Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019
Dear Reader,
This issue includes several articles about this weeks General Conference. Watch for more details in the days and weeks ahead as we come to an understanding of how this impacts the ministry of churches in the Oregon-Idaho Conference.
A Western Jurisdiction Update email later today, and subsequent messages from Bishop Elaine Stanovsky and others will help us put this information in context for our call to be a home for all of God’s people.
Greg Nelson, Director of Communications
Western Jurisdiction statement after GC2019
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The following is a statement read by Rev. Donna Pritchard of Portland First United Methodist Church at the close of General Conference 2019 on behalf of the Western Jurisdiction of The UMC.
We have long appreciated the richness of the global diversity of our United Methodist Church and have embraced opportunities to join with you all in the work of making disciples for the transformation of the world.
We also understand the purpose of the Church to be in mission and ministry. Consequently, we in the West have been functioning for years as One Church committed to full inclusion, seeking to be a home for all God’s people.
Today we acknowledge the fracture of this body, yet we worship a God who tells us that the body of Christ has many parts, all equally valued. Rooted in Wesleyan tradition, grounded in Scripture and committed to mission and ministry, the Western Jurisdiction intends to continue to be one church, fully inclusive and open to all God’s children, across the theological and social spectrum.
We know from experience we are stronger when we live together as progressives, traditionalists, and centrists in our Church. Many times during this Conference we have sung or prayed or blessed each other with the reminder that we need each other.
We also know there are others who feel the same way today, so we invite you to be in dialogue with us as we move forward together into a future with hope.
May God continue to bless us for the sake of the world. Thank you.
Join the conversation by visiting the Western Jurisdiction UMC website.
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CONFERENCE NEWS
2019 General Conference passes Traditional Plan
After hours of delaying tactics by opponents, the United Methodist General Conference 2019 delegates passed The Traditional Plan 438 to 384.
A last-ditch effort to bring the One Church Plan back was defeated in the morning and was followed by efforts to amend the Traditional Plan to address constitutionality issues raised by the Judicial Council, the church’s top court.
The Rev. Tim McClendon, South Carolina, called for a vote on the Traditional Plan as amended, which affirms the church’s current bans on ordaining LGBTQ clergy and officiating at or hosting same-sex marriage.
Read more about the final vote of General Conference 2019 from United Methodist News Service.
IV team expands to keep church transformation going
Written in dry erase marker on the window of Leroy Barber’s Office of Innovation and Vitality at the Oregon-Idaho Conference Center is the phrase: “Innovation happens at the intersection of difference.”
It’s a heady charge – getting United Methodists in the Oregon-Idaho Conference and beyond to consider a church that doesn’t just revolve around traditional worship spaces. This is why, after one year in his position with the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area, Barber has added a team of individuals to help spread the gospel of diversity, beloved community and more in hopes that some day soon United Methodists reach that intersection.
Jess Bielman, Sara Barger and Karen Ward have joined the team to serve in various capacities to make the vision of innovation and vitality a reality in Oregon and Idaho.
Read more of this story on the Conference website. |
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Portland churches join ‘plastics fast’ for Lent
Some people try giving up chocolate for Lent. Some people try letting go of anger or fears after their foreheads are dotted with Ashes at the beginning of the six-week holy season.
But several Portland churches, spurred on by First United Methodist Church, will be attempting to care more for their planet by reducing their use of plastics during the season of Lent.
“It’s a theological issue,” said Rev. Josh Kingsley, minister of discipleship from First UMC PDX. “We are in relationship with everything around us.”
Read more of this story and download the resources on the Conference website. |
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AROUND THE CONFERENCE
Appointment announcement
District Superintendent Rev. Tim Overton-Harris has announced his intention to re-assign Rev. Dr. Martha “Marty” Williams as intentional interim minister for First United Methodist Church in Newberg, Oregon, effective July 1, 2019.
Williams is a retired clergy person in the Evangelical Covenant Church. She has served in interim ministry roles at Woodburn UMC and Aloha UMC, as well as having done interim ministry with United Methodist churches in Wisconsin.
In October 2018 Williams began serving an interim ministry in Newberg when Rev. Cathy Davis requested medical leave.
A summary of appointment announcements can be found on the conference website at www.umoi.org/appointments.
Inspiring Generosity: Post St. Louis, the Good Samaritan still inspires
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Post General Conference disappointment, Cesie Delve Scheuermann said a Lenten activity her church is engaged in is a reminder to continue to do God's work.
"Doing service – being generous – won’t miraculously alter what happened in St. Louis. But it might just change us and renew our conviction to keep striving toward that mountain top that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King so eloquently talked about in his final sermon."
Read more of Cesie's blog on the Conference website.
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Greater NW Pride: Solidarity in Love for and with LGBTQ United Methodist Clergy and Members
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Having watched his own Presbyterian Church grapple with, and ultimately accept, LGBTQ individuals, Rev. Dr. Brett Webb-Mitchell offers words of solace to his United Methodist colleagues and friends.
"I along with hundreds of thousands of LGBTQ clergy, lay leaders, and laity in other mainline denominations and other religions stand in solidarity with you. You are not alone in this struggle for justice, for living healthy, whole, and complete lives as out-queer clergy. Again: you are not alone."
Read more of Brett's blog on the Conference website.
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Employment opportunities
Resident Life Director, KSU -- Manhattan, Kansas
Find this and other job opportunities at www.umoi.org/classifieds
AROUND THE GLOBE
Conflict defines General Conference aimed at unity
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United Methodists tried to come to terms with a General Conference that was meant to unify but instead underscored divisions and had all sides acknowledging a high level of pain.
“Catastrophic” was the summary judgment of the Rev. James Howell, a Western North Carolina Conference delegate.
“The church as we’ve known it will not be. It’s going to fracture in ways — different ways,” he said.
Patricia Miller served on the Commission on a Way Forward that bishops appointed to help come up with legislative options for addressing the denomination’s impasse on homosexuality, and the Traditionalist Plan she supported prevailed.
“There is no joy for any of us in this whole debate,” said Miller. “It’s painful for all of us.”
Read more of this story from United Methodist News Service.
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From Feb. 25: Key GC2019 votes prompt anguish, satisfaction
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A long, emotional day of General Conference, with telling though not final votes, left those wanting fuller inclusion of LGBTQ people in The United Methodist Church admitting discouragement.
They witnessed the defeat in legislative committee of the One Church Plan, which would have allowed U.S. churches and conferences to decide whether to host same-sex unions and ordain openly gay persons as clergy.
“There are a lot of crestfallen faces,” said John Hannifan, an observer from Memorial United Methodist Church in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. “The sun might come out tomorrow but it’s a dark day.”
Read more of this story from United Methodist News Service.
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Wrap-up: Judicial Council at GC2019
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At every General Conference, The United Methodist Church’s top court rules on questions of constitutionality that come from that body.
During the Feb. 23-26 special session, the stakes were a bit higher as General Conference delegates debated over the very unity of the denomination.
The first ruling of Judicial Council during GC2019 — requested by the United Methodist Council of Bishops — was to declare unconstitutional two petitions that were to come before conference delegates.
Read more of this story from United Methodist News Service.
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RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES
Claremont open house at Willamette this Tuesday
The public is invited to attend the Claremont School of Theology Office of Admissions Open House on March 5, 2019, at Cat Cavern (Putnam University Center - 2nd Floor) Willamette University
This is the first time CST Admissions representatives will be available in person on the campus of Willamette University to answer questions regarding degree programs and application requirements.
Open House hours will be held from 2-6:30 PM with an informational session starting at 4 PM with CST admissions and financial aid staff, associate dean and faculty members.
Light refreshments will be served at 4 PM
Registration open for April 2 immigration summit
United Methodists in Oregon continue to learn, show up, and discern how best to stand in solidarity with our immigrant and refugee neighbors. We’ve shared powerful stories, led faith efforts to defeat Measure 105 (which would have repealed Oregon’s three-decade old sanctuary law), and participated in transformative actions around the detention of asylum seekers at the federal prison in Sheridan and NORCOR in the Dalles. It’s been incredible to see the momentum and energy of lay leaders and clergy from around Oregon. From Bend to Corvallis, Washington County to the far reaches of our state, United Methodists have taken steps to answer the call to work for immigrant justice.
Unfortunately, the work continues. Immigration and Customs Enforcement continue to separate families, young Dreamers are being used as a political football amidst government shutdown negotiations, and heightened fear exists in our congregations and communities.
It's time to come together and answer the call once again.
Registration is now open for the summit, which will be held Tuesday, April 2, from 10 to 4 p.m. at Woodburn United Methodist Church. There is no cost to attend, but the registration deadline is March 20.
IN REMEMBRANCE
Lorenz “Lefty” M. Schultz, Jr.
September 17, 1937 – February 24, 2019
Reverend Lorenz “Lefty” Myron Schultz died on Sunday, February 24, 2019 at the age of 81, in Albany, Oregon. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Schultz, daughter Kiri, and daughter-in-law Martha, the surviving spouse of his son, Kevin, who predeceased him. He is also survived by several stepchildren through his wife Barbara, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Reverend Schultz served in campus ministry at San Francisco State University and California State at Chico, and at Sierra Vista, Fresno, in the California-Nevada Annual Conference. He served at Portland: Errol Heights and Hughes Memorial, Grants Pass: Newman, Idaho Falls: Trinity, Eugene: Wesley and Forest Grove in the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference. He retired in 2001. He and Barbara made their church home most recently at Albany UMC.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 1:00 pm at the Albany First United Methodist Church, 1115 28th Ave. SW, Albany, OR 97321. (541) 928-3505
Memorial gifts in Lefty’s memory may be made to the American Civil Liberties Union, Southern Poverty Law Center, or the Albany First United Methodist Church.
Friends may contact Barbara Schultz at 4729 Becker Circle SE, Albany, OR 97322, (541) 928-1325, lbschultz2@gmail.com for condolences or more information.
Alice L. Smith
January 1, 1924 – February 25, 2019
Alice L. Smith, surviving spouse of Rev. David S. Smith, died on February 25, 2019, in Puyallup, Washington. Alice is survived by her children; Colleen Smith, Davina Hartley, Debbie Meyer, Roberta Cole; 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her daughter, Rev. Elizabeth Boerl.
Reverend David S. Smith served at Union Grove: Paris UMC in the Wisconsin Annual Conference; at Sweet: Montour Ola, Nampa: Southside Blvd., Wilder, Tygh Valley, Tillamook, Oregon City, Caldwell, Caldwell-Jordan Valley, Tigard, La Grande and Rupert in the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference.
Service arrangements are pending.
For more information and to offer condolences, friends may contact Debbie Meyer at 6515 SE Wildlife Estates Dr., Milwaukie, OR 97267, email debengmey@gmail.com, call or text (971) 285-0862.
Elaine Stanovsky, Bishop
Dan Wilson-Fey, Conference Treasurer and Benefits Officer
