Thursday, May 6, 2021 | GNW Area News
Dear Reader,
This week's newsletter is filled with all sorts of stories that highlight our efforts as the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church to live by Wesley's three simple rules: Do no harm, do good, stay in love with God.
Read on for great stories of healing, hope, justice, resiliency and much more.
With grace & gratitude,
Kristen Caldwell
Oregon-Idaho Conference Communications Manager
GNW AREA NEWS
'A blessing for our people to come back home'
Last week, in a land return ceremony featuring drum songs, prayers for healing and hope for growing friendships, the Oregon-Idaho Conference of The UMC turned over the deed and keys of the now-closed Wallowa UMC in northeast Oregon to the Nez Perce Tribe. Tribal members shared stories about what it means to get to come back home to the Wallowa valley. /// Read more of this story from GNW News.
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Recovering from wildfires still a long road ahead
Disaster response coordinators from across the Greater Northwest Area offer updates on how certain communities are still struggling to get back on their feet after devastating wildfires last fall and where The United Methodist Church is hoping to continue its presence for years to come. /// Read more of this story from GNW News.
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PNW Peace with Justice award and grant applications now being accepted
The Pacific Northwest Conference Board of Church & Society is now accepting applications for the Peace with Justice grants available in the conference. Nominations for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award are also being accepted. The deadline for nominations, and for the Peace with Justice grant is May 16, 2021. Peace with Justice Sunday will be recognized this year by The United Methodist Church on May 30, 2021. /// Read more of this story on the PNW Conference website.
Honoring children at Okanagan UMC during a tumultuous year
Members of the Hispanic/Latinx community spent Sunday honoring "Dia del Niño" (Day of the Child) at Okanagan UMC last Sunday by distributing toys to more than 150 families, including 50 children. /// Read more of this story from GNW News.
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Inspiring Generosity: Make online offering a spiritual experience
In this week's blog post, stewardship consultant Cesie Delve Scheuermann talks about listening to an online worship service in Hawaii last year when she heard the familiar United Methodist "doxology" being sung during the virtual worship service. How spiritual can you make online giving? Pretty spiritual, she says. /// Read Cesie's blog on the Oregon-Idaho Conference website.
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GLOBAL NEWS
Bishops: No episcopal elections until 2022
United Methodist bishops held fast to their plans to delay episcopal elections until after the postponed General Conference, despite calls from some delegates to do otherwise. However, the bishops also rescinded their recommendation that no U.S. bishops be elected until 2024, opening the door for new leaders to be elected in November 2022. /// Read more of this story from UM News Service.
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Claremont School of Theology undeterred by California Supreme Court refusal to hear case
Claremont School of Theology learned this week that the California Supreme Court declined to hear its case as they sought relief from a “very unique 1957 agreement and formula signed by the School’s founders” which would require them to offer their property to Claremont Colleges at a fraction of the property’s value, if they sold their campus.
“Although this is disappointing news, the Supreme Court decision allows us to move forward with our two-campus model, offering progressive theological education both here at our main campus in Claremont and on the campus of Willamette University in Salem, Oregon,” said CST’s President, Rev. Dr. Kah-Jin Jeffrey Kuan. /// Read more of this statement from Claremont School of Theology.
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WCA plans new denomination, holds gathering
The Wesleyan Covenant Association held a large in-person and online meeting April 30-May 1, continuing to plan for a new, traditionalist Methodist denomination and passing a resolution criticizing three United Methodist bishops for recent appointment-making decisions. /// Read more of this story from UM News Service.
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2020 State of the Church Report: Blessed is the Church
The United Methodist Church has continued to carry out its mission despite the challenges and uncertainties of 2020. That's according to the new 2020 State of the Church Report produced by the Connectional Table and United Methodist Communications, themed "Blessed Is the Church." The report features a video message from four bishops. /// Read more of this report from the UMC.
Church leaders urge stronger pandemic response
Encouraging compassion, Philippines church and society board calls on government to enforce quarantine rules, offer mass COVID-19 testing and provide coherent direction. /// Read more of this story from UM News Service.
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