The Oklahoma United Methodist Conference’s annual conference meeting is being held this week in Oklahoma City. Tomorrow, volunteers will complete two mission projects with Rebuilding Together!
Story by: Carla Hinton, NewsOK.com
With the theme “Mission Possible,” delegates are preparing to gather for the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference’s annual conference meeting set for Monday through Thursday in Oklahoma City.
Most daytime sessions of the meeting will be at the Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center, NW 27 and Florida, on the Oklahoma City University campus. Evening sessions will be at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 222 NW 15.
The meeting will be led by the Rev. Robert Hayes Jr., bishop of the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference and the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference.
The conference will begin with a concert by the Africa University Choir at 6:30 p.m. Monday at St. Luke’s.
A Eucharistic Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance, with guest preacher Bishop Peter Weaver of the New England Annual Conference, will begin after the concert.
A laity session and clergy executive session will be held on Tuesday at OCU.
Hayes will speak to conference attendees during his annual Episcopal Address and Chuck Stewart, conference lay leader, will share the laity address.
The Rev. Jeremy Basset, this year’s guest teacher, will lead delegates during a teaching segment of the conference.
A Service of Commission and Retirement will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. Luke’s. A Service of Ordination will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel at OCU.
Meanwhile, Holly McCray with the conference’s department of communications said it is important to note that delegates will be able to put the conference’s mission theme into action on Wednesday by participating in several mission projects.
She said the mission projects will benefit organizations such as the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, Rebuilding Together, Positive Tomorrows, Neighborhood Services Organization, Hillcrest Fuente De Vida/Studio 222, Circle of Care/Child Share, Exodus House and Mustard Seed Development Corporation.
Several delegate groups will tour local nonprofits like The Education and Employment Ministry known as TEEM, Skyline Urban Ministries and Infant Crisis Services.