April 18, 2019
Dear Reader,
Holy moly it's holy week! How can we tell? As our churches are busy holding holy week services, the amount of news we're covering seems directly proportional to the amount of activities going on in our local churches.
We've got lots of stories of new life, new directions, new ministries and new opportunities this week ... if you keep reading.
What does it all mean? Well, I'll leave most of it up to you for interpretation. But to me, it says that even in the midst of uncertainty; in challenging and dark times, we know Christ lives in each and every one of us.
Kristen Caldwell
Communications Associate
CONFERENCE NEWS
CrossOver: On recognizing Jesus; an Easter message from the Bishop
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23, NRSV
Toward the end of her life, as my mother was withdrawing into the twilight of forgetfulness, one of the delights we shared was walking through a public garden. On a sunny spring stroll, she exclaimed, “Oh, isn’t that beautiful!?” Her eye was captivated by electric blue blossoms crouched alongside the path. We paused and marveled at the delicate blossoms broadcasting such intense color.
As we resumed our walk, not ten feet furtheralong, her eye fell upon another patch of these same flowers, and again she exclaimed, “Look at that! Aren’t they lovely!” And so, it continued along the way. Time and again she saw these graceful flowers as if for the first time and received them as the extraordinary gifts they were—the glory of the Lord!
Her memory loss gave her the gift of fresh awareness. She wasn’t laden with a tired seen-one-seen-‘em-all attitude. Rather she was delighted to discover them time and again anew.
The disciples who had watched as Jesus suffered and died on the cross, and was lowered into a grave, weren’t expecting to meet him on the road to Emmaus. Their hearts were so downcast that their eyes were blind to the miracle of Jesus’ presence. But, just like my Mom, when they realized it was Jesus, they exclaimed with wonder, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32).
Read more of the Bishop's blog on the Greater NW Area website.
Also, check out these CrossOver Holy Week blogs:
Greater Northwest Area leaders take steps toward an inclusive future together?
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DES MOINES, Wash. – Last weekend, more than 60 leaders from the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho (OR-ID), and Pacific Northwest (PNW) Conferences gathered to continue conversations on how they could marshal resources toward vital mission and ministry across the Greater Northwest Area. The Vitality Stewards Summit 2.0, as the name suggests, was the second formal gathering aimed toward this task, expanding the circle of those who met in September of 2018.
The event began by orientating new and returning “stewards” on the aspirations of the summit and some of the resources that the area has available to it. An opening devotional by Rev. Shalom Agtarap, centered on the story of the early church in Acts, emphasized the opportunity and challenge of sharing. Agtarap asked, “How can we move from a transactional economy to one of kinship?”
While denominational conversations often center around scarcity, leaders were encouraged instead to recognize the significant assets under their care. Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky shared that we often don’t consider these assets or remember that radical growth is in our DNA. “If we pool our resources, share a common vision, couldn’t we do more if we focused on a few big things?”
Read more of this story on the Greater NW Area website.
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Nelson to retire as Oregon-Idaho Communications Director in July
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After 11 years as Director of Communications for the Oregon-Idaho United Methodist Conference, Greg Nelson has announced his intention to retire July 11.
Nelson came to this post with the Conference after having spent 25 years serving with Chemeketa Community College and the Chemeketa Cooperative Regional Library System.
But he has dedicated his life to serving the Oregon-Idaho Conference as a volunteer, then a staff member, in numerous capacities.
“It was a chance to connect what I was passionate about with work,” Nelson said of his decision to come work for the Conference – then under the leadership of Bishop Robert Hoshibata – in 2008.
Read more of this story on the Conference website.
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Tigard teen deemed 'Hunger Hero' for service to Bethlehem House of Bread
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Elena Villarreal is an award-winning hunger hero at just 14 years old.
But why wouldn’t she be after all the work she’s put into helping Bethlehem House of Bread, a United Methodist Ministry sponsored by the Tigard United Methodist Church.
Bethlehem House of Bread started in 2013 in what was once Metzger UMC southwest of Portland.
Elena has been volunteering her time at the food pantry and community center since she was in 5th grade as part of her Girl Scouts volunteerism. She’s working on her silver award. But her time spent at Bethlehem House of Bread has meant more to her than just working toward an award.
Read more of this story on the Conference website.
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8 easy planned giving reminders
Once you’ve decided to be more intentional about planned giving at your church, where should you start? The best way to help your church receive more major gifts and bequests is to give your congregation consistent, gentle reminders. You should aim to remind your members at least once per quarter. Here are eight easy ways to do that:
Read more of this story from the Northwest United Methodist Foundation.
AROUND THE CONFERENCE
UM Church & Society features Toledo pastor’s story
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Reflection on Gun Violence
The Rev. Ryan Scott Trinity of UMC in Toledo, Oregon, recently preached this sermon at Church and Society.
“It is the nature of ministry that we are often thrust into moments when we don’t know what the hell to do.
Some of us read stories in newspapers and on line or hear them on the evening news while others of us hear the gut-wrenching sound of gunshots as they echo through our neighborhoods.
That happened to me a few years back in Eugene, Oregon when a teenage boy was shot and killed at the local park mere steps away from a playground filled with children playing that evening.”
Read more of this story on UMC Justice’s website.
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Assignment announcements
Columbia District Superintendent Rev. Erin Martin has announced her intention to assign Andru and Regina Morgan as pastors to Parkrose United Methodist Church, Portland, Oregon, beginning on July 1, 2019.
Assignment of the Morgans is in partnership with the Innovation and Vitality Team of the Greater Northwest Area.
Andru and Regina will collaborate with the church and the Innovation and Vitality Team for redevelopment and renewal of the congregation. The couple will share a full-time ministry assignment as lay persons.
Rev. Martin has also announced that Sunia Gibbs will be assigned to explore a new start ministry located at the Sunnyside facilty in Southeast Portland. Currently Sunia is an artist, worship leader and co-pastor for the Groves Church.
A summary of appointment announcements can be found on the conference website at www.umoi.org/appointments. A list of clear openings for appointment can be found on the Greater NW area website.
Employment opportunities
Coordinator of Family and Youth Ministries - Oak Grove, OR
Director of Music Ministries and Sanctuary Choir - Salem, Oregon
UMW Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer -- New York
Mountain Sky Area Superintendent of Leadership -- Colorado
Find these and other job opportunities at www.umoi.org/classifieds.
AROUND THE GLOBE
Council of Bishops issues holy week letter, calls for forgiveness
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Council of Bishops President Bishop Ken Carter has called on United Methodists to use the Holy Week to forgive one another and to seek forgiveness in return.
In a Holy Week pastoral letter released April 15, 2019, Bishop Carter, who is also the resident bishop of the Florida Area, noted that the complications of life in a denomination, or a local church, or a family call us to walk as closely as we can to our Lord, in works of piety, and as closely as we can to one another, in works of mercy.
“As United Methodists, we would benefit from a greater capacity to forgive one another, and to ask for this same forgiveness in return. Jesus models this for us, from the cross (Luke 23),” he said.
Read more of this letter on the Council of Bishops website. |
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BMCR explores ‘reset’ from past to future
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The African-American membership caucus of The United Methodist Church promised a “RESET for the Future” in the theme of its annual gathering — even as the denomination may be going through its own major reset following the 2019 General Conference.
About 400 members of Black Methodists for Church Renewal looked back at their history during their 52nd annual meeting, held April 3-6, in Atlanta, Georgia. But they also tried to look toward an uncertain future for black United Methodist churches.
Some longtime leaders extolled the caucus’ dramatic birth in 1967-68 — and its goals to confront racism and demand justice and equity in the new United Methodist Church. Others challenged the caucus, and the churches it represents, to change with the times and reset to become more relevant and attractive to younger potential members.
Referring to the decades-old caucus motto, “Our Time Under God is Now,” keynote speaker the Rev. William “Bobby” McClain asked, “Time for what?” He recalled early black Methodist history and the denomination’s “checkered career” in addressing concerns of racial inclusion, especially since 1968.
Read more of this story from United Methodist News Service. |
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UMCOR assists with 2018 hurricane recovery
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United Methodists in North Carolina and Alabama-West Florida are undertaking large-scale recovery programs for those affected by U.S. hurricanes in 2018, with assistance from the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
The $4.6 million grant for the Alabama-West Florida Conference will help launch and fund the first two years of a phased four-year recovery program in response to Hurricane Michael.
Greg Ellis, UMCOR project manager for the grant, called it “by far the biggest program in recent memory that this conference has done.”
Nearly $6.4 million has been allocated to the North Carolina Conference, where residents were left reeling last September from slow-moving wind and rain generated by Hurricane Florence. The storm’s impact affected nearly the entire state, including areas still recovering from Hurricane Matthew two years earlier.
Read more of this story from United Methodist News Service.
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200 years of answering the call to mission
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A man of mixed African and European heritage who inspired the start of a national missionary-sending society took center stage as The United Methodist Church celebrated 200 years of mission.
The fact that John Stewart was sharing his Christian faith with the Wyandotte, a Native American tribe in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, makes his an even more remarkable story.
That wasn’t the only story at the April 8-10 bicentennial conference, sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries and Emory University’s Candler School of Theology at the Emory Hotel and Conference Center.
The focus on “answering the call” to mission in the past, present and future touched upon places, pioneers and theological understandings. The conference considered the impact of colonialism, global politics and societal upheaval.
Read more of this story from United Methodist News Service.
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How will denominational divide affect mission?
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The pain over the deep divide that has occurred among United Methodists since February’s special General Conference has permeated all parts of the denomination, raising questions about the impact on its mission projects and goals.
That discussion by directors of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries came April 12, near the end of the shortened board meeting following a long-planned conference at Emory University celebrating 200 years of Methodist mission.
“We can say we are deeply divided and the conflict will not subside,” said New York Area Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton.
The challenge to the board’s directors “is not to continue to hurt one another” and to fulfill their role as shepherds of the church’s mission “in the midst of the current realities,” he said. General Conference, the denomination’s top lawmaking assembly, in February passed the Traditional Plan, which strengthens enforcement of bans on “self-avowed practicing” gay clergy and same-sex weddings.
But the hurt does continue, as Sierra Leone Area Bishop John K. Yambasu, the mission agency’s vice president, made clear in his emotional remarks to fellow directors.
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RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES
Celebrate Native American Ministries May 5
Native American Ministries Sunday is traditionally recognized on the third Sunday of Easter, which is May 5 this year.
As part of your congregation's preparation, consider how small groups can engage in studies to learn more about the Native American members of The United Methodist Church. Invite guests from Native American congregations and organizations to speak to your group. Research and report on the traditions and heritage of Native American United Methodists and explore our denomination's history with First Americans, including Acts of Repentance and Reconciliation.
Meet with small groups to share the importance of Native American Ministries Sunday. Show them this presentation that outlines "Five Reasons We Celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday."
Download the Leader's Kit and find valuable resources to engage your congregation fully in this special offering on Native American Ministries Sunday.
Your support provides Native American seminary scholarships and outreach that honors and celebrates Native American heritage, culture and communities.
COMMENTARY
By Allen T. Stanton
"... In the days since General Conference, I have had to come to terms with the fact that I am being ordained into a denomination that, if it is not already embroiled in one, is on the cusp of a civil war. Our denominational anxieties are no longer just whispered between clergy at Annual Conference or limited to blogs and twitter feeds. Now, they are splayed across the frontlines of national newspapers ..."
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