Reflecting on 2021
Throughout December, we’ll be sharing reflections from authorized ministers, lay members, and friends of the United Church of Christ here in Kansas and Oklahoma. Do you have something you’d like to share? Send us an e-mail and we’ll publish your reflections this month.
Rev. Kayla Bonewell
I have been on the KO Conference Council for one year now, serving as the Committee on MInistry Representative. Over the past year, here’s what I’ve noticed: Our conference is small but mighty! It feels kinda like the TV show CHEERS; it's totally possible to get to know everyone's names.
In KO, we care about our members' lives. We don't just conduct business together, but we mourn and celebrate with one another through life's ups and downs. And, we are efficient: a 4-hour scheduled Conference Council meeting usually gets done in 2 and 1/2 hours!
One of my favorite activities as a member of the Conference and Conference Council has been showing up for milestone events, such as attending Rev. Lori Walke's Installation at Mayflower UCC in Oklahoma City, and Rev. Michael Vollbrecht's virtual ordination in August 2020 during the height of the pandemic.
Praise God that we can be there for each other, whether in-person or virtually, no matter where we are on life's journey.
Rev. Michael Vollbrecht
When Edith Guffey asked me to serve the Conference as a communications specialist, it didn’t take much convincing. KO has been the only Conference I’ve known as a lay member, a member-in-discernment, and now as an authorized minister. In the six years I’ve been active here, I’ve seen the Conference take some bold actions - becoming Open and Affirming has been especially meaningful to me. In being connected to KO, I’ve met some incredible people and have deepened relationships that have seen me through both joyful and challenging moments in my life and ministry. While the local church’s role is vitally important, no one church can do it all (and we shouldn’t!) Participating in Conference activities provides opportunities for all of us to connect with colleagues and to make friends throughout Kansas and Oklahoma.
One of the best parts of my work this year has been bringing the voices of our members to you via our bi-weekly newsletter. In fact, these articles get the most clicks in every issue we e-mail to you. Why? Because connection matters. The more that we share with one another, the stronger the bonds between us. In a world that is increasingly fragmented and solitary, that’s important. Besides, I might think I know a lot, but I’ll know a lot more if I listen and learn from what others are doing in their communities and congregations.
Below, I’m including the "most viewed” articles that were shared on our website in 2021. We are doing some great things in KO, and we have some great people here, that much is clear. I’m excited to see what 2022 brings us as we continue to covenant with one another as a people of faith, community, and connection.
At the Intersection of Faith and Justice
Embodied: Women, History, and the Posture of Prayer
Courage in the Struggle for Justice and Peace
If you have an idea for an article you’d like to write, please let me know. I want to share the great things you’re doing, whether they’re at your local church, the Conference or National setting, or anywhere you are where God is present (and that’s everywhere, by the way.)