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CELEBRATING SAGE

Sage pastors and Staff-Parish Relations Committee members should be familiar with the Clergy Health and Wellness Agreement. (Hopefully others in local church leadership are aware of this, too. If laity in a congregation are generally aware of this agreement, even better!) It’s a document I talk about with pastors individually and during fall charge conferences. The purpose is to support pastors in practicing good self-care by insisting that they take all of their vacation time, don’t work when they are sick, establish a weekly day off, and so on. These things are crucial in order for pastors to serve in healthy ways and to ensure that the laity get to fulfill their calls, too, rather than being completely dependent on pastors. If used well, this agreement can be the basis for some meaningful accountability. After all, as I remind others (and as I sometimes have to be reminded myself), Sabbath-keeping is one of the big 10!
 
I appreciate that Bishop Cedrick practices Sabbath and encourages the cabinet to so, too. He began his work among us January 1, and before the end of that first month he was asking for my renewal leave dates. My answer: June 21 through August 21, 2023. (Note that the Discipline allows—and GNW leadership encourages!—this kind of leave for clergy every six years of full-time appointed ministry. See paragraph 350.3.) I was blessed to get a renewal leave in my previous appointment in 2015—thank you, Kuna UMC! Now, eight years later and five years into my appointment as DS, I am tired and so very grateful to have this leave coming up soon. I’m looking forward to traveling with my family and continuing my new-found love of backpacking! In the June newsletter you can expect details about who will be on call and available for needs that arise during my absence. (It is good to be replaceable!) 
 
This is also a very good time for pastors to think about and get vacations and vacation coverage scheduled. It’s a great time for congregations to encourage their pastors to schedule and take their vacation. We have many ways to help churches have access to clergy, pastoral care, and excellent preaching when appointed pastors are away. We have willing retirees who are great about helping out colleagues in active ministry! And we will have healthier, better pastors if they take the opportunity to rest and renew. To help with this planning, Rev. Laura Stephens-Reed will be offering us some tips and tools during the Sage Ministers’ zoom on May 16.  (See additional details of this in the Sage Ministers Zoom article below.) 

I am very much looking forward to seeing many of you at Annual Conference in Meridian next month!  And it was great to see so many gathered for Northwest Leadership Institute at Boise 1st UMC in late April!  I’ll be delighted to renew connections again when I’m more rested and my spirit is refreshed in late summer. 
 
Peace of Christ,

  

WHERE IS THE DS?

The calendar says that Annual Conference is getting close—not only because of the month but because of the extra meetings happening in preparation for our first in-person conference in four years. Karen is zooming as much as ever with in-person meetings and travel in between. You can reach her by call, text, or email karen@umoi.org. 
 
May 1              Annual Conference Nominations Committee (zoom)
May 2              GNW Appointive Cabinet (zoom)
                        Sage Ministers’ Zoom with Rev. Jenny Smith
May 3              Annual Conference Sessions Committee (zoom)
                        Board of Ordained Ministry – clergy session prep (zoom)
May 4              GNW Appointive Cabinet (zoom)
                        Annual Conference Nominations Committee (zoom)
May 6              Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference Special Session (zoom)
May 7              preach at Whitney UMC (Boise)
May 8              church visits in Northeast Oregon area of Sage District
May 9              GNW Cabinet (zoom)
May 10            Oregon-Idaho Cabinet (zoom)
                        Board of Ordained Ministry & DCOM leaders
                        Everybody House Board meeting
May 11            GNW Appointive Cabinet (zoom)
                        Board of Ordained Ministry – clergy session prep (zoom)
May 14            preach at Hyde Park Mennonite Fellowship (Boise)
May 15            travel & vacation day
May 16            Board of Ordained Ministry spring meeting (zoom)
                        Sage Ministers’ Zoom with Rev. Laura Stephens-Reed
May 17            Annual Conference Sessions Committee (zoom)
May 19            GNW Cabinet (Juneau)
May 20            Bishop Cedrick’s installation service
May 21            worship with local UMC in Juneau
May 23            Oregon-Idaho Clergy Session (zoom)
May 28            worship with Pocatello UMC
May 30            Sage Ministers’ Zoom
May 31            Annual Conference Sessions Committee (zoom)
 

ARE YOU BECOMING ANTI-RACIST?

United Methodists have been explicitly called by our bishops to the work of anti-racism for three years. Racism still exists—not just in particular places or metropolitan areas, but all around. If you’re not able to see it in your church or community, that’s because it’s hard to see when we’re in the middle of it. This is not an accusation, rather it’s an observation that when something is so common or constant, we stop noticing it. 

Answering the call to become anti-racist doesn’t necessarily mean that we must start new ministries with an anti-racism focus. That’s one approach that’s welcome, but there are plenty of other equally valid ways to do anti-racism work and to keep ourselves mindful of the racism that’s been normalized all around us.

Bishop Cedrick preached during NLI (Northwest Leadership Institute at Boise 1st UMC). It wasn’t a sermon about anti-racism by any stretch, but he called our attention to racism along the way. Check out the recording of this entire worship service here or watch just his message, which begins at 25:50. 

You can find many more resources related to anti-racism and cultural competency here.      
If you’re still not sure how to start or what to do next, just ask. DS Karen will readily work with you to create a plan that is fitting for your context. Call (208-697-4510) or email (karen@umoi.org). 

 

SAGE MINISTERS ZOOM MEETINGS

2 p.m. MT / 1 p.m. PT
on May 16, May 30, June 20, July 18, & August 22

 

Our Sage Ministers Zoom Call on Tuesday, May 16 at 2 p.m. MT/1 p.m. PT features Laura Stephens-Reed as our guest.

Rev. Laura Stephens-Reed, ordained ministry with the Disciples of Christ, has worked with Greater Northwest Area clergy and churches during the 2022 Transitions Retreat and both individual and congregational coaching. This time she’ll be teaching Sage ministers about planning for vacation (or renewal leave) in ways that ensure pastors & clergy can more easily get time away while churches remain well cared for during those times.  

The way we use these zoom times is shifting, but attendance remains optional.  Some of these zooms are used to offer tools for ministry, introductions to relevant topics, etc.  As topics and experts are scheduled for particular dates, these details will be advertised here and in reminder emails for each scheduled date. Dates without assigned topics will be used for checking in with one another personally and professionally.  Conversation is guided by those who attend.  Zoom begins at 2 p.m. MT / 1 p.m. PT.
 
May 2 – Rev. Jenny Smith of the Pacific NW Conference joined to talk about her new book, "Still Here: A Poetry Memoir of Grief and Love."  Like all pastors, Jenny cares for others through grief and now she asks, “But what about our own grief? We don't want to push it down and reap the unintended delay of our own healing, but often ministry demands this reality.”  This was a time of listening and reflecting together on this challenging reality. 
 
May 30,  June 20, July 18, August 22 – These summer dates are fewer and further between in hopes that local church rhythms allow for vacation time, slower pace, and more creative work.  These dates will be fellowship times when participants determine the agenda upon arrival or just enjoy one another’s company. 


To join online or from a smartphone, go to https://greaternw.zoom.us/j/93203301003 

To join from any phone, dial 1 of the phone numbers below, 
        +1 346 248 7799
        +1 669 900 6833
        +1 312 626 6799

 

JUDY HALVORSON (SAGE UWF/HILLVIEW UMC) SHARES INFORMATION ABOUT NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRIES

You may be wondering why we are featuring information about Native American Ministries Sunday this month. We received this email after the last newsletter was published and it's filled with so many links that we wanted to share it with you. The offering may have been taken in April, but the work continues all year long.

Greetings, I'm contacting you about the UMC's Native American Ministries Special Offering because I know you have an interest in staying tuned in to justice issues related to Native Americans.

Native American Ministries Sunday---UMC Religion and Race has some good information. 

In addition to giving our congregations the opportunity to support Native American Ministries, including our own Oregon-Idaho Committee on Native American Ministries, I'd like to suggest encouraging your members to participate in a legislative action that would establish a Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding Schools Policy Act. The UMC Baltimore-Washington Conference has an online email contact for legislators that is easy to use.

The Greater Northwest Area Circle of Indigenous Ministries has this video posted about boarding schools by Rev. Chebon Kernell, UMC Native American Comprehensive Plan executive director.

I've recently come across this resource about land acknowledgements that I'd like to share with you. I would like to hear from you about resources that you've found to be helpful in your research for Native American Land Acknowledgment and what plan of actions your congregation will be doing for our continued journey of Acts of Repentance and Healing with native Americans.
 
Peace and Joy,

Judy Halverson

 
 

CHOIR ROBES AVAILABLE

Is your choir looking for robes? Payette UMC has robes they are no longer using. Contact Pastor Mary Beth Boesch for information. 

SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE FOR WOMEN

Are you, or do you know a woman in the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area who is, planning to pursue or is already pursuing post-graduate studies toward a career in the church, including, but not limited to ordained elder? The Dr. Gertrude Boyd Crane scholarship committee is now taking applications.  Scholarship amounts vary, but average about $2000 per year. 
 
Learn more about this scholarship on the Oregon-Idaho United Women in Faith website.

 

NOW HIRING - CHILDREN'S MINISTRY DIRECTOR

The Amity Campus of Cathedral of the Rockies in Boise has an open position for a Children's Ministry Director. You can find the posting on Indeed here.

 

UMVIM/DISASTER MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER FOR MAY 2023

Learn more about disaster kits and the collection at annual conference 2023, locations requesting recovery teams (great for mission trips in our conference and all over the west), and more in this monthly newsletter.

Sometimes the greatest help you can offer is through your generosity. Our disaster ministries are made possible through your financial support. Conference Disaster Response Fund - Fund #260; provides funds for preparedness and response within the Conference.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

ALL ARTICLES FOUND BELOW HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE GNW NEWSLETTER, THE UMCONNECTOR, THE UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH NEWS - WE ARE SHARING AGAIN - IN CASE YOU MISSED IT!

IS YOUR CHURCH DISABILITY FRIENDLY? ABUNDANT HEALTH - DISABILTY TRAINING

You are invited to attend a seminar being put on by the Oregon-Idaho Conference's Abundant Health ministries in partnership with The UMC's Disability Ministries Committee on May 25, starting at 6 p.m. Pacific Time. Deaconness Lynn Swedberg, a disability consultant for the committee will lead participants in a thoughtful discussion on the importance of accessibility. Learn more and register here.

MISSION U: JULY 13-15 OR JULY 28-30 (FREE VIRTUAL EVENT)

Mission U is right around the corner! This is perfect opportunity for someone who has never attended or is not part of United Women in Faith (ask me (Etha) I've attended and this event is awesome!). 

This year's theme is "Living the Kin-dom: Exploring the Lord’s Prayer as a Spiritual Practice for Social Transformation." Two study leaders will be at both sessions - Jeff Lowery, an ordained deacon currently serving in Tigard, OR, and Amanda Gayle Reed, an ordained elder serving at Gooding and Crossroads churches right here in Sage District!

Learn more and register here.

 

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP BEGINS MAY 19 - ON ZOOM

Join the Oregon-Idaho United Women in Faith Book Discussion Group on May 19 at 2 p.m. PT/ 1 p.m. MT to share thoughts on "Cousins" by Betty Kilby Baldwin and Phoebe Kilby. 

Learn more and find a poster to print and share here.

Register here by May 18 and the Zoom link will be emailed to you.
 

MAY IS ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH

10 Things to Know About Asian Americans. Learn more about Asian American Heritage with this resource. 

10 Honorable Traits of Pacific Islander Culture. Learn more about Pacific Islander heritage with this resource.

 INCENTIVE FOR CLERGY COVERED BY CONFERENCE GROUP INSURANCE PLAN

The Wespath well-being programs support participants and dependents in a variety of ways focusing on emotional, financial, physical, social and spiritual health.

In addition to the $410 in pulse cash participants can earn this year through the Virgin Pulse well-being program, the Conference Board of Pensions has approved an additional incentive of $500 to be credited to the participant's church or ministerial program.

To be eligible for the $500, the primary participant in HealthFlex must complete the following three well-being incentives offered by HealthFlex through Virgin Pulse by December 31:

Learn more here at: Well-Being Incentive Program and 2023 HealthFlex Well-being Programs

 LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR MINISTRY EMPLOYEES

After facing exclusions from the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program for over a decade, employees of religious non-profits can now qualify for student loan forgiveness. The requirements and application process are straightforward, making the program simpler than ever. 

Learn more!

 

Monday, April 24 - 

Sage District Superintendent, Rev. Karen Hernandez, intends to assign Janessa Chastain to serve as pastor of Collister UMC in Boise, Idaho, effective July 1, 2023. 

Chastain, a lifelong United Methodist and Boise native, will serve Collister UMC quarter-time while also serving as the executive director of the Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity. She was previously appointed to congregations in the Desert Southwest Conference of The UMC.
 

Monday, March 13 - 

Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth intends to appoint Rev. Bo Sanders to Twin Falls First UMC in Idaho, beginning July 1, 2023.

Sanders, a licensed local pastor in the Oregon-Idaho Conference, has been serving Vermont Hills UMC in Portland, Oregon.

 

Monday, January 30 -

Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth announces the intended appointment of Rev. H. Buddy Gharring as pastor to Hillview United Methodist Church in Boise, Idaho, effective July 1, 2023.

Rev. Gharring, a licensed local pastor in the Oregon-Idaho Conference, is currently serving Twin Falls First UMC in Idaho. Hillview UMC is currently being served by interim pastor, Rev. Jane Shaffer, on a quarter-time basis through June 30, 2023

 

In Memoriam 
Robert Dean McNeil
June 12, 1933 – March 24, 2023

The Reverend Robert Dean McNeil died on March 24, 2023. Robert is survived by a daughter, Roseanne McNeil, sons Kevin McNeil and Merrill McNeil, and five granddaughters. Rev. McNeil was predeceased by his wife Sara, who died February 24, 2021.

Rev. McNeil served Vale, Kimberly/Hansen, Baker/Haines, Portland: Sunnyside, and Portland First. From 1982 to 1995 he was director of alcohol and drug prevention education and recovery ministries throughout the state of Oregon under the sponsorship of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and other agencies. Bob retired in 1995. 

A Celebration of Life will be held April 29, 2023, from 1-3pm at Cherry Park UMC, 1736 SE 106th Ave, Portland, OR 97216. 

To extend condolences, friends may contact Roseanne McNeil, 1826 NE 86th Ave, Portland, OR 97220. 

Because Rev. McNeil was involved with the first Habitat for Humanity home in Oregon, the family suggests memorial gifts to that organization.. 
 
Cedrick Bridgeforth, Bishop 
Candace Clarke, Interim Treasurer and Director of Finance and Operations 

 

In Memoriam 
Robert E. Hefty
November 8, 1935 – April 6, 2023

Reverend Robert E. Hefty died on April 6, 2023. Rev. Hefty is survived by his wife, Jean Hefty, and their son, Joel Hefty, and son-in-law, Stephen Conarroe. 

Rev. Hefty served Joseph UMC, Wallowa UMC, Gooding UMC, Payette UMC, Coos Bay UMC, Nehalem Bay UMC, and Reedsport UMC in the Oregon-Idaho Conference. He served several churches in the Iowa Conference prior to becoming a member of the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference in 1975. Bob retired in 1999.

A memorial service will be held on June 17, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Florence United Methodist Church, 333 Kingwood St., Florence, OR 97439-9360.

To extend condolences, friends may contact Jean Hefty at 375 9th St., #226, Florence, OR 97439 and Joel Hefty at 203-200 Douglas St., Vancouver, BC V8V 2P2.


Cedrick Bridgeforth, Bishop 
Candace Clarke, Interim Treasurer and Director of Finance and Operations 
 

In Memoriam 
Ralph Arthur Cairns
April 10, 1935 – April 5, 2023

The Reverend Ralph Cairns died on April 5, 2023. Ralph is survived by his wife Shirley, daughter Mary L. Rohrman, sons David Cairns and Jim Cairns, and his stepdaughters Melody Maynard and Vicky Warren.

Rev. Cairns served Prairie City, Shoshone/Richfield, Filer, Vale, and Sutherlin/Wilbur United Methodist Churches. In 1976 he went back to school to train as a chaplain, and then served as Chaplain at Hermiston Good Samaritan Center. He had been retired since 1997.

A memorial service was held April 10, 2023, at 1:00 pm at Hermiston First UMC.

To extend condolences, friends may share memories of Ralph at the Burns Mortuary Hermiston website. 

Cedrick Bridgeforth, Bishop 
Candace Clarke, Interim Treasurer and Director of Finance and Operations 

 

In Memoriam 
Thomas Wilber Foster
December 31, 1932 – March 30, 2023

The Reverend Thomas Wilber Foster died on March 30, 2023. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Colleen Foster, retired Diaconal Minister, who died in November 2021. Tom is survived by his children: Paul Foster, Mark Foster, Heidi Foster, Eileen Foster-Sakai, and by six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Rev. Foster served Haines/North Powder, Ontario First, Madras, Pocatello, Salem Trinity, and Roseburg. He had been retired since 1996.

A memorial service will be held May 20, 2023, 1:00pm at Portland First United Methodist Church.
The family suggests that contributions in memory of Tom be made to Camp & Retreat Ministries of the Oregon-Idaho Conference. Checks can be made out to “Board of Camp and Retreat Ministry” (or “BCRM”) and mailed to 1505 SW 18th Ave., Portland, OR 97201 or to Portland First United Methodist Church and mailed to 1838 SW Jefferson St., Portland, OR 97201.

To extend condolences, friends may send cards to Eileen Foster-Sakai, 1160 Merlin Ct NW, Salem, OR 97304.

Cedrick Bridgeforth, Bishop 
Candace Clarke, Interim Treasurer and Director of Finance and Operations 

SAGE DISTRICT CONTACT INFORMATION 

Anything sent to the conference office will experience a significant delay in reaching us.

Email                        sage@umoi.org
Office phone             208-537-3683
Mailing address        P. O. Box 642, Twin Falls, ID 83303-0642
Office hours              Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. MT (8 a.m. – 4 p.m. PT)
 
Sage District Office of the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference
PO Box 642, Twin Falls, ID 83303-0642 ~ Sage@umoi.org