Thursday, May 24, 2018
Dear Readers,
As we get closer to our Annual Conference Session, in just three weeks, the UM Connector will be highlighting some of the events and opportunities of the session.
Today we look at transition for a church that has served it’s community since 1890 and a speaker who while born in Palestine, working many years there, is not allowed to retire there.
And this is the last time I’ll remind you to register now to avoid the late fee.
Greg Nelson, Director of Communications
CONFERENCE NEWS
Ontario FUMC to close its doors, remain a family
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What would be considered unconventional evangelism techniques today somehow worked in 1963 to get Don and Jo Hicks in the door of Ontario First United Methodist Church.
Jo Hicks said the couple was “called on” by Rev. Tom Foster not long after they arrived in Ontario. They were somewhat-surprised by the quick reach of the pastor, until they learned every month he would call the power company to find out who was new in town.
“They probably don’t do that anymore,” Hicks said, but they’ve stuck around for the last 55 years.
And the Hicks will be sticking together with a dozen or so other longtime parishioners and families still worshiping in this sacred space after Ontario First UMC holds its last church service on June 17.
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Local Peace with Justice funds available -- just ask
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Claudia Roberts would love for people to ask her for money – Peace with Justice money, that is.
As the Peace with Justice coordinator for the Oregon-Idaho Conference, she said she’d like to see more people accessing this important resource when it comes to funding projects in churches and local communities that are working to bring about positive change and social justice.
“We’re trying to help people,” Roberts said. “It seems like one of the best-kept secrets not just in Oregon-Idaho, but the whole country.”
This Sunday, United Methodist Churches around the denomination will participate in a special Peace with Justice Sunday offering. While half of the funds raised go to support national and global peace and social justice issues – everything from famine in third-world countries to immigration support – the other half stays in local conferences.
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Author Alex Awad signing books at Annual Conference
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In addition to his Saturday presentation on, “How Christians Can Respond to the Palestine/Israel Conflict, Rev. Alex Awad will also be signing his most recent book, “Palestinian Memories; the Story of a Palestinian Mother and Her People” on Friday afternoon (June 15) starting at 4:45 p.m. at the Holy Land Task Force Ministry Marketplace table.
Awad, a Palestinian Christian, became a refugee when his family was evicted from the Jerusalem home that had been theirs for generations in the 1948 Nakba. He lost his Palestinian citizenship in 1967, when the Israeli government denied Palestinians who were not home at the time of the 6 Day War the right to return to their native country (Awad was studying in Europe at that time).
Eventually, Awad and his wife Brenda became missionaries with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries and were able to return to Palestine in that capacity. Alex worked as the Dean of Students at Bethlehem Bible College and Brenda worked as development liaison officer for the college. Upon their retirement in 2015, they moved to Eugene, Oregon, to be close to children and grandchildren.
Awad’s story of loss, pain and renewal is not, by any means, unique in the narrative of that bit of land that three faiths call “Holy.” Throughout his life, he has written and spoken of his story – the story of the Palestinian people. In addition to “Palestinian Memories,” Awad has also written “Through the Eyes of the Victims” and numerous articles on the conflict and on Christians in the Holy Land, theology of the Land, Christian Zionism and interfaith dialogue.
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AROUND THE CONFERENCE
How to avoid paying late fees for Annual Conference
Simple: Get registered now! Late fees go into effect after May 29.
If you wait until May 30, Annual Conference members will be assessed a $50 late fee until June 5 when the fee increases to $75. Let us know as soon as possible Sign up now if you need childcare.
Clergy and lay members of the Oregon-Idaho Conference have until May 29 to register with no penalty. Registration confirms your attendance and provides a chance to order meals and sign up for workshops and learning events.
The contracted deadline for receiving a discounted rate at the Riverside Hotel has passed. If you have not booked a room yet, contact the hotel immediately at 208-343-1871.
In addition to large group gatherings, there will be clergy and laity workshops, worship services, an awards banquet and learning opportunities for everyone who attends.
Fill out registration information at www.umoi.org/ac.
Inspiring Generosity: Love your people – here’s how
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In her weekly blog, Cesie Delve Scheuermann uses Bishop Michael Curry’s fiery sermon about love from the Royal Wedding to remind churches how to demonstrate love in terms of stewardship.
“Whatever you do, love your people … even when it seems impossible. The whole world stopped for an hour or two (or three) to celebrate the power of love between two individuals. You can be the one to help your congregation be powerful expressions of God’s love in this world too.”
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Get signed up for Oregon-Idaho Mission U
United Methodist Women Mission U 2018 is changing in Oregon & Idaho.
There are four opportunities to attend Mission U this year: Meridian UMC, Meridian, Idaho, June 29 – 30. Tigard UMC, Tigard, Oregon, July 13 -14. Newman UMC, Grants Pass, Oregon, July 20 - 21. Twin Falls UMC, Twin Falls, Idaho, Aug 3 - 4.
Mission U sessions will start at 2 p.m. on Fridays and finish at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Dinner on Friday night and lunch on Saturday will be included. No lodging is provided, but childcare is available at no cost. With the new format, everyone will attend only one study group but people may attend Mission U at more than one location.
The studies are: Embracing Wholeness, What About Our Money? A Faith Response, and Missionary Conferences in the US. Class sizes are limited so early registration is encouraged. The cost is $80 per person and scholarships are available.
Register online. More details can be found at www.missionuorid.org or by contacting Dean Janelle Bolt, Janelle@busyhands.biz. All are invited to participate.
AROUND THE GLOBE
Question to court: Who can submit petitions?
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For two hours, The United Methodist Church’s Judicial Council heard arguments about how confined the agenda should be for the special General Conference called to help the denomination get through its longstanding impasse over homosexuality.
The debate, which occurred May 22 at the Hilton Orrington Hotel, touched upon constitutional issues, matters of precedent and practical realities.
The first Judicial Council oral hearing to be livestreamed featured bishops taking different positions on whether only petitions consistent with the Council of Bishops’ own recommendation should be before the special General Conference, set for Feb. 23-26, 2019, in St. Louis.
Read more of this story from United Methodist News Service.
Read a press release from the Council of Bishops on this issue.
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Church helps while grieving mass shooting victim
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Even while mourning the loss of one of its own, Aldersgate United Methodist Church here became the center for victims’ assistance after the mass shooting at nearby Santa Fe High School.
Jared Black, 17, was one of eight students killed at the school along with two substitute teachers on May 18. Thirteen people were wounded.
Of late, Jared and his family had recently become active again at Aldersgate.
“He was a happy kid, a friendly kid,” said Bobby Wright, a longtime Aldersgate member. “He stepped back in here like he was never gone.”
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United Methodist Women urged to boldly change world
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“Sisters, we are the bold energy of God,” Harriett Jane Olson said to more than 6,000 United Methodist Women who had spent three days listening and learning to harness the power of bold.
Olson, top executive of United Methodist Women, was speaking at the final session of the 2018 Assembly held May 18-20. “The Power of Bold” was the theme for gathering.
“I believe United Methodist Women is as needed today as it has ever been,” Olson said. “We are in a position to make a change; we are everywhere; and we are connected.”
The assembly focused on four main social justice issues United Methodist Women are concentrating their work on — economic inequality, climate justice, maternal and child health and mass incarceration with an emphasis on stopping the cradle-to-prison pipeline.
Olson paused and said, “I would add a fifth — gender equality.”
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Bicycles, motorbikes help spread gospel in Liberia
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One month after receiving a motorbike, Pastor William Kulah of Gbanjuloma United Methodist Church said it is helping him with his pastoral ministry in the Lofa River District.
“I can now go to other communities besides my assigned local church and evangelize for The United Methodist Church,” he said.
Kulah said that prior to being given the motorbike through the church’s Bikes and Bibles ministry, he was spending his personal money to do the work of the church.
“It was too expensive for me as a pastor who is not paid by the local church, district or the annual conference,” he said.
With the motorbike, he said, it takes him five hours to get to his assigned church.
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IN REMEMBRANCE
Stuart Shaw
December 4, 1932 - May 18, 2018
Retired pastor, Stuart Shaw died May 18, 2018. He is survived by his spouse, Donna, and children; Stanley, Eric, LaRae and Andre’.
Reverend Shaw served at Stayton, Portland: Vermont Hills, Portland: Laurelwood, Portland: Laurelwood/ Errol Heights, St. Helens, Monmouth: Christ’s Church Methodist/Presbyterian United, Director Wesley Foundation University of Oregon, North Bend, and Klamath Falls in the Oregon-Idaho Conference. He retired in 1998.
Service information will be forthcoming.
Friends may contact Donna Shaw, 3452 Lake Vanessa Circle, Salem, OR 97304 for condolences.
Elaine Stanovsky, Bishop
Dan Wilson-Fey, Conference Treasurer and Benefits Officer
