I regret I was unable to send out the regular Report earlier in the week, but work-related demands have prevented me from do so. But, here it is now:
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Our teacher/presenter on Sunday was Reverend Stan Basler, Director of the Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries for the Oklahoma Conference, United Methodist Church. Stan, his wife, and local staff members attended our class; we all listened as he described the New Day Camp, a summer camp for children of incarcerated parents. We were all impressed with this very worthwhile and labor-intensive effort of the UM church that is designed to provide a unique, positive experience for these children while also helping reduce the children’s risk for their own incarceration. Statistics show that children of incarcerated parents are from 7 to 10 times at greater risk of criminal acts later in their lives leading to an incarceration.
Reverend Basler’s presentation was most timely given that Sunday was the day that we made a decision regarding distribuition of our class funds, and New Day Camp was one of our designated beneficiaries. Sharon Earley lead us through a description of the process that the Funds Committee and class has used to date in identifying proposed financial recipients. She then presented the proposal; it was approved by the class without objection. Later this week and, again, on Sunday, a final statement of the distributions will be forwarded to you. Thank you Sharon and your Committee for sheperding a good process and great outcome, and my thanks to all class members who contributed financially to our missions within and outside Boston Avenue!
Prior to Stan’s presentation and approving the funds distribution, we recognized several birthdays and anniversaries: Birthdays – LeeAnne Nichols (4/11), Pam Low (4/14), Jerry Russell (4/15), and Joey Manduano (4/16); Anniversaries – Beth and Bob Winchester (4/11), Ginny and Jerry Walker (4/14), Nancy and Joey Manduano (4/15). Happy Birthday and Congratulations to those celebrating annivesaries!
Pam and John Sherman, Beth and Eric Green provided great refreshments, and welcomed class members and visitors. Thank you!
We had a number of visitors including Jeannine Bezotte, Janet Basler, Nancy Morgan (who we hoping to move from “visitor” to “member” soon), Matt North (Beverly’s husband; come again Matt), Brantley Tillery, Delores Ritter, Pat Herron, Kim Orr, and Darren (sorry, we missed the last name). Great members, great visitors!
There were a number of joys, concerns, and announcements; it was a busy morning. Prayers were asked for concerns that included Katie (and her family), young 33 year old mother of 2-year old twins, who recently started chemo for breast cancer, for Noel Ray who recently suffered a serious stroke, and a friend, Dale, who has been disappointed by the actions of a young woman whom she has been mentoring. We were also reminded of Kaiden, the 2 1/2 year child, who has a brain tumor.
One true joy was Beth sharing with us that Eric has received a “clean bill of health” at his last checkup; indeed, good news! Scott Morgan let us know that his adult child and family are moving back to Tulsa for work; however, Scott let me know as class was ending that they have a need – a good rental house. If you have or know of such rental house, or need information about the need, contact Scott Morgan as soon as possible.
Rob Reck led us in prayer prior to Reverend Basler’s presentation.
Several announcements for your calendars:
- Our mission to assist with the Interfaith Habitat House is this Saturday, April 17th. Contact Suzy or Denny Meredith-Orr for more information.
- New “Dinners/Lunchs for Eight” will be formulated soon; Pam Sherman will start sign-ups next week.
- The May 2010 Class Social will be attending with other Church members a Tulsa Drillers baseball game on Sunday, May 23rd. The game starts at 2:05pm but lunch will be provided to all attendees at the new ONEOK Field immediately following the 11am service. Cost for the lunch and ticket is $20 per person. Contact Pam Sherman for details.
- For those who purchased the Champagne Bruch with Gary Peluso-Verdend, President, Phillips Theological Seminary is Saturday, April 17th. Contact Ginny Walker, your host, for more information.
- The Designer Showcase party is Monday evening, 7pm to 9pm, April 19th. If you have not paid and want to attend, the cost is $20 payable to Maranatha Class; contact Lynn Russell for more information.
Next week (April 18th) and the Sunday following (April 25th), Dr. Gary Peluso-Verdend will be our teacher/presenter. Be there, you’re invited; invite others as well!
We had a busy Sunday and lot’s going on; isn’t it great? Hope that I got all the facts straight. If not, let me know.
Richard Wansley
Maranatha Class Website 