October 9, 2014
Dear Reader,
Last weekend I had the honor of being on a consultation team for one of our local congregations. Consultations are a part of the Healthy Vital Church Initiative in our annual conference. After going through congregational leader development training (CLD), it’s one of the options that a church has to tap into resources for vitalization.
The consultation is a process of self-awareness. Most of the work is a self-study, then the team visits to do interviews and focus groups which, combined with self-study data, lead to prescriptions. I’ve likened the process to having someone read your own watch to you. That’s because – in many cases – the congregation already knows what they need to do. But they need outside validation to help create focus and priorities.
This week’s commentary is that way. It’s about reaching the unchurched, and when you read it, I think you’ll say, “of course!” more than once.
The reality is that we are creatures that seek a comfortable place. We want our church to be comfortable, but sometimes that makes it difficult to focus on the larger mission of making disciples. Can you read your watch? Is it time for some things to change?
Greg Nelson, Director of Communications
CONFERENCE NEWS
Employment –
Executive Director of Camp and Retreat Ministries
The Board of Camp and Retreat Ministries of the Oregon-Idaho Conference of the United Methodist Church is seeking applicants for the position of Executive Director of Camp and Retreat Ministries (CRM). The Executive Director has the responsibility for managing the total camp and retreat program and operations. See the full listing at www.gocamping.org/jobs. Current Executive Director, Rev. Lisa Jean Hoefner, has announced plans to retire in April. Read more on the conference website.
Music or Dance Ensembles
Sought for General Conference
United Methodist choirs and worship ensemble groups from around the world may now audition online for an invitation to perform at the 2016 General Conference, The United Methodist Church’s top legislative assembly which meets in Portland, Oregon, from May 10-20, 2016.
To apply for an invitation to General Conference, groups are asked to submit a letter of application that includes the following: 1) name of group; 2) name of primary contact person along with email address and phone number; 3) brief history/bio of the group including number of members, general age range, group’s location, and any unique characteristics; and 4) a link to a private YouTube video of the group performing. The application should be emailed to gc2016worshipdirector@gmail.com by January 12, 2015.
“As a delegate, one of the best parts of my General Conference experience has always been the diversity of gifts and creativity shared by the visiting choirs and other artist groups,” said the Rev. Laura Jaquith Bartlett, worship & music director for the 2016 General Conference. “Now I have the amazing privilege of working directly with this huge pool of talent and commitment as the worship design team does its planning and preparation. I am enormously grateful to all the artists who bless the denomination with their worship leadership each week in settings all around the globe—and especially to those who will take on the hard work involved with coming to Portland in 2016.”
Performance opportunities for invited choirs and ensembles include morning worship and/or a lunchtime showcase venue. Groups are responsible for their own expenses.
AROUND THE CONFERENCE
Imagine No Malaria Game Night at the Blazers - November 2
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Portland’s First United Methodist Church is sponsoring Imagine No Malaria night at the Portland Trailblazers.
Everyone is invited to join them on Sunday, November 2nd to see the Blazers play vs. the Golden State Warriors! United Methodists will descend on the Moda center en mass to raise awareness for Imagine No Malaria. Our efforts to end preventable deaths will be highlighted during halftime and we'll also have a booth in the main concourse. A limited number of $32 tickets are available. See fumcpdx.org/gamenight for more information.
In the news
A history of Caldwell and the role of the Methodist church in the community is explored in a recently published book by a Caldwell Church member. Read more in the Idaho Statesman.
AROUND THE GLOBE
Mission Agency Will Match $1 million on UMC #GivingTuesday
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New York, NY October 3, 2014 -- The United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries announced that on Dec. 2, 2014, it will match up to $1 million in gifts made online to any project through The Advance as part of UMC #GivingTuesday.
Marie Kuch-Stanovsky, who chairs the communication and development committee of Global Ministries’ board of directors, expressed enthusiasm about last year’s record $6.5 million raised online through The Advance on UMC #GivingTuesday. “It was a wonderful sign of commitment and extravagant generosity, maximizing the impact of thousands of United Methodists coming together on one day to transform the world.”
Directors approved allocating matching funds dollar for dollar up to the first $1 million in gifts to Advance projects received online on Dec. 2, 2014, between 12 a.m. EST and 11:59 p.m. To stretch the matching funds, a maximum of $2,500 per individual gift to a project will be dispersed as matching funds and a project may receive a maximum of $25,000 in matching funds.
The board president, Bishop Hope Morgan Ward (North Carolina), also announced that in the spirit of “healthy competition,” Global Ministries is “preparing a special Advance award to be given to the annual conference that raises the most funds online through The Advance on UMC #GivingTuesday 2014.” Learn more and see Oregon-Idaho related options on the conference website.
Global Ministry agency to open 3 global offices
with new Atlanta HQ
NEW YORK (UMNS) - The Board of Global Ministries is permanently vacating its longtime headquarters at the Interchurch Center in New York. The mission agency will move to Atlanta by the end of 2016 and open regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.
Panel aims to spur conversation on sexuality
OKLAHOMA CITY (UMNS) — Bishops and other leaders of The United Methodist Church will hold the second of three live-streamed panel discussions on human sexuality from 8 to 10 a.m. CT on Nov. 1. The Connectional Table, leaders of the global church, is inviting United Methodists to contribute. The discussion comes when, because of the U.S. Supreme Court, more states are seeing legalized same-gender civil marriage. Read more and get viewing details in this United Methodist News Service story.
United Methodist college
students 'Imagine What's NEXT'
DENVER (UMNS) — Hundreds of United Methodist college students will gather Nov. 7-9 in Denver, Colorado, for 'Imagine What's NEXT,' a weekend of discernment, fellowship, worship and inspiration. NEXT is organized by a launch team of college students, campus ministers and other creative disciples from across the United Methodist connection, and is sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry's Division of Higher Education. Read more at umc.org.
Working for redemption in Ferguson
FERGUSON, Mo. (UMNS) — Tensions remain high over the much-publicized police shooting here, and United Methodists in the St. Louis area warn that it will take a long time to build community and trust between law enforcement and people of color. But leaders across the denomination agree that churches have a role in the arduous healing process ahead. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.
Agreement resolves same-sex union complaint
PHILADELPHIA (UMNS) - Philadelphia Area Bishop Peggy Johnson announced Oct. 3 that a complaint filed against 36 pastors who officiated at the Nov. 9, 2013, same-sex union of two men has been resolved in an agreement by the complainants and respondents. The plan calls for the pastors to acknowledge they violated rules of the United Methodist Book of Discipline and for the complainants to withdraw the complaint. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.
RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Imagine No Malaria Advent resources available
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One child forever changed our world. Your church can work to change the world and save the lives of many children. Make Imagine No Malaria part of your church's Advent season this year. You can find bulletin inserts, alternative giving materials and more on the Greater Northwest Area website.
‘Season for Change’
4-week Advent study on HIV/AIDS
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United Methodist General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) has a new four-week Advent Bible study that addresses the HIV pandemic and its relationship to other social concerns. The study, “The Season for Change — An Advent Study on HIV/AIDS & Social Justice Advocacy,” is free and downloadable from the GBCS website.
The four sessions present simple ways to participate in both hands-on service and social-justice advocacy. The study is designed to enable participants to engage in discussion, action and reflection throughout the four week course and beyond by building on Advent’s message of hope, healing and expectation.
The first session of “The Season for Change” coincides with The United Methodist Church’s observance of World AIDS Day, Dec. 1. The denomination’s Book of Resolutions encourages congregations to commemorate World AIDS Day with “special programs on HIV/ AIDS education and religious worship services that focus on intercessory and healing prayer, hope in God and love and compassion” (#3242). Learn more and download the study from the General Board of Church and Society website.
IN REMEMBRANCE
June Smith
June 17, 1924 – September 27, 2014
June Smith, wife of retired pastor James Smith, died on September 27, 2014. She is survived by her husband; daughter Roxann; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. June was preceded in death by two sons, Bryan and Roger.
Reverend and Mrs. Smith served Roxbury in the Kansas West Conference; Waldwick Circuit in the Wisconsin Conference; Willamina/Grande Ronde, Lake Oswego, Portland: Patton Central, Portland: Rose City Park, Idaho Falls: St. Pauls and Oregon City in the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference. He retired in 1985.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. October 16, 2014 at Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 14700 SE Rupert Drive, Oak Grove, Oregon, 97267. (503) 654-3161.
Friends may contact James Smith at 13505 SE River Road #322, Portland, Oregon, 97222.
Grant Hagiya, Bishop
Belinda Denicola, Conference Treasurer & Benefits Officer
CCEF
COMMENTARY
By Carey Nieuwhof
… Many Christians say they want to reach unchurched people, but they don’t actually know any unchurched people well enough to invite them. …
