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May 3, 2012
Dear Reader,
 Today’s UM Connector is combination of some of the regular weekly stuff, and the news from General Conference. Tomorrow is the last day of conference, so I’ll be filling up your mailbox one more time. And next week I’ll try to help you get a handle on some of the many issues of General Conference, plus catch up on our Oregon-Idaho Conference news.
It’s hard for me to know how to tell you about the events of today, so I’ll mostly rely on several United Methodist News Service stories. If you want to learn more, you can follow many of the links listed below, there are lots of things of various facebook pages, or check #GC2012 on twitter. But you should know that many of our delegates, reserves, and volunteers in Tampa are feeling wounded and bruised by the actions of General Conference today. I would ask that you especially keep them in your prayers for tonight and tomorrow, the last day of General Conference.
For a different way to hear about the voices of this difficult day, you can listen to GC2012 Radio’s 10 minute wrap of voices.
Greg Nelson – Director of Communications
p.s. the sign is from Shrimp & Co., a local restaurant where friends of Oregon-Idaho gathered for dinner on Wednesday.
This Week in The Annual Conference
Thursday, May 3
General Conference
Friday, May 4
General Conference
Southern District Youth N' Fusion
Saturday, May 5
Southern District Youth N' Fusion
Sunday, May 6
Southern District Youth N' Fusion
Monday, May 7
Deadline to request Child Care for Annual Conference
Tuesday, May 8
Deschutes Colloquy
Southern District Coastal Colloquy
Wednesday, May 9
Conference Hispanic Ministries Council
Columbia Colloquy
Southern District Lane Colloquy
Southern District Mid-Valley Colloquy
Thursday, May 10
Conference Hispanic Ministries Council
Southern District Rogue Colloquy
Southern District Umpqua Colloquy
Saturday, May 12
Congregational Leadership Development - Forest Grove
People Reaching People Training
Southern District Church Extension Society
Details on these, and other conference events, can be found on the conference website.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE NEWS
Peace with Justice Sunday, June 3
Order and Download Offering Resources Today
Order your free offering resources today. Offering inserts, poster, worship resources, stories and video are all available to download or order at www.umcgiving.org/PWJS.
If you are unable to celebrate this offering on June 3, you can observe this Special Sunday on any day of the year.
Appointment Announcements
It is Bishop Robert T. Hoshibata's intention to make the following appointments, effective July 1, 2012:
- Rev. Janine DeLaunay to Aloha United Methodist Church in Aloha, Oregon. Delaunay’s appointment will be three-quarter time. She currently is appointed to Metzger and West Portland United Methodist Churches. Michael Cowan, the current pastor at Aloha, will be retiring effective July 1, 2012.
- Rev. Fred Lydum to Asbury United Methodist Church in Eugene, Oregon. Lydum, a retired elder, will be appointed quarter time.
It has also been announced that, effective July 1, 2012, Christy Dirren will be assigned as a lay person assigned to Metzger United Methodist Church. Dirren’s assignment will be quarter time.
A summary of appointment announcements can be found on the conference website at www.umoi.org/appointments.
AROUND THE CONFERENCE
William Jessup University Choir in Concert in Canby
Under the direction of Tom Ruscica, this 87-voice choir is from Rocklin, California, near Sacramento, and they will be offering a concert of sacred and contemporary Christian music in Canby on May 16. Canby United Methodist Church looks forward to being part of the choir’s spring tour. A freewill offering will be taken to help the choir with their travel expenses. This event is an extra-special treat for the congregation as Pastor Karen’s daughter, Gabrielle, sings in the choir! Canby UMC is at 1520 N Holly Street in Canby, Oregon. The concert begins at 7:00 p.m.
Spring Fling in Eugene
Wesley Foundation at the University of Oregon invites all to their Spring Fling on May 19. Spring Fling is a dinner and silent auction event to support campus ministry at the Wesley Foundation. $25 will provide a Texas BBQ (or Veggie) dinner. Buy a table for eight for only $20/person.
Call the Wesley Foundation office at 541-346-4694 to reserve your seat, or if you can’t make it, to buy a dinner for a student. Wesley Foundation is at 1236 Kincaid Street, Eugene, Oregon. The silent auction will begin at 5:00 p.m. and dinner at 6:00 p.m.
GENERAL CONFERENCE NEWS
Gay Rights Protest Closes Morning Session
What the May 3 mid-morning session of General Conference 2012 lacked in productivity, it made up for in drama.
After attempts to change language regarding The United Methodist Church’s stance on homosexuality failed, dozens of protestors, led by Common Witness Coalition, a gay-rights group, gathered on the plenary floor after the break, singing “What Does the Lord Require of You?” Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.
Restructuring Plan Gets Tentative OK
By a vote of 567 to 384, the 2012 United Methodist General Conference gave tentative approval to a slightly amended version of “Plan UMC” to reconfigure general agencies and downsize their boards.
The plan establishes a General Council for Strategy and Oversight that will oversee the work of The United Methodist Church’s four program agencies — the Boards of Discipleship, Global Ministries, Church and Society, and Higher Education and Ministry. Those agencies would still have their own boards but be accountable to the general council.
The new general council, with 34 voting members and 11 nonvoting advisers, replaces the Connectional Table that since 2004 has coordinated the denomination’s resources, mission and ministry. The new body will elect an executive general secretary, who cannot be a bishop, to coordinate the work of the top executives of other agencies. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.
Judicial Council Ruling Invalidates Change In Episcopal Fund Apportionment
A decision to have each of the five U.S. jurisdictions of The United Methodist Church separately bear the cost of episcopal leadership was deemed “unconstitutional” in a May 3 ruling by the denomination’s top court, which reverses General Conference approval given on the consent calendar. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.
Conference Instructs Church to Consider Schedules of Young People
The conference overwhelmingly supported, by a vote of 682-251, a measure to direct United Methodist boards and agencies, annual conferences, and local church groups to consider the school schedules of young people when planning meetings and events.
David Weekley at General Conference
 Tonight at General Conference David Weekley could be seen in the Cokesbury display area greeting friends and signing copies of his book, “In From the Wilderness”.
Go to the Oregon-Idaho Page for General Conference Links and Information at www.umoi.org/GC
View the OR-ID Photo Gallery of General Conference
Go to the official General Conference Website at gc2012.umc.org
Read what the delegates get in the Daily Christian Advocate
This is the daily proceedings of General Conference and includes verbatim transcripts of all proceedings.
Get updates during the day from the conference face book page. Like the page to get posts in your Facebook news stream.
General Conference Prayer Focus for Friday, May 4:
This is the last day of General Conference scheduled through 5 p.m., but with the possibility of running into the evening hours if business is not concluded. Pray for business to be concluded. Pray for God to bring joy and healing to the UMC. Bishop Rosemarie Wenner Wenner, 54, was elected bishop in 2005, becoming the denomination’s first woman elected to the episcopacy outside the United States. A native of Germany, she is bishop of the Frankfurt area, and was elected to lead the Council of Bishops. She writes: “When you are one of the central conference bishops, you don't come here thinking you are going to be a leader for the Council of Bishops,” she said. “It was surprising when they asked me and a great sign of trust and expectations. The past presidents have set the stage for us to focus on the most important thing in the world, to make disciples for the transformation of the world.”
Her word for this last day of General Conference is “Follow” from Mark 16: 19-20, remarking that his “farewell” to the disciples was not the end but only the beginning of their following Him all the more. “Jesus goes ahead of us. Jesus is in us. Jesus works with us.”
Pray for the General Conference to remain full of promise and end full of hope.
Pray for our church to be filled with the Holy Spirit and life.
RETREAT and CAMPING CONNECTION
Birthday and Dedications:
 Saturday, April 28th, was a truly amazing day at Suttle Lake Camp! We kicked off the 90th year celebration with a yummy lunch, photo history show, and storytelling. We toured the four new structures. First, the new Welcome Center named for Nellie Watts; an original founder of Suttle Lake Camp in 1922. Her family made this project possible; 38 family members from age 4 - 93 were here for the celebration! Next we dedicated two new outdoor pavilions: “Lois’s Place” constructed by Clarkes UMC honoring Lois Marshal, and “Tim’s Place” dedicated to former Suttle Lake Director, Rev. Tim Stover (He was so surprised!) Last but not least, we celebrated the long awaited beautiful, new shower house built with green technology! (Wendy White, Suttle Lake Camp Staff)
New Boat Dock at Magruder:
"All things Magruder" announced the construction and celebration of Hulbert’s Landing (the new boat dock), named after Ted and Rosalie Hulbert. Ted is a former Director at Camp Magruder and Rosalie a former Office Manager. Hulbert's Landing is an incredible new structure that features a boat launch enabling people with limited mobility the opportunity to safely maneuver into boats. A special thank you goes out to the First UMC of Eugene for seeing the need and answering the call to help with this project, as well as thanks to ALL those who donated to this dream. (To receive "All Things Magruder," visit campmagruder1945.blogspot.com/ and sign up.)
Joy “Full” Blessings:
 I am delighted to announce the launch of a beautiful, limited edition, "All Camp Cook Book." It will be available at Annual Conference at the camp table and at each of our six sites through the camp stores. The chefs from each camp have generously shared the best from their kitchens. This coil bound, colorful book boasts hospitality philosophies from all six camp kitchens, 136 recipes, 14 graces, and 12 pages of nutritional and cooking tips. The book sells for $15 each and revenue from these cookbooks will fund designated projects at each site. (Wendy White, Suttle Lake Camp Staff / Chef)
IN REMEMBRANCE
Susan Nelson
September 4, 1931 – April 25, 2012
Susan Nelson, retired pastor, died April 25, 2012. She is survived by son, Brian Caille, and daughter, Sara Siemens, and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Kevan Caille.
Reverend Nelson served Pocatello, Wilder, Jordan Valley, Roseburg, Jerome, Fort Klamath, Chiloquin and Williamson River in the Oregon-Idaho Conference, before retiring in 1998.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in California. Friends may contact Brian Caille at 1299 NE Orenco Station Parkway A313, Hillsboro, OR 97124.
Robert T. Hoshibata, Bishop
William Mullette-Bauer, Director of Stewardship and Finance
COMMENTARY
The Church Needs All of Us — With No Exceptions
by Amory Peck
…Peck said she believes in what she said: that the church needs all of us — with no exceptions. “I’d like to see all people welcomed at church, in membership and ordination,” she said…
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