Institutional Equity Cohort
2023-11-30 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-02-08 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-12 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Fairwood Community United Methodist Church, 15255 SE Fairwood Blvd., Renton, WA, 98058, United States
The date for one of six in-person Equity Cohort gatherings for individuals within the Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Annual Conferences leadership structures.

Congregation Equity Cohort - Zoom Kickoff
2023-12-05 18:00 - 20:00 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/congregation-equity-cohort-zoom-kickoff/
The date for the Zoom kickoff of Equity Cohort gatherings for Congregational Leaders within the Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Annual Conferences.

Institutional Equity Cohort
2024-01-05 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-03-08 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-05-30 09:00 - 17:00 | Grotto Retreat Center, 8840 NE Skidmore St, Portland, 97220, United States

Congregational Equity Cohort
2024-01-06 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-03-09 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-05-31 09:00 - 17:00 | Grotto Retreat Center, 8840 NE Skidmore St, Portland, 97220, United States
The date for one of six in-person Equity Cohort gatherings for Congregational Leaders within the Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Annual Conferences.

Congregational Equity Cohort
2024-02-09 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-13 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-07-19 09:00 - 17:00 | Fairwood Community United Methodist Church, 15255 SE Fairwood Blvd., Renton, WA, 98058, United States

Mental Illness and the Church: An Abundant Health Education Event
2024-03-19 18:00 - 19:15 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/mental-illness-and-the-church-an-abundant-health-education-event/
An Abundant Health education event on the topic of ‘Mental Health and the Church’ is being offer on March 19, 2024, from 6-7:15 p.m. PT on Zoom. The course is presented by Jasmine Ray-Symms, MA, who serves on the Mental Health Task Force for Disability Ministries for The United Methodist Church. The discussion with cover the prevalence and experience of those diagnosed with mental illness, the stigma attached, and ways to minister to this misunderstood population.
Click here to register for this free event.

GNW Area Ethnic Ministries Retreat
2024-04-01 16:00 - 2024-04-03 10:00 | Alton L Collins Retreat Center, 32867 Oregon 211, Eagle Creek, OR, 97022, United States
The GNW Area Ethnic Ministries Retreat will be a time to gather, care for yourself, and connect or reconnect with your colleagues. We will set the atmosphere with prayer stations, worship, deep breathing stations, and a licensed massage therapist of color.
Click to view/download a two page event flier.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY!
The grounds at the Alton L. Collins Retreat Center have wooded walking trails that run alongside water streams for silent walking retreats. If you are interested, a game room and arts and crafts will be available. There will be a chance to have organic conversations around the fire pit as we make s’mores on Tuesday night. The Bishop is tentatively scheduled to address us in person at the retreat. We look forward to your arrival. This is no registration fee. More information will be made available when registration opens.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with Rev. Dr. Troy Lynn Carr at coem@pnwumc.org or Kathy Hogg at khogg@pnwumc.org.
Click here to view/download a program flier.

The Laity Meet-Up - “Today’s UMC: What laity need to know about General Conference”
2024-04-06 10:00 - 11:30 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/the-laity-meet-up-todays-umc-what-laity-need-to-know-about-general-conference/
Register today for the first ‘Laity Meet-Up’ on April 6
“Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another …” [Hebrews 10:24-25]
All laypersons from the Greater Northwest Area are invited to a new laity series named “The Laity Meet-Up,” which kicks off on Saturday, April 6. The free event will be held via Zoom at 9 a.m. AT | 10 a.m. PT | 11 a.m. MT.
Click here to register for this Zoom event. Upon registration, you will receive the link directly from Zoom. If you don’t see it, please check your spam or junk folders.
The Laity Meet-Up, which will be held three to four times per year, aims to enhance lay ministries by equipping and empowering laity to be active and informed voices in our churches and communities – one of the express goals of Bishop Bridgeforth’s “going the M.I.L.E.”*
In the inaugural event on April 6, the Meet-Up topic will be: “Today’s UMC: What Laity Need to Know About General Conference.” A panel of General Conference delegates and reserves will provide accurate information about proposed legislation, squelch disinformation, and share suggestions for communicating what General Conference is really about (and what it is not). To be discussed: removing harmful language from the Book of Discipline, revising church structure, updating the Social Principles, and more!
The Laity Meet-Up is the brainchild of the Greater Northwest Area’s three conference lay leaders: Jo Anne Hayden of Alaska, Nancy Tam Davis of Pacific Northwest, and Paul Nickell of Oregon-Idaho. It is inspired by their reading of Hebrews 10, which unveils the inadequacy of Old Testament sacrifices and upholds Christ’s sacrifice as the ultimate and final atonement for sins. It guides believers on their faith journey, emphasizing the importance of community and perseverance.
While designed for laity across the Alaska, Pacific Northwest, and Oregon-Idaho conferences, The Laity Meet-Up’s gatherings are open to all.

GNW 5 Day Academy for Spiritual Formation
2024-04-21 - 2024-04-26 | Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center at the Palisades, 4700 Southwest Dash Point Road, Federal Way, WA, 98023, United States
Many feel lost in a wilderness where little feels familiar.
We’ll explore how to move beyond simple survival to welcome our wandering as God’s people.
Registration is now open and includes tuition, room, and board.
Registration fee of $1070 includes tuition, private room with bath, and meals.
Scholarships available.
$100 non-refundable deposit will reserve a spot until 3/15/2024.
Contact Registrar Karen Fisher: kmfishwoman@nwi.net for more info.
Click here to register!
Click here to view/download/share the flyer.
Location: Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way, WA
Overlooking Puget Sound the Center offers private rooms & baths, views & trails, spaces for worship & learning, a labyrinth & library.
Faculty:
Daniel Wolpert
Cofounder & Executive Director, Minnesota Institute of Contemplation and Healing
Hanging Your Laundry on a Beam of Light: Finding God When Things Fall Apart
Amy Oden
Working Professor of Church History and Christian Spirituality
Here Is Where We Begin: Practices for the present moment
The Academy for Spiritual Formation:
For those who hunger for deep spiritual experience. The Academy creates transformative space for communion with God, self, others, and creation for the sake of the world. Academy.upperroom.org

Northwest Leadership Institute
2024-05-01 - 2024-05-02 | Cathedral of the Rockies, 717 N. 11th St., Boise, ID, 83702, United States
The annual Northwest Leadership Institute at Cathedral of the Rockies, Boise First UMC, offers training and learning sessions for all church leaders, regardless of denomination. NLI is a learning, worship, and networking experience to bolster you and your staff’s ability to lead.
Learn more and register today!

Laity Meet-Up: History was made - Learn what happened at General Conference
2024-06-01 10:00 - 23:30 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/laity-meet-up-history-was-made-learn-what-happened-at-general-conference/
‘The Laity Meet-Up’ Set for This Saturday, June 1: Click here to register today!
All area laypersons are encouraged to register now for the next installment of “The Laity Meet-Up” this Saturday, June 1. The free event will be held via Zoom 9 a.m. AKT | 10 a.m. PT | 11 a.m. MT.
A panel of speakers will address the topic: “History Was Made: Learn About the Recent General Conference.” The panelists – Skylar Marston-Bihl, Jan Nelson, and Jo Anne Hayden, represent all three of the annual conferences in the Greater Northwest Area at General Conference, held recently in Charlotte, N.C. More than 1,000 petitions were processed, and more than 800 delegates from around the world (and an additional 1,000-plus reserves and observers) attended.
The panel will discuss important legislation addressed as the conference, specifically: removing restrictive language from the Book of Discipline, revising church structure, updating the Social Principles, and how the church has dramatically changed.
All persons, laity and clergy alike, are welcome to the gatherings of The Laity Meet-Up. For more information or to register, click here.

Worship Workshops: “small bites, BIG FLAVOR”
2024-08-16 18:30 - 2024-08-18 12:00 | Spokane Valley United Methodist Church, 115 N Raymond Rd, Spokane Valley, WA, 99206, United States
As a layperson, do you find yourself responsible for leading worship? Do you need help with worship resources? Would you like to learn skills to enhance worship leadership in your small church? If so, these worship workshops are for you!
The Pacific Northwest (PNW) Conference has invited Dr. Marcia McFee to lead three workshops over the next several months to empower laity to become more effective in worship planning and leading. Bitesize mindset and skillset lessons will be taught, which can add flavor to your worship. Resources for each liturgical season will also be shared.

August 16-18, 2024 – Advent / Christmas / Epiphany – held in (and live-streamed from) Spokane Valley UMC, Spokane Valley, WA
January 10-12, 2025 – Lent / Holy Week / Easter – held in (and live-streamed from) First UMC, Olympia, WA
May 2-4, 2025 – Ordinary Time – held in (and live-streamed from) Wesley UMC, Yakima, WA
An orientation will be held on Wednesday, July 31st at 9 a.m. PT, a recording of which will also be available

While these workshops are offered with laypersons in mind, pastors of small churches are especially invited to attend with their laity. Pastors of larger churches are welcome but strongly encouraged to see this event as an opportunity to equip and train laity as partners in worship design.
Click here to review the schedule for these workshops.
Participants from the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho, and PNW Conferences will have free access to all three workshops, both in person and online. For more information and to register, please use the following link based on the conference your local church is in.

Alaska Conference Registration
Oregon-Idaho Conference Registration
Pacific Northwest Conference Registration

For those attending in person, a nominal fee is required to cover the costs of meals and other host church expenses. A separate (simple) registration (for each event) is required so we can prepare for your needs. Registration for in-person hospitality at the August event is available here. Others will become available closer to the workshop dates.
Scholarships are available for Lay-Led Congregations and churches served by a CLM in the PNW Conference to cover this expense and support travel and housing during each workshop. Please contact your District Superintendent (PNW) for scholarship support.
If you have questions, please contact Sheila Miranda at smiranda@pnwumc.org

Setting Ministry Priorities Conversations - GNW #1
2024-09-04 18:00 - 19:15 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/setting-ministry-priorities-conversations-gnw-1/
Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth has invited lay and clergy members within the Greater Northwest Area to conversations about resources, ministry and collaboration in the area, continuing conversations that annual conference members started when they met in June. This is another step in a discernment process that will help us determine ministry priorities and future opportunities to collaborate for better outcomes and greater efficiency.

Click here to RSVP for this and other remaining opportunities.

Pacific Northwest AC Hispanic/Latinx Pastors and Leaders Missional Priority Meeting
2024-09-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Rev. Dr. Lydia Munoz will be leading a discussion with the Pacific Northwest AC Hispanic/Latinx Pastors and Leaders on the revision of our Hispanic/Latinx Strategic Plan. Together, we will define our new priority mission for the years 2025-2028.
For any questions or further information, please contact:

Aurora Pavon at L.a.c.p.3122@gmail.com
Rev. Cruz Edwin Santos at cruzsantos84@gmail.com

Setting Ministry Priorities Conversations - PNW #7
2024-09-10 18:00 - 19:15 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/setting-ministry-priorities-conversations-pnw-7/

Webinar: Pledge Campaign Best Practices
2024-09-18 18:30 - 19:30 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/webinar-pledge-campaign-best-practices/
What do successful pledge campaigns have in common? Cesie Delve Scheuermann of Inspiring Generosity and Julia Frisbie of Faith Foundation Northwest will team up to teach an interactive class rich with real-world examples from our own episcopal area. Whether you’re preparing for your first pledge campaign or your thirtieth, Cesie and Julia invite you to bring your own stories and questions to the discussion. Attendees will receive a free e-book that contains five different appeal letter templates.
Click here to register for this webinar.

Webinar: Understanding the Impacts of Indian Boarding Schools
2024-10-11 12:00 - 14:00 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/webinar-understanding-the-impacts-of-indian-boarding-schools/
Beginning in 1801, the United States implemented a colonized school system mandating Native children, as young as 3 years old to 16 years old, attend boarding schools. In 1819, the U.S. federal government began funding religious organizations to run these schools. They operated for almost 200 years.
The Interfaith Network for Indigenous Communities, a growing interfaith coalition of religious leaders who wish to deeply listen to Indigenous Communities in the Northwest, invites you to attend a free Zoom webinar presentation on the impacts of Indian Boarding Schools on Friday Oct 11, 12:00 – 2:00 pm.
Attendees of the webinar will be hearing from:

Jewell James, Lummi Nation, Master Carver, Activist, Elder and boarding school survivor
Theresa Sheldon, Tulalip Tribes, National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition and Tulalip Tribal Council
Edward Washines, Yakama Nation, WA State Truth & Reconciliation Advisory Committee (WA Attorney General’s Office)

Click here to register or scan the QR code in the graphic. Please share this opportunity with other interested individuals.
Bios of Speakers
Jewell Praying Wolf James: Jewell is an enrolled member of Lummi Nation. He is an internationally renowned carver with the House of Tears Carvers and has served in various leadership capacities in Lummi Nation including Tribal Council member, fisheries director, and Sovereignty and Treaty Protection Office. Jewell has advocated for preserving forests, protecting sacred sites, restoring and preserving tribal treaty rights and sovereignty, advocating for salmon, the qwe ‘lhol mechen (Southern Resident Orcas), Sk’alich’elh-tenaut and much more. He is one of the subjects of a documentary, “A Common Destiny: Walking in Both Worlds” that explores the Indigenous belief that humans and all other beings in the world share a common destiny with the Earth itself. He has done extensive research into the Doctrine of Discovery and therefore, Indian law and history. He is also a boarding school survivor and carries intimate knowledge of the intergenerational trauma of his own family and himself. “A lot of trauma was forced into our communities and a lot of children were taken right from the arms of the crying mother; and those children never came home” (2022 Sierra Club interview with Mariska Kecskes). Jewell brought his Red Road to DC Totem Pole to Chemawa Indian School to honor graves of children who died there. He also carved two totem poles that were gifted to Chemawa.
Theresa Sheldon: Theresa is a citizen of the Tulalip Tribes and an advocate for historical justice, civic engagement, upholding and strengthening tribal sovereignty and the trust responsibility, and protecting sacred places. Theresa began her tenure at the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition as the Director of Policy & Advocacy in April 2022. Theresa has 16 years of experience in political advocacy, serving in numerous roles with the Democratic National Committee, EMILY’s List, and Tulalip Tribes, while also presiding as the Native American Director for the Biden-Harris Presidential Inaugural Committee. She served two terms as elected representative for the Tulalip Tribes as a Board Director and served seven years as a policy analyst for Tulalip Tribes. Theresa has been the Co-Chair for Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) Native Vote since 2008 and was a founding member and Co-Chairperson for Native Vote, WA. She currently serves as National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Co-Chair for the Safety & Justice Subcommittee and is on the Board of Directors for Native Americans in Philanthropy and as a Tribal Council member for the Tulalip Tribes.
Edward Washines: Edward is an enrolled Member of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation—member of the Wulx’wy’pum/Ka’milt’pa/ss’kin and Wenatcheepum Bands. Edward, currently retired, is a respected Elder and has served 42 years with the Yakama Nation, including 10 years as a member of the Yakama Tribal Council, of which four were as Executive Secretary. He was a professor of Native American Studies at Heritage University, Fall 2024. He also volunteered with the Yakama Nation Tribal School Athletic Program. He is a graduate of Riverside Indian School, Anadarko, Oklahoma, Class of 1973, and holds a BA and M.Ed from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford, Oklahoma. He is a member of Heritage University Board of Trustees; Fred Hutch Cancer Center Tribal Advisory; CIRCLES Alliance University of Idaho Tribal Advisory Indigenous S.T.E.M. Curriculum Development; Chairperson Boys & Girls Club of the Yakama Nation. Washington State Attorney General Truth and Reconciliation Boarding School Tribal Advisory Committee.

Worship Workshops: “small bites, BIG FLAVOR”
2025-01-10 18:30 - 2025-01-12 12:00 | First United Methodist Church of Olympia, 1224 Legion Way SE, Olympia, WA, 98501-1655, United States
As a layperson, do you find yourself responsible for leading worship? Do you need help with worship resources? Would you like to learn skills to enhance worship leadership in your small church? If so, these worship workshops are for you!
The Pacific Northwest (PNW) Conference has invited Dr. Marcia McFee to lead workshops over the next several months to empower laity to become more effective in worship planning and leading. Bitesize mindset and skillset lessons will be taught, which can add flavor to your worship. Resources for each liturgical season will also be shared.

January 10-12, 2025 – Lent / Holy Week / Easter – held in (and live-streamed from) First UMC, Olympia, WA
May 2-4, 2025 – Ordinary Time – held in (and live-streamed from) Wesley UMC, Yakima, WA

While these workshops are offered with laypersons in mind, pastors of small churches are especially invited to attend with their laity. Pastors of larger churches are welcome but strongly encouraged to see this event as an opportunity to equip and train laity as partners in worship design.
Click here to review the schedule for these workshops.
Participants from the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho, and PNW Conferences will have free access to all three workshops, both in person and online. For more information and to register, please use the following link based on the conference your local church is in.

Alaska Conference Registration
Oregon-Idaho Conference Registration
Pacific Northwest Conference Registration

For those attending in person, a nominal fee is required to cover the costs of meals and other host church expenses. A separate (simple) registration (for each event) is required so we can prepare for your needs. Registration for in-person hospitality at the August event is available here. Others will become available closer to the workshop dates.
Scholarships are available for Lay-Led Congregations and churches served by a CLM in the PNW Conference to cover this expense and support travel and housing during each workshop. Please contact your District Superintendent (PNW) for scholarship support.
If you have questions, please contact Sheila Miranda at smiranda@pnwumc.org

Martin Luther King Jr. Day
2025-01-20 08:00 - 17:00
The conference office is closed in commemoration.

President's Day
2025-02-17
The conference office is closed in commemoration of President’s Day.

Worship Workshops: “small bites, BIG FLAVOR”
2025-05-02 - 2025-05-04 | Yakima: Wesley UMC, 14 North 48th Avenue, Yakima, WA, 98908, United States
As a layperson, do you find yourself responsible for leading worship? Do you need help with worship resources? Would you like to learn skills to enhance worship leadership in your small church? If so, these worship workshops are for you!
The Pacific Northwest (PNW) Conference has invited Dr. Marcia McFee to lead three workshops over the next several months to empower laity to become more effective in worship planning and leading. Bitesize mindset and skillset lessons will be taught, which can add flavor to your worship. Resources for each liturgical season will also be shared.

August 16-18, 2024 – Advent / Christmas / Epiphany – held in (and live-streamed from) Spokane Valley UMC, Spokane Valley, WA
January 10-12, 2025 – Lent / Holy Week / Easter – held in (and live-streamed from) First UMC, Olympia, WA
May 3, 2025 – Ordinary Time – held in (and live-streamed from) Wesley UMC, Yakima, WA
An orientation will be held on Wednesday, July 31st at 9 a.m. PT, a recording of which will also be available

While these workshops are offered with laypersons in mind, pastors of small churches are especially invited to attend with their laity. Pastors of larger churches are welcome but strongly encouraged to see this event as an opportunity to equip and train laity as partners in worship design.
Click here to review the schedule for these workshops.
Participants from the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho, and PNW Conferences will have free access to all three workshops, both in person and online. For more information and to register, please use the following link based on the conference your local church is in.

Alaska Conference Registration
Oregon-Idaho Conference Registration
Pacific Northwest Conference Registration

For those attending in person, a nominal fee is required to cover the costs of meals and other host church expenses. A separate (simple) registration (for each event) is required so we can prepare for your needs. Registration for in-person hospitality at the event is available here.
Scholarships are available for Lay-Led Congregations and churches served by a CLM in the PNW Conference to cover this expense and support travel and housing during each workshop. Please contact your District Superintendent (PNW) for scholarship support.
If you have questions, please contact Sheila Miranda at smiranda@pnwumc.org

AI and Ministry Virtual Seminar
2025-05-06 10:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
The Commission on Ethnic Ministry invites all GNW Ethnic Ministers to a virtual event focused on AI and its role in ministry. This seminar will explore enhancing productivity by responsibly incorporating AI platforms into our workflows.
The primary objectives of this 2-hour educational virtual seminar are:

Equip ministry leaders with essential AI literacy.
Educate attendees and dispel myths about AI.
Introduce practical AI-powered tools and demonstrations relevant to church leadership, using specific examples from leadership tasks and workflows.
Facilitate discussions on the ethical use of AI in alignment with faith-based values.
Encourage informed and responsible decision-making in digital ministry.
Address the intersection of AI and ESL (English as a Second Language).

Click here to register!
Download Flyer to share!
