UM Connector | Nov. 30, 2022
Dear Reader,
Nothing makes you slow down and appreciate the season of Advent quite like a preschooler. Actually, nothing forces you to slow down and appreciate the season of Advent quite like an impatient preschooler.
Last week as my husband cooked the Thanksgiving turkey and sides, I kept our son occupied putting up and decorating our Christmas tree. So naturally, he was devastated to learn Christmas wasn’t happening the next day. I busted out green and red construction paper to make a paper chain countdown to Christmas. And I connected with a friend who got us a really cool advent calendar, which we’ll start tomorrow.
I realize it’s easy in this season of Advent, in this season of the life of the church and as United Methodists, to feel impatient in the waiting for Jesus. When will change actually happen? When will Christmas really arrive? But in that waiting – in the liminal space we like to say in church speak – we can find hope, love, joy and peace.
This month’s newsletter is filled with reminders that we’re continuing to be church in our world as we wait for our new bishop to arrive, as we wait for our denomination to possibly change course … as we wait for the stars to appear and guide us toward Jesus.
We are preparing the way. Patience – along with some construction paper and tape – is required.
With hope,
Kristen Caldwell, Communications Manager
CONFERENCE NEWS
Silverton UMC gives Community Transition Program a new home
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When Laura Ayers, the lead teacher of the Silverton Community Transition Program, needed a new home for the program, she knew that Silverton United Methodist Church would be the perfect fit.
“I am often moved to tears by this partnership,” said Ayers.
Read more of this story from John Shaw on the Conference website.
John Shaw joins Conference communications staff
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John Shaw, a freelance filmmaker and media production creator, has joined the Oregon-Idaho Conference communications staff as the multi-media communications specialist. In this part-time position, he'll be responsible for crafting content, in various formats, that helps tell the stories of the people and churches that make up the Oregon-Idaho Conference. | Learn more about Shaw on the Conference website.
Learn more about Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth
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At the Western Jurisdictional Conference in November, delegates elected Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth on the 18th ballot and he was subsequently consecrated and assigned by the WJ Committee on Episcopacy to serve the Greater Northwest Area. He begins serving as bishop of the Oregon-Idaho , Pacific Northwest and Alaska Conferences on Jan. 1, 2023. More opportunities to connect with Bishop Cedrick and his family will be announced in the new year. | Before arriving, though, you can read this profile on Bishop Cedrick from the WJ website.
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RESOURCE: Is your church interested in learning about Paychex, a discounted payroll service?
Is your church ready for the new Oregon Paid Family Leave employee tax that starts Jan. 1, 2023? Wespath has partnered with Paychex to offer an affordable payroll processing and tax compliance solution. It is a great resource that local churches can utilize. The Oregon-Idaho Conference Finance team and Human Resources office will invite Paychex to make a presentation on their services if there is enough interest from local churches. To learn more please email meg@umoi.org.
DEADLINES: Events, news stories for the new year
Next month, the UM Connector will be published the week before Christmas, which means all news articles and calendar events related to January 2023 must be submitted on our website no later than Dec. 15, 2022.
