Advocate

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

Volume 28 No. 4 July-August 2012

Fund, the Lay Missionary Planting Networkand Clinton Indian Church and CommunityCenter. Sunday’s offering went to the hostto help with the expense of annualconference. The youth raised little over$500 for YSF through their silent auction,root beer floats, t-shirts and banquet. Forthose that received an item through thesilent auction and may have slipped awaybefore we received your bid, you maysubmit that to the conference office. Justbe sure you indicate that it is for an itemreceived through the silent auction. Nine graduating seniors were recognizedduring the youth banquet on Saturday. The conference voted to support theresolution that was presented regardingWater Rights. The 2013 budget of$1,059,184 was approved.

OIMC Holds 170th Annual Conference Session

with the children on Saturday evening witheight children/youth choirs and two solos.All songs presented were in theparticipants own tribal language.Certificates of participation were given tothe churches that participated and allparticipants received a $5 gift card fromBraum’s Ice Cream. The “Conference Bigheads” were oncemore victorious over the CCYM Officers inthe battle of Family Feud. Also theconference was pleasantly surprised by avisit from the OIMC Blues Brothers (a.k.a.Rev. David Little and Merle Berryhill) whoshared their rendition of “This Little Lightof Mine.” Offerings received from the three nightsof worship totaled $1599.02 and went tosupport the Native American Children’s

Pastors of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference

Or current resident

The smell of cedar for the blessing of abrand new tabernacle at the SouthwestRegion Center, Anadarko, OK, itsdedication and the smudging of those inattendance beginning with the bishop ofthe Oklahoma Area, Bishop RobertHayes, Jr., set the tone for the 170th

Session of the Oklahoma IndianMissionary Conference annualconference held June 7-10. BishopRobert E. Hayes, Jr., presiding bishop forthe Oklahoma Area, was the preacher forall worship services. With the theme “Renewing Ourselvesfor Transformation through prayer,proclamation and witness” the openingceremonies began with the presentationof flags. The American flag which wascarried proudly by Mrs. Ramona Gooday,a Marine Veteran from Little WashitaUMC and the Christian flag presented byDeacon Mrs. Delana McNac from HaikeyChapel UMC, were followed by the flagsof the 39 Federally Recognized Nations ofOklahoma. Also included in theprocession were the flags of Oklahoma,Kansas and Texas, the states where the87 churches and fellowships are located.Serving as worship leader was MarcusBriggs-Cloud, a member of theMiccosukee Creek Nation and member ofNorman First American UMC. Fifteen persons who participated in theLay Missionary Planting Network wererecognized and five were deployed duringthe reading of the appointments Sundaynoon. Five ministerial candidates werepresented during worship on Friday

evening and received their appointmentson Sunday. A lengthy discussion was heldfollowing the recommendation of thecourse to be taken concerning the JudicialCouncil’s determination at GeneralConference that the apportionment formulafor missionary conferences that GeneralCouncil on Finance and Administrationhas followed was unconstitutional. Afterhaving participated in an Act ofRepentance to the indigenous persons ofthe church, the church turns right aroundand lowers this bombshell on themissionary and language conferences. The conference celebrated theretirement of three clergy with a total of 62years of service. We once againcelebrated our language retention program

South Central Jurisdiction to elect three new bishopsHistory could be in the making during theQuadrennial Meeting of the South CentralJurisdiction. Rev. Dr. David M. Wilson,Conference Superintendent, if electedwould be the first Bishop elected from theOklahoma Indian Missionary Conferenceas well as the first Native American Bishopof the United Methodist Church. Rev. Wilson, a member of Fife IndianUMC in Muskogee began his ministry as aSunday School teacher, youth coordinatorand Lay Speaker under the guidance ofRev. Lee Chupco. His first appointmentwas at D.D. Etchieson UMC in Tahlequahwhere he also started a campus ministrywith the Native American students atNortheastern State University. Rev. Wilsonhas been instrumental in establishingcampus ministries on seven college and

university campuses for Native Americanstudents. David graduated from Okay HighSchool, received an Associate Degreefrom Eastern Oklahoma State College inMass Communications and a B.A. fromOklahoma City University. In 1994 hereceived his Masters of Divinity fromPhillips Theological Seminary in Tulsaand received an honorary doctorate ofHumane Letters from Bacone College in2009. Rev. Wilson has served as an adjunctprofessor of religion for over twelve yearsat Oklahoma City University and asadjunct professor at Perkins School ofTheology and teaches a Course of StudyProgram for Perkins. For the past twoyears he has served as adjunct professor

for Saint Paul School of Theology and ischair of the Native American AdvisoryCommittee for the school. He also servesas a member of the Board of Trustees forOklahoma City University. David is well qualified to serve as aBishop in any conference. His knowledgeand understanding of the church isimmense. He is well known for hisleadership not only across the SouthCentral Jurisdiction but also across thedenomination.continued on page 2 david

Rev. Dr. David M. Wilson

The Advocate is published six times a year by theOklahoma Indian Missionary Conference of TheUnited Methodist Church. For subscription in-formation, contact the office at 3020 S. Harvey,OKC. OK 73109. Phone: 405-632-2006; Fax: 405-632-0209. E-mail: [email protected]; www.umc-oimc.org

2-Advocate July-August 2012

The South Central Jurisdiction Conferenceof the United Methodist Church is fastlyapproaching and will be held in OklahomaCity, July 18-21! The conference will begin Wednesdayevening, July 18 at 7:00 p.m. with HolyCommunion and Memorial Service. Thisservice will be held at St. Luke’s UMC, 222Northwest 15th Street just north of thedowntown area. The business will begin at 8:00 a.m. onThursday, July 19 with an openingdevotion followed by the business of theday. Three bishops are to be elected withthe first ballot to be taken at approximately9:00 a.m. Balloting will continuethroughout the day until all three havebeen elected. Business of the conference will continuethroughout the day Thursday as well asinto the evening and throughout the dayFriday. A service honoring the retiring bishopswill be held Friday morning. Those retiringinclude Bishop Anne Sherer-Simpson,Nebraska Conference; Bishop MaxWhitfield, Northwest Texas/New MexicoConference;Bishop William Hutchison,Louisiana Conference; and Bishop CharlesCrutchfield, Arkansas Conference. One of the items of interest will be theestablishment of a Great Plains Conferencewhich will be the Kansas East, KansasWest and the Nebraska Conferences allcoming together as one conference. Friday evening we will celebrate AreaNight with traditional dancers, CherokeeNational Children’s Choir, Andre Cruz, amariachi band and will be greeted by TribalPrincesses. The closing plenary will beginat 8:30 and will conclude with theassignment of bishops. Saturday morning July 21 will be theService of Consecration for the newlyelected bishops. This too will be held at St.Luke’s UMC. Everyone is welcome to attend theconference; however there is a cost for theArea Night celebration. Tickets are $30each and you may register for them on lineat www.okumc.org and click on 2012 SouthCentral Jurisdiction Conference. In the leftcolumn is where you can click on theregistration form. This could be a history makingconference should Rev. David Wilson beelected bishop. Not only would he be thefirst elected out of the Oklahoma IndianMissionary Conference but he would alsobe the first Native American bishop in theUnited Methodist Church.

Seminary Lite –Theological Educationfor the LaitySaint Paul School of Theology –Oklahoma City University

Have you ever wondered what pastorslearn while they are in seminary? Do youhave a longing to go deeper in the study ofour Christian faith? Do you understandwhat God desires from you as a Christian inministry? Seminary Lite is a program at Saint PaulSchool of Theology at Oklahoma CityUniversity focusing on learning for thelaity. Seminary Lite will provide you (as laity)with a deeper knowledge base in subjectspertaining to Christian faith and life, andwill allow you to sample the seminaryexperience.Highlights:* Classes are held on one Saturday amonth from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with an hourbreak for lunch in the Oklahoma CityUniversity cafeteria.* Qualified professors will instruct allsessions.* You will prepare for the class sessionsby reading assigned materials.* You won’t have to worry about tests –because there aren’t any – or writtenhomework.* When lay participants complete all sixbasic courses, they will receive a certificatefrom Saint Paul School of Theology.* If you miss a class you may pick it uplater as courses are offered on a rotatingbasis.* You do not have to take all six coursesto attend. Take one session or as many asyou like.Courses topics for 2012-13. These coursesare based upon the same basic coursestaken by seminary students.2012:* Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/OldTestament September 15, 2012* Introduction to the New Testament,October 13, 2012* Introduction to Christian Theology,November 17, 20122013:* Introduction to Church History,February 16, 2013* Introduction to Worship, March 16,2013* United Methodist Heritage, April 20,2013Elective Course:* The Bible and Preaching – September15, 2012.Cost for OIMC: No ChargeFor more information or to register contact:Rachel McClain, 405-208-5757;[email protected]; or 2501 NBlackwelder, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 This program is endorsed by theOklahoma Conference Board of Laity.

United Methodist Youth FellowshipConference Wide Youth Camp July 25-29

The Southwest Region YouthCoordinators, AJ and Juleen Davilla, havebeen busily preparing to host theconference wide summer youth camp atthe SW Region Center. Registrationdeadline is postmarked on or before July9, 2012. Registration cost is $40 and mustaccompany registration form. Lateregistrations will be accepted up to oneweek following the deadline and lateregistration will be $80. Late Registrationwill be anything postmarked July 10-16.All registrations are non-refundable. Registration will begin on Wednesday,July 25, at 3:00 p.m., supper will be servedand the evening program will consist of aguest speaker, ice breakers and ascavenger hunt.

Thursday’s program will consist ofBible study, crafts, tribal social dances andtribal games Friday’s program will consist of amission project at Petarsy Mission as wellas swimming. Saturday will be a mission project atSherwood Tsotigh UMC, visit to The HolyCity in the Wichita Mountains and willconclude with the 3rd Annual Talent Show. Camp will conclude with attendingworship at Ware’s Chapel UMC.

We welcome the new Northeast RegionYouth Coordinators to the wonderfulworld of youth – Patsy Spottedbird andRev. Mike Svitak. We look forward toworking with them for the next four years!

Leadership within the OIMC for 2013-2016:Conference Secretary – Sunrise RossConference Lay Leader – Jim ChalakeeCouncil on Local Church Ministries: Rev. Bernadien Dowdy Diana Fitzpatrick Rev. Donna Pewo Jonathan Clour Carissa O’Dell Jason Eyachabbe Ron Burgess Rev. Edgel Samuel Joyce Deere Lisa Rhoades Tamara Wilson Oneida Wilson Rev. Judy AaronCouncil on Finance and Administration: Gloria Spybuck Sue Burgess Kim McKinney Mary Williams Rev. David Little Rev. Bill Foote, Sr. Rev. David Cook Rev. Debbie Humphrey Eva WilliamsEpiscopal Committee: Rev. Nelson Wesley Leslie Barse Clarence Yarholar Rev. Monroe Tsatoke Vinnie Hoover Ron McHenry Sue Burgess Rev. David WilsonStanding Rules/Journal Review: Jeff O’Dell Rev. Robert Simpson Patsy Spottedbird Patty ThompsonCampus Ministry Board: Rev. Eli McHenry Rev. Jami Moss Rev Meri Whitker Jalissa Ross Andrew Baer Tabatha Harris

Nominations Committee: Rev. Tim Byington RoyceWittman Vera Wahkinney Tammy White Lynnetta Eyachabbe Rev. David Warden Rev. Margaret Johnson Rev. July TecumsehArchives and History: Bud Sahmaunt Jeannie Quoetone Gloria Lowe Kenny SivardMonitor and Review: Ricky Horse Paul Tecumseh Geneva Foote Lola KeelerBoard of Ordained Ministry Rev. Julienne Judd Rev. Anna Stilwell Rev. David Dunson Rev. Delana Taylor McNac Sunrise Ross Steve BarseContinuing Education Rev. Anna Stilwell Rev. Margaret Johnson Rev. Mike Svitak Rev. Edgel Samuel Rev. Debbie Humphrey Rev. Bernadine Dowdy

Diana Fitzpatrick, Rev. Donna Pewo,Sunrise Ross

July-August 2012 Advocate - 3

19 Signs of Vital WorshipWe serve a triune God who is alive andconstantly active in mission in our world.Worship can be the vibrant overflow ofour discipleship to Jesus Christ. How canyou help your congregation offer worshipthat is fully vital? Vital worship looks, sounds, and evenfeels different in different contextsbecause the people who offer it and thegifts they bring are different. But whateverthe context or the style, when worship isvital, there is energy and authenticity inwhat happens. The power of God’s Wordtouches the hurts and awakens the hopesof real people. Visitors are glad they came.People participate because the singing, thehearing, the praying, the sharing at theLord’s Table, and the sending forth aredone in ways that say, “This is real. Thismatters. This is life!” In vital worship thepeople are addressed, touched, washed,fed, anointed, and strengthened inrelationship to God and to one another. Considering these more holistic aspectsof worship and the congregation is thework of the worship planning team. Yourchurch need not be large for your leadersin worship ministry to develop a morecomprehensive approach to worship.What is important is to discover your ownpassion for helping your congregationoffer worship that is authentic and vitaland to sense that you are a leader giftedby God and supported by resources andpeople in your congregation and beyond.Vital WorshipMany of these signs of vitality are presentin worship. In what ways does yourcongregation express vitality in worship?1. People are welcomed, honored, andcared for.2. God’s story, which is our story, isalways told.3. Jesus is experienced as present in loveand power.4. The people and the community arechanged by the power of the Holy Spirit.5. People are active in singing, praying,and responding.6. There is passion in the pastor’s

presiding and preaching and thecongregation’s singing, praying, andresponding.7. Varied ages and cultures participateactively.8. Things (food, water, candles,furnishings, fabrics, vessels) are usedgenerously to point to the presence of God.9. Actions (people being baptized, sharingbread and cup, offering the peace of Christto each other) point to the presence of therisen Lord.10. People offer their whole bodies inworship in culturally appropriate ways(posture, hands raised in prayer, dance,movement, clapping, meditation).11. Worship space is arranged so thepeople can be together and see oneanother.12. There are calls and responses: peopleexperience God calling, and they respond.Leaders work in concert to prompt theparticipation of all the people.13. Leaders are prepared and expect to hearGod’s Word and experience God’s power.14. Leaders act with the people more thanfor the people.15. Everyone acts in ways that say,“Worship matters.”16. People who are experiencing hurt andisolation receive a healing touch.17. All the people have a sense ofbelonging and know how to participate.18. There is energy, and the way worshipunfolds makes sense.19. The worship reveals the planning, gifts,and preparation of the people. Consider what’s working well now andways your congregation shows or hasshown signs of vital worship. How mightyou and others on the worship planningteam or committee help your congregationclaim and build on its strengths and, overtime, add more vital practices to itsrepertoire?This article is excerpted from Worship:Guidelines for Leading YourCongregation, Copyright © 2008Abingdon Press.

2012 Ministerial Candidates

Debbie Humphrey appointed to StilwellIndian UMC.

Amy Johnson appointed to Davis ChapelUMC and Springtown UMC

Jimmy White appointed to Ponca IndianMission

David Cook appointed to D.D. EtchiesonUMC.

Sam Battiest, Jr. appointed to Fife IndianUMC

Edgel Samuel appointed as the firstResident Local Pastor

United Methodist WomenThe Conference Mission Education Eventsponsored by the United MethodistWomen will be held July 26-28, 2012 atEastern Oklahoma State College, Wilburton,Oklahoma. Mission studies for this year includeImmigration in the Bible (Spiritual Growth),Haiti (Geographic) and Poverty (SocialIssue). Study leaders for this year are:Spiritual Growth – Sue Burgess, MaryWilliams and Rev. julienne Judd;Geographic – Sheryl Crooks and Poverty,Rev. Bernadine Dowdy and Rev. DebbieHumphrey. Registration fee is $150 and is due alongwith the registration form by July 15.Registration fees will cover room, board

and study books. Registration will begin at10 a.m. on Thursday July 26. Casual dressis recommended as well as comfortablewalking shoes; however golf carts will beavailable. For more information on registeringcontact Registrar, Tamara Wilson, 918-512-6076

continued from page 1 david David is a member of the Choctaw Nationof Oklahoma. His grandfather, CalvinWilson, was one of the Choctaw Code-Talkers from World War I. He is the son ofMrs. Pat Wilson and has five siblings whoreside in and around Okay, Oklahoma.

Lay Missionaries Jeff O’Dell, Carissa O’Dell, Phillip Wilson, Tamara Wilaon and TammyWhite

4 - Advocate July-August 2012Conference Calendar

(Bold print= changes in appointment, status of appointee, or circuit changes)

Oklahoma Indian Missionary ConferenceExtension MinistryConference Superintendent David Wilson FE/FTSuperintendent – Northern District Margaret Johnson FE/FTSuperintendent – Southern District July Tecumseh FE/FTGBGM, Director, Cookson Hills Center Meri Whitaker FE/FTManager of Volunteer and CommunityOrganizing, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma Rick Gassaway FD/FTNative American Comprehensive Plan Anita Phillips FEBanfield Charitable Trust Delana Taylor-McNac FDClinton Indian Church and CommunityMinistry Donna Pewo FLDir. Programs & Interpretation Josephine Deere

Northern DistrictCENTRAL REGIONAngie Smith Memorial Jonathan Clour Lay/SYBilly Hooton Memorial Walter Quoetone PLEl Reno Indian Fellowship Donna Pewo FLMary Lee Clark Memorial William Foote, Sr. RENorman First American Glen Kernell, Jr. FEPawnee TBS-Clarence Yarholar Lay/SYPonca Indian Mission Jim White PLWichita Mission Julienne Judd FE

NORTHEAST REGIONArbeka Abraham Jackson RE/PTBig Cussetah/Concharty TBS-Newman Frank, Jr. Lay/SYBroken Arrow Anna Stilwell FECanterbury Chapel TBS-Meri Whitaker SYChoska TBSChrist UMC/Bryan Chapel Fellowship Bernadine Dowdy FESpecialized Ministry: Bryan Chapel/Locust Grove

Lay Missionary Tammy WhiteDavis Chapel/Springtown Amy Johnson PLD.D. Etchieson David Cook FLFife Indian Sam Battiest, Jr. FLGlenpool Fellowship Marcus Briggs Cloud Lay/SYSpecialized Ministry: Lay Missionaries Phillip and Tamara WilsonGrant Chapel TBS-Josephine Deere Lay/SYHaikey Chapel TBS-Royce Wittman Lay/SYHoney Creek TBS-Jerry Baker REKahbeah Fellowship TBS-Lila Wilson SY/ODKaney Chapel Rick Burns SYSpecialized Ministry: Lay Missionaries Jeff and Carissa O’DellLawrence Indian/Kansas City Fellowship Jami Moss PLLittle Cussetah TBS-Paul Tecumseh Lay/SYMutteloke TBS-Sue Helms Lay/SYNagawee TBSNew Hope Mike Svitak FENewtown David Dunson PLPickett Chapel Carol Txipama FESalt Creek TBS-Nelson Harjo, Sr. Lay/SYSeminole Hitchitee TBS-Rick Deer Lay/SYSerenety Fellowship TBS-Rick Gassaway SYSpringfield/Thlopthlocco David Little FLStilwell Indian Debbie Humphrey PLSullivan Chapel TBS-John Martin Lay/SYThewarley/Yeager TBSTulsa Indian Judy Aaron PLWewoka TBS-Kenric Boyiddle Lay/SY

SOUTHEAST REGIONBethel Hill/Kullituklo Rosa Baker FE/PTBobb-Myers/Old Cedar/Big Lick TBSBoiling Springs Stanley Smith Lay/SYBokchito TBS-Charles Davidson Lay/SYCane Hill TBS-Linda Jacob Lay/SYChihowa Okla Eli McHenry FsLDallas Indian Lester Tims FEGoodland TBS-Kim McKinney Lay/SYGood Springs TBS-Margie Jones Lay/SYGrace Chapel/St. Paul Talihina David Warden RE/SYHampton Chapel/Goodwater/Choctaw Academy Tommy Wesley PLJohnson Chapel TBS-Belle Harjo Lay/SYKullichito/Tohwali Edgel Samuel PLMitchell Memorial Don Jacob PLNanih Chito TBSPennington TBSSeeley Chapel Duane Baker SYSulphur Springs/White Sands Bennington TBS-Mel Gaines RLP/SYWilliam Anderson TBS-Ray Jessie Lay/SYWhite Sand Valliant TBS-Ray Jessie Lay/SYYasho UMC TBS

OIMC 2012-2013 AppointmentsJuly1 Angie Smith Memorial UMC Birthday Singing, 2-5 p.m.4 Conference Office Closed, Independence Day observed6 Angie Smith Memorial UMC Indian Taco Sale, 4-8 p.m.7 Council on Local Church Ministries, Conference Office, 10 a.m.9 SE Region Council on Local Church Ministry, SE Reg. Center, 6 p.m.

SW Region Trustees & Finance Mtg., Hog Creek, 6:30 p.m.13-15 NE Region Kansas Mission Trip14 North District UMW Exec Committee Planning Mtg., NE Reg. Center15 SW Region Third Sunday Night Revival, Ware’s Chapel UMC, 5:30 p.m.17 SE Reg. Pastors meeting, SE Region Center, 7 p.m.18-21 South Central Jurisdiction Conference, Oklahoma City21 Angie Smith Breakfast Sale, 7:30 - 11:00 a.m.

SE Region Youth Meeting, SE Region CenterSE Region Trustees Meeting, SE Region Center. 9 a.m.

25-28 Conference Youth Camp, SE Region Center26-28 Conference UMW Mission Education Event, Wilburton29 SW Region 5th Sunday Singing, TBA, 2:30 p.m.

August3 Angie Smith Memorial UMC Indian Taco Sale, 4-8 p.m.4 NE Region Youth Election/Calendar, Fife Indian UMC, 10 a.m.

SE Region UMW Exec Mtg., SE Region Center, 9:30 a.m.SE Region Children Back to School Blast

5 Angie Smith Memorial UMC Birthday Singing, 2-5 p.m.11 Board of Laity Mtg., Conference Office13 Central Reg. Pastors Gathering, OKC, 6:30 p.m.

SW Region Trustees and Finance Mtg., Hog Creek, 6:30 p.m.18 Angie Smith Memorial UMC Breakfast Sale, 7:30 - 11 a.m.

SE Reg. UMW Annual Meeting, SE Region Center, 9 a.m.SE Reg. Youth Planning Meeting, SE Region Center, 9:30 a.m.

19 SW Region Third Sunday night Revival, Ware’s Chapel UMC, 5:30 p.m.20 NE Region Pastor’s Meeting, NE Region Center, 6:30 p.m.25 Conference UMW Exec./MEE Mtg., Broken Arrow UMC

Southern District

Cache Creek David Harjo PLCedar Creek Gerald Haunpo PLJ.J. Methvin Robert Simpson PLLittle Washita TBS Huntinghorse Sharon Yeahquo PLMt. Scott Kiowa/Mt. Scott Comanche Michael Eddy FEPetarsy Mission TBS-Ricky Horse Lay/SYSherwood Tsotigh Memorial Rhonda Hejny Lay/SYUMC of Apache Gary Tahmahkera PLWare’s Chapel Arthur Tsatoke PL

SOUTHWEST REGIONBotone Memorial Mike Boyiddle PL