Year End Reports Time!
As we transition from 2019 to 2020, it is time to work on the annual year-end reports. They are:
- The online statistical reports at ezra.gcfa.org
- Clergy Continuing Education Report
- Full Church Membership Report
- Parsonage Report (if your church has one, whether the pastor lives in it or not)
The reports are due January 31st. Find more information, report forms, and who is responsible for what at www.umoi.org/cascadiadistrictyearendreports
Native American Fellowship forms in Salem
As part of the Open Door Churches ministry in Salem-Keizer, a Native American Fellowship has formed. The first gathering was held Sunday, January 12th at Morningside UMC.
The fellowship describes itself as "a community of people who braid together walking the Red Road and the Jesus Path. We are a Native-led group gathering monthly to serve the local Native American community, grow together, and to put our wisdom into practice."
The gathering includes smudging, children's story, sacred music, an opportunity to share spiritual experiences of all types, and a potluck meal. All people are welcome.
When: the 2nd Sunday of each month, from approximately 3 to 5 p.m.
Where: Morningside United Methodist Church, 37674 12th St. SE, Salem, OR 97302
For more information contact Duane Medicine Crow at (503) 362-7085 or at nativeamericanfellowshipsalem@gmail.com
Time to Apply for Scholarships for 2020-2021 Academic Year
The Annual Conference and the United Methodist denomination offers scholarships for higher education. Check it out at www.umoi.org/scholarships. Applications will be open January 3 through March 1, 2020.
New Online Payment Options for Apportionments and Benefit Billings
The Conference Finance office, in response to many requests, is now able to provide an online option for paying apportionments and benefit bills.
An e-mail from Conference Treasurer Dan Wilson-Fey went out to all local church treasurers with information on December 21st. If you missed it, check out the information by clicking here.
The new system will be in place January 15th. Watch for more information coming your way today or tomorrow!
If you have questions, the following folks are your resources:
- Questions about the decision to go to Online Giving?
Contact – Dan Wilson Fey - dan@umoi.org – 503-802-9222
- Questions about how to process a payment, look up a report or invoice or what form to use or where to send a payment?
Contact – Andrea Cooper – andrea@umoi.org – 503-802-9217
- Questions about Benefit billing?
Contact - Meg Kau – meg@umoi.org – 503-802-9224
- Questions about the way your Shared Ministry Apportionments are calculated?
Contact – Sandra Reinemer – sandra@umoi.org – 503-802-9223
Please Give to Alaska Conference Travel Fund
At the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference Session in June 2019, we committed to a special offering from our local churches to help lower the cost of Alaska Conference members who will travel to Puyallup, Washington for our shared Greater NW Episcopal Area annual conference in June 2020.
At the 2019 Fall Cluster meetings, Cascadia DS Tim Overton-Harris distributed Alaska Conference Travel Fund pledge forms and asked that attendees would take them back to their local churches, have a discussion and then make a pledge.
It is now time to turn in those pledges. Send a check to the Conference Treasurer, OR-ID UMC Conference Office, 1505 SW 18th Ave., Portland, OR 97201, with "Alaska Conference Travel" on the memo line.
If you didn't have this discussion already, it's not too late! You can give as a church or as an individual. As a district we are trying to raise $3,500 as our share of the $30,000 hoped to be raised by the Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Annual Conferences for the benefit of our United Methodist family in Alaska.
See also this story from last December, for the gift churches in the Alaska Conference have given to help with travel expenses for members of the Oregon- Idaho Conference who will also have a long trip and expense to travel to Puyallup in June, particularly members from Southern Oregon, Eastern Oregon and Idaho.
God gave generously to us, and in return we are moved by the Holy Spirit to give generously to others. May the circle of sharing and mutual support surprise us with its strength and life-giving power!
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