Lay Servant Ministries: Leading Worship
2025-11-15 09:00 - 11:30, 2025-11-22 09:00 - 11:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
Lay Servants who have completed the Basic Course are invited to participate in this four-week class on leading worship, led by Rev. Dr. Desi Larson, from November 1-22, 2025. The class will be held on Zoom on Saturdays from 9:00-11:30am. This class is worth 1 CEU and counts toward either Lay Servant or Lay Speaker Certification. It is also a prerequisite for Certified Lay Minister Modules.
Using Hoyt Hickman’s book, Worshiping with United Methodists, this course will help students understand the basic pattern of United Methodist worship within the broader context of Christian worship. Drawing upon five basic principles, the author explains the formative nature of worship and how it can revitalize persons’ lives.
The Rev. Dr. Desi Larson is a member of the Oregon-Idaho Conference, currently serving as Pastor of Trinity UMC in Sequim, WA. Prior to moving to the western US in 2016, Desi was a member of the New England Conference and served as Pastor of several churches in Maine. Desi holds a BA degree in English and Visual Arts from Waynesburg College in Pennsylvania and a Master of Divinity from Boston University in Massachusetts. Being a life-long learner, Pastor Desi also received MS and Ph.D. degrees in Adult Education from Cornell University in New York.
DATES: November 1, 8, 15, and 22
TIME: Saturdays, 9:00-11:30am PST
WHERE: Zoom (Link will be sent with registration confirmation)
FEE: the cost of the book — Worshiping with United Methodists by Hoyt Hickman ($13.99 at Cokesbury, or $20.99 at Amazon; ISBN 13: 9780687335268)
Participant Requirements: Must have completed the Basic course. Each participant must have a book, read it prior to the first session, complete assignments, and be fully engaged in all 4 sessions with audio and video capability active. The registration deadline is October 20.
Contact Rev Sheila Miranda, smiranda@pnwumc.org, with questions or if you need assistance.
To register, please complete the form on our registration website.

Roots & Wings: Puget Sound District Training
2025-11-15 09:00 - 15:00 | Haller Lake United Methodist Church, 13055 1st Ave NE, Seattle, WA, 98125, United States
Laity and clergy of the Puget Sound District are invited to join use for our annual training event. In an effort to make the event more accessible, we are once again hosting Roots & Wings on three different dates in different locations across the district. The dates and locations are:
Saturday, September 27 – Central UMC, Sedro-Woolley
Saturday, October 25 – Community UMC, Port Hadlock
Saturday, November 15 – Haller Lake UMC, Seattle
Each location will feature members of the church sharing about ministry that is happening in their community, along with tips and suggestions for other churches to consider. There will also be other workshops across a variety of topics.
Registration for Roots & Wings here.

Faith Action Network Annual Dinner
2025-11-16 | WA
You are invited to register now for a special evening celebrating “A Night of Unbreakable Spirit.” Join Faith Action Network for a night of inspiring stories, delicious food, and music as they celebrate what can be achieved through the power of multi-faith advocacy!
The event will once again be in two locations across the state and live-streaming the event online for those who cannot attend. FAN hopes you can join one of two in-person locations:

SeaTac Hilton in Seattle
Gonzaga University’s Hemmingson Center in Spokane

More details, including tickets, table hosts, and sponsorship opportunities, can be found on the Faith Action Network website.

Lay Servant Ministries: Advanced Course - Called To Preach
2025-11-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Join Rev. Joanne Coleman Campbell as she leads you through the Advanced Course on Preaching, “Called to Preach.” This course is designed for those who have not completed formal preaching training, for pastors seeking a basic refresher course, and for others who are called upon to preach in a pastor’s absence. Called to Preach is the required preaching course in the lay Speaker track of study. Register: https://gnw-reg.brtapp.com/LayServantMinistriesACCalledToPreach

GNW Hispanic/Latinx Leaders Meeting
2025-11-26 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-12-31 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-01-28 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-02-25 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom Meeting
The Greater Northwest (GNW) Hispanic/Latinx Leaders Meeting is a monthly gathering open to all Hispanic/Latinx pastors and leaders serving in local churches across the GNW Episcopal Area.
We meet by Zoom on the last Wednesday of each month from 6:00–7:00 PM (PST) under the leadership of our chairperson, Aurora Pavón.
These meetings provide a space to:

Check in with one another and share updates
Discuss upcoming events, workshops, and activities
Plan collaborative initiatives
Lift up community needs and concerns

This is a valuable opportunity to connect, learn, and support one another in ministry.
For more information, please contact: cesantos@pnwumc.org

Thanksgiving Day
2025-11-27 | WA
The conference office is closed in commemoration of Thanksgiving Day.

Christmas Day
2025-12-25 | WA
The conference office is closed in commemoration of Christmas Day.

New Year's Day
2026-01-01 | WA
The PNW Conference Office is closed for the New Year’s holiday.

Hispanic/Latinx Ministries: Family Day 2026
2026-01-10 10:00 - 17:00 | Fairwood Community United Methodist Church, 15255 SE Fairwood Blvd., Renton, WA, 98058, United States
The Pacific Northwest Conference Hispanic/Latinx Ministries is hosting Family Day 2026 on Saturday, January 10, for pastors/leaders and their families.
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Topic: Dialogue on Mental Health with Dr. Arenas
Lunch will be provided
Location: Fairwood UMC, 15255 SE Fairwood Blvd, Renton, WA 98058
Activities: Games and recreational activities
For more information, contact the Conference Hispanic/Latinx Ministry Office at cesantos@pnwumc.org.
Click here to download a flier for this event.

Candlelight Vigil
2026-01-11 16:00 - 17:00 | Edmonds United Methodist Church, 828 Caspers Street, Edmonds, WA, 98020, United States
Please join us for an ICE OUT FOR GOOD VIGIL on Sunday, January 11 from 4-5 p.m. We join with other groups and churches around the country this weekend to name our outrage over the death of Renee Nicole Good and the shooting in Portland of Luis David Nico Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras by Immigration Enforcement officers.
Hosted by Edmonds United Methodist Church, this will be a reflective service as we name the harms and injustices in our government and light candles in memory of those who’ve died in Detention Centers or shot by Immigration Enforcement officers. It will be followed by a short candlelight march on church grounds.

What to Expect in the Appointment Process
2026-01-13 18:30 - 20:00 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/what-to-expect-in-the-appointment-process/2026-01-13/
Whether your church is a clear opening that’s expecting a new pastor on July 1, 2026, or you’re just curious about the seemingly mysterious appointment process that the cabinet uses, SPRC leaders from every church are invited to learn more about it. Columbia and Sage districts in the Oregon-Idaho Conference ran a pilot version of this webinar in January 2025. It was so helpful to participants that we are using it throughout Oregon-Idaho and the Pacific Northwest Conferences this coming January.
Who: Members of the SPRC (Staff Parish Relations Committee or equivalent leaders at churches with a single board structure) are invited to this webinar. Churches that have clear openings (due to receive a new pastor on July 1, 2026) are expected to have at least two SPRC members who participate in these sessions. If you believe your pastor’s appointment may change, attending would be an excellent and proactive step.
What: A 90-minute Zoom meeting with superintendents who will describe the appointment process, including the roles of the superintendent, SPRC chair, SPRC members, and the new pastor.
When/Where: The same information is being offered at two different times; you can choose which fits your schedule. *Zoom links will be emailed to Churches and SPRC chairs in January.

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 6:30 p.m. PT / 7:30 p.m. MT
Saturday, Jan. 24, 9 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. MT

Why: Since most churches don’t regularly participate in the appointment process, it’s normal to have many questions. Superintendents will be answering those questions—many of them before you even ask—during these Zoom sessions. Participants will receive all the information they need to work confidently with the superintendent during a time of uncertainty and anticipated transition.

Youth Winter Camp at Twinlow
2026-01-16 - 2026-01-19 | Twinlow Camp, 22787 N Twinlow Rd, Rathdrum, ID, 83858, United States
Grab your mittens, coats, and a friend and head to Twinlow for Winter Camp! This weekend is made to melt your winter blues and warm your heart through worship, connecting with friends—and, of course, copious amounts of hot cocoa. Winter Campers can expect to spend time in the snow with activities like sledding (including glow night sledding), broomball or hockey, snow battles, and then to warm up inside with board games, karaoke, and crafts!
Learn more and register on the Twinlow Camp website.

Lay Servant Ministries Advanced Course "For The Common Good"
2026-01-17 09:00 - 11:30, 2026-01-24 09:00 - 11:30, 2026-01-31 09:00 - 11:30, 2026-02-07 09:00 - 11:30 | Zoom Meeting
A five-week class on discovering and using your spiritual gifts, led by Rev. Dr. Desi Larson. This class is worth 1 CEU and counts toward either Lay Servant or Lay Speaker Certification. It is also a prerequisite for Certified Lay Minister Modules.
This course helps participants understand spiritual gifts and how the church can use them to fulfill its mission and ministry. Participants will also learn what it means to be a spiritual leader and
will be equipped to lead others in exploring and using their spiritual gifts.
The Rev. Dr. Desi Larson is a member of the Oregon-Idaho Conference and currently serves as Pastor of Trinity UMC in Sequim, WA. Prior to moving to the western US in 2016, Desi was a member of the New England Conference and served as a pastor at several churches in Maine. Desi holds a BA degree in English and Visual Arts from Waynesburg College in Pennsylvania and a Master of Divinity from Boston University in Massachusetts. Being a life-long learner, Pastor Desi also received an MS and a Ph.D. in Adult Education from Cornell University in New York.
DATES: Saturdays- January 17, 24, 31, & February 7
TIME: 9:00 -11:30 AM PST
WHERE: Zoom (Link is at the top of your registration confirmation)
FEE: the cost of the book — For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts by Christine Harman. ISBN 13: 9780881779585 $15.00 Available at Cokesbury & Upper Room
Participant Requirements: We highly recommend that you complete the Foundations (i.e., Basic) course first. Each participant must have a book,
read it before the first session, complete assignments, and be fully engaged in all four sessions, with audio and video capability active.
Register here by January 5, 2026. Contact Rev. Sheila Miranda at smiranda@pnwumc.org with questions or if you need assistance.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day
2026-01-19 | WA
The PNW Conference Office is closed for the MLK Jr. Day holiday.

PNW Conference Board of Trustees
2026-01-24 08:00 - 16:00 | The Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church, 816 S 216th St, Des Moines, WA, 98198, United States
The conference board of trustees will meet at the PNW Conference Office on January 24 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

What to Expect in the Appointment Process
2026-01-24 09:00 - 10:30 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/what-to-expect-in-the-appointment-process/2026-01-24/

United in Faith: A Call to Action - Clark County
2026-01-24 14:00 - 15:30 | St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 5607 NE Gher Road, Vancouver, 98662, United States
People of faith are invited to United in Faith: A Call to Action, an ecumenical gathering for worship, learning, and public witness on Sat., January 24, from 2–3:30 p.m. at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Vancouver, WA. Attendees will hear from Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth and will organize to stand for justice, truth, democracy, and the vulnerable, resisting the misuse of religion and renewing a Christian witness rooted in love, courage, and the common good.
Learn more here – https://greaternw.org/news/united-in-faith-a-call-to-action/

Lay Servant Ministries Foundations (Basic) Course
2026-02-09 18:30 - 20:30 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/lay-servant-ministries-foundations-basic-course/2026-02-09/
This is a foundational course designed to equip church leaders in the United Methodist Church. It explores: personal spiritual gifts; servant leadership; each leader’s role in developing future leaders; the importance of consistent spiritual practices; “God’s call to a life of servanthood” as a disciple of Jesus Christ; and the core ministries of Leading, Caring, and Communicating.
COURSE DATES: February 9, 16, 23, March 2 & 9.
TIME: Mondays 6:30 – 8:30 pm PST
Zoom Course: Save your registration; the Zoom link is at the top of your confirmation.
*COST: $13.00 for the cost of the book “Lay Servant Ministries: The Basic Course,” Participant’s Book by Sandy Zeigler Jackson and Brian Jackson • DR626 • 978-0-88177-626-3 • Available at Cokesbury and Upper Room. Ebooks are also available.
Participant Requirements: Have the book named above, read the 1st session before the first meeting, and fully engage in all five sessions with audio and video active. Additional assignments will be provided in your welcome letter.
INSTRUCTOR: Sheila Miranda, PNW Lay Servant Ministries. Any questions about this class or Lay Servant Ministries in the PNW Annual Conference should be directed to Sheila Miranda, smiranda@pnwumc.org
Register here by January 26, 2026.

Interfaith Advocacy Day 2026
2026-02-12 09:00 - 15:00 | WA
Exact Location details for our time in Olympia together will be announced closer to the event or once you register. Register today for your best chance to get an appointment with legislators in your district.
Click here to register. | Click here to learn more.
Faith Action Network’s Interfaith Advocacy Day brings the voices of compassion and justice to our elected leaders. Meeting with your legislators and their staff on this day is putting your faith into action!
On Interfaith Advocacy Day, you will be able to:

Learn more about the issues and legislation on FAN’s 2026 Legislative Agenda.
Meet with advocates from your legislative district to prepare for your legislative visits.
Meet with your legislator or their legislative assistant! If you register by January 29th, FAN staff and our Legislative District Leads will set up an appointment for you and others from your district.
Lunch will be provided.

REGISTRATION: Due to the generosity of our donors, there is no cost this year to participate in FAN’s Interfaith Advocacy Day. You are welcome to donate to keep our advocacy moving forward in 2026 using this link Faith Action Network
After you register, you will receive more information via e-mail as February 12 approaches, including details on the agenda, workshop topics, and times of your legislative appointments.
Check-in begins at 8:00 AM, and the program begins at 8:30 AM. We’ll end by 3:00 PM.

TRANSPORTATION:
Carpooling: We recommend carpooling with others from your faith community or your area, especially if your faith community has a van. FAN does not organize carpools, but as the date approaches, we will put you in touch with others from your legislative district to help you self-organize carpools.
Parking: Please research parking that is available in a nearby state capitol lot or street parking. See Washington State Capitol Campus Parking Options.

LODGING: There are a number of hotels nearby in Olympia for those traveling from faraway parts of the state. We will share more of our recommendations on our IFAD page in the coming days.Please contact fan@fanwa.org if you have further questions.

We’re excited to have you be FAN in the halls of power on this great day!
Contact us at fan@fanwa.org with any questions!

President's Day
2026-02-16 | WA
The PNW Conference Office is closed for the President’s Day holiday.

Lay Servant Ministries Foundations (Basic) Course
2026-02-16 18:30 - 20:30 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/lay-servant-ministries-foundations-basic-course/2026-02-16/

Lay Servant Ministries Foundations (Basic) Course
2026-02-23 18:30 - 20:30 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/lay-servant-ministries-foundations-basic-course/2026-02-23/

Winter Youth Overnighter: Love is Justice
2026-02-28 - 2026-03-01 | Faith UMC, 3924 Issaquah Pine Lake Road, Issaquah, WA, 98029, United States
West Side PNW Youth Present:
Winter Youth Overnighter: Love is Justice

Get ready for an unforgettable night packed with faith, fun, and real conversations!
This high-energy overnight experience will dive into what God’s justice looks like in our everyday lives—through powerful worship, engaging small groups, exciting games, and late-night talks that matter. Students will explore how love and justice work together in God’s Kingdom while building strong friendships and lasting memories.
Date: Saturday to Sunday February 28th- March 1st
Address: Faith UMC 3924 Issaquah-Pine Lake Rd SE Issaquah, WA 98029
Time: 1:00 PM on Saturday to 12:00 PM after worship on Sunday
Who: Youth 6-12th grades
Cost: $10
Details: This overnight is a gathering of youth and their leaders from multiple United Methodist Churches. Each church is expected to provide chaperones with their youth. Please reach out if this is a challenge for your church.
We are asking that each youth be registered individually through the link. This helps keep all payment and information in one place, eliminates the need for cash handling.
We are also asking that each group bring a paper emergency contact form for their students. Having physical copies ensures we’re prepared in case of Wi-Fi, internet, or power issues.
Lastly, scholarships are available if needed, so please reach out to Sanoah for more information if you require it, so that every student who wants to attend can participate.

Link to register: https://subsplash.com/faithchurchumc/lb/ev/+b353p6j

Flyer: Love Is Justice-4
