The Pacific Northwest Conference of The United Methodist Church

Couple's Retreat
2017-11-10 - 2017-11-12 | Ocean Park Camp & Retreat Center, 28511 Vernon Ave., Ocean Park, WA, 98640, United States
Ocean Park Camp and Retreat Center will be hosting its first annual Couple’s Retreat on Friday, November 10 through Sunday, November 12, 2017. The retreat will offer a variety of adventures in addition to a Saturday workshop based on the book “Created for Connection” with Speaker: Rev. Michael T. Clifford S.T.M., L.M.F.T., Certified Emotion Focused Therapist. Hiking, kayaking, massages and free time with your significant other will round out the weekend.
Promotional Materials:

Couples Retreat Bulletin Insert (PDF)
Couples Retreat Poster (PDF)
Couples Retreat Slide (PPT)

Click here to learn more and register or call (360) 665-4367 for more information.

Safety Advocate Webinar
2017-11-08 16:30 - 17:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom Webinar, United States
Conference staff will be offering another webinar for individuals who are interested in becoming a Safety Advocate for their church, or in getting re-certified for this important role. Safety Advocates are responsible for promoting and maintaining Safe Church policies and for providing an avenue for vulnerable persons to voice a concern or problem.
RSVP’s will be accepted via email to Teri Tobey until Monday November 6th at 9 A.M., please include the name of your local church in your RSVP email. Only those who complete all four of the prerequisites will be sent the webinar login instructions on November 6th.
To keep our webinar under an hour the following prerequisites must be completed by Monday November 6th at 9 A.M.:

National background check (available through your local church)
Complete the MinistrySafe abuse awareness video training.. (available through your local church, online videos taking about an hour)
Participants will need to review the Conference Safe Sanctuaries Guidelines (Click here for the Guidelines)
Take this Google quiz (Click here for the Quiz)

Board of Ordained Ministry Meeting
2017-11-08 09:00 - 2017-11-09 13:00 | Des Moines United Methodist Church, 22225 9th Ave S, Des Moines, WA, 98198, United States
The full board will meet from 9am to 5pm on November 8th, and again from 9am to 1pm on November 9th.
The Executive Committee will meet from 5:30pm to 8:00pm on November 8th.

Board of Congregational Development
2017-11-07 10:00 - 15:00 | Alton Collins Retreat Center, 32867 OR-211, Eagle Creek, OR, 97022, United States
Conference Room #1

Crossing the Difference Divide with No Joke Live and Brian McLaren
2017-11-04 10:00 - 16:30 | Seattle First United Methodist Church, 180 Denny Way, Seattle, WA, 98109, United States
For United Methodists, this event is one of three ways to engage in this year’s Bishop’s Symposium. Click here to learn more.
Aneela Afzali flanked by other faith leaders at the Defend DACA rally in Seattle, WA on September 5, 2017. Photo by Joe Mabel, CC BY 4.0.
Crossing the Difference Divide with No Joke Live and Brian McLaren is a dynamic opportunity to learn more about developing interfaith relationships. Aneelah Afzali of the Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS), and noted Christian author and public theologian Brian McLaren will join the Christian Pastor, Jewish Rabbi and Muslim Imam whose story is presented in the documentary entitled No Joke: When People Like Each Other the Rules Change.
Tickets for the event are $32. A student rate of $15 is also available. Space will be limited, so be sure to buy your tickets quickly.
This event is open to the public and is co-sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Conference and Jim Henderson Productions.
Click here to purchase tickets online!
General Schedule For The Day
Morning – 10am-12pm
• Bishop Elaine Stanovsky Welcomes
• Brian McLaren – The Great Spiritual Migration
• Aneelah Afzali – Crossing The Difference Divide when Islamophobia is in the way
• Brian McLaren – Notes from Charlottesville
Afternoon – 1:55pm-4:30pm
• Aneelah Afzali – Making friends with people who fear Muslims
• Brian and Aneelah – Brian interviews Annelah about her experiences as a change agent
• No Joke Live Show
• Brian McLaren – I’ll stop comparing my best with your worst
Speakers & Presenters for the Day
No Joke Live – Jim Powell, Kamil Mufti, Daniel Bogard, respectively, are the Evangelical preacher, Muslim Imam and Jewish Rabbi from the conservative Heartland of America who share the story of their unthinkable friendship and introduce you to the Three Practices that enabled them to cross the difference divide and connect with each other. You can learn more about them and view the trailer for their film on the No Joke Project website.
Brian Mc Laren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity” – just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good
Aneelah Afzali is the Executive Director of the American Muslim Empowerment Network (AMEN), a new initiative of the Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS) in response to the challenges of our times including the rising threat of Islamophobia. She also serves as a Governing Board Member of the Faith Action Network, and Director of Legal Clinic at the Muslim Community Resource Center.
Producer Jim Henderson – acclaimed by USA Today for having “blazed a new path as an innovator, author, church evaluator, self-professed subversive, and leader in the creation of new ways to be publicly and persuasively Christian in the twenty-first century.” He holds a Doctorate in transformational leadership and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Fox News, and “This American Life” with Ira Glass.

"Be Ready to Answer the Call" - ERT Training Kennewick First UMC
2017-11-04 08:00 - 16:00
Learn from experienced volunteers, participate in hands-on activities and understand the right way to help disaster survivors move towards their “new normal”. Training emphasizes teaming skills, safety and ways to clear out flood debris. Classes are open to anyone 18 years or older. Lunch is provided and there is no cost for the training.
ERT Basic Class: 8:30am – 4:00pm
ERT Refresher Course: (For previously certified ERT volunteers)12 Noon – 4:00pm featuring Site Assessment and Team Leader training
Click here to Register
Registration is now closed.
For questions or additional information please email Kathy Bryson, PNW ERT Coordinator, at pnwumcert@gmail.com or call 509-539-2978.

Board of Pensions
2017-11-04 | Alton Collins Retreat Center, 32867 OR-211, Eagle Creek, OR, 97022, United States

Cancelled: Fort Flagler Sr. High Retreat 2017
2017-11-03 19:00 - 2017-11-05 12:00 | Fort Flagler State Park, 10541 Flagler Road, Nordland, WA, 98358, United States
The Fort Flagler Retreat for 2017 has been cancelled. The TUMY Team youth and adult will be helping with the Indianola High School retreat in October. Churches are encouraged to bring their High School youth to a retreat at Camp Indianola on October 20-22nd.

Older Adult Ministries
2017-11-03 09:30 - 16:00 | Alton Collins Retreat Center, 32867 OR-211, Eagle Creek, OR, 97022, United States
Conference Room #2

Exploration 2017
2017-11-03 - 2017-11-05 | Marriott Portland Downtown Waterfront, 1401 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR, 97201, United States
EXPLORATION is a three-day event for young adults age 18-26 to listen, discern, and respond to God’s call to ordained ministry and to explore their gifts for service as a deacon or elder in The United Methodist Church. This year it takes place November 3-5 in Portland, Oregon!
If you have sensed God might be calling you to ordained ministry, wondered what ministry in The United Methodist Church is all about, would like help sifting through issues involved in an ordained vocation, or want to learn more about The United Methodist seminaries and theological schools, this gathering is for you.
Exploration seeks to respond faithfully and effectively to The United Methodist Church’s focus on increasing the number of young adult clergy in our denomination by creating sacred space to challenge the most gifted and promising young people of our denomination to hear God’s call to the ordained ministry.
Exploration creates sacred space for young adults to be in meaningful fellowship, passionate worship, theological reflection, and practical workshops as they discern whether God’s call on their life is to ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church and what faithful steps they can take in response.
Click here to learn more and to register for this event!

UM Volunteers in Mission Team Leader/Team Member Training
2017-10-28 09:00 - 15:30 | Pasco: Riverview UMC, 4012 W. Court Street, Pasco, WA, 99302-2306, United States
You are invited to join your Western Jurisdiction United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) Coordinator and your Pacific Northwest UMVIM Coordinator for new, updated team leader training. Not planning to be a team leader? This information will also be useful to team members in general – we welcome everyone who wants to know more about volunteer service through UMVIM.
East side training is at Riverview UMC in Pasco, October 28th, 9:00 – 3:30.
Register for East side Training
West side training is at Tumwater UMC, November 18th, 9:00 – 3:30.
Register for West side Training
Cost for the training is $20 to cover lunch and materials.

The Liturgist's Gathering
2017-10-27 19:00 - 2017-10-28 21:00 | University Temple UMC, 1415 NE 43rd St, Seattle, WA, 98105, United States
The Liturgists exists to create room at the table for the spiritually homeless and frustrated.
We’ve done this with occasional, small events and the popular, globally recognized The Liturgists Podcast. As we’ve done this work, we’ve encountered thousands of people who have a longing for spirituality in the Christian tradition, but who don’t feel welcome or included in today’s Church.
The Liturgists Gathering is a way for us to help these people find each other, and in doing so form vibrant community.
When you attend The Liturgists Gathering, you’ll meet other people on the same journey to know God while living lives of love and acceptance. Everyone is welcome–all races, genders, orientations, all shapes, sizes, and shades of humanity. It’s the perfect place to go if you can’t find a church that fits, or if you’re a minister looking to understand why so many people are hesitant to seek out Christian community.
The Liturgists Gathering is a safe place to have honest discussions about doubts, hopes, fears, and faith. A place where no question is off limits, but you can find a burgeoning community of people who will welcome you with all your strangeness. A place where the unlikely gather around a table and find they belong.
Seating is limited! The cities for this year’s gatherings are Boston, Seattle and Los Angeles. You can find more information at: http://www.theliturgistsgathering.com
Click here to get tickets!
Meet The Hosts
Michael Gungor, Co-Host
Michael Gungor is one half of Gungor, and is a co-host of The Liturgists Podcast. Michael is a Grammy nominated musician and composer who lives in Los Angeles, California. He leads the musical collective Gungor with his wife Lisa Gungor and is a co-founder of ‘The Liturgists’ with Mike McHargue (‘Science Mike’).
Mike McHargue, Co-Host
Mike McHargue (better known as Science Mike) is an author, podcaster, and speaker who travels the world helping people understand the science of life’s most profound and mundane experiences. His bestselling debut book, Finding God in the Waves, has helped thousands understand faith in the 21st century. Mike is also the host of Ask Science Mike. He’s recently appeared before sold-out audiences in New York, Chicago, and London, and is a frequent contributor to RELEVANT magazine, Storyline, BioLogos, and The Washington Post.

Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation
2017-10-22 - 2017-10-27 | Redemptorist Renewal Center, 7101 W. Picture Rocks Rd., Tucson, AZ, 85743, United States
The Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church and The Upper Room invite you to the desert for a FIVE DAY ACADEMY FOR SPIRITUAL FORMATION in the Tucson area October 22-27, 2017. The rhythm for this retreat is carefully balanced with time for worship, solitude, rest and thoughtful reflection. This year’s faculty presenters are: Dr. Luther Smith, Candler School of Theology professor emeritus and Howard Thurman scholar; and Rabbi Chava Bahle, pastor, teacher and storyteller, one of the rising female rabbis in this country with a strong commitment to interfaith relations. To register or for more information, go www.az5dayacademy.org or contact Jerry Haas at jndhaas@gmail.com (phone 520-449-0327).
THE FIVE DAY ACADEMY FOR SPIRITUAL FORMATION is a retreat model offering spiritual renewal, rest and time for reflection as well as stimulating presentations. The Desert Southwest Conference is pleased to offer a Five Day Academy October 22-27, 2017 with Dr. Luther Smith, Candler School of Theology professor emeritus and Howard Thurman scholar; and Rabbi Chava Bahle, pastor, teacher and storyteller, a rising female rabbi with a strong commitment to interfaith relations. To register or for more information about this retreat, go to www.az5dayacademy.org or contact Jerry Haas at jndhaas@gmail.com or at 520-449-0327.

A Fresh Start at Riverton Park – A New Beginning Celebration!
2017-10-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Riverton Park United Methodist Church, 3118 S. 140th. St., Tukwila, WA, 98168, United States
Riverton Park UMC invites you to join them as they celebrate their new beginning in deepening service with their neighbors.
The church has faithfully provided emergency and long-term housing, as well as a food bank and a location for cooking meals. Now, they’re planning to put permanent tent pads in place, refurbish a garage to be used as an emergency shelter, and repair and replace their single shower.
View RPUMC’s Project list.
Project Coordinator, the Rev. Steve London, invites you to join the church and their neighbors in celebrating this new beginning. Visitors are welcome to view this project and hear an explanation of the future plans to be made. Then, a southern style lunch will be served. If you plan to attend, please contact Steve London at stevelondo@msn.com so he knows how many to cook for!
Riverton Park is applying to be a United Methodist Volunteers In Mission (UMVIM)site. Much more building and refurbishing is needed.

If you are interested in bringing a team for work on-site, contact UMVIM Coordinator Wendy Riddle at wriddle56@gmail.com.

Early Response Team (ERT) Training
2017-10-21 08:30 - 17:00 | Portland First UMC, 1838 SW Jefferson St., Portland, OR, 97201, United States
As The United Methodist Church, we primarily serve those within of our local communities, but when the unimaginable happens, we serve however and wherever we can.

Participants of this Early Response Team (ERT) training will learn the basics of disaster response, including how to stabilize and secure homes safely, and how to work effectively with survivors and others on the response team. This standardized class is required for the basic ERT UMCOR identification badge.
Certification requires attendance at an ERT class, a background check and a safe sanctuaries certification. Certified individuals may make themselves available and can be called upon in local disaster settings as well the formal ERT setting.
Register Now at: https://umoi-reg.brtapp.com/EarlyResponseTeamtrainingOctober212017
Lunch and materials will be provided.
For more information on this class, please contact:

Becky Platt at ORIDUMVIM@gmail.com
Larry Johnson at lj.big4sportsfan@gmail.com

We are sharing this Oregon-Idaho training opportunity because of its proximity to some PNW churches. For questions specific to our conference, please contact PNW Disaster Response and ERT Coordinators:

Jim Truitt at umvimdrc@comcast.net, or
Kathy Bryson at pnwumcert@gmail.com

What is an ERT?
Early Response Teams (ERTs) fill a specific need in the early days after a disaster to clean out flood-damaged homes, remove debris, place tarps on homes, and otherwise help to prevent further damage, while providing a caring Christian presence.
ERTs are NOT a first-response group of emergency workers, nor are they recovery, rebuild, or repair teams.
ERTs must be certified to work outside their home conference and this training is one of the certification requirements.

CCOYM 2017-2018
2017-10-20 20:00 - 2017-10-22 12:00 | Yakima: Wesley UMC, 14 North 48th Avenue, Yakima, WA, 98908, United States
The Conference Council on Youth Ministries is a strong advocate and example of youth leadership in our Annual Conference.
It is this group that is responsible for planning regional events for youth including CONVO.

Connectional Table & CF&A
2017-10-20 15:00 - 20:00 | Alton Collins Retreat Center, 32867 OR-211, Eagle Creek, OR, 97022, United States
Conference Rooms 1 & 2

Audit Committee
2017-10-20 14:00 - 20:00 | Alton Collins Retreat Center, 32867 OR-211, Eagle Creek, OR, 97022, United States

High School Fall Camp
2017-10-20 - 2017-10-22 | Camp Indianola, 10635 NE Shore Dr. PO Box 1150, Indianola, WA, 98342, United States
Jesus, when speaking to His disciples, said
“You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different.“
Join us for our fall retreats, as we unpack what Jesus meant when He said that His disciples will be different from the world.
This retreat, is for local church youth groups to bring leaders and high school kids without the headache of planning your own retreat. We’ll take care for the food, programming, music, and message. You just bring kids and leaders.
Register or Learn More

Messy Church USA Conference
2017-10-20 | Community UMC of Huntington Beach, 6652 Heil Ave, Huntington Beach, CA, 92647, United States
Getting Messy in the USA…Connect…Discover…Expand
Make plans today to join the founder of Messy Church, Lucy Moore at the first ever Messy Church USA Conference on October 20-21, 2017 at Community United Methodist Church in Huntington Beach, California. Messy Church is a global movement that started in 2004 in one small Anglican Church in the UK. Martyn Payne, author of recently released Messy Parables will join Lucy Moore to provide inspiring stories as well as practical suggestions to enliven your ministry setting. Stephen Fischbacher, a Scottish composer and founder of Fischy Music will be providing music for the weekend.
This conference is for those who want to learn about Messy Church for the first time and for those who have already formed a Messy Church worship community. Although the conference officially ends after a bonfire on the beach on Saturday night, you are welcome to stay for Sunday worship with Lucy, Martyn, Stephen and the Messy Church USA planning team.
Cost for Conference includes three meals plus snacks is $120 prior to September 1, increasing to $150 after September 1.
Click Here to Register
Housing Options: There are a limited number of “home-stay” options with members of Community UMC so register today! For more information contact Roberta Egli at roberta@messychurchusa.org or call her at 541-760-3909.

Youth Leader Training
2017-10-19 17:00 - 2017-10-21 11:00 | Twinlow Camp, 22787 N. Twinlow Road, Rathdrum, ID, 83858, United States
Enjoy worshiping, networking, learning, and of course playing with other youth leaders. This is not a relaxing retreat but rather a workshop and intensive training event to bring your ministry to a new level. Open to adults, volunteers, and paid staff members who work with youth in their United Methodist or other Christian church. This event will start Thursday evening and continue until Saturday morning so you have time to travel back for church on Sunday.
Twinlow will serve meals Thursday Dinner-Saturday Breakfast and provide lodging.
Register Here…
*Dates were previously listed as Oct 12-14 and have been changed to the 19-21st.

Practicing Compassion
2017-10-14 14:00 - 17:00 | Willamette University, Salem, OR, United States
JOIN US FOR AN INTERACTIVE LECTURE ON PRACTICING COMPASSION
with Dr. Frank Rogers at Willamette University.
Bring your fellow classmates, congregants, and friends for this special time with Dr. Frank Rogers, and hear an update from Dr. Jeffrey Kuan on the ongoing exploration with Willamette.
Date: Saturday, October 14
Reception: 2:00 pm
Lecture: 2:30 pm
Location: Montag Den, 1st floor of the Montag Center, Willamette University, Salem, Oregon
Parking: Guests are welcome to park in any of the highlighted parking lots on the campus map (see below). The Visitor parking lot and the parking lot next to Sparks Soccer Field are recommended. There is also free street parking on both sides of State Street (parking meters not in effect on Saturdays).
Click here to RSVP.
More information: call us at 909.447.6361 or email alumni@cst.edu

"Be Ready to Answer the Call" - ERT Training Kitsap County
2017-10-14 08:00 - 16:30 | Bremerton United Methodist Church, 1150 Marine Dr, Bremerton, WA, 98312, United States
The PNWUMC Disaster Response team is hosting an Early Response Team Basic Training October 14, 2017 at Bremerton UMC. UMCOR trained instructors will teach the ERT Basic and Refresher Class. For ERT members needing their badge renewed, the refresher segment is just the afternoon portion. Must be 18 years or older to participate. Classes are free. Lunch is included for both classes.
Classes offerred:
Basic Class for new participants 8:30am – 4:00pm
Refresher Course for badge renewal 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Click here to register
Registration Closes October 5th.

PNW United Methodist Women Annual Meeting
2017-10-13 14:00 - 2017-10-14 14:00 | Spokane Valley United Methodist Church, 115 N Raymond Rd, Spokane Valley, WA, 99206, United States
PNW Annual Meeting Registration Form

Commission on Race and Religion
2017-10-12 11:00 - 14:00

PNW United Methodist Women Executive Meeting
2017-10-12 - 2017-10-13 | Spokane Valley United Methodist Church, 115 N Raymond Rd, Spokane Valley, WA, 99206, United States

PNW Cabinet
2017-10-09 - 2017-10-11 | Alton Collins Retreat Center, 32867 OR-211, Eagle Creek, OR, 97022, United States

Compassion v 2.0
2017-10-07 09:00 - 15:00 | Wesley United Methodist Church, 14 North 48th Avenue, Yakima, WA, 98908, United States
Compassion v 2.0
Upgrade your operating system!
Jesus models a three-fold way of compassion that helps us respond to a world divided into “them against us”, fueled by fear, anxiety, and incivility. This workshop offers practical methods for showing compassion for yourself and others, even offensive people. Learn to move from survive to thrive!
Event begins at 9am and should end around 3pm.
There will be a coffee/tea service in the morning with snacks and a simple catered lunch. Please note on your registration if you have any dietary needs. General needs such as vegetarian we should be able to accommodate but if your dietary needs are restrictive, we suggest that you bring some supplementary snacks to ensure you are well-fed throughout the event.
Please register HERE.

Conference Board of Church & Society
2017-10-07 | Wesley Homes Terrace, 816 S 216th, Des Moines, WA, 98198, United States

Becoming the Story We Tell: A Training in the Adult Catechumenate
2017-10-06 - 2017-10-07 | Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, 7500 Greenwood Ave North, Seattle, WA, 98103, United States
Becoming the Story We Tell: A training in the Adult Catechumenate will be held from Friday evening, October 6to Saturday afternoon, October 7, 2017 at Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church.
This ecumenical training event is for church leaders seeking a way to welcome seekers and newcomers to the church. This event will explore the ancient Catechumenate now being revived in the contemporary church.
Reverend Dan Benedict will lead us in considering how “we become the story we tell” as we explore the stages of the Catechumenate process and experience its elements and worship rites in both large group and small group venues. This event is recommended for teams of two or more from your congregation – pastors, musicians, lay leaders, and staff responsible for adult faith formation. You will be provided training and resources needed to begin a catechumenate in your congregation or enhance one already in process.
To register for the event, please complete this registration form and send, with payment, to:
Kirsten Olshausen
Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church
7500 Greenwood Ave N.
Seattle, WA 98103
Cost of the training is $100 per person. Congregations sending groups of between 3 and 6 persons pay $300. For groups larger than 6, please contact Pastor Bryon Hansen at pastor@prlc.org
This event is sponsored by Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church and Journey to Baptismal Living: The North American Association for the Catechumenate.
