November 25, 2014
Dear Reader,
I know I said there wouldn’t be a UM Connector this week, but there are just a couple things that need to be shared.
Even while we thank God for the many gifts we receive, we remember those who are in pain and fighting for justice around the world.
Greg Nelson, Director of Communications
AROUND THE GLOBE
Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday
While malls and stores urge us to help them be “in the black” and Internet shopping follows quickly behind, many charitable organizations invite people to dedicate Giving Tuesday as a day to remember others by making charitable donations.
In the United Methodist Church we have many special ways our giving can have an impact. Many of the gifts can even get matching funds to double the gift. The first $1 Million in giving to most Advance Special funds will be matched by the General Board of Global Ministries. Last year, matching funds were exhausted in the first four minutes of give. The matching program begins at 12:00 midnight on the morning of December 2. So givers on in the Pacific Time Zone need to set their alarms for 9:00 p.m. on Monday December 1 to have a chance at the match. But matched or not, every gift will support ministry around the world.
Learn more where to give and how to support specific mission programs on the conference website.
And when you give, share your good news on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media using the tag: #GivingTuesday.
Imagine No Malaria participates in Giving Tuesday
Imagine no Malaria is one of the many Advance Special projects that can benefit from donations on Giving Tuesday.
At College Church United Methodist Church in Philomath, Gail Meyer kept getting “nudges.” She felt like God was reminding her, again and again, about Imagine No Malaria. So, this month, she decided to raise $10 per member of the church.
She shared her plans at a church council meeting, and people got excited. “She presented several ideas including her making … clear glass Christmas ornaments,” writes Tom Plant, the church finance chair. “We tossed around other ideas like challenging other churches in our district or even one district to another … We even talked about writing a letter to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to ask them to match what we raise.”
But the game-changing idea was Giving Tuesday. It came from Anna Morford, the church treasurer. Anna served as a missionary in Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe for 17 years, so she’s experienced malaria firsthand. She pointed out that Global Ministries has pledged to match up to $1 million raised through The Advance on Tuesday, December 2nd. Read more on the Greater Northwest area Imagine No Malaria website
IN REMEMBRANCE
Grace Drake
October 16, 1920 – November 22, 2014
Retired pastor Grace Drake died November 22, 2014. She is survived by her children, Susan Ferguson, Douglas Drake, Gwen Drake and Richard Drake; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Reverend Drake served Union/North Powder, Filer and Ashton in the Oregon – Idaho Conference. She retired in 1986.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 29, 2014, at Heppner United Methodist Church, 175 Church Street, Heppner, Oregon 97836. (541) 676-9224.
Memorial gifts can be directed to Heppner United Methodist Church or Ontario United Methodist Church. Friends may contact Gwen Drake at 1080 Heathrow Drive, Eugene, OR 97402.
Grant Hagiya, Bishop
Belinda Denicola, Conference Treasurer and Benefits Officer
COMMENTARY
Response to Ferguson
Bishop Minerva Carcaño
"On this night when a grand jury has determined that no charges will be brought against the police officer who killed unarmed Michael Brown, I keep seeing in my mind the picture of Michael’s father crying at his funeral. It is an anguished cry that only fathers who have lost their sons fully understand. What is clear for all of us, however, is that a terrible thing has happened. Young men shouldn’t be shot down in the streets of their neighborhood. Police officers should be trained to resolve difficult situations without killing people. What happened in Ferguson and continues to happen because of it requires serious consideration in all of our communities.
At the same time, the violence that has erupted because of the grand jury’s decision is wrong. It threatens the life and destroys the livelihood of others. After he buried his son, Michael Brown’s father said that he wanted his son’s life to mean something and asked directly for a non-violent response. Racism was at work in the death of Michael Brown. We all need to address this. The fact that we live in a society that still responds in difficult moments with violence must also be addressed.
On this night, let us pray for justice and that we may learn to be peacemakers in the spirit of Christ Jesus, the Prince of Peace."
(from CalPacUMC.org)
