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May 2008
News from and for Pacific Northwest
United Methodists in Ministry Together
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May 29, #70 Laity Transition Workshops
Again this year, laity from churches that will be experiencing a change in pastoral appointments are invited to attend a Laity Transition Workshop designed to provide information and support for laity during this time of change. Members of SPR Committees, Lay Leaders, and other elected church leadership are especially encouraged to attend. The workshops will be facilitated by Gail Grossman. Additional information, costs, and registration procedures are being mailed to each church as announcements about appointments are made. Questions may be directed to your District Superintendents, or Anna at the Conference Office, 1-800-755-7710. Laity Transition Workshops: (Only for laity to attend.) Seattle: Haller Lake UMC, Sat. May 31, 9:30 to 12:00 Tukwila: Riverton Park UMC, Sat. June 7, 9:30 to 12:00 Lacey: St. Andrew's UMC, Sat. June 7, 2:30 to 5:00
Tacoma District Moving
New beginnings are underway! The Tacoma District office is moving and will soon be in our new location amid boxes and file cabinets! The move should be completed by Thursday afternoon (today), and, as you may know, the district office is moving into office space located in the new Tacoma First UMC building. Please make note of the following address change: The Tacoma District Pacific NW Conference of The United Methodist Church 621 Tacoma Avenue South Suite 309 (Note: Please be sure to include the suite number as there are several offices within the Tacoma First building and mail will be returned without it.) Tacoma, WA 98402 NOTE: Please change all address labels to become effective June 2, 2008. Our Email address remains the same. At this time, we have not been assigned our new phone and fax numbers yet, but just as soon as possible they will be distributed to everyone. The office will be open following the 2 p.m. Installation Service Saturday, May 31st, of Sharon Moe as the District Superintendent. The welcome mat will be out!
May 27, #69 New Appointments
Bishop Paup has announced his intention to make the following appintments, effective July 1, 2008:Rev. Melissa Anthony (Lisa) currently serving Rainier Beach UMC in Seattle, to Green Lake UMC also in Seattle, Washington. Rev. Jan Bolerjack, currently serving Fall City UMC, to Riverton UMC in Tukwilla, Washington. Rev. Stan Norman, local pastor currently serving Willapa UMC, to Sandpoint UMC in Sandpoint, Idaho.
May 22, #68 Congo Container #5 is on it's way!
Below is a quote from Mike Hobbs."Praise God! Around 1pm today, [May 21] Kristen [Joyner] signed the paperwork, took a couple pictures, and watched our container depart for the terminal. Our scheduled departure date is 27 May, from Seattle; direct west to Nansha; then on to Dar'.... Thank you all for a tremendous effort! We have accomplished a great good in a very short period of time. I am confident our efforts will be the source of many great smiles in Congo this fall. Thank you, thank you!!" The Hope For the Children of Africa task force also thanks everyone involved in this container project ... especially Terrie and Mike Hobbs who, as in the past, have done an amazing job in coordinating, guiding and working with us!
Annual Conference
The Annual Conference Worship Task Force is asking all active clergy who will be at Annual Conference in Moscow in June 2008 to practice the song May You Run and Not Be Weary # 2281 in The Faith We Sing. We will sing through it twice IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CLERGY SESSION WEDNESDAY MORNING, and use it later in the week. Thanks, your worship team
Jubilate! Summer Festival
The Reverend Dr. Margie Brown, biblical humorist & sacred storyteller, will be the keynoter & workshop leader at the 29th Jubilate! Summer Festival, July 14- 19 in Spokane. Informational postcards have gone out to every church this week. Early Bird Registration deadline is May 31st. Registration forms and information at www.gbgm-umc.org/jubilate!/
China Earthquake UMCOR Advance
United Methodists are encouraged to give generously to UMCOR Advance #982450, International Disaster Response, China Earthquake. Gifts to the China Earthquake response will go towards Amity's work.
May 19, #67 New Appointments
Bishop Paup has announced his intention to make the following appointments, effective July 1.Marta Schellberg, currently associate pastor at Edmonds, to Bremerton UMC. Cheryl Wuensch, a member of the Baltimore Washington Annual Conference, to Seabold UMC on Bainbridge Island. Michael Beggs, currently serving Fircrest UMC, to Lynden UMC. Tacoma District Superintendent, Sharon Moe, announced her intention to assign Jan Van Pelt, of the United Church of Christ, as interim senior pastor of Olympia First UMC.
May 16, #66 Peace with Justice Grants
The PNWAC Peace with Justice Program has announced the following grants which are being awarded on Peace with Justice Sunday, May 18. To see the full list of grants and descriptions go to: http://www.pnwumc.org/html/peacewithjustice.htmlUMC/Nepal - $1,500 Puget Sound Interfaith Youth Camp - $1,000 Interfaith Association of Northeastern Washington - $1,000 Bethlehem Bible College - $1,000 Peace Fair - Des Moines UMC, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Pax Christi of Philomena Catholic Church - $250 Kairos Torch Outside - $1,000 Goldendale UMC - $1,000 Toppenish UMC - $500 Welcoming/Reconciling Interest Group - $250 Church of Mary Magdalene - $500 Earth Ministry - $900
May 15, #65 Update on Nepal Team
The PNW teaching team to Nepal is doing well and our first day of teaching was great. We will be keeping a blog so that you can all stay informed about what we are doing. You can find the blog at: www.nepalseminary.blogspot.com
Clergy and Laity Transition Workshops:
Again this year, pastors and churches that will be experiencing a change in appointments are invited to attend Transition workshops designed to provide information and support for pastors and laity during this time of change. Each workshop will be facilitated by Gail Grossman. Additional information, costs, and registration procedures are being mailed to each church as announcements about appointments are made. Questions may be directed to your District Superintendents, or Anna at the Conference Office, 1- 800-755-7710.Clergy Transition Workshop: (Only for clergy to attend.) Lazy F Camp and Retreat Center, 12:00, Mon., May 19 to 1:00, Tues., May 20 Laity Transition Workshops: (Only for laity to attend.) Seattle: Haller Lake UMC, Sat. May 31, 9:30 to 12:00 Tukwila: Riverton Park UMC, Sat. June 7, 9:30 to 12:00 Lacey: St. Andrew's UMC, Sat. June 7, 2:30 to 5:00 Inland District location to be announced shortly.
May 13, #64 Memorial Service Date Change
Eugene W. Hibbard May 13, #63 Board of Ordained Ministry
In its work with probationary members during the first years of their ministry, the Board of Ordained Ministry's job is defined by ¶335 of the Book of Discipline. "Their service shall be evaluated by the Board of Ordained Ministry as effective according to written guidelines developed by the board and adopted by the clergy members in full connection."The Full Membership Committee and the Board of Ordained Ministry have worked extensively over the past few years to develop written guidelines that would be a useful picture of the personal graces, professional competencies, intellectual disciplines and self-understanding that make for effective ministry. These guidelines were originally developed by the Board in 1996 and have been reviewed and revised several times since, and have to be adopted this year by the clergy members in full connection. These Guidelines will not only be useful for the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, but they will be shared with District BOMs and even local church Staff-Parish Relations Committees as they consider candidates for ministry. They are guidelines, not standards or requirements, but they are a valuable expression of our collective understanding of what makes for an effective pastor in our conference. To view guidelines http://www.pnwumc.org/html/bom.html click here.
May 13, #60 Hope for the Children of Africa ~ Cargo Container #5
The container will be loaded this Friday / Saturday, beginning at 9:30 a.m. We urgently need strong, able- bodied folks to help load it. The site is at the old Gottchalks facility in Totem Lake Mall (exit 20B off I- 405 N). Please contact Terrie and Mike Hobbs (360- 320-1323, 360-320-1352 or miketerriehobbs@gmail.com) or Jan Kreider (206- 523-3394 or hfcajankreidler@aol.com) for directions or additional information.
Annual Conference
Urgent! A person is needed to head up the "Used Books" sales at Annual Conference in Moscow, Idaho. If you will volunteer to do this notify Wes Arms at warms2@juno.com . A retired clergy would be great so that we could carry on the "tradition" of many years.
May 12, #59 Myanmar Advance #3019674
Cyclone Nargis tore through Myanmar (Burma) May 2 with unexpected fury, causing a tidal surge that swept inland that devastated Myanmar's most populated regions leaving homes and businesses flattened and families forever changed. Satellite images reveal extensive damage along the entire coastal plain. Current reports place the death toll over 20,000, with another 40,000 missing.UMCOR is partnering with Church World Service, the Methodist Church in Lower Myanmar, and Action by Churches Together to provide relief and support for those struggling in the aftermath of the cyclone. The international community is working to open up relationships between the US and Myanmar so that more assistance can be provided to survivors. Please pray for the people of Myanmar who have suffered great losses. Pray also for new venues for assistance to be opened to help those in need. Send your gifts through your local church for UMCOR Advance #3019674: Myanmar Emergency. To view the UMCOR news release go to:http://new.gbgm- umc.org/umcor/newsroom/releases/archives08/myan marhelp/
From the editor of H.A.I.L.
Archived versions of your Conference Mission Newsletter, H.A.I.L. (Here Am I, Lord!) are posted at www.pnwumc.org/missions. The May issue was revised to update the information on the "World Refugee Day" article. To receive H.A.I.L. electronically as soon as it is published, click on the "Join Our Mailing List!" button and follow the instructions.
Diana Butler Bass
A 'Conversation' time with Diana Butler Bass (author and expert on religion in American) about hope, and the capacity for the renewed practice of Christianity in 'mainline' congregations is being offered on June 2 in the Seattle area for both interested clergy and lay people.This Conversation is geared toward mainline church leaders, emerging church leaders and seminarians. It is sponsored by a coalition of churches and denominations including The Church of the Apostles, the Washington Association of Churches, the Northwest Washington Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), and The Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC). Diana will lead a conversation exploring the changes that have had an impact on mainline churches and the ways in which vital congregations are responding to cultural change as a way of renewal and how emerging church insights might be incorporated into traditional churches. Within the larger topic, we will look at the need for structural and spiritual change, the practices that make for congregational renewal, and the larger setting of cultural, political, and social justice commitments in congregations. Registration or this event can be done now online via the following links. United Methodist clergy and lay people are entitled to the special rate of $15 (50% off of the standard rate). http://practicingcongregations1.eventbrite.com for Monday, June 2, 1-3 pm at NW Christian Church, Seattle click here or http://practicingcongregations2.eventbrite.com for Monday, June 2, 7-8:30 pm at First Baptist Church, Seattle click here
May 9, #58 Annual Conference
Deadline is May 10 (tomorrow) for Annual Conference registration forms, and all the other request forms in the registration packet. If you have not already done so, please mail your forms in today.
Myanmar Advance #3019674
Cyclone Nargis tore through Myanmar (Burma) May 2 with unexpected fury, causing a tidal surge that swept inland that devastated Myanmar's most populated regions leaving homes and businesses flattened and families forever changed. Satellite images reveal extensive damage along the entire coastal plain. Current reports place the death toll over 20,000, with another 40,000 missing.UMCOR is partnering with Church World Service, the Methodist Church in Lower Myanmar, and Action by Churches Together to provide relief and support for those struggling in the aftermath of the cyclone. The international community is working to open up relationships between the US and Myanmar so that more assistance can be provided to survivors. Please pray for the people of Myanmar who have suffered great losses. Pray also for new venues for assistance to be opened to help those in need. Send your gifts through your local church for UMCOR Advance #3019674: Myanmar Emergency. To view the UMCOR news release go to:http://new.gbgm- umc.org/umcor/newsroom/releases/archives08/myan marhelp/
Memorial Service
Gunild E. EskildsenFebruary 10, 1911 - May 2, 2008 Gunild Elizabeth Eskildsen, surviving spouse of Rev. Ludvig Eskildsen, died on May 2, 2008. Ludvig predeceased her on August 25, 2003. She is survived by daughters: Inger Mikkelsen at 20125 O'Toole Rd. SE, Yelm, WA 98597; Tove Ness of Grangeville, Idaho; and Kirsten Matson of Tacoma, WA. She is also survived by five grandchildren and four great- grandchildren. The Eskildsen's served the United Methodist Church in Denmark and in the United States for 45 years. In the Pacific Northwest Conference, they served at Cottonwood-Nez Perce; Tacoma: Mason; Kelso; Seattle: Trinity and Shelton. Rev. Eskildsen retired in 1982. A memorial service for Gunild E. Eskildsen will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the Shelton United Methodist Church, 1900 King St., Shelton, WA 98584. - Conference Board of Pensions, May 8, 2008
May 5, #56 New Appointments
Bishop Paup has announced his intention to make the following apointments, effective July 1, 2008:Christie Newbill, currently serving Bremerton to St. Paul's and Trinity UMCs in Spokane. Karla Fredericksen, currently serving Riverton Park UMC in Tukwila, to Des Moines UMC.
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