News Digest of the Pacific Northwest United Methodist Church

Starting a health ministry can be as simple as cultivating a healthy environment at church to support positive lifestyle choices, says the Rev. Pam Harris, M.D., a physician and United Methodist clergywoman.
Find out what people want, present it in a non- threatening way, make it fun and provide support, advises Harris, associate medical director of Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care and minister of health at Leawood (Kan.) United Methodist Church. She will be among the speakers at the third annual National Congregational Health Ministries Conference Sept. 23-26 in Wichita, Kansas.
Read more tips from Harris and learn more about the conference in a new Web-exclusive feature at Interpreter On-Line at http://www.interpretermagazine.org/interior.asp? ptid=43&mid=12290 .

Older Adult Ministries Lazy Daze Camp

Older Adult Ministries - "Lazy Daze" camp at Lazy F, Sept. 25-27, 2007. To view the brochure, click here: http://www.pnwumc.org/oats/older%20adult% 20ministry.html

Regional Media Center News

Visit the Regional Media Center webpage to view the new additions http://www.pnwumc.org/regional%20media% 20center/mainpage.html, and download the Fall Catalog for great program suggestions for small group study http://www.pnwumc.org/regional% 20media%20center/fallcatalog2007.pdf

2007 Orders and Fellowship of Local Pastors

The 2007 gathering of the Orders and Fellowship of Local Pastors will take place on October 2-4 at First United Methodist Church in Olympia. "Come to the Waters" is the theme our retreat together-a time of reflection, encouragement and challenge. The keynote speaker will be Bishop Sally Dyck. Watch for the brochure and registration in the mail next week.

For recently posted job openings, please click here: http://www.pnwumc.org/html/jobopenings.html

Please remember to check Local Church events by clicking here: http://www.pnwumc.org/html/localchurch.html

August 13th, #70

Updated for 2007: Annual Giving Campaign Resources

If your church is planning an annual giving campaign, the United Methodist Foundation of the Northwest recommends to you their updated Annual Giving Campaign Resources page. Here you'll find excellent, annotated resource lists and links from both the UM Global Board of Discipleship and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In addition, you'll find links to our PNW Conference Stewardship Emphasis' FREE resources (for worship and adult/intergenerational education) that can help your church to grow deeply and broadly in its understanding of Christian stewardship as a life- encompassing vocation. If you'd like to speak with one of the Foundation's staff, please call Tom Wilson at (800) 488-4179 or Tanya Barnett at (206) 784-2369.

UMVIM Needs

NEPAL - As part of the connectional ministry with the people of Nepal, United Methodist Volunteers In Mission (UMVIM) medical teams have been requested to serve in remote villages where medical care is greatly needed. Funds are being raised to help specifically with purchase of medicines in Kathmandu. If you can help in this important service to the people of Nepal, please contact Kurt and Jan Kaiser at love2trvl@imbris.com

United Methodist Volunteers In Mission Teams Needed for Rebuilding

On May 4 and 5, 2007, a severe storm system produced over 100 tornadoes and torrential rains which left a wide swath of destruction and flood damage in many parts of our state. The town of Greensburg was especially hard hit by an EF-5 tornado (strongest), estimated to be 1 ½ miles wide. All businesses and residences were almost entirely destroyed. Several counties were declared as disaster areas by the Federal Government.
United Methodist Volunteer In Mission teams are being scheduled now for the rebuilding of Greensburg, Kansas and the surrounding five county area. Kansas needs individual volunteers and teams to come and serve. All skill levels are needed for all phases of construction including framing, roofing, drywall, painting, etc. The age limit is 16 years and older.
Contact the United Methodist Recovery Center in Haviland, Kansas for more information at: umcrecovery@kswestumc.org or call the Haviland office---620-862-5422 ------------------------------------------------------ Be sure your leaders are trained via the UMVIM Manual and all team members have the GBGM-UMVIM insurance please.

New Local Church News

Please remember to check Local Church events by clicking here: http://www.pnwumc.org/html/localchurch.html