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August 9, 2012
Dear Reader,
I’ve been thinking about commitment this week.
I don’t have much positive feeling about the entertainment industry that we call professional (and some collegiate) sports in this country. But as I’ve watched the Olympics coverage this week (or what NBC thinks I should see), I’m amazed at the stories of commitment that these athletes have made. Years of training for just a split second chance to win, and a true and honest desire to represent their country (USA and others) with humble pride. The ultimate must be today when Manteo Mitchell continued running on a broken leg in the 4x400 meter relay semi-final, determined not to let down his teammates.
I can only imagine that I had that kind of commitment and determination (I'm not sure I can imagine it). What if we had that kind of commitment to the values of our church? Would malaria already be a thing of the past in Africa? Would hunger have ended in the United States?
I wonder…
In this week’s UM Connector there are two great training opportunities from United Methodist Communications. The first is for developing a web ministry at your church, not just a web site, but a ministry that fully engages the values of your church. The second is for welcoming ministry training. Both of these online courses are valuable to any church. Even if you already have a website, and even if you think you are welcoming, there are things to learn and improve in these areas. If we make the commitment, we truly can transform the world.
Greg Nelson – Director of Communications
This Week in The Annual Conference
Monday, August 13
Cabinet Retreat
Health Reimbursement Arrangement Workshop - Portland
Tuesday, August 14
Cabinet Retreat
Health Reimbursement Arrangement Workshop - McMinnville
Health Reimbursement Arrangement Workshop - Hillsboro
Wednesday, August 15
Cabinet Retreat
Health Reimbursement Arrangement Workshop – Bend
Columbia District Church Extension Society
Friday, August 17
Health Reimbursement Arrangement Workshop - Gresham
Details on these, and other conference events, can be found on the conference website.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE NEWS
Bishop Melvin Talbert to lead "Biblical Obedience" theme at Order of Elders Event in October
 Retired Bishop Mel Talbert is assigned by the Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops to help develop and lead a strategic plan for Biblical Obedience. He will engage the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference Order of Elders in exploring this theme at their event on October 9 - 11 at Bend United Methodist Church in Bend, Oregon.
Bishop Talbert will preach at the opening worship, lead a discussion and dialogue, and assist our elders in developing strategies that move the United Methodist Church toward full inclusion of persons with different sexual orientations or gender identities. The Oregon-Idaho Conference passed a resolution in June that states, "We concur with the statement of retired Bishop Melvin Talbert who has said; “I declare to you that the derogatory language and restrictive laws in the Book of Discipline are immoral and unjust and no longer deserve our loyalty and obedience." In addition, 75 clergy in our conference have declared their willingness to officiate at marriage services for "any prepared couple."
All active elders and probationary elders who are members of the Oregon-Idaho conference, or serving churches in the conference are expected to be present at this event. Retired elders are welcome to attend! Online registration and updated information will be available in two week.
AROUND THE CONFERENCE
North Bend Church Burns
 North Bend United Methodist Church on the southern Oregon Coast was destroyed by fire Tuesday.
No one was injured in the blaze and investigation of the fire is still underway. Fire fighters from both North Bend and Coos Bay worked to extinguish the fire and protect nearby homes.
The church secretary Pat Kerkow was alone in the building when the fire broke out around 10:30 a.m. She said she saw a fire shooting "eight feet in the air" from the back wall of the sanctuary, dialed 911 from a landline, then escaped safely outside. Fire engulfed the wooden structure and was still smoldering in the afternoon. Fire fighters from both North Bend and Coos Bay responded to the blaze.
According to Pastor Jerry Steele, "With all the damage inside, it is a complete loss - it is a tremendous disaster, but it's a building. The church is the people." The church has already secured an alternate location to worship on Sunday.
Bishop Robert T. Hoshibata contacted Steele by phone from Arizona to be in prayer together and offer his support for Steele and the congregation. United Methodist Churches throughout the conference are offering words of prayer and support. Rev. Laura Beville, of the neighboring Coos Bay United Methodist Church, spent most of the day at the scene with Steele and North Bend church members offering her support.
This is the second time the North Bend congregation has been burned out of a church. In 1948 the church, then at a different location, burned on a Sunday morning while it was full of worshipers. No one was hurt in that fire either. The church was rebuilt at the current location within three years.
As requests begin to come from churches and individuals for ways to be of assistance, District Superintendant Gwen Drake shares that, “Prayers are the most precious gift that can be given now. As the church deals with the initial shock of the event and discerns how it can best move forward with a new vision, there will be a time when others can contribute to the continuation of our United Methodist presence in the North Bend community.”
You can see more pictures, and read the comments of prayer and support from around the conference and country on the conference Facebook page, www.facebook.org/UMOrId
Summer Singing at the Collins Retreat Center
It's almost time for another installment of the popular Great Hymns of the Faith series at the Alton L. Collins Retreat Center. The summer edition will take place on Thursday, August 16, at 10:30 a.m. Gaze out at the cool green of the deep forest through the large picture windows at the Collins Chapel while joining with other music lovers to sing classic hymns, both old and new. The Rev. Laura Jaquith Bartlett offers behind-the-scenes stories while challenging participants to look at familiar songs with a fresh perspective. The morning is capped off with a gourmet lunch in the Center's beautiful dining room (view a flyer that outlines the menu--special diet needs are easily accommodated with advance notice). Singers are welcome to stay into the afternoon and enjoy a walk through the shade of the woods, or perhaps sip iced tea on the deck overlooking the meadow. And one more enticement: summer participants will receive an early-bird opportunity to register for the special Christmas Great Hymns! Register online today.
Missionary News
You can read the latest newsletter from Rev. Jim Monroe and Rev. Sue Owen on the conference website. The Oregon-Idaho Clergy couple are Individual Volunteers serving through the General Board of Global Ministries, and at the invitation of the Kenya Methodist Church and Maua Methodist Hospital in Kenya.
Need Help Writing Grants?
Through a grant from the Collins Foundation, Cesie Delve Scheuermann, grant writer and stewardship/development consultant, may be able to assist your church by advising you about and helping to edit grants to fund externally-focused ministries and community projects. To find out if Cesie can be of help to you, contact her at cesieds@gmail.com.
Employment
- Morningside United Methodist Church in Salem has two part-time positions open. One is for a Youth Ministries coordinator, and the other is for a Community Outreach coordinator.
- Woodburn United Methodist Church is looking for an Organist/Pianist.
Learn about these and other opportunities on the conference website at www.umoi.org/classifieds.
Wild Goose Festival Registration Discount
The Wild Goose is a three-day festival of speakers, music, arts, and family experiences for progressive and open-minded folks. It will be held Friday August 31st until Sunday September 2nd at Benton County Fairgrounds in Corvallis, Oregon. United Methodists will have a significant presence at Wild Goose, with several people there in official UM capacities. As part of our partnership, the Wild Goose is offering a 15% off the cost of registration for United Methodists when we register for the event. Simply type in "METHODIST" in all caps without the quotes in the promotion code box at checkout and click apply. The code expires on August 15th, so register quickly! wildgoosewest.eventbrite.com. For questions contact Rev. Jeremy Smith (FUMC Portland, Associate) at JSmith@fumcpdx.org
AROUND THE GLOBE
Churches Reach Out After Sikh Temple Attack
United Methodists are joining in prayer and reaching out in support of their Sikh neighbors after a gunman’s attack Aug. 5 at a Sikh temple in suburban Milwaukee that left seven people — including the shooter — dead.
Oak Creek United Methodist Church, about two miles from the temple, held a community prayer vigil. More than 200 people attended.
“The hope is that we can build community and know our neighbors and extend Christ’s grace to those around us — his love and his way of peace,” said the Rev. Paul Armstrong, pastor of Oak Creek United Methodist Church. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.
Program Funds Halted to East Africa
NEW YORK (UMNS) — After three audits in 16 months, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries has suspended all funding to the denomination’s East Africa Annual (regional) Conference. Auditors recommended the suspension of funds until the East Africa conference agrees “to be accountable and all internal controls have been put in place." Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service Story.
U.S. Church Numbers Still Sliding
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Here’s the bad news: The United Methodist Church saw a reduction of at least 71,971 U.S. members in 2011. Now the good news: Some conferences are growing, and they offer strategies that can be replicated across the United States. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.
RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES
Web Ministry Training
 Web Ministry 100: What Is Web Ministry?
- Develop an online network of relationships to support your work in web ministry.
- Define and use web and internet technology terms.
- Apply the biblical and theological principles for developing a web ministry. These are rooted in the traditions, ministry and mission of The United Methodist Church.
- Identify ways people engage with web and internet technology on a daily basis. Determine the implications and applications of these for web ministry.
The online class begins September 5, registration deadline is August 30. You can view a syllabus to learn more or register online now, before the class is full!
Welcoming Ministry 100
- Learn to be a welcoming, hospitable congregation.
- Identify and enlist congregants for your church’s welcoming ministry.
- Assess what your church does well in welcoming — as well as areas for improvement.
- Identify what your church is known for.
- Reach out to the local community.
The online class begins September 5, registration deadline is August 30. You can view a syllabus to learn more or register online now, before the class is full!
School of Congregational Development Share Worship and Plenary Session via Web
Several Sessions from the upcoming School of Congregational Development will be shared live. This will be a great opportunity to participate, even if you can’t go to St. Louis for the training August 16 – 18.
School of Congregational Development (SCD) is a yearly event sponsored by General Board of Discipleship, Path 1, and the General Board of Global Ministries. The SCD is one of the largest yearly gatherings of United Methodist leaders who join together to focus on creating vital congregations. Go to www.umcmission.org/live to participate in the webcasts (see schedule below:
Webcast Schedule: (all times Central)
Transform your Heart: Thursday, August 16, 1:00 p.m.
Bishop Robert Schnase, Bishop of the Missouri Conference and
author of Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations
Transform your Church: Thursday, August 16, 7:00 p.m.
Robyn Miller, Lead Pastor, Church of the Shepherd, St. Charles, MO
Transform your Community: Friday, August 17, 8:00 a.m.
Telley Gadson, Pastor and Spiritual Coach at Saint Mark United
Methodist Church, Sumter, SC
Church for Transformation:
Saturday, August 18, 8:00 a.m.
Reggie McNeal, Missional Leadership Specialist for Leadership
Network of Dallas, TX, and author of Missional Renaissance.
Transform your World: Saturday, August 18, 7:00 p.m.
Emanuel Cleaver, III, Pastor, St. James UMC, Kansas City, MO
RETREAT and CAMPING CONNECTION
25th Annual Prayer Retreat Invitation
We hope you can join us at Transformational Prayer Retreat at Suttle Lake Camp September 16 - 21. This year marks the event’s Silver Anniversary, a very special landmark for us. In 1987, neither of us ever imagined we’d still be doing this 25 years later. Neither of us has ever missed attending; it is one of the most relaxed and rewarding weeks of our year. Click here to view a flyer for this event. Hope to see you there! (Rev. Kate Conolly and Rev. Michael Powell, retreat leaders)
Chief Joseph
 This Chief Joseph bronze statue was unveiled during Chief Joseph Days this year. Wallowa Lake Family Campers, Aberdeen and Annie, gaze up at the new statue of famous Nez Perce Chief. Chief Joseph Days Family Camp had parades, mule rides, a rodeo, camp fires, family time and fellowship. We are already making plans for next year. Wallowa Lake is truly a place “where heaven and earth meet.” Join us for family memories in the making in this spiritual land of Chief Joseph. (Christie Hogueisson, Dean of Chief Joseph Days Family Camp)
Magruder Fun
Latino Youth Camp was a new program camp for Camp Magruder this year; it was led by the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon which has nine Hispanic congregations. Campers ranged from about 12-18 years old. Campers participated in arts and crafts making beaded necklaces, felted animals, kaleidoscopes, and painting tiles. They enjoyed afternoons on the lake swimming and boating, and played large group games each night before dinner. Highlights from the week included a trip to the Forestry Center outside Tillamook and Tillamook Cheese Factory, a dance, and bonfire on the beach. (Amy Wood, Magruder Program Director)
National Camping News
Barbara Dunlap-Berg has highlighted Camp and Retreat Ministries in recent article from the United Methodist News Service. This is a great example of getting the word out about the power of camps and retreats to help persons connect with God, grow as Christian disciples, develop caring Christian community and grow as spiritual leaders. It is important to share the stories of changed lives both locally and across the denomination, so church leaders understand the power of camps and retreats and can incorporate them into their faith formation strategies for local congregations and conferences. (Kevin Witt, National Camp and Retreat Ministries Leadership Ministry Division)
A note from your friends at camp:
 Remember to celebrate National S’mores Day this Friday, August 10th!
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