Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023
Dear Readers,
Happy New Year to you! This month's newsletter for the Oregon-Idaho Conference is chock-full of important news tidbits about many of our ministries and churches!
It is also going to mark the return of a bi-monthly newsletter on Thursdays (starting next week). This basically means if you're not receiving a UM Connector one Thursday, the next week you'll receive your GNW Newsletter.
It's part of a concerted effort among my other GNW communicator colleagues and I to return to more regular connection within our local conferences.
Our GNW newsletter grew out of a need to convey urgent messages when the pandemic began three years ago. And it continues to be an important vehicle for storytelling and resources from which we can all benefit.
With the addition of John Shaw to our communications staff in the OR-ID Conference, the hope is to expand our storytelling on the local level and continue to provide inspirational and informative stories from across our Conference.
Please don't forget, you can submit news stories on our website. Be sure to fill out all the required fields when you do!
With gratitude & grace,
Kristen Caldwell
OR-ID Conference Communications Manager
CONFERENCE NEWS
Newman UMC hosts Grants Pass MLK celebration
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Newman United Methodist Church in Grants Pass, Oregon, was honored to host the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. Newman, in partnership with Rogue Community College, Bethany Presbyterian Church, and St. Luke's Episcopal Church has been partnering to bring conversations about racial justice, systemic oppression, and inclusion to the forefront in Grants Pass. This was the first in-person MLK celebration since January of 2020. | Read more of this story on the OR-ID Conference site.
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Abundant Health hosting Lenten meditation Feb. 15
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This year Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 22. Abundant Health Ministries of the Oregon-Idaho Conference, along with other ministry partners across the GNW Area, is hosting a Lenten meditation workshop on Feb. 15. Rev. Linda Quanstrom, a retired associate member of the OR-ID Conference, will teach the art of ancient prayer and meditation, loosely based off of Lectio Divina. | Learn more and register on the OR-ID Conference website.
Inspiring Generosity: Don't cry for me 'Amazon Smile'
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In her weekly blog, stewardship consultant Cesie Delve Scheuermann discusses the recent decision Amazon made to stop its charitable giving platform "Amazon Smile." It doesn't mean the end of charitable giving, though, as churches and ministries can take this opportunity to build relationships with communities and businesses locally. | Read more on the OR-ID Conference website.
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CAMP & RETREAT MINISTRIES
Come spend time at gorgeous Wallowa Lake Camp
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Starting this month, we'll be sharing stories about our six camp and retreat ministry sites in the Oregon-Idaho Conference and the unique opportunities they offer to connect with the spirit and one another in sacred spaces. Wallowa Lake Camp in northeastern Oregon has lots to offer this summer. | Read more of the Wallowa Lake story on the OR-ID Conference website.
Camp Magruder welcomes young adults this spring
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Starting this month, we'll be sharing stories about our six camp and retreat ministry sites in the Oregon-Idaho Conference and the unique opportunities they offer to connect with the spirit and one another in sacred spaces. Camp Magruder on the Oregon coast is intentionally offering programming this spring to help young adults find community and spiritual connection. | Learn more on the OR-ID Conference website.
RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES
Annual Conference Actions: Peace in the Holy Land
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Each year at the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference Session, among the budgets, appointments, reports, and celebrations are conference legislation items. Many of these actions and standing resolutions are intended to live out the values of The United Methodist Church as it exists in the Oregon-Idaho context. This article is one in a series to highlight legislative items related to social justice and values. | Read more on the OR-ID Conference website.
Is your livestream part of your Safe Sanctuary plan?
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Recently, a pastor shared a disturbing story of pedophiles watching and sharing clips of his church's children's moments, garnering tens of thousands of views. Pacific Northwest Conference Communications Director Patrick Scriven offers some suggestions for how you can extend your safe church practices to your livestream to protect children in your congregation. | Read more on the GNW News site.
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