Greater Northwest Area of The United Methodist Church

Greater Northwest Annual Conference Sessions
2022-06-19 - 2022-06-25 | https://greaternw.org/event/greater-northwest-shared-annual-conference-session-2/
The GNW area’s primary week of annual conference sessions, where the business of each Conference is conducted by clergy and lay members, will start on the evening of Sunday, June 19, with a GNW area-wide opening. The remainder of the week will include a separate focused day of work for each conference and individual days for ordination and commissioning services in PNW and OR-ID.

The GNW Area-wide Opening will take place on the evening of Sunday, June 19.
The Alaska Conference will meet online on Monday, June 20, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. AKT.
The Pacific Northwest Conference will meet online on Tuesday, June 21, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. PT.
The Pacific Northwest Conference’s Service of Commissioning and Ordination will occur during the day on Wednesday, June 22.
The Oregon-Idaho Conference will meet online on Thursday, June 23, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. PT, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. MT.
The Oregon-Idaho Conference’s Service of Commissioning and Ordination will occur during the day on Friday, June 24.
The GNW Area-wide closing plenary and celebration will occur during the day on Saturday, June 25.

Each day of business will include morning bible studies and evening devotions during the first and last hour. These opportunities will be open for anyone – not just Annual Conference members – to attend.
Click here for more information. Please watch for more information in conference and GNW Area communications. Published dates are subject to change, and we will announce additional opportunities as they become available.

GNW Laity Session
2022-06-14 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | https://youtu.be/LZhR-iVtBm0
A shared laity session of the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Annual Conferences.

Transitions Retreat
2022-06-06 - 2022-06-07 | https://greaternw.org/event/transitions-retreat/

Called to Preach: Lay Servant Ministries Advanced Course
2022-05-29 13:00 - 15:00, 2022-05-22 13:00 - 15:00, 2022-05-15 13:00 - 15:00, 2022-05-08 13:00 - 15:00, 2022-05-01 13:00 - 15:00
Book for new LSM course beginning May 1.
Called to Preach is designed for those who have not completed formal preaching training, for pastors seeking a basic refresher course, and for others who are called upon to preach in a pastor’s absence.
This course meets the required preaching course in the Certified Lay Speaker track of study, and serves as an advanced continuing education class for the Certified Lay Servant and Certified Lay Minister tracks.
*Each participate must have the book, read it, and fully participate in all 5 sessions with audio and video.
Book: From Pew to Pulpit: A Beginner’s Guide to Preaching By Clifton F. Guthrie
TIME: 1 to 3 p.m. PST, 2 to 4 p.m. MST.
DATES: May 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29
INSTRUCTOR: Rev. Nancy Mead
LOCATION: On Line Zoom Course*
This course if offered by Mountain Sky Annual Conference
COST: The cost of the book
REGISTER By April 24, 2022 at
LayServantTraining.org
For more info or questions please contact Gene at(719)588-7627 or gene@trinitylsm.org

GNW Webinar: Exploring and understanding changes afoot in The UMC
2022-05-24 18:00 - 20:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/gnw-webinar-exploring-and-understanding-changes-afoot-in-the-umc/
Change is unfolding in The United Methodist Church: A delayed General Conference until 2024, people from across the spectrum forming new denominations and leaving The UMC, work within the existing United Methodist Church to create positive change and build connections, and more. All of these changes could have an impact on local churches and clergy. That’s why leaders from across the Greater Northwest Area want to begin a dialogue with clergy and laity about what these changes might mean for all of us here who are committed to being Christ’s disciples for a transformative world. Join us for the first of what will hopefully be continued conversations on the changes ahead for the church.
Click here to register.

Abundant Health food insecurities training
2022-05-24 18:00 - 19:30
Churches across the Greater Northwest Area are invited attend virtual education event on food insecurity and hunger on May 24 being hosted by Abundant Health Ministries. The featured speaker for this event will be Sharon Thornberry, Columbia Gorge Food Bank manager for the Oregon Food Bank. Register here. Anyone with questions can contact Emilie Kroen: ekroen@yahoo.com.

Leading a Bible Study: Advanced Lay Servant Ministries Course
2022-05-19 17:30 - 19:30, 2022-05-12 17:30 - 19:30, 2022-05-05 17:30 - 19:30, 2022-04-28 17:30 - 19:30, 2022-04-21 17:30 - 19:30
Biblical Interpretation: A Roadmap is a guide to discovering and asking the key questions-about biblical texts, about readers of the Bible, and about the interaction of the two-that forms the basis of biblical interpretation today. These questions are organized around three fundamental assumptions that govern the authors’ approach to reading the bible:
1.The biblical texts arise from particular historical, social, and cultural settings.
2. The reader likewise reads from a specific setting.
3. Neither the diversity of the texts nor the multitude of readers stands in isolation one from the other.
This course opens a new world for many lay servants who have not had professional training in biblical interpretation. It reminds us as United Methodists that Bible study and biblical interpretation are a core part of our spiritual journey.
*Each participant must have the book, read it, and fully participate in all 5 sessions with audio and video.
DATES: Thursday’s 4/21, 4/28, 5/5, 5/12, 5/19
TIMES: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Pacific Time/ 6:30pm – 8:30pm Mountain TIme
Location: On ZOOM
INSTRUCTORS: Faye Veal and Don Yale
This course is offered by Mountain Sky Annual Conference
COST: The cost of the book*
TO REGISTER: Email Faye Veal at fayeveal@aol.com
BOOK: Biblical Interpretation: a Roadmap

Discover Your Spiritual Gifts (a Revised Course)
2022-04-20 18:00 - 20:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/discover-your-spiritual-gifts-a-revised-course/2022-04-20/
This Servant Lay Ministries course helps participants understand spiritual gifts and how the church can use them to fulfill its mission and ministry. Participants will also learn what it means to be a spiritual leader and will be equipped to lead others in exploring and using their spiritual gifts.
This course is offered by the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference. The instructors are Emilie Kroen, Director of Lay Servant Ministries, Or-ID Ann. Conf. and Claudia Roberts.
Dates:
Mar 23, 30, & Apr 6, 13, 20, 2022 from 6-8 p.m. PT on Zoom.
Book:
“Each One a Minister” by William J. Carter
Participant’s Book DR375 • 978-0-88177-375-0 • $14.00
(ePub and Kindle, $9.99) Available at Upper Room
Registration Deadline: March 15, 2022
To Register: Call, text, or email Emilie Kroen at ekroen@yahoo.com or 503.312.4138.
Provide your Name, Home Address, email address, phone #, and your local church.
Participant Requirements:
Each participant must have the book, read it, and fully participate in all 5 sessions with audio and video. There is no fee besides the cost of the book.
Contact for questions:
Emilie Kroen, 503.312.4138

Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts - Lay Servant Ministries
2022-04-20 17:00 - 19:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/rediscovering-our-spiritual-gifts-lay-servant-ministries-class/2022-04-20/
Participants in this course will study a book that identifies, defines, and discusses 32 spiritual gifts including giving, healing, hospitality, service, evangelism, and music. The author encourages you to discover the particular gifts the Holy Spirit has given you and challenges you to use these gifts to build up the body of Christ. The book includes a “Grace Gifts Inventory” to help you identify and apply the spiritual gifts in your life.
Your Spiritual Gifts Inventory Pack is available for use with small-group members.
Book:
“Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts” by Charles V. Bryant
ISBN #9780835806336
Submit registration and $5.00 before each class. Order your own book from Cokesbury.com, Upperroom-books.com or Amazon.com.
Registration & Payment Deadline: 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.

Discover Your Spiritual Gifts (a Revised Course)
2022-04-13 18:00 - 20:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/discover-your-spiritual-gifts-a-revised-course/2022-04-13/

Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts - Lay Servant Ministries
2022-04-13 17:00 - 19:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/rediscovering-our-spiritual-gifts-lay-servant-ministries-class/2022-04-13/

Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course
2022-04-10 17:00 - 19:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/lay-servant-ministries-basic-course/2022-04-10/
“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)

Discover Your Spiritual Gifts (a Revised Course)
2022-04-06 18:00 - 20:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/discover-your-spiritual-gifts-a-revised-course/2022-04-06/

Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts - Lay Servant Ministries
2022-04-06 17:00 - 19:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/rediscovering-our-spiritual-gifts-lay-servant-ministries-class/2022-04-06/

Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course
2022-04-03 17:00 - 19:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/lay-servant-ministries-basic-course/2022-04-03/

Discover Your Spiritual Gifts (a Revised Course)
2022-03-30 18:00 - 20:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/discover-your-spiritual-gifts-a-revised-course/2022-03-30/

Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts - Lay Servant Ministries
2022-03-30 17:00 - 19:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/rediscovering-our-spiritual-gifts-lay-servant-ministries-class/2022-03-30/

Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course
2022-03-27 17:00 - 19:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/lay-servant-ministries-basic-course/2022-03-27/

Discover Your Spiritual Gifts (a Revised Course)
2022-03-23 18:00 - 20:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/discover-your-spiritual-gifts-a-revised-course/2022-03-23/

Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts - Lay Servant Ministries
2022-03-23 17:00 - 19:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/rediscovering-our-spiritual-gifts-lay-servant-ministries-class/2022-03-23/

Living Our Beliefs – Lay Servant Ministries
2022-03-22 16:00 - 18:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/lay-servant-ministry-class-on-living-our-beliefs/2022-03-22/
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
2022-03-20 17:00 - 19:00 | https://greaternw.org/event/lay-servant-ministries-basic-course/2022-03-20/
