September-October Advocate

Or Current Occupant

Advocate

Volume 28 No. 5

Sept.-Oct. 2012

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

Oklahoma Area hosts the 2012 South Central Jurisdiction Conference July 18-21, 2012 the Oklahoma Area (Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference and the Oklahoma Conference) hosted the most appreciated South Central Jurisdictional Conferences ever. It began with an inspiring worship and communion service on Wednesday evening, July 18, with Bishop Robert E. Hayes, Jr. preaching. The worship was held at St. Luke’s UMC and featured a combined choir from both host conferences.

History was made in several areas at this particular conference. It was the first time that a Native American was a vital candidate for Bishop and he came from our own OIMC. Rev. Wilson was in the top five candidates throughout most of the voting and withdrew with a very inspiring speech when his numbers dropped pushing him out of the top five.

The first time ever that a hands-on mission project was done and accomplished! Friday afternoon conference delegations had a chance to go to Church of the Servant and package food for Stop Hunger Now, a United Methodist Advance project.

They were able to package over 50,000 nutritious dehydrated meals to be distributed globally. Volunteers prepared the meals by serving in several capacities including: filling food bags, weighing and sealing the bags, and packing the meals into boxes for shipment. Rev. David Wilson, Rev. Margaret Johnson and Josephine Deere participated in this project when they attended the World Methodist Conference in South Africa last year and were excited to see the SCJ step up and

Host Committee do such a project. “It is such a rewarding experience to know that what you are doing will be helping to feed people, especially children who may not have had anything to eat for the day,” said Rev. Johnson.

Upon the report and recommendation from the Jurisdictional Episcopacy Committee the Jurisdictional Conference upheld their recommendation that Bishop Earl Bledsoe be placed on involuntary retirement. This is the first time ever in the history of the denomination that this has been carried out according to Discipline ¶408.3. Bishop Bledsoe has appealed to the Judicial Council.

The Jurisdictional Conference unanimously supported the establishment of the Great Plains Conference; the combination of Kansas West, Kansas East

Bishops of the SCJ: James Dorff, Ann Shearer-Simpson, Earl Bledsoe, William Hutchison, Janice Huie, Charles Crutchfield, Robert Schnase, Mike Lowry, Scott Jones.

Missing are Bishops Robert Hayes, Jr. and Max Whitfield.

and Nebraska Conferences. They also voted in support of the - to be established at present called the Bold Conference which will combine the Southwest Texas and Rio Grande conferences.

The retirement of four bishops was celebrated. Retiring are Bishops Charles Crutchfield, William Hutchison, Ann Sherrer-Simpson and Max Whitfield. After 23 rounds of voting three new bishops were elected, they are: Rev. Cynthia Harvey, Texas Conference; Rev. Mike McGee, Central Texas Conference; and Rev. Gary Mueller, North Texas Conference.

Comments received following Friday evening’s Area Night Celebration constantly were “it was the best ever!”

Entertainment included the National Cherokee Children’s Choir; guitarist Andrew Cruz; a Native hoop dancer; a mariachi band and several tribal princesses. The food included foods representative of Native American, Hispanic and Western.

Late on Friday evening the assignment of bishops was announced: Great Plains Conference – Bishop Scott Jones; Missouri Conference – Bishop Robert Schnase; Arkansas Conference – Bishop Gary Mueller; Louisiana Conference – Bishop Cynthia Harvey; Texas Conference – Bishop Janice Huie; Bold Conference (SW Texas and Rio

Grande) Bishop James Dorff; North Texas Conference – Bishop Mike McKee; Central Texas Conference – Bishop Mike Lowry; Northwest Texas & New Mexico Conference – to be supplied by retired bishop. The jurisdiction extended for a third term to the Oklahoma Area the assignment of Bishop Robert E. Hayes Jr. Thus his leadership will span 12 years in the Oklahoma and Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conferences (OIMC).

When the announcement was made that Bishop Hayes was returning to Oklahoma all Oklahomans stood, cheered, clapped and shed tears in celebration. Bishop Hayes and Dee both flashed thumbs-up from the plenary stage in their response. A short time later the entire Oklahoma area delegations gathered around Bishop and Dee laying hands on them and praying.

Those from OIMC elected to serve on general church level include: Josephine Deere, Connectional Table; Robin Williams-Minthorn, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry; Rev. Margaret Johnson, Office of Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships.

Elected on the Jurisdiction Mission Council are Sue Burgess and Phillis McCarty. Rev. Julienne Judd was elected to the Mt. Sequoyah Board of Trustees.

The 2016 South Central Jurisdictional Conference will be held in Wichita, Kansas.

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2012

Words from our Bishop History in the Making From July 18-21, 2012, history was made in Oklahoma City. It was during that week that the South Central Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church—representing eight states—met and was co-hosted by OIMC and the Oklahoma Annual Conference. Not since 1968 have that many Methodists assembled in Oklahoma, and this time around our beloved OIMC played a major role in the success of the conference.

The theme, “Woven Together for Transformation,” had as its logo an authentic Native basket which served as a visible reminder of the heritage and culture of Indian people. In fact, handmade baskets crafted by Margaret Battiest Johnson were given to over 300 delegates. There was Native dancing, singing and colorful apparel representing many tribes. No one went away from that conference without being reminded that it was Native people who brought the seeds of Methodism to Oklahoma as early as the 1830’s.

But there was also something else that took place at that gathering that had never happened before. One of our own—David Wilson—made a serious bid to become a bishop in the United Methodist Church. For over three months Dr. Wilson had travel throughout this jurisdiction engaged in the interviewing process, meeting with all the delegates that would vote on the three new bishops that were to be elected. His strong showing in the voting process indicated that many delegates believed that it is time for our denomination to elect a Native person to serve as bishop.

I agree. The votes our Conference Superintendent received were real and not symbolic, and even though Dr.

Bishop Robert E. Hayes, Jr. Wilson withdrew deep into the balloting, a significant point was made that cannot be overlooked.

If the United Methodist Church is truly a denomination of “open hearts, open minds, open doors,” then the time has passed for us to open the door of inclusiveness and live up to our slogans.

The fact that a Native person has never been elected to serve as a bishop indicates that we still have a long way to go to get to where God wants us to be.

Methodism was brought here by us, and for more than 170 years we have maintained our Wesleyan roots, true to our faith and true to our God. It is time that for the United Methodist Church to be truthful to itself.

I was never as proud of David Wilson and OIMC as I was during those four days in July. It tells me that we have come a long way, but the journey is not over. OIMC is strong. OIMC is the largest conference representing Native people in our denomination. We are committed to raising up new leaders that will continue to pursue the goal of having an Indian bishop, and I pray that God will give me the strength to continue the fight and see it happen in my lifetime.

Participants from opening worship at Jurisdictional Conference

OIMC delegation Josephine Deere, Rev. David Wilson, Rev. Margaret Johnson and Sue Burgess

May God bless you all.

Bishop Robert E. Hayes, Jr.

Cherokee National Children’s Choir performing at Jurisdiction Conference

Bishop Robert E. Hayes, Jr. and Dee following the announcement of reappointment to the Oklahoma Area.

Top photo Rev. Julienne Judd and Caroine Patterson packaging food for Stop Hunger Now. Bottom photo Jennifer Wilson and Leslie Barse assembling tote bags.

Tribal princesses at SCJ Conference Area Night.

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In memoriam

What is the future of South Central Jurisdiction?

These next four years will be critical years not only for the United Methodist Church but also for the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference. We keep hearing reports of the decline in membership for our denomination and hearing the statistical report at Jurisdiction conference that at the present rate of decline in 20 years our denomination will cease to exist.

These next four years are going to be crucial years for us, the OIMC and the denomination.

A pledge, so to speak, has been made to the denomination that the membership of OIMC would grow by 610 over the next four years. If each of our churches took in two professions of faith each year for the next four years we will be able to not only meet but exceed that pledge.

Not only are we looking at the continuance of our denomination but also the continuance of our conference. At the Jurisdiction Conference which was held here in Oklahoma City in July a resolution was passed by the Conference that was titled “Mission 21: South Central Jurisdictional Conference Realignment for the Twenty-first Century.” This resolution was presented by the South Central Jurisdiction College of Bishops and it states: The South Central Jurisdiction College of Bishops petitions the SCJ Conference to establish a Task Force designated as “Mission 21” for systematic and detailed realignment of the South Central Jurisdiction resources including Conferences and Episcopal areas to enhance the stated mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

The Mission 21 Task Force shall make recommendations to the 2016 Jurisdictional Conference realignment of the South Central Jurisdiction. The Mission 21 Task Force shall be guided by but not limited to considerations in the following areas: * The number and make up of Conferences and Episcopal Areas in the

Jurisdiction. Where possible, it shall seek to recommend an alignment of one Conference per Episcopal Area. * Consideration of realignment along different lines shall be investigated including but not limited to alignment based on: o Serving more people, younger people and more diverse populations o Affinity or other commonalities o Metropolitan areas o Geography o Clergy deployment * The focus of Episcopal leadership consistent with the demographic and missional outreach and growth of the Jurisdiction. The Mission 21 Task Force will seek to discern and recommend how Episcopal leadership may be best deployed to enhance our mission on a Jurisdictional level. The Mission 21 Task Force shall further be encouraged to make recommendations involving the key elements of ministry focus for bishops. * The use of Jurisdictional resources for accomplishing the stated mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Jurisdictional resources including but not limited to finances, property, and personnel shall be examined for their best use in accomplishing the stated mission. * The Mission 21 Task Force shall be governed by the general principle that “everything is on the table.” * The Mission 21 Task Force shall be named by The College of Bishops in consultation with the Jurisdictional Episcopal Committee. * The makeup of the Mission 21 Task Force shall: o Be no more than 10 people plus two Bishops named by the College of Bishops o Have at least one representative from every Episcopal Area o Contain appropriate diversity o Have at least 5 members below age 40 o Be half lay, half clergy, in addition to the two bishops. * A conscious effort shall be made to

assign people to the Mission 21 Task Force who will look at the whole jurisdiction and most explicitly to the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world over and above defending turf or guarding established institutions, conferences or areas of privilege. * Foundational principles established for the 2012 Jurisdictional restructuring shall be followed with the provision that this work shall build upon the work already done, most especially the detailed listing conducted in existing Episcopal areas. o Mission – Everything we do is shaped by our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. o A More Vital, Faithful, Fruitful United Methodist Witness – We envision an outcome of our work being a stronger United Methodist presence and witness. o Listening to God – prayer and discernment must undergird and shape all of our deliberations. o Listening to Everyone Affected – one way we will listen to God is by listening to one another across the jurisdiction to hear the wisdom God has given us on this matter. * Adequate financial resources from the jurisdictional reserve fund or from resources outside the jurisdictional apportionment shall be designate to employ a consultant(s) to guide the process as well as professional planners in Area modeling and missional design.

How do we, the OIMC, go forth from here? With the same vision and foresight that our founding fathers/mothers brought forth when Methodism was brought to Indian Territory. The future of OIMC is in our hands – will we continue to lose members in these next three-four years – will churches be closed due to low membership/attendance non payment of apportionments/insurance – will we be able to establish new places of worship – will we have new dreams new aspirations – our future is in our hands.

Nelda Diane (Billy) Jacob December 9, 1952- July 6, 2012 Funeral services for Nelda Diane (Billy) Jacob of Ada, OK were held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at the First Presbyterian Church in Broken Bow, OK. Officiating was Rev. Ronald McKinney.

Interment followed at Oka Achukma Cemetery near Broken Bow, OK. Wake services were held Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at Smith-Phillips Funeral Home in Ada, OK with Dr. David Wilson officiating.

Mrs. Jacob passed away Friday, July 6, 2012 at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City, OK at the age of 59. She was born December 9, 1952 in Talihina, OK to Ed Billy and Cynthia Wilson Billy. She married Donald Jacob on March 16, 1970 in Wright City, OK. Mrs. Jacob had worked for the Ada City Public Schools for 29 years as their Indian Education Coordinator. She taught the Choctaw language through the Choctaw Nation Language Program for 15 years, was a member of the Oka Achukma Presbyterian Church in Broken Bow, OK, was an associate member of the Mitchell Memorial United Methodist Church in Ada, OK, and was a proud member of the Choctaw Nation. Diane inspired many native students, always saw the good in people, and never met a stranger. She enjoyed working with children in her program, going to social gatherings, and doing church work.

Mrs. Jacob is survived by her husband Donald Jacob of the home; three sons, Steven Jacob and wife Drucella of Ada, OK, Darrian Jacob and Jenny Oresco of Ada, OK, and Joshua Jacob of Ada, OK; her father Ed Billy of Broken Bow, OK; four brothers, Curtis Billy and wife Teressa of Durant, OK; Rick Billy and wife Debbie of Norman, OK; Wendell Billy of Broken Bow, OK; and Phillip Billy and wife Lisa of Purcell, OK; two sisters, Elsie Hicks and Meredith Billy both of Broken Bow, OK; and four grandchildren, Sydelle Jacob, Kloey Jacob, Dustin Newport, and Catie continued page 4 Diane

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! A big thank you to all of you who helped make the hosting of the South Central Jurisdictional Conference one of the most memorable conferences ever. To those who served on the Host Committee, to all the volunteers (those who greeted, those who packed bags, to the pages) – it would not have been such a success if it were not for you – to those who supplied snacks – whatever that snack may have been – to those who lifted this conference up in your prayers, thank you a hundred fold!

From Vinnie Hoover who was co-chair of the Hospitality Committee: “I want to thank everyone who donated to the Bishop’s break room and those who volunteered

during South Central Jurisdictional Conference. There were so many positive remarks about the conference and how welcome the attendees felt.”

From Josephine Deere, co-chair of the Worship Committee: “A thank you to all those that participated in the opening worship service. Your participation in your tribal dress helped set the tone for what we were trying to exemplify in our theme ‘Woven Together for Transformation.’ To Miss Weynemma whose basket weaving is unmeasureable and to Pearl who stepped up to assist with the choir and to lead the conference in worship Thursday morning.”

Sunrise Ross and Diana Fitzpatrick serving as Secretaries

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Percentage of Apportionments and Insurance paid so far in 2012 Church Angie Smith Billy Hooton Clinton ICCC El Reno Mary Lee Clark Norman FA Pawnee Ponca Wichita Arbeka Big Cussetah Broken Arrow Bryan Chapel Canterbury Choska Christ Concharty D.D. Etchieson Davis Chapel Fife Indian Glenpool Grant Chapel Haikey Chapel Honey Creek Kabeah Kaney Chapel Lawrence Mission Little Cussetah Mutteloke Nagawee New Hope Newtown Pickett Chapel Salt Creek Hitchitee Serenity Springfield

Apport.

59 21 21 100 26 0 100 62 0 100 100 60 0 86 100 100 0 100 15 100 69 100 32 100 61 34 57 0 56 19 100 32

Insr.

67 50 100 17 100 67 58 100 67 0 100 58 58 0 0 58 58 58 33 100 0 100 100 100 58 67 100 0 70 11 58 58 46 58 59 58 87

The Gift of Prayer

By Deb Smith General Board of Discipleship 1. Create a short class prayer that can be easily memorized and use it to open or close each class. The prayer may be written by the class, or it may be a classic prayer, such as the Lord’s Prayer or the Prayer of Saint Francis. With repetition, people will eventually learn the prayer.

During times of crisis, the prayers that we have committed to memory will sustain us when we can’t find words of our own.

2. Use an object such as a lighted candle or a cross for focused prayer time. You can encourage people to pray aloud by inviting them to name things they are thankful for or people whom they care about. However, never force people to pray aloud.

3. Use a prayer box or prayer wall to write or draw pictures of prayer requests.

This provides a way for people who don’t want to be specifically identified to request prayers.

4. Not all prayers have to be written or spoken. For many people, their most significant prayer time comes while

Church Apport.

Springtown 40 Stilwell 21 Sullivan Chapel 0 Thewarley 13 Thlopthlocco 100 Tulsa Indian 0 Wewoka 1 Yeager 0 Bethel Hill 50 Big Lick 4 Bobb Myers 0 Boiling Springs 100 Bokchito 58 Cane Hill 100 Chihowa Okla 0 Choctaw Academy 100 Dallas 66 Goodland 100 Goodsprings 42 Goodwater 61 Grace Indian 36 Hampton Chapel 0 Johnson Chapel 79 Kullichito 50 Kullituklo 0 Mitchell Memorial 34 Nanih Chito 26 Old Cedar 0 Pennington 66 Seeley Chapel 100 St. Paul Talihina 58 Sulpher Springs 100 Tohwali 82 Whitesand Bennington 100 Whitesand Valliant 59 William Anderson100 Yasho 100

Insr.

50 100 0 0 58 75 100 0 58 17 25 100 58 100 0 59 58 67 69 50 33 91 50 50 75 58 50 58 66 43 60 33 50 17 58 100 58

engaged in activities such as quilting, gardening, woodworking, and baking.

Help your students identify their preferred settings for prayer and encourage prayer settings that may be a new experience.

5. Pray for your students, and let them know that you are praying for them.

Consider sending a note or e-mail on birthdays to remind people that you are praying for them. Place a list of class members on your refrigerator or other place where you will regularly be reminded to hold them in prayer.

As you plan your teaching in the coming weeks, consider these questions: * Do your students know that you pray for them? * What are the current prayer practices of your class? * What new prayer practices might you introduce?

September 2 3 4 6-7 7 7 7-9 8 8 8 9 14-15 15 15 15 15 16 16 22 22 22 25 29

Conference Calendar

Angie Smith Memorial UMC Birthday Singing, 2-5 p.m.

LABOR DAY, Conference Office Closed SW Region Trustees & Finance Mtg., Hog Creek, 6:30 p.m.

LEAD Seminar, Oklahoma City University Angie Smith Memorial UMC Indian Taco Sale, 4-8 p.m.

Central Region Leadership Team Mtg., TBA, 6:30 p.m.

SW Region Camp Meeting, Region Center NE Region Leadership Team Mtg., NE Region Center, 10 a.m.

NE Region Youth Rally, Sullivan Chapel, 10 a.m.

Confirmation Workshop, Thlopthlocco UMC, 8-4:30 p.m.

SE Region Martha Anderson Scholarship Mtg., SE Reg. Center 3 p.m.

North District UMW Annual Meeting, NE Region Center SE Region Trustees Mtg., SE Region Center, 9 a.m.

SE Region Worship Mtg., SE Region Center, 11 a.m.

SE Region Finance Mtg., SE Region Center, 11:10 a.m.

CCYM Organizational Meeting, Chihowa Okla UMC, 10 a.m.

UMVIM Awareness Day, special offering, recognition of UMVIM teams SW Region Third Sunday Revival, Hunting Horse UMC, 5:30 p.m.

Angie Smith Memorial UMC, Breakfast Sale, 7:30 - 11 a.m.

SE Region Youth Ministry Mtg., St. Paul-Talihina, 9:30 a.m.

South District UMW Annual Meeting, Seeley Chapel UMC, 9:30 a.m.

SE Region Pastors’ Mtg., SE Region Center, 7 p.m.

NE Region Leadership Training, NE Region Center, 12:30 p.m.

October 1 5 5-6 6 6 6 7 7 8 13 13 14-16 15 19-20 19-20 20 20 21 21 22 26-27 27

SW Region Trustees & Finance Mtg., Hog Creek, 6:30 p.m.

Angie Smith Memorial UMC Indian Taco Sale, 4-8 p.m.

Conference UMW Annual Meeting, Hog Creek SE Region Childrens’ Fall Fest/Food Drive, SE Region Center SW Region Fall Conference, Hog Creek, 9 a.m.

NE Region Youth Rally, Tulsa Indian UMC, 10 a.m.

Angie Smith Memorial UMC, Birthday Singing, 2-5 p.m.

World Communion Sunday, Special offering taken SE Region COLCM, SE Region Center, 6 p.m.

North District UMW New Officer Training, NE Region Center SE Region Fall Conference, SE Region Center, 9 a.m.

Angie Smith Memorial UMC Fall Revival, 5:30 nightly Central Region Pastors’ Mtg., Oklahoma City NE Region Fall Retreat, NE Region Center, 5 p.m.

SE Region Youth Lock-in, Dallas Indian UMC Angie Smith Memorial UMC Breakfast Sale, 7:30-11 a.m.

SW Region Falll Fest, Hog Creek Laity Day, Special offering taken, celebration of laity SW Region Third Sunday Revival, Petarsy Mission, 5:30 p.m.

NE Region Pastor’s Gathering, NE Region Center, 6:30 p.m.

COLCM Retreat, Western Hills Angie Smith Memorial UMC Fall Fest, 7-9 p.m.

Confirmation Workshop September 8, 2012 Thlopthlocco UMC (8 miles south of Okemah on Highway 27)

8:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Presenter Rev. Diana Northcutt Oklahoma Conference Director of Discipleship of Small Membership Churches and Conference Youth Coordinator

CEUs will be given RSVP 405-632-2006 by September 4, 2012 Please bring with you, if you have one Credo Confirmation for Small Membership Churches

Diane continued from page 3 Newport.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Cynthia Wilson Billy; and two nieces, Gina Billy and Kathi Hicks.

Bearers: Chris Johnson, Clovis Hamilton, James Watkins, Tvli Jacob, George Huffman, and Mahli Billy.

Honorary Bearers: Chief Greg Pyle, Johnny Marthla, David Wiley, Zane Bowman, Pat Harrison, Mike Anderson, Chuck Roberts, and Kennedy Brown.

Arrangements were under the direction of Smith-Phillips Funeral Home - Ada, OK 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: 405632-0209. E-mail: jdeere@oimc.org