Thursday, July 22, 2021 | GNW Area News

Dear Reader,

This week’s newsletter is filled with many reminders about the kind of church we are and the kind of church we can be.

As smoke starts to fill our skies once more, our disaster response coordinators offer ways for churches and individuals to help, even when we might feel helpless.

As we continue to wait for a shift in The United Methodist Church through a twice-delayed General Conference, we can learn more about how the Western Jurisdiction is preparing for a future church.

As we continue to fight an ever-changing deadly virus, we’re finding ways of letting go of “the old way” of doing things and find new life and opportunities in the midst of a pandemic.

With so many things going on, there is truly a lot of hope all around us.

I find this scripture from Hebrews 11:1 helpful: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

With faith and gratitude,

Kristen Caldwell
Oregon-Idaho Conference Communications Manager

WESTERN JURISDICTION NEWS

Western, Southeastern jurisdictions plan for future

Two United Methodist jurisdictions held special online sessions in recent days with an eye to The United Methodist Church's future. The Southeastern Jurisdiction approved the union of two annual conferences and the Western Jurisdiction looked at possible changes ahead, including to its number of bishops. /// Read more of this story from UM News Service. GNW AREA NEWS Help needed bracing for wildfires across GNW The sky is definitely smoky across the Greater Northwest Area. While not a lot of damage has been reported from wildfires yet, disaster response coordinators are asking for church's help in preparing for what could be a long, difficult fire season. /// Read more of this story on the GNW News site. Abundant Health: Sabbath is essential to well-being In this month's Abundant Health feature from the Oregon-Idaho Conference, guidance and recommendations are provided on how to honor the sabbath and how churches and staff parish relations committees can work together to find ways to build healthy opportunities to ensure the well-being of pastors and congregants. /// Read more of this story on the Oregon-Idaho website. Tales of COVID: Some stories start at the beginning In a post for the Tales of COVID series, Rev. Cara Scriven shares how the last year has been both difficult and spiritually disorienting. Over time she learned to “let go of the challenges of the pandemic” and cling to the blessings it has brought. /// Read more of this story on the GNW News site. Inspiring Generosity: More ways to thank volunteers After writing a blog post about ways to thank volunteers, Cesie Delve Scheuermann was overwhelmed with responses from people across the area on more creative ways to honor and thank volunteers in the local church - yet another way to inspire generosity and joy. /// Read more of Cesie's blog on the Oregon-Idaho website. RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES We’re hiring! Oregon-Idaho Conference seeks assistant treasurer/controller The Oregon-Idaho Conference is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Treasurer/Controller. Under the direction of the Conference Treasurer, the position oversees the Conference financial processes, including accounting, policies, procedures, and is a resource to the Conference Treasurer, Conference leadership, and local churches for financial matters. /// Read more about the position and how to apply on our website. GLOBAL NEWS TNC celebrates 15 years of sharing God's love The Nyadire Connection, a faith-based nonprofit organization that has supported the Nyadire United Methodist Mission since 2006, is celebrating 15 years of ministry in northeastern Zimbabwe. Some 50 teams have returned to the mission over the years, with projects and programs valued at more than $5.5 million, including the construction and rehabilitation of five rural health clinics. /// Read more from UM News Service. Ministry candidate preaches in drag to 'speak in a new way' Isaac Simmons came upon the idea of merging drag and spirituality through an unlikely source: 20th century Russian philosopher Mikhail Bakhtin. “He thought the best way to enact systemic change was through joy and carnival … and drag is over the top and joyous,” said Simmons, who in March 2021 became the first openly gay candidate to be certified for ministry in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of The United Methodist Church. /// Watch more of this video from UM News Service. Agencies sells jointly-owned building in Nashville With reduced staff and more people working from home, two United Methodist agencies have sold a jointly owned building and are moving in together across the street. Late July 15, Discipleship Ministries and the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry completed the sale of the Kern Building and adjoining property to nearby Vanderbilt University. /// Read more of this story from UM News Service. Congregations eagerly embrace VBS opportunities Vacation Bible school, a favorite summer staple for churches big and small, is back in 2021, and United Methodists are optimistic. Learning from 2020 experiences, many churches are reopening their doors to the community while others continue virtual VBS. Some have opted for evening classes or all-outdoor events. /// Read more of this story from UM News Service.