July 17, 2014

*** Subject: UM Connector - Opportunities for hunger ministries, employment and exploring a call to ministry***

Dear Reader,

Even though we are in the middle of summer, the church and its people are busy. Read carefully for opportunities, resources and important deadlines in this issue.

Remember to take photos of the summer activities in your ministry settings and send the most interesting ones to me along with a brief story. We love to share your ideas!

Blessings,
Sally Blanchard, Administrative Assistant for Communications & Finance
sally@umoi.org

CONFERENCE NEWS

Journal order deadline is August 1

If you are a member of the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference, you will automatically receive a copy of the 2014 Conference Journal. Volume 1 will be mailed to you, and Volume 2 will be available for download from the conference website. Annual Conference members had an opportunity to request a copy of Volume 2 in print when they registered for the annual conference session in Salem. For those who missed that opportunity, or for those who are not conference members but would like to purchase a Journal, please email your request to the Conference Secretary by August 1: revlaurajbartlett@gmail.com. It is helpful to type “2014 Conference Journal” in the subject line. Please note that ALL churches and other ministry settings automatically receive two complete sets of Volume 1 and 2 in print, so there is no need to request Journals for these settings.

The Rev. Laura Jaquith Bartlett
Conference Secretary, preferred phone: 503-637-5140, cell phone: 503-891-4238 (texting OK) revlaurajbartlett@gmail.com

Reminder: Conference Center is closed on Fridays

Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. If you have any questions or concerns about these hours please contact Belinda Denicola, 503-802-9222 or Belinda@umoi.org.

Hunger funds available

July 31st is the final opportunity to apply for a grant to fund a new or existing hunger ministry. Be sure to read the guidelines on the conference web site before applying.
-Gayle Woods

Latest blogs to read

Bishop Grant Hagiya: We are far less effective when we go it alone
Cesie Delve Scheuermann: Five Ways to Build Relationships

AROUND THE CONFERENCE

Worship on the beach in Seaside this Sunday

When: Sunday July 20th, 10:00 AM
Where: On the beach, 50 yards south of the Turnaround, Seaside, OR
Sponsored by: United Methodist Church, Seaside and Calvary Episcopal Church, Seaside

Join us for our annual beach worship event in Seaside, Oregon. This ecumenical service is held each year just steps from the “Prom” in the heart of Seaside. Chairs will be provided for seniors, others please bring beach chairs or blankets. This is a once-a-year opportunity to worship outdoors on the sand in the full beauty of God’s creation, with the sounds of the ocean surf in the background. All are welcome. For more information please call Seaside United Methodist Church, 503-738-7562.

(Editor's note: We do not have a habit of advertising church worship services that may have a time conflict with the services at our local churches, but if you happen to have plans to be at or near Seaside on July 20th, you may want to take advantage of this unique opportunity.)

Palestine/Israel Conflict focus of August conference

These days, when news of riots and police brutality in Palestine/Israel are in the headlines, many United Methodists, particularly those who have visited the Holy Land, are reminded anew of their deep sorrow for a place and a people whose suffering is multiplied by the unrest. To address United Methodists’ deep and growing concern for the people of the Holy Land, the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries and Ginghamsburg (Ohio) Church are sponsoring the first denomination-wide conference focused on Palestine/Israel.

"Walking with Palestinian Christians … for holy justice and peace" will bring together church leaders and members from across the theological spectrum - and across the world - in Tipp City, Ohio, on Thursday and Friday, August 7-8, 2014. Dee Poujade, chair of the Holy Land Task Force in our Oregon-Idaho Conference, will be a presenter and Betty Cobb-Colgan will also attend.
Read further information and registration information.

“Working for a Just and Lasting Peace in Israel and Palestine,” an advocacy packet prepared by the General Boards of Church and Society and Global Ministries of the UMC is hot off the presses and available for distribution. The Holy Land Task Force has obtained copies of this publication and task force members in each district have copies for distribution to local churches. The resource is also available to be downloaded.

Plant the seeds for great preaching!

Looking for a good resource to make sermon planning easier, more effective ... and less stressful? "Time to Sow" is an excellent tool for those who want to avoid the last-minute panic that accompanies Saturday night sermon writing. This three-day retreat will be held at the Alton L. Collins Retreat Center September 16-19, 2014. The event provides the time and guidance for study, group discussion, and reflection on scriptures and themes for every Sunday in the coming year. An added bonus is the respite from daily routine in the beauty of the forest, nurtured by the gracious hospitality of the Collins staff.

The cost is just $360 double occupancy ($420 single), which includes 10 meals, three overnights, and a large binder of resources to guide sermon planning for the entire year. For more information, a downloadable flyer, and a link to online registration, visit the Collins website.

Visit Ebbert UMC sale for Imagine No Malaria

Ebbert United Methodist Church in Springfield, OR will hold an Imagine No Malaria Yard Sale on Friday, August 1 at the church lot on 6th and D St., from 8:30-4:00. There will be many items for sale and free ice cream for the children. The disease of malaria has a great impact on the lives of many people. In Africa today malaria kills children and saps the energy of adults. Although a child dies every 60 seconds of malaria, this is fewer than in 2007 when it was more like one every 30 seconds. This change has happened partly due to the efforts of the folks of the United Methodist Church. Stop by and help save lives.

New employment opportunities

Beaverton First UMC is looking for a choir director, Silverton needs an accompanist and Rose City Park is searching for an education director.
These and other opportunities can be found on the conference website at www.umoi.org/classifieds.

AROUND THE GLOBE

Can Christian commitment help lead world to peace?

GENEVA (UMNS) - In the midst of global conflict, members of the World Council of Churches are taking seriously a pledge for a "pilgrimage of justice and peace." United Methodists were among the participants in a July 2-8 meeting as the WCC Central Committee set its agenda.
Read more.

PRAYER: Continued storms across the U.S./ unaccompanied immigrant children

(UMCOR News) A string of powerful storms ripped through eight states in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast that left thousands without power, several injured, and five people dead. UMCOR asks you to join us in praying for healing, peace, and rebuilding for all those who lost something or someone.

As the issue continues to worsen, please keep praying for the immigrants coming across the U.S. border, both unaccompanied minors and adults, and for those who minister with them.
Read more

Hispanic church mentors through music

DALLAS (UMNS) - A Texas congregation is using its music ministry to draw young people in the community to classes and the praise team at the church.
Read more

RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Chuck Knows Church: The Ten Commandments

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Can you recite the 10 commandments? The United Methodist Board of Discipleship video series "Chuck Knows Church" discusses the two tablets the faithful are to use as directed.
See the video

Is God calling you?

"Since I was five I knew God was calling me to pastor a church."
"Over lunch the DS said, 'Have you ever considered a call into ordained ministry?' And from there I followed God into clergy leadership."
"I can be a chaplain without ordination, but I believe God has called me to pursue ordination as a Deacon for a validation and enriching of that call."

Is God calling you?

The Orientation to Ministry August 1-2 at Collins Retreat Center is a brief immersion in stories of call, discussion of avenues of ministry, and exploration of the candidacy process for ordination. You will meet others who are already in this process, connect with those who are already serving in many capacities, meet with mentors, fellowship over great meals, and listen for the Holy Spirit.

A requirement for all those who are entering into appointive ministry for the first time, this event also serves as an opportunity to explore how God is calling you.
The link to register is
http://oregonidaho.prod.brickriver.com/registrations/register/233

For more information explore this link or contact Candidacy Registrar Brian Shimer at pastor@westsidejourney.org or 503-643-8070.

New GBOD website to provide resources

NASHVILLE, Tenn. July 3, 2014 /GBOD/ – A completely redesigned website is now making the resources, training events, webinars, books, best practices and networking opportunities provided by the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) available to church leaders with just the click of a mouse.
The new website (www.GBOD.org) puts into practice GBOD’s mission to “challenge and support local church and annual conference leaders for their task of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

Camp and Retreat Ministries

God is making all things new... right now!

Are you curious about what you will learn about when you go to camp?

Right now, at all of our program sites, staff and volunteers are leading campers with the help of an awesome curriculum, All Things New, produced by Chalice Press. In it, we learn that the God of the Old and New Testaments did amazing new things: created the entire universe from scratch, helped enemies find new community, and literally became a new way of being in the world. Plus, after all of that, God is still not through with us!

We are blessed to have such a powerful tool as a resource, but it is the people who teach and live out its principles with enthusiasm and passion who make the biggest impact.

Our prayer is that young and old alike will return from camp transformed, ready to co-create with God a new world that is peaceful, clean, just, and well-taken care of. In other words, with God's help, we will live out the phrase, "on earth as it is in heaven!"
And, if you haven't yet,
click here to find and register for a camp.

Eric Conklin, Assistant for Camp and Retreat Ministries