Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod

06/24/2026

Calling all 8th through 12th graders!

Join an AOK Synod Group for the 2027 Youth Gathering for a once in a lifetime experience!

If your congregation is not forming a group to attend the ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis June 28-July 2, but you want to go, join a group of youth from around the synod.

Total cost to be determine, but fundraisers in congregations are encouraged.

It will be a week of worship, learning, faith forming and friendship building.

Contact Bishop Becca ([email protected]) or Pastor Jerry ([email protected]) if you have any questions.

Sign up here if interested - https://form.jotform.com/261175203302039

You can also help support youth going to the Gathering by making a donation HERE - https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z45M/campaign/C-16CM6

06/23/2026

Register for the Youth Retreat - forms.gle/uRQ35VBsZaiyCHNC7

06/22/2026

Join Synod Confirmation for the 2026-2027 school year!

Opened to all youth, we will meet every Wednesday (except during Advent and Lent) on Zoom from September 9 through May 5 from 6:30-7:30pm.

And if you want to share your favorite bible story with our confirmation class, you can sign up below. Be sure to tell us what your favorite story is when you sign up so we don't hear the same story a bunch of times.

Register for Synod Confirmation - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZVomM7trVvnMax0wpDiT1Iyy8M60tbFiCxXBSGgXOtcqOFg/viewform?usp=dialog

Share your Favorite Bible Story - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B45A4AE2CA5F9C07-64499679-20262027 #/

06/20/2026

The Wisconsin Council of Churches recently hosted a webinar about preparing for July 4th worship and resisting Christian Nationalism influences during worship. You can watch that webinar here for your worship planning needs

https://youtu.be/X09xWmK9w40?si=SVbS5YsiWMJKXwXU.

06/10/2026

At Synod Assembly, our keynote speaker, Rev Dr Shannon Fleck, gave a resource list of books and movies which is below. And as our synod continue to respond to Christian Nationalism, there are two book study opportunities for you to participate in.

First this Summer is a book study on Jesus and John Wayne.

click the link for more info! - https://mailchi.mp/d2518080a18c/february-newsletter-9171866

06/10/2026

Please be advised that if you have received an email appearing to be from Bishop Becca or another member of the Synod staff asking for help with a “specific matter” and instructing you to respond only by email because they are in a “prayer session,” this message is SPAM.

Please do not respond, click any links, or provide any personal or financial information.

If you receive one of these emails, we recommend deleting it immediately. As always, please use caution with any unexpected email requests.

06/09/2026

06/08/2026

05/28/2026

All 5th–12th graders are invited and encouraged to join us for an overnight youth retreat centered on the theme of Freedom — and what makes the Lutheran understanding of freedom unique. Together we’ll explore questions like: What are we freed from? What are we freed for? And how does God call us to use our freedom in service to our neighbors and the world? Through conversation, games, worship, movement activities, and fellowship, we’ll dive into topics like Bo***ge of the Will and Luther's The Freedom of a Christian in ways that are engaging, thoughtful, and fun.

We’ll kick things off at 2:00 p.m. with outdoor movement and water activities to help everyone settle in after traveling, so students may want to bring a towel and an extra change of clothes. Sleeping arrangements will be flexible, with space for family groups in classrooms or larger group sleeping areas in the fellowship hall. Our retreat will conclude with lunch and conversation alongside the people of Trinity OKC as we reflect together on what we’ve learned and how we are called to live out our freedom in Christ.

Parents are welcome to attend as well; all adults participating must have a current background check on file with the synod office*. Please register by Sunday, June 21 by clicking the button below so we can have enough food and materials; additionally, there are forms the synod office requires for each youth participating, which can be found here (https://www.aokelca.org/lyo). We hope you’ll join us for a meaningful weekend of learning, laughter, faith, and community!

REGISTER HERE - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYh-8_hpvvDviT-Wt2VJYqpA8aDV3dFv613qfrrkuvSXb5kg/viewform

*If you have a background check already run in the last 2 years through your congregation, school or a local organization like scouts or sports, please provide a copy. Otherwise contact Sara Richers ([email protected]) to have one run.

05/28/2026

Soup Sisters has been such a great ministry, now celebrating 10 years in North Central Arkansas

The Soup Sisters Ministry of Christ by the Lake Lutheran Church recently celebrated 10 years of service to the area through its mission statement “Spreading Christ’s Love One Bowl at a Time.”

Founded In May 2016 with 12 members, the group has grown to more than 20 volunteers from various church affiliations. In 10 years, the ministry has made and donated more than 4,482 containers of soup to area groups, including Hospice of the Ozarks, as well as individuals. In addition, the ministry has made more than $8,000 in donations to various charitable organizations.

The group is funded by donations and its main fundraiser, a Crazy Bowl Soup lunch held annually in October. It also received a $2,500 Living God’s Abundance Grant from the Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod in 2018, and most recently, a $2,500 ELCA World Hunger Daily Bread Grant.

Soup Sisters Ministry members celebrating 10 years service to the area include (first row, from left) include Lorie Cizcek, co-founder Anna Mattson, Michelle Wise, Maureen Fancher and Vicki Monte; (second row) co-founder Linda Masters, Sue Howe, Caren Churchwell, Marilyn Pool, Karen Riley, Dee Stroeser, Marla Mageria, Elaine Smith and honorary member Hospice Volunteer Charlotte Repp. Ruby Kowalke, Vivian Petak, Jo Hart, Kim Rauch, Cathy Roever, Lynn Nickels, Sherrie Mosier and Broth Brother Kevin Hutchison were not available for the photo.