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Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020

Dear Reader,

We’ve already made it halfway through January! How are those resolutions holding up?

If your resolution is to read more news about what’s going on in the church around you, we’ve got you covered!

We’ve got reports from our Greater NW Area leadership team, news on the Rural Church Engagement Initiative, opportunities for spiritual growth, a special Alaska Conference scheduled and more. That list doesn’t even include the fact that Sunday is Human Relations Day in The United Methodist Church or what’s going on in the global church (but we’ve got you covered down below)!

So, grab your coffee, tea or what-have-you, sit back, and read along, knowing that the church is at work in many, many ways!

With grace and gratitude,

Kristen Caldwell
interim communications director


CONFERENCE NEWS

I need an IV, stat! A report from the IV Team

by Rev. Dr. William Gibson | Director of Innovation for a New Church

Growing up, I loved the television show, EMERGENCY! The mid-70s medical drama centered on the heroic work of the Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 51, Squad 51 — specifically two paramedics named Johnny Gage and Roy DeSoto. It appeared that every time Johnny and Roy called in from a scene to Rampart General Hospital, they were always instructed to, “Start an IV of D5W, TKO, stat!” Without fail.

IV, of course, is the abbreviation for “intravenous.” And, “stat,” which comes from Latin origin, is often used as a directive to medical personnel. It means “immediately” or “instantly,” as in right now! Even today, when colleagues use the abbreviation “IV” referencing the Innovation Vitality Team, it makes me think of EMERGENCY! Could it be because the church often needs an IV infusion of life, stat?

On that note, perhaps it’s the perfect time to share an IV (Innovation Vitality) stat (or two) that represents the work our team has been charged to lead, particularly around the practices of Inclusion, Innovation, and Multiplication. I am asked all the time about how much we are investing in existing congregations.

Read more of Gibson’s report on the IV team on the Greater NW Area website.

Greater NW Rural Church Engagement Initiative going strong

An exciting new Rural Church Engagement Initiative launched in the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church in 2019 among churches ministering in rural communities across Idaho, Oregon and Washington, will be growing in 2020.

“Our goal is to build competency and support with the local church for transformational change and new relationships with our neighbors,” said Lynn Egli, Crater Lake lay leader and coordinator of the Rural Church Engagement Initiative. “We’re reaching out to more neighbors, new neighbors and different neighbors. Our approach is very practical: learn by doing; learn in a cohort of learners that are ministering in a similar rural setting.”

Read more of this story on the Greater NW website.

Homeless camp at Harmony United Methodist Church 'working fairly well'

credit: The World

Story by the Coos Bay World | originally published Jan. 11, 2020

COOS BAY — Faith groups are being asked to follow in the footsteps of Harmony United Methodist Church when it comes to helping the homeless.

The Homeless Workgroup, composed of area services representatives and Coos Bay city staff, met this week to discuss amendments to Coos Bay’s lodging facilities code. Specifically, the amendments would be for the authorization process and permitting for temporary outdoor lodging. As The World previously reported, Section B of the code reads that a permitted location only allows a maximum of five recreational vehicles, automobiles or trucks, though more can be authorized by the city police chief or fire chief.

City Manager Rodger Croddock, who attended this week’s Homeless Workgroup meeting, explained that the code also requires a distance buffer zone from residences.

Read more of this story on The World’s website.

Board of Ordained Ministry welcomes new administrative assistant

The Oregon-Idaho Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM) is excited to welcome the Rev. Laura Jaquith Bartlett as its new Administrative Assistant.  As the Administrative Assistant to the BOM, Laura will support the BOM in their meetings, assist candidates as they work through the various processes, track the myriad of materials that flow through the BOM, and provide other applicable support.  If you need to reach Laura for BOM business, please do so using the email address bom@umoi.org. Jaquith Bartlett will also continue to serve as the Conference Secretary.


AROUND THE GNW AREA

Alaska Conference

AUMC Winter Rendezvous and Special Called Session in February

In response to the Leadership Team’s request in December, Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky has called a special session of the Alaska United Methodist Conference to vote on a petition to General Conference asking for Alaska to be released from missionary conference status at the close of the 2020 Jurisdictional Conference, so that the Western Jurisdiction can include Alaska within the boundaries of another conference in the same Episcopal Area. It will be on February 22, 2020, 10 am to 2 pm at the Alaska UM Conference Center, 1660 Patterson St., in Anchorage.

Read Bishop Stanovsky’s full letter to the Alaska Conference.

Finding God, self: Spiritual Formation Academy

By Sue McGrath

Sometimes I wonder where I would be now and what I would have been doing if it weren’t for the Academy for Spiritual Formation. The ‘me’ of fifteen years ago certainly couldn’t have imagined all the ways in which my life would change when I began attending the two-year Academy in 2005. At the time, I was practicing psychotherapy in Mesa, Arizona, not exactly approaching burn-out, but certainly aware that I wanted more. More what, I couldn’t say. But when one of my clergy clients started talking about this program, I know that my ears perked up.
 
I had been playing with the idea of taking the fast track to becoming a deacon in the UMC, but when I looked at the seminary course requirements, nothing really floated my boat. Then, when I started researching the Academy program sponsored by the Upper Room, something inside me perked up. Each segment of the curriculum sparked a desire to learn exactly what they were offering. And so, through prayer and discernment, and in conversation with trusted friends and advisors, I decided to take the leap.
 
Read more of McGrath’s story on the PNW Conference website and register for the five-day Spiritual Formation Academy July 12th through 17th, 2020 at the Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center at the Palisades in Federal Way, Wash.
 
PNW Conference

What makes a church a church?

by Kathy Neary

As I have traveled through the PNW Conference, visiting smaller congregations, I have had to ask that question again and again. I have visited congregations that are alive in the Spirit and actively seeking deeper relationships with God and Christ. I have visited others exploring new ways to become and make disciples of Christ. Size doesn’t matter: some of these congregations have six people in Sunday worship; some have 50. 

Unfortunately, I have also visited congregations that have completely forgotten why they are a church. How this situation has come about is complicated. One reason is that in Pacific Northwest cultures of white, middle-class folks, talking about matters of faith is definitely a no-no. We have lost the language to speak of God, Christ, faith, calling, and Spirit. Test this for yourself: have a conversation with your fellow church members and drop the words “salvation” and “evangelism” in the mix. I bet you will see folks running for the doors! By the way, many of our fellow church members from other countries are much more comfortable with the language of faith. We need to find ways to learn from these folks and their experiences.

Read more of this story on the PNW website.

Greater Northwest Area Cabinet begins 2020 with pledge to Resist Harm as it continues to seed a vital, more inclusive church

Even as members of the Greater Northwest (GNW) Area Cabinet absorbed the implications of the proposed Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation, they recommitted themselves to resisting elements of the Traditional Plan that took effect January 1. Meeting for the first time in 2020 last week, they joyfully reaffirmed their baptisms, pledging together to resist harm as they provide leadership to the Area.

Read more of this story on the GNW Area website.

Inspiring Generosity: Millennials want to give. Let them.

In this week’s blog Cesie Delve Scheuermann examines how the church often tends to ignore millennials when it comes to finding ways for them to be engaged in church stewardship – even when they really want to be involved.

She offers practical tips on small ways a church can make changes to appeal to millennials. Why?
“Older Millennials are close to being mid-career. Their earning power is growing and they have most likely put those burdensome student loans behind them. Their children, if they have any, are probably beyond infancy. They’re getting to be in a position to give both of their time and financial resources.”

Read more of Cesie’s blog on the Conference website.


AROUND THE GLOBE

Traditional Ivorian dish cooking up profits for women

United Methodist women in Côte d'Ivoire have seen their dream of opening a processing plant for a popular local dish become a reality.

The women will be making attiéké, a traditional Ivorian dish made from cassava semolina (flour) that has become highly regarded beyond the borders of Côte d'Ivoire and Africa. It is similar in texture to couscous.

Read more of this story from United Methodist News Service.

Music educator devoted to preserving spirituals

In four-part harmony without any instrumentation, members of Pruitt Hill United Methodist Church praised the Lord at a long-ago funeral in Greeneville, Tennessee.

“Have you got good religion? Cert’nly, Lord!
Have you got good religion?
Cert’nly, Lord!
Have you got good religion?
Cert’nly, Lord!
Cert’nly, cert’nly, cert’nly, Lord!”


A 9-year-old boy attending his great-grandmother’s funeral sat listening, enraptured by “Certainly Lord,” an old spiritual song. In that moment, the direction of James W. Story’s life was settled.

Read more of this story from United Methodist News Service.

Panel offers peek behind scenes of separation plan

It was love of The United Methodist Church that brought 16 — sometimes hostile — people to a point of agreement for a path forward for the worldwide church.

Even though the agreement is to split, participants still talked about loving each other in a livestreamed discussion Jan. 13 to explain how the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation was formed.

“We started with quite a bit of tension and, really, hostility in the room,” said Bishop Christian Alsted, Nordic-Baltic Episcopal Area. “But a sense of hope and the possibility of finding common ground emerged. This was a rollercoaster ride … sometimes we wanted to get off but all stayed.”

Read more of this story from United Methodist News Service.

Human Relations Sunday: Every one of us is of sacred worth

We are all family. When we walk past our neighbor who is hiding in plain sight, we limit the gifts and graces that our sisters and brothers in Christ bring to the table. We limit the experiences, the voices and the beloved community that take place through mutual sharing of gifts. With a special offering celebrating Human Relations Day, we join with United Methodists around the world, remembering that the size of the table of divine love is unlimited.

Resources to celebrate Human Relations Day this Sunday are available from the UMC Giving website.


RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES

Register for Northwest Leadership Institute in March

Registration is still open for the Northwest Leadership Institute March 18-20 at First United Methodist Church (Cathedral of the Rockies) in Boise.

NLI featured guest speakers and workshop leaders this year are: Father Greg Boyle, Rev. Grace Imathiu, Donna Claycomb Sokol and Rev. Dr. Duane Anders.
Workshops will be offered on everything from engaging families to self care for church musicians to being a woman over 50.

Visit the Cathedral of the Rockies website to learn more and register.

Lay Servant Ministries basic course offered in April

Those interested in becoming a certified lay servant can sign up for the basic course being offered April 17-18 at Tualatin United Methodist Church.
The training costs just $14 (which doesn’t include the cost of the book) and includes lunch and snacks.

Teaching the course will be Pam Robbins, Cascadia District lay servant ministries coordinator and Emilie Kroen, associate lay leader for the Oregon-Idaho Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Participants are encouraged to purchase the book “Lay Servant Ministries” by Sandy Ziegler Jackson and Brian Jackson ahead of the course. The book is available on Amazon or through Cokesbury.

The deadline to register is April 10. Contact Emilie Kroen at ekroen@yahoo.com or 503-312-4138 to register.


COMMENTARY

With a song in your heart

By Rev. Donna Pritchard
         “ … Lightening the darkness, beating the blues is an act of hope, not just for someday, but for this day – for every day – and hope asks us to open ourselves up to what we do not know.  It asks us to imagine what is beyond our imagining, to see light in the dark, to keep breathing when life takes our breath away …”
 


 


This week in the
Annual Conference

Saturday, Jan. 18

Social media & ministry.

Monday, Jan. 20

Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Offices closed.

Tuesday, Jan. 21

Global Missions team meeting.

Wednesday, Jan. 22

MFSA

 


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