Alaska Blanket Exercise workshop

The Alaska Blanket Exercise Program is pleased to invite you to our upcoming in-person Alaska Blanket Exercise (ABE) workshop, located in Anchorage, Alaska.

These workshops are open to the public. Registration is limited and early registration is encouraged.

Registration Links:

• Thursday, September 14^th at 1:30-4:30pm
• Friday, October 6^th at 1:00-4:00pm
• Location: BP Energy Center, 1014 Energy Ct, Anchorage, AK 99508

Disclaimer: Topics will include boarding school experiences, substance use, racism, sexual abuse, and suicide. We will have an emotional support facilitator and you are welcome to take self-care breaks.

If you have any questions, please contact us at: akblanketexercise@anthc.org.

http://www.anthc.org/alaska-blanket-exercise

Video: Youth reflect on S.L.A.M. trip experience

July 16-21, youth from throughout the GNW Area came together in Wapato, WA, to partner with S.L.A.M. Trips (Students Learning About Missions). Six teams from Anchor Park UMC, Fruitland UMC, Portland First UMC, Samoan Missional UMC (Myrtle Creek and Canyonville UMCs), Tigard UMC, and Spanaway UMC went with the support of prayers and funding of their congregations and families, the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, the Annual Conferences, and a number of other United Methodist agencies.

Students and leaders shared their experiences throughout the week as they grew in relationship with one another and their hosts on the Yakama Reservation. Their experiences include cultural exchange, relationship building, and some of the physical work that students and leaders participated in. These youth remind us of their importance in participating in our journey towards healthy relationships and seeking healing with our Native American neighbors.

Watch now on the PDX FUMC YouTube channel.

Who I am Called to Be

For laity in The United Methodist Church who feel called by God to make a lifetime commitment to full-time ministries of love, justice, and service, there is an opportunity to become part of a covenant community.

Join on September 28, 2023, at 8 p.m. ET to learn more about what it means to be a deaconess and home missioner.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/DHMSept2023

If you would like to have more information, but can't attend the event, contact Deaconess Chivi at deaconesschivi@gmail.com

Upcoming event at Birchwood Camp - Save the date!

You are invited to join Birchwood Camp on December 3, 2023 for Cookie Decorating, Annual Auction and Dinner. The event will be held at Birchwood Camp from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM. More details to follow. Mark your calendars now!

Register today for free 'Using A.I. Tools in the Church' 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 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!

Draw the Circle Wide

Alaska United Women in Faith will be holding their Annual Gathering at Anchor Park UMC September 29 - October 1, 2023. All are welcome!

Register to attend the 2023 Annual Gathering here

Host Family needed!

United Women in Faith National President, ‘Ainise ‘Isama’u, is presenting at our UWIF Annual Gathering September 29-October 1, 2023. We are looking for a host family to put her up. She will be traveling with her teenage daughter. If you are able to open your home to her, please contact Susan Williams smwilliams@gci.net or 907-317-0406. Thank you for your consideration.

Learning opportunities

United Women in Faith are excited to announce the learning opportunities scheduled at their Annual Gathering. View the learning opportunities here.

Save the Date! Housing event Nov. 4 in PDX area

Churches and ministry settings in the Greater Northwest Area are invited to participate in a one-day housing symposium on Nov. 4, hosted in the Portland area or online. Details are still in the works, but there will be large group presentations, workshops and more during this gathering for churches to explore how they can be involved in solutions to the housing crisis. More details and registration will be released in mid-September. 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.

Advanced Preaching class for Certified Lay Ministers and Lay Speakers

An Advanced Preaching Class is being offered for Certified Lay Ministers and Lay Speakers on Oct 21 & 28 via Zoom to provide students with advanced skills in preaching. Participants will receive feedback from experienced preachers on a sermon they prepare and deliver. This free course requires an Introductory Course in Preaching as a prerequisite. Do not delay in registering; space is limited to 9 students.

Learn more and register on the PNW Conference website.

Multiple save the dates

Winter Learning Event

The Winter Learning Event will be open to anyone interested, clergy and lay. Pastors are required to attend. The dates will be February 2-6 at a location yet to be determined.

Annual Conference 2024

Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth did announce during the summer's Annual Conference Session that the 2024 AC will be June 27-30 in Anchorage.

Charge Conference forms are available now

We will mostly be using an online reporting system for church charge conference paperwork this year. Most of the forms will have the identical questions as in past years but you will not be filling out a PDF or Word document anymore, you will be answering the questions online.

You will have access to these forms through your People Portal. Clergy should have accessed their People Portal at lease once already and some church leadership may have as well. Here is a link with a step by step process on how to login.

I am here to help! If you have a question or are having trouble logging in, please contact Crystal in the conference office so I can assist you. This is what I am here for!

What comes after General Conference deadline?

A lot has changed since the pandemic postponed The United Methodist Church’s top lawmaking assembly from its original May 2020 schedule to now 2024. The coming General Conference will have new legislative proposals to consider. Heather Hahn previews what comes next after the legislative deadline has passed.

Read the story

Asian American group commits to denomination

Member caucuses of the New Federation of Asian American United Methodists recently gathered at the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries headquarters. The federation, comprising traditionalist, progressive and centrist churchgoers, committed to the mission and unity of The United Methodist Church. “We believe we are better together as we move forward into God’s preferred future for The United Methodist Church,” the group said.

Read the statement

Communications Learning Week returns

United Methodist Communication (UMCom) has announced the return of its week-long ecumenical training opportunity launching this fall for anyone in ministry seeking to enhance their communications skills. Communications Learning Week: Communications that Transform will be held October 16-20, 2023 and is designed with busy schedules in mind. All of the learning week content will be recorded and stored in a learning portal that participants will have access to for six months following the event. Registration is open September 12 – October 12, 2023, with an early bird 20% discount available for people signing up by Sept. 30^th.

Read the press release

What belongs on the Lord's Table?

What belongs on the Lord’s table? The short answer to the question is: “Whatever is needed for the celebration of the sacrament of Holy Communion, and little or nothing more.” Ask The UMC explains.

Read the story

Read more Ask The UMC

World Communion Sunday resources

On World Communion Sunday (officially October 1), United Methodists join Christians of different traditions to recognize our ecumenical oneness in Christ and to bring Christians together in a spirit of unity and peace. Find Spanish, Korean, French and English resources in the pastor and leader kit to help you prepare for your World Communion Sunday service.

Check out the Resource UMC website for more information.

3 Tips for starting conversations with new people

Chances are that you’re beginning to think that you and your church need to start doing something different.

The pandemic, disaffiliations, cultural changes, and the tone and direction of political discourse all have contributed to a decline in church attendance.

Click the link below to read the full article and to check out the three tips for starting conversations that can lead to faith-sharing opportunities.

Read More!

Pastor persists in fight for Black community

Even when she went to seminary, the Rev. Charlotte Williams did not want to be a preacher. She wanted to build community and stand against the oppression of Black people. Now, she is both a United Methodist preacher and social worker.

Read the story

Hispanic Heritage Month infographic available

The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has created a free, downloadable infographic to help churches observe Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15-Oct. 15. The graphic also contains recommended reading and suggestions for ways to celebrate.

View resource