August 27, 2015
Dear Reader,
It’s back-to-school time! Take time for a deep breath as we start new Sunday school classes, change back from summer worship schedule, and round up the youth group. And don’t forget those parts of your church family off at college. Send their names to the campus ministry, send them a card to say you are praying for them (maybe with a Starbucks card or $5 bill in it) and remember them in church prayers.
Stories in this week’s UM Connector talk about the 10 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, how one church is responding to the call to eliminate hunger, and training opportunities for you to renew your church or consider being part of starting a new ministry.
Check it out!
Greg Nelson, Director of Communications
CONFERENCE NEWS
Forest fires burn across the region
Wildfires continue to burn throughout the Pacific Northwest. In Oregon the largest fire, the Canyon Creek fire near John Day, is now 42% contained and no longer threatens inhabited areas. But the recovery for families will take months if not years. The John Day United Methodist church is providing clothing through its thrift store and food through its food pantry as members work at relief centers and open their hearts to the neighbors in need.
In the Pacific Northwest Conference, fires in Northern Washington have claimed lives and challenged communities. One of three who died was a member of Wenatchee First United Methodist Church, and another was the son of an Illinois pastor. The conference is now providing chaplains to provide spiritual support and relief supplies. Read more in a United Methodist News Service story.
AROUND THE CONFERENCE
Church provides space for new community food bank
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Photo by David Patton,
Democrat-Herald.
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Three years ago the question was asked, “How much time can you give to a food pantry?” Now Jefferson United Methodist Church is building a new pantry building on its property and helping to feed people from four communities. Read more in the Albany Democrat-Herald story.
Tutors needed in Washington County
The Hispanic Ministries Committee of Washington County needs volunteers to tutor in two programs.
Volunteers for English as a Second Language (ESL) do not need to be able to speak Spanish. Classes begin September 23 for nine weeks on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Hillsboro United Methodist Church.
School for Parents tutors are needed for reading and math classes with children in first through sixth grades. Again, Spanish language is not required. The classes will be on Saturdays, starting on September 26 for 10 weeks. This two- hour program is at Hillsboro United Methodist Church Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. and Forest Grove United Methodist Church, Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. Child care volunteers are also needed at these times.
To volunteer, or get more information, contact Jorge Rodriguez at 971-217-3221 or jorova59@gmail.com; Rev. Daniel Thompson-Aue (Forest Grove) at 503-357-2689 or fgumc@teleport.com; or Laura Lillegard (Hillsboro) at 503-640-1775.
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Josh Hauser is in a transition
to college life. |
Blog: Can the Church be a Constant for Youth in Transitions?
The youth are a very important part of the church's longevity, and youth are vanishing, especially in areas where the culture is shifting to a spiritual, but non-religious atmosphere. Most of the people I know involved in their churches do it because of the community. Read more on the Conference website.
AROUND THE GLOBE
United Methodist free clinic arose from Katrina
NEW ORLEANS (UMNS) - A free clinic started by United Methodists after Hurricane Katrina is now open two nights a week with expansion plans that include an eye clinic. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.
This story is part of a series of stories focusing on the United Methodist response to Hurricane Katrina. See the whole series.
Liberian president opposes Christian state plans
MONROVIA, Liberia (UMNS) - President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a United Methodist, says efforts to declare Liberia a Christian state would create “division among the citizens based on religious belief.” Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.
Young adults prepare for missionary service
NEW YORK (UMNS) — Thirty-seven young adults are spending most of August in Zimbabwe, preparing for mission service around the world through The United Methodist Church. They are from 16 countries and represent the 2015 class of international Global Mission Fellows, who spend two years in ministries focused on justice and community development. Read more on the Global Ministries website.
RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Route 122 offers tools and tales for transformation
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Route 122 is a United Methodist nationwide gathering for those interested or engaged in the revitalization of congregations. It will be of value to pastors and lay people interested in igniting renewal in their congregations, and also district leaders and staff people who need to understand and encourage revitalization through their work with congregations.
The event will include keynote speakers and a variety of workshops by people who have helped declining congregations find new life. Participants will be exposed to the fundamental practices of renewal, inspiring stories of renewed congregations, and practical workshops in some of the tactics that have helped congregations be reborn. Oregon-Idaho’s own Steve Ross, Director of the Vital Church Project, is on the planning team and will be leading a workshop on simple governance.
Route 122 will be December 1 – 3 at the Kavanaugh Retreat and The Kentucky Annual Conference Center. See the complete schedule and workshop descriptions on the Kentucky Conference website.
Trailhead begins journey for church planters
Trailhead is a high quality discernment, training, and formation event that will expand the concepts of church as we currently know it. It explores innovative post-modern, multi-cultural ministry contexts for the West. This event will help excite, train and assess leaders, both lay and clergy, who will be primary planters! It is open to anyone who wants to learn more about church planting and how they can be part of this important ministry.
Trailhead is November 2 – 4 in Phoenix, Arizona. Get all the details on the Western Jurisdiction Website.
United Methodist branding toolkit now available
NASHVILLE, TN - United Methodist Communications is offering a new toolkit to make it easy for local churches, annual conferences, general agencies and other denominational entities to adopt more unified branding across the connection. Learn more on the UMC.org website.
Free Video Helps Churches Respond to the New Realities of Engaging Newcomers
WASHINGTON, DC – The Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary offers congregations the free video, “The New Realities of Engaging Newcomers.” Presented by Lewis Center Director Lovett H. Weems, Jr., the five-minute video provides an overview of how new people are coming into church communities in different ways than previously, what it means for congregations, and what churches can do to engage these newcomers today. The video is available to watch online or download.
RETREAT and CAMPING CONNECTION
UMCOR Kit Camp at Magruder
When disaster strikes, we don't always know how to help. We see or read about the effects of a natural disaster like the recent earthquake in Nepal and we may have one of three responses.
- First, we might feel so completely overwhelmed by our inability to make major differences, that all we can do is pray about it individually or as a community (which can be enough).
- Second, we can give financially to the cause via social media requests, special church offerings, or giving financially to an organization like UMCOR.
- Third, we could feel so inspired by the possibility of helping that we hop an airplane toward the site of the disaster to offer what physical support we can.
What if there was a way to do a combination of all three: prayer, financial offering, and physical response?
The UMCOR Kit Camp at Camp Magruder Oct. 16-18, 2015 may be just the answer you are looking for. Kit Kamp offers the opportunity for fellowship and fun, while sewing items for layette kits and school bags that are distributed by UMCOR. Many churches and individuals participate in this mission project, which provides emergency assistance when disaster strikes. The program is for adults (over 18) or teenagers accompanied by an adult. The cost of the camp includes lodging and 6 meals for $133. Register for “Kit Kamp” online at gocamping.org or call the registrar at 503-802-9213
Download a brochure to share with others and take a group!
COMMENTARY
By Tim Overton-Harris
… Being a large, white, male who came of age in a time when a lot of what we know is wrong now was not only tolerated but in some ways expected I have been challenged to see the hard reality that I never really saw before. …
