Help for homeless families available in Marysville

Marysville United Methodist Church designated its Miracle House to help homeless families this past Sunday. The collaboration with the Interfaith Family Shelter in Everett aspires to assist families living in tents, cars, and couches into stable housing of their own.

Pastor Jenny Smith said church members are cheering them on and made the home a “radically welcome space,” led by middle schoolers who made sure every child’s bed had a stuffed animal on it.

Parting Company?

The news of a possible agreement, pending General Conference approval, to allow traditionalist churches to leave The United Methodist Church has prompted many conversations in local churches.

Many pastors like Rev. Kelly Dahlman-Oeth are working to proactively answer questions and prepare their congregations for what may come next.

Portsmouth Union earns $2.35 million for affordable housing project

Portsmouth Union, a combined United Methodist and Disciples of Christ Church in the Oregon-Idaho Conference, is the recipient of a $2.35 million grant from Oregon Housing and Community Services to build an affordable housing apartment complex on its grounds.

Kristen Caldwell has the story.

Emergency cold weather shelter training gives a face to homelessness

Across the Greater NW Area, United Methodist churches partner with their communities to provide hospitality and care to those made even more vulnerable by inclement weather.

KTVA 11 News interviewed Tina Racy, emergency cold weather shelter coordinator for St. John UMC Anchorage on misconceptions about homelessness and opportunities for volunteers to make a difference.

New devotional features voices of four Greater NW Area clergywomen

A book including devotions written by 91 Methodist clergywomen, including four from across the Greater Northwest, was released last week by Abingdon Press. The book provides inspirational writings by women for women facing societal challenges specific to today. Revs. Alexa Eisenbarth (Orting UMC), Karen Hernandez (Sage District DS), Elizabeth Ingram Schindler (Faith UMC), and Debbie Camphouse Sperry (Moscow First UMC) were contributors from our area.

For the Protocol, which comes first: the UMC chicken or the WCA egg?

After the legislation for the Protocol was released late last week, United Methodists across the connection have been reading and discerning whether it merits the hype of its announcement last month.

In a post on his blog Hacking Christianity, Seattle First UMC pastor Rev. Jeremy Smith explores what the Protocol does and doesn't do, and what else needs to happen to allow the Church to move forward.

Clear Appointment Openings

The appointive cabinets of the Greater Northwest Area and the Bishop are continuing the practice of sharing “clear openings,” those church appointments that are open due to retirements and other changes, as the appointment process unfolds.

On the Greater Northwest Area website you'll find a current list of clear openings along with instructions regarding the process.

Conference acts on protocol, Christmas Covenant

The Philippines Conference Cavite has endorsed and sent to the 2020 General Conference legislation for the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation and for the Christmas Covenant.

Both proposals foresee major change for The United Methodist Church.

Legislation and FAQs released for Protocol for Reconciliation and Grace through Separation

The legislation for the Protocol for Reconciliation and Grace through Separation has been released to the public today. The site also includes a good summary of the proposal for consideration at General Conference 2020 along with a FAQ.

Conferences to vote on forwarding protocol legislation

At least two United Methodist annual conferences plan to vote next month on whether to forward legislation to the 2020 General Conference for the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation.

Though the protocol itself made international news with its announcement in early January, the legislation to enact it has just been released.

Conference urged to reopen misconduct case

United Methodist clergywomen and interfaith leaders have circulated letters urging the West Ohio Conference to reopen the complaint against the Rev. Donald "Bud" Heckman, who was accused of sexual misconduct and abuse. More than 800 people have signed.

Pre-General Conference presentations

Now online are videos and related materials for each of the presentations at the Pre-General Conference Briefing on Jan. 23-24. The gathering offered an overview of various proposals heading to the 2020 General Conference. the pledge to create The John Wesley Fund for U.S. Disaster Response.

Connectional Table offers live webinar on U.S. Regional Conference legislation

On February 20, the UMC's Connectional Table will host a live webinar entitled "Five Things to Know About U.S. Regional Conference before GC 2020." The webinar will address questions and concerns about legislation submitted to General Conference 2020 for consideration.

Philippines College of Bishops voice support for Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace

The Philippines College of Bishops has voiced support for the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation legislation that will be sent to the 2020 General Conference.

The college agreed that the Protocol provided the better way forward to end the impasse over the full inclusion of LGBTQ persons in the life of the Church.

No Cash. No Checks. How Do You Teach Kids about Giving?

"Have you noticed? Fewer and fewer people are putting anything in the offering plate," writes stewardship consultant Cesie Delve Scheuermann.

She points out that online and automatic withdrawals are also more private requiring us to consider new ways to introduce children to the gift of giving.