2023 Pacific Northwest Annual Conference Report
June 13-15, hybrid with in-person locations in Tacoma, Wash.
Conference secretary Rev. Shirley DeLarme, Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth, and Orders of the Day lead Rev. Elizabeth Schindler guide members through a long day of plenary.
The second day brought a plenary full of legislative work, celebrations, reports, and other recognitions. It started with a lively devotional offered by Crater Lake District Superintendent John Tucker, a guest from the Oregon-Idaho Conference.
The Connecting for Missions Focus Session legislation consumed much of the second morning. However, chair Rev. Mary Stanton Nurse noted that the initial focus session conversations took much longer. Members approved a petition to call on General Conference to add fossil fuels to United Methodist investment screens, agreed to encourage divestment of local church, conference, and Faith Foundation NW funds from fossil fuels, and committed to seeking partnerships with environmental and climate justice organizations. The conference also affirmed its solidarity with the Filipino people and their struggle for human rights. In a final petition, the conference challenged itself to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. It also encouraged its local churches to increase the energy efficiency of their church buildings and parsonages by 50% by 2030.
Three districts – Puget Sound, SeaTac and Seven Rivers – had their appointments read on Wednesday. Feeling under the weather, SeaTac District Superintendent Derek Nakano joined Bishop Bridgeforth to read the SeaTac District appointments via Zoom.
The last item on the day’s agenda was receiving the GNW Vitality Commission’s Report. Formed 18 months earlier, the commission was charged with exploring the possibility of an area-wide decision-making body to oversee innovation and vitality work. Responding to members’ questions, they explained a withdrawal of legislation that would have established the team and shared mixed feelings about the former plan.
Rev. Meredith Gudger-Raines lights a candle in remembrance during the PNW Memorial Service at Mason UMC.
People pray for Evangeline Rand and Ashley Skinner-Creek before their commissioning as provisional elders.
Shortly after members approved a closing motion from conference secretary Rev. Shirley DeLarme, members and guests celebrated the commissioning of two provisional elders – Evangeline “Vangie” Rand and Ashley Skinner Creek – and the ordination of one deacon – Mary Stanton Nurse – and several elders – Yvonne Agduyeng, Murray Crookes, Drew Frisbie, April Hall, Laura Holmes, Danielle Ramsay, and Dirk Wooten.
Retired Bishop Mary Ann Swenson delivered the sermon after an introduction from Bishop Bridgeforth, sharing her impact on his ministry and reminding PNW members of her connections to our conference.