February 19 2015
Dear Reader,
Listening to a podcast on my way to work today I heard an interesting phrase. It was in relation to the economy. But it struck me that it also speaks to how we look at the way churches interact with communities and what we think membership is in the church. An economist said, “We shouldn’t panic about the new normal not being the same as the old normal. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad normal.”
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So what’s your new normal? And as lent begins and we focus on traditions, how do we make the best parts of those traditions part of our new normal? A normal that builds the kin-dom of God and brings us closer to Jesus?
If your normal includes seeing Christ in the world, or maybe if it doesn’t and you want to change your normal, you might consider participating in the Rethink Church photo-a-day project.
Greg Nelson, Director of Communications
Note: I’ll be traveling with the Holy Lands Task force to Israel and Palestine for the next couple of weeks. Send UM Connector items to Sally Blanchard at sally@umoi.org
CONFERENCE NEWS
Shelf the elf, fills the pantries
How much can happen when Oregon-Idaho churches work toward a common goal? That’s the questionsConference Lay Leader Mary Foote asked in January. Now she knows. In response to her challenge 31 churches reported nearly 80,000 lbs of food donated in one month. Now Mary will have to make good on her commitment and bake cookies for the most productive churches. Find out who in her blog post.
AROUND THE CONFERENCE
Volunteers needed for “Blitz Cleanup” on Saturday.
Volunteer managers in the Grays Harbor area of Washington State are planning a blitz cleanup of 93 homes in the area that were affected by flooding on January 5. Be there for a short training at 7:00 a.m. and spend the day making a difference. To get all the details, contact Pacific Northwest Conference Disaster Coordinator, Jim Truitt at umvimdisasterresponse@comcast.net or 253-630-1268.
In the news
In an article titled “The little church that could” the East Oregonian recently profiled the challenges and opportunities facing the Pendleton United Methodist Church as it works to make an aging facility, an antique boiler, a central downtown location, and small but caring congregation into an effective force in the community.
Oregon-Idaho Hosts the World – MFSA Spring Event
The Methodist Federation for Social Action Spring Event will offer an opportunity to look ahead at the United Methodist General Conference in Portland, coming just a little over one year from now. Delegates and visitors from all over the US, Africa, Europe, and the Philippines will be here to make decisions for the future of the whole church.
The program will deal with the question, “What does this have to do with you?” Come and find out on Saturday, March 21, at Fremont United Methodist Church in Portland. Rev. Steve Clunn, coordinator of the Love Your Neighbor Coalition will be the presenter. Learn about what happens at a general conference and how you can use your personal interests and skills to work with the Coalition for a more just, open, and loving church. Many volunteers are needed for all the hospitality and advocacy that they would like to do. You can volunteer for a few hours or for a week or even more.
Download and print a flyer to post at your church and share with friends. Registration information is on the flyer, and the cost is only $15 for a full day that includes lunch. Learn more at on the Oregon-Idaho MFSA website.
AROUND THE GLOBE
Plans underway to make Discipline global
MAPUTO, Mozambique (UMNS) – What are the essentials that bind all United Methodists and what can be adapted for use outside the United States? That is the heart of the debate before an international body of church leaders, who met last week in Maputo, Mozambique. The hope is that a truly global Book of Discipline can answer these questions. Read more of this United Methodist News Service story.
WCC mourns killings of Egyptian Christians
GENEVA (UMNS) – The World Council of Churches has joined its member churches, partners and people in Egypt as they mourn the killings of 21 Egyptian Christians kidnapped by militants in Libya. Read more on the WCC website.
RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Five day academy to return to Northwest
The Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation provides a place to nourish your spiritual life and seek a spirituality deeply rooted in the Christian faith and tradition. Are you looking for a community of people on a similar journey? The Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation may be for you.
The next session will be held February 21-26, 2016 in Federal Way, Washington. Save the dates and plan to experience “Sacred Encounter: The Journey from Contemplation to Action”. Download an event brochure to learn what past attendees have said and who the leaders and presenters will be.
RETREAT and CAMPING CONNECTION
It is Time to Register Your Group for Confirmation Retreat!
Event scheduled for April 17-19
This has been a great opportunity for confirmation classes to share a larger experience and really celebrate the connectionalism of the United Methodist Church.
Churches who have confirmation classes and have questions about this experience or would like to be part of the conversation that shapes this event, please contact Jane Petke at Suttle Lake Camp as soon as possible at suttlelake@gocamping.org. To register your group, download the form.
COMMENTARY
Elizabeth Murray
… During Ash Wednesday, ashes in the sign of the cross are marked onto foreheads, reminding us that we are dust and to dust we will return. It is a bit unnerving to be reminded that our bodies will eventually return to dust. …
