(Re-sending due to a broken link)

February 4, 2016

Dear Reader,

It is great to be able to share three stories from local newspapers with you in this week's UM Connector. For two reasons, the first is to share with you things that are happening in other churches. Maybe it will give you an idea, or inspire a new way to expand something your church is already doing.

Second is as a reminder that you need to be in communication with your local newspaper. If you are doing something out of the ordinary, or something ordinary in a new way, let your local paper know. They won’t always include a story, but the more you try, the more they will. Get to know someone at the newspaper so you have a contact. And remember, they always want a picture!

Greg Nelson, Director of Communications

CONFERENCE NEWS

Conference receives 2016 Collins grant to support leadership and inclusion

Vital church development, coaching, emerging Hispanic ministry, and building strong lay and clergy leadership continue to be areas funded by the long standing relationship between The United Methodist Church and The Collins Foundation. But for 2016, a new initiative has been added to the grant. Thirty percent of the grant, $46,500 will be used to foster inclusion for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgendered, and queer (LGBTQ) people within The United Methodist Church.

With the General Conference of the United Methodist Church coming to Portland, Oregon in May, this is a key time for these initiatives that focus on both increasing inclusion in the conference, and encouraging change within the General Conference. Read more on conference website.

Bishops blog

In his latest blog post, Bishop Grant Hagiya reflects on the recent Pre-General Conference Briefing held in Portland, Oregon. After taking time to thank the volunteers that helped the event run smoothly, he shares the message he gave to those in attendance. It may be the first time The United Methodist Church has been compared to a donut shop.

Laity Workshop Applications for Annual Conference

As plans come together for the yearly meeting of the Annual Conference in June, the Board of Lay Ministries is calling for applications for laity workshops during the conference. Applicants are invited to have proposals build on the theme for the conference: Keeping Sabbath: Resting ~ Rejoicing ~ Returning.

Download the application as either a Microsoft Word file, or Adobe pdf file. Additional instructions are on the applications. If you have questions, please contact Conference Lay Leader, Mary Foote at (503)648-3072 or marycfoote@yahoo.com. Mary shares, “I’m looking forward to our being together in Salem! This will be a busy spring. We’ll all be ready for a time of Sabbath in June!”

AROUND THE CONFERENCE

In the News

First United Methodist Church in Salem, Oregon recently celebrated the completion of a $600,000 remodel project and new contemporary worship center. Read about it in the Salem Statesman-Journal.

Southside United Methodist Church in Nampa, Idaho was featured in the local news when Pastor Phil Bence greeted people at the door while riding on his bicycle. It was part of his Stewardship of the body emphasis. Read more in the Idaho Press-Tribune.

Jefferson United Methodist Church in Jefferson, Oregon has opened a new community food bank on church property. They are celebrating with an open house and dedication on February 14. Read more in the Albany Democrat Herald.

Raise the Bar at NLI

This year's Northwest Leadership Institute in Boise, Idaho will feature keynote speakers including Mike Slaughter (lead pastor at Ginghamsburg Church), Shane Claiborne (Christian activist and author), and Duane Anders (lead pastor at Cathedral of the Rockies, Boise FUMC). The program is March 10 and 11 with a special pre-conference event for young clergy on March 9.
Learn more and register online on the Cathedral of the Rockies website.

Prayer Prompt for General Conference

This week, as we continue our series of Prayer Prompts you are invited to pray for the delegates and reserve delegates that were elected to representing the Oregon-Idaho conference at the 2016 General Conference.

Jan Nelson
Josh Hauser
Mark Bateman
David Armstrong
Emilie Kroen
Norm Dyer

Rev. Donna Pritchard
Rev. Clay Andrew
Rev. Jeremy Smith
Rev. Duane Anders
Rev. Wendy Woodworth
Rev. John (Joung Youl) Go

Uplift each name, envision God’s love filling them, like light, like water, and overflowing. Take a minute for each asking for God to give them wisdom, joy, and a spirit of compassion for others. Pray for their ability to absorb and sort through materials, and be able to focus on what is most important. Lord, let them each be characterized by your love."

Employment

Custodian – Fremont UMC, Portland, Oregon Part-time custodian; flexible hours; commercial cleaning experience preferred.
Director of Finance, Lake Oswego UMC, Lake Oswego, Oregon Part-time position. Qualifications require previous work experience and knowledge of QuickBooks, basic bookkeeping and banking procedures as well computer skills.
Check out these, and other classifieds at www.umoi.org/classifieds.

AROUND THE GLOBE

Nicaraqua: Empowering Locals

During last December’s UMC #GivingTuesday event, Dr. Belinda Forbes, a Global Ministries missionary serving Acción Medica Cristiana (AMC) in Nicaragua, received the most online donations as a missionary, totaling more than $14,000. To celebrate that honor, Forbes was awarded an additional $10,000 from Global Ministries, which she will use to fill funding gaps at AMC.

Forbes said, “I want to thank Global Ministries and our donors for the ongoing support of our work, and for giving me the opportunity to fulfill my role to be a light to the world by following God’s call to serve.”

Read more about Forbes’ work with AMC, and learn how local communities are being empowered to identify and respond to the root problems that impact their health.

Change coming to General Conference voting

PORTLAND, Ore. (UMNS) - United Methodist leaders are hoping a change coming to the 2016 General Conference will make voting easier for delegates. At the urging of the Commission on the Status and Role of Women, delegates will use voting machines in legislative committees. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story

Simpson College honors Bishop Talbert

INDIANOLA, Iowa (UMNS) - Retired United Methodist Bishop Melvin G. Talbert received Simpson College’s prestigious Carver Medal at a ceremony Jan. 27. Accepting the honor, Talbert noted that the medal is named for inventor and scientist George Washington Carver. United Methodist-related Simpson accepted Carver at a time when black Americans often were denied access to higher education. Read more on the Iowa Conference website.

RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Messy Church Gathering with Founder Lucy Moore

Save the day, Tuesday, April 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Rose City Park United Methodist Church in Portland, Oregon.

Make plans to join Lucy Moore who began the International Messy Church movement in a small church in England. Gather with individuals and teams from the Greater Northwest Area to learn and share stories of Messy Church. In the morning we will explore the what, why and how of Messy Church. In the afternoon we will turn our attention to how Messy Church makes disciples and how this movement has spread throughout the world.

Throughout the day there will be many opportunities to share stories, wisdom, questions and challenges! Whether you have been doing Messy Church for a while or thinking about starting a Messy Church, you will not want to miss this opportunity! Lucy Moore works for Bible Reading Fellowship as Messy Church team leader. She is responsible for developing the work of Messy Church nationally and internationally by writing, speaking, reflecting and developing Messy projects.

Cost for the day will be $25.00 per person, which includes lunch. Church groups of more than 4 people will pay just $100.00 total.

To get on the mailing list for registration contact Trinity UMC at 541-688-3269 or office@trinityumceugene.org. For more information contact Roberta Egli at 541-760-3909 or pastor@trinityumceugene.org. Rose City Park United Methodist Church is located at 5830 NE Alameda St, Portland, OR 97213.

Learning about General Conference

The United Methodist Rural Advocates group is hosting a webinar to share about their organization and legislation that they have proposed for the 2016 General Conference. The event will be held February 18, at 4:30 p.m. MST, 5:30 p.m. PST. For more information check the UMRA website or email to Carl Ellis at ckellis70@gmail.com. The webinar is free and you can register online.

Counting Lent for Imagine No Malaria

A calendar can be a great way to engage in Imagine No Malaria, focus on Lent, and build math skills too! Check it out on Greater Northwest Imagine No Malaria website.

IN REMEMBRANCE

Hazel Balcomb
January 26, 1921 – January 29, 2016

Hazel Balcomb, widow of retired pastor Ray Balcomb, died January 29, 2016. She is survived by four children: Bernice Lincicum, Rosemary Schulte, Gene Balcomb and Scott Balcomb; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Hazel was preceded in death by her daughter, Joanne Balcomb.

Reverend Balcomb served churches in Massachusetts as a student; Portland: Sellwood, Medford, Corvallis, Portland: First and as the Metro District Superintendent in the Oregon-Idaho Conference. He retired in 1988.

The memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 27th at Portland First United Methodist Church. 1838 SW Jefferson Street Portland, Oregon. (503) 228-3195.

Friends may contact Gene & Marcey Balcomb at 3106 NE 7th Ave., Portland, OR 97212 for condolences or more information.

Barbara Ledden
July 29, 1924 – January 22, 2016

Barbara Ledden, wife of retired pastor Robert Ledden, died January 22, 2016. She is survived by her husband, Bob, four children: Sue Ann Strong, Deborah Strong, Cynthia Harris and Marc Strong; six grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. Barbara was preceded in death by a daughter Terry and a son Robert.

Reverend Ledden served Peninsula-Seaford, Perryville-Asbury in West New York-Marilla Conference; Stevenson, Orofino-Cavendish in the Pacific Northwest Conference; Zwolle-Converse-Noble in the Louisiana Conference; Aberdeen/American Falls, Coquille, John Day/Prairie City, Odell/Pine Grove, Cave Junction/Wilderville in the Oregon-Idaho Conference. He retired in 1999. He served Falls City and Grande Ronde in retirement.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 12 at the McMinnville United Methodist Church. 544 NE 2nd St., McMinnville, Oregon. (503) 472-5622.

Friends may contact Robert Ledden at 2900 NE Evans St., McMinnville, OR 97128 for condolences or more information.

Grant Hagiya, Bishop
Belinda Denicola, Conference Treasurer and Benefits Officer