Oct. 11, 2016
Vol.5 Issue 10.2
We often say that the UMC is a connectional church. What that means is that we work together to do more than any of our local congregations could do on their own.
This week's focus is on that connection and how it strengthens our ministry and witness. We all want church to be a safe space - preventing abuse and supporting survivors -- but we don't all have the expertise to do that well in our local communities. Our Conference connection provides us resources. Check out the opportunity to attend a top-notch training in McMinnville on Nov. 12th. And we can't do much on our own to respond to the devastation of Hurricane Matthew, but we can participate in UMCOR's expertise in disaster relief which is always at the ready with our support.
Also check out the upcoming events, prayer calendar, and free shared items in the right-hand column!
Blessings on your ministry! Let us know how we can help!
Linda Grund-Clampit, Cascadia District Administrative Assistant
Safe Sanctuary Training
Hurricane Matthew Response: UMCOR Is Already There
UPCOMING EVENTS
Prayer Calendar
Resources
Safe Sanctuary Training
A Safe Sanctuary Training for church staff and volunteers working with children, youth, and vulnerable adults will be held Saturday, Nov. 12 from 1-5:30 p.m. at McMinnville Cooperative Ministries, 544 NE 2nd St., McMinville, OR 97128.
The cost is $10 per person or $50 per church (for up to 12 people). Pay at the door, but please pre-register by e-mail to uowesleycenter@gmail.com
This training will be led by Rev. Warren Light, Safe Sanctuaries Coordinator for the Oregon-Idaho UMC and members of the Oregon-Idaho Safe Sanctuaries Team, including BEST (Bystander Efforts Serve Transformation) Trainers, who are students and young adults from the Eugene, OR higher education communities.
The training agenda will cover creating safe space, seeing the big picture of prevention, worship and teaching considerations, resources, as well as discussion of the current conference policy. Format will include role play, discussion, and question and answer time.
This training meets the requirements in our conference policy for an annual training for staff and volunteers. We hope many of you can take advantage of this opportunity!
Hurricane Matthew Response:
UMCOR Is Already There
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) acted quickly in response to the destruction and death caused by Hurricane Matthew in the Caribbean, notably in Haiti.
The Rev. Jack Amick, senior director for disaster response at UMCOR, said the response will begin with the emergency supplies, a water purification program done in partnership with GlobalMedic, and an additional food-distribution program through the Haitian church.
Hurricanes are a natural disaster, but the extent of harm experienced in a local community is also tied to the infrastructure and preparation there. Earlier this year, UMCOR hosted a regional disaster-response workshop in Grenada for church and humanitarian partners in the Caribbean and Central America, the fifth in a global series. The training focused on disaster preparedness, disaster response, and disaster risk reduction. Three of the four Caribbean countries in Matthew’s path were represented at the February training.
UMCOR is also working with the Disaster Response Coordinators in the Annual Conferences affected by Hurricane Matthew.
The Atlantic hurricane season does not come to an end until late November. Your gift to UMCOR International Disaster Response, Advance #982450, and UMCOR US Disaster Response, Advance 901670, will help UMCOR respond to needs generated by Hurricane Matthew and other emergencies.
