PNW News Digest | May 4, 2023

Human beings. Period.

On Sunday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced a $50k reward for information leading to the arrest of a man who "killed five illegal immigrants" after the heinous murder of five people (including parents and children) in Cleveland, Texas. Not only was Abbott's reference to the victims as "illegal immigrants" inaccurate, but many have rightfully pointed out that his language is dehumanizing. While Abbott's office apologized for the inaccurate information, the governor's tweet remains on Twitter unchanged.

How we see other people matters. How we refer to and treat them, especially in a tragic situation like this, matters. As people of faith in an Abrahamic tradition, our story tells us that the "other," whoever that may be, is someone created in the image of God. How we get from that to refer to a murder victim primarily as an "illegal immigrant" is simply beyond me.

On Tuesday, I attended the "We Side with Love" community vigil at Edmonds UMC (click here to view photos). After hate-filled and disgusting anti-trans fliers were left on cars during a recent worship service (and subsequently a nearby Lutheran church), leaders at Edmonds UMC worked closely with partners community partners, leaders and other members of several faith traditions to organize an event in support of this often 'othered' community.

Several invited speakers on Tuesday made points I wish we could all hear and internalize (click here to watch a recording). Attendees were repeatedly encouraged to see the humanity in all people. Anger and vengeance were given no quarter. Instead, speakers invited participants to share their laments in newfound community, find solidarity in each other, and organize for a better world. 

Members of the LGBTQIA+ community, persons of color, immigrants, indigenous persons, white, differently-abled folk, young, not-so-young, Republicans, Democrats, and independents, rich, poor – all human beings. Period. Or, as a person of faith, we might try "all children of God" if that isn't too intimidating. 

May God give us all the grace and ability to seek the humanity in our neighbors first before we try to understand and appreciate the differences. And once we have mastered that, may we also seek the reflection of God and celebrate when it is found unexpectedly.

grace&peace

Patrick Scriven
Director of Communications
PNW Conference 

PACIFIC NORTHWEST & GNW AREA NEWS

Special Session of the PNW Conference to be live-streamed on Sunday, May 7, 2023

A Special Called Session of the PNW Conference will be held online only on Sunday, May 7, starting at 2 p.m. PT, on Zoom for members and live-streamed for others. The sole purpose of this Special Session is to affirm or not affirm local church disaffiliation requests under the provisions of The Book of Discipline, ¶2553. The Zoom link and voting credentials were sent to registered members earlier this week. Click here to learn more and and to bookmark the live-stream.

Pro-LGBTQ churches hold vigil after anti-trans flier campaign

Politicians and LGBTQ advocates attended a vigil in Edmonds Tuesday night after hateful, anti-trans fliers were placed on cars at two local churches known to welcome queer people. Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, State Senator Manka Dhingra, Edmonds Mayor Mike Nelson, and other Snohomish and King County officials spoke at Edmonds United Methodist Church last night. Courtney Wooten, who chairs the Snohomish County Human Rights Commission, and Mitch Hunter from Gen Pride were also scheduled to speak. Continue reading this story on The Stranger's website. UMCOR training of GNW leaders precedes dedication of three homes in the Okanogan Rev. Sheila Miranda shares her first-hand account of the impact of UMCOR on shared ministries across the Greater Northwest Area. Recently, she received training from UMCOR’s Angela Overstreet in Boise, ID, prior to participating in three new home dedications in the Okanogan area. She was joined by Overstreet, PNW Disaster Response Coordinators Dana and Kathy Bryson, construction manager Barry Hansen, and several others at the dedications. Read this story on the GNW News Blog. Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth installation service scheduled for May 20, livestreamed from Juneau, AK The Episcopacy Committees and other leaders of the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Conferences invite you to the Service of Installation for Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth on Sat., May 20 at 2 p.m. AKT/3 p.m. PT/4 p.m. MT. The service livestreamed here will also open the Greater Northwest Area’s month of conferencing. An invited group of leaders from across the area will participate in the event as hosted in Juneau, Alaska, by Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Learn more and bookmark this page for May 20!  Aloha UMC partnering with community to address housing crisis Aloha UMC is on the cusp of creating housing pods on its church property to help Washington County address the growing houseless crisis. The church feels called to this work through their commitment to community and understanding of Jesus' teachings in scripture. Read this story on the Oregon-Idaho Conference website. The Interfaith Solar Campaign: How churches in Oregon are going green Through the leadership of retired clergy, Rev. John Pitney, more churches in the Oregon-Idaho Conference are moving to solar power as part of the Oregon Interfaith Solar Campaign. Communications Specialist John Shaw spoke with Pitney as well as Rev. Jon Hughes from Molalla UMC to understand why this is an important step in creation care for churches to take. Read this story on the Oregon-Idaho Conference website.

Global Ministries: Relationship restored with East Africa

The General Board of Global Ministries and East Africa Episcopal Area have reached an agreement to restore their relationship and make possible the placement of missionaries in East Africa and the resumption of programs and ministries in humanitarian aid, agriculture, global health and church revitalization. The confidential agreement follows a decade-long freeze on distribution of church and mission funds after internal audits raised questions about the episcopal area’s use of certain funds. Read this statement on the Global Ministries website. United Women in Faith: Applications due July 11 for Hoover award Young women wishing to travel and study can apply for the Theressa Hoover Community Service and Global Citizenship Award. The deadline to submit applications is July 11. Women ages 21 to 35 are eligible, and priority will be given to projects involving climate justice and addressing the criminalization of communities of color. Hoover, who died in 2013, was the first African American to lead the former Women's Division of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. Read this press release on the United Women in Faith website.