Category: Updates

June 13-16, hybrid with in-person locations in Richland, Washington

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The 151st session of the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference was held in a hybrid format on June 13-16, 2024, at Central Church in Richland, Washington, with its Clergy Session (May 29) and legislative Focus Sessions (June 7,8) preceding online. Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth of the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area presided. 

Click here to watch/download videos from #PNWAC24  |  Click here for photos

During the opening worship, Bishop Bridgeforth read an apology to the victims of sexual misconduct in the church, recently approved at General Conference, which included a promise from the Church to educate leaders, provide healing resources, and develop a trauma-informed response. A lovely service of music, liturgy, and Holy Communion encapsulated this apology and the bishop’s sermon that followed.

The bishop also delivered an enlivening sermon introducing the conference theme, “Being Well,” based on John 4:4-17, to members. In his message, Bridgeforth spoke pastorally, “Beloveds, our theme is ‘Being Well;’ it is about us taking a pause, looking for those spaces and places where we can care for ourselves and those around us … We want to check in on ourselves, and each other. We’ve been through a hard time.”

Encouraging members to continue their work on the M.I.L.E., Bridgeforth humorously contrasted ‘good’ and ‘bad’ Methodists, noting that ‘bad’ Methodists were taking risks and not waiting for permission. He encouraged ‘good’ Methodists to look outside the window, look for a need, and then “open the door and step outside.”

The bishop also challenged members to create spaces and opportunities for people to exhale, let go, name their needs, repent, and bring about repair. Considering the historic progress of the recently concluded General Conference, he said we must continue to work to change hearts and minds as “all we did was just change the words on a page… It’s important. But that’s not the work; that just opens the opportunity for the work to get done.”

Opening motions and a new conference lay leader

An abbreviated opening session followed directly after worship allowed for a mix of opening motions, instructions and procedural items to lay the ground for the work to come. Members were reminded that the budget was not before them to make space for conversations about values and mission as we consider funding for the annual conference and collaboration across the Greater Northwest Area. Upon the recommendation of the Conference Council on Finance and Administration, members overwhelmingly voted to approve Brant Henshaw as Conference Treasurer for the upcoming quadrennium.

The opening session was followed by a laity session, during which outgoing conference lay leader Nancy Tam Davis oversaw the election of the next conference lay leader, Falisha Hola. A member of First Tongan UMC of Seattle, Hola is the first Pacific Islander and, at 24, likely the youngest lay leader elected to that role in the Pacific Northwest.

“I’ve always been passionate about advocacy and representation because many of the spaces I’ve been in, even in our conference, are places I’ve been the only young person or Pasifika woman in the room,” shared Hola during the election process.  “At times, I felt uncomfortable and a sense of imposter syndrome, but I learned how important it was to be in these spaces.”

Worshipful opportunities

Members participated in a Memorial Service on the first evening of the annual conference. In her sermon, Rev. Katie Ladd shared how saints, including several of those being remembered in the service, took on the work of Jesus, bringing people together despite and sometimes because of their differences.

“They agitate and stir us with their wisdom … and they leave us with work to do.”

Appropriately subdued and beautiful music, organized by Worship Team chair Rev. Justin White and conducted by soon-to-be commissioned deacon Rev. Joe Lee, accompanied reflective moments for members to remember those they have lost.

The second day of the conference started with devotional time led by Cascadia District Superintendent Tim Overton-Harris, a guest from the Oregon-Idaho Conference. In a brief message, Overton-Harris encouraged self-reflection as a healthy practice. He also shared candidly that he hasn’t always been the best at it. He named this new skill as critical in helping him see his privilege and hear and learn from others.

Later that day, retiring clergy members were celebrated in a worship setting, allowing the conference to recognize their years of service. In her message, retiring local pastor Rev. Sheila Marie considered her second career call to ministry in light of the story of Jesus and the women at the well.

A symbolic mantle was passed from retiring elder Rev. Bo Bryant to Rev. Ashley Creek-Skinner, part of this year’s ordination class. Members also received a message from the retiree class interviewed before the conference over Zoom.

Legislative actions and table conversations help to identify values and areas of work

Conference members approved annual updates to conference advances and several other administrative support items, including increasing the moving allowance for those under appointment. The conference also voted to close three churches—Lapwai UMC, Nezperce UMC, and First Korean UMC of Seattle—and celebrated the ministry these congregations accomplished over the years.

In new work, members approved two petitions affirming the conference’s care for the environment. Together, the petitions will help enact some of the commitments made in 2023 by tasking churches with climate-related items, establishing a PNW Conference Commission on Environmental Stewardship, and naming environmental stewardship as a Missional Priority.

Another petition was approved to establish common work expectations for pastoral leaders. To affirm healthy work/life balance as essential to clergy health, the conference supported an average work week between 35 and 40 hours, two days off, vacations and leaves, and educational work for local church staff parish committees.

In a petition accepted from the floor, members affirmed their solidarity with the Filipino people and their struggle for human rights. The action calls on U.S. political leaders to support H.R.1433, which would suspend military aid to the Philippines until specific reforms are made to its military and police forces.

Click here for a full report of Actions approved by the 2024 PNW Annual Conference.

In place of the normal budgetary process, Bishop Bridgeforth invited members to prayerful conversations discussing ministry values and goals for our conference and considering future opportunities to collaborate within the Greater Northwest Area. Similar discussions will occur at the Oregon-Idaho and Alaska Conferences when they meet in the coming weeks. Additional opportunities are being planned for late summer and into the fall before a special session is called to approve a budget for 2025.

Ministry reports received by members

Throughout the sessions, members received ministry reports on conference, GNW Area, and General Church efforts. Nomination processes were navigated to populate conference boards and agencies for the quadrennium and to create a pool to serve on General and Western Jurisdictional committees.

A significant report from the conference delegation to the General Conference provided an overview of the legislative accomplishments. Delegates echoed the bishop’s message that legislation was just an opening. In addition to changing hearts and minds, as the bishop encouraged, conference members were also informed members that critical changes to the United Methodist Constitution, particularly those to support regionalization, required ratification at next year’s annual conference session.

A joint report from the Board of Congregational Development Chair Rev. Kathy Hartgraves and the GNW Area’s Innovation Vitality director updated members on continuing new church start projects. Kristina Gonzalez, GNW Executive Dir. for Innovation & Vitality, presented a video providing an excellent summary of the Equity Cohorts that have occurred over the past six months.

During its report, the Board of Ordained Ministry introduced the candidates for provisional and full membership before the bishop asked Wesley’s Historic Questions of the candidates. Church and Society announced this year’s Peace with Justice and MLK, Jr. award recipients, and reports were received from Ethnic Ministries, with videos prepared by the Hispanic/Latinx Ministries Committee, S.L.A.M. Trips, and the Christmas Institute. An additional report was received from the Circle of Indigenous Ministries director, Rev. Dr. Alan Buck.

Revs. Kathy Neary and Sheila Miranda offered a time to recognize the gifts and witnesses of certified lay ministers, Hispanic lay ministers, home missioners, deaconesses, and licensed local pastors while also announcing a new worship planning workshop series with Marcia McFee to support small churches served by lay persons.

Other reports included an update on the Bishop’s Task Force on Church Properties offered by Rev. Kathy Neary, Rules Committee by outgoing chair Jim Odiorne, Rev. Paul Mitchell and Sophia Agtarap (and guests) provided a summary of Creation Justice work in the conference since 2023. The body heard updates from Global Ministries co-chairs Kathy Bryson and Marilyn Reid about its efforts and the excellent work of our disaster response teams.

Members also received a positive report from PNW Executive Camping Director Alan Rogstad and a llama-filled report from Faith Foundation NW highlighting ways to invest aligned with one’s faith. A report from PNW Pensions Board chair Rev. Shane Moore elicited much approval as he highlighted ways the board was working to support cash-strained local churches.

Toward the end of its plenary sessions, appointments to the conference’s five districts and extension ministries were read. Dates and a general location for the 2025 annual conference were also announced – June 26-29 in the Inland or Seven Rivers District.

Celebrations and new and renewed activities

On Saturday morning, members took a break from plenary and worship to celebrate ministry in different ways. The Central Kids Run, an annual outreach event sponsored by Central Church, provides children in the community with a fun place to run while clouds of color fly through the air. Bishop Bridgeforth participated with a playful spirit as children and adults joined the fun.

The PNW Ministry Fair returned after several dormant years due to COVID. The event, held in the church’s gymnasium, allowed United Methodist ministries in the area to present displays and for conference members to learn about new ways they can get involved in ministry beyond the local church.

In a plenary session, Bishop Bridgeforth honored outgoing PNW Conference Lay Leader Nancy Tam Davis with a Bishop’s Award for her years of service and advocacy on behalf of the laity. Brant Henshaw and Rev. David Valera also expressed gratitude for Davis’s gifts and commitment to the conference. Davis and her husband, Rev. Jim Davis, have served as conference leaders and consultants.

Dan Krause, chief executive of United Methodist Communications, visited the conference to deliver a surprise Epikoinonía Award for excellence in communication ministry to PNW Communications Director Patrick Scriven. Staff conspired to keep Scriven unaware as he was also gifted with a t-shirt and lightsaber by DCM Rev. David Valera, Teri Tobey, and Amanda Tobey, dressed as the Star Wars character Rey.

Members also thanked Kristina Gonzalez, who announced that she would retire before the next conference session. Gonzalez received a certificate recognizing her 26 years of service to the conference and a piece of fine art. In his remarks, Bishop Bridgeforth shared a memory of Kristina’s impact on his ministry decades earlier.

“So, thank you because people like me have been treated better and had spaces to speak in because of your work.”

With wellness as part of the conference theme, it was fitting that Dr. Glenn Paraso and his spouse were present to mark the beginning of a new partnership between Mary Johnston Hospital and the Greater Northwest Area. Mary Johnston is the only Methodist hospital in the Philippines and has been serving for 118 years in Tondo, where many patients are poor. 

Paraso gave Bishop Bridgeforth a shawl representing sacred leadership and a bamboo flask from a tree representing flexible faith. “This is the shawl that starts the partnership,” Paraso said.

Conference offerings were taken for Mary Johnston Hospital, Riverton Park UMC’s migrant support, and Martha’s Cupboard, a ministry of Central Church.

Commissioning, ordaining and welcoming new pastoral leaders

During worship on the following morning, members and guests celebrated the commissioning of three provisional elders – Kate Crisci, Drew Hogan, and David Owsley – three provisional deacons – Denise Ann Belista, Jackie Celin, and Joseph Lee – and the ordination of three elders –  Kellen Corliss, Ashley Skinner-Creek, and Gayle Tabor. The congregation also received with gratitude Rev. Megan Madsen into full membership as an elder. Madsen had been transferred into provisional status in 2022 from the Church of the Nazarene.

Guest preacher Rev. Dr. Lydia Muñoz delivered a personal, genuine message of hope for the church. She reflected on the recent changes in the denomination, the well at the center of the conference theme’s scripture, and our call to offer living water. “If you invite people to drink, you need to make sure it is safe to drink,” she said. Deep wells must be built so that “…church is a place of equity and inclusion so the healing and cleansing Spirit of God can flow through us.”

In words directed to those being commissioned and ordained, Muñoz advised three things: “1. Be part of a covenant group to pray with. 2. Get a good therapist. 3. Find a good vacation club.”

• Membership stands at 27,454, down 1359 from the previous year.
• Worship attendance stands at 8,858, down 18 from 2022. Reported online worship is up by 1051.
• Church school attendance stands at 1,915, down 219.
• Professions or reaffirmations of faith for 2023 were 140, down from 2022 by 15.
• Adults and young adults in small groups for 2023 were 321, up from 2022 by 15.
• Worshippers engaged in mission for 2023 were 7,311, up from 2022 by 220.

These numbers reflect the disaffiliation of 13 congregations who left the denomination during special sessions held in 2023.

— Patrick Scriven, Director of Communications, Pacific Northwest Conference

By Rev. Pam Brokaw

Friends, family, and colleagues robed in white and red clergy colors gathered in an overflowing room Sunday to celebrate the commissioning and ordination of a diversely gifted group.

It was a moving and tearful celebration of life commitment and a joyful expression of the future of The United Methodist Church. The Church is beginning a season of welcome for LGBTQ+ siblings. The Sunday service not only welcomed new pastors and deacons into ministry but was also a defining moment heralding a commitment to begin anew.

Photos from the service at available to view and download on Flickr.

Guest preacher Rev. Dr. Lydia Muñoz delivered a personal, genuine message of hope for the church. She followed the week-long theme of “Be Well,” which flows from the Gospel of John’s text John 4: 4-17, in which Jesus offers a Samaritan woman the living waters of the Holy Spirit. Muñoz is the executive director of the Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry for The United Methodist Church.

Each day, the annual conference has considered how the living water of Christ is flowing deep within the denomination as it moves forward, leaving behind the harmful Book of Disciple language that has damaged the hearts and lives of the faithful with the message and practice that all were not welcome.

During the service, three candidates – Denise Ann Belista, Jackie Celin, and Joseph Lee – were commissioned as provisional deacons, and three candidates – Kate Crisci, Drew Hogan, and David Owsley – were commissioned as provisional elders. Also, three provisional members – Kellen Corliss, Ashley Skinner-Creek, and Gayle Tabor – were ordained into full membership as elders. Additionally, Megan Madsen was received as a full member (elder) after having her membership transferred into provisional status in 2022 from the Church of the Nazarene.

As newly commissioned provisional members and soon-to-be ordained deacons and elders gave their vows, a spirit of love and relief, hope and promise filled the overflowing sanctuary.

Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth reminded them that today, their call was confirmed to set apart ministry to “serve rather than be served” and to change things without looking back.

Thanking the bishop for inviting her to share the day’s message, Muñoz observed the crowd and said: “Of all the things we do at annual conference, this is really special.”

Muñoz began her message with a song of prayer that she sang with reverence and building intensity. She told the story of growing up as the children of missionaries. Her father and mother figured out ways to get things done at the family home with creativity and a few funds.

A favorite memory was the time her father decided to install an in-ground water system. Instead of paying for a pipe locator, he just started digging. Her mother had patiently placed yellow tape around her garden to prevent it from harm. As a result, their backyard looked like a “testing ground for missiles.”

Muñoz said the experience reminded her of seeking the Holy Spirit and the flowing water offered by Jesus Christ. “What does it mean for us to be in tune with the flow of the spirit?” she asked, adding that the Spirit of God is our pipeline locator and that God’s spirit runs deep.

She reminded the gathered congregation that just as Jesus went out of his way to find the woman at the well, we must go out of our way in ministry. We are to find what is necessary and what is not.

Our present, Muñoz, said, “…is a powerful witness of the church cracked open by the Holy Spirit.” She said it does not mean we’ve figured out this inclusion thing. “If you invite people to drink, you need to make sure it is safe to drink,” she said. Deep wells must be built so that “…church is a place of equity and inclusion so the healing and cleansing Spirit of God can flow through us.”

Muñoz said there is much to be learned from the feisty spirit of the woman at the well. There is every indication she had led a life fighting for her life. In her time, many women were callously divorced by their husbands and left to fend for themselves. She saw the woman’s response to Jesus as someone with courage and a survivor’s attitude.

“You don’t even have a bucket,” the Samaritan woman had said to Jesus. “Do you know who’s well this is?” she asked, pointing out that the Jews and Samaritans shared the same heritage.

Muñoz reminded us that both Jesus and the woman came to the well because they were thirsty. We are all thirsty for the living water Jesus offers. How do we find it and hold on to it? She spoke to the new clergy and the many in the congregation about being places in which the water flows.

She advised three things: 1. Be part of a covenant group to pray with. 2. Get a good therapist. 3. Find a good vacation club.

Muñoz concluded that all must take care that people can poison our wells. “Sometimes you have to learn to love the Hell out of people and never let that Hell consume you.”

By Rev. Pam Brokaw

Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth opened the session with a centering prayer. “We ask, O God, that we would hear from you…The cries around us… That we would do what you call us to…That we might honor you in word and deed…Might you guide us…Might we follow.”

Attendees were then invited to continue reflecting on and discussing yesterday’s conversation about our church’s vision. The bishop said several streams of discernment are already to follow. Between now and September, these streams will inform the budget and future planning.

Bishop Bridgeforth shared that we are looking at innovation and vitality work, shared (administrative) services, property and building use, and current and potential ministries. These discussions will lead us to a place to narrow our priorities. “All is going to flow together to get to where we need to get to.”

The bishop invited attendees to dream about the future. He posed the question: Which joint ministries of the conference or area have the greatest impact, current or future? On a scale of 1-10, with one being not at all and ten being totally, how committed are you to working together as part of the conference to make that happen? Groups at each table engaged in conversation.

Later, lay member Joey Lopez was granted a point of privilege to address the body. He wondered how the annual conference might include more holy conferencing, wondering, “How can we, as the annual conference, think and do this differently in the future? Lopez voiced concern about the roots of institutional racism. “The process is just as important as the outcome,” he said.

The group broke to attend the Ministry Fair and Central Childrens Run, the latter an annual outreach event of the host church. Both options drew strong participation from conference members; Bishop Bridgeforth was in the middle of a playful eruption of colors as the children ran a short course.

After lunch, the following presentations were made:

• Videos about the summer camps were shown, and all were encouraged to visit Camp Indianola, Ocean Park, Twinlow and Lazy F throughout the year.

• Rev. Karen Yokota Love introduced a video about Claremont School of Theology, the only United Methodist Seminary on the West Coast. “Think about and discern your opportunity to go there,” she encouraged. In a video message, Bishop Grant Hagiya, president of Claremont, encouraged supporting the many expanding ministries, including a new Doctor of Ministry degree.

Rev. David Valera, PNW Executive Director of Connectional Ministries, announced the Bishop’s Award was going to outgoing Conference Lay Leader Nancy Tam Davis. “She has guided us and worked with us.” “She has big dreams for the church, and it’s only because she has big dreams for the ministry.” Treasurer Brant Henshaw described her as a collaborative, vocal advocate for laity and work in the annual conference. Bishop Bridgeforth lauded her collaborative and welcoming ways.

Legislative work completed

Rev. Meredith Dodd offered, and the body passed a friendly amendment to Petition #13 concerning establishing healthy working standards for pastoral leaders. The initial petition was approved as amended by a wide margin. Speaking for the petition, Rev. Meredith Gudger-Raines said she appreciated the conversation it invoked. Pastors are adaptive leaders in a rapidly changing culture, she said. “We need support; we need the conversation to know we are not alone.”

In response to a question, Bishop Bridgeforth clarified that new provisions regarding clergy hours would also pertain to extension ministries within the UMC system.

The other remaining petition (#14 in the Pre-Conference Handbook), considering non-substantive edits to the conference’s rules, was referred to the Rules Committee for additional review.

With the expected legislation processed, a late-breaking resolution was considered and passed in solidarity with the Filipino people, advocating against U.S. tax dollars funding worsening human rights and a humanitarian crisis in the Philippines.

A new partnership and questions for new ministerial leaders

Next, Rev. David Valera returned to the podium to welcome Dr. Glenn Paraso, executive director and CEO of Mary Johnston Hospital in the Philippines. In May, a webinar was held to establish and bless a deepening partnership with the Pacific Northwest Conference and the Greater Northwest Area.

Dr. Paraso gave Bishop Bridgeforth a shawl representing sacred leadership and a bamboo flask from a tree representing flexible faith. “This is the shawl that starts the partnership,” Paraso said.

Rev. Geoff Helton, chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry, announced adopting an anti-racism continuing education program for pastors that requires a minimum of eight hours of training each quadrennium. Additional efforts include training for mentors for Licensed Local Pastors and ongoing support through the Safe Harbor program for clergy feeling unsafe in other conferences.

The board also announced and celebrated those being licensed for the first time. Candidates being commissioned and ordained on Sunday were also introduced to the body, with Bishop Bridgeforth asking them Wesley’s historic questions.

Other reports received

In the Board of Church and Society Report, Rev. David Wright said creation justice, racial justice and combatting inequity are a focus. “We are excited to see the new Social Principles,” he said. Wright announced that the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award went to Battle Ground UMC and Selah UMC.

Rev. Shane Moore, Vice Chair of the Pension Board, announced several cost savings to the local churches regarding pension costs. He shared that the long-serving PNW Benefits Director, Bruce Galvin, planned to retire in 2026, his 50^th anniversary with the PNW Conference. A succession plan is being developed.

Rev. Jenny Phillips, director of environmental sustainability for Global Ministries, praised the conference for its actions and encouraged the pursuit of funds to help churches fund solar panels. In some places, there is a five-to-seven-year payback, she said, on investments that make buildings more efficient and reduce energy costs. The growing Global Ministries Earthkeepers Program is another way for churches to get involved.

New conference committee and board leaders were approved after a final report from Nominations Committee Chair Rev. Derek Nakano. He also requested and had approved a motion to request the addition of another approval of a nominations slate at the expected Special Session in the Fall. In a similar nomination matter, 42 names were accepted for submission to the jurisdictional pool from which General and Western Jurisdictional leadership is drawn.

An anticipated retirement is honored

In a deeply moving announcement, David Valera announced the retirement of Kristina Gonzalez, GNW Executive Director of Innovation and Vitality. For 26 years, Gonzalez has served the conference, helping leaders, members and churches with her trailblazing intercultural work. Numerous leaders, including multiple bishops, thanked her for her service.

“I know God is not done with you yet,” said Bishop Bridgeforth, “and there will be much more to come.” “Her work has changed the cornerstone of our denomination on cross-cultural appointments. People like me have been treated better because of you.”

“The only thing I can say is thank you, Gonzalez said. “You have supported me to do what is my passion…Thank you for allowing me to pursue my passion and get better at it,” she said. Gonzalez’s work, she said, had brought together her faith life and professional life.

The day ended with thanks to all those who made the Annual Conference possible, the reading of pastoral appointments, and the announcement of next year’s Annual Conference, which will be held June 26-29, 2025, on the eastern side of the conference.

By Rev. Pam Brokaw

Day two began with a welcome from Cascadia District Superintendent (OR-ID) Rev. Tim Overton-Harris –soon to be Oregon-Idaho Conference Assistant to the Bishop – who shared a devotional recalling the joyful nature of Psalm 136: “God’s steadfast love endures forever!” Overton-Harris led the room in reflecting on the highlights, challenges, and blossoming ideas they were experiencing at the annual conference.

Morning Plenary

Commission on Ethnic Ministries
Rev. Dr. Troy Lynn Carr and Rev. Cruz Edwin Santos reported on programs to support ethnic leaders and communities. These include leadership development opportunities, ethnic youth scholarships for camping ministries, and S.L.A.M. Trips, which provide youth with reservation service-learning projects. They also shared efforts to connect pastors in cross-cultural appointments at an Ethnic Ministers Retreat.

Board of Congregational Development and Church Vitality
Kristina Gonzales, GNW Executive Director of Innovation and Vitality, reported on support for church planters—a collaborative effort involving three conferences. This is the work of equity, she said, that involves an intentional, inter-cultural learning process.”

Current efforts include “equity cohorts” to bring us closer to our vision as a faith community—where everyone has an abundant life. Participants in a video spoke about the importance of “listening,” “leading with curiosity, not judgment,” “moving from a mono-cultural to multicultural lens,” and “trying to change the world, not just interpret it.”

Church Properties Task Force
Rev. Kathy Neary, task force chair, shared it will be important to care for churches that are ending and prepare for new models. The old church building model, congregation and pastor are not the future. She said we need to act now to imagine Christ’s incarnation in new ways throughout the UMC.

In other presentations:

• Nominations Update: Rev. Derek Nakano announced there is time to nominate folks for leadership roles on committees, etc. Please send nominations in by Saturday.
• Jurisdictional Nominees: Currently, there are 32 nominees. There is still time to add nominations.

Celebrating Retirees

Rev. Shelia Marie opened the retirement service with a powerful message about how she became a local pastor. It was like the scripture about the woman at the well—an unexpected moment when a woman thirsty for water encounters Jesus. He promises she will never be thirsty again if she drinks the water he provides.

Thirsty for a new chapter in her life, Shelia recalled her own water moment. She was retiring from a secular career and wondered what to do next. Sitting at a table waiting for a glass of water before dinner arrived, she heard God’s invitation to ministry.

She said yes to this unexpected invitation. Twelve years later, she is retiring from ministry. “We each have a story,” she said. Each story is unique and an encounter with Jesus that changes everything.

Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth offered prayers of gratitude and thanks to all the retirees for their faithful service.

Afternoon Plenary

Hispanic Ministries
Rev. Cruz Edwin Santos, Director of Hispanic/Latinx Ministries, shared a video of multiple programs serving communities and equipping new leaders. Housing has been identified as a new area of focus. He invited annual conference members to join forces with the effort.

News from the General Conference (Charlotte, NC)
First-elected PNW Delegate Rev. Elizabeth Ingram Schindler reminded all that the delegation voted for inclusivity, but others had blazed the trail long before. But trails can become overgrown, she said. It is the work of everyone here to keep those vines from growing back. “We did not complete the work; we just brought it to a new chapter. Now, the rest of you are to carry on with the work.”

PNW Lay Delegate Skylar Marston-Bihl said there were three significant priorities: pass revised Social Principles, address Regionalization, and remove harmful language in The Book of Discipline. “We came back with all three. We went to neutral. We removed the harmful language. It is just neutral,” she said. “It’s time to find beloved-ness together.”

A move toward regionalization began. Brant Henshaw said regionalization requires modification to the church constitution, with a 2/3rds approval vote from every global member worldwide. Regionalization would allow each region to vote on issues pertaining solely to it. Voting could be happening soon. Rev. Gregg Sealey said sacramental authority for deacons was also approved. A new retirement plan for clergy was voted in. The first Black female president of the Council of Bishops was elected, and the first Filipino American presider, Bishop Carlo Rapanut, was celebrated.

The bishop reaffirmed that the Safe Harbor Program will continue as other conferences develop rules for implementing the Board of Disciplines changes.

Creation Care Update
Creation Justice Task Force Co-Chair Rev. Paul Mitchell said he is bringing living water! “We believe this has been a fruitful few months,” he said. Sophia Agtarap, the co-chair, said 35 percent of churches have committees addressing Creation Care and Justice, a majority are making changes, and 25 percent are willing to start green practices. Eighty percent identified a lack of funding to do these things. The Commission is endorsing church actions such as adding solar panels. They are supporting local churches in finding grants to do this work. The Faith Foundation is involved.

The presentation concluded with representatives lifting “wash tubs” labeled: Clergy, Laity, Funders, Staff and You. “We need each one of you to carry water any way you know how “Agtarap said in an emotional reflection and plea. “To thrive will require the involvement of all.”

In other actions:

• Petition #11, Environmental Stewardship from the Ground Up, concurrence recommended by focus session. Passed.
• Petition #12, Creating an Environmental Commission, passed. There was a question about funding. Rev. Laura Baumgartner shared that helping churches obtain grants.

Church Closures
The conference’s district superintendents led the body in remembering and celebrating the people and ministry of three churches requesting closure. Requests were approved for Lapwai, Nezperce and First Korean of Seattle UMCs.

An honor bestowed with lightsaber
During a surprise announcement, PNW Communications Director Patrick Scriven received an Epikoinia (Epi) Award for Excellence in Communications Ministry. The news brought the Annual Conference attendees to their feet in a standing ovation.

“Your gifts in the Northwest are greatly appreciated,” said Dan Krause, head of global United Methodist Communications.

Scriven said he was “honored, humbled and embarrassed.”

“It’s a blessing to be among you,” Scriven said as he flexed the lightsaber awarded to him by Amanda Tobey, dressed as the Star Wars character Rey. “I am grateful for the team.”

The first day of the 2024 Pacific Northwest Conference began Thursday afternoon with an opening worship service. The service got the conference off to a good start with familiar hymns and a strong message from Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth. A liturgical response blending the traditional song “Are we yet alive?” was particularly moving. Rev. Grace Ncabani M’Mujuri served as liturgist for the service, and a group of musicians, capably directed by Rev. Joe Lee, led the congregation through the service’s musical moments.

Bishop Bridgeforth’s sermon focused on the Gospel message (John 4:4-17) that the annual conference theme, “Being Well,” is based upon. The bishop encouraged attendees to take care, noting some of the exhaustion leaders and congregations feel. He shared some insights the cabinet has developed from traveling to meet in every district across the Greater Northwest Area over the past year. In many places, churches serve as an essential part of the safety net that keeps vulnerable persons in their communities afloat. 

Speaking about engagement with the M.I.L.E., Bishop Bridgeforth humorously contrasted ‘good’ and ‘bad’ Methodists, noting that ‘bad’ Methodists were taking risks and not waiting for permission. He encouraged ‘good’ Methodists to look outside the window, look for a need, and then “open the door and step outside.” Talking about how Jesus’ engagement with the woman at the well transformed her, and Jesus as well, he continued, “Don’t be a good Methodist! Don’t! We don’t need any more good Methodists.”

Turning back to the theme, the bishop said, “Beloveds, our theme is ‘Being Well;’ it is about us taking a pause, looking for those spaces and places where we can care for ourselves and those around us … We want to check in on ourselves, and on each other. We’ve been through a hard time.”

At the end of the day during the Memorial Service, Rev. Katie Ladd reflected on the same gospel story, pointing out Jesus’s important work in re-membering the body. Rev. Ladd shared how saints, including several of those being remembered in the service, took on the work of bringing people together, despite and sometimes because of their differences.

“They agitate and stir us with their wisdom … and they leave us with work to do.”

Reflecting on the church post-General Conference and discussing the chalice broken at the 2000 General Conference, Rev. Ladd shared that it wasn’t time yet to pretend that we had put that symbolic chalice back together again.

“We have work to do, and it is holy work.”

The day’s plenary was primarily a mix of opening motions, instructions and procedural items to lay the ground for the work to come. Conference members received a report from Rev. Joanne Coleman Campbell, who serves on the Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A). Rev. Coleman Campbell and Bishop Bridgeforth reminded the body that the budget was not before them to make space for conversations about how values and mission as we consider funding for the annual conference and collaboration across the Greater Northwest Area. Upon the recommendation of CF&A, members overwhelmingly voted to approve Brant Henshaw as Conference Treasurer for the upcoming quadrennium.

After the plenary concluded, in-person clergy moved into a gathering while lay members held their Laity Session. During that session, lay members elected a new conference lay leader from a pool of three candidates. Falisha Hola, a young adult lay member from First Tongan UMC of Seattle, was selected to follow Nancy Tam Davis, whose term is ending after eight years. Hola is the first young adult and Pacific Islander to hold that position in the PNW Conference.

“I’ve always been passionate about advocacy and representation because many of the spaces I’ve been in, even in our own conference, are places I’ve been the only young person or Pasifika woman in the room. At times I felt uncomfortable, and a sense of imposter syndrome, but I learned how important it was to be in these spaces.”

Members and guests of the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference will meet online and in person at Central Church in Richland, WA, from June 13 to 16 for its 151st regular session. A successful Clergy Session was held on May 29, and members will gather to discuss legislation this weekend at Focus Sessions held online this Friday and Saturday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

From almost anywhere, you can watch the Focus Sessions and much of our Annual Conference Session live on the PNWAC website at https://pnwumc.org/ac2024! Please review the Annual Conference Schedule for an overview of the sessions and to learn what will be livestreamed. You can also view conference materials, including legislative updates and worship materials, on the Downloads page.

As they do their work, lay and clergy members will explore our theme, “Being Well,” which builds on the 2023-24 theme of “Go and Do Likewise.” The Gospel of John, chapter 4, verses 4-17, is our grounding scripture. Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth wrote in his call letter, “Being Well is our call to be as Christ would have us be in this time and space. Being well emotionally, physically, spiritually, and ecologically is a daily pursuit.”

Some expected highlights

This year’s annual conference sessions will open on Thursday, June 13, with worship and an episcopal address from Bishop Bridgeforth. The bishop will also help guide four opportunities for members to consider ministry values and goals as they look toward future opportunities to collaborate for better outcomes and greater efficiency within the annual conference and across the Greater Northwest Area. To allow space for these conversations, the bishop has announced that members will consider the budget at a special session later in the year.

In a laity session following the opening plenary, lay members will elect a new PNW Conference Lay Leader, with Nancy Tam Davis stepping down after eight years. During the conference, members will also approve nominations for a host of other positions on conference boards and agencies for the upcoming quadrennium.

Rev. Elizabeth Ingram Schindler and Skylar Marston-Bihl will deliver their report on the historic (and postponed) General Conference 2020 on Friday afternoon. The first-elected delegates will highlight the significant legislative changes the General Conference enacted and some of the work that lies ahead. They are reporting on behalf of the delegation that returned from Charlotte just over a month ago.

Members will receive updates and reports from conference boards, agencies, and area-level ministries. One celebration will be a new partnership between the GNW Area and Mary Johnston Hospital, a United Methodist hospital in Tondo, Philippines, where most patients are poor. The partnership is one of three offerings that members will have an opportunity to support.

Kristina Gonzalez will report on the innovation and vitality work happening across the GNW Area. A significant portion of her report will focus on the Equity Training that has been ongoing over the past six months. Members will take some time to recognize Gonzalez for her decades of service in the conference as she has announced her retirement early next year.

The body will also consider 14 recommendations submitted during the spring. Among the petitions are several typical pension-related actions, a recommended increase in moving expenses for pastoral leaders, the approval of three church closures, two petitions asking the body to lean into environmental stewardship, one focused on clergy wellness, and finally, a revision of the conference rules.

After a short plenary on Saturday morning, members will have the opportunity to participate in support of a community Kids Run sponsored annually by the host church. At the same time, a Ministry Fair returns for the first time since Covid-19 disrupted many conference traditions.

On Saturday afternoon, the body is anticipated to finish its legislative work by reading ministerial appointments and assignments, marking additional celebrations and adjourning its business. If time is needed, members may hold an extra session before worship on Sunday.

Closing with worship

Throughout the weekend, members and guests will be blessed with several opportunities to pray and worship together beyond the opening worship. Rev. Katie Ladd, pastor at Queen Anne UMC, will offer the message during a Memorial Service on Thursday evening, during which we will remember significant passings over the past year. On Friday morning, Cascadia District (OR-ID) Superintendent Rev. Tim Overton-Harris will join the body to offer a devotion. Later that morning, members will celebrate the retirement of pastoral leaders with Rev. Sheila Marie, retiring local pastor of Redeemer UMC in Kingston, WA, offering the message.

On Sunday Morning, the Annual Conference will conclude with a Service of Commissioning and Ordination with the Rev. Dr. Lydia Muñoz, executive director of the National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry, preaching. Members and guests will invite the Spirit to join them in blessing new leaders and sending all out to bring the Gospel of life to the communities in which God has embedded us.

One of the tasks of the Western Jurisdiction Conference, when it meets this July in Spokane, is to select lay and clergy persons to represent the jurisdiction as directors of the general church agencies, like the General Board of Global Ministries or General Commission on the Status and Role of Women. They also will select persons to serve in leadership positions in the Western Jurisdiction (WJ), like the WJ Council on Finance and Administration.

To complete this task, we need your help to create the ‘pool’ of persons to be presented to the WJ Nominating Committee. Are you interested in serving, or might you encourage someone to consider serving?

Click this link or the button below to access the form and self-nominate. Please consider whether God is calling you for this purpose. Nomination forms are due on May 31, 2024.

The Pacific Northwest Conference will consider the ‘pool’ when it meets in June. The WJ Conference will draw from the pools of all conferences in the WJ to fill the positions available. Thanks for considering this opportunity.

As the high season of United Methodist conferencing approaches, we must prepare for several elections and nominating processes. While some focus will be on potential episcopal elections at the jurisdictional conference in July, our PNW Conference session will include several nomination and election votes, which will help shape our lay and clergy leadership for the next quadrennium.

Electing a new PNW Conference Lay Leader

Members will elect a new Conference Lay Leader during the 2024 Pacific Northwest Annual Conference Sessions. This vital position can provide a meaningful lay voice during and in between annual conference sessions as resourcing is offered and decisions are made. The current lay leader, Nancy Tam Davis, will complete her service after two quadrennia.

A page detailing the position’s responsibilities and an application have been published on the PNW Annual Conference Sessions website – https://pnwumc.org/ac2024/lay-leader-election/. Applications filled out by May 1, 2024, will be published alongside other pre-conference materials. Additional nominations can be made on the floor at annual conference during the laity session where the election will take place.

The Episcopal Elections Process starts at annual conference

The Western Jurisdiction expects two bishops to retire this year, leaving two openings in the WJ College of Bishops. Conferences have been invited to nominate up to two people who meet the basic qualifications for the episcopacy as described in The Book of Discipline 2016, Paragraphs 401, 405, and 414. That said, decisions made at General Conference may reduce the number of openings to one or none.  

Individuals who wish to put their names forward should complete the following tasks:

1. Prayerfully discern your readiness to serve in the episcopacy. 
2. Complete the profile form on the WJ website at https://westernjurisdictionumc.org/episcopal-candidate-profile.
3. Submit your name to PNW Conference Secretary Rev. Shirley DeLarme –  shirley.delarme@gmail.com – after you have completed the profile form. 

Candidates who complete the steps above by May 1, 2024, will have their profiles shared with conference members along with other pre-conference materials.

Per our rules, we will also receive nominations from the floor at annual conference, but no materials will be circulated for candidates named at that time. Per our practice, no one should be nominated without their consent. If someone is nominated who has not submitted a profile, they will be asked to do so after their election to honor the WJ’s process.

Other nominations and elections

When it gathers in June, members of the 2023 PNW Annual Conference Session will elect a slate of new and returning leaders for all our conference boards and agencies at this year’s annual conference session. Now is the perfect time to express your interest in serving in an area that aligns with your passions and gifts. If you aren’t already connected to a specific board or agency you want to serve (you can find the current rosters here), consider contacting your pastor, District Superintendent or District Lay Leader.

During its clergy session, PNW Clergy Members will also elect new leaders to serve in the coming quadrennium. Of course, the clergy session will do this while navigating its usual work of approving ministerial candidates and marking various transitions and status changes.

Whether contemplating a calling to the episcopacy, service in lay leadership, or support of the work of different conference boards and agencies, prayer is a necessary part of the process. Even as you pray to contemplate how you might serve, consider praying for others as they do the same.

2023 Pacific Northwest Annual Conference Report

June 13-15, hybrid with in-person locations in Tacoma, Wash.

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• Watch PNWAC 2023 Video Showcase on Vimeo
• Watch M.I.L.E. – 2023 AC Sermons by Bishop Bridgeforth

• View/download photos from #PNWAC23, Day 1

• View/download photos from #PNWAC23, Day 2

• View/download photos from #PNWAC23, Day 3

• View/download photos from Commissioning/Ordination