The Cascadia Connection 1 January 2015, Vol. 4 No. 1

The Cascadia ConnectionThe Cascadia Connection The newsletter of the Cascadia District The newsletter of the Cascadia District

OregonOregon--Idaho Annual Conference, The United Methodist ChurchIdaho Annual Conference, The United Methodist Church

January 2015, Vol 4, issue 1 Presiding Bishop Grant Hagiya

Rev. Peg Lofsvold, District Superintendent 680 State St., Suite 200, Salem, OR 97301 Lisa Radford, District Lay Leader Voice: (503) 581-3969 Fax: (503) 480-7599 Linda Grund-Clampit, Administrative Assistant Office E-mail: Cascadia@umoi.org www.umoi.org/cascadia Office Hours: 8:30 a.m.—4 p.m., Monday—Thursday

Beginning the New Year in Covenant with God

Thoughts from the District Superintendent

I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will; put me to doing, put me to suffering; let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you, exalted for you, or brought low for you; let me be full, let me be empty, let me have all things, let me have nothing: I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal. And now, glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are mine and I am yours. So be it. And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

John Wesley, 1755 (modern version)

Dear Friends,

Most of us are familiar with John Wesley’s covenant prayer. We’re used to reciting the words at the start of a new year, a kind of church-y new year’s resolutions list. We take them seriously in the moment, perhaps even re-member for a period of time, before they fade in awareness and action. But what if we took them to heart for the whole year, as John Wesley is said to have done? What if the covenant prayer was our guide every day of 2015? What might be touched and transformed in our lives, our congregations, and our world?

“Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will . . .” The world we live in is so very good about defining people in terms of their work, status, achievements, or power--what we do. And so, if we’re honest, are we. If we took the covenant prayer as our own, I believe we would be confronted with re-thinking who we really are--and who’s we are. The prayer invites us to let go of categories that value human endeavor, but devalue intrinsic human worth. It challenges us to place ourselves in God’s hands, who values all peo-ple as sacred and worthy. Continued on page 2

Contents: Connections

2– Lay Leader Thoughts 3—Prayer Calendar

Mission

11 - The Body of Christ

12 - Relief Kits

13—Imagine No Malaria

13—Giving Tuesday Success

Events & Trainings

4 - Upcoming Event Summary 5—Sierra Service Project 5—Confirmation Camp 6—SHEBANG 2015 6—Palestine/Israel Study Trip 7 — Creating Congregational Cultures of Generosity 8—Collins Pilgrimage 8—Opportunity to Serve with Lee Mission Cemetery 9—Reconciling UMs 9—Health Boundaries 10– Art. Worship. Seattle. 10—Wesley Pilgrimage

Resources & Jobs

14—Scholarships Available 14—Jobs Available 15—More Connections

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New Year Covenant, Cont.

Thoughts from the District Superintendent!

“Let me have all things, let me have nothing . . .” How often we are tempted to take shelter from the world behind our possessions, privilege, comforts, and security--what we have. The covenant prayer reminds us that everything we own is a generous gift from a bountiful God. Simplicity and generosity is the gracious response we make for the good of the others--and our own souls. A year of living the covenant prayer could be a year of living dangerously! We can’t predict what might happen--risk and trust, courage and caring, faith and joy--when “the covenant now made on earth is rati-fied in heaven.” Let’s try it! Let’s do it together! Amen. Many blessings, Lofsvold@mac.com

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This fall I have discovered the wonderful glory of the sunrise! You must be wondering what took me so long . . . One day I simply stood at my window and the sun rose in all its glorious yellows, oranges & pinks and I was simply filled with the awe-some blessing of a new day. I couldn’t help but pray in thanks-giving for all my blessings. I was truly overwhelmed. I decided at that very moment that I would start my daily prayers as the sun rose to begin the new day every day. Of course, in the fall and winter in Bend the sun rises at about 7:30am, a pretty rea-sonable time to pray, I’m not sure what I will do during the summer when the sun rises at 5:00am!

I also love to celebrate New Year’s Eve! I’m not really into partying but I truly like the idea of a new year and a new beginning. I look forward to this new beginning every year and have since I was in high school. If Janu-ary doesn’t turn out to be the new beginning I was hoping for then my birthday is in February and that is an-other opportunity to look forward to a new beginning. I truly like to look forward to the new and better in life.

I have always celebrated New Year’s Eve in the traditional manner by staying up until midnight and then giv-ing a big kiss to my husband to celebrate the New Year and in all likelihood I will do that again this year. The difference this year will be that on Thursday January 1st at about 7:30am when the sun rises I will watch and be thankful for the new day, the New Year, and the new opportunities to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

I pray we all have opportunities to make 2015 a better year for a peaceful world through the love of Jesus Christ.

Peace and Love to you all,

Lisa Radford, Cascadia District Lay Leader, cityview@bendcable.com

New Beginnings

Thoughts from our District Lay Leader

The Cascadia Connection 3 January 2015, Vol. 4 No. 1

Prayer Calendar

A resource to help us support each other in prayer

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Please support one another as the family of God through intercessory prayer. A letter or a call can be a part of our prayers! It is also appropriate to lift these folks up during worship. Check out the prayer articles with more information at www.umoi.org/cascadiapraying

For the week of: Pray for the people of : Pray for the Pastor Pray for the and family: Lay Leader Dec. 21-27 Monmouth: Christ’s Church Methodist & Presbyterian United Rebecca Strader JoAnn King Dec. 28– Jan. 3 Wash. Co. Hispanic Ministry Jorge Rodriguez Vasquez Jan. 4—10 Mountain Home UMC Peggy Luckman Gregg Jacot Ed Luckman Jan. 11-17 Nehalem Bay UMC Jody Felton Larry Kiser Jan. 18-24 Newberg FUMC Bob Flaherty Susan Pennock Sandy Flaherty Jan. 25– 31 Oregon City UMC Mike Benischek Rynn Mazur Stephanie Benischek Christian (2003) Gabriel (2006) Samantha (2009)

CONNECTIONS

Relationships of support and caring in the district and Annual Conference

I pray that . . . you may be

strengthened in your

inner being with power

through God’s Spirit and

that Christ may dwell in

your hearts through faith,

as you are being rooted

and grounded in love.

—Ephesians 3:16-17

abridged (NRSV)

But now it is true that in three days, Christmas will come once again. The great transformation will once again happen. God would have it so. Out of the waiting, hoping, longing world, A world will come in which the promise is given. All crying will be stilled. No tears shall flow. No lonely sorrow shall afflict us anymore. — Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God is in the Manger

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Creating Congregational Cultures of Generosity, Jan. 23-24 Christ UMC, Portland. See page 7 of this news-letter for more information. Sierra Service Project Weekends of Service January—March in Portland and Vernonia. See page 5 of this newsletter for more information. SHEBANG 2015 at Tigard UMC February 13-16. See page 6 of this newsletter for more information. Signs of Life: Reimagining the Church, Feb. 21 At Portland FUMC. A look at what is working. $15 per person includes lunch and materials. Contact Rev. Jeremy Smith for more information, jsmith@fumcpdx.org. Study tour of Israel/Palestine, Feb 23—March 6. See page 6 of this newsletter for more information. Northwest Leadership Institute, March 13-14. At Boise FUMC. Innovative, nationally-recognized leaders bring the best in transforming ministry. This year’s keynote speaker will be Tony Campolo. Learn more at http://cathedraloftherockies.org/adults/nli/ Registration is open. Register before Jan. 30th for the Early Bird Discount! Confirmation Camp at Suttle Lake, April 17-19. See page 5 of this newsletter for more information. Ad-Ministry Worships: Essentials for Finance, Trustees, and SPRC leaders. These workshops on the ministry of administration will be offered regionally across the district for churches that want good foundations for their caring and outreach ministries. Dates and locations will be announced. Would your congregation like to host a workshop? Contact the district office, Cascadia@umoi.org or 503-581-3969. Church 4 All People, April 24-26 This Columbus, OH UM church will bring key leaders to Portland for an in-depth workshop on their unique ministry of radical hospitality: a Free Store that birthed indigenous worship and community development through a free clinic, housing, and recovery ministry. Highly recommended! Location to be announced. Transforming Ministries Conference 4, May 26-28 at Claremont, CA. Every Western Jurisdiction Bishop will present their take on the critical juncture of world and church in dialogue with each other and participants. Ministerial Education Fund scholarships are available.

Opportunities Coming in the New Year . . .

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The Cascadia Connection 5 January 2015, Vol. 4 No. 1

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH

Weekends of Service with Sierra Service Project

January—March 2015

This school year marks Sierra Service Project’s fifth year offering Weekends of Service for local youth groups. Each weekend starts on Friday evening and ends on Sunday afternoon. Weekend projects range from full group community service activities to standard repair projects. We may start and finish a project in a week-end, or our teams may be a part of a long-term project. In most cases youth teams are working with local nonprofits and not individual homeowners. This provides learning opportunities for youth to learn from the nonprofits about the work they are doing in the community and why it is important.

Here are the dates in Portland and Vernonia in 2015: Portland: Vernonia: January 16-18, 2015 MLK Jr. February 20-22, 2015 February 13-15, 2015 Presidents’ Day March 20-22, 2015

We hope to enroll between 25 and 45 volunteers total in each session. No group is too small - one youth and one adult make a group! All weekends are combined middle school and high school youth. Youth grades 6th through 12th are welcome to participate. The cost for these programs is only $110 per participant and in-cludes all meals, lodging for two nights, tools, building materials and a t-shirt. Our commitment is that no youth should be excluded from participating due to lack of money, scholarships are available.

More information can be found here: http://sierraserviceproject.org/weekend_of_service.html

Confirmation Camp At Suttle Lake

April 17-19 Make plans now! Bring your youth for a week-end experience of “Community/Communion” with others from around the Annual Conference at Suttle Lake Camp April 17-19 This camp is designed to

augment your own congregation’s confirmation program, give youth an experience of UM connection, and be a safe place for growing in faith and spirit

DS Peg Lofsvold is the dean. Registration will be open after January 1st, or call Jane Petke at Suttle Lake now! 541-595-6663

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The Cascadia Connection 6 January 2015, Vol. 4 No. 1

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EVENTS & TRAININGS

Opportunities to learn new skills or gain new insights for living out our faith

Study Tour of Palestine/Israel Offered Spring 2015

Opportunity to see situation and peacemaking efforts for yourself The Holy Land Task Force is inviting clergy and lay people to participate in a study tour of Palestine/Israel next spring. The trip, in conjunction with the Methodist Liaison office in Jerusalem and Camp and Retreat Ministries of Ore-gon/Idaho, will be February 23 – March 6, 2015. The estimated cost of the trip (depending upon number of participants) will be about $3,000, including airfare. Some scholarship assistance for clergy may be available. Registration is open until Jan. 15th.

The task force believes that the best way to make educated decisions about the issues is to visit Palestine/Israel and see first-hand the situation “on the

ground.” This sentiment is echoed by Palestinian Christians, who use every opportunity to invite people to “come and see for yourself.” The February trip will include visits to traditional “holy sites” in both Israel and Palestine, as well as the opportunity to meet with groups and individuals working for peace on both sides of the wall.

For further information, and registration form, go to gocamping.org/camps-retreats/detail/Palestine-Israel-trip Back to Table of Contents

SHEBANG 2015—Conference-wide Youth Gathering

February 13-16 at Tigard UMC

Registrations are now open for SHEBANG 2015, to be hosted at the Tigard United Methodist Church, Febru-ary 13-16, 2015. All youth in grades 6-12 are invited to attend.

Join us for an exciting weekend of fun, worship, fun, music, fun, scripture, and more fun! This year's guest speaker is Rev. Jeff Lowery. Did we mention FUN!?? The theme this year is "WASHED AWAY" using the scrip-ture Ezekiel 36:25.

So…like…how much does this cost? Here’s the great part…it only costs $60.00 for 3 days of awesomeness! But…if you get your registration in before January 31, 2015, it only costs $45.00, plus, you'll be entered into a drawing for a special prize if you register before the end of January! Registration includes meals while you’re there and a place to crash at night. Be sure to register early…bed space is limited. Adults MUST sub-mit a registration. Due to rising costs, we ask adults to pay the $45.00 registration fee.

It is recommended to register through a local United Methodist Church. However, all youth are welcome, regardless of whether or not you attend a church. If you need a ride (youth are not permitted to drive them-selves for liability purposes) contact a local United Methodist Church or SHEBANG Ministry Team Coordina-tor, Daniel Bolen at 503-704-2043. For more information or to register, visit www.ShebangOnline.org.

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EVENTS & TRAININGS

Opportunities to learn new skills or gain new insights for living out our faith

Your Opportunity to Create Congregational Cultures of Generosity

January 23-24 at Christ Church UMC in Portland

Many of you have expressed interest in participating in the Creating Con-gregational Cultures of Generosity (CCCG) course in January. It’s time to register! The registration deadline is January 7, 2015.

Here is a testimonial from an attendee in the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference:

As a lay person of a small rural Methodist church we are always struggling with finances and growth. As a co-chair of the Finance and co-chair of the Evangelism (New Friends Team) committees we have taken the approach of not trying to reinvent the wheel. We want any and all the good ideas available, so our pastor and two lay persons attended the Creating Congre-gational Cultures of Generosity in a two day format in Spokane last May.

This was a real God-send for all three of us. We learned and brain stormed about how we can solve our problems, not just worry about them. The ma-terials are excellent, but in addition we opted to sign up for having a coach assigned to our church. We have met with the coach, twice by conference call and once in person with an expanded group of leaders of the church.

We are making good progress! All sorts of ideas are being implemented and success is surely on its way…step by step. Thank you Pacific Northwest Conference for providing the seminar and our coach!

— Thomas C. Warren, Lake Chelan United Methodist Church

Don't let the registration fee keep you away. It's an investment in your church's future! If you have concerns, please be in touch with me directly. — District Superintendent Peg Lofsvold, Lofsvold@mac.com

When: Friday and Saturday, January 23 - 24, 2015, beginning at 3:00 pm on Fri. and ending by 5 pm on Sat.

Where: Christ UMC, Portland OR

Cost: $300 for a team of three, $350 for a team of four and $87.50 for each additional participant – includes materials, training and two meals.

We encourage you to bring a team that includes the pastor, a church leader from the Finance Committee and one from the Governing Board, along with a member with an “entrepreneurial spirit.” A minimum of three people per team is required. There is one registration per team.

Register at https://umoi-reg.brtapp.com/CCCG The registration deadline is January 7, 2015.

For questions about the program please contact Bill Mullette-Bauer at Bill@umoi.org. For registration and event coordination questions (including the possibility of help finding overnight lodging) contact Becky De-lurey at Becky@umoi.org.

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EVENTS & TRAININGS

Opportunities to learn new skills or gain new insights for living out our faith

Opportunity to Serve with Lee Mission Cemetery

Historic site has openings for new board members

Collins Retreat Center Announces 2015 World Pilgrimage Site: Ghost Ranch, NM

Site has been sacred to diverse peoples for millenia

The Collins World Pilgrimage Series continues March 5-12, 2015 with a journey to a very special place right here in the U.S.: Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico. Beginning with an overnight formation retreat at the Collins Retreat Center on March 5, the group will travel together to Albuquerque on March 6th and then on to Ghost Ranch for an amazing spiritual adventure in a place that for centuries has been a mecca for peoples of diverse religious traditions.

Led by the Rev. Bert Scott (a former Oregonian) and the Rev. Wallace Ford, participants will explore the beau-ty and gifts of this area, and how it has transformed the lives of those pilgrims who have encountered the Holy on their own journeys here. The Rev. Todd Bartlett will lead the initial Collins retreat and will serve as the group's guide during the pilgrimage.

The total cost is $1750 (double occupancy); this includes the initial retreat at Collins, roundtrip transportation from Collins to Ghost Ranch, all meals & lodging, and all program expenses. Registration is limited to 12 peo-ple, so don't delay! Be sure to visit the Pilgrimage page on the Collins website for more details and registra-tion information.

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The Lee Mission Cemetery in Salem is the final resting place of Jason Lee, members of his family and many of the pioneers who braved the Oregon Trail to establish a mission to the Native Americans in the North-west. In addition those pioneers had a role in establishing the first provincial government and were instru-mental in helping Oregon to become part of the US. You can read more about the history here: http://www.leemissioncemetery.com/LeeHistory1.htm

The Cemetery is both an historic site of significance to Salem and Oregon, and a currently operating burial ground. It was formed by and incorporated in 1896 by the trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, now Salem FUMC. The cemetery is licensed by the Oregon Mortuary & Cemetery Board, is listed on the Na-tional Registry of Historic Places, and is a member of the Oregon Historic Cemetery Commission. This non-profit entity is cared for by an all-volunteer Board of Directors.

There is a current opportunity for persons interested in preserving this history and participating in this ministry. There are spots available for additional board members who have the task of looking to the future of the cemetery.

If you or someone you know may be interested in serving on the board or learning more about this historic site please feel free to email or telephone Jim Momyer, current Board chair, at jandkmomyer@comcast.net or (503) 871-5639.

The Cascadia Connection 9 January 2015, Vol. 4 No. 1

EVENTS & TRAININGS

Opportunities to learn new skills or gain new insights for living out our faith

Required Healthy Boundary Workshops Offered in PNW

Three more scheduled opportunities to meet requirement this quadrennium

Reconciling UMs Will Meet in Salem in January

Group will plan for coming year

Oregon-Idaho Reconciling United Methodists (OI RUMs) will meet Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Morningside UMC, Salem OR. The agenda includes a discussion of Annu-al Conference planning, legislation and general 2015 planning. The gathering begins at 10 a.m. and adjourns by 2 p.m., and includes a potluck lunch. All are welcome! For more information, check out the website at www.oirums.org or contact Deborah Maria at yourbest@juno.com

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Oregon-Idaho clergy are required to attend a Healthy Boundary Workshop during this quadrennium (2013-2016). After offering 26 workshops across the conference there are no plans to offer any additional workshops in the conference this quadrennium. Clergy who still need to attend a workshop may attend similar workshops in the Pacific Northwest Conference. They have planned only three more workshops: January 10, in Mt. Vernon, February 12, in Spokane, and March 2, in Vancouver. Those who have not yet met this requirement are strongly recommended to attend one of these workshops. You may register at www.pnwumc.org. Act now as registrations are limited. For more information, contact Rev. Joyce Sluss at themom123@aol.com.

The Cascadia Connection 10 January 2015, Vol. 4 No. 1

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EVENTS & TRAININGS

Opportunities to learn new skills or gain new insights for living out our faith

Commissioned Clergy and Lay Persons Sought for Wesley Pilgrimage

Scholarships are offered to encourage participation

Art. Worship. Seattle. Christ & Cascadia is proud to sponsor an innovative and inspiring gath-ering of regional and national leaders in worship and the arts. We invite you to Join artists, worship leaders, and other Christian leaders who care about the renewal of Christian imagination in the Pacific Northwest Learn from nationally-recognized theologians, worship directors, and pastors. Witness the creative and thoughtful work of leading Christian artists. Worship with a community of Christians who believe in the (trans)formative power of worship and the arts.

Cultivate a renewed vision for the power of worship and the arts for yourself and your community.

Learn more and register here: www.tformconference.com

Scholarships are available for commissioned provisional elders and deacons and lay people who want to participate in the 2015 Wesley Pilgrimage to England. Discipleship Ministries is looking for 12 commissioned provisional elders and deacons, and 12 lay persons who are Lay Servants, Lay Speakers, Certified Lay Minis-ters, Lay Leaders or Licensed Local Pastors to apply for places on the pilgrimage.

The pilgrimage, co-sponsored by Discipleship Ministries and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, will be July 13-23. Participants will learn, pray, and explore places where the Wesley brothers lived and served. “The focus of the Wesley Pilgrimage is to form pilgrims as leaders who equip the congregations they serve to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world,” said Steve Manskar, Direc-tor of Wesleyan Leadership at Discipleship Ministries, who will co-lead the experience. The other co-leader is Dr. Paul Chilcote, Academic Dean & Professor of Historical Theology and Wesleyan Studies at Ashland The-ological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio.

The scholarship will pay the $2,195 tuition fee. Pilgrims will be responsible for their own travel expenses to and from England and a $350 nonrefundable registration fee. The application deadline is Feb. 15. Scholar-ship recipients will be announced on Feb. 27. The nonrefundable deposit will enable the pilgrims to partici-pate in the next Wesleyan Leadership Conference, tentatively scheduled for April 2016. The event will be a follow-up continuing education opportunity that will build upon the pilgrimage experience

Additional information, including a detailed agenda and scholarship application, is available online at www.gbod.org/wesleypilgrimage. For more information, contact Manskar by email at smanskar@gbod.org or by phone at (877) 899-2780, ext. 1765.

February 27-28, 2015

The Cascadia Connection 11 January 2015, Vol. 4 No. 1

Enlarging Our Vision of the Body of Christ

Hosting Hispanic/Latino congregations can be the beginning of cooperation across denominational lines

THE BODY OF CHRIST

Our church in mission with our neighbors

The Washington County United Methodist Churches are promoting hope to the Hispanic/Latino population. These churches are committed to alleviating in a significant way the suffering of many families in the county. Some of the most effective programs that the congregations provide are food pantries, English as a Second Language classes, Backpack food programs, community gardens, and religious classes. Besides offering social services, some congregations have opened their doors to host Hispanic/ Latino con-gregations. There are at least five congregations hosting Hispanic/Latino congregations within their build-ings. The ones I know of are Cornelius, Aloha, Tigard, Westside, and Hillsboro. By creating positive relation-ships with the congregations they host, the United Methodist churches help the community’s other denomi-nations provide spiritual services to a larger community. Collaboration is essential among different churches to provide a more uniform service to the community. For example, the Cornelius UMC has hosted an Apostolic congregation and both congregations join together to coordinate a monthly “Cena del Padre,” a dinner which fosters a sense of community among the two con-gregations even though they belong to different denominations. Further, this gathering is open to any mem-ber of the community. After the dinner, the congregations organize a wonderful arts and crafts activity which is rather instructive and fun. It may be possible for the other churches which host the Hispanic/Latino congregations from different de-nominations to coordinate and organize activities in which the membership from both denominations could participate. Building bridges and fostering positive relationships can be advantageous and enhance the ser-vices for the community. The membership from any religious denomination could benefit by sharing com-munity resources in a benevolent manner. A unified effort is desired, from the different religious denomina-tions, in order to improve community social services in the Washington County. Collaboration and coopera-tion are necessary to confront the 21st century diabolic forces such as poverty, injustice, racism, and the like .

For questions of comments about these articles, please contact:

Gonzalo Calderon, MS Hispanic/Latino Resources: Community Developer http://centrocultural.org Washington County http://www.virginiagarcia.org United Methodist Churches http://www.adelantemujeres.org gonzalo@umoi.org 503-933-8150 http://www.beavertonhc.org Back to Table of Contents

The Cascadia Connection 12 January 2015, Vol. 4 No. 1

THE BODY OF CHRIST

Our church in mission with our neighbors

Supporting UMC Efforts to Respond to Need

Relief kits supply needs to be maintained

Glenn and Donna Waltman are the Oregon-Idaho Conference Coordinators for the United Methodist Com-mittee on Relief (UMCOR). This is the arm of the UM church which responds to disasters in the US and around the world and engages in development work, as well. Glenn and Donna try to keep this wonderful work of our church before us each month in our newsletter. One of the items that is foundational to UMCOR’s work are relief kits: compact kits with supplies needed for different kinds of situations. Many churches work together to create kits, which are sent to a holding center in Salt Lake City, the UMCOR West Depot, from which they are disbursed as needed. It is also possible to go to the UMCOR West Depot to help by assembling kits there. Please see below for Glenn and Donna’s suggestions this month about how to support this important minis-try: HOW ABOUT THIS! Instead of individual kits, check out the items needed for the kits and buy in bulk. All relief kits are listed on the UMCOR website. The UMCOR West Depot can always use items for layette kits, school kits, birthing kits, health kits and sewing kits. The bedding and cleaning buckets are just too bulky to ship. The supply of health and school kits is very low at this time. If your church would like to send money for supplies, send it directly to UMCOR, PO Box 9068-GPO, NY, NY 10087-9068. Make the check out to UMCOR and put ADVANCE #901440 on the memo line or give online. This number is for WEST DEPOT. It is not feasible with such a large organization to specify money for certain kits. Rest assured, the money will go to West Depot and used where it is needed the most.

If your church is sending a team, check first for housing arrangements. There are a couple of options. One is the Episcopal Center in down town Salt Lake City. They have an arrangement with Rev. Brian Diggs, director of West Depot, for double rooms at $50 a night. Bathrooms are shared between 2 rooms. Meals can be cooked in the kitchen. There is a washer and dryer. The other option is two UM churches, Hilltop and Christ, in the Sandy, UT area which have sleeping arrangements for a donation. There are cooking facilities and showers at both places. Contact Rev. Brian Diggs, director of UMCOR West Depot at bdiggs@umcor.org or 801-973-7250.

We (Glenn and Donna Waltman) will be driving from the Portland area to Salt Lake City sometime in January with kit supplies. Contact us if we can carry something on your behalf! Joy is in giving! Joy is in sharing! Joy is in loving! Joy and peace, Glenn and Donna Waltman, Conference Coordinators for UMCOR dgwaltman@frontier.com 503-622-3226

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The Cascadia Connection 13 January 2015, Vol. 4 No. 1

James Ramsey, Director of Music and Arts at St. Luke’s UMC in Highlands Rand, Colorado founded the Wesley Festival in 2007 to create a high-profile event that brings people togeth-er to support a common cause and promote worthwhile char-ities. The 2015 festival will culminate in a gala concert on May 23rd at Washington D.C.’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, benefiting Imagine No Malaria. Methodist choirs from across the United States are invited to join the festival chorus, as are individual signers. Non-singing pilgrims are also welcome to attend the Kennedy Center event! Learn more at wesleyfestival.org

Wesley Festival Will Benefit INM!

Opportunity for your choir or yourself as a singer to be part of this gala fund-raising event in Washington, D.C.

THE BODY OF CHRIST

Our church in mission with our neighbors

Even though you will receive this newsletter before Christmas, Lent is not very far away. If your congregation

wants to focus on Imagine No Malaria during Lent, there are a lot of resources available, and the time-line to

get it done begins in January! Go to inm.greaternw.org and click on “Resources” and then “Lent” to check it

all out! Back to Table of Contents

Make Plans to Focus on INM During Lent

Resources and a plan are available online

United Methodists once again responded with extravagant generosity on UMC #GivingTuesday. On Decem-ber 2, 2014, more than $2.5 million was donated online through The Advance to support mission and minis-tries around the world. The denomination’s General Board of Global Ministries matched the first $1 million in gifts to help build ex-citement and leverage donations. More than 770 projects and missionaries received more 8,700 gifts through UMC #GivingTuesday. The response was global with donors from 25 countries giving generously. The Advance is the designated giving channel of the United Methodist Church. Read the full article here.

Giving Tuesday a Great Success!

More than $2.5 million donated

The Cascadia Connection 14 January 2015, Vol. 4 No. 1

RESOURCES/JOBS

Tools for local churches and employment opportunities

UM Church Support Students with Loans and Scholarships

Your giving and church programs prioritize education

Higher Education scholarships and loans are available to members of United Methodist churches.

The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s Spring Loan Application period opens December 11, and the Scholarship Application period for 2015-2016 opens January 5 and closes March 5. Visit http://www.gbhem.org/loans-and-scholarships for more information!

There are also scholarships available from the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference, for general undergraduate education, graduate school, women pursuing education for a church-related vocation, and persons in semi-nary. See www.umoi.org/scholarships for more information. The applications for the Undergraduate Lead-ership Award, Ethnic Minority Leadership Award, and Conference Merit Award for the 2015-2016 school year are on the website now. They are due no later than April 6, 2015. Another source of funding for UM students is the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. Check it out! Your gifts to the United Methodist Student Day offering support the GBHEM scholarship and loan pro-grams. Cascadia District students who benefited from these programs in 2014 are YunMee Crossler-Laird (Morningside UMC), Natalie Ulum (Bend FUMC), and Noah Wilson-Fey (Forest Grove UMC). The Cascadia District student who received an Annual Conference scholarship is Shannon Kelley (Silverton UMC).

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Fremont UMC seeks 1/4-time public relations coordinator to oversee and manage its public presence and to identify ways it can cultivate a persuasive invitation to folks seeking a church affiliation. Successful candidate should have excellent communication skills, knowledge of contemporary design elements and strategies and experience in non-profit public relations work; ability to pass a background check. Position open until filled. Job description available upon request. Email resume and references to Alan office@fremontumc.org The Oregon-Idaho Board of Ordained Ministry is seeking an Administrative Assistant; permanent quarter-time position. Responsible for serving as primary contact re: candidacy process; monitoring candidate files & progress; managing databases & reports for candidates and clergy conference relationships; and maintaining the Board of Ordained Ministry web pages. Email resume & cover letter to Linda Quanstrom, lq@fremontumc.org. Position will remain open until filled.

Part-Time Job Openings

At Fremont UMC in Portland and for the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry

The Cascadia Connection 15 January 2015, Vol. 4 No. 1

CONNECTIONS

Where to go to find out more

Cascadia District website: www.umoi.org/Cascadia Office e-mail: Cascadia@umoi.org

Office phone: 503-581-3969 Office fax: 503-480-7599

Cascadia District Church Extension

website: www.umoi.org/cascadiaextension

Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference website: www.umoi.org

Office phone: 503-226-7931 or 1-800-593-7539

Oregon-Idaho Camps & Retreats Website: www.gocamping.org

Regional Media Center

E-mail: media@regionalmediacenter.org Office phone: 1-800-755-7710, ext. 313

Cokesbury

Website: www.cokesbury.com

Imagine No Malaria Greater Northwest Episcopal Area effort: inm.greaternw.org

General Church website: imaginenomalaria.org

The United Methodist Church website: www.umc.org

UMC Vital Church Project

Website: www.umvitalcongregations.org

Infoserv (for all questions re: UMC) www.infoserv.umc.org

United Methodist Committee on Relief

website: www.umcor.org

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