September 21, 2017
Dear Reader,
The Commission on a Way Forward met in Berlin this week. As of publication time, there is no news yet on their work. Please pray for all the commission members.
Read below to discover many opportunities for learning, serving and employment.
World Communion Sunday will be celebrated on October 8, 2017. This Special Sunday offering supports education and vocational training for students from around the globe to become leaders and world-changers.
See more about what the offering supports and download a pastor and leaders' tool kit.
Blessings,
Sally Blanchard, Conference Project and Office Manager
CONFERENCE NEWS
See new blog posts for timely tools
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What does it mean to wear a Christian Cross?
Lowell Greathouse, Conference Mission and Ministry Coordinator, poses the question of having an Individual Spiritual Development Plan as a method of helping to practice the Christian walk in a more authentic way. Read post.
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It’s Fall. Are You Ready for Stewardship?
In Cesie Delve Scheurmann's Inspiring Generosity post today she writes, "Hopefully when your congregation hears the words “stewardship,” “giving,” and especially “money” they do not recoil as if you just let out a tirade of swear words straight from the pulpit." Read more.
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Take Advantage of Safe Sanctuaries Training in Beaverton October 1
Safe Sanctuaries is the United Methodist term for efforts to protect children, youth and vulnerable adults from abuse in our churches, during church activities, or by church leaders. Every ministry setting within the annual conference is required to have a Safe Sanctuaries policy and to have an annual training for staff and volunteers who work with children, youth, and vulnerable adults.
The training on October 1st from 1:00-4:00 p.m., at Beaverton UMC is led by Rev. Warren Light, who has served as the Safe Sanctuaries Coordinator for our conference and who helped develop the template for the local church safe sanctuaries policy. He will be joined by BEST (Bystander Efforts Serve Transformation) trainers who are students and young adults from the Eugene, Oregon higher education communities. Warren is also campus minister at Wesley Center in Eugene which serves these communities, and this training is part of their ministry to the annual conference. Other special guests will be representatives from organizations that can be resources for your local church efforts to prevent abuse and support survivors of abuse.
The cost of the training is $10 per person or $50 per church for groups of 5-12. You can pay at the door, but must pre-register for planning purposes. For more information and to register, send an e-mail to Warren Light at uowesleycenter@gmail.com |
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Cleaning Buckets and Hygiene Kits needed
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UMCOR is urgently requesting cleaning buckets and hygiene kits in the wake of the recent hurricanes.The following churches have agreed to be drop-off points:
For drop-off hours and info contact the individual church or Donna Waltman, UMCOR Depot Liaison at dgwaltman@frontier.com or 503-622-3226. If your church is not near a collection point, or might be able to serve as one, also contact Donna.
Instructions for making buckets and kits is available on the UMCOR web site.
Or donate funds to UMCOR fund #901440 through your church.
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AROUND THE CONFERENCE
United Methodists Cope with Western Wildfires, Aftermath
Recovery Poses Long-Term Challenges
by Cynthia B. Astle, in United Methodist Insight, September 14, 2017
Conference disaster response coordinator Dan Moseler told United Methodist Insight that many of the 19 active wildfires in Oregon and Idaho affect areas popular with campers, hikers and tourists.
“There is potentially severe economic impact that no one I am aware of has tried to quantify,” Mr. Moseler said in an email. “[The] Eagle Creek [wildfire] closed down any tourist, camper, or hiker activity in the Columbia River Gorge over the Labor Day holiday, with no near-term end in sight. Labor Day is a make-or-break holiday for many small businesses serving this population.
“Oregon presently has 19 active wildfires, consuming 482,043 acres, which are being regularly reported. Chetco Bar (184,292 acres), threatening the communities of Brookings and Harbor, and Eagle Creek (35,588 acres) are of greatest concern to populated areas." Read more about how other conferences in the West are coping with wildfires.
In the News: Community conversations focus on the future
The following article featuring the Stayton UMC appeared in the Salem Statesman Journal, Sept. 17, 2017.
(Salem) Earlier this year, the Stayton United Methodist Church began bringing Oregon Humanities Project conversations to the Stayton Library.
"There's so much divisiveness in conversations today," Pastor Janine DeLaunay said. "We want to bring people together to talk about things that matter without all the rancor." Read the rest of this story in the Statesman Journal.
Employment
Communications Associate – Portland, Oregon
The Oregon-Idaho Conference is seeking a half-time communications associate to work as part of the conference communication team. Strong writing, editing and web content skills are needed for the position.
Administrative Assistant 20 hours/month, tele-commuting position
Learn more about these and other opportunities on the conference website at www.umoi.org/classifieds.
AROUND THE GLOBE
Group to church: Let's stay together
LEAWOOD, Kan. (UMNS) — The new group, Uniting Methodists Movement, is getting under way with the message that different views of same-gender marriage and gay ordination need not be church-dividing. Two of the group’s leaders are members of the Commission on a Way Forward. Read more on umc.org.
Missouri bishop urges nonviolent resistance
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Bishop Robert D. Farr says the verdict acquitting a white officer in the killing of Anthony Lamar Smith, a 24-year-old black man, is painful for many people. The church is called to nonviolent resistance, he said, but also called to speak out against injustice. Read Bishop Farr's letter.
Kenyan church promotes peaceful voting
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) — United Methodist leaders are making plans for the church to be a “bridge for crossing tribal divisions and uniting Kenya under the body of Christ” as the country prepares for a second presidential vote. Kenya’s Supreme Court on Sept. 1 nullified the results of the Aug. 8 presidential election. Read more on umc.org.
RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Take the UMC Sexual Harassment Survey
Sexual misconduct has been a problem in all religions and denominations. Fortunately, The United Methodist Church has been addressing the problem for about three decades. The General Commission on the role and status of Women wish to understand the extent, nature, and trends of this problem among both clergy and laity. To study this they invite everyone in the United Methodist Church to participate in the 2017 Sexual Harassment Survey. All of the responses from this survey are anonymous and all of the data will be reported in the aggregate. The deadline for submitting surveys is October 3.
Take the UMC Sexual Harrassment Survey here.
UMC Leadership Ministries Present
Free Webinars in October
There are multiple free webinars available in October. The three listed below are a sampling. Learn more and register for free at www.umcdiscipleship.org/webinars
Boomer Spirituality
(First of a Three-Part Series)
https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/boomer-spirituality-webinar-series
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
6:30 pm., Central Daylight Time (7:30 pm, Eastern)
This series is for individuals, or it may be used as a group experience that churches use for Wednesday evening programing.
Developing Your Ministry Plan 1: Congregational DNA
https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/developing-your-ministry-plan
Thursday, October 5, 2017
10:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time (11:00 am, Eastern)
Learn about the spiritual life of leaders and congregational DNA.
Bring your team together to use the School of Congregational Development Ministry Plan to develop a focus for your church. During these sixty-minute sessions, you will learn key principles for congregational development, focus on key areas of congregational ministry, and engage in a time of learning for your whole team.
Tuesday Tea with Melanie
https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/tuesday-tea-with-melanie-october-2017
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
11:30 a.m., Central Daylight Time (12:30 pm, Eastern)
Topic: Embracing Authentic Intergenerational Ministry
Tuesday Tea with Melanie is a webinar series focused on embracing children and families as part of the disciple-making process in local congregations.
CAMP AND RETREAT MINISTRY
Job Announcements
Registrar for Camp and Retreat Ministries
Oregon-Idaho Camp and Retreat Ministries is hiring a registrar. The successful candidate for this position will support our mission of creating quality environments of Christian hospitality and learning, work cooperatively with the Executive Director, site directors, accountant, donor relations staff and volunteers. Essential skills include: communications – written and spoken, database management and other computer based programs. This job is currently 20 hours per week. You can find the job description here. Please submit your resume electronically to campingjobs@gocamping.org. Application process is open until filled.
Director for Sawtooth Camp
Oregon-Idaho Camp and Retreat Ministries is hiring a director for Sawtooth Camp. The director is responsible for carrying out the mission of creating quality environments of Christian hospitality and learning at Camp Sawtooth. This includes: daily operation of the site, hiring and oversight of staff, supporting conference programming, booking groups, and working with volunteers and the Camp and Retreat Ministries staff. This is primarily a summer season camp (June through August) with some additional events in September and early October. Sawtooth is located north of Fairfield, ID in the Sawtooth Range. You can find the job description here. Please submit your resume electronically to campingjobs@gocamping.org. Application process is open until filled.
IN REMEMBRANCE
Michael Meriwether
June 24, 1934 – September 8, 2017
Mike Meriwether, husband of retired Pastor Penny Christianson, died September 8, 2017. He is survived by his wife Penny.
Pastor and Mr. Meriwether served Bay City, St. Helens, Yamhill, Gresham, Tualatin and Sherwood in the Oregon Idaho Annual Conference. Pastor Christianson retired in 2012.
A celebration of life for Mike Meriwether will be held Sunday, October 1, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. followed by an all church potluck at 1:00 p.m. at Tualatin United Methodist Church, 20200 SW Martinazzi Avenue, Tualatin, OR. 503-692-1820
Friends may contact Reverend Dr. Penny Christianson at 3862 SE Bentley St., Hillsboro, OR 97123 for condolences or more information.
Elaine Stanovsky, Bishop
Dan Wilson-Fey, Conference Treasurer and Benefits Officer
