April, 24, 2014
Dear Reader,
Tomorrow, April 25, is World Malaria Day. World Malaria Day is a time to recognize that malaria is a disease that is preventable, treatable, and we can eliminate its ability to kill. What it takes is a willingness to do it. So tomorrow (or today!) you can do two things. First, join others in changing your social media cover photos and profile pictures to show your support. Learn more about how to #CoverTheNet on the
greaterNW.org/INM page.
Second, take a moment to think and pray about your willingness to be part of eliminating this killer disease. Along with sharing on our Facebook pages, we need to make financial contributions. Making a difference will take many gifts, large and small. Where do you fit in?
Greg Nelson, Director of Communications
CONFERENCE NEWS
Final opportunity to apply for a hunger grant
July 31, 2014 is the deadline for the final opportunity to apply for a grant to help begin or expand an existing hunger ministry. Please carefully read the grant guidelines on the
conference web site before completing an application. Note that grants will not be awarded to purchase food. If you have questions, please contact one of the hunger coordinators, listed on the
website and
form.
Appointment Announcements
It is
Bishop Grant J. Hagiya’s intention to make the following appointment, effective July 1, 2014:
- The Rev. Jack Bynum to New Meadows United Methodist Church in New Meadows, Idaho. Bynum will be retiring from Southside United Methodist in Nampa, Idaho but will continue in ministry half-time at New Meadows.
In Addition,
Crater Lake District Superintendent Gwen Drake has announced that
William Shaffer will serve as a quarter-time Lay Person Assigned to Ft. Klamath United Methodist Church in Ft. Klamath, Oregon. Shaffer began the assignment on April 1, following the death of Rev. Bob Adam in March.
A summary of appointment announcements can be found on the conference website at
www.umoi.org/appointments.
AROUND THE CONFERENCE
Idaho church publishes history
Dr. Louie Attebery, Professor of English, Emeritus, College of Idaho, has written a history of the Caldwell United Methodist Church: “From the Methodist Episcopal Church to the United Methodist Church: 128 Years of Methodism in Caldwell, Idaho.” The spiral bound books are available for purchase for $15 at the church, or by mail for $20. E-book versions are available for $5. Proceeds will be applied toward the church’s apportionments. Contact the church at
caldwellumc@hotmail.com or 208-459-3489 to request a book or for more information.
AROUND THE GLOBE
Sand Creek Massacre descendants to
accompany church leaders to national historic site
On June 20, 2014 descendants of survivors of the Sand Creek Massacre will accompany 10 busloads of United Methodists to the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site outside Eads, Colorado. By calling it a “pilgrimage,” the Church means that it is a journey of spiritual significance.
Read the rest of this Rocky Mountain Conference News Story.
UMCOR board approves $5 million-plus in grants
NEW YORK (UMNS) - More than $5 million in grants in support of relief and development work in the Philippines, Haiti and the United States were approved recently by the board of directors of the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
Read more on the UMCOR website.
United Methodist ties to
Claremont Lincoln University end
CLAREMONT, Calif. (UMNS) - Claremont School of Theology, a United Methodist seminary, announced it is ending a relationship with Claremont Lincoln University after that university decided to move away from its interreligious roots to become a secular-focused institution. The joint venture between the institutions was a controversial one.
Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.
Sexuality issues on docket for
Judicial Council this week
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (UMNS) - A marriage equality resolution and a request for a decision regarding benefit coverage for same-gender spouses of United Methodist general agency employees are among the issues to be considered when the Judicial Council - the denomination's top court - meets this week in Little Rock.
Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.
Memorial for Bishop Knox to be webcast
TAMPA, Fla. (UMNS) - Friends from across the United Methodist connection can view the memorial service for Bishop J. Lloyd Knox as it is webcast live from Hyde Park United Methodist Church. The service will begin at 2 p.m. ET Saturday, April 26. Officiating will be the Rev. James Harnish, senior pastor at Hyde Park. Watch the webcast at www.hydeparkumc.org.
Learn more about the webcast, and
read Knox’s obituary.
RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES
UMW: Live stream of Assembly 2014!
If you are unable to make it to Louisville, Ky., for the United Methodist Women’s Assembly, you can watch key events live on the United Methodist Women website. Check out the entire live stream schedule at
Assembly2014.org/live.
Native American Ministries Sunday, May 4
Offering on this Special Sunday benefits annual conference Native American ministries and Native American seminary students.
Learn more and download resources.
RETREAT and CAMPING CONNECTION
What about your family, this summer?
The assumption is often made that family vacations happen at a theme park like Disneyland or other destination spots, often very far away from where families live. Personally, I know the experience of taking such a trip can be exhilarating, although they rarely meet high expectations. I also know it can be exhausting and stress-inducing, particularly for families on tighter time and/or money budgets.
As family camp programs have shown over and over again, time to get away as a family has a positive, ripple effect on our communities by creating the space for which relationships can be established and then cultivated outward. One prime way these kinds of healthy family vacations do this is by reducing the experience of stress families have. Healthy family vacations do this by offering:
- a fresh and different perspective on the stressors in family life (money, work, health, etc)
- connection with others
- engagement with the outdoors
- reduced screen time and increased person-to-person time
The invitation is to consider the actual dollar-to-dollar value of intentional vacationing and attend one of the programmed family events or to create your own family reunion! Without the added pressures of in-your-face marketing, overcrowding, and extreme travel distances, your family will come back actually renewed, having had fun and spent meaningful time with one another and God in beautiful settings.
Learn more about family camp opportunities in the Go Camping Newsletter.
IN REMEMBRANCE
Glenn W. Swain Jaquith
May 4, 1934 – April 22, 2014
Retired Deacon Glenn Jaquith died April 22, 2014. He is survived by his wife Judy Jaquith; children, Laura Jaquith Bartlett, Theodore Jaquith and Steven Jaquith; and four granddaughters.
Reverend Jaquith served the Corvallis First United Methodist Church in the Oregon – Idaho Conference. He retired in 2004.
A memorial service will be held Saturday April 26, 2014 at 3:00 p.m., at Corvallis First United Methodist, 1165 NW Monroe Ave., Corvallis, OR, (503) 752-3636.
Friends may contact Judith Jaquith at 2800 NW Ashwood Dr., Corvallis, OR 97330.
Fred Venable
November 17, 1925 – April 21, 2014
Retired pastor Fred Venable died April 21, 2014. He is survived by his wife Joan Venable; children, Wendy Hopkins and Jill Jaynes; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Fred was preceded in death by his son Mark Venable.
Reverend Venable served Colorado Springs: First, Salida, Salt Lake City: Christ, Denver: Washington Park and Littleton: First in the Rocky Mountain Conference; Boise: First and Hillsboro in the Oregon–Idaho Conference. He retired in 1993.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, April 30, 2014, at First United Methodist Church, 5894 S. Datura St., Littleton, Colorado, (303) 794-6379 at 1:00 p.m.
COMMENTARY
By Paul Nixon
… Put the same pastors that will grow a church to 1000 in red-zone Missouri in a decidedly blue place and they might work five years to get 100. …
