Welcome to Southern Hills UMC…
Welcome to Southern Hills United Methodist Church online! We’re so glad you’ve visited us today. We hope you take some time to find out who we are and what’s happening in our church. When you visit us in person, you’ll find a casual, family environment where lives are being changed by the glory of God. We hope you’ll come and see us in person soon. You’ll be glad you did!
Re-Ignite Workshop (Local Church Leader’s Workshop)
Saturday, January 21st at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church (1301 S. Boston Ave., Tulsa, OK).
Browse Class Descriptions & Registration Online: http://www.okumcministries.org/Local_Church/Tulsa_District.htm
A “Can Do” Spirit for the New Year
I often ask people in the church to do something outside their comfort zone. I ask them to consider a new idea, study scripture in a challenging way, serve on a board or committee, create change within the congregation. Sometimes this meets with an excitement to do something new and different. However, most of the time, it is met with “I can’t do that” or “I don’t know how” or “Are you kidding?” or “We’ve never done it that way” or sometimes people just get angry.
Bishop William B. Oden, who was the Bishop in the North Texas, wrote an article which I want to share with you which addresses stepping outside our comfort zones and doing what God calls us to do.
“Leonard Sweet, the Dean of Drew Theological Seminary (at the time), is one of my favorite preachers. Part of a sermon I heard him preach still rings in my ears. In fact, I asked him for a copy of this sermon. I want to share a portion of his preached word:
One of our students received an appointment from a bishop, and the student did not feel the placement exactly suited his abilities. I overheard him complaining about it to another student, and then the other student said, ‘You know, the world’s a better place because Michelangelo did not say, ‘I don’t do ceilings.’
Her comment stopped me dead in my tracks. I had to admit she was right. If you and I are going to be faithful to the ministry God is calling us to, then we better understand that. I reflected on the attitudes of key people throughout the scriptures and the history of the church.
The world’s a better place because Moses didn’t say, ‘I don’t do Pharaohs or mass migrations.’
The world’s a better place because Noah didn’t say, ‘I don’t do arks and animals.’
The world’s a better place because Rahab didn’t say, ‘I don’t do enemy spies.’
The world’s a better place because David didn’t say, ‘I don’t do giants.’
The world’s a better place because Peter didn’t say, ‘I don’t do Gentiles.’
The world’s a better place because Mary didn’t say, ‘I don’t do virgin births.’
The world’s a better place because Jesus didn’t say ‘I don’t do crosses.’
The world’s a better place only if you and I don’t say, ‘I don’t do…..’”
May we minister to those in our church, community and world with a CAN DO spirit in the name of Christ.
Peace, Tracy
GRAND & GLORIOUS Party
Our Project Transformation Christmas Party was GRAND & GLORIOUS
We had about 50 kids and 25 adults guests attend our Party at the church on December 18. We also had three of our really special interns from last summer join us. Casey, Bryce and Kayla made a three hour one-way drive to be with us. I was floored and amazed to see them. We gave out many new, wonderful books to the kids and each child received a Christmas Stocking. It was Christianity at its very best.
My thanks go to Pastor Tracy, Linda Sisemore, the Outreach Committee, United Methodist Women, Katie & Bob Alfred, Betty Calhoun and the Santa elfs – - Whitney, Duncan, Judy, Shelby and Tre – - who made it happen.
We pulled together as the Church that our Lord had intended – - and it was really GRAND & GLORIOUS.
Michael (I am still smiling)
Visioning /Planning Workshop
“Where there is no vision, the people perish” John Wesley
“I will pour out my Spirit upon all peoples. Your son’s and your daughter’s shall prophesy.
Your Elders shall dream dreams and your youth shall have visions.”
The Prophet Joel
The new year of 2012 is a time for dreaming and visioning here at Southern Hills. The visions planted in our hearts and minds are from the heart and mind of God. Visioning is applied, practical creativity, which frees the movement of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church.
Let us come together as the church to vision on Sunday afternoon
February 5th from 2:00pm-5; 30pm, led by Rev. Anne Clement.
With prayer, music and simple art exercises we will engage in a creative process of Visioning. This will be a time, with a great deal of fun, that we call forth the deep desire of our Heart Spirit which we share here at Southern Hills. We will use these visions and dreams as our strategic plans for 2012. Everyone is invited to share in this time of Dreaming God’s Dream for 2012 so save the time now.
Ministry Team for 2012
- *Pastor: Tracy Schumpert
- *Lay Leader: Char Stone
- *Administrative Council Chair: Betty Tam
- *Co-Admin. Council Chair: Katie Alfred
- *Finance Comm. Chair: Bob Fisher
- *Treasurer: Becky Hamby (until the Spring)
- *Financial Secretary: Katie Alfred
- *Staff-Parish Relations Chair: Judy Skaistis
- *Trustees Chair: (Voted on by Trustees)
- *Parish Nurses/Shepherding Chair: Deb Stone
- *Outreach Chair: Ruby Waugh
- * Education/Come & See: Brenda Bishop
- *UMW President: Becky Hamby
- *Lay Delegate to Conference: Janice Shannon
- Alternate Lay Delegate: Tom Shannon
- Bereavement/Illness: Betty Calhoun
- Memorial Coordinators: Darlene Harrington/Shirley Fretwell
- *Worship Chair: Claudia Muck
- Organist: Brenda Trammel
- *Choir Director: Jessie Feather
- Nursery Worker: Brittany Grant
- Parsonage Coordinator: (Voted by Trustees)
- Representative to Restore Hope: Bob Fretwell
- Ministerial Recruitment Rep.: Char Stone
- Circle of Care Ambassador: Katie Alfred
- Happy Children’s Home Contact: Gerry Kemper
- Project Transformation Contact: Michael Skaistis
- *Welcoming Coordinator: Gary Hamby
- Safe Sanctuaries Coord.: Gary Hamby
- Rep. for Sr. Adult Ministries: Steve Stodden
- *Natural Church Development: Nicky Layfield (Betty Tam, Char Stone)
- *Secretary Admin. Council: Linda Sisemore
*Administrative Council
Click here for a full listing of the SHUMC Ministry Team for 2012 in PDF
6th Annual Alternative Christmas Market
The 6th annual Alternative Christmas Market will be held beginning Sunday Dec. 4th & continuing until Thurs. Dec. 22nd. This market brings our focus to the real meaning of the Season. You can donate to a range of nonprofit organizations in honor of your family & friends and there will also be some gift items that benefit needy people or the environment. F.I.S.H, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, Restore Hope Ministries, World Wildlife Fund, UM Committee on Relief, Church World Service, and others will be represented. Olive Wood items from Israel will also be available to purchase to help the efforts in Israel.
This is a wonderful way to give to everyone on your list without adding to the “stuff” that most of us have plenty of already. Bring your list and shop before or after Worship or anytime the church is open during the week.
Christmas Day Worship
Music will be a large part of the Christmas Season’s Celebration this year. The Choir will be presenting a Musical Piece that emphasizes each week of Advent. We will also have dramatic presentations of Characters from the Bible that tell about the coming of the Christ Child, and will light each Advent candle. Then the Nativity will be built with the addition to the Stable each week of the most important characters of the Christmas Story. Please come and experience the Christmas Story in an unusual way each Sunday!
