From all of us at the Kansas Oklahoma Conference of the United Church of Christ, may this Christmas bring you closer to the boundless love and grace of God.

Please feel free to share this with other clergy, in your town or in your denomination. We are asking that this be clergy-only for now.

With your support and generosity, we can expand our ability to help congregations and clergy address the concerns lifted during our Annual Meeting and continue to do what we do best: welcome all, build connections, and transform lives.

As we approach the season of gratitude and gatherings, I find myself reflecting on the past weeks filled with enriching experiences and moments of celebration that embody the essence of Thanksgiving.

For those seeking greater knowledge and depth in addressing this important justice issue, PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc. offers a course where participants from across the country have a place to gather in online conversations.

Upcoming Justice Leadership Program opportunities…

It’s the middle of October and I’m still feeling the warm glow of our Annual Meeting.

The Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) has released a new statement calling for an immediate end to violence and access to humanitarian care for the people of Gaza.

Adjusting for youth registration numbers and feedback, we'll be offering a Friday night escape room activity from 8:00-9:00 p.m. with pizza, snacks, and ice cream sundaes!

This year's robust presence of the United Church of Christ Insurance Board at our Annual Meeting is especially due to the efforts of Howard Sewell, a member of our host congregation.

We’re EXTENDING the Annual Meeting Registration Deadline to THIS Monday, September 18!

Many of our churches have grown tremendously over the past few decades in our awareness for the need to talk about and destigmatize mental health care.  

Our longtime partner, Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, has stepped up their abundant giving even more this year in order to host our Friday evening Dinner Church service at Annual Meeting.

We're delighted to introduce two incredible new colleagues in KO who will be supporting this year's programming for middle and high school students.

Joining together across the Conference, we'll explore ways to be companions for one another, and to put up resistance together for justice and extravagant welcome.  

At this time we still have reduced-rate rooms available at Tru by Hilton ($85) and Home2 Suites ($117), both less than half a mile from Mayflower.  Online reservation links are not available yet, but you can make a reservation by calling the preferred location and using the code "KOC" (Kansas-Oklahoma Conference.

Youth in grades 5-8 and 9-12 are especially invited to be a part of this year's Annual Meeting!  We'll have a mix of games, creative activities, and an Escape Room as we explore our faith and our connection to the wider church. 

The 2023 Justice Summit, on October 7, will center on trans and nonbinary belonging in the church. All who are interested in learning more about this justice issue are welcome!

Partners in Building is a two-day virtual event hosted by Church Building & Loan Fund that connects pastors and church leaders with resources on how to repurpose, finance and manage church-owned property. 

Thirty authorized ministers from the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference gathered last week for three days of rest and renewal in Lindsborg, Kansas. This year's event was generously supported by the Richard and Helen Brown Endowment through United Church Funds.