March-April Advocate

Advocate

Or current Occupant

Volume 29 No. 2

March - April

2013

The Advocate - A Publication of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference of The United Methodist Church

Save the Date!

Legacy of the Past, Hope for the Future Gala and Silent Auction

“No New Face - No More Church!”

“In the Last Days,” God says, “I will pour out my Spirit on every kind of people: Your sons will prophesy, also your daughters; your young men will see visions, your old men dream dreams. When the time comes, I’ll pour out my Spirit on those who serve me, men and women both, and they’ll prophesy” ................Acts 2:17 taken from Eugene Peterson’s The Message The worship committee for the 2013 annual conference has been meeting and have chosen the theme “No New Face No More Church!” The theme is in reference to the lack of a large presence of young folks in our churches and the need for us to look at ministry and church differently in order to grow. This theme is also the theme of the Council on Local Church Ministries for the quadrennium.

Annual Conference will be held June 69, 2013 at the Northeast Region Center, northeast of Preston, Oklahoma.

Bishop Robert E. Hayes, Jr. will be the preacher for all worship times. Marcus Briggs-Cloud will be the worship leader.

Laity and clergy sessions will begin at 3:30 and 3:45 respectfully with the parade of tribal flags at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 6.

Saturday evenings program will once more be devoted to the children. Registration forms for children’s choirs will be sent to pastors in April.

We look forward to a wonderful time at this year’s annual conference!

A Benefit Gala and Silent Auction supporting an endowment for pastoral leadership for the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference of the United Methodist Church has been set.

Thursday, October 10, 2013 5:30 p.m. Silent Auction 6:30 p.m. Dinner and Program Reed Center 5800 Will Rogers Road Midwest City, Oklahoma

New ministry developing in Albuquerque, New Mexico

$125 plate or $1000 table. For more information about the event, sponsorship opportunities or silent auction you may contact Rev. David Wilson or Josephine Deere at the conference office 405-632-2006.

Artist Brent Greenwood of the Ponca/Chickasaw tribes designed the artwork for the gala. The artwork is symbolic of our Native American and United Methodist traditions.

The hands represent the passing on of our cultural and religious teachings to our children; the sunrise represents the blessing of a new day, and the bottom half is in an eagle feather design to represent our native beliefs of honoring all these things. The United Methodist Cross and Flame are flanked by crosses to represent the sacrifice Jesus made for us all.

A portion of the Cherokee Children’s Choir performing at the 2011 Benefit Gala and Silent Auction

For years, people who have moved to Albuquerque from OIMC churches have talked about the need for a Native American United Methodist ministry or church in that area. Many Oklahomans have moved there over the years for various forms of work and school and have raised families there over the years.

Three of our OIMC members, Robin Williams Minthorn from Mt. Scott Comanche UMC and Byron and Ryann Tso, Mt. Scott Kiowa UMC, expressed interest early on and OIMC began the process of the possibility of ministry there.

Rev. David Wilson, Conference Superintendent has traveled to Albuquerque several times to explore possibilities and in December the first official meeting was held at Central UMC, which is located near the University of New Mexico campus.

The three members have worked with Rev. Wilson to recruit persons and to promote the ministry. The group meets

once a month, usually on the last Wednesdays of each month for a meal and service. The second meeting was held this past February. Rev. Wilson stated that they have had additional persons to attend each month, as well as a good number of college students from the University. He also stated that while there are persons from Oklahoma in the group, there have been others from the New Mexico area as well.

The hope is to gather a core group of interested persons before developing additional service times at the church.

Rev. Wilson said they are thankful to Central UMC for providing space for the group. In addition, the OIMC has been able to utilize Native American Ministry Funds from the Oklahoma Conference for this effort.

If anyone knows of others in the Albuquerque area, please contact Rev. Wilson so they can add their names to their email and facebook list.

2-Advocate

March - April 2013

In memoriam

Words from our Bishop

Leona Elouise Tiger Sullivan March 31, 1920 – January 6, 2013

Our journey of life “Nevertheless I must walk today, and tomorrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.” Luke 13:33 (KJV) It is not by chance that Jesus had to go to Jerusalem. From the very beginning those early prophets knew that it would be in Jerusalem that God would ultimately bring salvation to His people. Often called the Holy City or the City of God, the name Jerusalem has been regarded as that place where God dwells. It is a place of hostility as well as a place of redemption; a place of dying and a place of resurrection.

That is why it is so important to understand that we too are often called to go to our own Jerusalem. It is synonymous with hardship and trial, sacrifice, testing, and rebirth. Your Jerusalem may be a hospital room or an illness you must battle every day of your life. It may be the heavy burden of problems only you understand. Wherever you experience the difficulties of life, that is your Jerusalem.

Bishop Robert E. Hayes, Jr. The secret however to making this place of hardship and trial a place of deliverance and salvation is to take God along with you as you make this difficult journey of life. That’s what Jesus did. He never left God and God never left him.

Even on the cross Jesus submitted his life to God’s will. If we are going to be resurrected from our sins and raised into a life that is worthy to be called “Christian,” then we must take God with us each and every day.

May the blessings of this Easter season be upon each and everyone.

Bishop Hayes

Deaconess & Home Missioner Ministry For laity in The United Methodist Church who feel called by God to a full-time vocation in service with those who are marginalized and in need in the world today, there is an opportunity to be part of a supportive community in connection with The United Methodist Church. The Office of Deaconess and Home Missioner is the only currently open office in The United Methodist Church for those called to full time vocations in servant ministries as laity.

Deaconesses, who are laywomen, and home missioners, who are laymen form a covenant community that is rooted in Scripture, informed by history, driven by mission, ecumenical in scope, and global in outreach. This community of laity has responded to the call of God in their lives and has been commissioned by The United Methodist Church in a life-time relationship to full-time ministries of love, justice, and service.

While the Office of Deaconess has been a part of our tradition as a church since 1888, the Office of Home Missioner was established at the 2004 General Conference providing lay men with an opportunity to serve in a life-time relationship in The United Methodist Church. This has been the first opportunity for lay men to be in an official life-time relationship in ministry since the closing of the option of Diaconal Minister by the 1996 General Conference.

In 2013 the Office of Deaconess will be celebrating their 125 anniversary with the theme “Love, Justice, and Service,” echoing the ongoing commitment for cutting-edge ministries by deaconesses and home missioners. For more information on the deaconesses and home missioner ministry and also for resources you may go on line to www.gbgm-umc.org/ umw/programs/deaconesses/.

United Methodist Women Mission u (formally School of Christian Mission) July 25 – 27, 2013 Studies will be: • Spiritual growth: Living Sacramentally and Walking Justly • Geographic: The Roma of Europe • Issue study: Poverty Location and registration information will be included in the April e-newsletter.

Leona Elouise Tiger Sullivan of Broken Arrow, 92, passed away January 6, 2013 at Cedarcrest Care Center in Broken Arrow.

She was born March 31, 1920 in Coweta to Nicey (Chalakee) and Thomas Tiger. On April 6, 1950 she married Jesse James “Bud” Sullivan and together they created a beautiful family.

Leona attended Cook Christian School in Phoenix, Arizona where she specialized in Christian education and the music ministry.

Leona served on the Nomination Committee at the District level of the church for two years and as District Lay Leader.

She spent three years on the Conference level and was on the Fundraising Committee for the conference. It was her mother’s dream for one of her children to play piano for the church and Leona did well by her. As a preacher’s wife she accompanyed her husband’s sermons by the selection of music;she enjoyed bead work, piano, word searches, reading, the children at church, collecting religious comic pictures, Sam Bradford and the Sooners.

In addition to her husband Jesse James “Bud” Sullivan, she was preceded in death by her son, Joe Charles Woodard; daughter Janice Colbert; 2 infant children; brothers, Woodrow Wilson Tiger and Bill Tiger; sister, Ailene Kootekomtz; and half brother Joseph Tiger. She is survived by her daughter Peggy Colbert and son Obie B. Sullivan; stepson James Lee Freeman; grandsons: Gregory, David, Thomas, Jake, Reuben and William; sisters Ruth Crowley, Martha Reece and June Johnson; three great-grandsons, one great-granddaughter and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Wake services were held January 13 at 7:00 p.m. funeral services were January 14, at 1 p.m. both at the Broken Arrow Indian United Methodist Church, Rev. Eli McHenry officiating. Interment was in the Billie Tiger Cemetery in Coweta. All were under the direction of Kennedy-Kennard Funeral and Cremation of Broken Arrow.

Jeanette Ruth (Tecumseh) Washington January 3, 1950 – February 5, 2013 Jeanette Ruth (Tecumseh) Washington, a resident of Okmulgee, passed away Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at the age of 63.

She was born January 3, 1950 to Isreal and Wisey (Scott) Tecumseh in Claremore, Oklahoma. She retired from Whitlock Packaging in Muskogee, Oklahoma. In 2003, she co-founded Akasama Ministries located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma where she ministered and preached regularly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Nero Tecumseh and Willis Tecumseh. She leaves to cherish her memories husband Rev. Donald

Washington of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; children Melvonna Marie Crook and Marcella Mia Crook of Dallas, Texas, Sean Chopoksa Sapulpa of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; Donna Louise Washington, Thomas Ray Washington, Hyatt Noland Washington, and Rev. Cetto-Mekko Tecumseh of Okmulgee, Oklahoma ; 21 grandchildren, one great grandchild. Siblings: Ramsey and Denise Tecumseh of Winterhaven, California; Rev. July and Norman Tecumseh of Muskogee, Oklahoma; Eldean Tecumseh of Clewiston, Florida; Katherine Tecumseh of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; Paul and Marianne Tecumseh, Sr. of Bixby, Oklahoma; Emma (Tecumseh) and Jo Dominguez of Dallas, Texas and Isabell Tecumseh of Morris, Oklahoma; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, family, and friends.

Wake Services were held on Friday, February 9, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.; funeral services were held on Saturday, February 10, 2013 at 1:00 both at Concharty United Methodist Church with pastor Mitchell Taylor officiating. Burial followed at the Tecumseh Family Cemetery. All were under the direction of the ShurdenJackson Funeral Home in Okmulgee.

Harriet “Babe” Louise Thirsty Bigpond September 15, 1944 - February 16, 2013 Harriet Louise “Babe” Thirsty Bigpond, daughter of Katie Mae Stayathome and Adam George Thirsty Sr. was born September 15, 1944 in Bunch, Oklahoma and departed this life to be with our Lord on February 16, 2013 in Stilwell, Oklahoma at the age of 68 years, 5 months and 1 day.

She was a great artist who loved to draw and paint. She also enjoyed all types of crafts. She would go shopping often as long as she got to go out to eat during the trip. She pastored Indian United Methodist Church for several years. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, especially her nieces and nephews and would do anything for them.

Harriet was also very active in the United Methodist Women and was a graduate of Chilocco Indian School.

Harriet was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Rev. Roy Bigpond; two stepsons: Gene and Tim Bigpond; a sister, Sharon Sue Thirsty and a sister-inlaw, Phyllis Bigpond.

She is survived by a very loving family that includes five sisters: Marietta Duncan and husband Roger; Melissa Carson all of Stilwell, Oklahoma; Wynema Cragg and husband Robert of Oktaha, Oklahoma; Deloris Woods and husband Bill; CarolynThirsty all of Stilwell, Oklahoma; two brothers Tyrone Smith and wife Vickie of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Adam Thirsty Jr. and wife Emma of Stilwell, Oklahoma; uncle John Stayathome of Stilwell, Oklahoma; one stepson Niegel Bigpond and wife Pat of Mounds, (continued on page 4 “Harriett”)

March - April 2013

Advocate - 3

10 things that kill ministry Rev. Dyton Owen is pastor at Chanute First UMC. Over the years of my ministry, I have learned – often, the hard way – that there are some things that can (and often do) kill ministry and have been known to kill a church. Sadly, pastors and leaders are as likely to participate in these attitudes as church members.

The fact is, these dis-eases are often contagious, infecting the entire church.

Just as with a virus, these attitudes prosper because they have a host in and through which they thrive and multiply.

The key is to recognize them early on and guard one’s self against them, refusing to play host, which will eventually result in a healthier church and ministry 1. Rut Thinking This is the mindset that invokes the “7 Deadly Words of the Church”: We’ve never done it that way before. It is a paralyzing fear that stifles forward movement in its tracks. It speaks of one’s fear of doing something that might make him/her uncomfortable and reveals a heart that the ministry or church is for them and not those who follow after. Remember the old adage: The only difference between a rut and a grave are the dimensions.

2. Pessimism How often have you heard someone say “I’m only being a realist” in response to a perceived crisis? My first response is “No you’re not! You’re being a pessimist, not a realist.” A pessimist is one who says “Here’s the problem; what are you going to do about it?” A realist, on the other hand, says “Here’s the situation as I see it; what can we do to resolve it?”

Hear the difference? A pessimist focuses on what’s wrong and prefers to gripe, complain and blame. A realist chooses to focus on the solution and how, working together, it can be realized.

3. Control Freaks Control freaks are easy to spot simply because they like to be in control as well as in the spotlight. They are fearful people who believe that if they could control a situation or persons involved, everything would be done properly. Control freaks are glaringly insecure. The only way they know to relate is to be overbearing, accusatory and self-righteous in an attempt to cover their own insecurity and poor self-esteem. By attempting to control every situation to their specifications, they believe they are able to take the focus off themselves and onto the situation.

However, just the opposite often occurs: their true personality becomes even more glaring.

4. Bottom-line Thinking “Bottom feeders,” as I call them, are dangerous to the ministry of a church if they are left unchallenged. Bottom-line thinkers look at the bottom line of a budget and wonder where the budget might be cut. This is not the same thing

as being a good steward of the people’s financial support; this kind of thinking can – if left unchallenged – lead to allowing a budget to determine a church’s ministry rather than allow the mission to determine the budget.

Bottom-line thinking will ask questions such as “Does such-and-such a ministry generate enough income to justify our budgeting for it?” Wrong question! If the church were to build a budget based on that question, many ministries would be cut. Does Sunday school generate enough money to pay for the curriculum?

Does the men’s or momen’s Bible study generate enough income to buy the books and DVDs used? Does the children’s ministry bring in enough funds to off-set its budget? The answer is very likely “No.” And if that is the case, according to bottom-line thinking, all such ministries should be cut. Remember: budgets should never determine ministry. Rather, mission should drive budgeting.

5. An Unwelcoming Spirit toward Those “Not Like Us” If it were not for those who are “not like us,” the church would have died out long ago. Those who are not like us (whatever that means!) are the very reason the Church exists. The church is not a country club that can choose who gets to take part, or who is worthy to be a member. If that were the litmus test of church membership or involvement, none of us would be welcomed! Archbishop of Canterbury William Temple once said, “The church is the only organization that exists only for its non-members.” A truer word was never spoken.

6. Herd Mentality This is the inability for people own up to their own opinions and say “I think” or “I believe,” finding it easier just to go along by saying “we think” or “we believe.”

There’s safety in numbers, they think.

“Herders” are often those who cannot think for themselves and look to others to think for them. Even if they know it’s wrong, they still identify with it simply because they like not having to think for themselves; and it gives them a group of which they can easily be a part because no one is challenged to think differently.

“Herders” prefer to be spoon-fed rather than getting messy learning to feed themselves. Remember: “I” think; “you” think. But “we” don’t think.

7. Opting for Comfort Over Risk We are all guilty of this. It is much easier, less stressful, and simply cozier if we stick to what we like, what makes us comfortable. Risk is, well, risky! It might mean we get hurt or embarrassed or have our ego bruised. But the fact remains, without the challenge of risk, growth is often stunted, at best. A tree grows stronger when it is buffeted by wind and

storm. No one ever promised us an easy, cozy life. In fact, Jesus even warns us that we will have trouble. Ignoring such a wise word is foolish. It is best to welcome risk so that we can grow stronger and stand taller. Who was it that first said, “The Gospel comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable”? The Church should encourage uncomfortable risk-taking, whether it means opening ourselves up to new people, trying new types of ministry, and in general putting God’s work before our own comfort.

8. Reacting Rather than Responding This is another one that is easy for us all to fall into. Reaction is often the result of self-protection, a knee-jerk reflex. Reaction does not take into consideration the results it will bring about, which often worsen the situation and prove to be destructive. It is panic mode. It is shortterm thinking. Responding, on the other hand, takes time to see the bigger picture.

It takes time to form a proper answer that will bring about the greater healing and growth. It is calm. It is long-term visioning and thinking. Sometimes, this plays out in committees that panic over a perceived problem (real or not), which then bleeds out to the larger body and causes even more panic, which often results in creating a larger, or even new, problem. The snowball grows larger. Those in leadership set the tone for how the larger body will respond. Keep this in mind and much conflict and panic can be avoided.

9. Inability to Dream Unfortunately, the church too regularly either stifles a dream, dreams small dreams, or chooses not to dream at all. Or, worse yet, leaves all the dreaming up the pastor!

But, in this case, at least some dreaming is

going on. If a church does not dream, it will not survive, let alone thrive. The failure to dream leads to stagnation, which will lead to death — a slow and ugly death.

The church should be the one place on earth that welcomes dreams and dreamers.

Dreams keep us fresh; they force us to think differently; they may even throw us off kilter every once in a while, causing us to move in a new direction. If we are going to dream, why not dream big? In the Church, no dream is “too big” if it helps us live our mission.

10. Expecting Leaders to “Do” Discipleship for Members Let’s face it, church members to not pay their pastors – and other church leaders to be good on their behalf! But how often do we actually see this play out? Members come to worship and other discipleshiptraining events in the church, but when it comes to actually living out the faith, some believe that is the pastor’s job. I have actually had a member who had a new neighbor move in right next door and, rather than inviting the neighbor to church himself, drove to my office, sat down to tell me about the new neighbor, and told me I needed to pay them a visit to invite them to church. When I asked if he had asked them as well, since he was literally living less than 100 feet away, he said, “No. That’s why we pay you.” If it is true that “God has no grandchildren” (and it is), the same can be said about discipleship: no one can do another’s walk of faith for them; no one can be a disciple of Jesus for another person.

Excerpted from MinistryMatters.com with permission of Rev. Dyton Owen

Wild Onion Dinners – traditional fundraiser One of the fundraisers that our churches, especially in the eastern part of the state, hold yearly is the wild onion dinners. This has been a tradition for years in this area during spring time.

March 1 Wild Onion Dinner, sponsored by St. Paul Talihina UMM, 11:00 a.m.

2 Wild Onion Dinner, sponsored by Seminole Hitchitee UMC, held at Seminole Community Center, Seminole, OK. All you can eat, 11:00 – 3 p.m.; Adults $10, Children 8 and under $7.

2 Wild Onion Dinner, Billy Hooton UMC, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., $7 Adults $3.50 Children 9 Wild Onion Dinner, Angie Smith UMC 11:00 a.m. – 4 p.m.

16 Wild Onion Dinner, Christ UMC, Claremore, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., $8 16 Wild Onion Dinner, Haikey Chapel UMC, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., $7.50 adults, $3.50 - 12 and under 22 Wild Onion Dinner, Fife Indian UMC, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

23 Wild Onion Dinner, Norman First American UMC, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

23 Wild Oinon Dinner, Concharty UMC, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., $10 Adults, $5, 12 & under April 4 – Wild Onion Dinner, Springfield UMC, 10:45 a.m. - ?, $10 adult, $5 for ages 5 & under

4 - Advocate

March - April 2013

What are your goals for mission in 2013?

From UM Communications (UMCOM) Change the World is now in its fourth year of bringing United Methodists together to make a global impact on one weekend. Last year, United Methodists completed worldchanging projects in more than 1,500 locations worldwide. Maybe your church contributed in years past – with a race to benefit Imagine No Malaria, a neighborhood clean up or food drive.

There are innumerable ways to take part.

Now it is 2013: Have you heard about the 2013 Change the World Challenge?

United Methodist Communications (UMCom) is the communications agency of the global denomination – an arm of the church that maximizes and strengthens connectionalism within The United Methodist Church. We are here to help local churches achieve their goals by shining a light on how God is at work in your community. This light helps communities see your work, and want to join in. Here’s one way we can assist in 2013.

Change the World is a denominationwide event that focuses on the ministries of the church beyond the sanctuary during one particular weekend, so that change is palpable and noticeable. Just imagine, if every United Methodist church in your surrounding area were outside the walls of their buildings, helping one another and enacting social change. People would take notice.

When you let us know about your outbound missions, we place your ministries on a map where online visitors to rethinkchurch.org (the seeker site of the UMC) can find volunteer opportunities in

their areas and join in. You may have done this during Advent and may still be getting email notifications that your profile is being viewed by others. We will also help you connect the ministries of your local church to secular volunteer sites where young people are searching to make a difference. And, we will supply you with resources to highlight your ministries during Change the World weekend, May 18-19, 2013.

So…are you ready to take the Change the World Challenge?

1. Identify the outreach missions you’d like to highlight in your church and its surrounding community during May 18-19, 2013. Set an achievable goal for expanding the number of people serving and being served through the mission.

2. Begin planning an event to highlight your mission opportunities on the weekend of May 18-19, 2013.

3. If you are planning something, but don’t have the details yet, or if you are planning something, and are ready to show it to the world, go to umcom.org, click on Change the World to find registration form as well as more information.

The first 1,000 ministries (within the U.S.) to complete the full registration with your event information, will get a Change the World package that includes a reuseable lawn banner, a sermon series with multimedia (DVD) and a Rethink Church tshirt.

Go to www.umcom.org/rethinkchurch to learn more about how we can help you grow your ministries!

Save the Date!!

May 3-4, 2013 Prison Ministry and Restorative Justice Training

11th National Gathering of United Methodist Men “United Methodist Men Inside Out for the Glory of God”

As of June, 2011, statistics released by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections show that nine percent of the prison population are Native Americans.

Statistics also show that nine percent of Native American women are also incarcerated in Oklahoma prison facilities.

The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference is partnering with the Office of Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries of The Oklahoma Conference to provide training for local churches and individuals to learn more about the system and opportunities for prison and restorative justice ministries.

The event will be held May 3-4, 2013 at Camp Egan, located outside of Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The event is open to both laity and clergy More information will be made available soon. Please mark your calendars for this important training event!

The 11th National Gathering of UMM will be held July 12-14, 2013 at Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee. Early bird registration up to March 15, 2013 is $239 and includes t-shirt. After March 15 the cost will be $299 and after June 1 it will be $350. Registration covers admission, lodging, workshops, concerts, & projects.

You may register online at: www.ummgathering.org or call 1-866-2974313. You may also download a copy of the brochure at the umm webpage.

Speakers will include Rev. Shane Bishop, Bishop James Swanson, Don Davis and David Delk. You will also be able to do a hands-on mission project with Stop Hunger Now, Society of St. Andrew or PETS Project.

MARCH 1&2 2 2 4 4 8&9 9 9 9 9 10 11 15 15-17 16 16 16 16 18 18 23 23

Conference Calendar

SE Region Lay Speaking School SE Region Children’s Lent Study, SE Region Center NE Region Youth Rally, New Hope UMC Cabinet, Conference Office, 9 a.m.

SW Region Trustee Meeting, Hog Creek SE Region Lay Speaking School, SE Region Center NE Region Lay Speaker Seminar, Christ UMC, 9:30 a.m.

NE Region Trustee meeting, NE Region Center, 10 a.m.

North District UMW Call to Prayer & Self Denial, NE Reg. Center Southern District UMW Exec. Mtg., Seeley Chapel UMC, 9:30 a.m.

One Great Hour of Sharing, Special Offering to be taken NE Region Pastors Gathering, NE Region Center, 6:30 p.m.

SE Region Finance Meeting, SE Region Center, 9:30 a.m.

CCYM Spring Retreat, Ponca Indian NE Region Childrens VBS Training, NE Region Center, 9 a.m.

Thlopthlocco UMC Wild Onion Dinner, 3-7 p.m.

SE Region UMW Prayer Retreat, SE Region Center, 9 a.m.

SE Region Trustee meeting, SE Region Center 9 a.m.

Central Region Pastors Gathering, El Reno Fellowship, 6:30 p.m.

SE Region Pastors Meeting, SE Region Center, 7 p.m.

Conference CF&A, Conference Office, 9 a.m.

Council on Local Church Ministries, TBA, 10 a.m.

APRIL Golden Cross Sunday - Any Sunday in April Conference UMW Mission Project Month - Every Unit to plan a project 1 SE Region COLCM Meeting, SE Region Center, 6:30 p.m.

1 SW Region Trustee Meeting, Hog Creek 5&6 Central Region Lay Speaking School, Mary Lee Clark UMC 6 NE Region Youth Rally, Big Cussetah UMC 8 Cabinet, Conference Office, 9 a.m.

8 Endowment Committee Meeting, OK Methodist Foundation, 1 p.m.

11 & 12 Lead III - Finding Balance, Church Goal Setting, Strength 12 Grace Indian UMC Annual Gospel Singing, 6 p.m. - Midnight 12 & 13 Conference UMW Retreat, Hog Creek 13 NE Region Trustee Meeting, NE Region Center, 10 a.m.

13 BOM Meeting, Conference Office 14 Native American Ministries Sunday, Special Offering to be taken 19 NE Region Evangelism Memorial Service, NE Region Center, 7 p.m.

20 NE Region Spring Conference 20 SE Region Spring Conference, SE Region Center, 9 a.m.

26-27 NE Region Lay Speaking School, NE Region Center 27 SE Region UMM Meeting, Kulli Chito UMC

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

(continued from page 2 “Harriett”) Oklahoma; step mother Wilie Mae Thirsty; a loving nephew Nathan Rider who loved and cared for Harriett. Two special children she raised; Bradley and Ellis, step grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends also survive her.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Debbie Humphrey officiating. Interment was in the Barber Cemetery, Cherokee County, Oklahoma

On March 10, 2013 join United Methodists everywhere by participating in the special offering that supports United Methodist Committee on Relief’s (UMCOR) vital work. Your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing lay the foundation for UMCOR to manifest God’s steadfast love throughout the world. Please give generously.We will also be collecting the Sewing Kits as well as Layette Kits at annual conference. Content lists will be sent to pastors and will also be placed on the webpage. Or you may call the conference office for a list.

The Advocate is published six times a year by the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference of The United Methodist Church. For subscription information, contact the office at 3020 S. Harvey, OKC. OK 73109. Phone: 405-632-2006; Fax: 405-632-0209. E-mail: jdeere@oimc.org.