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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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Annual Dinner
November 8, 2018
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Our 2018 Annual Dinner is right around the corner! Please visit our
NEW! website
and get the details about this year's largest fundraiser including our new Award: Leader of Tomorrow. The Leader of Tomorrow Award will go to an outstanding and influential youth (10th-12th grade) making a difference in the community.
This year the Annual Dinner will be hosted at none other than Embassy Suites by Hilton Norman Hotel & Conference Center located at
2501 Conference Dr, Norman, OK 73069
. Yes, your read it right, Norman...but don't worry...the venue is right off I-35 so it won't be too far. We also have a block of rooms ready in case you would like to enjoy the town overnight.
This year our keynote speaker will be none other than the Rev. Lawrence Ware! Lawrence Ware is co-director of the Africana Studies Program and Teaching Assistant Professor and Diversity Coordinator in the Department of Philosophy at Oklahoma State University. He is a contributing writer to Slate Magazine, The New York Times and The Root. He has been a commentator on race and politics for the Huffington Post Live, NPR, and TV One! Please join us as we listen to a message from a dynamic leader!
This year we are also featuring a raffle for the choice to win a vacation in one of these beautiful beach destinations: Barbados, St. Lucia, The Grenadines, Antigua, and Panama! These beach destination packages range from $2,100-$3,600 but raffle tickets will be available for only $125!!! Yes! You have the chance to win a week-long vacation by participating in a raffle! Tickets will become available online beginning September 15, 2018 on our website
www.okchurches.org
. Tickets will continue to be available through Thursday, November 8, 2018 during the Annual Dinner presentation. You do not have to be present to win so please help to support the mission and vision of OCC by participating in our raffle. We will send out another reminder once tickets are made available!
Remember tickets are currently on SALE for $60! Soon the early-bird special will be over and the tickets will be $70 so please get your tickets now. Our
sponsorship levels
are also on the website if you are interested in sponsoring the event. If you have any questions, or would like to learn more about the raffle, sponsorships, or other details about the Annual Dinner, please contact Courtland Powers, Director of Development & Finance at (405) 525-2928 or at
cjpowers@okchurches.org
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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 September 21st and can be found at the link below.
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OK Speaker of the House to meet with OCC Communion Leaders
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On Tuesday, September 11, 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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Theologian Matthew Fox is coming to OKC
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Justice and Advocacy: Get Engaged!
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Next week, OCC executive director, Shannon Fleck, will travel to Washington D.C. to accompany a local teacher to the U.S. Capitol to speak at the Senate hearings for Judicial nominee Brett Kavanaugh. This is just one of the many ways the Oklahoma Conference of Churches serves our community in the work of Social Justice. This time, it is through being able to provide the support of the faith communities of Oklahoma with a public school teacher taking the national stage to advocate for education throughout our country. Through the commitment of our donors, we are allowed to serve our community, always building relationships, so that we can be there to represent the faithful in a multitude of ways. Keep your eyes on social media in the coming week to see the latest on this national journey.
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
okchurches@okchurches.org
with your name and email address to be added to
our Advocacy Alert list!
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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 begins faith leader trainings
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.
There’s still time to sign up for Woodward, Laverne, and Vici, Oklahoma “Psychological First Aid: Faith Leaders Edition” trainings:
Woodward, Oklahoma
September 6, 2018
(Thursday)
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
First Christian Church
1316 9th St.
Woodward, Oklahoma
Registration Deadline: Noon, Wednesday, September 5
Laverne, Oklahoma
September 18, 2018
(Tuesday)
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
First United Methodist
302 Jane Jayroe Blvd.
Laverne, Oklahoma
Registration Deadline: Noon, Monday, September 17
Vici, Oklahoma
October 3, 2018
(Wednesday)
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
First United Methodist Church
302 Main St.
Vici, OK
Registration Deadline: Noon, Monday, October 1
PFA is an evidence-informed modular approach designed to reduce the initial distress caused by traumatic events and to foster short- and long-term functioning and coping. This course offers general knowledge and skills development and is recommended for persons in various helping professions. “PFA for Faith Leaders” is designed and customized for faith community leaders (clergy and non-clergy.)
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. Additional trainings will be announced in the coming weeks and months.
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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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When responding to the needs of persons in rural Oklahoma who have been affected by disasters, we know that both clergy and large animal veterinarians are on the front lines as they deal with persons who have experienced disasters. Project Resilient Spirit is working with both helping professions to provide Psychological First Aid and suicide prevention training. We began to map out a response plan at a recent meeting
in Oklahoma City.
Pictured are (L-R):
Rev. Pam Holt,
Regional Minister for the Oklahoma Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and convener of the Council of Communion Leaders;
Dr. Rod Hall,
DVM, State Veterinarian, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry;
Dr. Alicia Gorczyca-Southerland
, Emergency Management Director, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry;
Amanda Meeks
, Executive Director, Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association;
Dr. John Call
, SRT, Inc.; and
Rev. Mary Hughes Gaudreau
, Oklahoma Conference of Churches
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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 Emotional and Spiritual Care program has trained over 150 disaster spiritual care providers throughout the state of Oklahoma? These faith leaders are trained and ready to deploy in all areas of the state in the event of a natural or man-made disaster, so that residents of our state have access to compassionate, comprehensive, and accepting spiritual care after a traumatic event.
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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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