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March 3, 2021

Marking the One-Year Anniversary of COVID-19

It is hard to believe that we are coming up on the one year anniversary of all things Covid-19.  That translates into:

  • the loss of people's lives, health and mental well-being
  • loss of work and failed businesses
  • suspension of in-person worship
  • remote learning for students
  • masks
  • 6 feet distancing
  • hours and hours on Zoom
  • cancelled or drastic changes in celebrations like graduations, birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas

If all that were not enough, we are in the midst of

  • increased racial tension and awareness that has led to the work of anti-racism,
  • political unrest that included an attack on the US Capital,
  • and have experienced devastating fires in our region and an ice storm with significant impact.

 If you are feeling tired, weary and overwhelmed by all of this, that is okay.  Pastors have had to pivot in how they do ministry and pastor to their people with care and grace.  Pastors and laity have at the same time been working on how to address racism and the division in our country. I advise that you name your weariness and then do something to take care of yourself … take a walk, a day off, cook a special meal, read a book and fall asleep, have a play day, schedule a vacation ….
 
When our last Sunday of in-person worship happened on March 8, 2020 in the midst of Lent, we had no idea we would spend another Lenten Season in virtual worship.  It is hard not to ask the question, “how much longer?”  I do not have a quick answer to that. But I do see hope on the horizon: people are beginning to get vaccinated, more people are wearing masks, our case numbers per day are declining, we are still practicing care until we see how the variants of Covid-19 affect the spread -- and spring and summer are on the way!
 
I also see the possibility of re-opening phase 2.1 on the horizon for some of our congregations and, as the temperatures rise this spring, the possibility of outdoor gatherings with proper protocols.  There is hope that we are moving forward into a new future with new ministries which have evolved this year and which will continue as we begin to have opportunities to gather together.
 
Finally, as we approach this one year anniversary, pat yourself on the back!  You have done an amazing job being adaptive in your ministry. You have continued to be the church at work through worship, classes for growth as disciples, focusing on social justice and service in your communities.  We can truly say “The Church has Left the Building!” and we will never go back in the same way, but we will become the next expression of church for a new time.
 
Grace and Peace, 

Signature - Wendy

 Wendy has prepared a 4 1/2 minute video which can be used in worship or meetings to acknowledge, encourage, and bless us after a year of pandemic.  You can view and/or download the video at this link:  https://vimeo.com/519173690 


Committing to a Hybrid Model of Ministry:
Online and In-Person

In a recent article for The Lewis Center for Church Leadership's publication Leading Ideas, Tom Berlin, senior pastor of Floris United Methodist Church in Herndon, Virginia, wrote, "online worship and ministry really is worship and really is church. Your church has never been closed. But its ministry has been fundamentally changed. Now is the time to consider thoughtfully a hybrid approach to ministry for at least another 18 months, if not forever."

The article clearly and helpfully walks you through the steps of

  1. stating your church's values clearly
  2. setting a realistic time frame
  3. resuming in-person ministry before in-person worship
  4. and, making a long-term commitment to online ministry

Read the whole article by clicking here.

The Cascadia District has hired an Online Ministry Consultant to resource and support our local congregations in doing ministry and worship online.  This hire was made possible through a grant from the Cascadia District Extension Society (CDCES) and is a time-limited position - February through May 2020.  But the service is FREE to Cascadia District congregations!

 

You can access the material being created on the new Cascadia District Online Resources webpage:  www.umoi.org/cascadia-district-online-church-life-resources 

In addition to creating a content library for local church use, our consultant is available to consult with individual churches. You can reach Hope Montgomery at hope.montgomery04@gmail.com


Continuing Anti-Racism Work

Learning About Native Peoples of Our Region

In years past, who lived where you live now?  What happened to them?  Where are their progeny now and how are they living?

These questions help us see the history of a place and adjust our perspective on our place in it.  Open Door Churches of Salem-Keizer's adult education group "Educating Ourselves about Race and Racism" has been meeting weekly for 8 months, and they are now turning their attention to the native people of the mid-Willamette Valley.

On Monday, March 8th at 7 p.m. the group will hear from Dr. David Lewis on "The Early History of the Central Kalapuyans" -- and you are invited to join them!  The Zoom gathering is open to anyone who is interested.  Just email 5linda@umoi.org to make your interest known, and we'll send you the Zoom link.  

Stephanie Littlebird Fogel at a Washington
County Museum exhibit on which
David Lewis also worke
d

The presentation will address the original Kalapuyan peoples of the central Willamette valley, some of their place names and how settlers brought changes to their way of life. 

Dr Lewis is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, a descendant of the Santiam, Chinook and Takelma Peoples of Western Oregon, and a former Cultural Manager of the tribe who planned and designed the tribal museum at Grand Ronde. Dr Lewis is a recognized researcher, scholar, educator and writer of original histories of the peoples of Oregon and California, with an extensive record of collaborative projects with regional schools, tribes, local governments and communities for over 20 years. He currently is a full time faculty at OSU Anthropology and Ethnic Studies (Native Studies) Department.

 

PUSHOUT: The Criminalization of Black Girls in School

The film is described as, "a feature length documentary that takes a deep dive into the lives of black girls and the practices, cultural beliefs and practices that disrupt one of the most important factors in girls' lives - their education."  

The film is based on the book by the same name by Monique W. Morris.  See a trailer at pushoutfilm.com

This documentary was featured by the national group of United Methodist Women recently.  Penny Hodge, a UMW member at Tigard UMC, wanted to be sure her congregation got to see it, too.  So they have purchased screening rights and will be showing it via Zoom.  They'd like to invite other area United Methodists to join them for both a watch party and discussion following.

The date is Tuesday, March 16. There will be a showing at 2 p.m. followed by discussion, and then a repeat showing at 7 p.m. followed by discussion.

Register to watch and discuss "PUSHOUT" on Tuesday, March 16 at 2 p.m. by clicking here.

Register to watch and discuss the movie "PUSHOUT" on Tuesday, March 16 at 7 p.m. by clicking here.


 

 

How Are We Helping? 
In So Many Ways!

Continue to support your local church financially. 

Our buildings are closed, but the church is open and still doing ministry!  Your tithes and donations are critical to continuing that work

Oregon-Idaho Disaster Response Fund

When a disaster strikes, survivors often lose so much - the roof over their heads and other property, livelihoods, even loved ones.  Recent wildfires show how devastating these disasters can be.  Often overlooked is the despair that strikes as some also lose hope.

The mission of our Oregon-Idaho Conference Disaster Response team is to provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of a disaster. 

Our goal for this Advance Fund is to have in place the resources to respond to disasters when they happen. Join us in our response to the real needs of our neighbors as they recover from tragedy and find hope again.

Greater NW Area Fund for Families

The money in this fund will be distributed through local churches to the need they see across our episcopal area (Oregon, Idaho, Washington and Alaska), like the Grocery Gift Card Grants

UMCOR Sheltering in Love Giving Campaign

This fund will assist vulnerable communities in the United States and around the world  It is Advance #3022612. You can give through your local church by putting the advance number in the memo line of your check or give online.

Through the Sheltering in Love campaign and unit programming, we can all celebrate the far-reaching impact of 230 grants totaling $2,329,785 and commit to continued care and compassion in the fight against COVID-19.

Watch the impact video below and review the full list of mission partners

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

This week in the
Cascadia District

Thursday, March 4

Molalla & Pudding Rivers Colloquy

North Coast Colloquy

Monday, March 8

Cascadia District Retiree Colloquy 

Looking Ahead

Wed - Fri, March 10-12

Northwest Leadership Institute

Wednesdays, April 13 - May 11

Lay Servant Course: Living Our United Methodist Beliefs
An Online
 Class

Thursday, April 22

Cascadia District Church Extension Society Exec Committee Meeting

Sun - Thurs, June 20-24

Annual Conference Session Online


Prayer Calendar

Feb. 28 - March 6

Open Door Churches: Salem-Keizer UMs, member church
Trinity UMC
Lay Leaders:
Ann Jefferies
Pat Clark
Jim Harless

March 7 - 13

Seaside UMC
Pastor Michael Avila
Lay Leader Deborah Vail

March 14 - 20

Sheridan UMC
Pastor Ken Johnson
Lay Leader Julie Schumann

See the full prayer calendar


Resources

Scholarship Resources for Youth in Your Congregation

The 2021 General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Scholarship Application is now open until March 24.  This is one application for all scholarships offered through GBHEM, including scholarships offered by our Annual Conference.  

  • Applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA
  • Be a member of the United Methodist Church for at least one year
  • Attend an accredited institution within the U.S.

More information is available on the website at www.gbhem.org/loans-scholarships/scholarships/

Please share this opportunity with youth you know!


Lenten Study Led by Lowell Greathouse

We live in turbulent, unsettling times filled with political division and social unrest. How do we come together when things around us are falling apart? What is the best way forward when we are faced with political turmoil, a global pandemic, civil unrest, and spiritual wandering?

Rediscovering the Spirit is a three-week Lenten exploration of the critical spiritual principles we need to understand and embrace in order to find our way forward. Through this three-part study, participant will examine the nature of the inward-out movement and how to deal with our current social barriers. The class will be taught by Rev. Lowell Greathouse, using his recently-published book “Rediscovering the Spirit: From Political Brokenness to Spiritual Wholeness.” Greathouse, retired Mission and Ministries coordinator for the Oregon-Idaho Conference, will guide participants on how to rediscover and activate their spiritual lives through centering, framing, practicing, and learning how to live with others.

The class will be offered over three one-and-a-half hour Zoom sessions during Lent, beginning Wednesday, March 10 and continuing March 17 and March 24 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Due to the interactive nature of the discussions, class size is limited to 25 participants. Email lgreathouse55@gmail.com to register. The deadline is March 5.

Though the class is free, participants will need to purchase a copy of Greathouse’s book, which you can order either through Amazon or Wipf and Stock Publishers.


Virtual Pulpit Supply Available

The Regional Media Center (RMC) is beginning to curate a digital, easily accessible library of sermons to support local churches stretched and stressed by the pandemic. Five sermons are currently available to preview and download on the RMC website with more coming soon.

Each sermon can be used by any church in the Greater Northwest Area free of charge.

We hope that this small but growing sermon library will help local leaders to take a pause, focus on other essential work, or virtually invite a new voice into their pulpit.

Interested in contributing? Contact Patrick Scriven at pscriven@pnwumc.org for more information.


Resources for Holy Week and Easter - and after!

Music for Holy Week/Easter will be provided free of charge to GNW Area congregations through a virtual choir performance.  It is too late to participate but any church can use the finished product in your worship services.  Watch for more details when the finished videos are ready.

In addition, an effort is underway to provide a worship service that can be used area-wide on the first Sunday after Easter, a Sunday that often provides pastors a short pause to renew and experience some of the joy of the season. Materials will be available for review and download on or around March 26, 2021. They are intended for use on Sunday, April 11, or any Sunday that follows that date. The complete service and individual components – including musical selections, prayers, scripture reading, and message – will be provided for the greatest flexibility.


Northwest Leadership Institute coming soon!

March 10-12, 2021.  Join clergy, church staff, and volunteers from around the country to be equipped, connected, and inspired to lead and strengthen your local church.  

This year, we have the honor of welcoming Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries as our keynote speaker.

In addition to the conference, we will have online worship with Father Boyle FREE to the public on Thursday, March 11th at 7PM (MST)

For information on speakers, schedule, and to register:  cathedraloftherockies.org/NLI-Registration.

Students, use code STUDENT for $25 ticket price
 


 


Contact Us

DS Wendy Woodworth
wendy@umoi.org 

District Administrative Assistant
Linda Grund-Clampit

linda@umoi.org
503-581-3969

Check out the Cascadia District webpage:
www.umoi.org/cascadia

Find us on Facebook

Cascadia District Office of the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference
680 State Street, Suite 200, Salem, Oregon, 97301 ~ (503) 581-3969 ~ Cascadia@umoi.org