Blog

Belonging Begins With Us

September 14, 2022

The Y believes our communities are stronger when everyone feels welcome, and we can all work together for the common good. For more than 160 years, the Y has provided immigrants with support and resources to integrate well and fully participate in American society. The Y has a long history of welcoming and engaging immigrants – from launching the nation’s first English as a Second Language class in 1856 to providing aid to thousands of new arrivals at Ellis and Angel Islands in the early 1900s. As our community continue to grow and become more diverse, the YMCA of Greater

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: Living Into Your Potential

September 12, 2022

You have the potential to live an epic story, to create a new soundtrack, and press through the pain change, and fully live into your potential. But you need to begin listening to the voice and respond.One night, a young man awoke to a voice calling to him. He thought it was the old priest calling for him. He got up and went to the priest, “Here I am, you called me.” The priest sent the boy away, saying, “I did not. Go back to sleep.” The boy goes back to sleep. Again, a voice calls to him and again

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: New Story & Soundtrack

August 29, 2022

Creating a new story and a new soundtrack is difficult. It is joyous and scary at the same time. It’s joyful because you have made the difficult decision to make an important change in your life. It is scary because you’ve probably attempted to make this same change before, but things did not go as planned.  https://vimeo.com/741215673 How do you stay on the path and fight the temptation to turn around? Here are four ways to help you as you go on your journey.  1. Take bread for the journey. You need to remember to pack something to keep you

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: Creating Your Soundtrack

August 23, 2022

Soundtrack? Playlist? Don’t get caught in the semantics. Whether you are on an 8-track or you’re on Spotify, the soundtrack Joe’s talking about is the one in our minds. How do you ditch the songs that have been on repeat and create the perfect playlist to accompany the epic story telling he talked about last week.   https://vimeo.com/741215673 WHAT IS A “SOUNDTRACK” AND HOW DO YOU CREATE ONE?  What is a soundtrack and how do you create a new soundtrack? Jon Acuff, author of Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking, recommends the following: 1) Retire the broken soundtrack. A broken soundtrack

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: Telling An Epic Story

August 15, 2022

Telling an epic story with our lives is something we all long for in some way. Epic storytelling doesn’t have to be about dispatching a ring in Mount Doom. Epic storytelling with our lives can be as simple choosing to love your spouse deeper or deciding you’re going to volunteer. Epic storytelling with our lives can happen in a variety of ways.  4 WAYS YOU CAN BEGIN TELLING YOUR EPIC STORY 1. Find your why. Your “why” is the reason you were put here on this earth. It is discovering where your passion, your hopes, and your dreams meet your

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: Putting Love Into Action

August 1, 2022

AUGUST 15: WHAT STORY ARE YOU TELLING Joe has been married for nineteen years today so naturally, he gives us his best Princess Bride “mawage” impression. With love on the brain, Joe also shares tips on how to share Christ’s love with others. 3 WAYS TO SHOW CHRIST’S LOVE 1. Go the extra mile. When you are asked to help someone in need, go the extra step. If a friend asks you to help them move, stay and help unpack. 2. Volunteer with your local YMCA as a coach for one of our sports programs, volunteer as a facilitator for

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: Being a Good Neighbor

July 25, 2022

BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR: JULY 25 Love, kindness, mercy, and justice. Break down the barriers of being a good neighbor with Joe Kendrick, Executive Director of Christian Mission, this Monday Morning as he walks us through the importance of being a good neighbor.  4 WAYS TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR Like a good neighbor…1) Be present. Being present means to be aware of the trials, struggles, and joys of your neighbor. It means staying connected by being aware of your surroundings and the situations your neighbor faces each day. 2) Be willing to carry your neighbor. Being a good neighbor

Read More »

Staying Safe & Cool in Soaring Temps

July 18, 2022

With temperatures soaring to new heights, it’s more important than ever to keep our littlest participants safe and cool while their home runs soar to new heights. At the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, safety is our first priority, so games are cancelled when it gets too cold or too warm, over 105-degrees or below 35-degrees. But when you find yourself sitting in the stands when the weather is in-between but still a bit warm, here are our best recommendations for keeping your little slugger safe. Discuss the Dangers of Heat Illness Talk with your children about the dangers of

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: There is Hope in Monday

July 18, 2022

THERE IS HOPE IN MONDAYS: July 18 Joe doesn’t actually drink coffee plus what does Lord of the Ring’s Gandalf and Little Orphan Annie agree on? Listen to Joe as he guides you through making the most of your Monday and your meaning as an employee at the Y. WAYS TO MAKE EVERY MONDAY YOUR BEST Make a Monday to-do list—on Friday. Everything you need to accomplish the next week will be top of mind, so it makes sense to capture it at this time. The end of the week may be cause to celebrate, but don’t make it official

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: A Quick Introduction

July 11, 2022

THE VERY FIRST EDITION: July 11 Hi, I’m Joe Kendrick and I am the new Executive Director of Christian Mission. I’m not a mind reader but I do know what you’re thinking. What does that mean, exactly? It means quite a few things but most of all, it means I am here to support you. I’m here to care about you. Google it and you’ll find that pastoral care is model of emotional, social and spiritual support that can be found in all cultures and traditions. Google isn’t wrong but watch my video to learn more about my role.  I can’t wait

Read More »

Belonging Begins With Us

September 14, 2022

The Y believes our communities are stronger when everyone feels welcome, and we can all work together for the common good. For more than 160 years, the Y has provided immigrants with support and resources to integrate well and fully participate in American society. The Y has a long history

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: Living Into Your Potential

September 12, 2022

You have the potential to live an epic story, to create a new soundtrack, and press through the pain change, and fully live into your potential. But you need to begin listening to the voice and respond.One night, a young man awoke to a voice calling to him. He thought

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: New Story & Soundtrack

August 29, 2022

Creating a new story and a new soundtrack is difficult. It is joyous and scary at the same time. It’s joyful because you have made the difficult decision to make an important change in your life. It is scary because you’ve probably attempted to make this same change before, but

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: Creating Your Soundtrack

August 23, 2022

Soundtrack? Playlist? Don’t get caught in the semantics. Whether you are on an 8-track or you’re on Spotify, the soundtrack Joe’s talking about is the one in our minds. How do you ditch the songs that have been on repeat and create the perfect playlist to accompany the epic story

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: Telling An Epic Story

August 15, 2022

Telling an epic story with our lives is something we all long for in some way. Epic storytelling doesn’t have to be about dispatching a ring in Mount Doom. Epic storytelling with our lives can be as simple choosing to love your spouse deeper or deciding you’re going to volunteer.

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: Putting Love Into Action

August 1, 2022

AUGUST 15: WHAT STORY ARE YOU TELLING Joe has been married for nineteen years today so naturally, he gives us his best Princess Bride “mawage” impression. With love on the brain, Joe also shares tips on how to share Christ’s love with others. 3 WAYS TO SHOW CHRIST’S LOVE 1.

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: Being a Good Neighbor

July 25, 2022

BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR: JULY 25 Love, kindness, mercy, and justice. Break down the barriers of being a good neighbor with Joe Kendrick, Executive Director of Christian Mission, this Monday Morning as he walks us through the importance of being a good neighbor.  4 WAYS TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR

Read More »

Staying Safe & Cool in Soaring Temps

July 18, 2022

With temperatures soaring to new heights, it’s more important than ever to keep our littlest participants safe and cool while their home runs soar to new heights. At the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, safety is our first priority, so games are cancelled when it gets too cold or too

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: There is Hope in Monday

July 18, 2022

THERE IS HOPE IN MONDAYS: July 18 Joe doesn’t actually drink coffee plus what does Lord of the Ring’s Gandalf and Little Orphan Annie agree on? Listen to Joe as he guides you through making the most of your Monday and your meaning as an employee at the Y. WAYS

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: A Quick Introduction

July 11, 2022

THE VERY FIRST EDITION: July 11 Hi, I’m Joe Kendrick and I am the new Executive Director of Christian Mission. I’m not a mind reader but I do know what you’re thinking. What does that mean, exactly? It means quite a few things but most of all, it means I am

Read More »

Belonging Begins With Us

September 14, 2022

The Y believes our communities are stronger when everyone feels welcome, and we can all work together for the common good. For more than 160 years, the Y has provided immigrants with support and resources to integrate well and fully participate in American society. The Y has a long history

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: Living Into Your Potential

September 12, 2022

You have the potential to live an epic story, to create a new soundtrack, and press through the pain change, and fully live into your potential. But you need to begin listening to the voice and respond.One night, a young man awoke to a voice calling to him. He thought

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: New Story & Soundtrack

August 29, 2022

Creating a new story and a new soundtrack is difficult. It is joyous and scary at the same time. It’s joyful because you have made the difficult decision to make an important change in your life. It is scary because you’ve probably attempted to make this same change before, but

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: Creating Your Soundtrack

August 23, 2022

Soundtrack? Playlist? Don’t get caught in the semantics. Whether you are on an 8-track or you’re on Spotify, the soundtrack Joe’s talking about is the one in our minds. How do you ditch the songs that have been on repeat and create the perfect playlist to accompany the epic story

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: Telling An Epic Story

August 15, 2022

Telling an epic story with our lives is something we all long for in some way. Epic storytelling doesn’t have to be about dispatching a ring in Mount Doom. Epic storytelling with our lives can be as simple choosing to love your spouse deeper or deciding you’re going to volunteer.

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: Putting Love Into Action

August 1, 2022

AUGUST 15: WHAT STORY ARE YOU TELLING Joe has been married for nineteen years today so naturally, he gives us his best Princess Bride “mawage” impression. With love on the brain, Joe also shares tips on how to share Christ’s love with others. 3 WAYS TO SHOW CHRIST’S LOVE 1.

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: Being a Good Neighbor

July 25, 2022

BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR: JULY 25 Love, kindness, mercy, and justice. Break down the barriers of being a good neighbor with Joe Kendrick, Executive Director of Christian Mission, this Monday Morning as he walks us through the importance of being a good neighbor.  4 WAYS TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR

Read More »

Staying Safe & Cool in Soaring Temps

July 18, 2022

With temperatures soaring to new heights, it’s more important than ever to keep our littlest participants safe and cool while their home runs soar to new heights. At the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, safety is our first priority, so games are cancelled when it gets too cold or too

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: There is Hope in Monday

July 18, 2022

THERE IS HOPE IN MONDAYS: July 18 Joe doesn’t actually drink coffee plus what does Lord of the Ring’s Gandalf and Little Orphan Annie agree on? Listen to Joe as he guides you through making the most of your Monday and your meaning as an employee at the Y. WAYS

Read More »

MONDAY MORNING JOE: A Quick Introduction

July 11, 2022

THE VERY FIRST EDITION: July 11 Hi, I’m Joe Kendrick and I am the new Executive Director of Christian Mission. I’m not a mind reader but I do know what you’re thinking. What does that mean, exactly? It means quite a few things but most of all, it means I am

Read More »