AC Update #5 - Final One!

AC Updates will be emailed every week with hot-off-the-press news and tips on getting the most out of the conference.

Note for lay persons: If you are not the lay member attending from your church this year, please contact your district office right away so we can send communications to the correct person. Thank you.

Annual Conference is next week!

I'm looking forward to welcoming you in Eugene, Oregon at the Hotel Eugene, 66 E. 6th Avenue! It will be a time of reunion, learning, sharing and worshiping. Can't wait to see you!
-Sally Blanchard, Annual Conference Manager

P.S. Check-in is on June 12, 3-6 PM or Thursday morning.

Tips for getting the most out of Annual Conference

Come with an attitude of curiosity, kindness and an open heart.
Read the legislation in advance (link).
Come to the Member Orientation to get answers to your questions on voting and navigating your way through the legislative process.
Attend all three of the small group sessions called Table Talks 4.0.
Visit the Ministry Marketplace and pack in all the learning you can and take new ideas back to your church or ministry setting. Focus time will be Thursday 6-7 PM.
Take advantage of free gentle yoga sessions and the morning walking group (see more info below).
Dress in layers and bring a light coat or sweater. The ballroom may be too warm or too cool for you.

Psalm 85 illustration by John
August Swanson

OR-ID Abundant Health Initiative Hosts Wellness Activities at Annual Conference Session

The Abundant Health Initiative embodies this year’s Annual Conference theme: Love Like This -- Heart, Strength, Being, and Mind.
Abundant Health is the mission priority of United Methodist Global Ministries for 2017 – 2020. In response to Jesus’ invitation to love our neighbor always and all-ways, AH cultivates health-promoting connections to reduce suffering and increase joy: personally, locally, regionally and globally.

AH Wellness Activities at the AC Session will include 3 options:

1. Gentle (Chair) Yoga for Beginners – Led by Sara Barger
Yoga will meet in the Wilder Room next to the Plenary ballroom
No prior experience or equipment required.

Morning Stretch 7-7:30 AM Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
Evening Relaxation 9-9:30 PM Thursday and Friday

Sara Barger writes, " I absolutely love yoga and believe in the benefits of a yoga practice such as better mobility, increase flexibility and energy, strength, and my favorite better sleep. My goal is to make yoga practice accessible to all. Within an unconditionally welcoming environment, we will explore yoga through movement, breath, and contemplation." – Ms. Barger is a certified yoga instructor, who works part-time at the OR-ID Conference Center, while pursuing a master’s degree in Conflict Resolution at Portland State University.

2. Group Walking For All Abilities – Led by Rev. Dave Thompson
Walking Group: 7-7:30 AM Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
You are welcome to join the group any morning. Please meet by 7AM near the main hotel lobby entrance.

3. Well-Spring – a quiet space for Prayer, Reflection, and Restoration
Friday 11AM – 9:30 PM and Saturday 7:30 – 11:30 AM - Mezzanine Studio A

Jesus said, If Anyone Drinks The Living Water, I Give Them, They Will Never Thirst Again And Will Be Forever Satisfied! For When You Drink The Water I Give You, It Becomes A Gushing Fountain Of The Holy Spirit, Springing Up And Flooding You With Endless Life! John 4: 14 the Passion Translation

Enjoy a time apart in the Well-Spring quiet space for prayer, reflection, and restoration hosted by Abundant Health, with assistance from Rev. Karen Love Baisinger and staff and volunteers from the University of Oregon Wesley Foundation Campus Ministry Center.

The River -illustration by John August Swanson

Members: What to know before you arrive

To be informed about the issues before the Annual Conference, it is important for clergy and lay members to read the legislation and reports before you arrive. Download and print a copy of the Handbook to bring with you if you wish (tip: right click and download first. Print selecting "fit to page"). For those without access to a printer there will be a limited number of paper copies for $5 at check-in. If you are new to the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference, or just want a refresher, be sure to attend the member orientation session on Wednesday, June 12, from 4:00-5:00 PM in the Hotel Eugene. The Homecoming Dinner will follow from 5:00-6:00 PM (be sure to purchase your ticket for dinner and all meals in advance). Opening worship at Eugene First United Methodist Church begins at 7:00 PM.

Clergy photos at Annual Conference

Once again a photographer will be available at Annual Conference to take professional photos for use in church websites, conference publications and website, blog posts and social media.
Bob Ryder Photography will be set up in the registration area on Wednesday Afternoon and Thursday morning to capture your smile. Bob will then email the photo to you after conference.

So put on a nice shirt and smile for the camera!

While the service is primarily for clergy and conference leaders, anyone at annual conference may take advantage of the service, sponsored by the conference communications team.

Schedule Highlights

Conference Check-in	Wednesday, June 12, 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Member Orientation	Wednesday, June 12, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Conference begins with Opening Worship	Wednesday, June 12, 7:00 p.m. at First Eugene UMC (FEUMC)
Clergy & Laity sessions	Thursday, June 13, 8:30 a.m., Hotel Eugene
Memorial Worship & reception	Thursday, June 13, 4:30 PM, FEUMC
Banquet & Awards	Thursday, June 13, 7:00 p.m.
Ordination/Commissioning Worship	Friday, June 14,7:30 p.m., FEUMC
Closing Worship & Appointments	Saturday, June 15, 11:00 a.m.
Conference Adjourns	Saturday, June 15, 12:30 p.m.

*Correction: Clergy and Laity Sessions will be held at Hotel Eugene, not First Eugene UMC as previously printed. All events are at the Hotel Eugene unless otherwise noted. See the full conference schedule.

Hotel Eugene cancellation and early check-out policy

If you have a room reservation at Hotel Eugene please note their cancellation and early check-out policy: "Any individual reservation cancelled with 3 days of arrival will be charged one night's room and tax. In the event a guest who has reserved a room within your block checks out prior to the guest's reserved checkout date, an early departure fee of $75 will be charged to that guest's individual account. Guests wishing to avoid this fee must advise the hotel at or before check-in."

Parking for conference attendees

Parking is free in the Hotel Eugene underground lot for all hotel guests and conference attendees. If full, there are public parking lots in the area.

For more information

If you need more information please check the website at www.umoi.org/ac.

If you can't find the answer you need, please call your district office, or the AC Hotline, 503-802-9203. Messages are checked and returned twice a day Monday-Thursday.