Greater Northwest Area of The United Methodist Church

Living Our Beliefs – Lay Servant Ministries
2022-03-15 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | https://greaternw.org/event/lay-servant-ministry-class-on-living-our-beliefs/2022-03-15/
You can believe anything and be a Methodist, just so long as you’re sincere.
Such a misperception has deep historical and cultural roots.
Explore a basic explanation of the beliefs and practices of the United Methodist Church as defined in Part II of The Book of Discipline. Uncover a deeper understanding and experience of the Christian faith as you embrace the United Methodist way.
“Beliefs are to be lived; doctrine is to be practiced,” writes Carder in this updated edition of his 1996 bestseller. “The authenticity of beliefs lie in their ability to shape people and communities into the image of Christ and to promote holiness and happiness. …The important test of the validity of doctrines and beliefs for United Methodists is the kind of character they produce in individuals and communities and the actions they inspire in the world.”
Living Our Beliefs is essential reading for new members, confirmation classes, and small group studies.
This class begins on March 8 with sessions taking place on Mar. 8, 10, 15,17 & 22, each from 4-6 p.m. PT.
Book:
“Living Our Beliefs: The United Methodist Way” by Kenneth L. Carder
ISBN #978-0-88177-571-6
Submit registration and $5.00 before each class. Order your own book from Cokesbury.com, Upperroom-books.com or Amazon.com.
Registration & Payment Due: Feb. 28, 2022
For the registration form and to register, please contact:
Susan Wheeler
m_swheeler@msn.com
885 Wuthering Heights Dr.
Colorado Springs CO 80921
Make checks payable to the Mountain Sky Conference.

Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course
2022-03-13 17:00 - 19:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/lay-servant-ministries-basic-course/2022-03-13/
“God calls you to a life of servanthood as a disciple of Jesus Christ. …Lay Servant Ministries is the first step for many laypersons toward their faith journey as they strive for a closer relationship with the Lord,” the authors write in the intro. This course is designed to equip church leaders in The UM Church. It explores personal spiritual gifts, servant leadership, each leader’s role in developing future leaders, the importance of consistent spiritual practices, the core ministries of Leading, Caring, and Communicating, and more.
Registration Deadline:
None stated but you must enroll before the course fills up and have time to get your book and do the prep work in advance. Class is limited to 10 people.
To register: https://app.easytithe.com/App/Form/fda5d8fa-bb6e-4f83-8c30-09f0a22d51f0
Book:
Lay Servant Ministries Participant’s Book by Sandy Zeigler Jackson and Brian Jackson.
ISBN# 978-0-88177-626-3 • $11.00. Available at Upper Room, Cokesbury and Amazon.
Participant Requirements:
Have the book named above, read the 1st session ahead of the first session, and fully engage in all 5 sessions on Zoom with audio and video active.
Contact for questions:
Rev Andy Bartel, revandybartel@gmail.com; 907-344-3025 (church phone number)

Living Our Beliefs – Lay Servant Ministries
2022-03-10 16:00 - 18:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/lay-servant-ministry-class-on-living-our-beliefs/2022-03-10/

Living Our Beliefs – Lay Servant Ministries
2022-03-08 16:00 - 18:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/lay-servant-ministry-class-on-living-our-beliefs/2022-03-08/

2022 Local Church Leadership Training for Laity in the GNW
2022-02-26 10:00 - 12:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/2022-local-church-leadership-training-for-laity-in-the-gnw/
Laypersons serving on local church committees, especially those who chair administrative committees, are encouraged to register now for a Greater Northwest Area-wide training on Saturday, February 26, 2022. Interpretation will be offered in Spanish.
Click here to register!
The two-hour training starts at 9 a.m. AKT (10 a.m. PT, 11 a.m. MT) with leadership provided by district superintendents, staff and laity with expertise across the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho, and Pacific Northwest Conferences. Those new to their roles or to the leadership of committees are strongly encouraged to attend.
During the first hour, attendees will receive words of encouragement along with training on decision-making processes. During the second, participants will separate into breakout rooms to focus the conversation on administrative teams and tasks. A Spanish-language cohort will also be available during this second hour.
Tópico: Entrenamiento para Lideres laicos de Iglesias Locales del gran Área del Noroeste 2022.
Descripción: Se invita a los laicos que sirven en los comités de la iglesia local, especialmente aquellos que presiden los comités administrativos, a registrarse ahora para una capacitación en toda el Área del Gran Noroeste el sábado 26 de febrero de 2022. Se ofrecerá interpretación en español.
La capacitación de dos horas comienza a las 9 a. m. AKT (10 a. m. PT, 11 a. m. MT) lideres como superintendentes de distrito, personal y laicos con experiencia en las conferencias de Alaska, Oregón-Idaho y Pacífico Noroeste estarán dirigiendo este entrenamiento. Se recomienda encarecidamente que asistan aquellos nuevos lideres en sus funciones o en el liderazgo de los comités administrativos de la Iglesia Local.
Durante la primera hora, los participantes recibirán palabras de ánimo e información sobre los procesos de toma de decisiones. Durante la segunda hora, los participantes se dividirán en salas para grupos pequeños para centrar la conversación en los equipos y las tareas administrativas. Tendremos un grupo de habla hispana disponible durante esta segunda hora. Por favor cuando haga su matricula recuérdele a sus lideres de escoger la opción en español.

Lay Servant Ministries Basic-Foundations Course
2022-02-21 16:30 - 18:30 | https://greaternw.org/event/lay-servant-ministries-basic-foundations-course/2022-02-21/
The Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course is a foundational course designed to equip new church leaders and renew current leaders in The United Methodist Church. It explores:

personal spiritual gifts
servant leadership
each leader’s role in developing future leaders
the importance of consistent spiritual practices
the core ministries of Leading, Caring, and Communicating
and much more.

The Basic Course can be used for both adults and youth. Consisting of five two-hour sessions, it may serve as a short-term study for small groups, Sunday school classes, and new member classes.
This class begins on February 7 with sessions taking place on Feb. 7, 10, 14, 17, and 21, each from 4:30-6:30 p.m. PT
Book:
Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course Participant Book by Sandy Jackson & Brian Jackson
ISBN # 9780881776263
Submit registration and $5.00 before each class. Order your own book from Cokesbury.com, Upperroom-books.com or Amazon.com.
Registration Deadline: Jan. 31, 2022 (but still open)
For the registration form and to register, please contact:
Susan Wheeler
m_swheeler@msn.com
885 Wuthering Heights Dr.
Colorado Springs CO 80921
Make checks payable to the Mountain Sky Conference.

Lay Servant Ministries Basic-Foundations Course
2022-02-17 16:30 - 18:30 | https://greaternw.org/event/lay-servant-ministries-basic-foundations-course/2022-02-17/

Lay Servant Ministries Basic-Foundations Course
2022-02-14 16:30 - 18:30 | https://greaternw.org/event/lay-servant-ministries-basic-foundations-course/2022-02-14/

Lay Servant Ministries Basic-Foundations Course
2022-02-10 16:30 - 18:30 | https://greaternw.org/event/lay-servant-ministries-basic-foundations-course/2022-02-10/

Lay Servant Ministries Basic-Foundations Course
2022-02-07 16:30 - 18:30 | https://greaternw.org/event/lay-servant-ministries-basic-foundations-course/2022-02-07/

Forum on WJ Workgroup reports
2022-01-23 14:00 - 16:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/forum-on-wj-workgroup-reports/
On January 23, the Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest delegations will hold a discussion forum for all who have read the Western Jurisdiction workgroup reports and wish to discuss them. The forum will be on Zoom from 2 to 4 p.m. PT (3-5 p.m. MT).
“With so much uncertainty about the future of the denomination, the Western Jurisdiction is working to be prepared for whatever comes. Your jurisdictional delegates from the Greater Northwest are eager to hear your feedback on the planning jurisdictional leaders have done so far. Join us for an online forum Sunday, January 23rd from 2-4 pm.”
Click here to register for this discussion forum.
Click here to read a summary of the WJ process.
Click here to read the reports, watch a video summary, and find a feedback form.

Early Response Team Basic Training
2021-12-06 13:30 - 17:30 | https://greaternw.org/event/early-response-team-basic-training/2021-12-06/
Early Response Team Basic Training is Back!
Be ready for when the next disaster strikes to help those most in need. We’re ramping up with our eight-hour, Zoom-based Early Response Team Basic Training on Friday, December 3 and Monday, December 6, 1:30-5:30pm.
This training will prepare you on ways to clean out a flooded home, haul debris, sift ashes and work alongside survivors while staying safe. The class is taught by United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) certified trainers and includes real-world examples, interactive activities and an opportunity to virtually meet people with a passion to serve.
Both days are required to complete the training. Anyone 18 years or older is welcomed to attend. Registration fees are waived for this Zoom-based training. Class size is limited so register ASAP at: Be Ready.
Registration deadline is Friday, November 19 unless the class fills prior. There are pre-class requirements to complete prior to the training. Questions? Contact Kathy Bryson, PNW Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, at brysonpnw@gmail.com, (509) 539-2978.
Click here to register today!

Early Response Team Basic Training
2021-12-03 13:30 - 17:30 | https://greaternw.org/event/early-response-team-basic-training/2021-12-03/

BOTH/AND: To Be Continued
2021-11-20 14:00 - 15:30 | https://greaternw.org/event/both-and-to-be-continued/
About this Training
After over 18 months of doing our best to live into BOTH/AND, many churches are feeling a mixture of exhilaration and exhaustion when thinking about the continuation of hybrid worship. While many have seen their reach extended, some have begun to lose their passion and resolve for creating truly hybrid worship experiences. As in-person numbers have increased, more and more churches are asking, “can we stop doing online now?” If that’s you, don’t give up! Now is the time to re-new and re-energize your passion for BOTH/AND. It’s making a difference.
Join Jason Moore for a follow up to the popular BOTH/AND webinar. BOTH/AND: To Be Continued will focus on why hybrid should carry on, how to continue to iterate and will provide tangible handles on how to do it well. This brand new 90-minute training brings all new content focused on the why, how and what we can do to run the next leg of this very important race. We are living in an incredible “Great Commission” moment in the church. Let’s lean in and continue to iterate forward.
This webinar will include:

An invitation to determine your WHY for BOTH/AND worship
13 reasons why BOTH/AND must continue
Answer to the “what if they don’t come back to the building” question
How to create a BOTH/AND Think Tank at your church
How to build an intentional chat strategy in order foster real relationships
BOTH/AND pro tips
Q&A

After you register, you will receive an email with links to a recording of the original BOTH/AND webinar and an accompanying workbook. We hope this will make it easier for new participants to fully engage and past participants to refresh themselves with Jason’s content.
RSVP by Nov. 18! →
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.
A full description of this offering is available here: https://regionalmediacenter.org/both-and-to-be-continued/
* Who can register for this training?
United Methodist laity and clergy serving the churches and ministries of the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Conferences are invited to use register for this training. The training is being offered free of charge by the Regional Media Center as part of its service to United Methodists in the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Conferences.

Endowments: What You Need to Know
2021-11-02 18:00 - 20:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/endowments-what-you-need-to-know/2021-11-02/
Endowments aren’t just for universities and hospitals. They can be a great way to maintain church buildings and fund ministries. However, endowments don’t merely appear out of thin air. They take work, time, and an understanding of how to manage them.
Wondering how best to steward an endowment that already exists?
Don’t know if you should pursue establishing an endowment? Want to know more? These workshops are the ticket! Sign-up here. Zoom information will be sent two days before the event.
Part 1: Tuesday, September 28; 6-8pm
In Part 1, a panel of experts will answer basic questions about endowments. What is an endowment? Are there different kinds of endowments? What are the benefits and drawbacks? What if the funds are restricted? What’s the difference between an endowment and a reserve fund?
Then our experts will discuss how to set up an endowment fund – and what you should know about setting it up correctly. Sign-up here.
Part 2: Tuesday, November 2; 6-8pm
In Part 2, you’ll learn how to manage an endowment and what to do if you need to close (or “extinguish”) it.
Finally (and most importantly), join us in discussing the spiritual and ethical considerations that may arise as a result of establishing and/or maintaining an endowment. Sign-up here.
Presenters:
Julia Frisbie, Associate Director, Faith Foundation Northwest
Brant Henshaw, Pacific Northwest Conference Treasurer and Director of Administrative Services
Gary McGee, Managing Partner, Gary McGee & Co., Non-Profit Accounting Specialists|
Dan Wilson-Fey, Oregon-Idaho Conference Treasurer
Cesie Delve Scheuermann, Oregon-Idaho Stewardship Consultant, is moderating and organizing the workshops. Contact her with any questions at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com
Sign-up here. Zoom information will be sent two days before the event.

INCREASING JOY, INCREASING GENEROSITY WEBINAR
2021-10-19 10:00 - 11:30 | https://greaternw.org/event/increasing-joy-increasing-generosity-webinar/
What?! Generosity should increase joy?
Joy should increase generosity?
During a pandemic?
You bet.
In this webinar, you’ll discover

Key questions you need to ask to get yourself grounded.
Practical tips on ways that you can help your congregation feel good about their generosity.

Who knows? They may be so inspired that they’ll joyfully give more.
Presenters:

Cesie Delve Scheuermann has been doing fundraising and development work for non-profits and congregations for 22 years. She is the stewardship consultant for the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference. With more than 1,000 subscribers, she writes the weekly (and practical) blog, “Inspiring Generosity.”
Rev. Jeremy Hajdu-Paulen has been pastor of Tigard United Methodist Church since 2014. Previously, he served as campus pastor of the U of Oregon’s Wesley Foundation and as pastor at Dallas (OR) UMC. He has a passion for trying new things related to generosity and stewardship.
Sign-up here!

Endowments: What You Need to Know
2021-09-28 18:00 - 20:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/endowments-what-you-need-to-know/2021-09-28/

Greater Northwest Shared Annual Conference Session
2021-06-20 - 2021-06-24 | https://greaternw.org/event/greater-northwest-shared-annual-conference-session/
Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky has asked clergy and lay members of the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Conferences to hold June 20-23, 2021 open for online Annual Conference sessions.
The three conferences will gather for opening and closing worship experiences, but they will meet separately to conduct the respective business of each conference. This is a change from the previously announced dates of June 9-12, 2021.
The new dates were set in response to unfolding plans at the global and jurisdictional levels, amid a global pandemic.
For details on Alaska Conference session, click here.
For details on the Oregon-Idaho Conference session, click here.
For details on the Pacific Northwest Conference session, click here.

Both/And: Maximizing Hybrid Worship Experiences For Online and In-Person Audiences
2021-04-17 16:00 - 18:30 | https://greaternw.org/event/both-and-maximizing-hybrid-worship-experiences-for-online-and-in-person-audiences/
Join us for Both/And: Maximizing Hybrid Worship Experiences For Online and In-Person Audiences on Saturday, April 17, 2021 (5-7:30 p.m. MDT • 4-6:30 p.m. PDT • 3-5:30 p.m. AKDT). Worship media consultant and coach Jason Moore will be the trainer for this event. A generous gift to the Regional Media Center is making this opportunity available at no cost to United Methodists across the Greater Northwest Area.
This 2-hour workshop will delve into strategies for how to create powerful transformative worship where no one feels like they’re an afterthought.
It will explore:

Re-imagining worship for both/and
How to create interactive both/and experiences
Bringing at home and in-person audiences together in real-time
Alternative opportunities for online audiences watching in-person livestreams
Repurposing in-person worship for online audiences
Strategies for adapting practices for both/and
Avoiding letting your groove becoming a rut
And more

A full description of this offering is available here: https://regionalmediacenter.org/both-and/

WJIECC Conversation on dismantling racism
2021-01-05 18:00 - 20:00 | https://cnumc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0sd-6oqjMiGN3VLtKSz7NM_h1IAB-uUSZR
The Inter-Ethnic Coordinating Committee is committed to support our Western Jurisdiction Leadership Team and participate boldly in the call to Stand Up Against Racism. We are a family; a community and we can do our work together of eradicating racism in the church and in our nation.
We are very delighted to inform you that we have two conversation speakers to speak on the call to dismantle racism. They are the Rev. Michael Yoshii and Pastor Ann Jacob (Click here for more information about the speakers).
We, who are older, are inviting our young people to join in the conversation. We recognize that we have our generation differences, but we could be one in the work of dismantling racism and decolonizing the church.
Our conversation is on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 6:00-8:00 P.M. (PST)
Please REGISTER now.

Blue Christmas Service
2020-12-20 16:00 - 17:00 | https://greaternw.org/bluechristmas/
Members of the Greater Northwest Area Cabinet will offer a Blue Christmas Service, available to view at https://greaternw.org/bluechristmas/ starting on Sunday, December 20, 2020, at 5 PM MST, 4 PM PST, 3 PM AKST. All United Methodists in the Greater Northwest Area are invited to join them for this time of reflection.

Stay in Love with God – Cultural Humility – Session 3 of 3
2020-11-12 18:00 - 20:00 | https://greaternw.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJclceqopjstGtRP96dPwTj5crl40k_GfkWx
ABOUT THIS SESSION
Stay in Love with God, Cultural Humility with Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove will explore how being led from the margins transforms one’s leadership and promotes liberative movement for all God’s people.
ABOUT THIS SERIES
The United Methodist Church is a 94% white and aging denomination. However, our collective visions – denomination and local congregations – express wishes for greater diversity in leadership, in the pews and in our work in the world. In this time of COVID-19, with a renewed uprising for racial justice, the church must act. But out of what mindset?
Three practitioners have agreed to challenge our thinking regarding mission, community engagement, and cultural humility to help us practice our way into beloved community. They will help us to have eyes and ears to past mistakes and support us in redirection. The learnings will be relevant to us all –Black, Brown, White, LGBTQIA+, immigrant generation, fully-abled or partly disabled – as our collective mindset for ministry has grown from a history of colonization and rescue.
SESSION I – Do No Harm, Decolonizing Mission with Dr. Soong-Chan Rah will prompt us to clarify our context for ministry, apply theology to our context, and develop ministry practices that maintain dignity and equity.
SESSION II – Do Good, Community Engagement and Community Development with Maria-José (Coté) Soerens will give us a window into community-driven transformation through relationship and among a population generally skeptical of Christianity.
You are invited to attend all three sessions as the concepts weave together to support dignity and equity within and outside of our church walls. Those applying for projects through Fund For Families Part 2 in the PNW Conference as especially encouraged as the series will inform the application process.

Do Good – Community Engagement/Community Development – Session 2 of 3
2020-11-10 18:00 - 20:00 | https://greaternw.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAvfumvqD0jHtdW1KjpjRXfBMqkGiMZdQIl
ABOUT THIS SESSION
Do Good, Community Engagement and Community Development with Maria-José (Coté) Soerens will give us a window into community-driven transformation through relationship and among a population generally skeptical of Christianity.
ABOUT THIS SERIES
The United Methodist Church is a 94% white and aging denomination. However, our collective visions – denomination and local congregations – express wishes for greater diversity in leadership, in the pews and in our work in the world. In this time of COVID-19, with a renewed uprising for racial justice, the church must act. But out of what mindset?
Three practitioners have agreed to challenge our thinking regarding mission, community engagement, and cultural humility to help us practice our way into beloved community. They will help us to have eyes and ears to past mistakes and support us in redirection. The learnings will be relevant to us all –Black, Brown, White, LGBTQIA+, immigrant generation, fully-abled or partly disabled – as our collective mindset for ministry has grown from a history of colonization and rescue.
SESSION I – Do No Harm, Decolonizing Mission with Dr. Soong-Chan Rah will prompt us to clarify our context for ministry, apply theology to our context, and develop ministry practices that maintain dignity and equity.
SESSION III – Stay in Love with God, Cultural Humility with Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove will explore how being led from the margins transforms one’s leadership and promotes liberative movement for all God’s people.
You are invited to attend all three sessions as the concepts weave together to support dignity and equity within and outside of our church walls. Those applying for projects through Fund For Families Phase 2 in the PNW Conference as especially encouraged as the series will inform the application process.

Do No Harm - Decolonizing Mission - Session 1 of 3
2020-11-05 18:00 - 20:00 | https://greaternw.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUvdOiqrTwrGdEb_T-Yvux7V9iHKbwT4BWS
ABOUT THIS SESSION
Do No Harm, Decolonizing Mission with Dr. Soong-Chan Rah will prompt us to clarify our context for ministry, apply theology to our context, and develop ministry practices that maintain dignity and equity.
ABOUT THIS SERIES
The United Methodist Church is a 94% white and aging denomination. However, our collective visions – denomination and local congregations – express wishes for greater diversity in leadership, in the pews and in our work in the world. In this time of COVID-19, with a renewed uprising for racial justice, the church must act. But out of what mindset?
Three practitioners have agreed to challenge our thinking regarding mission, community engagement, and cultural humility to help us practice our way into beloved community. They will help us to have eyes and ears to past mistakes and support us in redirection. The learnings will be relevant to us all –Black, Brown, White, LGBTQIA+, immigrant generation, fully-abled or partly disabled – as our collective mindset for ministry has grown from a history of colonization and rescue.
SESSION II – Do Good, Community Engagement and Community Development with Maria-José (Coté) Soerens will give us a window into community-driven transformation through relationship and among a population generally skeptical of Christianity.
SESSION III – Stay in Love with God, Cultural Humility with Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove will explore how being led from the margins transforms one’s leadership and promotes liberative movement for all God’s people.
You are invited to attend all three sessions as the concepts weave together to support dignity and equity within and outside of our church walls. Those applying for projects through Fund For Families Part 2 in the PNW Conference as especially encouraged as the series will inform the application process.
