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PNW News Digest #2 - January 16, 2020

Greater Northwest Area Cabinet begins 2020 with pledge to Resist Harm as it continues to seed a vital, more inclusive church

Greater Northwest Area Cabinet begins 2020 with pledge to Resist Harm as it continues to seed a vital, more inclusive church

By Patrick Scriven, PNW Director of Communications, Young People's Ministry

Even as members of the Greater Northwest (GNW) Area Cabinet absorbed the implications of the proposed Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation, they recommitted themselves to resisting elements of the Traditional Plan that took effect January 1. Meeting for the first time in 2020 last week, they joyfully reaffirmed their baptisms, pledging together to resist harm as they provide leadership to the Area.

Last November, the bishops of the Western Jurisdiction issued their Safe Harbor Declaration, explicitly refusing to implement the new provisions and prohibitions of the Traditional Plan. The GNW Area Cabinet welcomed this statement at the time and continues its move forward with the clear guidance it provides. 

While the Protocol mentioned above includes a moratorium against the filing of charges against LGBTQ+ clergy, and those performing same-gender weddings, if passed, it would only create a pathway down which full inclusion could be reached. Stopping the harm is only one step down the path.

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Laura Velonza

Laura Velonza joins the District Service Center as District Administrator for Inland, Seven Rivers

By Patrick Scriven

As 2019 was drawing to a close, Laura Velonza was beginning a new role as a part of the Pacific Northwest Conference’s District Service Center (DSC). As District Administrator, she will offer administrative support for the Inland and Seven Rivers Missional Districts, remotely working alongside other DSC staff to advance the work of the conference’s five districts and their superintendents. Velonza will continue to serve half-time as the administrative assistant at Audubon Park United Methodist Church in Spokane, Washington, where she will also be based.

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GC2020 Proposals

Compromise added to UMC restructuring proposals

Resource UMC puts the spotlight on the major plans

A Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation is the newest proposal for the reorganization of The United Methodist Church. Learn more about this proposal, and others, which will be offered to 2020 General Conference delegates in May.

Find links to the major proposals for the reorganization of The United Methodist Church to be considered by General Conference delegates at its upcoming meeting May 5-15, 2020 in Minneapolis.

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Greater NW & Other UMC News

Need an IV, Stat!

IV Team Report: Need an IV, Stat!

Rev. Dr. William Gibson shares how the Greater NW's Innovation Vitality Team is "collaborating for a new vital church — one that empowers younger, queer, and people of color."

That collaboration is impacting both New projects and revitalization work.

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What makes a church a Church?

What makes a church a Church?

Size matters less than having a clear, faith-grounded, purpose according to Rev. Kathy Neary, Transitional Ministry Developer for the PNW Conference.

In her report, Neary shares what she is seeing that makes a vital difference as she visits local churches around the conference.

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RCEI

Greater NW UMC Rural Church Engagement Initiative going strong

An exciting new Rural Church Engagement Initiative (RCEI) launched in the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church in 2019 among churches ministering in rural communities.

RCEI Coordinator Lynn Egli shares how things are going and what's on the horizon.

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Church shelters homeless in Anchorage

Church network shelters homeless in Anchorage

A network of churches in Anchorage is sheltering families and at-risk individuals from the overnight cold, alleviating some of the strain on the city's larger shelters. Tina Racy, a church member who volunteers for the shelter at St. John UMC, says many of those seeking shelter are not homeless by choice, rather by necessity.

"Sometimes it's not a matter of a person having a home — it's just not safe for them to be in their home."

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United Methodist Church: To split or not to split | Windows and Mirrors

United Methodist Church: To split or not to split | Windows and Mirrors

“On Jan. 3, the United Methodist Church (UMC) made headlines around the world with news that it would be splitting over issues of LGBTQ+ inclusion. Except that’s not exactly what’s happening.”

The Redmond Reporter spoke with five United Methodist pastors on the east side of Seattle to discern the near future of The United Methodist Church.

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Local pastors say split is in early stages

Local pastors say split is in early stages

The Lewiston Tribune spoke with United Methodist pastors in Grangeville, Lewiston, and Moscow, Idaho to discern what impact denominational changes might have upon them.

Grangeville's pastor, Luann Howard said, "we’re going to do everything that we can as a congregation to stick together."

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Kitsap Methodist congregations navigate talk of split ahead of vote over LGBTQ issues

Kitsap Methodist congregations navigate talk of split ahead of vote over LGBTQ issues

The Kitsap Sun spoke to a number of pastors serving United Methodist churches on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington state as they consider a new plan which would allow for the new formation of a new conservative denomination, if approved by General Conference in May.

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Homeless camp at Harmony United Methodist Church 'working fairly well'

Homeless camp at Harmony United Methodist Church 'working fairly well'

Faith groups in Coos Bay, Oregon are being asked to follow in the footsteps of Harmony UMC when it comes to helping the homeless. According to the city manager, the camp being run at the church is "working fairly well" with relatively few complaints from neighbors.

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The Connection

The Connection: The Life and Order of the United Methodist Church

While most conversations about The Book of Discipline revolve around paragraph's limiting the full inclusion of LGBTQ-persons in the life of the Church, the accumulation of rules over time is a weight we all share.

A group in the Greater New Jersey Conference has set out to do something about it, creating and releasing a proposed new Discipline they call 'The Connection' which they believe is "simpler, clearer and better organized than our current discipline."

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Panel offers peek behind scenes of separation plan

Even though they agreed The United Methodist Church should split, participants still talked about loving each other in a livestreamed discussion Jan. 13 to explain how the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation was formed.

Archived video of the livestream is also now available to watch.

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Watch Archive
Puerto Rican Methodists tackle earthquake response

Puerto Rican Methodists tackle earthquake response

The Methodist Church of Puerto Rico is putting its Hurricane Maria experience to use as a series of earthquakes cause damage, power outages and a constant state of distress. The United Methodist Committee on Relief also is sending an assessment team to the island.

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Protocol Plan

Protocol process painful but fruitful

United Methodists describe the process of overcoming obstacles during mediation that resulted in the "Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation."

Walking into the mediation, most did not think it was possible for all to agree.

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Federal ruling blacks anti-refugee order

RNS: Federal ruling blocks anti-refugee order

A ruling by a federal judge in Maryland is blocking an executive order by President Trump allowing state and local officials to refuse refugee resettlements.

The Rev. John L. McCullough, a United Methodist and president and CEO of Church World Service, hailed the ruling because it allows Christians to continue to live out their calling to welcome the stranger.

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Disability Badges

Make your church disability-friendly and accessible; earn a badge

Local churches can now earn a “Disability-Friendly and Accessible Church” badge to proclaim their building is barrier-free.

Whether your church building is already accessible or your congregation is working to make it so, this new program can benefit every faith community. Lynn Swedberg shares how.

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Inspiring Generosity: Millennials Want to Give.

Inspiring Generosity: Millennials Want to Give. Let Them.

"Millennials are in a position now to make a difference in your organization or church leadership. Don’t assume they don’t want to be of service. Ask."

Cesie Delve Scheuermann offers encouragement and advice for churches on how to adapt.

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Upcoming Events

Dementia & the Church
Learn More & Register

Orientation to Ministry Gatherings

February 15, 2020 at Renton First UMC
February 29, 2020 @ Moses Lake UMC

The PNW Board of Ordained Ministry will be hosting two gatherings for exploring and established candidates for ministry to:

  • SHARE INFORMATION regarding the pathway to professional ministries, in its various forms
  • BUILD RELATIONSHIPS between candidates, mentors, and BOM members (¶312 Book of Discipline)
  • MEET & GREET, Presentation of Different Ministries

Attending this orientation is a requirement for certification as a candidate for ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church. Click the link below to download a flyer with more information.

Learn More & RSVP
GNW Five-Day Academy

Greater Northwest Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation

July 12-17, 2020 | Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way, WA

Registration is now open for the Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation being held next Summer in Federal Way, WA. The academy will focus on the theme "The Power of Story" with faculty Leticia Guardiola-Saenz, PHD, and Ray Buckley. Participants will be given time and space to respond to this theme through silence, written and spoken word, prayer, worship, and community sharing.

You can learn more and express interest on Facebook here. Click the button below for registration information.

Learn More & Register
Women in Ministry Retreat

Women in Ministry Retreat

February 2-4, 2020 | Rainbow Lodge, North Bend, WA

This annual retreat is a wonderful time for women in ministry (all clergy under appointment, lay-persons assigned, or retired) to come together for shared sisterhood, a slowing down of the pace to gear up for Lent and Easter season, a walk in the woods, sitting up talking or playing games, having all your meals cooked for you and cleaned up!, and just hanging out to get to know each other better.

Registration for the Full Retreat (2 nights, 5 meals) is $185. One Night (Monday lunch to Tuesday lunch; $128) and Monday Daytime only ($56, includes lunch & dinner) options are also available.

Visit the event page to learn more about this excellent opportunity!

Learn More & Register
ERT Spring Training
Learn More & Register

Resources & Opportunities

GC2020 Resources

General Conference 2020 News & Resources

As we continue on the path to General Conference 2020, we will be providing members with news and resources about the important conversations happening in The United Methodist Church.

Please keep this page bookmarked and share it with people in your congregation. We will work to keep it updated with essential content to inform the important conversations taking place across the area.

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Human Relations Sunday

Special Sunday: Human Relations Day is Jan. 19

United Methodists around the connection will celebrate Human Relations Day this Sunday before the observance of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. Designated offerings on Human Relations Day, one of the denomination's Special Sundays, support ministries with the marginalized.

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The Pacific Northwest Conference Office of Connectional Ministries works collaboratively and creatively to serve the missional needs of United Methodist ministries in Washington State and Northern Idaho.

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