Our Programs
ANYTOWN, OKLAHOMA
COMMON GROUND PROJECT
DIFFERENT AND THE SAME
INTERFAITH TRIALOGUE SERIES
JEWISH/CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE GROUP
JEWISH, CHRISTIAN & MUSLIM TRIALOGUE GROUP
LEADERS INVOLVED IN FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY (“L.I.F.E.)
“OPERATION UNDERSTANDING”
TEEN TRIALOGUE
SAY NO TO HATE COALITION
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMEMORATION
ANNUAL INTERFAITH AWARDS LUNCHEON
TULSA HUMAN RESPONSE COALITION
PROGRAMS AT A GLANCE
ANYTOWN, OKLAHOMA
Anytown, Oklahoma 2008 was held July 27 - August 2 at Camp Takatoka near Lake Ft. Gibson. Fifty-two delegates and twenty-five staff members attend the fifteenth annual camp. Anytown promotes self-esteem, good citizenship, and leadership in an atmosphere steeped in rich diversity. Incoming sophomores, juniors, and seniors from across Oklahoma are eligible to partipate in this award-winning, statewide human relations camp. Anytown ranks among the preeminent human relations experiences in Oklahoma. It is often characterized as a "life-changing" opportunity by those who attend. This year was no exception. The camp has made a difference in the lives of more than 700 teens since its inception in 1994. Contact the OCCJ office for additional information by calling 583-1361.
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COMMON GROUND PROJECT
This project works to educate teacher, school administrators, and the community at large about the proper role, within the framework of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, of religion in the public schools. Nationally-recognized experts present training opportunities and address local concerns. The Common Ground Committee is chaired by Dr. Cathy Burden, superintendent of the Union Public Schools.
On August 22, 2008, Oliver "Buzz" Thomas, a leading First Amendment attorney, author, minister, and former school board member, will address the joint conference of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association and the Cooperative Council of the Oklahoma School Administrators in Oklahoma City. Mr. Thomas's visit is co-sponsored by OCCJ. He will present a talk at a Tulsa Press Club reception from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. the previous day, August 21.
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DIFFERENT AND THE SAME
“Different and the Same” seeks to help children identify and prevent prejudice. Through a series of child-friendly videotapes, and with the guidance of a trained facilitator, teachers and their students are able to talk about, understand, and prevent prejudice. These lessons stay with children for a lifetime, helping them develop into caring and compassionate citizens. Different and the Same is being widely implemented in the Tulsa Public Schools. The program targets second and third grader students.
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INTERFAITH TRIALOGUE SERIES
“Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” was the theme for the provocative and insightful 25th Anniversary Interfaith Trialogue Series. The Trialogue Planning Committee, chaired for a second year by The Rev. Dr. Bill Crowell, was able to attract more young adults for the 2008 series. OCCJ's Leadership Rountable members offered an assist in that regard. Sessions two and three of the series are posted to the Boston Avenue United Methodist Church website: http://www.bostonavenue.org/uploads/videos/occj080224.wmv and http://www.bostonavenue.org/uploads/videos/occj080302.wmv
As always, the Series was free and open to the public.
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JEWISH/CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE GROUP
Since 1986, the has convened a group of Tulsans who have the knowledge, experience and trust to engage in a deep and enriching dialogue. These Jewish and Christian clergy and lay leaders meet monthly in a spirit of mutual understanding and respect to study and discuss sensitive theological issues.
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JEWISH, CHRISTIAN & MUSLIM TRIALOGUE GROUP
The Trialogue Study Group provides an opportunity for greater understanding and respect among Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Participants meet monthly to learn from one another and to discuss theological issues from the three faith perspectives.
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LEADERS INVOLVED IN FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY (“L.I.F.E.)
L.I.F.E., the Anytown alumni organization, meets quarterly to continue the friendships made at camp, further the mission of Anytown, and participate in community service projects.
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“OPERATION UNDERSTANDING”
OCCJ’s 27th Annual Youth Interfaith Tour will bring together middle and high school students and others to visit various houses of worship and learn about faith traditions. The 2009 Youth Interfaith Tour, to be held on April 5, 2009, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., will visit the following sites: Masjid Al-Salam Mosque; Temple Israel; Hindu Temple; & Phillips Theological Seminary.
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TEEN TRIALOGUE
OVERVIEW: The Teen Trialogue series provides an opportunity for high school students from the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faith traditions to meet in consecutive sessions to learn about other religions. In the process, participants strengthen their own faiths and develop new friendships. Each of the sessions focuses on a specific topic. Suggested discussion questions are provided. Adult team leaders provide guidance and structure.
The theme for the four sessions of the 2009 is "Holidays in Our Traditions--Significance, Traditions, Show & Tell, Roles of Family, and Clergy & Music." (Dinner: 6:30 p.m.; Program: 7:00 p.m.) The sessions will be follows:
January 21, 2009 (planning/preparation) [home location]
January 28, 2009 [Trinity Episcopal Church]
February 4, 2009 [Islamic Society of Tulsa]
February 11, 2009 [Temple Israel]
February 18, 2009 [Hindu Temple]
March 4, 2009 [snow day]
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SAY NO TO HATE COALITION
The Tulsa Say No To Hate Coalition, of which has been a part since its inception in 1988, is a volunteer organization of public and private agencies dedicated to preserving the dignity and fundamental freedoms of all people. The Coalition fights hate-based violence directed at a person's status--race, gender, color, sexual orientation, religion, ancestry, national origin, or disability--through education and advocacy. The Coalition meets quarterly. Highlights of the meeting are the discussion of current hate-related issues, issues affecting minority communities (immigration, for example), and reports from law enforcement agencies on hate activity being monitored in the community.
A partial listing of the Say No To Hate Coalition Partners follows: Coalition of Hispanic Organizations, Community Service Council of Tulsa, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jewish Federation of Tulsa, Islamic Society of Tulsa, Oklahoma Conference for Community and Justice, Tulsa County Sheriff's Department, Tulsa Human Relations Department/Commission, Tulsa Metropolitan Minstry, Oklahomans for Equality (formerly, Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights), PFLAG--Tulsa, Tulsa Peace Fellowship Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa Urban League, and the Young Women's Christian Association. Say No To Hate Coalition meetings are held at the Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa.
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DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMEMORATION
Each year assists the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Society in the planning of the annual King Celebration in January.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Service Is January 20: The 2008 MLK Commemorative Service was held at 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 20, at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church. the keynote speaker was Rev. Terrell Davis, Pastor, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Wichita, Kansas.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade On January 21: The 2008 MLK Parade was held on January 21, beginning at Pine and Greenwood. (The parade route has been shortened.) Members of L.I.F.E., OCCJ's Anytown alumni group, marched, as did OCCJ board members.
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ANNUAL INTERFAITH AWARDS LUNCHEON
The 2007 Interfaith Awards Luncheon, held on October 16th at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, honored Nancy Day, OCCJ Executive Director, for her tireless work over more than two decades in the interfaith arena. This annual event is sponsored by OCCJ, TMM, Jewish Federation of Tulsa and Islamic Society of Tulsa.
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TULSA HUMAN RESPONSE COALITION
The Tulsa Human Response Coalition (“THRC”) is a group of community organizations and first response entities working together to foster communication, share resources, and reduce duplication of efforts during an emergency. THRC supports the human resource aspect of planning, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery to ensure an efficient delivery of services. THRC sponsored a relationship-building panel on July 23rd at Family and Children’s Service. Mike Evans, Community Service Council President, moderated the program, Cultural Sensitivity During a Crisis. Panelists included Marty Belsky (Jewish Federation of Tulsa), Mary Howell (Interim CEO of the Tulsa Urban League), Terry McGee (Mayor’s Citizen Corps chair), Maria Carlota Palacios (Hispanic community representative), and Sheryl Siddiqui (Islamic Society of Tulsa). THRC plans to sponsor other relationship-building programs to foster positive relations between minority communities and the Tulsa emergency community. The programs will give Tulsa emergency personnel an opportunity to hear firsthand from some minority communities their perceptions, hopes, and fears about the system.
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MAYOR'S POLICE AND COMMUNITY COALITION ("MPACC")
MPACC is a diverse advisory committee that addresses issues affecting police/community relations and helps develop recommendations and best practices designed to enhance trust. OCCJ partners with the Mayor and the Tulsa Police Department on this project.
MPACC Public Forum focusing on police/community relations: Tuesday, October 28, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., One Technology Center.
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PROGRAMS AT A GLANCE
OKLAHOMA CENTER FOR COMMUNITY AND JUSTICE PROGRAMS
ANYTOWN, OKLAHOMA—Anytown is an award-winning human relations camp for teens from throughout the state. Anytown builds self-esteem, fosters leadership, and promotes good citizenship.
COMMON GROUND PROJECT—This project works to educate teachers, school administrators, and the community at large about the proper role of religion in the public schools within the framework of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
DIFFERENT AND THE SAME--Through a series of child-friendly videotapes, and with the guidance of a trained OCCJ facilitator, “Different and the Same” seeks to help children identify and prevent prejudice. Different and the Same, which targets third-graders, is being widely implemented in the Tulsa Public Schools.
INTERFAITH TRIALOGUE SERIES— The Interfaith Trialogue Series stimulates dialogue among Christians, Jews, and Muslims through a series of three topical, facilitated symposia with leading faith leaders.
JEWISH/CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE GROUP—A group of Tulsans, who have the knowledge, experience and trust to engage in a deep and enriching dialogue, have convened monthly since 1986. These Jewish and Christian clergy and lay leaders meet in a spirit of mutual understanding and respect to study and discuss sensitive theological issues.
JEWISH/CHRISTIAN/MUSLIM TRIALOGUE GROUP—The Trialogue Study Group provides an opportunity for greater understanding and respect among Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Participants have met monthly since 1991 to learn from one another and to discuss theological issues from the three faith perspectives.
LEADERS INVOLVED IN FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY (“L.I.F.E.")—L.I.F.E., the Anytown alumni organization, meets quarterly to continue the friendships made at camp, further the mission of Anytown, and participate in community service projects.
“OPERATION UNDERSTANDING”—OCCJ’s Annual Youth Interfaith Tour brings together middle and high school students and others to visit various houses of worship and learn about faith traditions. The Tour helps participants better understand, appreciate, and respect religious diversity.
TEEN TRIALOGUE— The Youth Interfaith Trialogue Series, brings together teens from the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faith traditions for focused discussions on religion.
STATEHOOD DAY INTERFAITH PRAYER BREAKFAST—The Statehood Day Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by OCCJ and a diverse collection of other organizations, will be held on November 16, 2006—“Statehood Day”—at the Greenwood Cultural Center. It will be the kickoff event for a yearlong Oklahoma Centennial Commemoration beginning in Tulsa in November 2006 and culminating in Oklahoma City in November 2007. The Statehood Day Interfaith Prayer Breakfast will provide a wonderful opportunity to showcase for the entire state the unique interfaith community in Tulsa and the rich history of the various religious traditions in our city.
SPECIAL SEPTEMBER 11TH COMMEMORATION SERVICE—OCCJ and a host of other organizations participated in the planning and implementation of a citywide service on September 11, 2006, to mark the 5th Anniversary of tragic terrorist attacks on America. Tulsans of all races, religions, and cultures came together on Civic Center Plaza to remember, to honor those who died, and to stand together as a united community.
SAY NO TO HATE COALITION—The Tulsa Say No To Hate Coalition was formed in 1988 as a volunteer organization of public and private agencies dedicated to preserving the dignity and fundamental freedoms of all people. The Coalition meets quarterly.
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMEMORATION—OCCJ assists the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Society plans the annual King Celebration each January.
ANNUAL INTERFAITH AWARDS LUNCHEON— The Annual Interfaith Awards Luncheon recognizes outstanding individuals for outstanding contributions to religious understanding in our community.
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