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GNW Area News | Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022

Dear Readers,

On Friday and Saturday, a Christian nationalist political rally, ReAwaken America, will be held in Post Falls, Idaho, near the Washington state border. A cadre of conservative Christian speakers will be joined by political figures like Mike Lindell, Roger Stone and retired lieutenant general Michael Flynn to stoke political division and propagate conspiracy theories, all in Jesus' name. A number of local religious leaders and local advocacy groups have been speaking out in concern and opposition.

While there are certainly exceptions, I've encountered a lot of confusion among United Methodists about how we ought to engage in the political sphere. But rather than talking about it, too often we steer away from conflict, or we just bulldoze people over with our "correct" position. I know that I have certainly done both!

For all of its problems, The United Methodist Church has a solid understanding of how our faith and citizenship can intersect in healthy ways. To take advantage of this gift, however, we need to find ways to talk with (and listen to) each other about politics and other sacred cows.

While I talk more about this challenge and opportunity in a post you'll find linked below, I hope you'll take a moment, if you are so inclined, to sign-on to this petition sponsored by our Episcopalian siblings in the Spokane Area and consider participating in a vigil.

Patrick Scriven
Director of Communications, Pacific Northwest Conference


GNW AREA NEWS

Alaska Conference Special Sunday

The Alaska Conference Special Sunday is traditionally observed the 2nd Sunday of September, but churches may celebrate it any time this fall. This year, the focus is on Alaska's three mission churches: Nome, Unalaska, and Willow UMC.

Participating churches may give in two ways: either make a donation to your local church designated for one or more of the mission churches and your treasurer will write a check directly to that church, or you may give using the Advance numbers listed below. Please continue to pray for these three churches and their pastors!

  • Willow UMC Advance #931511
  • Willow Community Food Pantry Advance #931520
  • Unalaska UMC Advance #931855
  • Nome Community UMC Advance #931027 (specify Nome)

Learn more on the Alaska Conference website.

Is it time to take the U.S. flag out of the sanctuary?

This weekend, a Christian nationalist political rally, ReAwaken America, will be held in Post Falls, Idaho, to the concern of some religious leaders, and with the support of others. Patrick Scriven discusses some of what churches can do to educate members about Christian nationalism and encourages them to take seriously the role our stories and symbols play in defining a healthy understanding. | Read more of this story on the GNW News site.

Become a church historian and share your story!

The Local Church Historians' School is an intensive, self-paced course where you'll learn from leading Methodist scholars, archivists, and historians.

Noting the importance and pedigree of the role of church historian, John Townsend encourages people to "use this opportunity to ensure that the heritage of each of our churches will be celebrated." | Learn more about this opportunity on the GNW News Blog.

UMCOR ERTs deploy to Kentucky for next flood relief phase

Early Response Teams (ERTs) from multiple United Methodist conferences are deploying to Eastern Kentucky to help set the stage for additional volunteers who will assist with relief efforts following the recent unprecedented rainfall and resulting flooding. PNW Disaster Response Coordinators Dana and Kathy Bryson are among those offering their expertise and support through UMCOR. | Read more of this story on the Global Ministries website.

Inspiring Generosity: The Pew Study on the future of religion in the U.S.

"Statistics and statistical projections can be depressing. Or…they can be motivating. We need to be willing to face the potentially bad news straight on and refuse to put our heads in the sand," writes stewardship consultant Cesie Delve Scheuermann for the Inspiring Generosity blog.

WESTERN JURISDICTION NEWS

A statement by The Pacific Islander Ministry Plan Advisory Committee

Amid rising church disaffiliations, The United Methodist Church’s Pacific Islander Ministry Plan Advisory Committee pledged to continue to live into God’s unity and not focus on issues that divide. The group’s statement noted that Pacific Islanders, like others in the church, have differing views on human sexuality. “Our hope is that this one issue will not ‘conquer and divide’ us so that we can continue our journey in the UMC,” the group said. | Read the statement on the Global Ministries website.

RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES

Webinar: Are you prepared for a disaster?

Prepared

Are you prepared for a disaster? September is National Preparedness Month, so there is no better time to learn how you can be personally prepared for natural disasters in the Greater Northwest.

Abundant Health Ministries is offering a presentation on the topic on Tuesday, September 27, from 6-7 p.m. PT (5 p.m. AKT/7 p.m. MT). The presentation will discuss:

  • The natural disasters common in the Greater Northwest and their effects on our communities.
  • Steps you and your family can take to prepare for such events.
  • Ways you can help your church and community be prepared.

Learn more and register today on the GNW event calendar.

Ways to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month

During National Hispanic Heritage Month, observed Sept. 15-Oct. 15 every year, The United Methodist Church is called to incorporate and listen to Hispanic voices and speak out in support of them being heard in the public forum. | ResourceUMC offers several ways for churches to observe the event.

Global Ministries to commission EarthKeepers for environmental stewardship

EarthKeepers

Join Global Ministries on Tuesday, September 27, at 8 p.m. ET for the virtual commissioning of 29 new EarthKeepers from 17 annual conferences, including five from the PNW. Global Ministries Earthkeepers program is focused on training and equipping United Methodists in the U.S. for environmental stewardship. Register for the commissioning today on the Zoom event page.

Learn more about the EarthKeepers program and the members of this year’s class on the Global Ministries website.

Mustard Seed Migration Grant application deadline extended to September 30

Mustard Seed Migration Grants provide congregations in the U.S. with up to $2,000 in funding to support one-time, community-based service projects that assist refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented persons and migrants of all types in their own cities and towns. The 2022 application deadline has recently been extended to September 30. Learn more about the application process and selection criteria on the Global Ministries website.

Tips to securing the best media coverage

Every week, United Methodist churches share good news and engage in serving their local communities. Effectively communicating with the local news media is one of the best ways to get a church’s story in front of the public. Aaron Crisler interviewed religion reporters about their tips for securing coverage. | Read these tips on the ResourceUMC website.

GLOBAL NEWS

African bishops call for unity, condemn advocacy groups

African Bishops condemn WCA

African bishops have called for unity in The United Methodist Church while condemning traditionalist advocacy groups looking to break up the denomination.

The bishops released a statement on Sept. 8 denouncing the Africa Initiative and Wesleyan Covenant Association, which they say “are wrongly influencing God’s people in our areas." All but one of the continent's active bishops signed the statement. | Read more of this story from UM News Service.

Following Crisis in Jackson, United Women in Faith Urges More Focused and Sustained Action to Invest in Communities of Color, Transition to Green Economy

UWF

United Women in Faith has responded to the flooding in Jackson, Mississippi, by calling for focused action to address the climate crisis in communities burdened with systemic inequalities. “These communities must be prioritized not only in the rebuilding process but also in the transition to a green and just new economy and green and just new jobs,” the women’s group said in a Sept. 7 statement. | Read their statement on the United Women in Faith website.

World Council of Churches assembly focuses on reconciliation

WCC Assembly

Speakers at the World Council of Churches General Assembly connected the theme of the ecumenical gathering, “Christ’s Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity,” to a splintering within The United Methodist Church. Bishop Harald Rückert pointed to the relationship between France and Germany after World War II as an example for the denomination that reconciliation is possible.| Read more of this story from UM News Service.

RELATED: UMC Bishop Sally Dyck elected to WCC executive committee

Is The United Methodist Church really... ? (Part 4)

UMC Really

In the fourth installment of its “Is The United Methodist Church really…?” series, Ask The UMC answers three more questions related to disaffiliation, including inquiries about the status of appointed clergy and members after their congregation decides to disaffiliate. The series is a response to widespread misperceptions or misinformation that some congregations are receiving as they discern their next steps. | Read this Q&A on the UMC.org website.

 
The Greater Northwest Episcopal Area provides leadership for the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho, and the Pacific Northwest Conferences of The United Methodist Church.
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