GNW Area News | Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022

Dear Reader,

In a week, we will honor the American holiday of Thanksgiving. While we know there is a complicated history with Thanksgiving and the true story of colonization of indigenous people and land, for many it is a time to pause and give thanks.

And on the eve of Advent beginning (Nov. 27) we know there is a sense of hope and longing in our world for that new thing to be birthed - for the light of Jesus' life to guide our way.

As we hope and long for that new thing, I'm grateful to know our churches are actively shining the light of hope, peace, joy and love. I love getting to share the stories of your new houseless ministries, your response connectionally to the impacts of climate change, your inventive and creative ways of being church in the local community and more.

This week's newsletter offers a couple examples of that work. I hope and pray you'll take the time to read these stories, but more importantly, find inspiration for your ministry ideas.

With so much gratitude and hope,

Kristen Caldwell
Oregon-Idaho Conference Communications Manager

* PS, just a reminder, there will be no GNW Newsletter next week as Conference and district offices across the GNW Area will be closed for Thanksgiving.

GNW AREA NEWS

New UMCOR grant marks $500K in United Methodist support for Okanagan wildfire recovery

With a new grant, United Methodists can proudly say they have placed more than half a million dollars into rebuilding communities in northcentral Washington devastated by 2020 wildfires – and they’re doing it at a record pace as well. As one homeowner described the work done by the Okanagan Long Term Recovery Group to rebuild her house: "You haven't just given me back my home. You've given me back my life." | Read more of this story on the GNW Area News site.

OR-ID Abundant Health Team recommends missions and ministry giving for Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is November 29. It provides an opportunity for caring people to make an special donation to worthy non-profits as an expression of gratitude and generosity. The Oregon-Idaho Abundant Health Team recommends a number of giving opportunities within our United Methodist denomination for consideration on Giving Tuesday and for local church Christmas offerings. | Read more about Abundant Health recommendations on the Oregon-Idaho Conference website.

Families living in tents in front of Tukwila church will soon have a new place to call home

Families living in tents in front of Riverton Park United Methodist Church in Tukwila, WA, are about to have a new place to call home. A tiny home village with over 20 units is expected to open to residents with the building expected to finish soon, just in time for Thanksgiving. | Read more about it from the Tukwila news blog.

Inspiring Generosity: How to tell a 3-minute story during worship

When it comes to talking about stewardship and inspiring generosity in the local church, lay people are often called upon to share stories during worship about "why the give." Sometimes its a challenge to find those words in three minutes or less, which is why stewardship consultant Cesie Delve Scheuermann offers tips this week on how to make those stories spiffy. | Read Cesie's blog on the Oregon-Idaho Conference website. GLOBAL NEWS LGBTQ-friendly votes signal progressive shift for Methodists The Associated Press reports that The United Methodist Church moved toward becoming more progressive and LGBTQ-affirming during U.S. regional meetings earlier this month. Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth, who has been assigned to the Greater Northwest Area starting Jan. 1, is among those who were interviewed for this piece. | Read more of this story from the AP's Peter Smith. Complaint filed against WJ College for gay bishop's consecration Western Jurisdiction bishops are facing an unusual public complaint following the consecration of the denomination's second bishop who is openly gay and married. The complaint, published online, comes after each of the five U.S. jurisdictions passed a resolution urging The United Methodist Church to affirm LGBTQ people. Bishop Karen Oliveto shares with United Methodist News that she is troubled by how the complaint was shared publicly, compromising the church's process | Read more of the story from UM News Service. Organ donation gives United Methodist second chance at life If you routinely check that organ/tissue-donor box on your driver’s license, you may not give it a second thought. For United Methodist Jennifer Loud, however, that simple gesture saved her life. After receiving a double lung transplant in 2020, Loud is determined to seek and fulfill God’s purpose every day. | Read more of this story from UM News Service. 'Ghosts' actress is a lifelong United Methodist One of the stars of the hit CBS sitcom “Ghosts” credits her upbringing in The United Methodist Church with helping her develop “an empathetic ear” that helps her succeed as an actress. Sheila Carrasco, daughter of retired pastor and superintendent the Rev. Oscar Carrasco, plays the ghost of a hippie named Flower on the show. | Read more of this story from UM News Service.