News

What started at occasional trips to Africa has triggered a passion for mission and now a long-term commitment by two United Methodist Ministers. Clergy Couple Jim Monroe and Sue Owen have agreed to a 2-3 year position as volunteers in residence at the Maua Methodist Hospital in Kenya. Jim and Sue, who married in 2001, have lead six trips to the Maua hospital in the past. 2012 will be the seventh trip. This time Jim will go early in June and Sue will come with the team later in the month, but ...

There was a dedication of the Salem Peace Mosaic mural on Saturday August 13. The mosaic has been installed on the front wall of the Marion County YMCA building in downtown Salem, across from the state capitol building. It was a very festive event including local musicians, words of inspiration from the resident artist who has overseen the project, volunteer students from West Salem high school, the former mayor of Salem and the CEO of the YMCA. There were sing-alongs and peace dances. Some of ...

For several small churches in the Oregon Trail District the concept of “Coordinating Elder” is giving them the chance to continue to provide ministry and presence in tight financial times. First United Methodist in Nyssa, Oregon is the latest church to be led under the Coordinating Elder model. Rev. John Watts who serves full time at First United Methodist in Nampa, Idaho is also taking on the role of Coordinating Elder for the Nyssa congregation which sits on the eastern boarder of Oregon. ...

When UMCOR West Depot Director Brian Diggs heard that 400 baby gowns made by Jan Rogers were going to be delivered to the Depot in late June, he responded, “Great! We really need layette kit contents right now.” Jan Rogers is a member of Lake Oswego United Methodist Church. She takes seriously the need for Infant gowns for Layette Kits. She goes to garage sales and fabric store sales to buy material to make infant gowns. She says, “I can get three gowns out of two yards of material and a package...

After over a year of conversations, meetings and visioning, a vote has solidified the future for two local community churches. On December 19, the respective congregations of Asbury United Methodist and Our Redeemer Lutheran voted to join together in what they are calling a Joint Ministry Covenant. The two churches will remain separate in identity but will essentially share one full time clergy person and join together in many of their ministry functions.  Asbury UMC has been served since July ...

Boldly Making Disciples of Jesus Christ: Renewed in the Spirit was the theme of the 43rd Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference meeting in Salem, Oregon. One year ago the conference was talking about how to embrace change, but this year the embracing is fully involved and the conference is looking at how that change is shaping and empowering the conference and its churches with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The leadership team shared changes that have been made in how staff work to resource local ...

UPDATE (Saturday 10:24 p.m.) Live Steaming will resume on Sunday Morning for the last Living The Connecton session at 8:30 a.m. and the closing worship session at 11:00. To connect, go to http://umc.adobeconnect.com/ac. Log in as a guest, type in your name, and enter the meeting room. Schedule for Live Streaming: Thursday: 1:15 p.m. ~ Living The Connection #1 Friday: 8:30 a.m. ~ Living The Connection #2 Friday: 1:30 p.m. ~ Living the Connection #3 Friday 7:30 p.m. ~ Service of Retirement, ...

Klamath Falls United Methodist Church Awarded United Way Volunteer of the Year Award – Public Service Division for Provide A Loving Meal PALM Dinners Program The Provide a Loving Meal (PALM) dinners program has won the Klamath County Volunteer of the Year award in the Public Service Division. The United Methodist Church of Klamath Falls, Oregon received the award and plaque at the 18th Annual Volunteer of the Year Appreciation luncheon on Tuesday, April 12. Program developer and coordinator ...

  “The association (of Easter) with baptism is ancient and is deeply connected with the development of Lent” as a period of intense preparation for baptism, says the Rev. Taylor Burton-Edwards. ( A UMNS photo courtesy of The Methodist Church in Cuba.) Christians journeying through Holy Week may be surprised to learn how some Easter traditions have evolved over the centuries. How did Easter get its name? Why are baptisms often included in services that day? What is the significance of wearing ...

In this year of increasingly difficult financial news, as more of our families, friends and neighbors struggle, many for the first time, with issues of hunger or food insecurity, the ministries provided by the congregations of this Annual Conference have taken on an even greater urgency. Heeding the call to “feed the hungry,” United Methodists in Idaho and Oregon have stepped out in faith, beginning new ministries or expanding existing ones to meet the needs. The highlights of each year are the ...