A message to the PNW: “Where are we headed?”
Installment # 2: Already, but Not Yet
Dear United Methodist friends in the Pacific Northwest,
Top of 2018 to you! I pray that God will lead us on a good path this year, that
shines light
cultivates life
and showers joy
into the world through our lives, our ministries and our churches.
Last June, the Annual Conference voted to reduce by one the number of districts in the Pacific Northwest. We are in the process of living into this re-assignment of churches to districts. I want to let you know how the process is unfolding, and what to expect in the months ahead.
Officially, but invisibly, churches were ALREADY assigned to the new MISSIONAL districts as of January 1, 2018 to avoid confusing mid-year budgetary and administrative changes. I say “invisibly,” because local churches won’t notice much, if any change – NOT YET!
We are emphasizing that districts are MISSIONAL because every church is called to reach beyond itself to engage its community in life-giving, world-transforming ways. Districts help established congregations to think beyond themselves and to innovate in ways that create new places for new people with the potential to transform lives, communities, and even the world.
The district superintendent you had in 2017 will continue to supervise your pastor and consult with your congregation until Annual Conference in June. If you have a pastoral change, the district superintendent you’ve had in the past will introduce your new pastor and work with you through the transition.
During the first half of 2018 district superintendents will work with elected leaders to create and implement an organization and identify officers for the new missional districts. By July 1, 2018 all organizational units and officers should be aligned to the new missional district boundaries. Also on July 1 pastors and churches will begin to identify with their new missional district assignment and to its district superintendent.
During Annual Conference we will have opportunity to mark the shift and meet as colleagues and friends within our new district affiliations.
My question is, who’s gonna organize the Crest to Coast relay to inaugurate the new district?
If you have questions or concerns during this transition, the district superintendents are prepared to respond.
Change comes with challenges. There will undoubtedly be some unexpected bumps and grinds. I pray that each of you will help us make this transition as smooth as possible. With your good will (and humor) and God’s grace, we’ll make it.
Living in Faith,
Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky