Bishop Stanovsky offers invite to Bishop's Symposium

Clergy and lay leadership of the Oregon Idaho Conference,

A pastor, a rabbi and an imam. . . NO JOKE!

  Come be blessed! Christians are called to love God, neighbor, stranger and enemy. But love is not just a duty, it is also a blessing. Wherever bridges are being built, God is at work. Come see what God is up to.
 
I’m writing to encourage you to join me on March 7 in Boise for the Bishop’s Symposium. The No Joke Live team and Brian McLaren – author, speaker, activist and public theologian – are offering an Oregon-Idaho United Methodist pre-event before the Northwest Leadership Institute (NLI) sponsored by Boise First United Methodist Church on March 8 and 9. They will invite and equip us to build bridges across the differences that divide our communities: culture, income, language, religious tradition and sexual identity, nation of origin, politics.
 
In October, we announced three ways to participate in the Bishop’s NO JOKE Symposium this year.

• The first was last November in Seattle – TOO LATE! 
• You can still get the No Joke video and book from the Regional Media Center and use it to spark conversation in your congregation and community.
• BEST OPTION:  Come be blessed in Boise, March 7, and stay for NLI March 8 and 9.

Laity and clergy from across the conference are welcome. Clergy are expected to attend the Symposium or participate in one of the other ways as part of our shared life together. So, if you missed the Seattle event, or if you want a second dose, come to Boise and then use the video to host an event in your ministry setting. I don’t like to say that the Symposium is mandatory for clergy serving in the Oregon-Idaho Conference. I’ll just say that it isn’t optional. This is an incredible day with Brian McLaren, the No Joke team and your bishop and your colleagues.
 
I’ll see you there,


Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky

Registration Information Bishop’s Symposium = NLI Pre-Conference Event The Symposium begins at 12:30 p.m., March 7, the day before the Northwest Leadership Institute (NLI) at Boise First United Methodist Church on March 8-9, 2018. When you register, it’s called the “Pre-Conference.” The Symposium is free if added to your NLI registration. If you come only for the Symposium, the cost is $30. Register online via the First United Methodist Church website for both events. A $10 early bird discount ends January 31. If you are under age 30, NLI is free!   Hint: If you’re registering just for the pre-conference, fill out the bottom of the form and click "submit." If you are attending the pre-conference AND NLI, check the “Individual or “group” box and then click on “Next.”