The Inland Steeples
January 2021
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An Important Announcement from your D.S.
Dear Friends,
It has been my great honor to serve alongside you as the Inland District Superintendent for the past five years, but I have discerned that in order to faithfully follow my calling, I have requested Bishop Elaine Stanovsky appoint me to an Extension Ministry effective July 1, 2021. I will be seeking an extension ministry appointment as a leadership/executive/life coach as well as a leadership consultant, so I pray that I will still be able to serve with at least some of you as we move into the future together. I have complete confidence that the Bishop will identify an excellent pastor and leader as your next District Superintendent and that this person will be able to lead the district effectively as we continue to recover from COVID-19 and anticipate the possible challenges arising out of the upcoming General Conference later this year.
This has been a difficult and bittersweet decision. Personally, I have always tried to cultivate a spirit of listening to God's intention for me, and hopefully, you have experienced this from me as a leader. Over this past year, I began experiencing a tug on my heart to move more explicitly into coaching, mentoring, and leadership development forms of ministry. With all that being said, I wouldn't have even considered a move at this time if I thought the ministry in the district would ultimately suffer. I believe you will benefit from a "spark" that a change in leadership will bring. I long for you to continue to cultivate deep spiritual leadership and to continue to grow in your sense of direction and purpose. That work must continue.
I treasure the friendships and relationships we have built, and you will continue to impact my life and ministry. Thank you for being you! I am incredibly grateful for these five years, and I look forward to continuing in ministry with you as we move together into the future in a new way.
Prayerfully,
Gregg
Rev. Gregg Sealey
Inland District Superintendent
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Contact Us...
Rev. Gregg Sealey, CPCC, ACC
Inland District Superintendent
(PNW UMC) & Certified Professional Co-Active Coach
Phone: 509.720.4366
Email: Inlandds@pnwumc.org
Twitter: @GreggSealey
Rev. Joanne Coleman Campbell,
Seven River District Superintendent
Phone: 509.720.4366
Laura Velonza
District Service Center
Inland & 7Rivers Missional Districts
Administrative Assistant
P.O. Box 13650
Des Moines, WA 98198-1009
Toll Free: 1-888-818-4288
Phone: 509-263-8647
Fax: (206) 870-6811
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Important Information For You |
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New Laity & Clergy Zoom Meeting Schedule starting February 2021 |
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To honor the Clergy and Laity in the Inland and Seven Rivers District's meeting time and because of the continued need to reschedule meetings due to the Cabinet schedule, it was decided to swap the Laity Zoom 10 am 2nd Thursday with the Laity 6 pm 4th Thursday meetings and to move the Clergy 3rd Thursday 10 am zoom meetings to the 3rd Friday at 10 am.
The New schedule with meeting information is below. Although Laura will continue to send out reminders, please note the new information of the day, time, and meeting links and save it to your calendar. Also, although you are invited to these meetings each month, attendance is not required; these meetings are for the benefit of ANY AND ALL CLERGY & LAITY and for the benefit of the congregations they serve in the Inland and Seven Rivers Districts.
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- Week 1 -Topic: BIWEEKLY Clergy Check-In 1st Thursday AM MEETING
Time: 10:00 AM (PST) Every month on the First Thursday until June 2021.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 936 3635 6442
Passcode: 559243
One tap mobile: +12532158782,,93636356442# US (Tacoma)
- Week 2 -Topic: BIWEEKLY Laity Check-In 2nd Thursday EVE MEETING
Time: 06:00 PM (PST) Every month on the Second Thursday until June 2021.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 942 9537 6818
Passcode: 559243
One tap mobile: +12532158782,,94295376818# US (Tacoma)
- Week 3 -Topic: BIWEEKLY Clergy Check-In 3rd Friday AM Meeting
Time: 10:00 AM (PST) Every month on the third Friday until June 2021
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 984 3576 1007
Passcode: 559243
One tap mobile: +12532158782,,98435761007# US (Tacoma)
- Week 4- Topic: BIWEEKLY Laity Check-in 4th THURS. AM MEETING
Time: 10:00 AM (PST) Every month on the Fourth Thursday until June 2021.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 402 856 963
Passcode: 559243
One tap mobile: +12532158782,,402856963# US (Tacoma)
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What the New Coronavirus Stimulus Package Means for Churches.
Just days before 2020 concluded, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA) was signed into law. One of its key features is the inclusion of $900 billion more in stimulus efforts tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. Several parts affect churches.
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Ash Wednesday Service
The Inland and Seven Rivers Districts are collaborating (with a huge assist from Cheney UMC) to produce an Ash Wednesday Service for you to promote and use as you wish for your churches.
The service will be available as either a Facebook link, YouTube link, or a downloadable file. A printable bulletin will also be provided.
Laura Velonza will send out the bulletins, viewing links, and downloadable files to all pastors as soon as it is available.
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Church as Beloved Community
As we remember the witness of Martin Luther King Jr., Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky offers this pastoral letter, Challenging us to consider the work we have ahead of us as a country, and as followers of Jesus Christ, when it comes to racial justice, equity and inclusion.
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GNW Area Extends Zoom Support
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In March, the Greater Northwest Area offered its local churches and ministries a Zoom hosting license at a reduced and subsidized rate. Understanding that the tool has become essential for many ministries throughout this pandemic's protracted time, leaders are eager to renew this offer for 2021.
Local churches that did not sign up previously or those which desire to add a hosting license can sign up HERE.
Annual Conference Journal
The most recent Journal of the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference is available in the popular Adobe Acrobat PDF digital format. Several files below are password protected to safeguard personal information. Please contact Anna Conklin in the District Service Center for appropriate access.
A print version of the 2020 PNW Annual Conference Journal is now available to order. Download the digital files or order print versions of each volume using the links below.
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Bishop's Covid-19 Notice #9 & Phase 2.1 Addendum |
Although states have not always held religious organizations to the same gathering restrictions as other organizations, I have held United Methodists in the Greater Northwest Area to strict limits. For most of our churches, this is not the time to loosen these restrictions. Most churches have moved successfully to holding worship and other activities online, either live-streamed or pre-produced. If I were a local church pastor today, I would not move toward more and larger in-person gatherings at this time, and I do not encourage our churches to do so.
However, some are located in areas without reliable internet. Some do not have the technical ability, and some members and leaders simply will not and do not use online church options...
Read the full article HERE.
View Phase 2.1 Addendum HERE
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COVID-19 Risk Assessment Dashboard |
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You can also go to CovidActNow.org to see a current map of America's Covid risk level by state.
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Guidelines for Reopening Buildings and Returning to In-person Ministry
Does your church run a Daycare or Preschool?
For guidelines on writing reopening plans, contact your DS.
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View the minimum state guidelines for Preschools and Daycares PDF'S HERE and HERE.
Reimagining Life Together is a living document subject to change as new information is received about the virus and the best practices to mitigate its spread.
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