Greater Northwest Area of The United Methodist Church

GNW Area Laity Leadership Training 2023
2023-03-18 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | https://greaternw.org/event/gnw-area-laity-leadership-training-2023/
On Saturday, March 18, from 10 a.m. to noon PST via Zoom, staff from across the GNW Area will offer training for local church leaders in the areas of SPRC, Trustees, Finance, and Administrative Board.
The trainings will cover basic responsibilities and best practices, as well as dive deeper into human resources issues, using property and assets for ministry, the single board model, and managing conflict.
Click here for more information and to register for this training.

Northwest Leadership Institute - 2023
2023-04-26 - 2023-04-27 | Cathedral of the Rockies, Downtown Campus 717 N. 11th St., Boise, ID, 83702, United States
Details

It’s a new day and leadership has never been more challenging, exciting and frustrating. What does the post-pandemic church look like? How will we lean into new opportunities? Where are we headed in this challenging time? What will the ministry look like on the other side? Come to Boise and join our three newest Bishops in the Western Jurisdiction for a time of dreaming, visioning, and strategizing as we write the next chapter together.
The Northwest Leadership Institute’s goals are to gather leaders to think, dream, worship and connect as we together find the path forward. Plan now to be present for this historic exciting time.
We have many options for you to be present. You can be present in-person or you can opt-in to be present online and skip the travel. We will work to make both experiences positive.
I am excited to join you in April for this amazing time.
“You were born for such a time as this.” Esther 4:14
Grace and peace.
Rev Dr. Duane A Anders (He, Him, His)
Cathedral of the Rockies, Boise FUMC
Click here to learn more and register.

Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth's Installation and GNW Opening Session
2023-05-20 15:00 - 17:00 | Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 9161 Cinema Dr, Juneau, AK, 99801, United States
This event will be livestreamed – in-person participation will be by invitation only due to limited church capacity.
Click here to learn more.

GNW Closing Session
2023-06-15 18:00 - 19:30 | https://greaternw.org/event/gnw-closing-2023/
A shared closing session for the Greater Northwest Area’s 2023 season of conferencing will be held on the evening of June 15 at 5 pm AK, 6 pm PT, 7 pm MT. The abbreviated online session will include reports from the conference secretaries, worship, and will be presided over by Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth.

Institutional Equity Cohort – Zoom Kickoff
2023-10-26 15:00 - 17:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/institutional-equity-cohort-zoom-kickoff/
The date for the Zoom kickoff of Equity Cohort gatherings for individuals within the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho, and Pacific Northwest Annual Conferences leadership structures.

Housing God's Beloved: A hybrid in-person and online training Nov. 4
2023-11-04 09:00 - 17:30 | Parkrose UMC, 11111 NE Knott St, Portland, OR, 97220, United States
NEW! Information about the breakout sessions and presenters!
LEARN MORE about the keynote speakers for this great event!
Take a look at the agenda for Nov. 4 Housing God’s Beloved event!
RESOURCES to consider when Housing God’s Beloved

Churches and ministry settings in the Greater Northwest Area are invited to participate in a one-day hybrid training “Housing God’s Beloved” on Nov. 4, at Parkrose UMC in Portland from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PT or online. Guest speakers include Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth, Revs. Julia Nielsen and Shalom Agtarap along with Kelly Marciales and Nicki Hellenkamp. Breakout sessions will cover everything from navigating the development process on faith land to acting intentionally toward transformation and countering “NIMBY-ism.” Read the information above.
This event is one response to Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth’s call to travel the M.I.L.E. through “Ministry that Matters” when it comes to housing and health. The event will focus on how churches and ministry settings can be advocates for housing all of God’s beloved siblings and more.

We are honored to have tremendous sponsors for this event!
Faith Foundation Northwest is excited to sponsor the Housing God’s Beloved event! The Foundation provides competitively-priced term loans, as well as bridge loans for predevelopment of affordable housing projects. Discounted interest rates are available to churches that have held investment accounts at the Foundation for more than a year. Email julia@faith.foundation for more information.

Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with God and our community to provide decent, affordable homes and to promote responsible homeownership for people in need. Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity is one of over 2,000 affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International. We are a nonprofit, ecumenical, Christian housing organization committed to helping hard-working Idaho families construct and finance a home of their own. Volunteers, donors and sponsors all work in support of families who invest hundreds of Partnership Hours in preparation for successful homeownership. Learn more on the Boise Valley HFH website.

Using A.I. Tools in the Church
2023-11-06 15:30 - 18:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/using-a-i-tools-in-the-church/
About this Training
Wondering what A.I. is all about and how it can be used in the church?
Are you a little nervous about what is and isn’t legal?
Just not sure that A.I. is for you?
Those questions and more will be answered in the Using A.I. Tools in the Church webinar, offered on Monday, November 6, 2023 (4:30 p.m. MT • 3:30 p.m. PT • 2:30 p.m. AKT). The training will last approximately 2.5 hours. Amazon bestselling author and consultant Jason Moore will guide a conversation about what A.I. is and which tools are most useful for various aspects of ministry and will demonstrate how to use them. Best of all, most A.I. tools are free to use or are very affordable. Regardless of your church size, budget, and worship style, this A.I. primer will be helpful for you.
CLICK HERE to register today!
Who can participate in this training?
United Methodist laity and clergy attending and serving the churches and ministries of the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Conferences are invited to register for this training. Thanks to a generous donor, this training is being offered to leaders across the Greater Northwest Area for free.
Please make plans to register no later than November 5 at Noon PT. Do you have a conflict? Registrants will receive access to a training recording that will be accessible for 60 days after the training, so be sure to register.
About our Trainer
Known for his pioneering work in collaborative worship design and guest readiness, Jason Moore has devoted the last two-plus decades to resource development, training, and coaching & consulting that works for local churches of all sizes, styles and means.
Moore runs Midnight Oil Productions and co-founded Lumicon Digital Productions in Dallas. He also served as a graphic and animation artist at the Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Ohio. An expert in digital ministry, Jason is a sought-after speaker and trainer.
Questions?
Email Patrick Scriven, Director of Communications for the Pacific Northwest Conference of The United Methodist Church, if you have any questions about this training or the registration process. His email address is pscriven@pnwumc.org.

Institutional Equity Cohort
2023-11-30 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-02-08 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-12 09:00 - 17:00 | Fairwood United Methodist Church, 15255 SE Fairwood Blvd., Renton, WA, 98058, United States
The date for one of six in-person Equity Cohort gatherings for individuals within the Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Annual Conferences leadership structures.

Congregation Equity Cohort - Zoom Kickoff
2023-12-05 18:00 - 20:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/congregation-equity-cohort-zoom-kickoff/
The date for the Zoom kickoff of Equity Cohort gatherings for Congregational Leaders within the Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Annual Conferences.

Institutional Equity Cohort
2024-01-05 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-03-08 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-05-30 09:00 - 17:00 | Grotto Retreat Center, 8840 NE Skidmore St, Portland, OR, 97220, United States

Congregational Equity Cohort
2024-01-06 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-03-09 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-05-31 09:00 - 17:00 | Grotto Retreat Center, 8840 NE Skidmore St, Portland, OR, 97220, United States
The date for one of six in-person Equity Cohort gatherings for Congregational Leaders within the Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Annual Conferences.

Congregational Equity Cohort
2024-02-09 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-13 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-07-19 09:00 - 17:00 | Fairwood United Methodist Church, 15255 SE Fairwood Blvd., Renton, WA, 98058, United States

Introduction to Connecting Neighbors ministry - a virtual training event
2024-03-04 16:00 - 17:00 | online
UMCOR’s CONNECTING NEIGHBORS
A “Disaster Ready Congregations” Curriculum of the United Methodist Church
Virtual Introduction to Connecting Neighbors Workshop
Monday, March 4th – 4:00-5:00(PT)
Hosted by the PNW Conference Crest to Coast District
Learn how to facilitate workshops and webinars with the goal of inspiring congregations and communities to be better able to minimize disaster-caused harm to people and property and to respond to our neighbors in helpful, cooperative and caring ways on behalf of the church and in the spirit of Jesus Christ.
This one-hour virtual session will introduce you to the purpose of Connecting Neighbors, the design of the curriculum and provide you with the next steps necessary for your journey to becoming a Connecting Neighbors Ambassador.
Registration is now open! Please visit: http://tiny.cc/cnpnw
Registration closes on February 26.

GNW Area Ethnic Ministries Retreat
2024-04-01 16:00 - 2024-04-03 10:00 | Alton L Collins Retreat Center, 32867 Oregon 211, Eagle Creek, OR, 97022, United States
The GNW Area Ethnic Ministries Retreat will be a time to gather, care for yourself, and connect or reconnect with your colleagues. We will set the atmosphere with prayer stations, worship, deep breathing stations, and a licensed massage therapist of color.
Click to view/download a two page event flier.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY!
The grounds at the Alton L. Collins Retreat Center have wooded walking trails that run alongside water streams for silent walking retreats. If you are interested, a game room and arts and crafts will be available. There will be a chance to have organic conversations around the fire pit as we make s’mores on Tuesday night. The Bishop is tentatively scheduled to address us in person at the retreat. We look forward to your arrival. This is no registration fee. More information will be made available when registration opens.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with Rev. Dr. Troy Lynn Carr at coem@pnwumc.org or Kathy Hogg at khogg@pnwumc.org.
Click here to view/download a program flier.

The Laity Meet-Up - “Today’s UMC: What laity need to know about General Conference”
2024-04-06 10:00 - 11:30 | https://greaternw.org/event/the-laity-meet-up-todays-umc-what-laity-need-to-know-about-general-conference/
Register today for the first ‘Laity Meet-Up’ on April 6
“Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another …” [Hebrews 10:24-25]
All laypersons from the Greater Northwest Area are invited to a new laity series named “The Laity Meet-Up,” which kicks off on Saturday, April 6. The free event will be held via Zoom at 9 a.m. AT | 10 a.m. PT | 11 a.m. MT.
Click here to register for this Zoom event. Upon registration, you will receive the link directly from Zoom. If you don’t see it, please check your spam or junk folders.
The Laity Meet-Up, which will be held three to four times per year, aims to enhance lay ministries by equipping and empowering laity to be active and informed voices in our churches and communities – one of the express goals of Bishop Bridgeforth’s “going the M.I.L.E.”*
In the inaugural event on April 6, the Meet-Up topic will be: “Today’s UMC: What Laity Need to Know About General Conference.” A panel of General Conference delegates and reserves will provide accurate information about proposed legislation, squelch disinformation, and share suggestions for communicating what General Conference is really about (and what it is not). To be discussed: removing harmful language from the Book of Discipline, revising church structure, updating the Social Principles, and more!
The Laity Meet-Up is the brainchild of the Greater Northwest Area’s three conference lay leaders: Jo Anne Hayden of Alaska, Nancy Tam Davis of Pacific Northwest, and Paul Nickell of Oregon-Idaho. It is inspired by their reading of Hebrews 10, which unveils the inadequacy of Old Testament sacrifices and upholds Christ’s sacrifice as the ultimate and final atonement for sins. It guides believers on their faith journey, emphasizing the importance of community and perseverance.
While designed for laity across the Alaska, Pacific Northwest, and Oregon-Idaho conferences, The Laity Meet-Up’s gatherings are open to all.

GNW 5 Day Academy for Spiritual Formation
2024-04-21 - 2024-04-26 | Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center at the Palisades, 4700 Southwest Dash Point Road, Federal Way, WA, 98023, United States
Many feel lost in a wilderness where little feels familiar.
We’ll explore how to move beyond simple survival to welcome our wandering as God’s people.
Registration is now open and includes tuition, room, and board.
Registration fee of $1070 includes tuition, private room with bath, and meals.
Scholarships available.
$100 non-refundable deposit will reserve a spot until 3/15/2024.
Contact Registrar Karen Fisher: kmfishwoman@nwi.net for more info.
Click here to register!
Click here to view/download/share the flyer.
Location: Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way, WA
Overlooking Puget Sound the Center offers private rooms & baths, views & trails, spaces for worship & learning, a labyrinth & library.
Faculty:
Daniel Wolpert
Cofounder & Executive Director, Minnesota Institute of Contemplation and Healing
Hanging Your Laundry on a Beam of Light: Finding God When Things Fall Apart
Amy Oden
Working Professor of Church History and Christian Spirituality
Here Is Where We Begin: Practices for the present moment
The Academy for Spiritual Formation:
For those who hunger for deep spiritual experience. The Academy creates transformative space for communion with God, self, others, and creation for the sake of the world. Academy.upperroom.org

General Conference 2024
2024-05-03 08:00 - 17:00 | Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S College St, Charlotte, VA, 28202, United States
The Commission on General Conference has announced that General Conference will be April 23-May 3, 2024, at Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Laity Meet-Up: History was made - Learn what happened at General Conference
2024-06-01 10:00 - 11:30 | https://greaternw.org/event/laity-meet-up-history-was-made-learn-what-happened-at-general-conference/
‘The Laity Meet-Up’ Set for This Saturday, June 1: Click here to register today!
All area laypersons are encouraged to register now for the next installment of “The Laity Meet-Up” this Saturday, June 1. The free event will be held via Zoom 9 a.m. AKT | 10 a.m. PT | 11 a.m. MT.
A panel of speakers will address the topic: “History Was Made: Learn About the Recent General Conference.” The panelists – Skylar Marston-Bihl, Jan Nelson, and Jo Anne Hayden, represent all three of the annual conferences in the Greater Northwest Area at General Conference, held recently in Charlotte, N.C. More than 1,000 petitions were processed, and more than 800 delegates from around the world (and an additional 1,000-plus reserves and observers) attended.
The panel will discuss important legislation addressed as the conference, specifically: removing restrictive language from the Book of Discipline, revising church structure, updating the Social Principles, and how the church has dramatically changed.
All persons, laity and clergy alike, are welcome to the gatherings of The Laity Meet-Up. For more information or to register, click here.

Western Jurisdictional Conference
2024-07-10 - 2024-07-13 | WA
Dates for the 2024 Western Jurisdictional Conference were announced at the end of the previous session. The Greater Northwest Area will host the conference, with more details to be announced at a later date.

Webinar: Pledge Campaign Best Practices
2024-09-18 18:30 - 19:30 | https://greaternw.org/event/webinar-pledge-campaign-best-practices/
What do successful pledge campaigns have in common? Cesie Delve Scheuermann of Inspiring Generosity and Julia Frisbie of Faith Foundation Northwest will team up to teach an interactive class rich with real-world examples from our own episcopal area. Whether you’re preparing for your first pledge campaign or your thirtieth, Cesie and Julia invite you to bring your own stories and questions to the discussion. Attendees will receive a free e-book that contains five different appeal letter templates.
Click here to register for this webinar.

Western Jurisdiction Webinar: Understanding the Constitutional Amendments
2025-05-19 18:30 - 20:00 | WA
At the General Conference 2020/2024 meeting, four pieces of legislation passed that would change the denomination’s constitution. In order for these changes to go into effect, the legislation must be ratified by the collective votes of annual and central conferences of the UMC. Throughout 2025, all central and annual conferences will be asked to vote on these important topics at their Annual Conference meetings.
The four pieces for ratification are:

Ballot #1: Regionalization: Changing the structure of the UMC to create equity across the worldwide church.
Ballot #2: Expand inclusiveness in church membership, especially as it relates to gender and ability.
Ballot #3: Stand against racism and colonialism.
Ballot #4: Clarify local pastor status regarding who can vote for clergy delegates.

Understanding these amendments is crucial as we move forward together, as each will impact how we operate as a global church. The Western Jurisdiction has prepared information on each to help you cast your vote. Lay and clergy members of the annual conference are invited to learn more and prepare for this critical vote by joining us on May 19 at 5:30 p.m. AKDT, 6:30 pm PDT, 7:30 MDT, for an information webinar where you can learn more from your ratification conference teams, and ask any questions you may have.
Sign up now

Greater Northwest 5 Day Academy
2026-04-21 - 2026-04-26 | Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center at the Palisades, 4700 Southwest Dash Point Road, Federal Way, WA, 98023, United States
Registration is now open for the
Greater Northwest 5 Day Academy for Spiritual Formation
April 21-26, 2026
We’re taught to fear and flee darkness and dark times. But the gifts of God’s presence await when we learn to face and befriend the dark. We invite you to step away from the demands of daily life to enter into this enriching and transformative week of spiritual exploration.
The daily rhythm includes morning and evening prayer, worship with Eucharist, morning and afternoon study led by faculty, reflection time, silence, community sharing, listening circles, and free time.
Click here to register for this retreat.
Early Bird Registration $1030 through 1/15/26 | Full Price Registration $1130 after 1/15/26
Registration fee includes tuition, private room & bath and all meals at the beautiful Archibishop Brunett Retreat Center overlooking Puget Sound in Federal Way, WA.
Scholarships are available. Contact Karen Fisher, registrar for information.
We’re grateful to have received a generous donation toward the retreat center costs, and invite you to consider contributing to the Greater Northwest Academy for Spiritual Formation, or to sponsor a participant.
To contribute contact Winona Forme, treasurer.
THEMES & FACULTY
DESCENT FOR THE SAKE OF ASCENT
“In Jewish mystical tradition we ‘fall’ precisely in order to spur our spiritual rise,” writes presenter Rachel Barenblat, whose vocations include poet, rabbi, spiritual director, and parent. Co-founder of Bayit, a Jewish spiritual innovation incubator, she has blogged as the Velveteen Rabbi since 2003. She holds in MFA from the Bennington Writing Seminars, and is author of several volumes of poetry, among them Crossing the Sea and Texts to the Holy. She teaches at the intersection of creative life and spiritual life. She serves Congregation Beth Israel of the Berkshires, and lives in western Massachusetts with her son.
EMBRACING HOPELESSNESS: LAMENT, CRITIQUE, & ESPERANZA
Presenter Juan Carlos Huertas is committed to practices that move communities to liberation through shared wisdom, communal leadership, and contextual action. Juan Carlos is a follower of Jesus, husband, father, spiritual director, and Minister of Proclamation and Practice of Justice at First-Plymouth CongregationalChurch in Lincoln, NE. He holds a Master of Divinity from Emory University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana College in Pineville, LA where he majored in Religion and minored in Spanish—his first language growing up in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
For those who hunger for deep spiritual experience. The Academy for Spiritual Formation creates transformative space for people to be in communion with God, self, others, and creation for the sake of the world. The daily rhythm includes morning and evening prayer, worship with Eucharist, morning and afternoon study led by faculty, reflection time, silence, community sharing, listening circles, and free time.
OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Cathy Warner, Retreat Leader, Laity, Episcopal Diocese of Olympia
Carolyn Bowers, Worship, Clergy, Pacific Northwest UMC
Karen Fisher, Registrar, Clergy, Pacific Northwest UMC
Karen Nelson, Hospitality, Clergy, Oregon-Idaho UMC
Anne Schlesinger, Listening Circles, Clergy, California/Nevada UMC
