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June 22, 2016
 
Dear Reader,
 
As another annual conference comes to a close I need to say thank you to everyone who helped make the event effective, and for helping to tell the story of conference. Without a crew of dedicated volunteers, it would not happen!
 
On the other hand, technology can be challenging, and not everything goes as planned! This year, providing live streaming video proved to be the big challenge. My apologies for those who weren’t able to watch conference live. Video of several key parts of conference will be available on the conference website soon.
 
Continuing on the theme of Keeping Sabbath, the UM Connector, and the staff who prepare it, will be on vacation next week. Then we are off to Jurisdictional Conference!
 
Greg Nelson, Director of Communications


CONFERENCE NEWS

Nelson and Kroen elected to lay leadership

Jan Nelson and Emilie Kroen

At the 2016 laity session of Annual Conference, Jan Nelson was elected as the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference lay leader. Nelson is a retired middle-school math teacher who lives in Salem, Oregon. She serves as a music leader at her church, Morningside United Methodist Church in Salem. A long-time advocate for justice and inclusion issues, she has been a member of several delegations to General and Jurisdictional conference, and was the Lay delegate to General Conference in 2012 and 2016.

Emilie Kroen was elected as an Associate Lay Leader to work with Jan and the Board of Laity. Kroen has been serving as chair of the Imagine No Malaria Steering Committee for the Greater Northwest Area. She attends Tualatin United Methodist Church.

Watch a video of Jan Nelson’s comments to the laity session.

More information about Annual Conference

As clergy and lay members of the annual conference prepare to report back to their local congregations, resources are available on the conference website. Links to proceedings, business items, appointment and nomination lists, videos and photos will be available on the conference website. More items will be added over the coming days and weeks as they are finalized and processed. Find them at www.umoi.org/2016ACinfo.

New staff begin around the conference

Several new faces and voices can now be found working around the annual conference. Rev. Dan Wilson-Fey was elected Conference Treasurer at the Annual Conference session. In addition, these faces are joining the staff:

Josh Heussner

Josh Heussner is the new Sage District Administrative Assistant. He will be working remotely out of the Conference Center in Portland to support Rev. Gwen Drake who will be resident in Boise, Idaho. Contact Josh at 503-802-9225 or Sage@umoi.org.

Andrea Cooper

Andrea Cooper has joined the finance and administration team and will be the primary person responsible for accounts receivable. She can be reached at Andrea@umoi.org or 503-802-9217.

Janice Repin

Janice Repin has joined Camp and Retreat Ministries as an accountant and assistant registrar. She can be reached at Janice@umoi.org or 503-802-9214.

In addition Phyllis Murray will be serving as director at Suttle Lake Camp while Jane and Danial Petke are on sabbatical leave, and Troy Taylor will be serving as interim director at Camp Magruder.


AROUND THE CONFERENCE

UMCOR Kits at Annual Conference / Kit Camp

United Methodist Volunteer in Mission coordinator Becky Platt says, “Thank you to everyone who brought kits or supplies for kits to our Annual Conference this past week. These were the contributing churches: Jefferson, Newberg - First, Portland - Christ, Aloha, Eugene - First, Tillamook, Lake Oswego, Vermont Hills, Marquam, Mt. Home, Portland - First, Woodburn, Clarkes, Albany - First, Englewood, Boise - Whitney, and Forest Grove.”
 
To further aid this important ministry, consider coming to Kit Camp! It is at Camp Magruder October 27 – 30.  Learn more about Kit Camp at gocamping.org

Employment

  • Salem, Oregon – First United Methodist Church has openings for a part-time facilities coordinator and part-time childcare coordinator.
  • Portland, Oregon – Fremont United Methodist Church is seeking a part-time custodian.
  • Gresham, Oregon – Gresham United Methodist Church is seeking a part-time custodian.

Learn about all of these opportunities at www.umoi.org/classifieds.


AROUND THE GLOBE

Tears, prayers at conference vigil for Orlando victims

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (UMNS) —Tears, prayers and a show of unity in the face of heartbreaking sadness marked the Florida Conference’s prayer vigil for the victims of the June 12 massacre that killed 49 and injured 53 others at a gay nightclub in downtown Orlando. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.

Theological fund big winner at GC2016

DALLAS (UMNS) — In an otherwise hold-steady general church budget, the Central Conference Theological Education Fund is getting a big hike — from $5 million to $10 million for the next four years. General Conference delegates were persuaded by testimonies about how the fund has helped and how much more needs to be done to train church leaders in Africa, Europe and the Philippines. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.

New England Conference won’t conform with official sexuality stance

MANCHESTER, N.H. (UMNS) — Dramatically taking on the denomination’s official stance on homosexuality, the New England Conference approved a resolution of non-conformity that says the conference won’t comply with any Discipline provisions that “discriminate against LGBTQIA persons.” Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.

Africa University graduates 841 students

OLD MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) — In the largest graduation ceremony since its inception, United Methodist Africa University celebrated 841 students representing 26 African countries. Read more on the Baltimore-Washington conference website.

Why celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodist Communications needs your thoughts and feelings about Native American Ministries Sunday. Please take this brief survey about why United Methodists celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday.


RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

A Simple Planning Process

Lovett H. Weems, Jr., outlines a simple planning process that churches can use to identify issues and concerns and develop realistic plans to address them. Key to the success of this process is narrowing the focus to the five concerns most critical to the congregation's future and coming up with one or two action steps for each. Learn more on the Lewis Center for Church Leadership website.
 

Registration now available for NEXT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Registration is now available for “Imagine What’s Next,” scheduled for Nov. 4-6 in Atlanta. The event, sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, is designed to equip students with the skills needed to merge and connect their gifts with innovative discipleship. A $50 discount on registration is available through June 30. Read more on the GBHEM website.


IN REMEMBRANCE

David Jenkins
April 4, 1953 – June 4, 2016

                        
Retired pastor David Jenkins died June 4, 2016. He is survived by his brother Justin, sisters Nancy and Linda and partner of 10 years, Sam.
 
Reverend Jenkins served Tigard United Methodist Church in the Oregon-Idaho Conference. He also worked at Portland First as lay staff. He retired in 2015.
 
The memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday June 25th at Tigard United Methodist Church, 9845 SW Walnut Pl, Tigard, OR  97223. (503) 639-3181.
 
Friends may contact Sam Little at 6719 N. Salem Ave., Portland, Oregon 97203 for condolences or more information.
 
Grant Hagiya, Bishop
Belinda Denicola, Conference Treasurer and Benefits Officer


COMMENTARY

How Leaders Create Culture Every Day
By Ryan Stigile

… You can try your best to control results and dictate responsibilities, but that will only end in confusion and disappointment. …

 

 


This week in the
Annual Conference

Monday, July 4

Independence Day - Conference offices closed.

July 13 - 16

Jurisdictional Conference, Scottsdale, Arizona


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Greater NW Area gocamping.org Inspiring Generosity Conference Journal

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