News

There are changes afoot! If you remember the ethics policy changes from the 2022 Annual Conference, you’ll know that you will have three requirements, which are just a bit different from the past: Disclosure Form This is now a biennial rather than annual form, and will include a statement asking you to affirm that you have read the Sexual Ethics Policy for Clergy and Lay Pastoral Leaders in the previous two weeks. It will be due in May. Background check This will happen biennially, in May. ...

Growing up in rural Alabama, it was Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth’s grandparents who made sure he got to church – even on the days he didn’t want to be there. But it was in the church, Lakeview United Methodist and Oakville Baptist churches that he found purpose – even on the hard days. After serving in the U.S. Air Force and earning a bachelor’s degree in religion from Samford University and a master of divinity degree from Claremont School of Theology, he has found the joy, purpose and calling ...

by Emilie Kroen and Rev. Karen Nelson Perhaps you are among the lucky in the United States and you have a good health insurance plan. Many people in the United States have inadequate health insurance or none at all. What happens when someone without health insurance gets sick? You know the story – you may be the story. Life doesn’t have to be that way in this country. It is possible to have Health Care for All – and our faith calls us to advocate for the right to health care for all people. It ...

The 54th session of the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference happened in a hybrid setting, as part of the Greater Northwest Area Episcopal gathering, June 19-25, 2022, with Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky presiding from both Des Moines United Methodist Church in Washington and Portland First United Methodist Church in Oregon throughout the week. The theme for the Conference “Called to Be: Alert, Faithful, Brave & Love” was based off scripture from 1 Corinthians 16: 13-14 and guided many of the reports and...

At last week’s Annual Conference, clergy and lay members approved the hiring of Candace Clarke as the Oregon-Idaho Conference Interim Treasurer and Benefits Officer. Clarke has been serving alongside current treasurer and benefits officer, Rev. Dan Wilson-Fey since June 1. Wilson-Fey is retiring effective July 1. “The Oregon-Idaho Conference mission and vision are an especially solid fit for me,” Clarke said. Clarke comes to the Oregon-Idaho Conference with a deep background in fiscal ...

Though Sara Goetze may be new to the Oregon-Idaho Conference office as the staff accountant, she is by no means new to the Oregon-Idaho Conference. As a 9-year-old, Goetze became a PK (preacher’s kid) when her mom married her stepfather, now retired, Rev. Gary Powell. Growing up in Portland and then Eugene, Goetze was a longtime participant and volunteer at Camp Magruder. “The church has always been a big part of my life and I just wanted to expand my skills,” said Goetze of her application ...

To Whom It May Concern: My name is Rev. Fungalei Taufoou, and I am the pastor of the Lents’ Tongan Fellowship of the United Methodist Church. I am writing to you on behalf of our church families’ concerns for the people in Tonga who have suffered from the volcanic eruptions of January 14, 2022. A consequent tsunami wiped out several islands and destroyed many people’s homes, boats, farms, and produce. The ash from the volcanic eruption was and I believe is still causing breathing difficulties ...

For the last six years of a 30-plus year career as an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church, Rev. Dan Wilson-Fey has been ministering to the people of the Oregon-Idaho Conference as a steward of their financial resources. On June 30, 2022, Wilson-Fey will retire as the Oregon-Idaho Conference Treasurer and Benefits Officer – a slight turn in the path he started on 40 years ago toward a career in medicine. “I feel like I’m called to turn my attention to my family and projects around the...

After nine years serving in various positions to support the mission and ministry of The Oregon-Idaho Conference, Thursday will be Sally Blanchard’s last day working for an organization she said she has always strived to support with enthusiasm and grace. “I’ve really enjoyed meeting some dedicated and inspiring laity and clergy,” Blanchard said. “It’s been a joy to work with those who really care about what goes on in The United Methodist Church.” The primary role of Conference staff is to ...

  By Marilyn Reid, PNW member and member of the GNW Abundant Health Team Self-Care Self-care is something you can practice each day. It can help your personal growth and path to emotional wellness. These activities can be as simple as taking a walk or eating your favorite food for lunch. As much as you want to practice self-care, sometimes it can feel overwhelming. Maybe the activities you’ve been doing to help yourself feel tired or boring. The good news is that there are many ...