Dear Friends in the Oklahoma Association,
 
I just wanted to wish each of you a joyful and meaningful Holy Week.  In this busy
time let us sense the presence of Christ in our life and the lives of those we
serve.  Some have asked about the Spring Association Meeting; here are the details:
 
It will be Saturday, May 15th
Starting at 10:30 going to 2:30 p.m.
At Church of the Savior in Oklahoma City (5600 N.W. 63rd)
 
We will have an attorney from Tulsa coming to answer questions about incorporation
for the Association, we will elect new officers for those who have expiring terms,
vote on a 2010-2011 budget, and if things progress as planned host an Ecclesiastical
Council.  Please put the date in ink.
 
Take time to share yourself with your family and friends after the demands of the
Lenten season and Easter.  Let me know how I can help you in your service to the
congregations of the UCC in Oklahoma.
 
With faith, hope and love,
Paul

National Gathering Registration Now Open!

Registration is now open for the 2010 National Gathering of the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns to be held in San Diego, CA, July 14-17, 2010. Early-bird registration is $99 a person through March 31st. If you register early, you will also receive a one-day San Diego Trolley pass.

Among the presenters will be UCC President and General Minister, Geoffrey Black. Kathy Church, UCC Coalition President, said, “Coalition is very proud of our relationship with the denomination, and we are pleased that he has committed to be with us in San Diego to continue our collaboration on social justice ministry.” 

At the National Gathering, you will learn how to incorporate Open and Affirming (ONA) into your local church. Come to connect with other congregations and share ideas.

This year’s theme will be :“Any Body, Everybody, Christ’s Body,” following-up on the Accessible to All resolution passed by the 25th General Synod in Atlanta, GA, calling on UCC congregations and instrumentalities to be physically, spiritually, and emotionally open and affirming to people with disabilities. These issues hope to be addressed at the National Gathering this year, specifically in the wider context of living out God’s extravagant welcome to all.

There will also be important sessions about transgender issues as the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns continues its work to encourage the full inclusion of transgender people within the UCC. In order more fully to live God’s extravagant welcome, the Coalition expands its new criteria for new ONA Statements to include gender identity and gender expression, effective National Gathering, July 14, 2010.

From Justice and Witness Ministries via JPANet:

Jesus had no place to lay his head. Neither do tens of millions of migrants, refugees and displaced persons. Here in the U.S. over 12 million immigrants are without papers and without authorization to work. Many of them work in the lowest paid jobs, under the harshest conditions, and are easily exploited.

Given the choice, most people would prefer to stay close to their homes and families; yet every day, thousands of people worldwide are faced with the heart-wrenching decision to leave their loved ones and migrate. Lack of economic opportunity to provide for their families, due in part to U.S.-promoted global economic policies, drives much of the migration to the United States and other countries where jobs may be found. Meanwhile, conflict, violence, persecution and environmental degradation have resulted in the forced migration of millions who become refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs).

This week hundreds of faith-based advocates are gathering at the 2010 Ecumenical Advocacy Days. Join with them as they take action for U.S. legislation that will welcome immigrants, protect refugees and prevents displacement for millions.

Our faith empowers us to love our neighbor and welcome the stranger. Call on Congress to enact just immigration policy to protect families, communities, and workplaces.