December 1, 2016

Dear Reader,

As I near the end of the first week of Advent I find myself working to re-connect with the wonder, joy, hope, and promise of the season.

That connection is part of the message of an experiential marketing event happening around the country. If someone offers you a warm cup of cocoa does it help you step back from the hurries and worries of the day? Might it remind you that church is a place you can connect with the true meaning of Christmas?

We will find out when mobile chocolate dispensers come to downtown Portland next week. Read more below.

Greg Nelson, Director of Communications

CONFERENCE NEWS

United Methodists to offer a warm invitation

Portland will be one of nine cities across the United States where the United Methodist Church will be offering a warm cup of cocoa and advent invitation.

In partnership with United Methodist Communications, volunteers from Portland churches will work help to distribute free hot cocoa in downtown Portland December 8-11. What you might think is a jet pack, will really be a state of the art portable beverage dispenser offering a warm cup of cocoa and invitation to visit a United Methodist Church during the Advent and Christmas seasons.

By going into the streets, the marketing campaign reminds people that “Church can happen anywhere,” and just like being in food pantries, homeless shelters, and schools; the church can be on the street offering hospitality. It will tie in with the national advertising campaign from United Methodist Communications.

Volunteers are still needed to help as greeters, offering a warm smile and invitation. If you’re interested, contact Greg Nelson at greg@umoi.org for more details.

Times call for seeking justice

In her recent blog post, Conference Lay Leader Jan Nelson, looks at the uncertain times we live in and sees a new need to focus on justice seeking. Inspired by the prophet Micah’s call to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God,” she sees the need for the laity of the church to take the role of living a life of mercy and compassion. And to multiply it around the world. Read and respond to her blog post on the conference website.

ERTs respond to Hurricane Matthew flooding

Three Oregon-Idaho Early Response Team (ERT) members joined with others from the Pacific Northwest Conference to provide six days of assistance to survivors of the flooding that resulted from Hurricane Matthew. While ERTs are known for their physical work, cleaning up and mucking out, their real purpose is to provide hope by being a caring Christian presence in the face of disaster. Read more about the North Carolina trip on the conference website.

ERT members are specially trained and certified. Is this perhaps your calling? Trained ERT’s are desperately needed in Eastern Oregon and Idaho; we presently have 40 certified or certifiable ERTs in the conference and all but 4 are from western Oregon. ERT training is being planned for the Treasure Valley of Idaho early in 2017. Names are being collected of interested people. Please contact Becky Platt at beckyplatt1@peoplepc.com for more information. A date and location will be based on interested participation.

AROUND THE CONFERENCE

Employment rules on hold

A Federal Court has issued an injunction on revisions to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) rules that were scheduled to take effect on December 1, 2016. These rules, along with IRS regulations, affect which employees can be considered exempt from overtime payments.

In a recent letter to local church treasurers, Conference Treasurer Rev. Dan Wilson-Fey, offered the reminder that the injunction may affect local churches, but that IRS rules about which type of employees can be considered exempt still are in effect, and if changes to pay levels have already been announced for staff by the Staff-Parrish Relations Committee (SPRC), they may feel morally bound to make those changes, despite the delay of the FLSA rule change.

Friendly reminder to local church leaders

Jan Nelson, Conference Lay Leader, offers this reminder to local church leaders:

As you look toward 2017, don't forget that your church's participation in the Annual Conference Session is a vital part of being United Methodist. Be sure that your lay leadership includes a member of annual conference who is willing to be actively involved and bring the voice of your congregation to the whole body.
And as you are planning your budget for the year, don't forget that the church is also responsible for the expenses of that lay member. With the conference meeting in Portland rather than Salem this year, there will be less travel and lodging expense for some churches and more for others. Members of the conference will need to plan to eat most of their meals on site, as the alternatives are few at this location. The costs will sound normal if you are familiar with professional conferences, but to some it will sound daunting. Plan ahead!
Here are some numbers to help in your planning:

Rooms will be $159 per night plus tax. Most rooms have 2 queen beds, so sharing is possible.
The meals will probably be in a package at around $200 per person for Thursday through Saturday.
Transportation will vary widely, but don't forget to plan for it.

The conference this year will be exciting and new as we welcome Bishop Elaine Stanovsky the the Greater Northwest Area and share our space and some sessions with the Pacific Northwest Conference members. Plan now to be sure your congregation is fully involved.

Jan Nelson
Oregon-Idaho Conference Lay Leader

AROUND THE GLOBE

Church helps Zimbabweans
keep home in Canada

EDMONTON, Alberta (UMNS) — The United Methodist Church-Edmonton, like many churches founded by Zimbabwean migrants, faces financial struggles. But a new partnership and missionary approval are hopeful signs for one such church in Canada. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story and photo gallery.

Church leaders respond to Tennessee wildfires

ALCOA, Tenn. (UMNS) — Holston Conference leaders are asking United Methodists to be prepared but patient while waiting for information about how best to help victims of a wildfire that reportedly destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses since Monday night in Gatlinburg and other parts of Sevier County, Tennessee. Get the latest information on the Holston Conference website

Pastor changed by experience at Standing Rock

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Rev. David Swinton, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church, returned from a trip to the protest site near the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota a changed man. He told Dana Larsen of the Storm Lake Pilot Tribune that the protest is about more than a pipeline.

Water is a human right: mission agency

ATLANTA (UMNS) — The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries is hosting an awareness event about access to water and the impact of a new pipeline on an indigenous people, the Standing Rock Sioux, at 11 a.m. EST Dec. 10 at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta. Read more on the UMCmission.org website.

Ough: Christians must stand against hatred, discrimination

WASHINGTON — Council of Bishops President Bruce R. Ough, in a pre-holiday, post-election letter to The United Methodist Church, called upon all Christians to “remember who we are” in this time of tension and anxiety and work to overcome hatred and discrimination. “We must stand for what is best in us as people of God,” he wrote. Read Ough’s message.

RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Gift ideas from Rethink Church!

United Methodist Communications has some great gift ideas. Some, like Life Straw water purifiers and Nokero solar lamps are two for one. When you buy one, at a discounted price, another is sent to a needy family in the developing world. “Church can happen anywhere” t-shirts are available as low at $4. Check out all the deals at the UMCOM store.

Youth Worker's Retreat

Join youth workers from local Lutheran, Presbyterian and United Methodist churches for a weekend of spiritual renewal, networking and learning. "Ecumenical Relationships in a Post Modern World," a retreat for adult workers with youth will be held January 19-21 at Camp Lutherwood in Cheshire, OR. Cost is $50 before Dec. 4 and $80 after. See www.morelandpresbyterian.com/eywr2017 for more details and to register. For more information contact Rev. Jeff Lowery at revjlow@yahoo.com. Download a flyer.

Alternative Christmas Market in Salem

Mark your calendars for the 28th Alternative Christmas Market, Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Salem.

Use your Christmas dollars to give twice; to loved ones and to someone in need. Your shopping will support agencies that provide tools, food, medications, education, livestock, and shelter for people here and abroad. When you contribute funds (in the name of someone) to one of the non-profits represented there, you will receive a card which describes the non-profit to your family and friends.

There will also be fair trade crafts, poinsettias, wreaths (which must be ordered in advance), a Giving and Mitten Tree, UMW items, Youth Bake Sale, and a UMW soup and salad lunch.

Download a brochure to learn more. You may also contact Erin Hanni, 503-587-8672 or Linda Bierly at 503-362-6860 for more information.

IN REMEMBRANCE

Kjell Knutsen
July 24, 1928 – November 23, 2016

Retired pastor Kjell Knutsen, died November 23, 2016. He is survived by his wife Debbie and son Svend.

Pastor Knutsen served in the Norway Conference; Trinity Conference Malaysia; and he also served Emmett/Sweet in the Oregon-Idaho Conference. He retired in 1994.

Friends may contact Debbie Knutsen at 8092 W. San Fernando Court, Boise, ID, 83704 for condolences or more information.

Elaine J.W. Stanovsky, Bishop
Dan Wilson-Fey, Conference Treasurer and Benefits Officer

RETREAT and CAMPING CONNECTION

New camping season is now online!

Which camps will you and your family be attending this coming season? All of our sites have their schedules available for viewing AND you can go ahead and sign up today!

Check out the complete schedule at gocamping.org.

Gift camp to someone you love

Do you know someone who you'd love to support to go to camp? Gift certificates are available! Gift certificates make a great stocking stuffer for the child or grandchild (or friend or mom or dad, etc) who is excited about making deeper connections in an exciting piece of God's creation.

If you would like to purchase a gift certificate, contact registrar Geneva Cook at 503-802-9213 or geneva@gocamping.org. Also, if you would like to send in an order form for gift certificates, download it at this page.

COMMENTARY

Creating Space

By Rev. Bill Gibson

… Yes, creating space for those who are not present demands strategic change. But there are also reinforcing and visible ways this space is fostered within the walls of the church. …