Inside Tidings 3
This Month at Asbury
4
Notes from the Journey
6 - 25
Finishing Strong
26 - 31
Calendar of Events
32 - 35
Family Room
Finishing Strong Ecclesiastes 7:8 says, “Better is the end of a thing than its beginning.” The biblical Hebrew word for end is aharit; this word reflects a seamless concept of time. While we mortals are bogged down with the passage of time, from God’s vantage point of eternity, what concerns Him most is the end. He reminds us that He is more interested in the finishing line than the starting block, no matter what obstacles we have to overcome or how long it takes. Therefore, when we see Him face to face, He will say, “Well done, my good and faithful child!”
- Sola Akala
When we think about “finishing strong” we are immediately drawn to the scripture where Paul says at the end of his life, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Paul did not want to be disqualified in his race because he slowed down or quit. He kept churning and staying with it, and thus prevailed against bigger foes. The great joy of being a pastor is the relationship with parishioners. I have so many memories of things that have happened through my 27 years as a Pastor Tom Harrison senior pastor. As I was typing this article, I remembered one in particular that dealt with an Asbury member. Years ago, I told the story about the bulldog that was tough and mean, but was small. One day he trotted down the lane and came to a house where two much bigger dogs lived. They attacked him and got into quite a scrap. The little bulldog had enough and left. The next day, he strutted back down the lane and returned to the same house, where “Round II” commenced. The same result ensued. The bigger dogs got the best of him, and he left. The next day, he came again. And so on it went, until finally it got to the other two big dogs. When they heard that little bulldog snorting and approaching, they were terrorized. They did not want to fight each and every day. That “dogged persistence” is what made them quiver in fright whenever they heard that sound headed their way. The bulldog prevailed simply because he would never quit. Ever since I told this story, Betty Wood, one of our long-time members, has referred to herself as “Your little bulldog.” Like anyone who has lived awhile, Betty has met some obstacles. But like the Apostle Paul, and like that little bulldog, she has resolved not to quit. As former President Teddy Roosevelt said, “There has never yet been a man in our history who led a life of ease whose name is worth remembering.” The way to finish strong is quite simple: Don’t quit! There is no such thing as “retirement” for a believer. Keep praying, keep practicing, and keep promoting the faith. There is a wonderful benefit for believers in heaven. As Paul states, “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).
Looking Ahead...
Tidings Staff Jan Weinheimer Sandy Wagner Juli Armour Lisa Tresch Lina Holmes Chris Lo, Photographer
Contributors Eve Abrams-Self, Margaret Beck, Jeremy Burton, You may read about our cover girl, Winnie Perdue, on page 5.
Christy Capps, Marcia Curley, Marty McBroom, Marti Morris, Linda Petty, Liz Reece, Lea Spencer, Donna Wilson, John Westervelt photo by Christy Capps
TIDINGS 2
Thank You, Oklahoma Conference! TOM HARRISON Senior Pastor
What a joy it is to have these pastors returning to Asbury this year. We are blessed, indeed!
BILL MASON Pastor Emeriitus
DUB AMBROSE Pastor with Men
TODD CRAIG Pastor with College & Young Adults
DARLENE JOHNSON Pastor with Women
MARK MCADOW Pastor of Evangelism
LINDA PETTY Pastor of Access
SONNY PLISCHKE Pastor of Visitation
DICK READ Pastor of Discipleship
DAVID THOMAS Pastor with Senior Adults
WELCOME Charles Ryser, a former associate pastor at Asbury, and the son of Nona Ryser (and the late Norm Ryser), has joined our staff as Pastor of Pastoral Care. He will be chiefly engaged in hospital and care ministries and will serve as pastor to our “Celebrate Recovery” ministry. Charles also assumes the other roles of a pastor on our staff. Welcome back to Asbury, Charles and your wife, Sally!
FAREWELL Bishop Hayes has appointed Judith Banya, our former Pastor to Missions, to a newly created position. She will serve as a special “Oklahoma Conference Missionary to Sierra Leone, West Africa.” She will spend most of her time in Sierra Leone, but will continue her relationship as a member of the Oklahoma Annual Conference. We are grateful for our time with Judith, and we pray for God’s blessing as she returns to her native country!
Notes from the Journey
Moving in W ide Ci rcrcleleless Wide Circ Lisa Tresch
I
see Ms. Arey about twice a week in her yard, pulling weeds and sweeping the sidewalk. The other day I saw her standing in front of her house waiting for someone to give her a ride to the hospital. She was carrying a small plastic bag--probably her lunch --and wearing a pink jacket that would designate her as a friendly volunteer at the hospital welcome desk. I watched her for a few minutes and wondered what I would be doing at age 90. I see Kathy about once every two years with her two black-haired daughters. The little girls are full of energy and life, moving at dizzying speeds while Kathy moves to keep up with them. She gets bone-tired in a way that only a single mother can, but she has no regrets about bringing her daughters home from their birthplace in China. In fact, she can’t imagine life without them. She made a bold decision in her mid-life to adopt one girl, and then decided God was leading her once again to adopt another daughter. Life changed for Kathy. It expanded and widened and is now filled with more beauty and laughter and blessings. Sometimes we are content to move in small circles. We keep turning around and around in the tiny world we have made for ourselves until something – Someone, moves us out and away and into a circle that is so big it takes our breath away. If we listen with the Spirit in us, we can hear the quiet promptings to move beyond the numbing comfort of
here and now to a place where God can be more deeply revealed. When we follow that call to venture into the bigger circles, we are allowed to experience the truth that God is wider and deeper than our minds can conceive. This can be frightening, but it is ultimately liberating. Jesus said that He came so we might have life, and have it in abundance. When I look at the people around me who haven’t settled for life in small circles, I witness people whose lives are overflowing with an abundance that God loves to give. It isn’t an abundance of things, but an abundance of life. I am often guilty of moving in small circles. My days get busy and trivial, and I get caught up in a multitude of things that make no difference. The self-consuming busyness and triviality breeds a kind of small world mentality, and I miss opportunities to embrace the fullness of this life that I have been given. I still have to ask myself if I will be like Ms. Arey when I am 90--will I still be looking for the wide circles to move in, even when my body is aged? And will I try to live in such a way that I won’t miss my calling to change course, even if it means doing something a little scary and climbing out of the comfy box I like to live in? I want to step outside the small circle so that I can move, and breathe and take in all the life that God is holding out in front of me.
Winnie Perdue
S
ome people are destined for greatness. Winnie Mae Guess Perdue is one of them. I should know; I’ve watched her since third grade. I can hear Winnie laugh when she reads this. She’ll say, “Great? You’ve got to be kidding.” I’m not kidding. Webster defines the word (as I’m using it)—(3) remarkable in magnitude, degree, or effectiveness or (10) a: markedly skilled b: marked by enthusiasm. Those fit in terms of Winnie’s life and experiences. Let’s consider the facts. Fact: She has an incredible heritage. She’s the great, great, great, great, great granddaughter of Chief Sequoyah, inventor of the Cherokee alphabet. She’s proud of her roots and heritage. Fact: She has a charismatic personality. A room seems to light up when she enters it. . . and she’s very, very talkative. Fact: Winnie had a strong foundation developed in family, school, community and the church. She was mentored by many. She feels her Cherokee heritage helped her develop her grit and determination to achieve. Through her church and pastors (Rev. Don Schooler, St. Paul Methodist in Muskogee, and later, Rev. Bill Mason at Asbury) she steadily built on her early Christian foundation. Fact: She discovered one of her primary talents at an early age. She loved dancing and excelled from the beginning of her lessons at age nine. When she was 12 she saw Jack Anquoe, a Kiowa, perform the Hoop Dance, an eloquent ceremonial dance that required unusual skill and agility. The eight hoops are spun and entwined by the dancer taking on the shape of wings and globes. 5
ASBURY TIDINGS
Winnie decided right then that she would learn that dance. Her mom contacted Bacone College to arrange lessons for Winnie. Jack, a college student, flatly refused to teach her. He was adamant because the dance was to be performed by young men only and having a female perform a fancy dance was against tradition. Besides, Winnie was Cherokee, not even a Plains Indian. “Well, that waved a red flag,” she said. “I told my mother, ‘You call him back; I can do it. I’ll never appear any place. I will never embarrass him. I must learn to do it.’” Jack finally agreed to those terms. (He needed spending money.) Her innate ability as a dancer served her well. She mastered the Hoop Dance, the Eagle Dance and the Shield Dance. Eventually, Jack invited her to dance at her first powwow and the rest was history. Soon Winnie was performing dances with Jack. She often danced weekends and performed at Bacone football and basketball games. She was one of the first females to perform these dances. On one occasion she and Jack opened on the Oklahoma segment of the Today Show. As a high school junior she joined the Bacone Choir as they toured the United States. She and Jack performed their breathtaking war dances during the tour and even danced on the Ed Sullivan Show. Of course, Winnie became a local celebrity and represented the
Cherokee Nation and Oklahoma on many occasions. Fact: At age 68, she hasn’t stopped learning or competing. You’d think college, marriage, children, grandchildren, and work (ORU Coordinator of Programs and Events, Dept. of Alumni Relations) might have slowed her down a bit, but I can assure you that’s not the case. She no longer dances the Hoop Dance, but she’s been a competition race-walker and weight-lifter for more than 10 years, qualifying for the National Senior Olympic games by finishing first or second in a variety of events. In 2002 she represented the United States at the World Masters Games in Melbourne, Australia. She competes in the 5k and 1500-meter race walks, weightlifting and leg press. In 2004, she was honored as Oklahoma’s Female Senior Olympian. She was selected to carry the Oklahoma flag and represent the Oklahoma delegation of athletes at this year’s national games in Pittsburgh. Wouldn’t you agree that Winnie is great? Skilled. Enthusiastic. She has been effective in representing her city (Muskogee, then Tulsa), her state, her church (Asbury), the Cherokee tribe . . . and her friends and family. And she’s not through yet. “You have to be in the race to finish,” she said. “This has been my philosophy during my entire life. Women can be warriors.” -Sandy Wagner
Brandon Disney
P
atrolling the streets of Tulsa is a far cry from Officer Brandon Disney’s first career. Sometimes individuals look at a potential career change after a layoff. Not Brandon. He went to college to
become a schoolteacher, and he had a great and stable job with a local school system, but he saw the benefit of switching careers. “My wife had a desire to stay home with the kids after the birth of our second son,” said Brandon. “I
looked into the Tulsa police department and thought, ‘Wow! I could work different shifts, get paid better, work extra jobs and get overtime pay. I know it would make life easier.’” Brandon was accepted into the Tulsa Police Department and at-
ASBURY TIDINGS
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tended the academy in 2001. Even though the work at the TPD can be more dangerous, Brandon felt the transition was easy. With school he had to do lots of work at home and worried about lesson plans. He feels like he can leave his work at the
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squad house and spend more time with his family. The support system at Asbury has helped Brandon through this difficult transition. It helped him first by establishing his faith. Brandon grew up at Asbury and became a Christian on a youth missions trip to Tennessee. “It was the fist time I felt the presence of God when I prayed,” said Brandon. “We camped out at a river and there were lightning bugs and lightning strikes over the mountains. I remember singing songs and making that commitment.” Brandon received a great deal of prayer and support from his K group and his Asbury community, The Ark, during this transition period and in his police work. He recalls people being excited for him, but also some people expressing concern because of the element of danger. Mike Lee is a member of
Brandon’s K group and community. He definitely feels a strong urge to support Brandon and his work. “I am behind him 100 percent. I think it is great we have officers in the congregation.” said Mike. “It also give our community a chance to hear the needs of the Tulsa Police and pray for them as they protect us.” “I have ten years of friendships there,” said Brandon. “It is almost a necessity to have a support group outside of the police work, to keep a positive outlook.” Despite the danger involved in his current profession, Brandon find peace and assurance in the scriptures. He knows there will be moments of fear, but he will not worry. Brandon shared this passage from memory:
THEREFORE DO NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW, FOR TOMORROW WILL WORRY ABOUT ITSELF. EACH DAY HAS ENOUGH TROUBLE OF ITS OWN. ... MATTHEW 6:34 -Jeremy Burton
photo by Lisa Tresch
D
onna Devore’s favorite way to end the day is snuggled between her two grandchildren, enjoying the last moments of the evening with them. They watch television together and enjoy one another’s company before it is time to say goodnight. If this was a typical story, you would expect the grandchildren to be going home for the night --waving goodbye to their grandparents as they head out the door. But in this story, there is a twist that is not too unfamiliar. These grandchildren are home. And in every way that is possible, David and Donna Devore are parents to their grandchildren --Colt, ten, and Bridgette, eight. It has been this way for most of the children’s lives. The Devore’s daughter was unable to care for the two children since their birth, and their father committed suicide very early in the children’s lives. The couple was hopeful that their daughter would be able to pull herself together and care for her children, but her descent into drugs and alcohol left her unable to discipline and give her children the basic necessities of life. David and Donna were awarded legal custody of the children when Colt was 15 months, and when Bridgette was born, but they held out hope that their daughter would be able to parent. Donna says that she wishes the two children could have had a safe and happy home with their parents, but that God had another plan. “I have wondered why God would
Dave & Donna Devore entrust me with these two little angels . I worried that I would do something to mess them up. At first I was scared, and then I was angry. I worried about how I was going to keep working, and make a living and raise them.” In June of 2005, Donna heard a radio spot called Perceptions, and decided that she would like to visit the church where Tom Harrison preached. Church was not a part of their lives. They were good people, she says, just not church people. She began attending Asbury that summer, and in August, David and the two children began attending also. “The first time I came, when the music started it grabbed me and I thought, ‘This is exactly where I’m supposed to be,’” said Donna. The Devores joined in December, and in February the children were baptized. Colt made the decision that he could answer the pastor’s questions on his own, affirming his own faith. “Once Colt said he
was ready to affirm the faith on his own, then Bridgette decided she wanted to answer the questions also,” David said. The stress that the couple felt about raising their grandchildren has been replaced by a peace that God is in control. “He is guiding us as we try to guide them,” says David. “And they are learning life principles--biblical principles, and learning them in a way that we might not have thought of teaching them.” “God removes the stress and worry, and allows me to relax and have fun with them,” says Donna. “I know he’s going to be their guidance the whole way.” In the evenings, when Donna has one child under each arm, before the children shuffle off to bed, she has peace that God has brought them together, and He will be with them through it all. -Lisa Tresch
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I
f you go to Mimi’s for breakfast some morning you might see Gretchen Evans. She’ll be sitting at the far end of the counter on a stool just watching. “It’s the best seat in the house. I can see everything that’s going on, and I like to critique them,” she said. “They sure do a great job.” Gretchen and her husband, Don, ran the 144-room Inn Resort in Okobogi, Iowa for 33 years, so she has always been interested in how food service is handled. But in 1999 Don passed away and Gretchen’s life changed forever. She ran the resort herself for three years, but was soon ready to retire. Her plan was to give up her large home and move to something smaller. That plan never included leaving Iowa. She had even put a down payment on a condo. But it just didn’t feel right. Gretchen wasn’t happy. Then one day as she was standing on her patio looking out over the lake off the back of her property, she just cried out, “God, what’s wrong? “God said ‘Move to Tulsa.’ So I did,” she said. “It’s amazing, I think.
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Everyone was asking me what I was thinking; why I was leaving. I was still wondering why myself. But I was obedient to God. I just did it.” That was in 1999, and the first person Gretchen went to see when she got to Tulsa was Hart Morris. “He was familiar with Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Florida where my husband and I spent the winter months. So we immediately had something in common. Hart knew the church music program I was coming from, and I wanted to know all about the Asbury music program. I have to say I was impressed.” Gretchen joined the Chancel Choir as soon as she got to town, and when the Asbury Singing Ambassadors senior choir formed, she was a charter member. But that’s not all. Gretchen serves as receptionist one day a week in the music department, and when she’s not marking rehearsal notes for Chancel Choir music, she’s filing it. She also attends the weekly Koinonia group on Tuesday nights and is part of the Chancel Choir Community on Sunday
mornings. She has taken all of the Precept classes offered through Asbury, and attends Darlene’s class: Women of the Word. “We discuss Tom’s sermon topics each week, and it’s excellent.” There’s not a lot that can slow Gretchen down. And when she was diagnosed with breast cancer she said, “It’s a heck of a bump in the journey. But, you know, I can’t wait to get to heaven. My husband is there. My sister is there. Lots of my family is there.” Don’t worry, though. She’s not planning to go soon. When asked how she came to know the Lord, Gretchen said, “I’ve always known the Lord. I grew up on a farm in Iowa, and I was always in church with my parents.” The family attended Grace Methodist Church in Spencer, Iowa. “God has given me such grace. I don’t deserve it,” she said. “I get those ‘aha’ moments all the time,” Gretchen said. “The majesty and glory of our Creator! Oh! And then singing--you just can’t sing that high A at the end of Handel’s Messiah without having a spiritual experience.” -Lina Holmes
“ On July 3, 2004
“
we moved from being partially committed to our faith, to putting our full trust in God. We changed our lifestyle to become more obedient followers. From the time we made this decision, it was like the ‘flood gates’ opened to new opportunities and new people … leading us closer and closer to Christ.
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Eve Abrams-Self
M
y parents grew up on the south side of Chicago in German and Polish neighborhoods. After they married in 1947, they moved to the suburbs to have a “better life.” I was fortunate to have a wonderful childhood which resulted in many fond memories. I went through school and then off to college, got married, had three beautiful babies, stayed home for seven years with my children, went to graduate school and then started my career. I have been blessed with a good life even though I had a couple of struggles along the way including the death of my baby brother when I was four years old and a divorce at age 40. Looking back, God was always there, faithfully blessing me even when, in my opinion, I did not deserve it. Almost two years ago, my husband, Mark, and I agreed there was something missing in our lives. We had both been believers since childhood and had been attending Asbury for seven years but it was clear that we were not growing spiritually. On July 3, 2004 we moved from being partially committed to our faith, to putting our full trust in God. We changed our lifestyle to become more obedient followers. From the 11 ASBURY TIDINGS
time we made this decision, it was like the ‘flood gates’ opened to new opportunities and new people…leading us closer and closer to Christ. We now struggle with our shortcomings since God convicts our hearts daily. He has taught us that only obedience to Him will make us holy. There is no compromise. This has not been an unpleasant struggle but a glorious fight to attain the holiness and eternal life He promises us in Romans 6:22. The other miraculous part of my story is how God has and continues to heal the pain that resulted from the loss of my brother, Christopher. When this occurred in 1957, my parents went into a time of deep mourning. They did not talk about what happened, avoiding their sorrow, nor did they have a church community for support. I watched from the sidelines and being four years old, I must have taken on responsibility for this tragedy. Due to my parents’ distress and withdrawal, I managed to build a wall of protection around myself in order to avoid the pain. This resulted, long-term, in my keeping a distance from people, especially my mother. Over the years, I was not able to show my love for her as I longed to. However, from the day Christ moved fully into my life, this began to
change…slowly but dramatically. He led me to Celebrate Recovery and the ten month long, 12-step healing process, as well as other events such as the agape love I experienced during the Walk to Emmaus. Also, last year I encountered God in the middle of the night, when He held me and allowed me to cry for the first time (at age 51) about Christopher’s death. My heart is now open to receive God’s love and consequently, love other people in a way that I had thought was not possible. Most importantly, I can now put my arms around my Mom and tell her that I love her. God is the great healer if we allow him to reign over our lives. Today, I find myself in an exciting transition period, responding to God’s call to serve him in a bigger way. He has instilled in me a strong desire to learn more about His Word, Christianity and how it all relates to the world. My husband and I recently made the decision to step out in faith, by leaving my 15-year career in the business world to study theology. I know this will also allow me more time to serve Him. Could this lead me to a new career related to my faith? I am not sure but I am confident He will give me the answer to that question in His perfect timing.
I
n the past 12 months, Marge Creager has landed in the wake and awful aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, not once but twice. Two weeks at a stretch. Between times she has undergone two grueling surgeries on her back. “I was in the Cajun Dome in Lafayette with 7,000 other people for two weeks,” she said, recounting the Katrina experience. “We couldn’t get into New Orleans. Later I went to Houston for two weeks.” As bad as it was, Marge named the top two disasters she’s seen as the Los Angeles earthquake and the Oklahoma City bombing. And she has seen plenty of disasters--59 of them in her 60 years as a volunteer with the American Red Cross. She is the Mental Health Coordinator for National Disasters, and she recalls the horror in Oklahoma City and how it affected the people who came for help. “There were two young men who were staying at the YMCA across from the bombing,” she said. “They were devastated and suffering from shock. They were ready to commit suicide. It was post traumatic stress. I deal with
it all the time. We talked about how to let God get them through, a step, a day at a time, and after three days they came back. One of them took my hand and said, “Mrs. Creager, I’m going to be all right.” In her six decades as a volunteer for the Red Cross (she started as a swim instructor in college) they’ve sent her from the East Coast to the West Coast and to St. Thomas. “God has helped me through every one of them,” she said of the disasters. “You have to be able to handle what you’re going to see, and get rid of the thoughts and sights when you go home. They don’t stay with me.” Marge has garnered a big collection of achievements, awards and honors for her work with the Red Cross and other volunteer efforts. Just a few: Everyday Hero of American Red Cross; Service to Mankind Award, East Tulsa Sertoma Club; National Grandmother of the Year (’98); First Female in Oklahoma to be named to National Red Cross Hall of Fame; Honorary member of Red Cross Board of Directors; (board member since 1969); Chairman of Mental Health Association for Red Cross; President of Oklahoma
photo submitted
Marge Creager
Counseling Association; member of original board that got the Ronald McDonald House built in Tulsa. She received the J.C. Penny & Joe Willard Agency Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service to People of our Community; the Pinnacle Award for Spirit of Tulsa; the William M. Probes Special Cit ation for Exceptional Volunteer Service, and the list goes on. “But I’ve done other things too,” Marge said. “I’ve been on mission trips with Asbury--Panama, Tanzania and twice to Mexico. I was Pastor/Parish chairman, and I’m in the Singing Ambassadors.” She also plays the drums with the Dixieland Band. She was married to TV sportscaster Mack Creager for 54 years before he died six years ago; she taught Sunday School, gave 11 gallons of blood through the Red Cross and has four children, eight grandchildren, and five greats. She attributes her strength and stamina to God. He stirred her heart the summer before she was 12, and she has followed Him wherever He took her since that time. “I couldn’t have done any of it without Him,” she said.“I give Him the credit for everything that I ever did.” -Donna Wilson ASBURY TIDINGS
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Arlyn Daering
J
oin the Navy and see the world! That’s just what Arlyn Daering decided to do in 1951 at age 18 after growing up in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. While in the Navy in Hawaii, he met his wife, Shirley, who was vacationing there from her home in Tulsa. After 20 ½ years, they retired from the Navy. They decided to come to Tulsa to live and finish raising their three daughters because, Arlyn said, “It was the best place they had been in the whole United States!” He went to work for IBM in the new, fastgrowing field of personal computers. Arlyn had been baptized and confirmed in the Methodist church. He cannot tell you the moment he became a Christian, but he looks back and can see God’s hand working throughout his life. Ten years after he married, a Navy psychiatrist told him he must admit he had become an alcoholic and stop drinking, or he would lose his wife, his career and his life. Because of side effects of medication, he decided to
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quit onW hish own. drinking at He dostopped you w and experienced no withdrawal and feltt an very proud of himself for overcoming this addiction without help. He quit smoking the same way and with the same pride resulting. He now knows it was God’s deliverance, not his own strength. That was 36 years ago. A bigger demon came upon him during the 1990s. Although they were back in church, and he was trying to grow spiritually, events began to take place that would intensify a condition that had been festering for some time. His marriage and his life started coming apart. He was diagnosed with an anxiety-depressive disorder, and after trying a few medications, he finally took one that turned his night into day. His spiritual hunger was reawakened, and his marriage began its healing. He and Shirley visited Asbury where their daughter and family belonged. He said, “One sermon with Tom (Harrison), and the decision was made.” That was three years ago. The first year was a re-learning experience
as he and Shirley attended Bill
toMason’s Mariners’ Community. They be w hen you grow up? wanted more.
Arlyn’s special talents caused him to join the Home Improvement Ministry. He wanted more so he got involved in the Latin American Ministry and has gone twice to Monterrey with Asbury teams. He said he had so much fun he almost felt guilty. He is the volunteer trustee for Redemption Church which ministers to ex-offenders. He is also involved in his second Habitat House with theAsbury team. In the last three years, Arlyn has read 18 Christian books, and his hunger just keeps growing. He wants to be like Christ and says, “Although I know I’ll never attain that goal, I love trying.” Arlyn looks back and sees it was God who delivered him from alcoholism and cigarettes. It was God who allowed him to come to the end of himself in that hopeless depression and provided the healing medication. God healed his marriage and gave him a hunger to bear spiritual fruit. He said, “This last O SOVEREIGN LORD, MY STRONG Easter was DELIVERER… PSALM 140:7 the most magnificent in my life. I cried unashamedly at least three times during Tom’s sermon.” He knows he is headed in the right direction now and will finish strong. -Marty McBroom
ASBURY TIDINGS 14
The Saints of Swing
T
he sign on the Saints of Swing piano reads “We work for food,” and that is exactly the philosophy of Asbury’s Dixieland band of retirees. The twoyear-old group is in great demand at retirement centers where they entertain just for fun or food. Bill Metzger is the business manager, event coordinator, pianist and spokesman for the band. When asked what makes the group so popular Bill, who hadn‘t played the piano for 60 years before he joined the Saints, said “We play songs from the 30s and 40s and we are just about the same age as our audience. ( The average age of the band is 76.) We also invite audiences to sing along with us.” They even provide song sheets. With a twinkle in his eye, Don Zwayer, the drummer for the group, tells of going to a south Tulsa retirement community recently with the Saints of Swing. That day the audience enjoyed them so much they got up from their seats and began to dance. The medical personnel even joined in! Don came out of musical retirement when he joined the Saints of Swing. 15 ASBURY TIDINGS
“When I heard this group was forming, I thought that it might be right up my alley.” he said with a smile. The Saints have three drummers. Don is joined by two lovely ladies, Gerry Koons, who learned to play five years ago and sports a full drum set at her residence, and Marge Creager an OSU Marching Band grad who brushed off her sticks to spice up the Asbury Singing Ambassadors when that group began a few years ago. Two of the Saints, Bob Greaves and Jim Blazer picked up their instruments again when Asbury’s first orchestra director, Richard Richards, invited them to join the fledgling orchestra in 1992. Jim had played in college, the Army and then in a professional ‘sugar band’ but had not played for some 40 years when he joined the orchestra. Af ter reviving his lip, Bob Greaves joined the orchestra and blessed Asbury with beautiful trombone solos. Floyd Bruntzel, the musical leader of the group, took over his uncle’s Big Band as a young man and played with them for 18 years. He still plays his ‘new in 1948’ trumpet. Don Baumunk, an
All-state musician and KU band clarinetist reacquainted himself with his instrument after 30 years to join the group. Two of the ten members joined the group after hearing the Saints perform at Asbury. Bud Martelle, an electric guitarist, played with the Sapulpa Banjo Band for 25 years. When all the band members died he was left without a group until he found the Saints. Dick Stitzel played with a professional band in his younger days but like the rest of the crew, had let his instrument lay silent until he joined up with the Saints. These reclaimed musicians enjoy making music together each Thursday afternoon but their passion is entertaining at retirement centers. At each performance the band takes an intermission to greet and visit with the residents. This sharing of their time and talents is one of the reasons they are so popular. “It’s our way of reaching out to the world and bringing a little cheer into the lives of those who are sometimes forgotten.” said Bill. -Marti Morris . .
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etirement can offer the opportunity to take off in a new direc tion. For Grace and Duane Lee this proved true and then some. Through their retirement they have traveled north, south, east and west to share their faith, their time and their talents through a unique ministry. In 1990 Duane retired from General Electric after 40 years. His assignments took the Lees and their four children to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and several locations stateside. They settled in Las Vegas where they helped their daughter who directed several Alzheimer’s centers. It was there they first came in contact with NOMADS (Nomads On a Mission Active in Divine Service). NOMADS is an outreach ministry of the United Methodist Church. The program offers retired persons with recreational vehicles the opportunity to share their time and skills in United Methodist projects including churches, camps, mission agencies and local neighborhoods. There are over 1,200 NOMADS across the country. The Lees saw the type of work NOMADS do and the impact they make when their local church asked them to take supplies to a team at Potosi Pines church camp. They joined NOMADS in 1996 and continued working projects after moving to Sapulpa in 1997. At that time, they joined Asbury where their son Bob Lee and his family are members. Recently they “RV’d” to their 19th NOMADS tour at a church camp in Kansas built in 1945. The team of eight remodeled baths, repaired buildings, painted and worked on the ropes course. Grace says she was the “cut up.” cutting 490 bandannas for craft projects. Pleased to be recovered from his heart bypass surgery and
Duane & Grace Lee having celebrated his 80th birthday, Duane climbed on a John Deere tractor and helped move dirt. On the weekend they visited nearby churches talking about NOMADS. Members have their choice of projects and places to serve. They commit to a three-week mission, work four days a week and have weekends to become acquainted with the surrounding area. Grace and Duane have traveled to Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas and several communities in Oklahoma. They have worked with 104 other NOMADS from across the country. NOMADS provide their own transportation, food and tools. The church/agency provides materials. A NOMADS fund allows teams to supplement what the work site is able to do. Asbury is one of the many Methodist churches across the country that donates $100 to help with special projects. Next year Grace and Duane are traveling in yet another direction. Representing the South Central Jurisdiction, they will travel a five-state
area telling about NOMADS and visiting churches and agencies to evaluate proposed projects. Grace and Duane have built the foundation for a strong finish throughout their lives. Along the way Grace served as District President of UMW Desert Southwest. Duane did lay preaching during their ten-year stay in Saudi Arabia despite government banning of Bibles and public worship by Christians. They did volunteer missions in Estonia and Alaska. In 1991 they participated in the Walk to Emmaus and have served on five Walks as well as Five Chrysalis Flights (the youth walk) since then. At Asbury, they participate in Singing Ambassadors , the Disciples Discipleship Community and UMM. Since they dedicated their lives to Christ as young children -Grace in Wellington, Kansas and Duane in Waurika, they have not stopped seeking and finding new directions to travel in serving the Lord. -Liz Reece Visit NOMADS website to learn more about this ministry. www.nomadsumc.org
Duane and Grace at Camp Horizon. Photo submitted. ASBURY TIDINGS 16
photo by Christy Capps
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aul Iwanaga (known as Mr. Iwanaga to his students) knows about change. In fact, his classroom website clearly states that change is a part of his teaching philosophy: “I am a teacher who is constantly updating, changing and improving my assignments and teaching skills. I believe that a person must constantly strive to become better.” He has seen the power of God at work through the changes in his life. Paul was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 12, 1974. He grew up one mile west of Wrigley Field. When he was 14 his parents decided to move to Adair, Oklahoma. Early on, Paul had talked to his family about his desire to become a teacher. His uncle encouraged him to get a business degree instead. “My uncle told me I should get a business degree because no matter what you do in life there is a business transaction there.” So, Paul attended Oklahoma State University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and a Bachelor’s degree in Commercial Bank Management. In 1996, Paul went to work for Koch Gateway Pipeline in Houston, Texas. His job title was Account Manager. He spent
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Paul Iwanaga most of his time learning about the gas industry. “At this time in my life, I thought money could change the world and I was on pace to make six figures.” Then something awful happened. Paul’s parents were in a terrible car accident. His Dad was temporarily paralyzed and required major surgery. His dad’s recovery process was a long journey that required big changes. Wanting to be close to his family during this difficult time, Paul made the decision to quit his job and move back to Oklahoma. He went to work for Bank of Oklahoma in their Treasury Services Department. He enjoyed his job but was not fulfilled. Paul began to question, “What am I good at? What do I enjoy?” He grew up going to church and really enjoyed a summer he spent during
college as a youth ministry intern. But it was Paul’s mom who encouraged him to think again about becoming a teacher. Paul prayed, “God, if you want me to become a teacher, you will have to knock down walls.” Paul began to research alternative certification for teachers. While attending a Career Fair at O.S.U., he had lunch with the Principal and Assistant Principal of Broken Arrow South Intermediate High School. They offered him a teaching position contingent on his passing the teaching boards. He passed all three on the first shot. God answered all his prayers. Working with high school students has brought Paul the fulfillment his previous career lacked. “I’m excited. I wake up every morning eager to get to school.” In addition to teaching full-time, Paul volunteers with the youth at Asbury by leading small groups, traveling to camps and on mission trips. Through all these changes, Paul has seen God moving in his life. “I think God could be preparing me for missions in the future.” For now, he is content with where God has brought him. “I can’t see myself doing anything else.” -Christy Capps
Bill Mason For my life, until I was 63-64 years old, retirement was a word I could speak but made no sense or was not anything I could seriously consider. When I was in my fifties I asked my mother, “How do you know when to retire?” Her answer did not help at all. “You will know!” In my sixties I began to think, “I sure do want to retire before the congregation wants me to retire.” One day my friend, Chris Parks, came to see me. In the conversation he told me that he was retiring for the third time. I said to him, “I am going to retire when I finish 30 years.” Chris looked at me and said, “What is so important about 30 years?” As I thought about Chris’ question, I could not come up with a good reason to wait around another year. Hence the decision to retire at 66 years of age, after 29 years in the active pastorate. I did not want to do “nothing,” so I volunteered to be the chaplain at Laureate. After two years, our senior pastor, Tom Harrison, asked if I would come back on staff part-time to make hospital calls. That is something I have enjoyed and received great fulfillment in doing, so I said yes! Shortly after retirement the opportunity to teach an adult Sunday school class opened. Then the oppoortunity to teach a second adult class presented itself. For several years I have taught the Joy class at 8:00 am and the Mariners at 9:30 am. The make-up of these classes include many people I’ve known for 20 or more years. This is very gratifying for me.
Pastor Tom encouraged me to be available to conduct memorial services when called on. As you might guess, as I get older and those I have known for many years get older, I am called on more and more to conduct funeral services. I find that most gratifying. All that is involved in preparation for a funeral brings me close to families that I already love.
David Da vid Thomas The question was asked, “What are the benefits of continuing to work in ministry beyond what is normally considered retirement age?” Biblically “retirement age” for pastors (O.T. Levites) would be around fifty (Numbers 8:23-26). The fact is, we never quit being “in ministry.” I’ve heard it said, “He who rests…rusts!” I hope to be able to “wear out” rather than to “rust out.” Patty and I are so blessed to be able to share our retirement years as a part of the Asbury Family. We wanted to be in a church where the Spirit of God is moving in a powerful way. We have found that at Asbury. What an honor to serve as the Pastor With Senior Adults. I had no idea there would be so many. What a joy it is to come to this stage of life and know that God isn’t through with you yet. Through the years Patty and I prayed that God would allow us to grow old together, and now that we’re there, what a blessing to be able to continue our ministry with others in this wonderful stage of life. What do I enjoy about retirement? The thing I enjoy is being able to have relaxed mornings without having to be in the office at 8:00 a.m., and most of our eve-
nings at home without having to be at some meeting. I enjoy having time to study and the opportunity to teach. I enjoy having time to play a little golf (without feeling guilty), time to be with family and friends, and occasionally being able to take off to Branson.
Sonn Sonnyy Plischk Plischkee I guess it’s normal that when you get close to retirement you begin to think about all the things you plan to do when you no longer have to punch the clock or you don’t have the boss telling you what to do. One day as Mary Helen and I were discussing this subject I said to her, “You know, in just a few days I won’t have a boss telling me what to do anymore.” Her reply, “Oh yes you will!” So much for retirement. When I retired in December of 2004, it only took two weeks for me to get back to an “active working life.” We’ve all heard the stories about folks who retire without anything to do, but thank goodness I don’t fall into this category. I was blessed by being asked by Tom Harrison to minister in the area of hospital visitation; and even though at the end of the day it’s sometimes takes it’s toll on you, it’s also a feeling of knowing you’ve fulfilled a need in the lives of the sick and wounded. In addition to this ministry at Asbury I contract with the Upper Room in Nashville as the South Central Regional Clergy Representative and train clergy in the Walk to Emmaus/Chrysalis movement and traveling in the seven state area this involves. Retirement for me in reality is just a word that means I am allowed to do just about what I want to do, most of the time anyway.
Our “Retired” Pastors For many, retirement means golfing, traveling and fishing. But for our three “retired” pastors, life is filled with anything but leisure activities. They are, however, admittedly fishers of men and even into semi-retirement they continue nurturing, teaching and caring for the flock. Here they share some of their thoughts on what retirement means to them.
Margaret Beck
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he arrived at 1:05 a.m. on April 15. After a reasonable sleep she began to adjust to the change of climate 80’s and humid, humid, humid. Eventually she got used to the humidity, bugs and lizards she settled in for a Saipan adventure that included festivals, races, caves and hikes to many wonderous scenic views. Visiting children, Margaret Beck made her mark on the island and it made its mark on her.
Saturday morning was the Tagaman Triathlon and we went to that because Mar and Eric had some supporting jobs. There is a 5K run in the morning that all three of us signed up for. You would love the flora and fauna of this island . . . So many things grow wild—bougainvillea, hibiscus, Hong Kong orchid, and other beautiful flowering bushes. Among the trees are banyan, African tulip, plumeria, coconut, mango, papaya, banana and a few avocado and tangerine. We had two caving expeditions by Sunday--Kettle and a Japanese made cave--The Japanese made cave was through jungle but not too high up and not too far from where we were parked. There is a lot of World War II debris there--bazooka bomb, vehicle axle and many, many bottles. I crawled into that littl cave, but it was hardly big enough to turn around in. Actually, there are caves all over this island, some natural and a lot made into the hills by the Japanese. It was quite a hike through the jungle to the man-made cave. Kettle Cave is near the ocean front by Banzai Cliffs. You don’t climb up. From the large entrance which has a landing gear from a plane, you squeeze down through a hole, then a larger place, then another hole, then a scary area with not many footholds and a small drop, then down a rope and you end up in a large cavern. . . Going down in this cave was one of the toughest things I had done up to this point and I don’t know when I’ve been so dirty. . .. What an experience! ASBURY TIDINGS 20
Marilyn and I took part in the yearly beach clean up on Saturday. . . After a rest we went to the park behind the Hyatt Hotel for the 5K run. It had been running pretty heavily, but being cloudy and rainy was a nice respite from the hot sun. . . It was a tough run, walk, run for this old lady because I haven’t done any serious running since the Tulsa Run in about 1981. On Sunday we got up and went to church. The Saipan Community Church was organized by the General Baptists right after WWII on the beach front property. An interesting mix of people attend the church. The first Sunday I went with Marilyn they had a baptismal service after the morning service. We went to the Flame Tree Parade and Festival. The parade was interesting in that all the ethnic groups on the island were represented, as well as some from other islands. . . They were in native costumes for the parade, which were interesting and beautiful. Trying on a Thai headdress and collar.
A long day!
photos submitted 21 ASBURY TIDINGS
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here have been bumps along the way, and every once in awhile an unexpected turn. Sometimes it’s been smooth sailing and all downhill; but then sometimes it’s been uphill and hard to keep going. But whatever comes along her way, Phyllis Younts knows that God is in control; and that He continually guides her steps and lights her path. She can hardly remember when God was not a part of her life. A believer in Christ from a very early age, Phyllis grew up in church and has always had an active part in it. When Jesus talked about, “the harvest is great, but the workers are few”, it doesn’t appear that he was referring to Phyllis. As Phyllis said, “I’ve just always been a worker.” Whether she was working her way through college; whether she was raising her two sons or whether she was teaching a Bible study—she gave it her all. Whether she was working as a certified lay preacher or whether she was serving as an officer for the UMW (United Methodist Women)—she served the Lord with a joyful heart. She never thought about these acts of service in terms of, “I have to do this,” rather, it was always in the spirit of, “I get to do this!” It was during these many years of active involvement that Phyllis had the opportunity to work with the Chuck Colson Prison Ministry. During those five years with the prison ministry, she
Phyllis Younts experienced and witnessed the grace of God in new and revealing ways. She witnessed people who were actually thankful to be in prison— thankful because they realized that if they had never gone to prison, they would have never found the love and forgiving grace of Christ. And that love and grace was life changing—both for the prisoners and Phyllis. Through this ministry she came to a deeper understanding of the length and depth of God’s grace. In addition to her volunteer work, Phyllis retired from a successful 31year career in education. However, retirement was not an ending for Phyllis it was a new beginning! In 1994, Phyllis moved to Tulsa. After visiting a few churches in the area, she attended Asbury, and that was the end of her search for a church family. Today, Phyllis is at the church just about every day. She teaches Sitn-Fit in the gym on MWF; she has a Bible study group and Ambassadors’
Choir on Tuesdays. Then there’s UMW or Tweenagers on Thursdays and her Wordfinder Community on Sunday mornings. In between all of that, she is a Print Shop volunteer and all around office helper on Wednesdays. And again, she points out that she is involved not because she “has to” but rather it is with a sense of joy and thankfulness that she gets to. She is also highly involved with the seniors at University Village. Phyllis says, “Asbury is my life. My life is centered on the fellowship and community of Asbury.” In the past year, Phyllis has slowed down a little. It has given her more time to hear and listen to insights from the Lord. She notes that it is important to know and appreciate the past; however, Phyllis is all about living and serving in the present. And just as important, she is excited about the future and all that God has in store for those who love Him. -Marcia Curley
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verybody knows someone who loves the limelight. They love nothing better than to hear themselves being praised for good work or great talent. There’s nothing wrong with an occasional “atta’ boy.” We all need strokes now and then. These folks however are the extreme. They would like nothing better than to see their name up in lights for the whole world to see and admire. Life is “all about me.” This is the kind of person Rick Warren would love to spend a few hours with explaining that “it just ain’t so.” And then there are those who loathe being “front and center” because they love to serve behind the scenes. They don’t like attention directed at them. It spoils the joy they have in giving anonymously. They are quiet unassuming souls who just love sharing. This description fits long time Asbury member Jan Steffenson. She is 23 ASBURY TIDINGS
Jan Steffensen a lovely lady who took a quilting class a few years ago and began sewing for her small family. She had a vision to share her gift with more than her little family circle, so she began talking to ladies at Asbury who loved to sew also. This would be the genesis of a very special group of gifted women who eventually began to reach out to others with their handiwork. In time, they saw a need for critically ill Asburians to receive their beautifully crafted lap blankets. Some of the quilts are made from warm and snuggly feeling fleece with beautiful bold colors. Others are made of brightly colored floral cotton. Some are wonderfully made of cotton in muted pastel colors. All are uniquely handmade and done with tender loving care. For the recipients who are struggling with a critical or chronic
illness, these special gifts are like a reminder from God, “There is hope because someone cares.” For the person at Murdock Villa, an apartment complex for persons with limited income who are disabled, it’s a reminder that someone they may never meet is thinking about them. People being discharged from prison who receive a blanket gift are assured it’s a new day and a new beginning, because someone took time to bring some cheer into their life. Recently, the Children’s Ministry has approached the group to sew VBS costumes. The word is out! These special ladies, known as the “quilting ladies,” have spread love, hope and joy through their quiet service to those needing a little encouragement. These precious quilting ladies act as the hands and feet of Jesus so beautifully. -Linda Petty
a y mad e r u b s A s How ha ur life? o y n i e differenc
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here’s a book about it. It’s called The Problem of Pain, by C.S. Lewis. Other authors, taking a less “head-on” approach write about the mistrust of God that often accompanies suffering in a book called The Sacred Romance. Try as we might to avoid pain, everyone born to life on this planet walks through at least one “valley” or is shattered into “a million little pieces.” The point seems to be less about the particulars of one’s pain-causing circumstances than the way one chooses to respond to them. And even that hurts. Pain has been a sometime visitor in the life of Jo VanDeWiele. Jo knows about chronic illness. Just ask her about her son, Bobby, who was born in 1960 and was diagnosed quickly thereafter with Cystic Fibrosis. Or get her to tell you about the early years of her marriage to Ray, when he was in the military. Ray was overseas, off and on, for nine of the first 16 years of their married life. Of course, the freshest wound is the one life inflicted a little over two years ago. When Jo and Ray married, she was 18 and he 22. Their courtship lasted only eight weeks. “Everybody said it wouldn’t last,” she remembers. But it did, until Ray moved out permanently, after 53 years and two months of marriage, when death parted them. Jo is also on familiar terms with the Great Healer. She met the Lord at the age of 12. Genevieve, a pastor’s daughter was one of Jo’s close friends. They took the plunge together with other mutual friends and were baptized
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Jo VanDeWiele the same Sunday in the First Baptist Church, Waldron, Arkansas. Jo says these days, it is her daily routine with God that holds her life together. Every morning she spends time reading His Word and then she closes the Book to pray and meditate on what she’s read. In the evening, she has a similar routine, ending each day in God’s presence. Oswald Chambers says that staying connected and open to God is every Christian’s first priority: “The most important rule for us is to concentrate on keeping our lives open to God. Let everything else including work, clothes, and food be set aside. The busyness of things obscures our concentration on God.” (January 23 meditation, My Utmost For His Highest) Without that intimate relationship, none of us have much to offer in the way of God’s love, mercy and truth. We are limited to our own resources and strength, in a world hungry for God. Over the last two years, as Jo has sought God daily, the grief of her loss has lifted from her countenance and her life has gained momentum
again. Jo recently began helping a neighbor who was her constant companion in the months after Ray’s death. When her neighbors health began to fail and she experienced a series of setbacks, Jo went into action and stepped in with offers of help and food. Jo has also volunteered her time steadily in our Print Shop, which is where I first met her. Jo is not only a faithful volunteer who facilitates the ministry of our church by her service, she has also chosen to share the gift of her baking and cooking with Asbury staff and volunteers. She learned her culinary skills from her Aunt and through 20-plus years of work in the hotel and restaurant business. She has brought cookies at Christmas, homemade, hand dipped chocolates around Valentine’s Day, a “bunny” Easter cake, and other treats on a regular basis. Helen Keller said: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” As Jo has reached up for God’s presence, He has given her the strength to reach out in service to others. Now, that’s a life worth living. -Lea Spencer
Spring 2006 Confirmands
Jacob Clark Miller Kylie Elizabeth Dixon Andrea Devon Joyce Jillian Brooke Akers Elliott Lee Morris Emily Ann Dudney Madison Claire Kavanaugh Andie Elizabeth Amis Ethan Henshaw Morris Nicholas T. Earnest Katie Keck David K. Annett Robyn Christine Nettles Stephanie LuAnne Fadler Matthew William Kennedy Kaitlin Arnold Jordan Taylor Fields Matthew Jackson Kepford Alysse Rachelle O’Connell Sarah Louise Baumunk Connor Wade Perkins Kristin Leigh Fitzgerald Cameron Leigh Keylor Davis James Boatright Alexandra Petrich Karen Marie Ford Abigail Elizabeth King Shelby Hays Boaz Madison Nicole Powell Kevin Gumtow John Paul Lamb Kathleen DeeAnn Bourke Chelsey Brianna Purdy Hannah Marie Hardcastle Kelsy Jane Lawson Clayton James Bradshaw Laura Elizabeth Purdy Hayley Hinton Courtney Elaine Loerke Jacob Douglas Bradshaw Nicholas Andrew Reed Brittyn B. Howard Anderson Sanford Lough Kelsi Renee Burdick Rebecca Lauren Reed Avery Caroline Hufft Kaitlin Alissa Loyd Christopher D. Carpenter Paige Reiter Brandon Hunt Ihrig Lauren Elisabeth Martin Madison Lea Cloud Tyler R. Rhoades Kyle David Jackson Meghan E. Martin Turner Cosson Spencer Michael Rice Blake David Johnson Frances Meriwether McMahon Bannen Mackenzie Cox Kimberly Michelle Richard Rachel Amelia Johnson Dylan R. Miller Megan Elizabeth Crum
Jim and Betty Craig June 21, 1951 55 Years 35 THE FAMILY ROOM
Kerry & Sue Freeman June 1, 1956 50 Years
Ronald & Phyllis Allison June 8, 1956 50 Years
Stanley & Shirley Dean June 13, 1956 50 Years
photo by Christy Capps
2006 Spring Confirmands
Kailey Renee Rose Catherine Marie Rushing Kendall McKean Sealy Claire Elise Shelton Corbin Wade Stall Mallory Kristine Stinson Eric Andersen Stukey Sara Taylor Connor Montgomery Teel Shannon Lee Terry Alyssa Nicole Villalon Christopher Patrick Wagner John David Weid man Erin Elizabeth Westbrook Andrew Weldon Wood Stuart Judson Wood
Jim & Nancy Harrison June 2, 1956 50 Years