February 2017

Welcome to your Sage District Newsletter for February!

We have a lot going on! Gwen offers her appreciation for you as we head into this new year; we'll get to know our Bishop through a Threshold Event; and leadership and inclusiveness are being encouraged through workshops and training.  Take a look below to find out more!

Many blessings,

Terri Bartish

Sage District Administrative Assistant

Speaking from the Heart
February 2017

I want you to know how proud I am of the Sage District.  I have been bragging about you with my colleagues.  Why?  Because as a district we improved our apportionment giving from 64.94% in 2015 to 73.47% in 2016!  That is a phenomenal improvement-- 8.53%.  Twenty-four of 54 congregations paid 100% or more.  Four of those congregations made a leap of faith and reached 100% this year.  For example, Trinity in Idaho Falls improved from 32% to 100%, Nampa First improved from 49% - 100%,  Pocatello improved from 64% - 100%, and small but mighty Nyssa improved 78% to 100%.  Boise First improved by 13%., which is a lot, because the total they paid was 29.5% of Sage’s total.  And we only had 6 churches under 10%.  Next year, I hope we have no churches under 10%.   
 
The Oregon-Idaho churches as a whole paid 82%.  So, my challenge for Sage District is to improve by 10% in 2017.  I think we can do it.  Boise First has already made a commitment to pay 10% more.  If all churches under 100% committed to a 10% improvement, or a goal of 100%, we would be there. 
 
In comparison, Columbia District paid 85.9%, Cascadia paid 85.2%,  Crater Lake paid 84.42%.  Sage District gets the most improved award. 
 
So, why is this important?  Because giving is a spiritual discipline and it can lead to radical transformation for individuals and a congregation.  We do not always see the change our giving makes.  Paul wrote to the Corinthians:  “You will be made rich in every way so you can be generous in every way.  Such generosity produces thanksgiving to God through us.  Your ministry of this service to God’s people isn’t only fully meeting their needs but it is also multiplying in many expression of thanksgiving to God.” (2 Cor. 9:11-12) 
 
Your giving through shared ministries produces many shouts of joy and prayers across the globe as well as in the Oregon-Idaho Conference.  We are a connectional church.  That means we do more together, a lot more, than individually.  That means we support a structure that supports us.  That means we care for the least of us.
 
As your District Superintendent, I want to say thank you for your generosity.  Because I know that your apportioned shared ministry giving only reflects a portion of your generosity in each of your communities, through the distribution of food, community meals, clothing, care packages, refugee ministry, habitat homes, and much, much more.  Generosity begets generosity!  Let us be generous!
 
Gwen Drake
503-530-0035, gwen@umoi.org

Bishop Elaine to Meridian UMC March 12 Bishop Elaine Stanovsky is in the process of getting to know the people, places, history and stories of the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area. She is traveling throughout the area and meeting us where we are, in a series of Threshold Events. These began in Alaska this past October and will extend through this spring.  The visits offer an opportunity for the Bishop to enter into a new role with new places and new people.  While the events they may differ from location to location, each will include a time to hear from Bishop Stanovsky and a time to ask questions, and help her know each part of the area.  She will be visiting Meridian UMC on Saturday, March 12, from 2-4 p.m.http://www.meridianumc.com Northwest Leadership Institute At Boise First . The Northwest Leadership Institute was born six years ago as an annual event by the Cathedral of the Rockies, as an offering to churches. The goal is to create a time of inspiring, equipping and empowering for us.  To find out more, and to register: https://cathedraloftherockies.org/Give-Online/NLI-Registration   Called to Love! training offered You and your church can help save lives! Come and find out how your warm welcome and acceptance can make all the difference to gender-nonconforming young people, adults and their families. This valuable training will be offered March 12 in Idaho Falls.     This practical workshop is being offered by our annual conference to help us focus our ministries with those who all too often experience rejection. “Called to Love!” will help you and your church be better informed and resource you to be more hospitable.   Are you wanting to learn more about gender to help your church be more welcoming? Are you feeling called to open your heart and draw the circle just a bit wider? Do you want to help provide a healthier and safer environment in your ministry setting? Then this workshop is for you!! Register now and bring your pastor and other church leaders. Leaders for this event will be Revs. Jim and Bonnie Parr Philipson, retired Oregon-Idaho clergy. Registration deadline: Monday, March 6, 2017 Registration is online at umoi-reg.brtapp.com/CalledtoLove-IF. Cost is $5 per person and covers refreshments and materials. Child care for younger children (up to age 8) will be provided upon request if made when you register. For each child you are welcome to provide a snack from home. If your child will be coming more than an hour late you must let us know.   The program will be at Trinity United Methodist Church, Idaho Falls, Idaho Trinity UMC is located at 237 N Water Ave, Idaho Falls, ID 83402-4003.