There are a couple of very important events this month that I want to highlight – and I want to encourage your participation. The first is a one-month long adult church school opportunity. I will be leading a Member & Friends Class at 9:30 am in the Adult Church School Classroom (on the first floor near Fellowship Hall) starting Sunday, August 7, and concluding on Sunday, September 4. We will be primarily focusing on three area of interest:
1. Getting to know fellow congregation members (new and old) better.
2. Basic Presbyterianism
3. Learning about ways to plug into ministry opportunities here at College Hill
This class is not only for new members, but also for prospective new members as well as long-time church members. There will be a notebook for everyone in the class filled with specific information concerning College Hill, as well as the basics of Presbyterian/Reformed history, theology, and polity.
Another major event this month is our special More Light Celebration on Sunday, August 21, during the 11:00 am service of worship, followed by a Potluck Luncheon. We will be celebrating the end of our denomination’s discriminatory practice of denying ordination of LGBT persons of faith. We have invited former pastor, the Rev. Radford Rader, to join us for this historic occasion. Radford helped guide this congregation through the decision process just over a decade ago to designate ourselves as a More Light Presbyterian congregation. This promises to be a very festive and meaningful service in the life of College Hill.
Blessings, Rev. Todd Freeman
July 2011
Every couple of years, the three presbyteries in Oklahoma get together for a combined meeting. This year we met in Stillwater in June. We were very fortunate to have the Moderator of the 219th General Assembly of the PCUSA, Elder Cynthia Bolbach (who lives in Arlington, Virginia) come to speak and preach at our meeting. Below is a quick summary of some of her comments.
Life today in the PCUSA is significantly different than just one month ago. Two major actions were taken in the same year, which is rare. One is the passage of Amendment 10-A, which replaces the ordination standards in G-6.0106b, and the other is the passage of the nFOG (new Form of Government), which will replace the current section in our Book of Order. While life goes on pretty much as usual for most church members, there is still a general sense of anxiety of how to deal with these changes. Let’s take time to live into these changes then see how to proceed from there. While these are immediate issues to address, there are three other issues the church must direct its focus.
1. How to structure the church to do ministry effectively in the 21st century.
Our current structure is based on a bureaucratic, regulatory model – which worked fine a half century ago when there were lots of church members and money, but doesn’t now. We need to stop comparing membership figures of now to the past. In the 1950’s there was denominational loyalty, as well a cultural attitude that made going to church part of the lives of most folks. That is no longer the ‘thing to do’ in our society today.
Here’s the real question we should be asking: Are we proclaiming the gospel authentically? If so, then we need to stop worrying so much about membership numbers and focus on what each congregation can do to bring people to a life of faithful discipleship. We must also address how willing we are to embrace change in a post-Christian society.
2. Reclaiming the parity between Ruling Elders and Teaching Elders (the new term for Minister of Word and Sacrament).
In our denomination, we share equally in the governance of the church. We are losing what it means to be a ruling elder, knowing our role is not to ‘lord it over’ the congregation, but to discern and measure the congregation’s fidelity to the gospel, and searching for ways to strengthen the church.
Ruling elders today often function more like serving on a non-profit board of directors. Instead, they need to lead, even teach and preach; take risks; confront dysfunction in the congregation and with dysfunctional people; set aside their own preferences and focus on what is best for their particular community of faith. Nominating committees need to engage in the hard work of discerning people who have both the gifts and a call to serve. We must also be more serious about training ruling elders.
3. Reclaiming the ethos of the Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church Report
We must focus harder on how to work together; take seriously our call to build relationships and reach across the aisle (which is a long process); grow to trust one another.
Moderator Bolbach then spent a good bit of time taking questions and allowing people to share what they considered to be the pressing issues within our denomination and within their own congregations. Her sermon was based on Mark 2:1-5 – the story of a paralyzed man who was carried by others on a mat, opening up a hole in a roof to lower him into Jesus’ presence to be healed. She talked about how each of us (and the denomination) is paralyzed in our own way, and that sometimes the only way we can overcome our paralysis is to rely on the help of others – perhaps even people we don’t know. We also are challenged to be more like those who helped, stepping out of the crowd and coming together with others (who may be very different from ourselves) to help those in need. Perhaps we need to ‘break some holes in roofs’ in order to do ministry effectively in our day and age! In other words, perhaps we need greater boldness to lift others into the presence of our living God.
Blessings, Rev. Todd Freeman
June 2011
A very big Thank You to everyone who worked to put together our First Annual Memorial Day Weekend Picnic, and especially to Wyneth Roulet and the Congregational Life ministry team. Please take a look at the page of pictures in this newsletter. It was a great afternoon of fellowship, fun, and food.
The really big news last month, of course, was the denomination’s passage of Amendment 10-A, which in effect clears the way for each congregation and presbytery to ordain and install church leaders they feel are called by God and prepared for leadership positions in the church – including LGBT persons of faith in loving committed relationships. Many have worked for decades for this outcome as part of the More Light and Covenant Network movements within our denomination. While the struggle for equality and justice continues, we will be working to discern (as one congregation member puts it) our “next big thing.”
Along those lines, College Hill is pleased to be hosting this year’s Interfaith Service as part of the Tulsa Pride events. On Sunday, June 5 at 3 pm, clergy and spiritual leaders from many of Tulsa's affirming and inclusive faith communities will participate in this annual event. I encourage you to attend in support of our own efforts to make Tulsa a more inclusive and welcoming community.
Sunday, June 12, is Pentecost Sunday – so feel free to wear red. Also, please keep the Visioning ministry team in your thoughts and prayers as they continue to work through the Congregational Life Strengths Survey and formulate an action plan for our congregation.
Blessings, Rev. Todd Freeman
May 2011
I want to begin by thanking all those who made Holy Week and Easter such a meaningful experience in the life of our congregation this year, including the entire Worship & Music ministry team who worked very hard to put all those services together. I am particularly thankful for the talents of Bill Nole and Carolyn Elder who helped organize and lead our Seder Service on Maundy Thursday. A special thanks, of course, to the Chancel Choir and the Bell Choir and our Director of Music, Kim Childs; our Organist and Bell Choir Director, Alta Selvey; and our Children’s Choir Director, Caroline Johnson. The Children’s Choir shared their gift of song with the congregation on Easter Sunday.
There are some all-church events during May that I want to highlight and encourage your participation. On Sunday, May 8, Mother’s Day, we will be having an All-Church Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall starting at 8:30 a.m. Two weeks after that we will hold our First Annual Memorial Day Weekend All-Church Picnic on Sunday, May 29, after worship at my home north of town. With 4 ½ acres to roam around, including a stocked pond for fishing, there will be LOTS of room for fun and games. There will be more details later.
Also beginning this month, the Visioning ministry team will begin meeting to evaluate and process the Visioning Survey that the congregation took in March. We also have some special Adult Church School opportunities! A three-Sunday Scholars Series will be led by Dr. Joe Bessler, Associate Professor of Theology at Phillips Theological Seminary. The topics of this series, beginning on May 1, are: A look at where the church has been; Foundations of liberal progressive Christianity; and Progressive Christianity and contemporary issues. The final two classes of the month will be led by Julie Summers, MSW & MDiv.: Widening the Welcome: The Church and Mental Health Disabilities.
Let us keep our graduates in our thoughts and prayers this month, as well as the well-being of all in our church family and the Kendall-Whittier neighborhood.
Blessings, Rev. Todd Freeman
April 2011
There are a lot of exciting things scheduled for the month of April, including a Work Day at the church starting at 9 am on the 9th, Palm/Passion Sunday with the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering on the 17th, a Maundy Thursday Seder Service (a celebration of the Passover Meal) at 6:30 pm on the 21st, a combined Good Friday Service held at John Calvin Presbyterian Church at 7 pm on the 22nd, and of course Easter on the 24th.
There is one other very important event happening in April that I invite all of you to attend. As most of you know, the Rev. Don Roulet and I have been part of a steering committee to form a new organization in Tulsa dealing with issues of progressive Christianity – a passion of many here at College Hill.
A group of several progressive pastors and lay leaders representing several different denominations have been meeting for over a year. Our mission is to foster progressive religious education through local forums and discussion panels and hopefully to bring world-class religious/biblical scholars to Tulsa at least once a year.
We are very proud to announce that the newly formed Progressive Religious Coalition of Tulsa (PRCT) will hold its Inaugural Event on Sunday afternoon from 2-3:30 pm on April 10 at the Unity Church of Christianity, 3355 S Jamestown Ave (at 35th St). This is a free event. Our discussion topic:
Was Jesus Sacrificed?
Does God require the blood of a sacrifice in order to forgive?
Does the doctrine of Atonement make sense in our day and age?
Various interpretations of Jesus’ crucifixion will be presented from theologians and scholars in video format. The video clip is taken from the Living the Questions series - First Light: Jesus and the Kingdom of God
• A panel and group discussion will follow • Refreshments will be served •
Blessings, Rev. Todd Freeman
March 2011
The church needs your input. In my article last month I wrote about the important on-going efforts of our new Visioning Ministry Team. A very big step in the progress of this endeavor will include the input from the entire congregation. On Sunday, March 6, we are asking that everyone over 15 years old who attends the service – members AND visitors – take a simple survey during worship in order to collect vital information for our discernment process. The survey, called the U.S. Congregational Life Survey Strengths Report, was developed by the national office of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and has proven to be a very useful tool in helping congregations understand themselves better and guide them in planning for the future.
Also in the month of March we will enter into the Season of Lent. The word “lent” simply means “springtime” – the time of year when we notice new birth and new growth. This metaphor is meant to encourage and lead us into a time of spiritual growth, renewal and rebirth. During this 40-day season, it is hoped that each of us can enter into this process by taking an honest, in-depth look at our personal and congregational journey of faith.
Henri Nouwen, my favorite author on spirituality, sees Lent as a time of returning – returning to God – like in the parable of the Prodigal Son. He writes, “I have come to realize the need for returning over and over again. My life drifts away from God. I have to return… Returning is a life-long struggle that is renewed each Lent.”
Here are some questions that you may find helpful to reflect upon during Lent. What could you add to your daily or weekly routine that would lead you to spiritual renewal? What would it take to revive and energize your spiritual life?
The point of Lent is simple. Whatever works for you in order to draw you nearer to God, DO IT !
Blessings, Rev. Todd Freeman
February 2011
Last year, the Session of the church formed a new ministry team: Visioning (Long Range Planning). We spent most of the year discussing how to proceed with a process that will help us – as an entire congregation – discern where we believe God is leading us in the years ahead.
The two Session representatives on this team last year were Bob Lucy (moderator), and Terry Baxter. The other team members included Bill Major, Charlotte Bronston, Cam McKenzie, Stefanie Olson, and John Gammie. Bill Major as agreed to serve as the new moderator since Bob Lucy has taken on the responsibility of moderating the Finance & Stewardship ministry team this year. Bob will remain on the Visioning ministry team, as will Terry Baxter, who has rotated off the Session. John Gammie, who has rotated onto the Session will be the team’s other Session representative, as will newly ordained Elder Mary Fitzgerald. Another new team member is Fritha Olhson.
Bill Major discovered that the national office of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has developed a wonderful congregational-based approach to long range planning, using the U.S. Congregational Life Survey Strengths Report. The Visioning ministry team is currently looking at all this material. The process starts will all the members and friends of the congregation taking a survey (60 questions on a wide variety of topics). The data is sent to the national office and compiled. It is then sent back to the team. They suggest that the team meet for 7 weeks in a row to review the data and develop a plan.
Topics that are specifically addressed are:
Growing Spiritually
Meaningful Worship
Participating in the Congregation
Having a Sense of Belonging
Caring for Young People
Focusing on the Community
Sharing Faith
Welcoming New Worshipers
Empowering Leadership
Looking to the Future
This is a very exciting time in the life and ministry of this congregation, and I encourage and appeal to each of you to actively participate with this visioning process, as together we work to discern the direction that we will take in the months and years ahead.
Blessings, Rev. Todd Freeman
January 2011
I’ve never been one for making New Year’s resolutions, mainly because I prefer to avoid the guilt and disappointment when I break them (usually within the first week or two). That doesn’t mean, however, that I don’t strive for certain things, like to live my life in an ever more Christ-like way. Or as John Shelby Spong encourages: Live life fully; Love abundantly; Be who you are created to be. And on those occasions when fail in those endeavors, I know that God is present and offers love, forgiveness, and grace.
As we turn the calendar to begin a new year, I am also reminded of one of the hallmarks of the Christian faith, that God is a God of new beginnings. I truly look forward to what this new year will bring, for I am very excited about what’s going on in the life and ministry of this congregation.
There are many wonderful things happening at College Hill in January, so please take note as you read this newsletter. For instance, there will be an Epiphany Service (Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 6:30 pm), an Ordination & Installation of Elders (Sunday, Jan. 9), the annual Session Retreat (Saturday, Jan. 15 at my new home), and the Annual Congregational Meeting & Potluck (Sunday, Jan. 23).
Please keep the church staff, our Elders, and all the members and friends of this wonderful congregation in your prayers, especially those in need. May each and every one of you have a truly blessed year!
Blessings, Rev. Todd Freeman
December 2010
We have begun our month-long preparation for the celebration of Christmas. The Season of Advent is a time of active preparation and anticipation – a time for each of us to contemplate what Christmas really means. Therefore, I would like to encourage you to reflect upon a question that I ask each year at this time: What significance does the birth, life and ministry of Jesus have for you and your life?
In my answer to that question, I would respond, in part, that in Jesus of Nazareth we have come to see that God is with us and for us. To quote Delwin Brown, author of What Does a Progressive Christian Believe?, ”God is somehow incarnate in the entire creation – the ordinary and extraordinary, the broken and the whole, the known and the unknown, the familiar and the mysterious world in all its dimensions.”
I agree with Brown when he states, “In the birth of Jesus we see the gentleness and vulnerability of the divine. We believe that God works through ordinariness, not shock and awe, that caring for the divine work of redemption is everywhere placed in our small human hands… In the actions of Jesus we see the primacy of God’s commitment to the neglected ones… In the compassion of Jesus for the least ones we become aware of God’s love for all of the creation… In Jesus Christ we believe we see intimations of a God who is incarnate – a God who is with us fully, and fully, too, with all creation.”
So let us take the light of Christ that dwells within each of us and reflect it upon others throughout this season. I pray that for you, this congregation, and the entire world, this Advent and Christmas season will be one of increased peace, hope, joy and love!
Blessings, Rev. Todd Freeman
November 2010
I had a very productive study leave during the third week in October (and some good rest and relaxation). For the sixth year in a row I joined a group of church professionals at one of the group’s ancestral family farm in the predominately Amish/Mennonite countryside of north-central Ohio. It’s even out of reach of cell phone service, which was wonderful!
I read and studied the book What Does a Progressive Christian Believe?, by Delwin Brown, former Dean of Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA, and Professor or Christian Theology at Illif School of Theology (Methodist) in Denver. I highly recommend it to all of you who are actively engaged in exploring an approach to biblical scholarship and theology that makes sense in the 21st century.
Speaking of progressive Christianity, Rev. Don Roulet and I are part of a group of local pastors and lay leaders that have been meeting for most of this year to form a new organization here in Tulsa. We decided to call it the Progressive Religious Coalition of Tulsa (PRCT). We are to the stage where we have just developed a website, progressivereligontulsa.org, and are filing the necessary paperwork to for non-profit status.
Our Mission Statement
• A gathering of individuals fostering progressive religious education.
Our Objectives
• To provide local forums and discussion panels of progressive religious thinking, with opportunities for open dialogue.
• To bring world-class religious/biblical scholars to Tulsa at least once a year.
What is Progressive Christianity?
While there is no one definition, there are some basic characteristics, such as:
• Willingness to question tradition, including traditional understandings of church doctrines and biblical interpretations.
• Respect of intellectual integrity, including the use of the latest in biblical and scientific knowledge and understanding.
• Acceptance and affirmation of human diversity; ministries of inclusiveness and hospitality.
• Strong emphasis on ministries to promote social justice, peace, and care of the environment and all of God’s good creation.
• Centrality of the commandment to “love one another” — a ministry of compassion.
• Outreach to those for whom organized religion has proved ineffectual, irrelevant, or repressive.
• A life of faith is approached as a journey, not a destination.
On a different subject, I would be remiss in not reminding you that Sunday, November 7, is Commitment Sunday. Please bring your Pledge Card to that service of worship (or mail it to the church office) so that we can finalize the 2011 Budget. We humbly receive the gifts of your time, talents, and financial resources to continue and expand the important work of Christ in this congregation, this neighborhood, and beyond.
Blessings, Rev. Todd Freeman
October 2010
The date of September 17, 2010 will go down as an historic milestone in our Hispanic ministry efforts here at College Hill. On that date, during the fall meeting of Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery at Dwight Mission, the presbytery unanimously and enthusiastically approved the recommendation from their Church Development & Evangelism Committee to designate our Hispanic ministry as an "Immigrant Fellowship."
This is an official designation within the Presbyterian Church (USA) for the formation of groups of immigrants (from any country). While many presbyteries throughout the country have Immigrant Fellowship groups within their bounds, this is a first for Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery. This designation, in part, moves this ministry from an exclusive entity of this congregation to one of the entire presbytery - thus bringing in their support.
An Immigrant Fellowship is allowed, if it so chooses, to move into the process of becoming a New Church Development, and then into its own congregation. Or, it can remain connected to a particular congregation - as our Hispanic ministry will for the foreseeable future.
At that presbytery meeting, I was able to introduce to them Ricardo Chavez, the leader of our Hispanic group, Monica Rodriguez, who is responsible for the group's finances (along with Jody Flippo), and Pat Valencia, who has helped guide our Hispanic efforts here at the church over the last three years.
This new venture has already led to the formation of an Hispanic Steering Committee. Unlike our Hispanic Ministry Team, this steering committee will be led by our Hispanic members themselves. In addition to Ricardo and Monica, this leadership committee also includes Noe Solorsana, Lulu Calderon, Nehemias Solorsano (as translator), John Gammie, and Jody Flippo. There has already been the formation of new ministry teams within our Hispanic group, thus working to take charge of their own ministry efforts.
Let us all be in prayer for the continued development of this very exciting ministry – not only within this congregation, but within this presbytery.
Blessings, Rev. Todd Freeman
September 2010
The Labor Day Weekend is upon us. I hope all of you will be able to spend some time enjoying the holiday with family and friends. The weeks ahead will be busy ones for me as in addition to my pastoral duties here at the church I begin teaching Presbyterian Polity at Phillips Theological Seminary (Thursday afternoons), and moving from my rent house to a home I am purchasing (closing on September 3). New Church Directories will be distributed later this month, and my new address and home phone number will be included. My new home is located about 6 ½ miles north of downtown Tulsa on 4 wooded acres with a stocked pond. It looks like a retreat center, and I plan to use it as one for church gatherings!
Things will be busy here at the church as well. The Christian Education Ministry Team wants everyone to know that they are invited to our annual Rally Day on Sunday, September 12. We will be serving a hearty breakfast at 9:00 am. Breakfast will be followed by Church School classes for all ages. In addition to the class that I teach, the Rev. Don Roulet will begin a class on Sunday, September 19, entitled, “The Legacy of Christian Orthodoxy.” Please see the article in this newsletter for more information.
The Congregational Life Ministry Team is working on setting up a new round of Small Group Dinners. The Book Study Small Group will also be starting up again soon. These are great ways to get to know others in the congregation on a more personal level. Stay tuned for more information. The Congregational Life team is responsible for not only our fellowship events, but also congregational care issues. As always, know that I, and this team, are truly interested in knowing if you or your family has a pastoral concern (illnesses, surgeries, death in the family, as well as joys and celebrations). Our level of support and care for one another in this community of faith is indeed one of the most meaningful aspects of our ministry together.
Blessings, Rev. Todd Freeman
August 2010
Please pick up a copy of “Assembly in Brief 2010” on the Information Table at the entrance to the sanctuary to learn all about the many decisions that were made at our denomination’s national General Assembly gathering this summer. I have included specific information about one particular topic in this newsletter – Ordination Standards.
The Assembly approved an entire rewrite of the controversial G-6.0106b, with its standard that church officers “lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church,” including the requirement, “to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness.” This is the church law that seeks to prohibit gays and lesbians in a committed relationship from serving as pastors, elders, or deacons – the law that More Light Presbyterians and the Covenant Network of Presbyterians have been working tirelessly to overturn for a very long time.
The proposed change, which has to be approved by a simple majority of our 173 presbyteries nationwide, refocuses our understanding of the nature of ordination to the standard that church officers “submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life.” It also refocuses the right of each governing body to be responsible for ordination and/or installation, including “the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill the requirements expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation.” That refers to the vows that all pastors, elders, and deacons take when being ordained and installed for service in the church. Concerning the role of Scripture and the confessions, governing bodies are to be “guided by” them in applying standards to individual candidates, rather than a blanket nationwide-imposed adherence to living a life in “obedience” and “conformity” to the Scriptures and the confessions, respectfully. And the debate continues…
In other news, we say goodbye to our Office Administrator, Denise Claybaker, after a very short 3 ½ months. Denise, one of the most efficient persons I have even had the pleasure to work with, is moving on to a new position. We wish her well. We will welcome Lisa Hays to the position of Administrative Assistant on Monday, August 9.
Blessings, Rev. Todd Freeman
July 2010
Let me begin by wishing all of you a very fun and safe 4th of July weekend. I especially pray for those of you who are traveling this month – hopefully to spend some ‘down time’ vacationing and visiting family and friends. I plan on taking the first week of August off to travel to Keystone, Colorado, in order to attend the wedding of one of the youth in the Jr. High Youth Group I used to lead back at my home church near Houston. He’s now 37.
I want to encourage each and every one of us to continue learning how to take “Sabbath” seriously. One of my favorite quotes on this subject (I have a copy of it on my refrigerator at home) that you may find helpful in your own efforts to find much-needed rest and relaxation is:
Sabbath is an invitation to come home: home to God and to ourselves. Sabbath is a time to:
CEASE. REST. EMBRACE. FEAST.
Sabbath is about understanding life as a gift, knowing myself as part of God’s creation and resting my full weight in that grace.
On a different topic, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) will convene for it’s week-long every-other-year meeting on Saturday, July 3. As always, they will be addressing many pressing and important issues – several of which impact our ministry as a designated ‘More Light Presbyterian’ congregation.
To learn more about what the General Assembly will be facing, I want to invite you to the Adult Church School Class on Sunday, July 4 and July 11 (the Sundays just before and after GA’s decisions will be made) to take a good close look at what we are dealing with as a denomination on a national level. Rev. Chuck Kriner will help lead those discussions.
Blessings, Rev. Todd Freeman
June 2010
Each year Tulsa Pride is kicked off with a very inclusive Interfaith Service. On May 23, clergy and spiritual leaders from Tulsa's affirming and inclusive faith communities, as well as several choirs, participated in this annual event. I learned from Toby Jenkins, Executive Director of Oklahomans for Equality, that they would like College Hill to host this special service next year.
In the reading that I presented during the service, I shared some remarkable quotes from Archbishop Desmond Tutu. In 2008, he received the Outspoken Award from the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. He closed his acceptance speech with these amazing and healing words:
For what it is worth, my dear sisters and brothers, I ask for your forgiveness in ways in which we, the institutional church, have often treated you, ostracized you, made you feel as if God had made a mistake creating you as who you are. For we are those who are meant to care for one another. Care for all the world. Care for God’s children, especially those who suffer injustice and oppression. And so, you have been fantastic people in your commitment to justice and freedom and the respect for human rights, here and in other parts of the world. On behalf of those who are the beneficiaries of your support and your commitment – Thank You!
And just two months ago, in an op-ed piece in the March 12th edition of The Washington Post, Archbishop Tutu wrote:
Hate has no place in the house of God. No one should be excluded from our love, our compassion or our concern because of race or gender, faith or ethnicity -- or because of their sexual orientation… [There is] an even larger offense that is being done in the name of God. Show me where Christ said, "Love thy fellow person, except for the gay ones." Gay people, too, are made in my God's image. I would never worship a homophobic God… And does any of us know the mind of God so well that we can decide for God who is included, and who is excluded, from the circle of God’s love? The wave of hate must stop. Politicians who profit from exploiting this hate, from fanning it, must not be tempted by this easy way to profit from fear and misunderstanding. And my fellow clerics, of all faiths, must stand up for the principles of universal dignity and fellowship. Exclusion is never the way forward on our shared paths to freedom and justice.
I wholeheartedly concur.
Blessings, Rev. Todd Freeman
May 2010
There are several important events in the life of the congregation during the month of May. We celebrate with Elizabeth Ball, our Coordinator of Youth Ministry, as she graduates from the University of Tulsa. Unfortunately for us, however, she will be moving away. On behalf of the Session and youth of this church, I want to express my gratitude to Elizabeth for her talents and dedication in leading our youth programming for the past two years! We will have a Farewell Reception for Elizabeth on Sunday, May 2 following worship.
Also this month we will be hosting our long awaited Hispanic Ministry Assessment Weekend with two national leaders in our denomination. There will be several gatherings on May 14-15, including a combined meeting with our Session and Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery’s Church Development & Evangelism Committee on Saturday, May 15.
On Sunday, May 23, we will celebrate Pentecost Sunday. It will be a special service. Later that day, the Tulsa Pride Interfaith Service will be held 3 pm at Diversity Christian Fellowship, 637 S 131st East Ave. I will be participating in that service which honors our commitment to reaching out to the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community in Tulsa.
Let us keep in our hearts, minds, and prayers those in need within our community of faith, neighborhood, city, country, and worldwide.
Blessings, Rev. Todd Freeman
April 2010
Traditionally, I would use my Newsletter article preceeding Easter as a time to talk about the themes of new life, transformation and hope. However, an event occurred in March that I cannot let pass without comment – and I’m not talking about the historic passage of Health Care Reform into law.
Rather, I want to respond to the comment made by Glenn Beck, a Fox News commentator. Beck told his audience that they should go to their church website and look for the phrase, “social justice,” or “economic justice.” If so, he said they should leave that church and report it to church officials. Beck claims that social justice is a code word for communism and Nazism – since both those movements used that phrase as a rallying cry.
Beck went as far as claiming, “social justice is a perversion of the Gospel.” That misguided attack, in my opinion, is itself a distortion the very heart of our Christian faith, and it serves to deny the central teachings of Jesus and the Bible.
So as we enter into Holy Week and the celebration of Easter, I want to emphatically state that I am proud to be associated with a congregation that lives the Resurrection by proclaiming and acting upon the biblical imperative for social justice.
March 2010
The Mission Statement of the national ‘More Light Presbyterians’ organization (www.mlp.org), of which College Hill is a part, states:
Following the risen Christ, and seeking to make the Church a true community of hospitality, the mission of More Light Presbyterians is to work for the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender [LGBT] people of faith in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Concerning this issue, over the past decade College Hill has moved from taking a primarily advocacy role to a pastoral role. In our efforts to seek to be a safe and welcoming place of sanctuary and hospitality for all people, I rarely single out our ministry to LGBT folks specifically. Know, however, that these issues remain at the forefront of my thoughts and concerns, especially as they relate to issues within the denomination, as well as with the latest scholarship in this field of study.
To that end, I want to share what a meaningful experience it was to attend a recent symposium held at Phillips Theological Seminary, entitled, “Beyond Apologetics: Sexual Identity, Pastoral Theology, and Pastoral Practice.” This nationwide project seeks to help spiritual caregivers, pastors, congregations, mental-health professionals, community activists and others engage in meaningful, informed, and proactive relationships with LGBT people.
Six of twelve scholars working on this project (which, by the way, is co-directed by the Rev. Dr. Duane Bidwell) presented summaries of their latest work at the symposium. The titles of their papers included:
- That’s All It Really Takes – Time and Pressure: Finding Our Way Out of Ecclesial Closets
- Bisexual Theology: Fluid Sexuality and Ambiguous Christologies
- Transgender Experiences as a Resource for Pastoral Care
- Should Gentle, Angry People Forgive?
- “Coming Out” or “Inviting In”: Interrogating Our Rhetoric and Rethinking Our Pastoral Counseling Approaches with LGBTQ Brothers and Sisters
- Recovering from Deeply Entrenched Religious Shaming of Sexual Orientation and/or Gender Identity
I look forward to the completion of their work, which will hopefully be published in some form in the near future. Let us keep all people, including those who have been oppressed by church and society for their sexual orientation, in our thoughts, prayers, and ministry efforts.
Blessings,
Rev. Todd Freeman
February, 2010
“I invite you, in the name of Christ, to observe a holy Lent by self-examination and penitence, by prayer and fasting, by works of love, and by reading and meditating on the Word of God.”
These traditional words, taken from the Presbyterian Book of Common Worship, are part of the liturgy we use at our Ash Wednesday Service of the Imposition of Ashes, which we will hold on Wednesday, February 17, at 6:15 p.m. The evening will begin, however, with our traditional “monastic soup supper” at 5:45 p.m.
We hope this will be a very meaningful way for all of us, individually and as a community of faith, to begin the season of Lent. This 40-day period of time, leading up to the celebration of Easter, is set aside as an intentional opportunity for us to reflect upon our journey of faith, our life in the church, and our work in the world.
Renowned author on spirituality, Henri Nouwen, considered Lent to be a time of returning, like in the parable when the prodigal son returns home to his welcoming and forgiving father.
Lent isn’t just a time of self-denial (the emphasis which many of us grew up with) but rather a time to do whatever works best for you in order to return to God – to experience more fully God’s love, grace, and acceptance.
May your, and our, Lenten season be one of living life more fully, loving in abundance, and being who God created us to be!
Blessings, Rev. Todd Freeman
January, 2010
“Ah yes, the great Christmas Eve Blizzard of 2009, I remember it well. That was the year that we, and basically every other church in Tulsa, had to cancel our Christmas Eve Services.”
We will probably be hearing statements like that for years to come. It’s not that it was a particularly horrible storm, as blizzards go, but that the timing was such as to necessitate the cancellation of one of the most meaningful worship services of the year.
Upon reflection, I found this experience to be a good object lesson. In life, it is important that we plan ahead and are prepared. However, we can’t always control how things will turn out. Circumstances sometimes arise that will cause us to have to change what we had planned to do. That’s often difficult for us, because we hate to think all our hard preparation has gone to waste. Yet when the unexpected occurs, it causes me to remember a couple of important lessons:
1. Preparation is never wasted.
2. Learning to be flexible is always a good life-lesson.
Here at the church, we do indeed try to plan ahead and to be prepared. Some things work out according to plan, and some things do not. As much as we like everything to be done “decently and in order,” sometimes we have to re-evaluate, change course, or even the most drastic measure of all, “make things up as we go along.”
All this is a way of saying that I am deeply grateful to this congregation for your patience, flexibility, and especially your input and hard work as we seek to fulfill the mission to which we feel we are called. So perhaps it’s a good time to remind ourselves of that mission as we head into another year of ministry.
- Build an inclusive community of faith.
- Receive and openly share the love of God.
- Reach out with a compassionate voice for peace and justice.
Blessings, and have a safe and Happy New Year,
Rev. Todd Freeman
December, 2009
‘Tis the season…
As individuals, families, and as a congregation, we have begun our month-long preparation for the celebration of Christmas. The Season of Advent is a time of active preparation and anticipation – a time for each of us to reflect upon what Christmas really means. So in all seriousness, I would like to ask you: What significance does the birth, life and ministry of Jesus have for you and your life?
Since we all tend to over-do and over-commit ourselves during the holidays, let me share with you again this year those four helpful tips to help all of us make this season more meaningful. They are:
- Do less.
- Breathe more.
- Adjust your expectations.
- Focus on people, not stuff.
I also hope you will take the opportunity to prepare for Christmas by attending our special gatherings here at the church, including Advent Family Night, Sunday morning worship (including the choir program on the 20th), and our Christmas Eve services.
Perhaps most importantly, let us take the light of Christ that dwells within each of us and reflect it upon others throughout this season. I pray that this Advent and Christmas season will be one of increased peace, hope, joy and love!
Blessings, Rev. Todd
November, 2009
I had a very productive study leave during the last week in October – and some good rest and relaxation, joining a group of church professionals at one of the group’s ancestral family farm in the predominately Amish/Mennonite countryside of north-central Ohio. I read The Future of the Christian Tradition, a collection of essays by scholars in The Jesus Seminar. The book is kind of like our Progressive Christianity church school class, only magnified to the enth degree. You’ll be hearing more about it.
Just a word about our Stewardship/Commitment Sunday on November 8. I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: Biblical stewardship isn’t about fundraising, but rather a spiritual discipline that becomes a lifestyle. When we realize that all that we have is actually a gift from God, it is out of a spirit of gratitude and generosity that we give a portion of our time, talents, and financial resources back to God in order to further a ministry of love and compassion.
I have learned that one of the most important elements of good stewardship is to recognize that it’s more about our need to give than the church’s need to receive. Also, there has been a generational shift away from stewardship as a means to preserve and promote an institution within which we experience God, towards stewardship as an act of personal spiritual devotion that secondarily benefits the church and its ministries.
The theology of stewardship also serves as the church’s antidote to our age’s obsession with materialism, consumerism, and the desire to acquire more and more. As Christians, we know that people are not worth the sum of what we acquire, but are of infinite value because we are children of God – created in the image of God.
Let us all think upon these things as we prayerfully reflect upon our own lifestyle, spiritual disciplines, and our needs to generously share our blessings with others.
Blessings, Rev. Todd
October, 2009
As expected, September turned out to be quite a monumental month here at College Hill. The Progressive Christianity adult church school class has generated a lot of interest and excitement. The Small Group Ministry program began the process of signing up folks a wide variety of interests. The groups will begin meeting soon, and further information about when and where each small group will regularly meet will be determined and shared so that others can join. Also in September, we said farewell to a very dear member of this congregation, Charlie Brown, who was currently serving as an Elder on our Session, serving on the Outreach and Mission ministry team. Our prayers go out to Rosie as we continue to celebrate the life and love of Charlie, and all that he meant to this congregation and community.
Upcoming special events include World Communion Sunday and the Peacemaking Offering on October 4; our big Fall Party chili cook-off, talent show, and pie auction on Saturday, October 24; the search for Elders to serve on the Session (a Congregational Meeting has been called for Sunday, October 25); and an emphasis on good stewardship. I am grateful that Charlotte Bronston, Betty Coleman, and Charlotte Slemp have graciously agreed to help with our stewardship efforts this year. As a preview, remember that it is to God (not a budget) that we pledge a portion of our time, talents, and financial resources.
Blessings, Rev. Todd
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