September 7, 2017
Dear Reader,
In March we started to share a story on the conference website and here in the UM Connector about Yuni Rueda. At that time, although she had already given an interview to the Idaho Statesman, she asked that we not share the story any further. Her request was out of concern for her family and others in her church. Since then she has reconciled those concerns and we can now share that earlier story.
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Today, she updated her story for the Idaho Statesman and was featured on the front cover, taking a risk to tell her story so that people can understand the impacts of rescinding DACA. Read today’s story in the Idaho Statesman.
Then call your congressional representatives and tell them you are a person of faith who wants to see DACA become law and urge them to act immediately. Call your representative first at 1-888-496-3502, then call your senators at 1-888-410-0619 (you have to call twice to get both of them).
The United Methodist Church is on record supporting comprehensive immigration reform and the DREAM act. Will you be too?
Greg Nelson, Director of Communications
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CONFERENCE NEWS
On Ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Policy
A letter from Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky on September 6, 2017
Greater Northwest United Methodists,
In the wake of yesterday’s announcement regarding DACA, I’m asking myself, what is the emperor’s and what is God’s? Matthew reminds us that the really important things belong to God and that what we owe to civil authorities is limited by what belongs to God.
Yesterday the White House announced an end to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy threatening to cause the deportation of 800,000 youth and young adults who were brought to the United States without documents when they were children. Read the rest of the letter.
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NW Churches respond to wildfires
Oregon-Idaho Disaster Response Coordinator Dan Moseler is in contact with Oregon state and VOAD partners monitoring large wildfires in the area. He emphasizes that there are no current requests for volunteers or material donations. The best response at this time is to donate funds to UMCOR Advance #901670 or through your church.
Moseler reported, "The Red Cross has shelters operating in Stevenson and Mt. Hood Community College. The small UMC in Stevenson has been helping with feeding at the shelter. I have been in communication with my PNW counterpart in case they need any assistance on their side of the Columbia. The United Methodist church in Troutdale opened as an emergency shelter the first night, but closed the shelter when the Red Cross shelter opened, and began to get ready to evacuate when the Level 1 area border was extended to their vicinity."
To learn how to receive Emergency Response Team (ERT) training soon, contact Becky Platt at beckyplatt1@peoplepc.com.
If your church is involved with helping respond to fires or other disasters in your community, please contact Dan Moseler, djmoseler@gmail.com or Greg Nelson, greg@umoi.org to share your story.
2017 Annual Conference Journal Available Online
The journal is available on the Conference website at www.umoi.org/journal.
Print versions are delayed at the printer, and should be mailed in mid-September.
Job Openings
See these and several other new openings on the conference website, www.umoi.org/classifieds.
AROUND THE GLOBE
Churchgoers stand with immigrant Dreamers
A number of United Methodists are urging Congress to act on behalf of unauthorized immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. Their calls come as the Trump administration moved to end the program that shields these immigrants from deportation. Read more.
Former Council of Bishops President Bishop Rüdiger Minor of Germany dies
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Council of Bishops regrets to announce that retired Bishop Rüdiger (Ruediger) R. Minor of Germany passed away September 3, 2017. He had been diagnosed with ALS last year. From 1986 to 1992, Rüdiger Minor was bishop of the Central Conference of The United Methodist Church in the German Democratic Republic and then in the East Germany Central Conference of the unified Germany. He later served Eurasia from 1993 to 2005 when he retired. He was the president of the Council of Bishops from 2003 to 2004. Read more on umc.org.
Churches shelter many as Harvey damage spreads
Beyond Houston, communities and United Methodist churches cope with flooding and displacement from lingering tropical storm. Read More
United Methodists provide relief to mudslide, flood survivors in Sierra Leone
The United Methodist Church in Sierra Leone is providing food, emergency health care and even counseling to survivors of the landslide and flooding that killed hundreds. Read More
RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Called To Love!
Making Our UMC’s Safe Places for Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Persons
Saturday September 16, 2017 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Corvallis First UMC
Saturday September 23, 2017 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Madras UMC (includes lunch)
Saturday October 21, 2017 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Salem First UMC
Saturday October 28, 2017 10 a.m. – 2p.m. Gresham First UMC (includes lunch)
You and your church can help save lives!
- 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. Find out how your warm welcome and acceptance can make all the difference to gender-nonconforming young people, adults and their families.
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.
Leaders for this event will be Revs. Jim and Bonnie Parr Philipson, retired Oregon-Idaho clergy.
Registration deadline: the Monday at noon before each Saturday event!
Registration is online at https://umoi-reg.brtapp.com/CalledtoLove. Cost is $5 per person and covers refreshments at Corvallis and Salem, lunch at Madras and Gresham, 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 the leaders know.
World Communion Sunday is October 1
This Special Sunday offering focuses on equipping disciples to effect change at home and around the world.
United Methodist Communications has prepared a free World Communion Sunday Pastor and Leader’s Kit and offers free leaflet/offering envelopes and posters to enhance your celebration.
You also can share the impact that generous giving on World Communion Sunday makes around the world. Watch the short video “A Moment in Mission: World Communion Sunday” or read an inspiring story about the impact of your gifts to World Communion Sunday. Share your favorites with your congregation and church leaders during upcoming services or in small groups. You can even share these resources on your church’s social media pages.
Stranger in a Strange Land - Even at Home
Learning and Using Social Justice Skills
The Methodist Federation for Social Action fall event will give a theological grounding for why to do the work in social justice; take participants beyond feeling like they are the only one and connect them with others who are doing the same kinds of work; and teach the most helpful ways to have conversations with others, including legislators.
This one-day event will take place at Bend United Methodist Church on October 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $20, which includes lunch. Register now by e-mailing your contact information to Louise Kienzle at kienzle.louise@gmail.com. You can pay your $20 at the door on October 21.
The presenters come from a variety of places and backgrounds and will offer ideas as well as time to share the work participants are currently doing or would like to be doing. Some of those presenters include Rev. Kevin Seckel, Rev. Carol Seckel, Rev. Karen Hernandez and Stacy Witte, chair of Homeless Outreach at Bend UMC.
Print a flyer to share and read information about housing possibilities at www.OIMFSA.org.
Climate Change: Impact on Idaho’s Food System
All are invited to join the Idaho Interfaith Roundtable Against Hunger (IIRAH) for a community gathering.
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Library! at Cole & Ustick – 7557 W. Ustick, Boise, Idaho 83704
This is a free event. All are welcome. Refreshments will be served. Details.
