August 28, 2014

Dear Reader,

Now that the days are getting a bit shorter, and kids are soon heading back to school we are worried less about mosquitoes ruining our vacation. But in Africa the wet season will be starting soon, and mosquitoes, and the malaria they carry will be putting children at risk.

So September is a great time for your church to be setting a goal for the Imagine No Malaria campaign, and planning fun ways to meet that goal! Below are stories of how two churches have made this fight to save lives part of the life of their church.

And don’t forget the Greater Northwest Area-wide Pancake Feast! Pick a day between September 21 and October 5 to raise awareness, raise money and work together to save lives. Get all the details at greaternw.org/inm/pancake and have breakfast! Or dinner!

Greg Nelson, Director of Communications

CONFERENCE NEWS

Churches respond to Imagine No Malaria

As churches around the conference look for ways to participate in the Greater Northwest area’s campaign to raise $1 million for Imagine No Malaria, some creative ideas are coming out!

At Newman United Methodist church in Grants Pass, their pastor was turned into a human sundae. Read more (and see the picture!) on the Greater Northwest Imagine No Malaria website.

Meanwhile in Lake Oswego, the kids have gotten the church off to a good start building awareness and raising money. They experienced being under a net and now have Imagine No Malaria buttons to help spread the word! Read more about it.

AROUND THE CONFERENCE

Employment

Treasurer – Corvallis. First UMC in Corvallis is seeking a part-time treasurer. Learn more at www.umoi.org/classifieds.

Intercultural Competency Training for
Oregon Idaho Conference Clergy and Laity

Saturday, November 8, 2014
Registration: 8:30 a.m.
Seminar: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wesley United Methodist Church
1385 Oakway Rd., Eugene Oregon 97401 ph: 541-343-3665

Cost: $50 (includes materials and lunch for up to 5 from the same congregation)
Who will benefit from this training?

All who are interested in connecting with a changing mission field and building vital churches
Congregations whose communities are becoming more diverse, or are sharing or contemplating sharing facilities
Persons ministering cross-culturally
Persons who are curious about their own blocks to embracing diversity

Put together a small group from your church and register online here.
For more information contact Rev. June Fothergill at
juneafothergill@gmail.com
Attending this training fulfills the Cultural Competency training requirement for Oregon-Idaho Conference clergy.

Holy Land Task Force offers on the ground learning

The Holy Land Task Force is inviting clergy and lay people to participate in a study tour of Palestine/Israel next spring. The trip, in conjunction with the Methodist Liaison office in Jerusalem and Camp and Retreat Ministries of Oregon/Idaho, will be February 23 – March 6, 2015. The estimated cost of the trip (depending upon number of participants) will be about $3,000, including airfare. Some scholarship assistance for clergy may be available.

The United Methodist Church will be in the world spotlight when General Conference comes to Portland in 2016, and legislation regarding the role we take in applying our social justice principles to the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestine will almost certainly be debated. The task force believes that the best way to make educated decisions about these issues is to visit Palestine/Israel and see first-hand the situation “on the ground.” This sentiment is echoed by Palestinian Christians, who use every opportunity to invite people to “come and see for yourself.” The February trip will include visits to traditional holy sites in both Israel and Palestine, as well as the opportunity to meet with groups and individuals working for peace on both sides of the wall. For further information, and registration form, go to gocamping.org website.

AROUND THE GLOBE

Downtown Napa earthquake damage includes church

NAPA, Calif. (UMNS) - A 97-year-old United Methodist church was among the historic buildings in downtown Napa damaged by the Aug. 24 earthquake that struck northern California. First United Methodist Church of Vallejo suffered superficial damage in what is being called the strongest earthquake to hit the area in 25 years. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.

Doctor's daily prayer for Liberia: 'God, send help'

The Ebola outbreak in Liberia is far more critical than has been reported, a United Methodist doctor just back from West Africa says. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.

Border trip brings immigration crisis into focus

McALLEN, Texas (UMNS) - United Methodists leaders spent three days in the Rio Grande Valley, learning firsthand about the summer border crisis that saw thousands of unaccompanied minors and families from Central America making their way across Mexico and into the United States. For Bishop Minerva Carcaño, the trip was a poignant homecoming, as well as a chance to strategize about the denomination's response, both in advocacy and humanitarian relief. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.

Church's top communication exec to retire next year

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - The Rev. Larry Hollon, top executive of United Methodist Communications for more than 14 years, announced Aug. 25 that he plans to retire in about 10 months. United Methodist Communications is the agency charged with sharing the denomination's message around the globe. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.

RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

World Communion Sunday - October 5

Order offering envelopes, posters and other resources for World Communion Sunday at www.umcgiving.org/wcs.

IN REMEMBRANCE

Willard Norman

March 25, 1921 – August 21, 2014

Retired pastor Willard Norman died on August 21, 2014. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Norman; daughter Trina Norman; son Doug Norman; daughter Alicia Gardin and son Peter Norman; and nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Reverend and Mrs. Norman served Tualatin, Drain, Portland: Garden Home, Silverton, St. Helens, Albany – Associate, and Amity/McCabe in the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference. He retired in 1986.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on August 28, 2014 at Buell Chapel, 320 N 6th Street, Springfield, Oregon, 97477. (541) 747-1266. Friends may contact Peter Norman at 3329 Marvin Dr., Eugene, OR 97404.

Grant Hagiya, Bishop
Belinda Denicola, Conference Treasurer & Benefits Officer