October 30, 2014
Dear Reader,
This week’s UM Connector will take you to different places. It can take you to Eugene for a choral event, to Africa to fight malaria, to Salem for a lecture, to Boise for an annual leadership event, and to United Methodist related colleges all around the country.
Conference staff will be on the move too. Moving out that is. Low levels of asbestos in the wallboard of the conference center call for staff to vacate the building while it is removed in preparation for plumbing.
See more about all these destinations below.
Greg Nelson, Director of Communications
CONFERENCE NEWS
Conference Center closed for repairs
The Oregon-Idaho Conference Center will experience several days of closure in the next two weeks for repairs. Several weeks ago three rooms were damaged by water from a burst pipe. After recommendations from plumbers, and an additional leak, the board of trustees has approved the replacement of the 40- year-old galvanized pipe throughout the building.
Work will begin with opening of walls and asbestos abatement today (Thursday) and continue through Monday, November 3. A second closure period for plumbing is tentatively scheduled for November 7-12. These work periods will be followed by wall restoration work and replacement of carpeting at a later date.
Staff will be working from home or alternate locations during closed days. Most staff will have access to email and voice mail from home so that conference business can continue. Anyone planning a trip to the Conference Center in the next two weeks is urged to call ahead. Meetings scheduled during repairs are being relocated or rescheduled.
Fire at U of O Wesley Center
|
|
|
A kitchen fire at the Wesley Center at the University of Oregon has closed their kitchen. The October 22 cooking fire was quickly contained to the kitchen area, with minimal smoke damage in other areas. The facility is insured, and disruption should be short lived, but there will be other costs associated with the clean-up. A restoration company, staff and volunteers are helping to put things back in order.
The center will celebrate 60 years of service at the annual Choral Extravaganza on November 9 at 4:00 p.m. at Eugene’s First United Methodist Church. Now more than ever the center needs support from churches, UMW groups, and individuals to continue reaching out to students in Eugene institutions of higher education. You can download a bulletin insert to learn more about the extravaganza, or contact Warren Light, Director of the Wesley Foundation and Campus Minister at (541)346-4694 or uowesleycenter@gmail.com to learn of other ways you can help.
Elders gather to
support and connect
|
|
|
Clergy elders from across the Annual Conference gathered this month at the Alton L. Collins retreat center. The gathering gave them time to build their connection as the Order of Elders, and to spend time in discussion and worship.
Throughout the time together, there was a display of items personally made by the elders, which were up for silent auction. $1000 was raised for Imagine No Malaria. Read more about the gathering on the conference website.
AROUND THE CONFERENCE
Big Questions Over Lunch at Willamette University
Dr. Stephen Patterson, Atkinson Professor of Religious and Ethical Studies, will share insights from his just-released book, "The Lost Way: How Two Forgotten Gospels Are Rewriting the Story of Christian Origins." This program in the Big Questions Over Lunch series will be held on Tuesday, November 4, in the Alumni Lounge of the Putnam University Center, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Participants are invited to bring their lunch or arrive 15-20 minutes early to purchase it at the Cat Cavern Café.
Dr. Patterson is an historian of religion specializing in the beginnings of Christianity. His research and writing have focused on the Gospel of Thomas, Q, and various aspects of the historical study of Jesus. Learn more on the Willamette website.
Northwest Leadership Institute – Save the dates
The 2015 Northwest Leadership Institute (NLI2015) will be hosted by Boise First United Methodist Church, The Cathedral of the Rockies, March 12-13, 2015.
NLI is a two-day leadership conference held in Boise, Idaho. The 2015 keynote speaker will be Tony Campolo. Several others will be presenting as well, including Rebekah Simon-Peter, Steve Hart, Joseph Barclay, Duane Anders, and Vance P. Ross. The event is designed to engage, equip, and empower clergy and local church leaders. Keep watching for more information, registration links, and an early bird discount. For more information contact Debbie Coutts at dcoutts@boisefumc.org.
AROUND THE GLOBE
The importance of malaria training
Community education is the key to a long-term solution to ending deaths from malaria. Arlindo Romao is a health care coordinator in Mozambique supported by the United Methodist Church. Read more about his ministry on Greater Northwest Area Imagine No Malaria website.
Bishops meet in Oklahoma City
OKLAHOMA CITY (UMNS) — United Methodist bishops from Africa, Europe, Asia and the United States will gather in Oklahoma City for the Council of Bishops meeting, Nov. 2-7. The meeting will include an address by Bishop Warner H. Brown Jr., council president, that will be streamed live online at 10:45 a.m. CT Monday, Nov. 3. Worship leadership will be provided by Oregon-Idaho’s Rev. Laura Jaquith Bartlett. Read the press release and a Q&A with Bishop Brown.
|
|
|
African communicators take top honors
SAVANNAH, Ga. (UMNS) — Two African writers were named 2014 United Methodist Communicators of the Year for their coverage of the deadliest Ebola outbreak in history. The United Methodist Association of Communicators gave the association's top award to Phileas Jusu, communicator for The United Methodist Church in Sierra Leone, and Julu Swen, editor and publisher of West African Writers, an online publication about United Methodist happenings in West Africa. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.
Top court affirms Schaefer's reinstatement as clergy
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (UMNS) - The Rev. Frank Schaefer will remain a clergyman in The United Methodist Church, the denomination's top court has ruled. The Judicial Council decision affirmed a June decision by a regional appeals committee to reinstate Schaefer's ministerial credentials, modifying the penalty imposed upon the Pennsylvania pastor after he was found guilty last November of violating church law by performing a same-sex wedding for his son in 2007. In its decision, the Judicial Council also recognized the fact that "some within the church do not support this outcome today." Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.
Judicial Council looks at 'aspirational' declarations
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (UMNS) — When is language about The United Methodist Church's positions on issues of sexuality considered "aspirational" and when could it condone a violation of church law? Rulings by bishops on several statements by conferences were among the 21 docket items considered by the United Methodist Judicial Council during its Oct. 22-25 meeting in Memphis, Tennessee. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.
RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Resources for United Methodist Student Day
United Methodist Student Day calls the church to support students as they prepare for life in uniting faith with knowledge. The offering provides scholarships and student loans for qualified United Methodist applicants. November 30 is set as this year's United Methodist Student Day, but your congregation may choose to celebrate it on any Sunday during the year.
UMC Giving has develop a tool kit for local churches to use to share about this day. Learn more on the UMC Giving website.
RETREAT and CAMPING CONNECTION
Wallowa Lake United Methodist Camp's New "River Cabin"!
|
|
|
River Cabin is an older rustic cabin on the Wallowa River. It can be rented by families, individuals or groups looking for a cozy place to retreat in late spring, summer or early fall!
River Cabin sleeps up to 7 guests. The first floor has one bedroom with a queen & twin bed, bathroom, dining room, living room with fireplace and a full kitchen. It also has a large deck for listening to the sounds of the river. The second floor has 2 bedrooms, one with a queen bed and one with two twin beds.
To find out more or to reserve River Cabin, contact Camp Director Peggy Lovegren at wallowa@gocamping.org or 541-432-1271.
COMMENTARY
By Joseph Yoo
… Somewhere along my journey, I settled into thinking that being God’s mouthpiece was enough for me. That all I needed to do was to share the words God placed in my heart and wait for others to bring them to life. …