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GNW Area News | Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023

Dear Reader,

We are mourning the loss of Tyre Nichols, another Black man whose life was ended by police brutality. At same time, we enter into Black History Month knowing that we need more than a month to honor and celebrate Black lives in our collective story as a country.

Patriarchal, systemic racism permeates every fiber of our collective history and experience as Americans and United Methodists. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and not know where to start.

Through its R2 Hub, the United Methodist General Commission on Religion and Race has provided 29 unique ways to participate in Black History Month and make a difference in your community. Even as we long and work for change, we can pause to learn and celebrate the rich contributions Black folx have made to our collective story.

Let's get started this February and remember there are 11 more months worth of celebration and work to do as well!

With grace and gratitude,

Kristen C. Caldwell
Oregon-Idaho Conference Communications Manager


GNW NEWS

A letter: Long enough to make a difference!

Rev. Paul Graves has been writing to his grandkids since the first one was born in 1997. In his latest letter, Graves writes on the occasion of MLK, Jr. Day and about our calling, as children of God, to make differences both big and small, during our lifetime. | Read more of of Graves' words on the GNW News site.

Commentary: Here I raze my Ebenezer

In commentary, Pastor Dan Wilcox of the Alaska Conference reflects on the story of the Ebenezer stone as found in the book of Samuel. Wilcox recalls how some people and places that have been part of his spiritual journey may now leave the UMC by disaffiliation and how it has challenged him to rethink his Ebenezer. | Read more of Wilcox's commentary on the GNW news site.

Inspiring Generosity: Don't let the Valentine's trumpets win

With Valentine's Day less than two weeks away, stewardship consultant Cesie Delve Scheuermann offers a couple of reminders on how to "love" on your congregation for the next two weeks – instead of a late Valentine's Day recognition. | Read more of Cesie's latest blog on the OR-ID Conference website.

Church food pantry marks 20 years of service

Last week Kenai United Methodist Church food pantry celebrated its 20th anniversary. Every Monday from 12:30 - 3 PM, the pantry is open and offers food and clothes to those experiencing food and housing insecurity. | Read more of the story from the Peninsula Clarion on its website.


RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES

Abundant Health: Lenten prayer workshop Feb. 15

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.

World Council of Churches: Thursdays in black

In every country, gender-based violence is a tragic reality. This violence is frequently hidden, and victims are often silent, fearing stigma and further violence. The World Council of Churches is encouraging Christians to participate in a "simple but profound" campaign by wearing black on Thursdays. | Resources for the ongoing campaign can be found on the WCC website.

WJ: Global ministry opportunity: Queer-affirming bible study with Ugandan Christians 

The Western Jurisdiction LGBTQIA+ Ministries team recently connected with a fellowship of young trans women in Uganda. They are living in pretty basic conditions in a challenging area of Uganda. Many have been ejected from their homes and churches because of their gender identity. They have asked if the WJ team can help them with a weekly bible study. They have limited resources and are desperate for help and direction in creating a queer friendly weekly bible study.   

This would occur once a week (Wednesdays) in the evenings for those in the WJ, which is the morning in Uganda. The committee is hoping to begin this project after Easter. The WJ committee is looking for volunteers to each take one week and help this group with their important and vital work. If interested in participating in this project please email Rev. Denyse Barnes dbarnes@calpacumc.org


GLOBAL NEWS

Church leaders mourn Tyre Nichols, seek change

In the days since video was released showing police officers savagely beating Tyre Nichols, United Methodists have joined in grief and prayers for Nichols and his family. Some recalled their own experiences with police violence. All called for justice and the recognition of Black people’s humanity. | Read more of this story from UM News Service.

NFAAUM and AALM of The United Methodist Church’s Statement on the Half Moon Bay Shooting

Following recent mass shootings across the U.S., the New Federation of Asian American United Methodists and Asian American Language Ministry are calling for action on gun violence. The groups also see Tyre Nichols’ death at the hands of police as part of an epidemic of violence. “We raise our voices in prayer for increasingly vulnerable members of our communities who are immigrants and people of color,” the groups’ statement says. | Read more of this statement on the FNAAUM website.

Ask The UMC: Is the UMC really ...? (part 8)

Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, continues to receive questions related to local church disaffiliations. In Part 8 of its “Is The United Methodist Church Really …?” series, the team tackles more inquiries related to Paragraph 2553, including what happens when the paragraph expires at the end of the year. | Learn more on the Ask The UMC 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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