GNW Area News | Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022

Dear Reader,

Tomorrow, through October 10, many communities -- including our United Methodist Churches -- will pause to remind ourselves of the atrocities of abuse committed over generations against Indigenous people in this country through the auspices of boarding schools.

Many of these boarding schools were run by churches – including Methodists – across the United States and Canada as we colonized indigenous land and began inflicting generational trauma on our siblings of the Creator.

In this week's newsletter, the GNW Area cabinet shares a request for individuals in the Greater Northwest Area to support the work of the Circle of Indigenous Ministries and you'll read about an upcoming training United Women of Faith is offering on the history of boarding schools and the lasting trauma.

As a church, as people of faith, we commit ourselves to be Christ's disciples, which sometimes means reminding ourselves of our past mistakes so that we can build beloved community moving into the future. 

Let's get to work,

Kristen Caldwell
OR-ID Conference Communications Manager

GNW AREA NEWS

Special offering during charge conferences to benefit Circle of Indigenous Ministries, honor Bishop Stanovsky

In honor of Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky's retirement and her legacy of supporting the work of indigenous ministries during her 14 years of episcopal service, the Greater Northwest Area cabinet announces that a special offering will be taken at charge conferences this fall for the  Circle of Indigenous Ministries. | Learn more on the GNW News site. Not at odds: Education curriculum blends science, faith to understand climate change Photo by Spokane FAV Life-long United Methodists Anita and Rev. Robert Dygert-Gearheart experienced fear the more they learned about climate change. Instead of freezing them in place, the two recently commissioned UM EarthKeepers developed a curriculum to help others to wake up to the unfolding crisis. Now living in the Spokane area, the couple moved from Ashland, Oregon, a few years ago. | Read more about their work from the Spokane Faith and Values website. Getting back to helping people and the 'in-between' times The pandemic impacted many of the programs of the church, including some of the hands-on projects which empowered people to offer direct help. Ronda Cordill, a deaconess serving in the PNW Conference and Western Jurisdiction UMVIM coordinator, shares how United Methodist Volunteers in Mission coordinators are eager to support members as we return to a season of "helping more people." | Read more of this story on the GNW News site. Boise First UMC celebrating 150 years This fall, Boise First UMC (Cathedral of the Rockies) has been celebrating 150 years of serving God and the people of southern Idaho. On Oct. 15 at 6 p.m., the church will hold a special concert to honor music of the past and present church, with a variety of instruments and voices. | Learn more on the Boise First UMC website. RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES Save the date: Immigration round table discussion Save the date – Oct 23 from 2-3:30 PM PT – for our second round table about immigration. This event is a cooperative effort between the PNW Conference’s Hispanic/Latinx Ministries program and Central Washington Justice for our Neighbors (CWJFON), a United Methodist ministry. This ongoing event for clergy and other church leaders is offered twice a year (Spring and Fall). | Learn more on the PNW Conference website. United Women in Faith to host virtual event in remembrance of boarding school atrocities against Indigenous children From Sept. 30 through Oct. 6, United Methodists are invited to observe a special time of prayer and action in remembrance of the atrocities against Native American children in boarding schools. “Justice for Our Children: Healing for Our Communities” is the theme of this year’s observance. United Women in Faith is offering a two-hour virtual event on Oct. 6 that will include prayer, an educational program and reflection in small groups about the abuses suffered by Native American children in the schools. | Register now to attend the Zoom training. GLOBAL NEWS Bishops push back against recruitment tactics Bishops are trying to set the record straight on misinformation being spread about The United Methodist Church’s future. They also are working toward building a church where traditionalists, centrists and progressives will all feel they belong. | Read more of this story from UM News Service. Still fewer young United Methodist elders in 2022 Lovett H. Weems Jr. reports that the declining number of young elders in the United Methodist Church has accelerated while the number of young deacons increased. The number of young clergy continues to be a cause for concern. | Read more of this report from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. Does aging population explain high clergy ages For most traditions, the disproportionate aging of clergy is a crucial challenge. Lovett H. Weems Jr. highlights some of the findings in the National Congregations Study (NCS) and names some of the challenges facing denominations today. | Read more of this report from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. GCORR announces Action Fund grant, deadline The General Commission on Religion and Race has announced a new cycle of the CORR Action Fund grant program to support creative initiatives that will transform The United Methodist Church and the world. The 2022-2023 grant program will provide up to $10,000 to projects that increase intercultural competency and support vital conversations about race, cultural diversity and systemic equity leading to action. Applications are now open, with a deadline on Nov. 15. | Learn more on the GCORR website.