July 12, 2021
Cascadia District Lay Leader – Are you Feeling Called?
Cascadia District has been well served by a variety of lay leaders over the years, most recently by Paula Sadler. Paula needed to step down a few months ago and it is time for a new leader to be discovered.
I have been at a disadvantage for the task of selecting our new lay leader because of not being able to interface with the laity of the district during my first year as DS due to Covid-19. In order to discover who is being called to this ministry, I am eager to be in conversation with laity who are finding their interest piqued by this leadership position.
Below is some information about the role of the District Lay Leader and what is needed at this time in our ministry both in the Cascadia District and the wider Episcopal Area.
First of all, it is vital to feel called to this leadership position and to bring your unique gifts to the role. It is also important to want to engage in personal growth and assist the district and conference in our focus areas of anti-racism, climate change and the future of the UMC.
There are a variety of work areas and committees the District Lay Leader is a part of:
- Working with the DS on District -related ministries. Some of this work will include an openness to new ways of being church and the importance of partnerships in ministry.
- Member of the Conference Board of Lay Ministry, along with the Conference Lay Leader and the other District Lay Leaders.
- Member of the Legislative Assembly.
- Member of the Conference Nominations Committee.
- Member of the District Committee on Ministry.
- Member of the District Committee on Superintendency.
If you are feeling a call to be the Conference Lay Leader stirring within you, please contact me to be in conversation about whether this is the right time and fit for your gifts and passions. Please email me at wendy@umoi.org.
|
Peace,
 
Cascadia District Superintendent Wendy Woodworth
wendy@umoi.org
In this newsletter:
Blessings to you all in Christ Jesus,
 
Linda Grund-Clampit
Cascadia District Administrative Assistant
linda@umoi.org
Shout Out for Shared Giving Participation
Sharing Giving, or apportionments, are the gifts we share beyond our local congregations in order to make possible greater work than any one congregation could do on its own. It is what makes possible the work of the district, annual conference, and denomination as a whole. You can learn more about your congregation's apportionments and where it all goes on the conference website at www.umoi.org/apportionmentcalculator
The percentage of apportionments paid by churches in the Cascadia District is up 7.5% so far this year (2021) over last year (2020)!
THANK YOU to Oregon City First UMC and Sheridan UMC, two congregations who have already paid 100% of their 2021 apportionments.
And kudos to the following churches who have improved their payment performance this year over last year:
Banks Community UMC Monmouth: Christ's Church
Canby UMC Newberg First UMC
Dallas UMC Morningside UMC - Salem
Falls City UMC Trinity UMC - Salem
Forest Grove UMC Tigard UMC
Keizer: Clear Lake UMC Tualatin UMC
Madras UMC Willamette UMC
McMinnville Cooperative Ministry Woodburn UMC
Molalla UMC
Safe Sanctuary Training - Online and Free!
|
|
|
One of the requirements of the local church Safe Sanctuary policy is that each church provide an annual educational opportunity on abuse prevention. It can be a challenge, but the Conference Safe Sanctuaries Committee has provided an easy and in-depth way for you to meet that responsibility!
As churches and other ministries begin to open, the Conference Safe Sanctuaries Committee is excited to offer the first on-line Safe Sanctuaries Training on Sunday, July 18 from 1:30 - 4 p.m. PT / 2:30 - 5 p.m. MT via Zoom.
This training is for local church staff and volunteers working with children, youth, and vulnerable adults AND for all interested members of the congregation. This training meets the requirement that every local congregation offer an annual educational opportunity on abuse prevention
|
|
This training will be led by members of the committee and will offer opportunities to:
- Participate in discussions around current issues
- Ask questions about the Oregon-Idaho Conference template on abuse prevention policies for local congregations
- Learn how Safe Sanctuaries is an important and integral part of your church's ministry
The training will also feature guest speaker Patrick Lemmon, Violence Prevention Health Educator. Mr. Lemmon consults with nonprofit organizations on strategic planning, evaluation, and management issues, serves on the Board of Directors of the YWCA of Greater Portland, and consults with the Men’s Engagement Committee for the Oregon Sexual Assault Task Force. Prior to his move West, he was the co-founder and Executive Director of Men Can Stop Rape and a member of the Board of Directors for the DC Rape Crisis Center.
The training is FREE -- Register today!
either as an individual or register a group from your congregation
If you have questions, please contact Lydia Henry, Conference Safe Sanctuaries Coordinator, at preventabuse@umoi.org
|
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, July 15
Cascadia District Church Extension Society Exec Board Meeting
Sunday, July 18
Safe Sanctuary Online Training
Monday, July 26
Registration Deadline for Mission U July 29-31 (see article in Resources below)
Prayer Calendar
July 4-10
Amity First UMC
Pastor Ken Johnson
Lay Leader Melva Rosenbalm
July 11 - 17
Astoria First UMC
Pastor Michael Avila
Lay Leader Chuck Albright
July 18 -24
Banks Community UMC
Pastor Margot Thompson
Lay Leader Mariana Knifer
July 25 - 31
Bay City UMC
Pastor David Hurd
Lay Leader Patrick Ryan
Resources
Mission U - Great Education and Free This Year!
Oregon-Idaho United Methodist Women are offering two sessions of Mission U this year: July 8-10, 2021 and July 29-31, 2021.
The first session has happened, but there is still time to register for the second! Two studies will be offered, but you can only take one study at one session.
- Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools
- Bearing Witness in the Kin-dom: Living into the Church's Moral Witness through Radical Discipleship
These studies are not just for UMW members, nor just for women!
Registration Deadline:
July 29-31 School -- July 26
Study books can be purchased either from United Methodist Women Mission Resources or through Amazon.
To register, click HERE
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:
Bonnie McOmber, Dean -- bjdlmcomber@live.com
Leona Whitcomb, Assistant Dean -- jayandleona1969@gmail.com
Ann Murchison, Assistant Dean -- aem.umw@gmail.com
Anti-Racism Resources
"Expanding the Table" is the General Commission On Religion and Race (GCORR)'s new podcast on practicing anti-racism.
There are 2 episodes out so far:
- Episode 1 - Racism, Police Reform and Faith
- Episode 2 - Theologians Explore the Roots of Anti-Asian Racism and What the Church Should Know
Listen at https://www.r2hub.org/library/podcast or on Spotify or Amazon Music. You can also watch the video podcast at the link above.
And they have a course for learning about implicit bias. It is a recourse for leaders, preachers and congregations. Check it out by clicking here.
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
|
