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Apportionments Ecumenical Ministries

As United Methodists, we are committed to working cooperatively with other denominations in many endeavors, believing that Christ's mission in the world is thereby made stronger and more effective.

While the Neighborhood Services Organization (NSO) of Oklahoma City was birthed in the Methodist Church, it is not exclusively a United Methodist agency. Its forerunner was the Bethlehem Center/Wesley Com­munity House, serving the central part ofthe city, and supported mostly by the Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries.

The organization has broadened its base of participation and support and has thereby expanded its ministry to those in need. Some of the new­est programs include Martha's House, a transitional housing program for homeless families; Gatewood House, a short-term residential program for young, single, homeless, expectant mothers; Douglas House, a transitional housing program for homeless young men, ages 18-24; and Palo Duro, a 22-unit apartment complex for individuals who are homeless and mentally ill. We are doing together what none of us could do separately.

The Oklahoma Conference of Churches provides our annual confer­ence the opportunity to work with other denominations on a statewide basis. One of the programs of this organization is the annual Day at the Legislature, a time for churches to present to our legislators a united stance on concerns that we hold in common with other Christians. This organiza­tion also provides a platform for coordination of efforts in times of crisis or widespread disaster.

The Interdenominational Cooperation Fund moves our work with other denominations to the national and international levels. One of the works of this ministry was the establishment of the common lectionary, which suggests scripture readings from both the Old and New Testaments for each Sunday. These same lectionary readings form the basis of the International Lesson Series used in many adult Sunday school classes and ofthe United Methodist curriculum used in classes for children and youth. This is the primary means that United Methodists have for relating to and working with other Christians at the national and world levels.