com, 918-336-0351.
March 6—Thackerville and Ardmore-First
March 13—Alfalfa and Weatherford-First
March 20—Tulsa-St. Paul’s
March 27—Bartlesville-East Cross
March 30—Moore-First
April 2—Ponca City-Albright
April 3—Lucien, Covington, Enid-Christ
May 1—OKC-St. Andrew’s
Page 6A The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact March 4, 2011
Appointments
Margery Van Oostrum to retirement from Altus-
First UMC (Clinton District), effective Jan. 1.
In memoriam
Harwood rowe God called him into ministry in 1979. In the ing nursery school and market research. Rev.
Perla Martinez-Goody to retirement from Pauls
Rev. Harwood Slate “Dick” Rowe, 83, of 1980s, he pastored at Okmulgee-Butler and Inola Whytlaw retired in Oklahoma in 1978, and the
Valley San Mateo Fellowship (Ardmore District),
Sulphur died Feb. 2, 2011. churches before officially retiring in 1988. couple moved to Northfield.
effective Jan. 1.
Service was Feb. 10 at Sulphur UMC. Survivors include his wife of 62 years; three She was active in community activities
James Hewett to Shawnee-Wesley UMC (South
He was born Aug. 26, 1927, in Elk City. He children, Kenneth Radcliff of Gore, Nancy Major throughout her life. In 1989, she was the first recipi-
OKC) from retirement, effective Jan. 1.
married Stella Mae LaFever on March 1, 1953, of Douglas, and Ralph Radcliff Jr. of Harrah; five ent of the Mary Wood Community Service Award.
Ron Luka to no appointment from Waynoka/
in Roosevelt. grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Survivors include daughters Merrell Thornton
Cheyenne Valley (Woodward), effective Jan. 31.
Rev. Rowe officially retired in 1990, after a of Northfield and Elizabeth Betebenner of Joplin,
Woody Hamon to Waynoka/Cheyenne Valley,
long ministry career. His first appointment was robert Hill Mo.; son Jim Whytlaw of Springfield, Mo.; five
effective Feb. 1.
at Lone Wolf. He also served at Hammon, Felt, Rev. Robert Harvey Hill, 86, of Cookson grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Opportunities Quinlan, Rosston/Gate/Knowles, Tulsa-Ball
Memorial, Lenapah/South Coffeyville, Rush
died Feb. 19, 2011. Memorial service was Feb.
25 at Gore UMC. Betty Saviers
Music Director: Rusty Williams, Muskogee- Springs, Snyder/Mountain Park, Blair/Martha, Robert was born Nov. 18, 1924, in Tulsa. A Betty Lee Saviers, 78, of Eufaula died Feb.
First UMC, 600 E. Okmulgee, Muskogee, OK Velma, Wilson/Lone Grove, Sulphur-First, Or- U.S. Marine, he was wounded in action during 12, 2011. She was the wife of Rev. Charles
74403, pastorrusty@fumcmuskogee.org, 918- lando/Mulhall, Wakita/Manchester, Hinton, Tex- World War II. He married Pauline Ogle on June Saviers, who is serving Alderson UMC and the
682-3368. homa, Waynoka, Tipton, Glencoe, and Haworth. 14, 1946. His first career was in music education. Eufaula Lake Ministry.
Coordinator for Elementary Children’s Min- He donated his time making gates for church He then studied at Perkins School of Theol- Service was Feb. 16 at McAlester-First UMC.
istry: OKC-Church of the Servant, Randy Shrauner, camps and crosses for Velma, Mulhall, Sulphur, ogy. His ministry in Oklahoma began in 1955, and Betty was born March 24, 1932, in Oklahoma
rshrauner@churchoftheservant.com. and other communities. He also built a parson- he served Warner/Porum, Muskogee-Lakeland City. At Stillwater High School, she was the first
Director of Student Ministries: Full-time. age at Felt. Heights, Vian/Gore, and Duncan-St. Paul’s. He female to letter in two sports. On July 3, 1980,
Pleasant Valley UMC, Wichita, Kan., Nathan Survivors include daughter Beatrice Webb then ministered in Bolivia and Saudi Arabia. He she married Rev. Saviers, who was pastor at
Stanton, 1600 W. 27th St. N., Wichita, Kan. 67204, of Velma; sons Harwood Rowe Jr. of Montgom- officially retired in 1992. Eufaula at the time.
nathans@pvumc.com. ery, Ala., George Rowe of Guthrie, and Charles Survivors include his wife of almost 65 years; She was an active church member.
Director of Discipleship/Pastoral assistant: Rowe of Sulphur; eight grandchildren and 16 children Kathye Osborne of Lubbock, Texas, Survivors include her husband; five children,
Part-time. OKC-New Hope, JD Ward, pastor@ great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his Martha Carter of Branson, Mo., and R. David Hill Allen Saviers of Sapulpa, Elizabeth Ellis of
newhopeokc.org, 405-721-5015. wife, in 2008. of Southwest City, Mo.; seven grandchildren and Denison, Texas, Dale Saviers of Seattle, Darr
Choir Director: Part-time. Norman-Goodrich, four great-grandchildren. Oney and Trish McCall, both of Dallas; and a
jimshepherd1@cox.net. ralph radcliff grandchild. She was predeceased by her first
administrative assistant/Communications Rev. Ralph Dale Radcliff, 84, of Enid died Peg Whytlaw husband, Leon Oney, in 1976.
Coordinator: Part-time. Staff Parish Relations Feb. 11, 2011. Margaret “Peg” Whytlaw, 97, of Northfield,
Committee, OKC-First, 405-239-6493, sprc@ Graveside service was Feb. 17 at Memorial Minn., died Jan, 27, 2011. She was the widow of • Shawn Bell, 21, of Edmond died Feb. 18.
firstchurchokc.com. Park Cemetery in Tulsa. Rev. Edward Louis Whytlaw, who died in 1987. His foster parents were David Nichols and Rev.
Hammon organ: Free for pick-up. Elaine Ralph was born May 11, 1926, in Winfield, Service was Jan. 31 at Northfield UMC. Tish Malloy, senior pastor at Moore-First.
Bates, OKC, 405-773-0478. Kan. He served in the Navy during World War II Peg was born Nov. 12, 1913, on Staten Island, • John Gober Sr. of Del City died Feb. 8,
Wurlitzer Digital Concert D170 Series or- and worked in the grocery business. He married N.Y. The Whytlaws married on Oct. 8, 1938, in 2011. He was the father of Rev. John Gober Jr.,
gan: Free for pick-up. Mary, Harrah, 405-391-6367. Evelyn Alhke on Jan. 23, 1949. New York City. Her work career included teach- chaplain at Good Shepherd Hospice in Del City.
1000
Will You Join the Growing Ranks of the
The oklahoma United Methodist Foundation inc., 4201 Classen Blvd., oklahoma City 73118; www.okumf.org; 800-259-6863
Briefly
Frederick to host
OSU Wesley rally
At Frederick UMC on March 26, the
Wesley Foundation at OSU will host the Youth workers
first in a series of campus ministry pep to meet in OKC
rallies. If you are involved with youth
“First Regional Pep Rally” will be ministry (as a volunteer, staff per-
6-8 p.m. at Frederick, in southwest Okla- son, or pastor), you will benefit by
homa. The fun will include a dinner of attending Youth Workers Gathering,
finger foods. on March 25-26 in Oklahoma City
Reservations are due by March 22. at Church of the Servant.
Contact wesleyosu@gmail.com, 405- Keynote speaker is Reginald
372-5830, 405-880-7194. Blount, a Garrett Evangelical Semi-
nary professor of Formation, Youth,
Event to help and Culture. Guest preacher is
Worshippers pull together to break ground Jan. 23 for a building project. smaller churches Bishop Hayes.
Among notable presenters at the Breakout sessions will focus on:
Elk City breaks ground for expansion Small Church Leadership Institute in
March will be former Oklahoma Bishop
• Getting Kids and Parents To Have
Faith Development as a Primary
Worshippers at Elk City UMC recreational activities for all ages, Bruce Blake and Andy Oden, with the Priority
lined up to plow ground Jan. 23 for and district events. A new kitchen Oklahoma United Methodist Founda- • Ministering To Students in a
an addition to the facility. and courtyard are planned. tion. The conference will be held March Large-Church Setting
Symbolic of the capital cam- Construction is expected to take 20-24 at Mount Sequoyah Retreat Center, • Creating Youth Worship Experi-
paign theme, “Together With God 14 months. The Building Commit- Fayetteville, Ark. ences Without a Large Budget
We Can,” they pulled together on tee is led by Terry Pasby. (www.mountsequoyah.org) • Native American Youth
a rope attached to an antique hand Major funding is from an en- • Youth Ministry in the Small-
plow. The long rope stretched from dowment by C. Kelly and a more Membership Church: Working
the front lawn into the sanctuary so recent estate gift by Bill and Caro- A retreat on social justice
March 11-12 with 10 or Less
all could participate. lyn Music. The congregation is Sponsors are youTheology, a
The $4.3 million project will raising an additional $1.35 million. at Canyon Camp
“Social Holiness: On Earth program of Saint Paul School of
include a narthex, with a welcome The groundbreaking service Theology; Discipleship Ministries
center and space for fellowship and was led by Clinton District Super- as It Is in Heaven”
Featuring Tony Campolo of the Oklahoma Conference; and
Chuck Nordean, left, receptions. There will be a Life intendent Chuck Nordean and Elk Church of the Servant.
and Dan Peil stand be- Center for fellowship dinners, New City’s pastoral staff of Dan Peil, www.okumc.org/
church_society (www.youtheology.com/
side an antique plow. Day worship, the annual Bazaar, Carlos Ramirez, and Wendi Neal. youthworkersoc)