GNW discounted Zoom licenses available in 2024

Great news! The GNW Area will again offer subsidized Zoom licenses to churches and ministry settings across the region in 2024. Those who already have a GNW Zoom license received an email last week with renewal details and instructions on opting out by Dec. 22., if desired. The discount only applies to the first license a church or ministry setting holds. These Zoom licenses include expanded features, like the ability to host large meetings and webinars with up to 500 participants, unlimited cloud storage and transcription services, and basic Zoom features.

For more information, email Teri Tobey in the PNW office at ttobey@pnwumc.org

Equity cohorts across the GNW begin the work of eliminating racism

On Nov. 30, 60 leaders from across the Greater Northwest Area gathered at Fairwood UMC in Renton, Wash., to intentionally address equity in our institutional life. This was the launch of a major initiative to address the “E” – eliminating racism - in our call to go the M.I.L.E.

Read more of this story on the GNW News site.

Livestreamed orientation to help prepare General Conference delegates

In preparation for the postponed 2020 General Conference of The United Methodist Church, United Methodist Communications and the Secretary of the General Conference will co-host an orientation and briefing for delegates to be livestreamed February 29- March 1, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CST each day. The times were chosen to make the event accessible to the largest number of delegates possible.

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Looking ahead to General Conference next year

The commission that plans The United Methodist Church’s international legislative assembly met to make some additional preparations for the long-delayed General Conference. Commission members heard an update on visa invitations and discussed the handling of certain proposals coming before delegates.

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The real story behind 'Good King Wenceslas'

“Good King Wenceslas,” the famed British carol about a generous king who journeys into a cold winter’s night to help the poor, takes inspiration from a very real Christian martyr. He wasn’t from England, and he wasn’t a king. But he remains an important figure in his Czech homeland. Some United Methodists see lessons in his story for today.

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Finding solace on the Longest Night

We know the holidays can be difficult for some. Learn how joining with others to remember and mourn can help those who are grieving as they move forward on a journey to recapture love, joy, hope and peace.

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Understanding proposed regionalization plan

The regionalization legislation headed to General Conference takes several steps toward a goal of building connectional unity while making room for customization in each region of the world. In Part 4 of a new series on regionalization, the Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards answers questions related to the legislation, including what could be customized by regional conferences and what is not included in the proposal.

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Bead art sparks new relationships

United Women in Faith members in Grand Junction, Colorado, have cultivated a mutually rewarding relationship with their Indigenous neighbors. Earlier this year, the Grand Junction First United Methodist unit revived a dormant District Committee on Native American Ministries to strengthen collaboration that goes beyond selling and promoting traditional bead-weaving.

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Jurisdiction to hold special session

The North Central Jurisdiction will hold a special session on Jan. 23 to approve new episcopal areas. The session, to be held virtually at 8 p.m. U.S. Eastern time, was announced by the jurisdiction’s College of Bishops. Plans call for forming the Northern Illinois and Wisconsin conferences into an area. The East Ohio and West Ohio conferences also would become an area. Currently the jurisdiction has nine episcopal areas (covering 10 conferences), and the proposed changes would leave seven areas to which bishops would be assigned. A July 2024 session of the North Central Jurisdiction would decide the names of the new areas.

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Remembering United Methodists of note

This year, United Methodists mourned the passing of beloved bishops, influential church scholars, the editor of The United Methodist Hymnal and a country music radio pioneer who boosted careers as diverse as Randy Travis and Taylor Swift. Heather Hahn has 29 remembrances of notable church members memorialized in 2023.

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Agency unveil's 'Journey of a Dollar' video

The General Council on Finance and Administration, the denomination’s finance agency, has released its latest video, "UMC: Journey of a Dollar." The video, part of the ongoing Data-Driven Discernment: Charting Hope at General Conference campaign, seeks to shed light on the path a dollar takes once it enters the offering plate and how it supports individual congregations and The United Methodist Church’s global reach.

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Watch the video

Help support community developers on Human Relations Day Sunday

Community developers are recruited locally and serve on the staffs of traditionally Black, Hispanic, Asian and Native American congregations. This program is dedicated to building, maintaining, promoting and strengthening United Methodist Church congregations of racial and/or ethnic minorities and advancing the church's capacity to be in mission through local congregations.

Learn more and give