Worship Workshops: “small bites, BIG FLAVOR”
2024-08-16 18:30 - 2024-08-18 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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

Roots & Wings - Puget Sound District Training
2024-08-17 09:30 - 14:30 | Stanwood UMC, 27128 102nd Dr, Stanwood, WA, 98292, United States
The Puget Sound Missional District is excited to bring back our event focused on leadership training for our laity! Because our district is geographically spread out, we are hosting this event in three different locations on three different Saturdays. Come to the one that is closest to you or the date that works best for your calendar. There will be overlap in what workshops are offered on each day, but you’re welcome to come to more than one event. Although this event is geared toward laity, interested clergy may also attend.
August 17 – Stanwood UMC
September 14 – Sequim Trinity UMC
October 12 – Issaquah Faith UMC

Some of the workshops being planned include:

Indigenous Neighbor Engagement
Solar Energy Projects
Serving the Unhoused/Volunteer Engagement
Good Neighboring Experiment
Disaster Preparedness/Response
Planned Giving/Endowments
Messy Church
Environmental Advocacy
Lay Servant Ministries/Certified Lay Ministries

To register, click here.

Introduction to Lay Servant Ministries: The Basic Course
2024-08-20 18:30 - 20:30 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/introduction-to-lay-servant-ministries-the-basic-course-3/2024-08-20/
The “Introduction to Lay Servant Ministry: The BASIC Course” is the foundational course for Lay Servant Ministries. This is the gateway course for those who are called to be Certified Lay Servants, Lay Speakers, and Lay Ministers. And can also be part of a person’s discipleship plan to acquaint you with their gifts, calling, and responsibilities as followers of Christ.
This course will be offered over five two-hour sessions on Zoom on August 20 & 27, September 10, 17 & 24, 2024, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. PT.
Click here for more information and to register today!

Cancelled: Author Sarah Augustine @ Wesley UMC in Yakima
2024-08-24 13:00 - 15:00 | Yakima: Wesley UMC, 14 North 48th Avenue, Yakima, WA, 98908, United States
This event has been postponed due to extenuating circumstances. The church is working on rescheduling at a future date.
Wesley United Methodist Church in Yakima, Washington, and the Wesley United Women in Faith invite you to learn from author Sarah Augustine on Saturday, August 24 at 1 p.m. PT. Sarah Augustine is founder and cochair of the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery and executive director of the Dispute Resolution Center of Yakima and Kittitas Counties. Augustine, who is Pueblo (Tewa), has published two books – The Land is Not Empty and So We & Our Children May Live, written for Sojourners, The Mennonite, and other publications, and she is an adjunct professor at Heritage University. She and her husband, Dan Peplow, and their son live in the Yakima Valley of Washington.
Admission is free and the doors open at 12:30 p.m.
Click here to download a flier to share.

Introduction to Lay Servant Ministries: The Basic Course
2024-08-27 18:30 - 20:30 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/introduction-to-lay-servant-ministries-the-basic-course-3/2024-08-27/

Online CLM Orientation for Clergy
2024-08-29 15:00 - 16:00
The Desert Southwest Conference is inviting all clergy to join them in an “ABC’s of CLMs” session on Thursday, Aug. 29, 3-4 p.m. PT. You will hear from clergy persons who are in team ministry with Certified Lay Ministers (CLMs), learn about the application/accountability process for a CLM, and “why” there should be a CLM at every church.
While some of the process pieces may differ from conference to conference, our PNW Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministry John Townsend recommends that clergy attend this event, expecting that it will be a helpful and informative event.
Click here to join this orientation on Zoom.
For event information, contact Kathy Jewell at kpjewell7676@gmail.com.

Setting Ministry Priorities Conversations - PNW #6
2024-08-29 18:00 - 19:15 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/setting-ministry-priorities-conversations-pnw-6/
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.

Setting Ministry Priorities Conversations - GNW #1
2024-09-04 18:00 - 19:15 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/setting-ministry-priorities-conversations-gnw-1/

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 - GNW #2
2024-09-05 19:30 - 20:45 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/setting-ministry-priorities-conversations-gnw-2/

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

Introduction to Lay Servant Ministries: The Basic Course
2024-09-10 18:30 - 20:30 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/introduction-to-lay-servant-ministries-the-basic-course-3/2024-09-10/

Roots & Wings - Puget Sound District Training
2024-09-14 09:30 - 14:30 | Sequim Trinity UMC, 100 S Blake Ave, Sequim, WA, 98382

Understanding Charge Conference Forms
2024-09-17 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-09-25 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Charge Conferences: Do you know what paperwork is due? Do you know what a People Portal is? If you don’t, you’re not alone. This meeting was designed for church admins, clergy, laity, and anyone who helps complete your fall charge conference paperwork.
Join District Administrators Laura Velonza and Erin Tombaugh as they answer questions and discuss the paperwork and processes of this year’s fall charge conference.
Meetings will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, September 17th, from Noon to 1 p.m. and Wednesday, September 25th, from 7 to 8 p.m. Register Here!

Introduction to Lay Servant Ministries: The Basic Course
2024-09-17 18:30 - 20:30 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/introduction-to-lay-servant-ministries-the-basic-course-3/2024-09-17/

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.

Inland/Seven Rivers District Cergy Gathering
2024-09-21 11:00 - 15:00 | Cheney United Methodist Church, 204 4th Street, Cheney, WA, 99004, United States
Join your Inland and Seven Rivers District Colleagues for a day of connection
at the Inland and Seven Rivers District Clergy gathering
Saturday, September 21, from 11-3 pm
Please plan to arrive between 10:15 – 11 am
We will start at 11 AM with a Worship Service and Communion. Enjoy Lunch and Strengthening of the Community Activities, and end the day with District Superintendent Daniel Miranda.
Please register Here and let us know if you will be attending

Introduction to Lay Servant Ministries: The Basic Course
2024-09-24 18:30 - 20:30 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/introduction-to-lay-servant-ministries-the-basic-course-3/2024-09-24/

Leadership Institute 2024
2024-09-25 - 2024-09-27 | Resurrection: A United Methodist Church, 13720 Roe Ave, Leawood, Kansas, 66224
Registration is open for Resurrection, a United Methodist Church’s annual Leadership Institute conference, happening this fall September 25-27, 2024.
In the wake of a monumental General Conference for the United Methodist Church, this year’s Leadership Institute will be centered around the theme of “onward.” This reflects a spirit of hope, healing and resilience as the denomination moves forward. Onward: Leadership Institute 2024 will provide leaders practical tools and inspiring insight as they gather, share experiences and navigate this next season of ministry with a renewed sense of purpose and unity!
Churches are invited to bring their ministry leaders, staff and volunteers and join a community passionate about strengthening the local church.
Highlights of the conference include:

Keynote Sessions led by Rev. Adam Hamilton, author and Resurrection’s senior pastor; Brian McLaren, author, activist and public theologian; Kara Powell, Chief Executive of the Fuller Youth Institute, and Candace Lewis, the President of Gammon Theological Seminary.
Featured Sessions on Thursday Sept 26 offer you a chance to choose topics that resonate with your ministry. Led by dynamic guest speakers like topics include: youth ministry, AI, tools for smaller churches (Under 100), environmentalism, justice in your community and more.
Moving worship from a diverse slate of Resurrection musicians.
Connection with church leaders serving a variety of church settings and sizes from across the nation and internationally
50+ Pre-Conference Workshops are offered in a variety of ministry areas, led by Resurrection staff and guest speakers focused on tangible takeaways. This is an optional, additional experience for in-person attendees only taking place Wednesday, Sept. 25.

Details and registration can be found at leadership.sharechurch.com. Super Early Bird Deadline is July 15. Workshops fill quickly, so register today for the best rates and availability. Questions? Contact sharechurchevents@cor.org or 913-232-4120.

"St. Sebastian" Climate Justice Art Exhibit
2024-10-06, 2024-10-13, 2024-10-20 | Seattle First United Methodist Church, 180 Denny Way, Seattle, WA, 98109, United States
Throughout October, First Church is grateful to display Arlington-based artist Joseph Gregory Rossano’s sculpture “St. Sebastian”. His sculpture is part of his exhibit, “Portraits of the Divine”, which depicts a menagerie of endangered and extinct animals as encounters with the divine. Rossano’s St. Sebastian will be on loan through November, courtesy of the artist and Traver Gallery.

The St. Sebastian sculpture exhibit is free and open to the public for viewing on Sundays in October after worship until 3pm. (And after the Hispanic Heritage Month Recital on Oct 13th).
The artist will speak about his “Portraits of the Divine” exhibit at our October 13th Blessing of the Animals service. Click here for a link to a flier with more information.
Parking is available in our garage for attendees on Sundays until 3 pm.
Find us at 2nd & Denny, downtown Seattle, next to the Pacific Science Center. Enter from the North Sanctuary entrance.

Registration is not required, but we appreciate knowing in advance what day you may be interested in coming. Or let us know if you would like to arrange a different time.

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.

Roots & Wings - Puget Sound District Training
2024-10-12 09:30 - 14:30 | Faith Church, 3924 Issaquah-Pine Lake Rd SE, Issaquah, WA, 98029, United States

Christian Nationalism, the Religious Right and Modern American Politics
2024-10-17 18:00 - 19:30 | Yakima: Wesley UMC, 14 North 48th Avenue, Yakima, WA, 98908, United States
In a conversation hosted by Wesley United Methodist Church in Yakima, WA, on October 17, Washington State University historian Matthew Avery Sutton examines the history of how American evangelicals have interpreted societal changes as signs of biblical prophecy, shaping the formation of the Religious Right and their support for modern political figures.
The event is free and will last approximately 90 minutes. United Methodists across the conference are invited. The event will be livestreamed on the church’s YouTube Channel for those who cannot attend in person. Please direct any questions about the event to the local church.
Click here for an event flier to share with your local church.

PNW United Women in Faith Annual Gathering
2024-10-18 - 2024-10-19 | Spokane Valley United Methodist Church, 115 N Raymond Rd, Spokane Valley, WA, 99206, United States
Save the date for the annual gathering of the United Women in Faith of the Pacific Northwest Conference, October 18-19, 2024, at Spokane Valley United Methodist Church. The theme for the gathering is “Expanding Our Vision … Trust the Nudge” and the keynote speaker is spiritual counselor and author Sue Magrath.
Click here to download the save the date flier.

Escape Room Youth Overnighter
2024-10-18 18:00 - 2024-10-19 10:00 | Puyallup United Methodist Church, 1919 W Pioneer Ave, Puyallup, WA, 98371, United States
Are you looking for a fun event for your youth that will connect them with other youth in the area? Join the Crest 2 Coast youth for an escape room overnighter at Puyallup UMC! Your church does not have to be in the C2C district in order to participate.
Please use this form to register your youth group. Youth leaders should register their youth groups, fill out a roster, and prepare all medical and photo release documents.
Each youth group should plan to provide background-checked and trained adults. Let us know if that’s an issue and we can work with you.
If you are a youth leader interested in helping to plan the event, there will be a Zoom meeting at 10 a.m. on Oct. 3. Another Zoom meeting from 6-7 p.m. on Oct. 10 will be help for all adult leaders to ensure everyone is on the same page. Please reach out to Pastor Kellen or Crystal to receive those links.
Questions?
Rev. Kellen Corliss: kellencorliss@gmail.com
Crystal Goetz: crystal@puyallupumc.org

SeaTac Clergy Day Apart: A Day of Play
2024-10-23 10:00 - 14:30 | Freighthouse Square, 2501 E D St, Tacoma, 98421, United States
Clergy of the SeaTac District are invited to a day away from your usual ministry setting in the form of a a play date with colleagues! Several of your peers have planned a day of renewal that differs from clergy gatherings you may be used to:

There will not be any formally offered education, formation, or learning, only a brief grounding prayer and space. After that, you are welcome to invite conversations on topics of your choosing, and you are also welcome to put in earphones and be an introvert if that is what play looks like for you.
We will not be meeting in a church. This is to help us all fully participate and receive in a less work-related environment, where we will likely avoid going into a professional autopilot. It’s a space for open-mindedness and relaxation.
This play is designed to be opt-in/opt-out friendly. Following your renewal needs, you can participate or not.

Your $10 registration will include communal lunch in a food court with a variety of options and a free-style painting project. Click here to register.

PNW Leadership Summit & Immersive Learning Opportunity
2024-10-24 12:00 - 2024-10-26 12:00 | Yakima: Wesley UMC, 14 North 48th Avenue, Yakima, WA, 98908, United States
The 2024 PNW Conference Leadership Summit will occur on October 24-26, 2024, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Yakima, Washington. The event will inform and equip lay and clergy members of conference boards and agencies as they begin or continue to serve in positions during the new quadrennium.
Click here to register.
The event will begin at noon on Thursday, October 24. In cooperation with the Board of Ordained Ministry, the first day of programming will offer an immersive learning opportunity led by Corey Greaves, president and founder of Mending Wings. Presentations will help participants better understand the history and harm caused by the Westward expansion of European settlers, the role of Methodists, and efforts to preserve and celebrate Indigenous culture on the Yakama Reservation today.
This immersive learning opportunity is open to pastoral leaders beyond those participating in the Leadership Summit. It meets the quadrennial cultural competency for the quadrennium ending December 31, 2024. Other opportunities to meet this criteria are on the conference calendar, with more details coming soon.
The second day of programming (beginning at noon on Friday, October 25) will include worship, a keynote by Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth, and informational resourcing from other conference staff and leaders to equip boards and agencies with their work. The event will conclude around Noon on Saturday, October 26.
