ARE YOU BECOMING ANTI-RACIST?

At his May 20 installation service at Aldersgate UMC in Juneau, Alaska, Bishop Cedrick laid out the MILE that will guide us forward. You can hear it directly from him here.  (The archived video contains the entire installation service, which is wonderful!  If you’re looking for only the MILE info, it’s within the sermon. Go 1:14:10 into the video for the scripture and sermon.)  And we’ll be hearing much more about the mile at our Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference and beyond.

E in MILE is for the elimination of racism. We’ve been called this same task by our bishops—our own GNW bishops and the Council of Bishops collectively—since mid-2020. There is still plenty of work to be done. As people who are committed to following Jesus and loving all our neighbors, it is our work to do—not some of us, but all of us. 

This month you are encouraged to learn about Loving Day, Juneteenth and Pride month. (What does Pride or LGBTQ+ inclusivity have to do with anti-racism? Learn about intersectionality here.)  Read “Celebrating Sage” and use the links provided there as a jumping off point. 

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). Pastors, expect to talk about this in your one-to-one with the DS in late August or September. 
 

SAGE APPOINTMENTS, RETIREMENTS, AND CHANGES - OH MY!

Appointment announcements for 2023 are all available here. Appointments and retirements will be celebrated at Annual Conference. 
 

Appointment Changes

Collister UMC (Boise) is saying farewell to Rev. Dr. Joe Bankard in order for him to focus on his family and his work at Northwest Nazarene University. Joe has served Collister as senior pastor for seven years. Janessa Chastain, a Boise native who’s also Executive Director of Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity, will begin serving Collister this summer. Welcome, Janessa! (Rev. Jenny Hirst is also appointed to Collister UMC; her appointment is not changing.)

Hillview UMC (Boise) has been blessed by Rev. Jane Shaffer’s worship leadership through an in-between time. They will soon receive Rev. Buddy Gharring as their full-time pastor.  Buddy is moving from Twin Falls, and it’s a blessing to have him staying in the Sage District!

Idaho Falls UMCs (both Trinity and St. Paul’s) are experiencing pastoral transitions, which looks like an opportunity to see what the Spirit might do if we create space for some deep discernment.  As a result, Rev. Kathy Neary, Transitional Ministry Specialist in to the Office of Connectional Ministries with the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference, will be working with both of our Idaho Falls congregations. There will be additional leadership working cooperatively with Kathy, too—including the cabinet! No one knows yet what will happen long-term, but there is broad commitment to this interim year of experimentation, exploration, openness, and much prayer as we seek what God has in store for these two congregations and their community. 

New Meadows UMC is wishing Rev. Jon Umbdenstock well as he heads to a full-time appointment in the Mountain Sky Conference after four years as their pastor. They will soon be blessed by the leadership of Rev. Paul VanAnterwerp, ordained in the United Church of Christ.  Paul has recently served in Mountain Home, ID and already lives in New Meadows thanks to the draw of the UCC camp there.

St. Paul’s UMC (Idaho Falls) extends their joyful gratitude to Rev. Dave Horning who has led them in worship through many months of awaiting an appointed pastor. They will be part of the Idaho Falls appointment (see above). 

Trinity UMC (Idaho Falls) is giving thanks for Rev. Ruth Marsh’s nine years of ministry with them and wishing her well as she heads to her new appointment: Dallas UMC and Polk County United Methodist cooperative ministry exploration in the Cascadia District. Trinity will be part of the Idaho Falls appointment (see above).

Twin Falls UMC is also in transition. After five years of ministry there, Rev. Buddy Gharring is leaving for a new appointment (see above). Rev. Bo Sanders is the next pastor appoint to Twin Falls.  Bo comes to us from Vermont Hills UMC (Portland). This is his second UMC appointment and his first opportunity to serve in Sage. Welcome, Bo!

Appointment Beyond Sage

Rev. Nancy Amos has been on transitional leave for the past year, but she’s called the Sage District (and Idaho Falls) home since she came west in 2017. Now Nancy is heading further west to serve her new appointment: Junction City in the Crater Lake District. Blessings to you, Nancy! 

Retirements

Rev. John Grimsted is officially retiring as he completes his 30th year of appointed ministry to Eagle UMC. He will continue pastoring at Eagle in retirement until such time as their disaffiliation is complete later this year. 

Rev. Janice Haftorson is also officially retiring. Most recently Janice has been on personal leave, but she has served several Sage District churches. In fact, she served Sage churches many years before we were the Sage District! 

Closures in the Near Future

There will be no votes at Annual Conference 2023 regarding the closure of Sage churches. However, there are two Sage congregations that have discerned that they have reached their faithful completion. Please hold them and their pastors in prayer in the months ahead.

• Jerome UMC, part of the Magic Valley Ministries, will close on Sept. 1, 2023. Pastor Penny Hodges has faithfully led through group of determined disciples through a long season of discernment. (Pastor Penny will continue serving the Magic Valley Ministries, including Wendell, Hagerman, and Buhl UMCs.) 
• Shoshone UMC, one of the oldest Methodist congregations in Idaho, will have their final worship service on Christmas Eve and will officially close on Dec. 31, 2023. Pastor Connie Brass and the Shoshone UMC members are facing the tasks of closure with brave faces and heavy hearts. 

Disaffiliation as of May 31, 2023

Castleford UMC completed the disaffiliation process and was approved by the May 6 special session of the Annual Conference. The congregation continues in ministry but is no longer United Methodist. 

A NOTE FROM ETHA

I've been wanting to share some resource links with you for the past few months and here they are! I love serving as your district administrator and connecting with everyone across the district and at the same time, I love my other job too. For the past decade I have worked with the clergy at Magic Valley Ministries as their administrator and as part of this job I read lot's of emails and check out resources they might be interested in using. I also listen to folks in the pews about what things they are looking for spiritually.  Recently we've been hearing a longing for prayer, bible study, and family ministry.

I'm thrilled to share these resources that have caught my attention.

• The Michigan Conference of the UMC has some Faith Family Playlists which were released during the pandemic, but the flexibility they offer is still relevant. (they also have seasonal children's resources and more, explore their page). 
• Illustrated Ministry creates faith resources for the church & home. They celebrate the expansive image of God in everyone, through open and inclusive language, diverse imagery, and progressive theology. Their downloadable resources are quick and easy to use and they offer free items throughout the year.
• I learned about Dandelion Marketplace from a United Methodist webinar I listened to last winter. They are a digital multivendor platform that provides reliable progressive spiritual formation resources for families and communities. 
• I don't know how I ended up on the PRC (Practical Resources for Churches) email list, but I've found many wonderful resources for prayer (Pray the Day, Lectio Divina, Visio Divina, Examen) and intergenerational ministry from their newsletter. Check out their website. Sign up for the newsletter.

I wish you all a blessed summer and can hardly wait to see some of you next week at annual conference in Meridian!

SAGE MINISTERS ZOOM MEETINGS June 20, July 18, & August 22

In hopes that there is a slower pace for summer, we are slowing down these zoom gatherings for June, July and August. There will be no scheduled programming; the time will be used for connection and conversation. We’ll return to more structure (offering tools, brief info sessions, etc.) in the fall.  Each Zoom begins at 2 p.m. MT / 1 p.m. PT. 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 UMVIM/DISASTER MINISTRIES - JUNE 2023   Are you bringing disaster kits to Annual Conference in Meridian? If so, check out this newsletter to learn how you can notify the team in advance. You can also learn about mission trip locations for this summer!  FIRST EVER SOUL CARE RETREAT Do you know someone who is exhausted, burned out and seriously in need of some self TLC for her body, mind, and spirit? Maybe that someone is you! Then save the date for our first-ever Soul Care Retreat. Relax by a beautiful mountain lake, have your meals prepared for you, go for walks or do yoga stretches, participate in a storytelling activity, enjoy an ice cream sundae party, walk a labyrinth, curl up and read or take a nap. More information will be coming soon! Save the date - September 8-10, 2023. CLM SPECIALIZATION IN CONGREGATIONAL CARE - JULY 21-22  The healing ministry of Jesus gives us the example that care is at the heart of the church.  As a Certified Lay Minister you can receive training for a specialization through the Discipleship Ministries of the UMC in Congregational Care which can help you create and revitalize your care ministry.  This two day training gives you tools and resources for your care ministry no matter what size the church including prayer ministry, boundaries, spiritual guidance, visitation, death/dying and care team development.  During the webinar, you will experience uplifting worship and renewal for your soul. NOTE: Non-CLMs may attend this basic care ministry webinar but they will not receive the final project for specialization in congregational care. They will however receive a basic certificate of completion for the course. Find out more and register here. ONLINE HEALTH MINISTER CERTIFICATE - FALL 2023 (OPEN TO ALL) The online Health Minister Certificate: Equips and trains faith community members, clergy, public health professionals, social workers, chaplains, and others to support whole person health in many settings. Provides foundational language, concepts, critical thinking, self-care, and asset mapping skills in faith and health. Explores different health ministry roles and models in numerous faith and health settings. Curriculum based on national best practice models and standards outlined in the Health Ministries Association’s publication “The Health Minister Role: Guidelines and Foundational Curriculum Elements”. Find out more here. DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES LAUNCHES PILOT PRAYER PARTNER PROJECT IN FALL 2023 Do you pray? How often do you pray? Do you want to grow as a follower of Jesus Christ? Do you want to have someone you can trust and with whom you can share? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, sign up for the Pilot Prayer Partner Project! You can register as an individual, or as your church or your church group. Learn more from Discipleship Ministries here. 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! ANNUAL CONFERENCE - JUNE 8-11, 2023 Annual conference officially opened with the installation of Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth on May 20. You can find out more and watch the session (or just check out Bishop Cedrick's Sermon) here. The Oregon-Idaho clergy session was held via Zoom on May 23.  Our hybrid session being held on Zoom and in-person at Meridian UMC begins on June 8 with a day of celebration including worship, a conference picnic (including ice cream and a special living rainbow photo), and district gatherings. Before the session ends on Sunday, June 11 with ordination, we will gather to recognize ministry transitions, meet in plenary, practice caring for others in "Go and Do Likewise" opportunities, connect with old friends, make new friends. Sage District is the host for this year's session and we are excited to welcome everyone to Meridian! You can find out more details and watch the sessions live at our webpage - www.umoi.org/ac The closing session of all three Greater NW annual conference sessions will be held online on June 15 at 6 p.m. PT/ 7 p.m. MT. You can stream it (or watch later) here. The Lay Member of Annual Conference from your church will share a report with your congregation. Be sure to ask her/him/them about this year's session.  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. 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.

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 ALERT: BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR FRAUDULENT EMAILS

It has come to our attention that someone(s) has created bogus Gmail accounts posing as Bishop Bridgeforth. These fraudsters use such accounts to solicit people in a practice called phishing. Please do not reply to these emails in any way.

If you receive a fraudulent message from a Gmail address, if you can, please also report the email and sender to Google here: https://support.google.com/mail/contact/abuse

Most of the time, these phishing attacks are not the result of anyone’s account being hacked. The names and email addresses of conference and district staff, as well as those of local church leaders, are often available in publicly accessible locations like the conference website, local church websites, and the Find-A-Church database on UMC.org. Unfortunately, while it is important to provide contact information to people for legitimate reasons, it also provides an opportunity for unscrupulous criminals.

Our Area and Conference staff will not send emails asking for gift cards, wire transfers, etc. While some staff use personal email accounts for some correspondence, on any occasions where there may be a request for giving or personal information, these requests will not be sent from non-branded accounts like those offered by Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook.

Here are a few protocols to follow to keep safe:

• If you receive something suspicious, please contact the sender using a trusted email or phone number to verify or alert them of the issue.
• Never open an attachment if you cannot verify the sender or feel confident in the source.
• Never click on a link when you cannot verify or trust the sender.
• Avoid responding to emails requesting personal or financial information from an unverifiable source.
• Report any fraudulent emails you receive to your internet/email provider.

Additional information on avoiding internet fraud can be found on the Greater Northwest Area News blog.

This article on the ResourceUMC website also has helpful information on this topic.

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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)