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A MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER OF THE OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE OF CHURCHES
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The latest news and information from OCC
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We are thrilled to have you as a part of our network and we look forward to sharing the latest OCC news with you each month. We are always looking for ways to involve as many people as possible in our work. Interested in getting involved? Email
The Rev. Shannon Fleck today to get plugged in to our wonderful efforts statewide!
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Your gift is tax deductible. OCC is a 501(c)(3) organization.
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Registration is open for the Annual Interfaith Youth Tour!
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OCC to offer a new annual award!
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The Oklahoma Conference of Churches is introducing a new award to be given at our Annual Dinner on November 8, 2018. The award is the
"Leader of Tomorrow Award"
and will be given to a high school student that shows a commitment in living a life of faith, shows care of neighbor, and a passion for the work of justice. The award is open for students in grades 10-12 during the 2018-2019 school year and is open to any faith tradition! Nomination forms are due by August 15th and can be found at the link below.
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Our popular program is returning to the Central Oklahoma Area on Thursday, August 30, 2018 at First Christian Church, Norman, OK. This has been one of our most requested programs and is expected to be full. Please make plans to attend this event, which is free and open to the public.
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OK Speaker of the House to meet with OCC Communion Leaders
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In September, the Oklahoma Speaker of the House, Rep. Charles McCall, will be meeting with our Communion Leaders. This will give your statewide denominational leader an opportunity to meet the speaker and have some face to face time with him, as well as provide an opportunity for effective advocacy going into the next legislative session. What are some important things to local communities of faith that would be good to communicate to him? Email
sfleck@okchurches
with any questions or concerns. We are very much looking forward to this meeting.
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Early Bird pricing available NOW for our 2018 Annual Dinner!
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Justice and Advocacy: Get Engaged!
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Primary runoff elections are coming this month on Tuesday, August 28, so please make sure you mark the date on your calendar to participate in this very important election! Now, more than ever, voter turnout is important for the future of our state. You've heard it said ad nauseam that "every vote counts", but it sincerely does. Please vote!
Did you know that we are entering the all important Interim period at the State Legislature? This is a wonderful opportunity to get a preview of potential legislation coming our way in the Spring, and a great opportunity to reach out to your representatives! Please email
sfleck@okchurches.org
with your name and email address to be added!
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Consider contributing to our Social Justice Ministry today! Every little bit helps us make a difference in Oklahoma!
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OCC Emotional and Spiritual Care
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Project Resilient Spirit
In response to 2017 and 2018 historic northwestern Oklahoma wildfires, the Oklahoma Conference of Churches and SRT, Inc. are partnering to provide local community leaders new skills to assist the emotional and spiritual recovery of their disaster-affected communities. Through a specialized menu of trainings, OCC and SRT, Inc. seek to strengthen the emotional and spiritual resilience of those affected by enhancing the existing local social support infrastructure such as clergy, schools, health & behavioral health entities and others.
A series of trainings for those involved in community social support and resiliency networks is being offered across wild-fire affected counties in Northwestern Oklahoma:
No-cost trainings include:
Psychological First Aid
Disaster Spiritual Care
Skills for Psychological Resilience
Suicide prevention and intervention
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Click
here
to receive email notification of future disaster spiritual and emotional care trainings.
Click
here
for a more detailed description of OCC’s three credentialing categories, training, qualifications, and accountability requirements.
Click
here
f
or an update on OCC’s disaster spiritual care program.
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Theologian Matthew Fox is coming to OKC
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The Jewish Federation of OKC and The Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma offer "The Changing Face of Hatred" program.
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The Changing Face of Hatred
with Cheryl R. Drazin, Regional Director
Anti-Defamation League
Thursday, August 2nd, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Emanuel Synagogue
900 N.W. 47th Street, OKC
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The Jewish Federation and Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma are pleased to co-sponsor this important program for our entire community.
Public displays of hate have been on the rise in recent years. People are often targeted because of who they are, their immutable characteristics (race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability and/or age). Join us as we learn more about recent hate incidents in our world as well as ways to stand up and speak out for others who are being targeted.
We will have separate activities for children running concurrently while the adults are in their session (children age 16 and older are invited to attend the adult session).
This program is free to attend, but preregistration is required. We must have the names of all adults and names and ages of all children who will be attending (we need the children's ages in advance to help us coordinate age appropriate activities).
Please register via this
Eventbrite link
(or you may call Laura Sikes at the Jewish Federation for registration assistance 405-848-3132 ext. 102). Please confirm registration no later than July 26th.
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Come to Breakfast at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma!
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I would like to invite you to join us for breakfast on
August 9
th
at 8:30 am at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
. This will be a time to learn more about hunger in Oklahoma and to interact with other religious leaders that partner with us to provide food and hope to our neighbors facing hunger each day. I hope you will save that date on your calendar.
Did you know the Regional Food Bank provides enough food every week to feed 136,000 people in central and western Oklahoma? We do this through a network of over 1,300 community-based partner agencies, 60% of which are faith-based organizations.
Today, your community of faith has the opportunity to ensure that hungry Oklahomans have the nutritious food they need to thrive. You can get your organization involved in fighting hunger in Oklahoma through a variety of activities. We offer programs for kids of all ages, have numerous volunteer opportunities and can provide a speaker if requested.
September is Hunger Action Month, and we are looking to work with organizations, like yours, who are willing to share our mission of “Fighting Hunger… Feeding Hope” with our community. Hunger Action Month is a time for food banks across the nation to come together to not only share the great work being done, but also raise awareness of how far there is still to go to provide food for our neighbors. I really hope that you can join us for the breakfast on August 9th to kick off Hunger Action Month and to learn more about partnering with the Regional Food Bank in the fight against hunger.
Please
RSVP here
if you are interested in attending the Kick-Off Breakfast in August. If you have any questions, please contact Natalie Wood at 405-600-3174 or by email at
nwood@regionalfoodbank.org
.
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The Oklahoma Conference of Churches now has a presence on Twitter and Instagram! Please follow us for the most up to date ways to stay in touch!
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Did you know that the first Interfaith Youth Tour in OKC ten years ago had approximately 30 people attend? Last year, that number reached near 400 participants! We are thrilled to be changing the world one young person at a time! This ministry matters and we cannot do this without your help! Consider giving to OCC today!
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Oklahoma Conference of Churches
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301 N.W. 36th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
(405) 525-2928
The Rev. Shannon Fleck
Executive Director
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The Oklahoma Conference of Churches connects, motivates, and empowers the witness of communities of faith and individuals throughout Oklahoma on issues of faith, care, and social justice.
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