-
Christ the King is a vibrant faith community dedicated to fulfilling the mission of Christ on earth through its many ministries and organizations. There truly is something for everyone at Christ the King, and we want to help you find that special group, ministry or activity that will enrich your life and make use of the particular gifts God has given you.
During the month of November, we highlighted some of these incredible ministries; what calls to you?
Women's Bible Study (11.29.21)
Christ the King parish has a very large, very healthy Women's Bible Study ministry. Today LeAnn Lienhard tells us a little about her involvement in Women with Purpose.
Ministry: Women with Purpose (WWP)
Ministry Leaders: Kerri Beasley, LeAnn Lienhard, Lindsey Evans, Sarah Thomas, Julie Drilling, Colleen Johnson
Other Members: Members of the Bible Study are the women of the parish. Anyone is invited to attend.
What does your ministry do?
Women with Purpose is a Bible Study for women of all ages.
Why did you choose to serve in this ministry?
Women of the parish were interested in attending a Bible study where they could read and learn scripture and share their thoughts with other women. In order for the ministry to happen, there was a need for volunteers to lead and facilitate the groups.
How long have you been with this ministry?
I have been with this ministry since it's beginning - 4 years.
What is your favorite thing about this ministry?
From the beginning we have used a Catholic Bible Study based on the writings of Lisa Brenninkmeyer. We have covered many books of the Bible. Reading scripture, answering questions and sharing thoughts with women is very enlightening. We learn so much from each other's experiences. We also lift each other up in prayer.
How much time do you devote to this ministry each week?
The format of the study is to spend one hour 3-5 days of the the week to cover the lesson. Each lesson includes scripture readings and questions from the writings of the author, which we use as discussion when we meet each week.
When and where do you meet?
We have three groups that meet on Tuesday mornings from 8:30-10:00 in the Formal Room, Fireplace Room, and Room 114. There is also a Tuesday evening group that meets at 6:30.
Are there any special requirements to participate in this ministry?
There are no special requirements to participate - just an interest in learning and sharing.
What gifts are helpful for this ministry?
There are no special gifts needed. As a leader, a willingness to facilitate is needed. A leader does not need to be a Bible scholar. The leader is there to welcome the group and keep the conversation going. The Bible Study groups serve as wonderful prayer groups as well, for those intentions needed.
If you had more volunteers, how could they contribute?
We hope the Women with Purpose Bible Study will continue to grow and we would need more women to lead a group. Keeping the groups to 20 women allows for more intimate conversation and sharing.
If you would like to volunteer to lead a Women with Purpose Bible Study group or find a study to join, please contact Kerri Beasley at (405) 206-0637 or kerribeas@gmail.com.
Adult Choir (11.22.21)
Do you love church music? Do you love to sing? Are you looking for ways to participate in the Mass? Today George Schluterman tells us a little about being a member of the Adult Choir.
Ministry: Adult Choir
Ministry Leader: Edwin Day
Other Members: There are many! Anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to join this choir.
What does your ministry do?
We provide sacred music for the Liturgical Celebrations.
Why did you choose to serve in this ministry?
I joined this choir because I have always enjoyed singing in church.
How long have you been with this ministry?
I've been in the choir here at Christ the King over 30 years, but most of my life actually. My parents and family all enjoyed singing in church.
What is your favorite thing about this ministry?
Definitely the family attitude among all the choir members, but also the enjoyment I get from adding to the Mass.
How much time do you devote to this ministry each week?
Usually 3-4 hours a week but the time commitment will vary with the seasons.
When and where do you meet?
We meet each Wednesday at 7pm and then again at 9:30am each Sunday before Mass. We meet in the choir room in the lower level of the parish center.
Are there any special requirements to participate in this ministry?
I would say it helps to have an interest in church music and also some experience singing.
What gifts are helpful for this ministry?
The ability to sing and read music and a commitment to the process.
If you had more volunteers, how could they contribute?
More volunteers would mean more members adding their voices to the choir at Mass.
If you would like to learn how to get involved in the Adult Choir, please contact Edwin Day at the church office by phone, (405) 848-8397, or by email, edwin@ckokc.org.
Altar Servers (11.15.21)
Busy high school senior Ellie Buckelew reflects on her eight years volunteering as an altar server.
When did you start getting involved in ministries at Christ the King Church and why?
I was baptized and grew up coming to Little Red School House and Christ the King. Some of my earliest church and school memories were coming to VBS. One year my mom was in charge of VBS. In fifth grade I became an altar server.
What ministries have you been involved in?
VBS, Totus Tuus, Knights in Service, Altar Server
What's been your favorite? Why?
I really enjoyed parts of all the ministries I have participated in. I remember loving the art and the plays in VBS and some of the trips for Knights in Service were great. I also loved the altar server trips to 6 Flags with Fr. Rick.
How much time do you devote to ministries? Is it something an active teenager can accomplish?
I serve Mass about once a month. And my family attends Mass regularly. During Confirmation, I felt like I was at the Church a lot, but I always feel good after I do something at the Church or for others!
Why do you think it's important to get involved in ministries at church?
I think it is important to get involved in ministries at the Church because it keeps you practicing your faith. It is also nice to have a connection somewhere other than school and school activities. I can also say that being an altar server has allowed me to be a part of some special moments in my siblings' lives.
What would you say to encourage a friend or young person to get involved at Christ the King?
I would tell them to get involved! Even if you can’t devote a lot of time now, it makes you feel more connected to the Church. You get to know the staff at the church and others with some of the same values.
Has there been anyone that you served as a mentor to you in any of your ministry involvements?
Allie Dodson was my small group leader during Confirmation. I learned so much from her and realized you can always be a part of your church at any age.
We are always looking for young people (5th grade or older) who are interested in becoming an altar server to fill the role when seniors like Ellie graduate and move on. Contact Jayne Clarke at (405) 242-4511 or jayne@ckokc.org to find out how your child can become trained in this important church ministry.
ACTS (11.8.21)
Chip and Lori Carter are active parishioners and recent ACTS retreatants. With the Spring 2022 ACTS Retreat dates set, they're here to share their experience and renewed relationships with God.
What does your ministry do?
An ACTS Retreat is a three-day, three-night retreat at Camp OLOG and held in the spring and fall - two each for men and two each for women. They are conducted by past ACTS retreatants who come back to serve a new group of parishioners. The retreats focus growing an individual’s Catholic faith by focusing on Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service. Often described as "Kairos for adults," the retreats not only help deepen the individual’s faith, but also help break down artificial barriers within the parish, helping unite us in our shared love of the Lord.
Why did you choose to serve in this ministry?
We were each approached by other members of the parish; our friends who had gone through past retreats who really encouraged each of us to do it. Chip went on retreat this past spring and Lori just participated in September of 2021.
What is your favorite thing about this ministry?
Chip: "The community and togetherness it builds. I’ve gone to CK for 17 years and, like many of us, I had developed my own little subset of parishioners with whom I communicated and connected. The retreat introduced me to a great group of men that I had never known before and helped us create a new shared bond."
Lori: "I loved getting to know other women in the parish on a much deeper level. I met such an awesome group of smart, educated, tender, authentic, and faithful women who love Jesus and want to help each other on their journey of faith. The ACTS retreat and program really allows you to do that."
How much time do you devote to this ministry each week?
There are various opportunities to stay engaged through weekly small faith groups, service projects, future retreat teams and other ways, but how much time you devote is entirely up to you.
When and where do you meet?
Retreats are held at OLOG (Our Lady of Guadalupe Camp). The small faith groups have various locations around town with meetings throughout the week.
Are there any special requirements to participate in this ministry?
Just an open mind and an open heart!
What gifts are helpful for this ministry?
Volunteering your time and donating materials to assist the retreats are always wanted, but the most important gifts are the prayers of support from the rest of the parish.
The Spring 2022 ACTS Retreat dates are set! The Women's Retreat will be April 21-24, 2022 and the Men's Retreat will be April 28-May 1. If you have have any questions, please reach out to Jenni Butch at (405) 843-4766 or jenni@ckokc.org.
St. Lawrence Ministry (11.1.21)
Today Emily Borders tells us a little about being a member of the St. Lawrence Ministry (SLM).
Ministry Leaders: Tom and Merren Stewart
Other Members: Jill Brown, Patty Brumbaugh, Cathey Cooper, Jo Fudge, Carol Lindsay, Cathy Polony, Susan Potter, Barney Semtner, Kay Ray, Tom Hoey, John Meyer, Sue and Chris Neuberger, Raymond Pringle, and Dori Smith.
What does your ministry do?
The St. Lawrence Ministry provides food and financial assistance in emergency situations for utilities, rent and some medical expenses to those in need, who live within our parish area.
Why did you choose to serve in this ministry?
For several years, I had been feeling a pull to find a way to become more involved with ministries within the church portion of our parish. I prayed on it frequently. I felt really connected to our school programs but less so to people and things outside of our school community. However, with the hecticness of family, work and life in general, I kept putting off doing something. I didn’t know where or how to start so I just did nothing. That changed after hearing a homily one Sunday. The message focused on how often we may want to make changes in our spiritual life, or we may want to find ways to use our time and talents to serve others, but we don’t because it seems too overwhelming and we don’t know how to start. The priest suggested that we simply start saying “yes” to even small things and that these small things can snowball into big changes. Maybe things as simple as not reacting angrily when cut off in traffic or sending an email asking how we can help programs that interest us. So the next day, I did just that. I emailed Jenni Butch and she quickly responded that SLM needed caseworkers. The population SLM serves is near to my heart as I grew up assisting my grandfather with a charity he started, in HIS name, to help those in need. After meeting with Tom and the rest of the SLM group, I knew this was something I wanted to be a part of long-term.
How long have you been with this ministry?
Almost 1 ½ years
What is your favorite thing about this ministry?
I have 2 favorite things about working as a caseworker for SLM. In my role, I often speak with people in challenging times. While hearing their stories can be hard, I enjoy making a connection with our clients and being able to show them God’s love in tangible ways. SLM has opened my eyes to how much need there is in our OKC community as well as how many people are actively trying to assist those in need. My second favorite thing is the opportunity I have had to work with other members of SLM. The majority of SLM members have devoted many years to this ministry and they are such great examples of true servants. They truly are impressive! They teach me things continually and offer support when I am unsure of how to handle cases.
How much time do you devote to this ministry each week?
Most of the caseworkers have scheduled days that they cover phone calls into our hotline. Currently I serve as an on-call caseworker and try to fill in when others cannot cover their assigned days or if they need a little extra help on any day. Some weeks I may spend as little as 30 minutes working on SLM tasks and other times it requires several hours per week. The good news is, there is always flexibility and others willing to jump in when one member is unavailable. This group is quick to communicate that this is not a high-pressure job!
When and where do you meet?
Meetings take place on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 5pm in Room 114 at CK.
Are there any special requirements to participate in this ministry?
There is no formal background training required. Access to a phone, internet and a little common sense is all that is needed. Tom provides an excellent orientation, training and resources. Cases can be worked from home and food deliverers are on call based on their availability.
What gifts are helpful for this ministry?
Many spiritual gifts are of value to this ministry and it takes a mixture of people! Some examples of these include service, mercy, wisdom, encouragement, giving, healing and leadership.
If you had more volunteers, how could they contribute?
SLM needs caseworkers. We need more people to help us take care of the growing number of our neighbors in need of assistance. As stated above, most case workers have devoted many years to keeping this ministry active and successful. Our members would be grateful for any new volunteers to ensure the longevity of SLM. Last year, there were over 3,000 phone calls into our hotline. With the support of our parishioners, SLM was able to provide approximately $41,000 in assistance to over 500 families. We delivered almost 3,000 pounds of food and assisted 62 families at Thanksgiving.
If you would like to get involved or simply get more information about the St. Lawrence Ministry, please reach out to Tom Stewart at mertoms@sbcglobal.net.