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T H E O R E G O N C H R I S T I A N C O N V E N T I O NIssue
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October 2009
The Heritage
“The Art of Followership: Great Leaders Learn First to Follow
Great Leaders”
2009 Pastor/Mentor Retreat October 22, 2009 Thursday, 9-4Why in
the world would you want to give up a Thursday in October to
hearLen Sweet? Apart from the fact that the Annual Pastor/Mentor
Retreat is thelargest gathering of Christian Church/Church of
Christ Pastors yearly, hereare some additional reasons.
We have had some great speakers—Roy Lawson, Dan Kimball, but
LenSweet is off the Richter scale for a blessed communicator.
Len Sweet is truly an Ancient/Futurist. Len is passionate
aboutcommunicating the Biblical Jesus in a 21st century way to
connect withour culture without watering down The Faith.
Christianity Today recognized Len as one of the 30 most
influential Christians in America.
Some of you might end up, like several of us from Oregon did,
doing your doctorate through Len atGeorge Fox University. Those
were three years VERY WELL spent.
Rub shoulders with veteran ministers during the lunch hour.
A “Sabbath Day’s” Rest: In the midst of feeding everyone else in
our flock; to receive several incrediblemeals as Len shares with us
multiple times on October 22. Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as
yourself.” ItsOK to take a day for yourself. October 22 can be a
Sabbath Day’s rest to nurture your soul throughfriendships and
great teachings.
Please register at
http://www.oregonchristianconvention.org/pmretreat.html or e-mail
me [email protected]. Registration is $35 and
includes lunch.
Blessings,Terry O’Casey
Impacting Kids Spiritually in the ChurchChristian Education
ConferenceNovember 7, Saturday 9-3Cost: $20 per person or bring
five or more from one church for $80 (includes lunch)
LET’S GET TOGETHER AND GET EXCITED ABOUT IMPACTING KIDS IN OUR
CHURCHESAS WE TEACH THEM TO LIVE FOR JESUS. Interactive workshops
will focus on variousareas of ministry from teaching kids to serve
to managing classroom behavior totips for teaching preschoolers.
The workshop sessions are designed to give youtools to take back to
your churches in order to better impact kids spiritually.Workshop
leaders include Mel Sattler, Regional Manager for Christian
Standard,Janell Struckmeier, Children’s Ministry Director at
Beaverton Christian Church, EllenLandreth, Ten Mile Christian,
Meridian, ID and Shelly Gravdahl, Weekday PreschoolDirector at
Beaverton Christian Church. Register online
atoregonchristianconvention.org or RSVP by emailing Dianne McIntosh
[email protected].
Fun in the Tabernacle: 2009 Convention
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Fall Rally 2009Coming to a location near you!
TRADITIONALLY THE FALL RALLY HAS BEEN HELDYEARLY AT TURNER,
OREGON. We have discoveredthat most who come live within 50 miles
of Turner.We would like to change the perception of theOregon
Christian Convention as only a place youcome TO.
WE WISH TO BECOME AN EXTERNALLY FOCUSEDMINISTRY/CONVENTION and
GO OUT INTO the communities of the Northwest.Biblically, a
tabernacle is an RV, not a fixed monument.
I WOULD LOVE to come and speak for your area churches, not just
in the fallbut throughout the spring.
OUR THEME THIS YEAR IS “Simply Jesus, Simply the Bible and
aSimpler Way of Being and Doing Church.”
IF YOU WOULD LIKE a powerful, relevant, Biblical message
challenging yourchurch to be Simply…like Jesus, please e-mail me
[email protected]
Blessings,Terry O’Casey
OCC Leadership Team
If you have ideas, questions orconcerns regarding any aspect of
OCCplease contact anyone on your OCCLeadership Team.
Ann Cecil: [email protected]
D. H. Shearer: [email protected]
Dave Drullinger: Leadership TeamSecretary
[email protected] Soper: Operations
Manager
[email protected] McIntosh: Publicity
Team Leader
[email protected] Filby: Trustee
[email protected] Blake: Advisor
[email protected] Tiffin: Ministry & Mission
TeamLeader
[email protected] Knox: Advisor
[email protected] Carter: Regent
[email protected] Rudberg: Regent
[email protected] Keefe: Team Leader
[email protected] Lance: Personnel Team Leader
[email protected] Soper: Administrative Assistant
[email protected] Frantz: Long Range
PlanningTeam Leader
[email protected] Balmer: Advisor
[email protected] O'Casey: 2010 President
[email protected] Rowe: Trustee
[email protected]
Fall Rally Schedule for 2009THE LIST OF FALL RALLY LOCATIONS IS
GROWING! All of the dates listed
below are on Sunday evenings. Please contact the church hosting
arally in your area for details on the event.
October 18- West Portland Metro at CHRISTIAN CHURCH OFHILLSBORO.
540, NE Edison, Hillsboro. Phone: 503.648.2921.
November 1- Salem Area at COUNTRYSIDE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
5775McLeod Lane NE (Exit 260 off I-5) Keizer. Phone:
503.540.1989.
November 15- East Portland Metro at MILWAUKIE CHRISTIANCHURCH.
5197 SE King Road, Milwaukie. Phone: 503.654.6597.
November 29- Eugene/Springfield at GARDEN WAY CHURCH. 231
N.Garden Way, Eugene. Phone: 541.683.8213.
A Free Gift to Pastors
Pastors, do you need to just get away?Are you needing a time of
refreshment and renewal?
OCC has just the spot!Come enjoy a complimentary stay in our
completely redecorated and completely refurnished,two bedroom
apartment.
Enjoy the peaceful grounds while you rest and relax.Call the
office at 503.743.2101 to make a reservation.
Please note, the apartment has a full kitchen andbathroom.
Linens are provided.
Meals are not provided.
Go
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Every Good ReasonJim Keefe
HERE IT IS THE FALL OF '09 AND I AM FEELING VERY OPTIMISTICABOUT
THE SUMMER OF '10 AND OUR NEXT ANNUAL CONVENTIONON THE GROUNDS IN
TURNER. President Terry O'Casey hasassembled a great team to help
him lead the June Convention--his primary evening speaker, Doug
Priest, Jr. will do anoutstanding job at the Convention.
Even before June '10 arrives I have a number of otherreasons to
be excited about what is happening on theGrounds at Turner.
First, the Programming has become more diversifiedrecently. The
Pastor/Mentor Conferences have been verysuccessful--this year's,
with Len Sweet, should be fantastic.The Energizing Small Church
Conferences put on byStandard Publishing have been very well
attended.
Second, a walking tour around the grounds will demonstrateto you
that some upgrading of facilities/grounds hasoccurred. We have some
new play structures for children andchanges have been made in
sleeping quarters on the secondfloor of Jubilee.
A third reason for my excitement has to do with the make upof
our Team Members. We have a good mix of men andwomen serving; some
younger leaders have joined a core of"more mature" leaders; we have
a good mix of geographicalparts of the State.
I can remember my girls growing up on the Grounds, enjoyingthe
children's program and music at the Conventions--thatwas years ago.
This past Convention, through the walls of mytent, I could hear
this generation of children enjoying theConvention with friends,
parents and new acquaintances.
I would like to encourage you to join us--for the Convention
inJune but throughout the year as well for the
opportunitiesafforded to you and your congregation at Oregon
ChristianConvention Grounds.
15th Annual Country Churchmouse Christmas BazaarNovember 13-14
and 20-21Hours: 9 am-5 pm daily
ON BEHALF OF ALL OUR VERY FINE ARTISTS AND CRAFTSPEOPLE I WOULD
LIKE TO EXTEND A WARM INVITATION TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF
YOU TO JOIN US IN KICKING OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON! For two
weekends in November our wonderful old Tabernacle istransformed
into a Christmas village filled wall to wall with handmade gifts,
interesting foods, wreaths, centerpieces, candles,quilts ..... just
about everything you could want for your holiday gift list. The
cheerful atmosphere, the Christmas music and thevendors all combine
to produce a festive gathering not to be missed. We will be open
from 9 - 5 all four days.
The bazaar was started in an effort to help with repairs to the
leaky roof and even though we have progressed past that stage
allproceeds from the table rentals as well as the lunch kitchen
still go towards convention projects. We still have a few spaces
availableso if you or someone you know would like to participate
please contact Kelly Lance at (503) 985-3133 or [email protected].
Come have a cup of cocoa, some lunch, visit with our vendors and
see Linda’s amazing Winter Village display.
Elder/Pastor Conference to Convene AgainFebruary 27, 2010
BUILDING UPON THE EXCELLENT CONFERENCE LAST YEAR,
EVERYCONGREGATION IS URGED TO SEND THEIR MINISTER/PASTOR AND ATEAM
OF ELDERS TO THE 2010 CONFERENCE. Tom Burgess, longtime lead
minister at Crossroads Church in Portland will lead thisyears
gathering. You may recall that Tom was scheduled lastyear, but
could not participate due to the passing of his dear wifeEsther on
the very day of the 2009 conference.
We will revisit the theme of different models of elder
leadership incongregational life, examining common, widely used,
but oftendivergent approaches to the role(s) of elders in
congregationallife. A more specific program will be forthcoming
later in theFall. Cost will be $20 per person or $75 for 4 or more
from onecongregation.
Youth Night in the Tabernacle: 2009 Convention
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S p r i n g 2 0 1 0 : T h r e e E v e n t s — T w o D a y s
Mayfest: April 30, 2010Special Speaker: LeRoy Lawson
Theme: “Speak, Mirror!”“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where
theSpirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Andwe, who with
unveiled faces all reflect theLord's glory, are being transformed
into hislikeness with ever-increasing glory, whichcomes from the
Lord, who is the Spirit.”2 Corinthians 3:17-18
Mayfest encourages, challenges, motivatesand renews those who
attend. This year’sMayfest will give those over 50 theopportunity
to take a good look in the“mirror.” How are we “being
transformedinto his likeness?”
Plan to attend Friday, April 30, 2010!
Spring RallyApril 30, 2010
Friday@7:00 pm
Special Speaker:
Doug Priest,ExecutiveDirector,Christian
MissionaryFellowship
International(CMF)
Your Church and AIDSC o n f e r e n c e
May 1, 2010Saturday, 8 am—4:15 pm
Main Speakers:
Mary Kamau, CMF International Associate and Directorof Missions
of Hope, Nairobi, Kenya.
LeRoy Lawson, International Consultant
For a complete list of workshops, speakers andregistration
information go online to
yourchurchandaids.com
Why a Conference on AIDS?Doug Priest
THE GREATEST HUMANITARIAN CRISIS OF HUMAN HISTORY CONFRONTS US
THISVERY GENERATION, and also provides us as the Church with an
unparalleledopportunity for Christian ministry and service. While
the Church, in Africa forexample, has provided up to one-half of
the care for all AIDS orphans in thatcontinent, what of the other
parts of the world—India, China, and Ukraine—where the caseload
grows daily and the Church is not so strong?
WE NEED THE “YOUR CHURCH AND AIDS CONFERENCE” so that we can
becomeacquainted and knowledgeable about this ravaging disease, so
that we canhear what God would have us to do, and so that we can
tangibly consideradequate avenues of involvement. The myths
surrounding this pandemicneed to be confronted and addressed. The
hope which we bring in the nameof Christ is appreciated and needs
to be understood by all.
OUR FOCUS WILL BE UPON HIV/AIDS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD,
ANDWE WILL HEAR FROM THOSE CURRENTLY AND DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE
CRISIS.You will leave this conference knowing about some specific
practical stepsthat you can take that will make a difference in the
lives of many.
IN EVERY GENERATION THE CHURCH SEEMS TO RALLY AROUND AN
IMPORTANTSOCIAL AND BENEVOLENT CAUSE. There is no more important
cause thandirecting our attention to those who need it the most –
the poor, the widowsand the orphans, those without Christ, those
grasping for hope.
COME, AND BE BLESSED. Leave and be a blessing to others.
Three Events—Two DaysCost:
MAYFEST: $20 per person
SPRING RALLY: FREE
Your CHURCH and AIDSConference: $49 per person ($59after March
1, 2010); $80 percouple; $20 per college student($25 after March 1,
2010); Groups of10 or more receive a 20% perperson discount.
Register online atyourchurchandaids.com
Housing: If you need housing forthe April/May events please
callnow to secure youraccommodations. 503.743.2101
If you would like to partnerwith OCC in promoting and/orhelping
with the Your Churchand AIDS Conference pleasecontact Dianne
McIntosh [email protected]
or call 541.367.5651
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Gifts in Memory...
James and Virginia GobbleVirginia Bock
Gladys GregorySusan Leedom
Hilda HuffRobert and Betty GregoryMargy Petersen
Kenneth M. JohnstonBarbara Johnston
Wayne La FargeLorna La Farge
Cecil C. LargeDavid and Alda Large
Al LaverDoris Laver
Reta MusgraveAaron and Shannon BalmerFrank and Virginia
Musgrave
Wilma ParrishRonald Parrish
G. Louise PulsiferDorothy GroverDave and Nellie JonassonRay
PulsiferGalen and Joann Siddall
Nancy SeversonFaye FilbyDallas and Veva HallDean and Linda
Soper
Clark ShearerD. H. Shearer
Ray and Helen SmithThomas and Rebecca Barth
David WarnerMarlys Meek
In Honor Of.....
Aaron and Shannon BalmerFrank and Virginia Musgrave
Dr. Lawrence and Marjorie BixlerDorothy Grover
Ann CecilGerald and Becky Rudberg
Carol GalerLeonard and Margaret Galer
Shelley MagnusonGerald and Becky Rudberg
Christopher MusgraveFrank and Virginia Musgrave
Doug VermilyeaGerald and Becky Rudberg
On the Grounds and RunningDean Soper, Operations Manager
IT IS WITH GREAT SADNESS THAT THIS IS MY LAST MESSAGE
ASOPERATIONS MANAGER. We have enjoyed serving God and you inthis
capacity for the last 2 years and 9 months. I think that God
hasaccomplished a great deal in the time we have been here. There
isstill much to accomplish. God is not finished with us and he is
not
finished with the OCC grounds. I pray that at some point the
financial issues will be workedout.
We have had four MMAP couples working here during the month of
September. The open-air cubicles in the dorm rooms in Jubilee are
finished. We need help getting beds setback up. I believe this
project will be a definite move-forward for the camp. The
grounds(i.e. buildings, plumbing, etc.) will need to be winterized.
I, most likely, will not be herewhen that needs to be done. If you
have time to volunteer to fill the gap please let the folkson the
Leadership Team know.
Please pray for OCC and the ministry that takes place here.
There is more ministryhappening than just what our people do.
Groups that rent the facility tell us how they wereblessed by being
here. So pray, pray, pray. Pray for us, pray for the Leadership
Team,pray for the grounds and pray for those that come to this
place who don’t know Christ thatthey will find him here.
Things Are Tight!Jim Keefe
"HOW TIGHT ARE THEY?" Things are sotight financially that our
ConventionGrounds Team has determined that weneed to release Dean
and Linda Soperat the end of November from ouremployment. This has
not been an easydecision for many reasons. Financesbeing what they
are and the fact that thewinter months do not generate muchrevenue,
have both combined to forceus to take this action.
As a consequence we are going to bedepending upon volunteers
throughoutthe winter to keep an eye on ourproperty. Phone calls to
the office will beforwarded and dealt with. We arefortunate that
Ann Cecil, our Treasurer,will continue on with us--handling
thefinancial end of things during this time.
Please consider making a one time giftto the Convention to help
offset some ofour winter expenses. Perhaps you couldset aside an
amount monthly to assist inreplenishing our funds. A gift from
acongregation or Sunday School/HomeStudy Group would help a great
dealright now!
One Small Volunteer makes
a BIG difference!
Volunteers donated and spread fresh beachsand in the volleyball
court.
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Oregon Christian ConventionP.O. Box 413Turner, Oregon
97392-0413(503) 743-2101
Email:
[email protected]:www.oregonchristianconvention.org
We accept Visa and MasterCardRETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage
PAIDPermit No. 106Salem, Oregon
2009CONVENTIONHIGHLIGHTS!
RegisterNow for
June 29-July 4,
2010
Time to Communicate
Mission Focused: Over$1,000 raised for JulieGermain,
Missionary
recruit with Pioneer BibleTranslators
Time to Connect
A Place for Commitment:New Life in Christ!
Time to Listen and aPlace to Share
Great Children’s Program! A Place for Families
