LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS) — General Conference delegates from Africa, Asia and Europe have all the same responsibilities as their U.S. counterparts do, but they often have far less time to study legislation that could affect the church for years to come. The Commission on General Conference has started a pilot project using tablet computers that members hope will help overcome this obstacle. Oregon-Idaho conference members Rev. Donna Pritchard and William Haden are members of the commission. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story. AROUND THE GLOBE
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — An animated video created for use in West Africa attempts to dispel myths about how Ebola is spread and promote prevention of the disease. United Methodist Communications collaborated with Chocolate Moose Media and iHeed to create the video, which will be produced in different languages. The World Bank of West Africa has offered to pay to air the video a minimum of three times a day in every country affected by Ebola. Read more of this United Methodist News Service story or go straight to the video. United Methodist churches
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Part of the funds approved will support the Alabama-West Florida Conference which has been responding to the aftermath of record rainfall in coastal and inland areas. Last spring, a record 21 inches of rain fell within 24 hours, causing severe flooding which knocked houses off their foundations . Baldwin County, Alabama, and Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties in Florida were all affected.
Funds will also support the North Alabama Conference after a record 62 tornadoes struck the state in a single day in April 2011. The tornadoes left a 20,000 square mile swath of damage, which destroyed or damaged about 37,000 homes and businesses, and caused 250 deaths. Read more on the UMCOR website.
New findings from the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry’s Seminary Indebtedness Task Force reveal that the average educational debt for United Methodist seminary graduates has reached $49,303.
“Based on median annual conference compensation for new clergy, we now know that many of our clergy are well beyond the nationally recognized critical level (10% of income) for manageable debt,” said Allyson Collinsworth, executive director of GBHEM’s Office of Loans and Scholarships. Read the rest of the story on the General Board of Higher Education website.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Laity in The United Methodist Church play a key role in transformational discipleship, and the denomination celebrates that role on Sunday, Oct. 19. The United Methodist Board of Discipleship offers resources for celebrating Laity Sunday.
Hundreds of United Methodist college students will gather Nov. 7 to 9 at the Denver Marriott Tech Center for "Imagine What's NEXT," a weekend of discernment, fellowship, worship and inspiration. The theme for this year's event is "Dream. Go. Do."
"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 General Board of Higher Education and Ministry's Division of Higher Education. Through a series of short talks, speakers and leaders will discuss innovative discipleship and will challenge students to consider their own next steps in their communities and future vocations. For more information or to register to attend, go to www.nextumc.org.
The Human Relations Day, Peace with Justice, and the Ethnic Church grant programs have announced January 10 as the deadline for applications.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Rethink Church shares a free video about making Christmas less complicated by focusing on helping others and sharing the greatest gift of all. New Advent resources, including sermon starters, bulletin covers, invitation cards and door hangers are available, too. For delivery by Thanksgiving, order by Nov. 1. For a limited time, door hangers will be printed with your church information.
Six Values for the Digital Age is a group study based on iKids: Parenting in the Digital Age by Craig Kennet Miller.
The digital values of happiness, wisdom, hope, vision, identity, and faith are highlighted through scripture and quotes from iKids. The study is designed to generate discussion and reflection about how we are impacted by the use of smartphones, tablets, and social media in our families and personal relationships.
Six Values can be used as a small group study, for Sunday morning classes, for Wednesday evening studies, with youth groups, or even as an outline for a sermon series. Learn more and download the free study guide at ikidsgen.com.
Vanco Services, LLC, a leading provider of electronic payment solutions, recently announced it has expanded its strategic sponsorship with the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA)-the administrative and financial body of The United Methodist Church. The goal of the expanded partnership is to accelerate the adoption of electronic giving methods in United Methodist congregations. GCFA recognizes that the way people made payments ten years ago is not the way they make payments today.
The multi-year sponsorship marks a significant expansion of an electronic giving program that has been in place since 2002 when GCFA first approved Vanco as the administrator for the United Methodist Electronic Funds Transfer (UM EFT) program. Read the press release, or learn more on the GCFA website.
August 12, 1929 – October 3, 2014
Bonnie Norman, widow of retired pastor Willard Norman, died on October 3, 2014. She is survived by 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. October 24, 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.
August 8, 1919 – October 6, 2014
Retired pastor J. Robert Wetzel died on October 6, 2014. He is survived by his daughters Pamela Moore and Deborah Wetzel; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alta Wetzel.
Reverend and Mrs. Wetzel served Spokane: Lingerwood and Seattle: First in the Pacific Northwest Conference; Eugene, Florence, Dallas, Albany, Portland: Mocks Crest, Cascade College and Cook Publishing in the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference. He retired in 1977. Friends may contact Pamela Moore at 302 N. Ridge View Drive, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
Grant Hagiya, Bishop
Belinda Denicola, Conference Treasurer & Benefits Officer
By Joe Daniels
… Jesus always knew the identity of those he touched. Even if he didn’t know everyone by name, he knew the root cause of their human condition; he was always ready to change someone’s life for the better, and he was positioned to help them see the power of being in a deep, abiding relationship with Him. …
Friday, October 17
Friday, October 24
UMW Dist officer training in Eugene
Saturday, October 25
Board of Camp and Retreat Ministries: Program Division
Sage District Advanced Lay Speaking Class Session 2 of 3 ¦
Crater Lake Lay Servants Class
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