From Pastor Kayla’s Desk 2/24
Save the Date: Saturday March 11, 9:30am-12:30pm for our “All-Church Visioning Retreat.” A light breakfast will be served at 9:30am, and then we will gather to reflect on the current strengths of our church, where we can focus our energies, and what our dreams and passions are for the future.
Over the next few week’s we’ll be taking a walk down memory lane as we review and remember our history as we look forward to discerning the future vision God has for us.
God is still speaking! The next five years 2005-2009
Empowered by the biblical image of God’s reign of peace and justice, we proclaimed “It’s okay to be a Christian.” We expanded our ministries to reach more people with God’s message of inclusive love. We advocated in the public sphere. We pursued affiliation with the United Church of Christ, known for its historic stances for justice and inclusion, and its emphasis that God is still speaking! 2007 began with independence from our founding church. Subsequent months were spent developing the structures of an independent congregation, before launching a series of new ministries with the theme of reaching new audiences. No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
January 2005 – Scarf Sewing Bee for Wilson School kids becomes an annual event
May 15, 2005 – Rev. Dr. Scott Jones installed as 3rd settled pastor
September 14, 2005 – We were a Community Partner for the Holocaust Remembrance Exhibition
September 2005 – Circle of Hope formed in Norman, OK
October 30, 2005 – Voted to affiliate with the United Church of Christ
April – May 2006 – Weekly ministry to Oklahoma Baptist University students
April 30, 2006 – Transgender education network formed
July 30, 2006 – Rev. Bruce Lowe honored as first recipient of the Hero of Hope Award
November, 2006 – Lobbying of OKC Public Schools on behalf of LGBT students
January 3, 2007 – CoH-OKC incorporated, now independent from founding church
March 11, 2007 – Council on Ministry adopts new ministry structures for the church
May 19, 2007 – CoH welcomed into Oklahoma Association of the United Church of Christ
June 17, 2007 – Hosts lecture on the LGBT history of Oklahoma, which later airs on KGOU radio broadcast reaching thousands around the state
October 11, 2007 – Community partner in Stop Hate in the Hallways Conference, which was focused on bullying prevention
November 4, 2007 – Health and Wellness Ministry begins with free flu shots offered to the wider community
January 20, 2008 – Community Care Ministries launched
March 2008 – CoH joins community in responding to anti-gay speech by Rep. Sally Kern
August 21, 2008 – Received grant from Oklahoma City Community Foundation to fund our Health & Wellness Ministries
October 28, 2008 – Joins nationwide UCC action to support marriage equality by holding a calling party to lobby California voters to vote “no” on Proposition 8
December 2008 – Raised $701 during our Christmas Winds House Fundraiser
January 11, 2009 – “Formations” class begins lectionary bible study and prayer time; we also begin using our website as a tool for spiritual formation
February 11, 200 – Pastor Scott Jones is Chaplain for the Day at Oklahoma State House of Representatives
June 8, 2009 – “Hope in the City” Monday night discussion group begins
Spring 2009 – Begin recording our worship and posting it on our website and YouTube
Fall 2009 – Began more aggressively using Facebook and Twitter as tools for evangelism
August 18, 2009 – Hosted Bishop Ulrich Fischer, leader of the Union of Evangelical Churches in Germany, as part of an ecumenical exchange
Fall 2009 – Church becomes more regularly involved in local interfaith community, including members attending a Ramadan iftar at one of the local mosques
November 15, 2009 – Congregational Meeting launches task forces to discern God’s call for our church
December 2009 – Raised $868 during our Christmas Winds House Fundraiser