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January 15, 2015
 
Dear Reader,
 
United Methodists can do great things when we come together. Imagine No Malaria is one way we are seeing that happen. But we also have six special giving Sunday’s when we ask every United Methodist Church to participate in a shared response by lifting up an offering.
 
This Sunday is one of those six. Human Relations Day is held the Sunday before the national recognition of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. The special offering benefits neighborhood ministries through community developers, community advocacy through United Methodist Voluntary Services and work with at-risk teens through the Youth Offender Rehabilitation Program.
 
You can learn more about Human Relations Day at the umcgiving.org website. Or download an info graphic that tells about the programs supported by this offering.
 
Today’s commentary link is from Rebekah Simon-Peter. She will be one of the featured speakers at the Northwest Leadership Institute (along with Tony Campolo) Learn more at www.cathedraloftherockies.org/nli.
 
Greg Nelson, Director of Communications


CONFERENCE NEWS

Lent resources available

Help meet your church's goal for Imagine No Malaria fund raising by including it in your Lenten worship and study. You can download a lent resource package from the Greater Northwest Imagine No Malaria website.


AROUND THE CONFERENCE

EMO sponsors Earth Care Summit

“The True Costs of Climate Change" is the theme of the sixth annual Earth Care Summit sponsored by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EM0). This year it will be held at the University of Portland on Sunday January 25th, from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m.
 
The keynote speaker, Dan Misleh, is director of the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change and adviser to Pope Francis. He will preview an upcoming Papal Encyclical on this central issue of our time. The summit will include information-sharing tables, a wholesome climate-friendly supper, the keynote presentation followed by workshops on how climate change impacts health, food production, biodiversity, and social/economic stability  while also looking at current, equitable solutions to these challenges. 
 
In addition to the main Sunday evening events there will be other opportunities for considering climate change from different perspectives and in greater depth. Saturday from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., with a focus on Climate Arts, the special guests will include Dr. Yoram Bauman, PhD, the world’s first and only “stand-up economist” and co-author of the new book, “The Cartoon Introduction to Climate Change.” Sunday afternoon, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., a pre-event seminar led by Dan Misleh will take a “Deep Dive into Theology & Climate Change.”
 
Register online and learn more at www.emoregon.org or (503)221-1054. Download the event poster or event brochure to share with others.

New updates on the battle against Malaria

The world health organization has released the 2014 World Malaria Report. Dr. Roger Boe, MD, of Pocatello, Idaho offers a summary on the Greater NW Area Imagine No Malaria website. It shows continuing improvement in prevention and treatment, but also warns of inadequate funding, building resistance to pesticides and treatment medicines, and severe difficulties in West Africa from the Ebola epidemic. Read more on the INM website.

Employment

Director of Religious Education – Olympia, WA
Director of Congregational Life - Corvallis, OR
Read more about these and other opportunities at www.umoi.org/classified


AROUND THE GLOBE

Five years after earthquake: recovery to development

NEW YORK (UMNS) — Five years after the devastating earthquake that left more than 200,000 dead and displaced 1.2 million, United Methodists, together with church and nongovernmental partners, continue to work with Haitian communities toward sustainable development. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story. And view a photo essay of Haiti’s journey to recovery. UMNS has a special section of Haiti recovery information.

 

Methodist agencies speak out on Nigeria Violence

The Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe, General Secretary of the General Board of Church & Society and Thomas G. Kemper, General Secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries have both released statements regarding recent events in Nigeria. "We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are building peace in the face of atrocity," said Thomas Kemper, head of Global Ministries, in a statement. Read the statements below.

Read the Church and Society statement
Read the Global Ministries Statement

Dreamers now eligible for United Methodist college loans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Dreamers — young adults who were unauthorized immigrants brought into the United States as children — are now eligible for United Methodist loans for higher education. The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry is accepting loan applications until May 5 for spring and summer enrollment. Read more on the General Board of Higher Education website.

Ire, joy follow resolution of bishop complaint

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The end of the complaint process against retired Bishop Melvin Talbert for officiating at a same-sex union has brought comfort to some United Methodists and consternation to others. General Conference in 2016 will likely see proposed changes to church law to make sure that clergy who officiate at same-gender unions face penalties. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.


RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Leadership training opportunity for young clergy

Courage to Lead for Young United Methodist Ministers is a new, 6-month leadership intensive designed to help young ministers reflect, renew, and reconnect with their calling.
 
Courage to Lead offers a rare opportunity for young ministers to listen to God, connect with peers, and build the capacity to sustain leadership over the long haul.
 
Those eligible for the program are young people serving in a pastoral role (ordained or not) and ordained/ordination track clergy serving in any ministry setting. The cohorts will primarily consist of folks under 35. There are three separate program cohorts: Atlanta, Denver, and Milwaukee. Each cohort has an opening retreat on "Leading from Within" in the spring, followed by a closing retreat on "Habits of the Heart for Healthy Ministry" in the fall.
 
Thanks to a grant through the UMC Young Clergy Initiative, and additional support from the Lilly Foundation, this program is available to participants at an all-inclusive, discounted rate of $500! For more information contact Kathryn McElveen at Kathrynmcelveen@gmail.com.


COMMENTARY

The secret reason why good churches die

By Rebekah Simon-Peter

… There is one hidden reason why churches that seem to be doing it all right still die. I want to share that with you today, plus four hints to help you discover if this hidden reason is operative in your church, and what to do about it. …

 

 
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