From Pastor Kayla’s Desk 3/10
SEE YOU ON SATURDAY! March 11, 9:30am-12:30pm “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.
Transitions & New Beginnings: The years 2015-present
As we entered 2015, we said goodbye to our 4th settled pastor and moved from meeting at Mayflower Congregational Church to Church of the Open Arms. We continued with our traditions while we also looking to expand our outreach in new and exciting ways. We are constantly planning for our future and putting the pieces in place for a firm foundation.
| February 2015 Raised $1114 for The Winds House during our Chocolate Deca-Dance fundraiser |
| July 2015 Farewell service for Rev. Matt Perkins |
| August 30, 2015 Last Service at Mayflower Congregational |
| September 6, 2015 First Service at Church of the Open Arms |
| Fall 2015 Lighting Project installed |
| November 2015 Garage Sale Fundraiser |
| December 2015 Voted to call Rev. Kayla Bonewell as next pastor |
| January 2016 Honored Mary Arbuckle as our Hero of Hope |
| February 2016 Raised $800 at Chocolate Deca-Dance for Other Options which provides food and services to individuals and families affected by HIV and AIDS. |
| February 2016 Listed with “43 Against Hate” in newspaper in support of Muslim Day the Capitol |
| March 2016 Eric Elnes “Gifts of the Dark Wood” book study & sermon series |
| April 2016 Pastor Kayla is guest speaker at annual MLK Jr. Commemoration |
| April 24, 2016 Rev. Kayla Bonewell installed as 5th settled pastor. |
| May 2016 Walter Wink’s “Jesus & Nonviolence” book study & sermon series |
| May 2016 Joint COH/COA Pastoral Relations Committee began |
| May 27, 2016 Joint COH/COA 6th-12th Youth Group began |
| June & July 2016 Soul Collage & Dream Work classes |
| June 2016 Walked in LGBT Pride Parade with “LOVE” balloons |
| July 2016 Youth attend National Youth Event in Orlando, Florida. |
| July 2016 Remembered the victims of Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub during worship |
| August 2016 Donated 14,994 items to Wilson Elementary for school supply drive. |
| August 2016 Rob Bell’s, “Love Wins” 4-week Sermon Series & book study |
| September 2016 Volunteered at the Regional Food Bank |
| September 2016 Co-sponsored at #WaterIsLife Press Conference & Rally in sanctuary |
| October 2016 Pastor Kayla is guest preacher at Kansas-Oklahoma Annual Conference |
| November 2016 Joint COH/COA stewardship team & dinner |
| November 2016 Pastor Kayla honored as Gazette’s “Forty under 40” OKC leaders |
| December 2016 Participated in World AIDS Day service at Expressions |
| January 2017 Walter Wink’s “The Powers That Be” book study @ Ingrids |
| January 2017 Volunteered at the Regional Food Bank |
| February 2017 Honored Paula Sophia Schonauer as our 8th Hero of Hope |
| February 2017 Raised $ $1,458 at Chocolate Deca-Dance for The Winds House which provides transitional housing for individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS |
| February 2017 Participated in Evolution Weekend by hosting an evolution-themed worship |
| March 2017 Joined with 43 total houses of worship in Oklahoma for #Peace4OK advertisement in Daily Oklahoman preceding 3rd Annual Muslim Day at the Capitol |