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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Greater Northwest Area of The United Methodist Church
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240406T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240406T113000
DTSTAMP:20260403T144156
CREATED:20240320T003856Z
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UID:10000106-1712397600-1712403000@greaternw.org
SUMMARY:The Laity Meet-Up - “Today’s UMC: What laity need to know about General Conference”
DESCRIPTION:Register today for the first ‘Laity Meet-Up’ on April 6 \n“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] \nAll 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. \nClick 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. \nThe 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.”* \nIn 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! \nThe 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. \nWhile designed for laity across the Alaska\, Pacific Northwest\, and Oregon-Idaho conferences\, The Laity Meet-Up’s gatherings are open to all.
URL:https://greaternw.org/event/the-laity-meet-up-todays-umc-what-laity-need-to-know-about-general-conference/
CATEGORIES:Virtual Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://greaternw.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/GNW-Laity.jpg
LOCATION:https://greaternw.org/event/the-laity-meet-up-todays-umc-what-laity-need-to-know-about-general-conference/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240412T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240412T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T144156
CREATED:20231003T190632Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231003T191511Z
UID:10000094-1712912400-1712941200@greaternw.org
SUMMARY:Institutional Equity Cohort
DESCRIPTION:The date for one of six in-person Equity Cohort gatherings for individuals within the Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Annual Conferences leadership structures.
URL:https://greaternw.org/event/institutional-equity-cohort/2024-04-12/
LOCATION:Fairwood United Methodist Church\, 15255 SE Fairwood Blvd.\, Renton\, WA\, 98058\, United States
CATEGORIES:IV Team,Training
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://greaternw.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Equity-Cohorts.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Kristina Gonzalez":MAILTO:kgonzalez@greaternw.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240413T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240413T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T144156
CREATED:20231003T194141Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231003T194142Z
UID:10000100-1712998800-1713027600@greaternw.org
SUMMARY:Congregational Equity Cohort
DESCRIPTION:The date for one of six in-person Equity Cohort gatherings for Congregational Leaders within the Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Annual Conferences.
URL:https://greaternw.org/event/congregational-equity-cohort-4/
LOCATION:Fairwood United Methodist Church\, 15255 SE Fairwood Blvd.\, Renton\, WA\, 98058\, United States
CATEGORIES:IV Team,Training
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://greaternw.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Equity-Cohorts.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240421
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240427
DTSTAMP:20260403T144156
CREATED:20240117T033110Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240117T033110Z
UID:10000104-1713657600-1714175999@greaternw.org
SUMMARY:GNW 5 Day Academy for Spiritual Formation
DESCRIPTION:Many feel lost in a wilderness where little feels familiar.\nWe’ll explore how to move beyond simple survival to welcome our wandering as God’s people.\nRegistration is now open and includes tuition\, room\, and board. \nRegistration fee of $1070 includes tuition\, private room with bath\, and meals.\nScholarships available.\n$100 non-refundable deposit will reserve a spot until 3/15/2024. \nContact Registrar Karen Fisher: kmfishwoman@nwi.net for more info. \nClick here to register! \nClick here to view/download/share the flyer. \nLocation: Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center\, Federal Way\, WA\nOverlooking Puget Sound the Center offers private rooms & baths\, views & trails\, spaces for worship & learning\, a labyrinth & library. \nFaculty:\nDaniel Wolpert\nCofounder & Executive Director\, Minnesota Institute of Contemplation and Healing\nHanging Your Laundry on a Beam of Light: Finding God When Things Fall Apart \nAmy Oden\nWorking Professor of Church History and Christian Spirituality\nHere Is Where We Begin: Practices for the present moment \nThe Academy for Spiritual Formation:\nFor 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
URL:https://greaternw.org/event/gnw-5-day-academy-for-spiritual-formation/
LOCATION:Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center at the Palisades\, 4700 Southwest Dash Point Road\, Federal Way\, WA\, 98023\, United States
CATEGORIES:Training
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://greaternw.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/eaac0c56-529c-f35c-8cd7-60373e1ae4e1.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240503T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240503T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T144156
CREATED:20221115T182948Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221115T182948Z
UID:10000077-1714723200-1714755600@greaternw.org
SUMMARY:General Conference 2024
DESCRIPTION: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.
URL:https://greaternw.org/event/general-conference-2024/
LOCATION:Charlotte Convention Center\, 501 S College St\, Charlotte\, VA\, 28202\, United States
CATEGORIES:General Church
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://greaternw.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Charlotte-skyline-670.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240530T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240530T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T144156
CREATED:20231003T193043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231003T193043Z
UID:10000095-1717059600-1717088400@greaternw.org
SUMMARY:Institutional Equity Cohort
DESCRIPTION:The date for one of six in-person Equity Cohort gatherings for individuals within the Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Annual Conferences leadership structures.
URL:https://greaternw.org/event/institutional-equity-cohort-4/
LOCATION:Grotto Retreat Center\, 8840 NE Skidmore St\, Portland\, OR\, 97220\, United States
CATEGORIES:IV Team,Training
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://greaternw.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Equity-Cohorts.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Kristina Gonzalez":MAILTO:kgonzalez@greaternw.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240531T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240531T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T144156
CREATED:20231003T193820Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231003T193820Z
UID:10000101-1717146000-1717174800@greaternw.org
SUMMARY:Congregational Equity Cohort
DESCRIPTION:The date for one of six in-person Equity Cohort gatherings for Congregational Leaders within the Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Annual Conferences.
URL:https://greaternw.org/event/congregational-equity-cohort/2024-05-31/
LOCATION:Grotto Retreat Center\, 8840 NE Skidmore St\, Portland\, OR\, 97220\, United States
CATEGORIES:IV Team,Training
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://greaternw.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Equity-Cohorts.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240601T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240601T113000
DTSTAMP:20260403T144156
CREATED:20240525T212424Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240529T055304Z
UID:10000107-1717236000-1717241400@greaternw.org
SUMMARY:Laity Meet-Up: History was made - Learn what happened at General Conference
DESCRIPTION:‘The Laity Meet-Up’ Set for This Saturday\, June 1: Click here to register today! \nAll 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. \nA 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. \nThe 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. \nAll persons\, laity and clergy alike\, are welcome to the gatherings of The Laity Meet-Up. For more information or to register\, click here.
URL:https://greaternw.org/event/laity-meet-up-history-was-made-learn-what-happened-at-general-conference/
CATEGORIES:Virtual Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://greaternw.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GNW-Webinar-Laity-Meet-Up2.jpg
LOCATION:https://greaternw.org/event/laity-meet-up-history-was-made-learn-what-happened-at-general-conference/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240710
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240714
DTSTAMP:20260403T144156
CREATED:20221115T185727Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221115T185727Z
UID:10000078-1720569600-1720915199@greaternw.org
SUMMARY:Western Jurisdictional Conference
DESCRIPTION: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.
URL:https://greaternw.org/event/western-jurisdictional-conference/
CATEGORIES:Western Jurisdiction
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240719T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240719T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T144156
CREATED:20231003T194220Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231003T194221Z
UID:10000102-1721379600-1721408400@greaternw.org
SUMMARY:Congregational Equity Cohort
DESCRIPTION:The date for one of six in-person Equity Cohort gatherings for Congregational Leaders within the Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Annual Conferences.
URL:https://greaternw.org/event/congregational-equity-cohort-5/
LOCATION:Fairwood United Methodist Church\, 15255 SE Fairwood Blvd.\, Renton\, WA\, 98058\, United States
CATEGORIES:IV Team,Training
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://greaternw.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Equity-Cohorts.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240918T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240918T193000
DTSTAMP:20260403T144156
CREATED:20240809T194043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240809T194043Z
UID:10000108-1726684200-1726687800@greaternw.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Pledge Campaign Best Practices
DESCRIPTION: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. \nClick here to register for this webinar.
URL:https://greaternw.org/event/webinar-pledge-campaign-best-practices/
CATEGORIES:Training,Virtual Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://greaternw.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Pledge-Campaign.jpg
LOCATION:https://greaternw.org/event/webinar-pledge-campaign-best-practices/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250519T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250519T200000
DTSTAMP:20260403T144156
CREATED:20250327T134911Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250327T135121Z
UID:10000109-1747679400-1747684800@greaternw.org
SUMMARY:Western Jurisdiction Webinar: Understanding the Constitutional Amendments
DESCRIPTION:  \n \nAt 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. \nThe four pieces for ratification are: \n\nBallot #1: Regionalization: Changing the structure of the UMC to create equity across the worldwide church.\nBallot #2: Expand inclusiveness in church membership\, especially as it relates to gender and ability.\nBallot #3: Stand against racism and colonialism.\nBallot #4: Clarify local pastor status regarding who can vote for clergy delegates.\n\nUnderstanding 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. \nSign up now\n 
URL:https://greaternw.org/event/western-jurisdiction-webinar-understanding-the-constitutional-amendments/
CATEGORIES:General Church,Western Jurisdiction
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260421
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260427
DTSTAMP:20260403T144156
CREATED:20251119T174727Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251119T174904Z
UID:10000110-1776729600-1777247999@greaternw.org
SUMMARY:Greater Northwest 5 Day Academy
DESCRIPTION:Registration is now open for the\nGreater Northwest 5 Day Academy for Spiritual Formation\nApril 21-26\, 2026\nWe’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. \nThe 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. \nClick here to register for this retreat.\nEarly Bird Registration $1030 through 1/15/26  |  Full Price Registration $1130 after 1/15/26 \nRegistration fee includes tuition\, private room & bath and all meals at the beautiful Archibishop Brunett Retreat Center overlooking Puget Sound in Federal Way\, WA. \nScholarships are available. Contact Karen Fisher\, registrar for information. \nWe’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.\nTo contribute contact Winona Forme\, treasurer. \nTHEMES & FACULTY\nDESCENT FOR THE SAKE OF ASCENT\n“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. \nEMBRACING HOPELESSNESS: LAMENT\, CRITIQUE\, & ESPERANZA\nPresenter 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. \nFor 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. \nOUR LEADERSHIP TEAM\nCathy Warner\, Retreat Leader\, Laity\, Episcopal Diocese of Olympia\nCarolyn Bowers\, Worship\, Clergy\, Pacific Northwest UMC\nKaren Fisher\, Registrar\, Clergy\, Pacific Northwest UMC\nKaren Nelson\, Hospitality\, Clergy\, Oregon-Idaho UMC\nAnne Schlesinger\, Listening Circles\, Clergy\, California/Nevada UMC
URL:https://greaternw.org/event/greater-northwest-5-day-academy/
LOCATION:Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center at the Palisades\, 4700 Southwest Dash Point Road\, Federal Way\, WA\, 98023\, United States
CATEGORIES:Retreats
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://greaternw.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/giftsofdarkness.jpg
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