October 4, 2012

Dear Reader,

The month of October (the 10th month) is a time the General Board of Global Ministries focuses on telling the mission story of how they (and we) reach out around the globe. You can learn more each day at 10-fold.org. And when you click on the 10-fold.org link, it will trigger $1 donations by sponsors. Over the 5 weeks of October the site will focus on Disaster Relief, Young People in Mission, Mission Initiatives, Missionaries, and Fair Trade. Check out 10-fold.org and learn, contribute, and share about mission around the world.

Greg Nelson – Director of Communications

This Week in The Annual Conference

Thursday, October 4
Crater Lake District Leadership Team

Friday, October 5
Academy for Missional Wisdom

Saturday, October 6
Academy for Missional Wisdom
Methodist Federation for Social Action Fall Event

Sunday, October 7
Academy for Missional Wisdom
World Communion Sunday (offering)

Tuesday - Thursday, October 9 - 11
Order of Elders Gathering

Saturday, October 13
CLD Training - Portland First
CLD Training – Salem
CLD Training - Burley

Details on these, and other conference events, can be found on the conference website.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE NEWS

On the Web
Stewardship Consultant Cesie Delve Schuermann continues her weekly blog of stewardship tips and resources for local churches. You’ll find Inspiring Generosity on the www.umoi.org website. You can also go directly to a summary page of all of her blog posts.

AROUND THE CONFERENCE

Clergy Gather for Annual Meeting
Most autumns, the clergy in our conference gather for a few days of education, renewal, and building relationships. The pattern has been to alternate a "Bishop's Symposium" for all clergy every other year with meetings of the Order of Elders, the Order of Deacons or the Fellowship of Local Pastors.

Next week, the Order of Elders will meet in Bend to discuss the recent call to "Gospel Obedience" with retired Bishop Melvin Talbert. Our Annual Conference has often voiced opposition to the Book of Discipline's discriminatory language regarding homosexual persons; yet we know we do not all agree. The gathering next week will give our Elders a chance to explore their faith, talk together, and listen to the diversity within the Order as we move into the future.

If you are an active or retired Elder and haven't registered yet, do so today!

AROUND THE GLOBE

Bishop Carcaño on List of Spiritual Leaders
In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, The Huffington Post has put together a slideshow of Hispanic/Latino religious leaders. Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, who leads the California-Pacific Annual (regional) Conference, is among the religious leaders featured. See the slideshow.

Western Jurisdiction Leaders Featured in Documentary on Inclusion
The online version of a documentary tracking the progress of inclusion legislation at the 2012 General Conference is available to watch on YouTube – and churches are invited to host screenings of the longer version, being edited now in preparation for a PBS half-hour program scheduled to air later this year. Learn more on the California-Nevada Conference website and watch the video titled The Other Convention on YouTube.

United Methodist Women Counters Hate Speech
United Methodist Women was part of a coalition of community and faith-based organizations that gathered at the steps of city hall in Manhattan Sept. 25 and UMW unveiled an ad countering the anti-Muslim hate speech of another ad posted in 10 New York City subway stations. Read the rest of the story.

Mental Health Social Principle Added
General Conference, the highest policy-setting body of The United Methodist Church, adopted a new Social Principle, “Mental Health,” during its meeting in Tampa, Florida in May. The new principle will be included in ¶162. “The Social Community."

“Mental Health” declares, “No person deserves to be stigmatized because of mental illness.”

The rationale for “Mental Health” stated that persons with mental illness and their families have a right to be treated with respect on the basis of common humanity and accurate information.

The new Social Principle points out that persons with mental illness are much more likely to be victims of violence or preyed on by others. “When stigma happens within the church, mentally ill persons and their families are further victimized,” it states. Learn more and download a bulletin insert from the General Board of Church and Society website.

Finance Agency Asks for East Africa Funds Cutoff
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Church’s finance agency announced Sept. 27 that it recommends general agencies, annual (regional) conferences and local churches withhold funding from the East Africa Annual Conference until further notice. In addition, the board of the General Council on Finance and Administration approved filing a formal complaint against Bishop Daniel Wandabula, who has led the East Africa Annual Conference since 2006. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.

Report: Church’s Path is ‘Unsustainable’
The United Methodist Church’s way of doing business remains “unsustainable,” and the changes made during and after the 2012 General Conference are insufficient to address the challenges the denomination faces. That’s the assessment of the final report of the Call to Action Interim Operations Team, which since its formation in late 2010 has been looking at ways to reorder the life of the church. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.

Greenwaldt to Retire as Discipleship Head
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship, announced Sept. 25 that she will retire on Dec. 31, 2013. She will have served as the agency’s leader for 13 years. Read the full story on the GBOD website.

RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES

Worship and Song Presentation Edition on Sale!
The Presentation Edition (PowerPoint Slides) of the Worship and Song music collection is now on sale at Cokesbury for 30% off. Save $30 during the month of October and start sharing this wonderful music resource.

Travel with the Alton L. Collins Retreat Center to Iona in 2013!
The Collins Retreat Center is beginning a new series of retreats to significant pilgrimage sites around the world. The inaugural destination will be the island of Iona, ancient birthplace of Christianity in Scotland. Todd Bartlett, director of the Retreat Center, will lead a group of 12 persons on a pilgrimage to Iona April 4-13, 2013. The event will begin with an overnight retreat at Collins April 4-5, then the group travels together to Glasgow, Scotland, and on to Iona for a residential program titled "Sacred Land, Sacred Stories." The group will leave Iona on April 12 for a final overnight in Glasgow; participants may then return to Portland or travel in Europe on their own.

The total cost of the pilgrimage, including transportation, will be approximately $3000. An initial deposit of $100 is due on November 1. If you are interested but cannot commit by that date, please contact Todd at director@relianceconnects.com or 503-637-6411 to talk about other options. More details are available on the Collins website, including a link to register for the pilgrimage.

Sierra Service Project Sets Dates for Portland Events
This school year Sierra Service Project (SSP) has dedicated 3 weekends next April for youth to serve the Portland area through acts of service and love. The dates are April 5-7, April 19-21 and April 26-28, 2013.

The theme for the spring weekends will focus on the causes of childhood hunger and what our youth can do about it. Oregon remains to be one of the top five states with the highest rate of food insecure children under 18. The Weekend of Service program will partner with local agencies that have expertise in this area. They will share their knowledge with our youth, and SSP will in turn provide a service project. You can learn more on the SSP website or by contacting Meghan Osborn at Meghan.Osborn@sierraserviceproject.org or 916-488-6441.

RETREAT and CAMPING CONNECTION

3rd Grade Bibles and Camp
Last year’s program was such a success that we’re doing it again. Children who will receive their Bible this year at your church will also get a campership to use for camp in 2013. The campership is good for ½ the cost of any elementary camp for the child receiving the Bible, or that child’s price at a Family Camp. Mostly these will be 3rd grade events, but we recognize that some churches may also include 2nd or 4th graders, so we’ll be flexible on that if you’ll clearly communicate with us. This is a personal, intentional gift to these learners and is not transferable to someone else or for another year.

Learn more about the “Bibles and Camp” program at these links: The letter for churches, The letter for families of campers, The bookmarks or contact Camp Registrar, Geneva Cook at Geneva@umoi.org or 503-802-9210.