Recent News

The unfinished business of an avocado

Rev. Paul Graves reflects on “going on to perfection” through a simple image: waiting for avocados to ripen. Drawing on John Wesley and 1 John 4, he defines perfection as maturing into love, not sinlessness. At 83, he names his “unfinished business”—immigrant solidarity, family legacy, continued learning—and invites his grandchildren to find theirs.

What we would do if we took discipleship seriously, Part 4

Rev. Kathy Neary and Patrick Scriven continue their conversation about the hard, hopeful work of centering discipleship. What would it take for Methodist “hubs” to fund formation, redeploy people, and practice honest sacrifice around property, schedules, and identity? They discuss a livable rule of life, and end with a question about our essential witness as United Methodists.

Highline UMC among cold weather shelters serving as wintry mix hits Seattle area

Submitted by Rev. Jenny Partch Highline UMC in Burien is...

The offering that preached back

In a reflection, Pastor Scott Rosekrans shares that a man experiencing homelessness quietly placed coins into the offering during a recent worship service, echoing Jesus’ words about the widow’s mite—giving not from abundance, but from need. He writes that in that simple act, compassion, faith, and generosity met, reminding us that grace often comes from unexpected places.

Offering love in the face of fear

After a chance encounter in a Vancouver mobile home park, Linda stepped in to help a mother whose husband had been arrested by ICE. What followed was a growing circle of neighbors offering rides, care, and friendship, forming a village of trust, healing, and unexpected family amid fear, uncertainty, and hope.
Local Church

St. Peter’s UMC completes property sale for affordable housing in Bellevue

After three years of prayerful discernment and planning, St. Peter’s United Methodist Church has completed the sale of its Bellevue property to Imagine Housing. The site will become approximately 100 affordable apartment homes, reflecting the congregation’s commitment to housing stability, community well-being, and faithful stewardship amid its recent merger forming Hope United Methodist Church.
Disaster Preparedness & Response

Staying nimble: How PNW Churches store and share disaster relief kits

As UMCOR prepares to close the Sager Brown Depot in 2027 and shift to a distributed relief-kit model, the Pacific Northwest Conference recognizes the moment. After a key Western depot closed in 2020, PNW leaders built a network of church-based supply hubs—keeping kits local, mobilizing volunteers, and staying nimble when disasters strike.
Conversation

What is your change theory?

In this reflection, Patrick Scriven wrestles with a deceptively simple question: what is your change theory? Drawing on a 2026 Pew Research study showing Americans are uniquely pessimistic about their fellow citizens' morals, Scriven argues that authentic relationships across difference — not social media debate — are the most credible path to changing hearts and minds.
Patrick Scriven -

Alaska Conference

Oregon-Idaho Conference

Creation Care

Caring for God’s creation: 17 EarthKeepers commissioned across the Greater Northwest

Recently commissioned Global Ministries EarthKeepers completed training in environmental stewardship and faithful action. This cohort included EarthKeepers from both the Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Conferences, who are now developing community-based creation care projects. A recording of the commissioning service is now available for congregations and individuals to watch.
Patrick Scriven -

Pacific Northwest Conference

Conversation

What is your change theory?

In this reflection, Patrick Scriven wrestles with a deceptively simple question: what is your change theory? Drawing on a 2026 Pew Research study showing Americans are uniquely pessimistic about their fellow citizens' morals, Scriven argues that authentic relationships across difference — not social media debate — are the most credible path to changing hearts and minds.
Patrick Scriven -

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