August 16, 2018
Dear Reader,
One of the challenges of being a church is to determine if we are the consumer or the actors. Do we consume a nice sermon, a blessing, God’s grace, and fellowship, then move on with our week? Or does making a commitment to Christ with our prayer, presence, gifts, service and witness call us to more than that?
In the last two weeks United Methodist Clergy and a clergy spouse have been arrested for their witness. Barbara Nixon, John Schwiebert and Pat Schwiebert were among those arrested at the Portland Immigration and Customs Enforcement office. They, along with supporters, asked to speak to the acting director about asylum-seekers being detained in the Sheridan Federal Corrections Institution (that’s a pretty word for prison). After being denied a chance to speak to this federal official, they peacefully blocked the entrance and were arrested (and released the same day). Protesters with Interfaith Movement for Immigration Justice (IMIrJ) say they will continue the weekly request to communicate their view.
This is witness.
In late-breaking news, another story of abuse by Catholic priests has been released. My colleague, Patrick Scriven, looked at the story and reflects on the balance of power and the relationship of trust that has been violated in his blog post, This Problem is Even Bigger Than You Think.
What is your witness?
Greg Nelson, Director of Communications
CONFERENCE NEWS
Portsmouth Union gets to work on affordable housing project
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Portsmouth Union Church in the north Portland neighborhood looks right now – from the outside – like it’s in chaos.
Last week, rubble from one-third of the building was strewn across the west side of the lot, there was some issue with the water, and two outhouses are now sitting on the east side parking lot.
While it may look a mess, things are very much on the move for this church which has combined two separate denominations into one church family while also readying itself to tackle Portland’s affordable-housing crisis.
“This work is rooted in the Jesus story,” said Rev. Andy Goebel.
“It’s very unifying,” said Rev. Julia Nielsen.
Read more of this story on the Conference website.
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AROUND THE CONFERENCE
Greater NW Pride: The UMC ‘It Gets Better’ campaign
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In his latest blog, Rev. Dr. Brett Webb-Mitchell wonders what it would be like for the UMC to be part of an “It Gets Better” campaign that has been part of the LGBTQ community for eight years.
"It is 2018. In reflecting upon the power and the success of the secular It Gets Better campaign, and having heard and seen the many stories of both closeted and open LGBTQ UMC clergy, lay leaders, and laity at Reconciling Convocation and in the local UMC churches in the OR-ID Conference at Table Talk and Annual Conference opportunities, maybe it is time to start a "UMC It Gets Better.”
Read more of Brett’s latest blog post on the Conference website.
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Inspiring Generosity: Should You Know Who Gives What? Part 3: One More Response
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It seems like Cesie Delve-Scheuermann hit on a hot topic when she explored a change in the 2016 Book of Discipline that allows for local clergy to be more involved in viewing church finances. She’s still getting feedback.
"If you want/need to know how much people give, be very aware that others will watch how you handle that information. While many people believe that money is a spiritual issue, they also believe that it’s something that should be between them and God, not between them, God, and their pastor. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t know – but you need to prayerfully consider and watch your reaction to knowing.”
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Employment
Administrative Assistant – Oak Grove, OR
Conference Human Resources/Benefits Specialist – Portland, OR
Find more information at www.umoi.org/classifieds
AROUND THE GLOBE
Church gets boost from golden oldies station
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In 2014, Alamo United Methodist Church planted a mustard seed by starting its own low-power FM radio station.
KPPC (96.9) is still just 100 watts, with a broadcast range of 5 to 7 miles, depending on San Antonio’s weather.
But the station’s unusual blend of oldies rock, classic country and Christian inspiration has yielded the small church a few new members, dozens of visitors and scores of phoned-in testimonials.
KPPC puts some of those on the air.
“I’m not a Methodist,” one man said, “but I praise Christ every time I hear your station, which is several times a day.”
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Korean United Methodists choose prayer over plans
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The Alternative Plan Task Force of the Korean Association of The United Methodist Church and its Central Committee met to discuss the 2019 Special General Conference and the future of the Korean United Methodist Church at the First Korean United Methodist Church in Chicago …
The Korean Association decided to form an Alternative Plan Task Force to handle this issue during the Central Committee meeting held in October 2017. The Alternative Plan Task Force, which was newly organized during a gathering of the association held in April 2018, as well as the Central Committee and the executive committee recently held a joint meeting.
During the opening worship service of this meeting, the Rev. Hannah Ka said, "We must change our life's value from doing to being. This means we respect each and every person in the body of Christ as a being of equal value before God."
Read more of this story from United Methodist News Service.
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Feeding millions of children in need
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When volunteers at Dunwoody United Methodist Church in metro Atlanta finish packing meals for children in need, the Aug. 11 event will set a new record for the church and for the denomination.
One of many congregations that work in partnership with United Methodist-related Rise Against Hunger (formerly Stop Hunger Now), the church has built its annual “Foodstock” into a community tradition. Simpsonwood United Methodist Church in Norcross, Georgia, is a co-sponsor.
Before the day is over, United Methodists across the denomination will be responsible for packing more than 100 million Rise Against Hunger meals.
That’s nearly a quarter of the more than 400 million dehydrated nutritious meals that have been distributed by Rise Against Hunger to partners in 74 countries.
The internationally packaged meals, in a total of 36 countries, use food that is locally sourced, the organization says. In 2017, the organization served 1.4 million people and, in addition to meals, distributed $26.1 million in in-kind gifts.
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Top court sets October oral hearings
The United Methodist Judicial Council has announced that it will hold three oral hearings the first day of its Oct. 23-26 meeting in Zurich.
One of the hearings is on a request by the Council of Bishops for the court to rule on whether the proposed legislation for the One Church, Connectional Conference and Traditional plans for the 2019 special General Conference is constitutional.
The Council of Bishops also requested another hearing, which was granted, on a docket item about administrative procedures related to an involuntary change of status for a clergyperson.
The other oral hearing involves a request for a declaratory decision from the Commission on the General Conference related to reserve delegates at General Conference, which is the denomination’s top legislative body.
The announcement about the hearings was made Aug. 9 by the Rev. Lui Tran, secretary of Judicial Council.
Read more of this story from United Methodist News Service.
RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES
Register now for Idaho hunger summit
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The Idaho Hunger Relief Task Force is hosting the 2018 Summit on Idaho Hunger and Food Insecurity on Oct. 17 in Boise and registration is now open.
The all-day summit will feature keynote speakers Andy Naja-Riese, CEO of AIM, and Allison Bovell-Ammon from Children’s HealthWatch. Tickets are $75 to $90.
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‘Time to Sow’ Collins retreat registration open
The “Time to Sow” reading week retreat for lectionary preachers has been set for Sept. 17-20 at the Alton L. Collins Retreat Center.
It's time set aside to sow seeds of excellence in next year’s preaching ministry. The Reading Week is an investment in ministry which every effective preacher owes his or her congregation; it is the “seed corn” for time-starved pastors.
Register for this event on the Collins Center website.
COMMENTARY
By Thomas G. Bandy
… In order to discover the opportunities, church people must set aside ideological polarization to understand the chasms between the cultural left, cultural right, and cultural middle. …
