Faith Leader Call to Action
on COVID-19
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OCC, in conjunction with the Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma, Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry, and the Greater OKC COVID-19 Task Force, hosted a digital press conference, which you can catch here: |
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Faith Leader Statement on COVID-19 Response: |
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Some version of “The Golden Rule” exists in every religious tradition, demonstrating the importance of caring for our neighbor as an act of faithfulness. We can and should be guided by common concern to protect life, particularly during a pandemic when our behavior has a direct and immediate impact on the lives of those around us. In our current context, “Love Your Neighbor” means “wear a mask.”
We are particularly mindful of this faithful duty in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 150,000 Oklahomans have contracted the virus since the crisis began and more than 1,500 have died. The state is averaging more than 2,000 new positive cases a day, with daily cases spiking in the last weeks. The entirety of Oklahoma is in the Orange Alert Level according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health (1). According to the White House Coronavirus Task Force, “Oklahoma is in the red zone for cases, indicating 101 or more new cases per 100,000 population, with the 22nd highest rate in the country. Oklahoma is in the red zone for test positivity, indicating a rate at or above 10.1%, with the 11th highest rate in the country” (2). These are staggering numbers that signify “a severe and uncontrolled level of COVID-19, meaning outbreaks are present and worsening and testing and contact tracing capacity is strained or exceeded,” according to the Tulsa Health Department (3). We are all hopeful about a vaccine to fight this deadly virus, but we recognize that full implementation of this vaccine will take many more months.
While the COVID-19 pandemic is a public health crisis, it is also a crisis for people of faith. How should our churches and houses of worship respond to the loss of life and sickness of so many of our neighbors? Should people of faith take action to protect life? What is the faithful response to this crisis when the political response is inadequate?
We call on people of faith across the state of Oklahoma to covenant together to protect and care for our communities, medical professionals, and the vulnerable by:
1) Worshipping online only and calling on houses of worship to return to or provide for the first-time online worship.
2) Limiting social interactions to essential activities only and avoiding gatherings of any size.
3) Advocating for local and statewide mask and stay-at-home measures to stem the dramatically increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in Oklahoma.
Read the full statement and faith leaders' supporting signatures here.
Read Rev. Fleck's personal statement to Governor Stitt here.
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Check out media coverage of faith leaders' call to action: |
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Announcing the launch of No Hate in the Heartland, a new campaign addressing discrimination through a moral lens.
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Following the release of the new OCC Theological Statement on
Race and Anti-Discrimination, we're embarking on an ongoing initiative called "No Hate in the Heartland." We'll continue to add new content throughout the year and beyond.
The statement begins:
We believe in the equality and equity of all God’s children, without exception, and that no person should experience discrimination regardless of their sex, religion, race, immigration status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, age, gender identity/gender expression, ability, or socio-economic status. We will advocate for the rights of every person to live as they are, to the point that it does not affect another’s rights to live as they are. We affirm that all people are beloved by God, and should be treated as such, in cohesion with the commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves
OCC seeks to empower faith communities and people of faith to live out this statement with the "No Hate" campaign. We will offer digital content surrounding the work to prevent hate in Oklahoma, and to help Oklahomans engage with one another as people of faith based in morality for the absolute love of neighbor.
We're so excited to continue this important work with all of you!
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Everyone who registers for the Spiritual Toolkit is automatically entered to win one of these amazing baskets!
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To continue our mission, OCC relies greatly on the generosity of organizational and individual donors. In lieu of our traditional Annual Dinner fundraiser, this year we've gathered spiritual resources and videos to create the OCC Spiritual Toolkit. We have interfaith offerings, reflections from faith leaders, meditative rituals, content for children and teens, musical performances, and MORE! This toolkit is something you can revisit to help bring light into a dark season.
While we are unable to gather in person, we hope that you will continue your support as we adapt and expand our vision. The typical cost for a ticket to our Annual Dinner fundraiser was $75 per person. This year, you can access the Spiritual Toolkit AND provide valuable and much-needed support for $50 per person. You can register to receive the Toolkit here. Registrants are entered into a drawing for a variety of prizes generously donated by our partners, including the two baskets.
We don’t need to tell you that 2020 has been an unprecedented year. It's become clear that our work and mission are increasingly important in an ever-changing and divisive landscape. We have been busy working to respond to the dynamic needs of faith communities in Oklahoma and developing a larger vision to empower and motivate us all toward a brighter future.
We are grateful for your continued support of our mission!
Congratulations to the 2020 OCC Award Recipients!
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Did you miss this great conversation? No problem!
We're entering a season of celebrations and ritual with significance to many of Oklahoma's faithful. Join us to learn about holiday observances from a wide range of faith communities - watch it here!
Featuring:
Adam Soltani on Muslim traditions
Rev. Chebon Kernell on Seminole + Muscogee (Creek) Nations traditions
Emmah Eastwind on Pagan rituals and traditions
Michael Korenblit on Jewish holidays and traditions
Kwame Mboya on Kwanzaa and its African cultural traditions
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Strengthening Families program |
OCC is working with ODMHSAS to bring the Strengthening Families program to Oklahoma churches. This evidence-based curriculum gives families tools to implement at home, and has shown amazing outcomes in improving communication, bonding, and other parenting skills, as well as providing coping skills to prevent suicide and substance abuse.
If your church is interested in becoming a host site, let us know!
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New Grant Opportunity to Start a Recovery Ministry! |
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In the new year, OCC will be taking applications for a small grant opportunity to help faith communities provide support for opioid and stimulant prevention and recovery.
Want to know more about this issue? Our virtual conference is designed for you to go through at your own pace, at your own convenience. We hope you will return to revisit some of the material, and that you share this information with your networks, as it will continue to be available (we ask for registration in order to keep track of attendees for grant purposes).
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Here's Rev. Fleck giving some quick details: |
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Sign up for Advocacy Alerts |
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Want to get updates about opportunities to engage in advocacy with OCC?
Click here to stay informed!
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Church World Service Lunch and Learn
on Immigration + Refugees
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December 14
Title: Welcoming Refugees: Looking Ahead to 2021
Presenters: Stacey Clack, Christine Baer, and other CWS staff members.
Summary/Learning Objectives: - The last four years have been incredibly challenging under the Trump administration for refugee resettlement. In this webinar, CWS staff will share President Elect Biden’s immigration plan as well as share what it will take to build back the resettlement program over the next 4 years. Join us for this important Lunch and Learn to hear how community members will play a vital role in the programs rebuilding.
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Restoration, Reconciliation & Resiliency
Virtual panel discussion December 10 from 7:00-8:00pm
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Are you feeling battered by COVID, interracial tensions, the difficult economy and a contentious campaign season? This program is designed to help people face uncertainties and difficult conversations that often erupt during the holidays.
Purpose: Provide hope, healing and practical tools in uniting families, colleagues and friends who may have found themselves separated by differences in world views.
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Rural Faith Leaders Workshop Series
Empowering Faith Leaders to Help Persons with Substance Use Disorder
Join the Partnership Center for this first in a series of four workshops for rural faith leaders to support individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). Organized by the White House Office of Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), each workshop will have a specific focus to assist faith communities to be both first responders, communities of hope, and support for people and families struggling with addiction.
SERIES OBJECTIVES:
- Increase the Faith Leaders' understanding of substance use disorder and how to connect faith to prevention, treatment, and recovery.
- Build the capacity of Faith leaders to take action by providing information to help get leaders and their congregants ready to provide the support needed to assist individuals with substance use disorder.
- Help Faith Leaders to find their lane and empower faith communities to put initiatives in place to help in the area(s) where they can make the most difference.
REGISTRATION:
RSVP to Betty-Ann Bryce at MBX.ONDCP.RuralAffairs@ondcp.eop.gov. Please include your name, title, organization, and contact information. Registered participants will receive the details to join the event closer to the event date.
RSVP early as space is limited!
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“Cards Against COVID” is a project of the First Unitarian Church of Oklahoma City to send holiday cards to the Governor asking for action in slowing the spread of the virus. In addition to pushing for a statewide mask mandate in Oklahoma, one of the goals of this project is to remind our governor that this state is rich in religious diversity.
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What is the impact and importance of spirituality for a community in the face of widespread trauma and hurt?
Research demonstrates community wide programs that engage spirituality and spiritual communities can be highly effective and include individuals across diverse faith traditions and beliefs. This webinar will highlight examples of these interventions as well as research on the effectiveness of such efforts. It will also discuss the differences and similarities between trauma and the collective healing process that can be experienced by a community writ large.
PRESENTERS
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Jamie Aten, Ph.D., Disaster Psychologist, Founder and Executive Director, Humanitarian Disaster Institute
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Rabbi Shaul Marshall Paver, Chaplain and Spiritual Care Provider, Norwalk Hospital and Conn. Dept. of Corrections' Cheshire and Newton facilities
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Rev. Dr. Walter Earl Fluker, Dean's Professor of Spirituality, Ethics, and Leadership, Candler School of Theology--Emory University
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Vigil for Immigration Justice |
In the meantime, consider this report released by New American Economy in partnership with the City of Tulsa, which highlights how immigrants are both essential to Tulsa’s rapid response efforts and especially vulnerable due to gaps in our federal relief package, language access barriers, and increased risks of infection associated with frontline and essential work.
To receive more information about this important coalition or the in-person vigil, email Rev. Lori Walke.
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Help us reach our goal of adding 5 monthly, recurring givers each month.
Gifts of any size help support and sustain OCC.
Click below to start your monthly gift of $10, $20, or $40.
BONUS: Recurring givers get a snazzy OCC sticker to put on your computer, bag, face - wherever you like!
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Follow OCC on Social Media |
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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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Your gift is tax deductible. OCC is a 501(c)(3) organization. |
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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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