On July 7-17, 2026, EKiBa (Evangelische Landeskirche in Baden) will welcome five pastors from the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC) — our long-standing partner church. We have been engaged in close cooperation for over 20 years.
At our joint meeting in Heidelberg, the pastors will share stories from their congregations and offer insights into how their faith and social commitment empower them to respond to current challenges such as growing Christian nationalism and authoritarian tendencies.
If you’ve ever wanted to join us for LGBTQ+ prison ministry, you have to get trained by the Department of Corrections first. Please contact Pastor Kayla if you are interested.
These are the upcoming training dates for 2026:
July 25 Central/OKC
Sept 12 Central/OKC
Nov 7 Central/OKC
On July 26-31st 13 members from Church of the Open Arms and Mosaic Community Church will be traveling to Bentonville, AR for our 4th annual service-learning trip! (Pastor Kayla and Pastor Scott will be attending).
Bentonville, located in Northwest Arkansas, is at the center of one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States, with an average of 33 new residents moving to the area each day in 2023. This rapid expansion is fueled by major corporations headquartered here, including Walmart, Tyson, and J.B. Hunt. However, despite the region’s economic boom, Bentonville is marked by stark contrasts between wealth and poverty, creating a unique landscape where thousands of nonprofits work to bridge these gaps.
On a Be The Neighbor trip to Bentonville, participants will confront these economic disparities head-on. Groups will engage with unhoused neighbors to learn about housing justice while providing support during the hottest months of the year. In partnership with local food banks and farms, groups will explore food justice and its impact on low-income communities. Participants will also collaborate with organizations dedicated to serving those living in poverty, gaining insight into the challenges they face and the resources available to help them thrive. This experience offers a deep dive into economic justice, highlighting the local efforts aimed at creating a more inclusive and equitable future for all residents of Bentonville. ?
Our youth will share their experiences in worship on Sunday, August 2nd when they return.
Our August worship theme will be The Gospel of Loneliness, based on this book by Dwight Lee Wolter.
We will not host an official book-study for this theme, but you’re welcome to check the book out if you are interested.
If you have a story about loneliness that you would like to work on as a story-teller for worship, please let Pastor Kayla know.
