God's Glue Assembles Mosaic
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THE OKLAHOMA UNITED METHODIST Volume 3, Number 14 • October 9, 2015 www.okumc.org God’s glue assembles Mosaic Newest church charters with 160 By HOLLY McCRAY With 160 charter members on Sept. 13, Mosaic United Methodist Church became official in Okla- homa City. A high moment of worship was the baptism of fourth-grader Nathan, son of Justin and Rev. Trina Bose North of Edmond. Pas- tor Scott Spencer used water that Trina had brought from her Holy From left: Pastor Scott Spencer with OKC-Mosaic charter Land pilgrimage. members Cheryl Burnet and LaWanda and Bob May. Worshippers were invited to became Clegg charter members. Mosaic has gained momen- reach into the bowl of water dur- Cheryl Burnet is described tum quickly, said Chuck Nordean, ing Communion and take small as a “balcony baby” of Epworth Conference director of New Faith stones to remember this birthday. UMC, which had occupied a for- Communities. It’s no surprise that Musicians performed “Something mer university building since 1919. Rev. Spencer wore sneakers that in the Water.” She fondly recalled playing in the Charter Sunday. Three charter members long children’s space developed later on Sunday morning worship attended churches that recently the building’s south side. services began June 7. Classes in closed in Oklahoma City and In December 2014, the Ep- August taught theology and policy Photos by Holly McCray provided seed for this new church worth property was sold. And a to people new to Methodism. Water from the Holy Land sparkles in Nathan’s hair as Scott start. congregation of the Oklahoma Mosaic’s people are tutoring Spencer baptizes him Sept. 13 at Mosaic UMC. In 1963, Bob and LaWanda Indian Missionary Conference and serving snacks at elementary May drove past a sign announcing (OIMC) now meets Sunday morn- schools, collecting items for Sky- crowd of 180 people on Sept. 13. Crossroads District Superin- Leland Clegg Methodist Church ings in the former Clegg facility. line Urban Ministry, and active He preached on Genesis 3. tendent Rockford Johnson directed was opening. They went to worship Mosaic’s temporary worship in the Reconciling Ministries “I believe I make a small the legal steps for chartering, in- the first Sunday — but arrived an space is Smith Chapel on the Network. Friendships are growing difference,” he said. “Working cluding electing church officers. hour too early. So they ate break- Oklahoma City University cam- with North OKC Native American fast with LaWanda’s parents before pus. However, the pastor’s office Fellowship members. together, we make a bigger differ- The people clapped as Eric Brown the service started in a former and weekday activities are at the “I am so privileged to be ence, and Mosaic wants to make a was approved for Lay Servant military barracks, Bob said. They former Clegg church. with you today,” Spencer told the huge difference in the world.” Ministry. By SAM HODGES elder is somehow more gifted than every local pas- United Methodist News Service tor,” he said. Trending local: When multi-site Grace Church in Florida needed Mike Mahaffey of Oklahoma, who is president of Tracking the growing role a pastor for a new campus, Arlene Jackson got the call. the National Fellowship of Associate Members & Lo- She began with about 30 in worship. cal Pastors, said the trajectory is clearly toward more of Local Pastors in denomination Over five years, her flock in Fort Myers has grown respect and authority for local pastors. They can serve to more than 400. Many were previously “unchurched” in Extension appointments, too. and recovering from addictions, as she did. “They’re growing in Christ and bringing people and having a lot Changes noted by Oklahomans of joy in their walk with the Lord,” she said. Rev. Mahaffey pastors at Fairview-First and Rev. Jackson is not an ordained elder, the kind of Catesby. United Methodist pastor who spends three or four years On the Facebook page they share, the denomi- getting a master of divinity degree and makes it through nation’s local pastors air the occasional complaint provisional status to become “fully connected,” with a about second-class treatment. But things really have guaranteed appointment. improved, said Max Rudd of Oklahoma. For about 40 years, he’s been a local pastor leading Called in middle age Lost Creek UMC south of Stillwater. Average worship She’s a full-time Local Pastor who answered her attendance has grown from 10 to 200. The rural church call to ministry in middle age. Her training has included spends half its $400,000 budget on missions. a two-week licensing school and the part-time Course Rev. Rudd began as a part-time bivocational of Study required of such pastors. pastor. These days he’s sought out by Oklahoma UM Local pastors like Jackson are on the rise in the leaders and asked to give presentations on effective Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS Church in the United States. church leadership. Oklahoma Local Pastor Max Rudd blesses a baby during Bishop Robert Schnase of Missouri has appointed “It’s been really neat to see local pastors becoming worship at Lost Creek UMC. many local pastors. “We do not presume that every See Trending local, page 8 Page 2 The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact October 9, 2015 Communications Never miss worship on Sunday survey: www.okumc.org Wherever you are, to good use this communications Furthermore, you aren’t limited as explained by TechShop. tool. They regularly are digitally to watching in real time. Many of • Viewers stay on your church’s watch live on Web broadcasting their Sunday morning these streamed worship services website, where you embed the throughout the denomination and also are archived. You can view past video player. services. within annual conferences. By JOSEPH HARRIS services online at convenient times • No outside advertising or The Department of The board’s strategy includes Director of Communications in your daily schedule. This option is inappropriate ads or video appear Communications this summer a local-church survey because One question we often are great if you want to catch up on part next to your live stream. began placing links to those of the goal to identify the state asked is: Can a church extend the of a sermon series that you missed. • Your church can receive on- worship services on the Oklahoma of and individual needs for reach of its worship services and Conference website, www.okumc. line donations when you place a technology and communications sermons beyond the walls by using UMCom offers system org. We will expand the list as we “Donate” button next to the player. in Oklahoma’s churches. The today’s technologies? learn of more churches that do this. If your church is considering Interested? A team will walk local-church communications That is what live video Is your church among those live video streaming, United you through setup. survey will be emailed from the streaming makes possible. with live video streaming? A survey Methodist Communications’ Also, our Department is Department to churches’ Lay It provides a way to connect in by the Department is asking about TechShop offers help. happy to consult with any church Leaders, communications staff, real time, using the Internet, with that. Learn more at http:// interested in live video streaming. and pastors. people who are not physically in a When you’re away from home myumclive.com/livestreaming Contact 405-530-2073, to discuss We hope that by getting an sanctuary during worship. It is one — perhaps out of state — or at MyUMCLive offers how it might serve your church accurate picture and relating way to fulfill Christ’s call “to go home because of illness, you do discounted pricing to United right now or in the future. it to strategic communications and make disciples of all nations.” not have to miss church on Sunday. Methodist churches that seek planning, the Department can This technology is wonderful for We invite you, wherever you may to engage people through these Tell us about your church better serve you. the Church when used redemptively. be, to watch an Oklahoma United broadcasts. MyUMCLive has some Our board of advisers this To participate in the survey, At least 10 Oklahoma United Methodist service on your personal advantages that are not available year has been surveying best you can access it online at: www. Methodist churches are putting digital device. through free streaming services, practices and uses of technology okumc.org by November. First Year Experiences welcome newest class Oklahoma City University wel- comed the Class of 2019 with the annual matriculation service Aug. 19 and other events. This class has 322 first-year students and 237 transfer students. The new OCU Stars made their • Devon Tower and Empire Slice which small groups of students made way to the Kirkpatrick Auditorium House quick stops around campus to learn for the official service, walking on OCUReads enabled incoming how each department can serve their sidewalks lined with faculty and students to read and discuss the needs. administrators, cheering them on. book “Acts of Faith,” by Eboo Patel, Director of Religious Life To help the students get founder of Interfaith Youth Core. Rodney Newman served on a panel comfortable in their new home, a Patel wrote about how he came to at International Student Orientation. team led by Colbi Beam, coordinator appreciate his own faith community Rev. Newman highlighted the of the First Year Experience, put and the value of interfaith cooperation. worship services and meals offered together a number of events. This year’s book selection in the Chapel during the year.