Dear Stillwater First UMC Members and Friends,

I wanted to give you an update on our disaster response in the wake of the wildfires that ripped through our community a week ago -- on March 14. Eight families from our congregation lost their homes in last Friday's fires. I reached out to each family to find out what their needs were. At this writing, we now have a member of our congregation who has agreed to be a "connector" for each family and will stay in touch over the long haul of recovery. Through each Connector, we'll attempt to meet every, single need that we can.

We are receiving financial donations to help with this effort. You may give by marking your offering, "Wildfire Relief" or using that designation if you give through our app or our website. After last Sunday, we had a $5,000 commitment from our Annual Conference and a promise of another $10,000 in emergency relief from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR.) You stepped up and continue to step up and give generously to this effort. We've had other congregations offer to support this effort financially as well. Our goal is to give this financial support directly to families who lost homes in the fire.

This Saturday, we are the host site for what is called a MARC (Multi-Agency Relief Center.) Organized by the Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Diaster (VOAD), it is designed to be a one-stop shop for fire victims -- to connect them with the help that they need, in one place. We have four people who will accompany the guests as "ambassadors." We'll be here all day, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Within 24 hours of the fires, Stillwater's Vice-Mayor, Amy Dzialowski had set up an email to recieve requests from fire victims and offers of help. The next day, they reached out to Stillwater CARES asking to utilize a system called, "charity tracker." This tracks available resources and unmet needs. We have been active every step of the way, fulfilling every request we received through this system. The email address is still active. If you know of anyone with a need, they can email stillwaterstrongrelief@gmail.com with the word, "NEED" in the subject line. In addition, the Visit Stillwater website has set up a dedicated page to share resources in one place. Click here to see this website.

Recovery is a long-term endeavor. It has only been a week since the fires. It could be as long as 6 weeks before families know what they will need and as long as 6 months to a year before they will feel like they have a "normal" life again. We want to be there for the long haul.

I hope this updates you on how we are serving. I'm grateful to be your pastor and watch you shine when you serve!
- Pastor Charla

Bishop Medardo Vedia, Bishop of the Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en Bolivia, will visit Stillwater on April 6, 2025, and will speak at all 3 services,

The Bishop, along with church official Froilan Quisbert, will also be available during a reception at 4pm in the church Social Hall where they will share experiences with Oklahoma Methodists and the history of the Oklahoma-Bolivia connection. You will have an opportunity to personally meet Bishop Medardo and learn about the opportunities and needs of our Bolivian brothers and sisters in Christ. If you plan to attend the reception, please CLICK HERE to make an RSVP!

Let's learn more about our deep connection and explore opportunities for future mission projects with our Bolivian brothers and sisters. This relationship has been important to both the US churches and the Bolivian church for 40 years. The COVID pandemic interrupted opportunities to travel, but we can now resume sending much needed mission teams to assist in their ministries.

Stillwater First UMC will be sending a construction team to Bolivia, May 13-23, to help complete a new chapel in the town of San Pedro, district of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Your prayers and support are important to our team that will represent Stillwater First.

A handful of youth gave up their Spring Break to serve others by hauling off a woodpile and leaves for an individual, raking leaves at the ECC playground, pulling weeds in Our Daily Bread's garden, volunteering at Urban Mission and Citizens Caring for Children in OKC, making blankets for the Cancer Care Center and t-shirt tote bags for ODB, various projects around the church, along with gathering gift cards for members of our church family who recently lost their homes. We are so proud of these youth and their servant hearts!

The Trustees have planned a Church Volunteer Work Day on Saturday, March 29th, starting at 9am until projects are completed, or 4:30pm at the latest.  Any time that you are able to serve will be greatly appreciated!  The first items will be outdoor projects, so you will want to dress accordingly.  For more information, contact Rex Largent by e-mail at xlargent@yahoo.com or by phone at 405-385-2342.

Total raised so far: $2,384.00

Throughout the season of Lent, we are raising funds for Rise Against Hunger, along with our sister UMC congregations: Eden Chapel, Highland Park, Lost Creek, Perkins First. During the season of Lent, it is traditional for Christians to make a sacrifice...maybe that favorite cup of coffee, Sonic drink, entertainment outing, one meal a week, etc. The money saved can be donated to the Rise Against Hunger Lenten project. Our community goal is to raise $10,000 by Easter Sunday. These funds will then be used for a meal packaging event in May. We aim to package over 24,000 meals that will be sent around the world where food is scarce.