Lay Servant Ministries: Discovering and Using Spiritual Gifts
2025-05-07 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-05-14 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-05-21 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom Webinar, United States
Lay Servants who have completed the Basic Course are invited to participate in this five-week class on discovering and using your spiritual gifts, led by Rev. Dr. Desi Larson, from April 23rd – May 21st, 2025. The class will be held on Zoom on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30 PM. 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, 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: April 23, 30, May 7, 14, & 21
TIME: Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 pm PST
WHERE: Zoom (Link will be sent with registration confirmation)
FEE: the cost of the book — For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts by Christine Harman ($10.49 at Cokesbury, Upper Room, or Amazon; ISBN 13: 9780802870971)
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 5 sessions with audio and video capability active. The registration deadline is April 9.
Contact Rev Sheila Miranda, smiranda@pnwumc.org, with questions or if you need assistance.
To register, click here.

United Methodist Youth Rally - Overnight District Youth Event
2025-05-09 - 2025-05-10 | Kennewick First UMC, 421 W Kennewick Ave, Kennewick, WA, 99336, United States
Youth and leaders from the Seven Rivers and Inland Districts are invited to a United Methodist Youth Rally, an overnight District Youth Event at Kennewick First United Methodist Church on May 9-10. Join them for worship, games, and so much more!
Have questions or want more information? Click here for the flyer and contact Claressa Elvik, Youth Director at Kennewick First United Methodist Church. Claressa@kennewickfirst.com 509-582-2163.

Board of Ordained Ministry Spring Meeting
2025-05-15 09:00 - 17:00 | Beacon United Methodist Church, 7301 Beacon Ave, Seattle, WA, 98108, United States
The Board of Ordained Ministry will be meeting on May 15, 2025 from 9am to 5pm at Beacon UMC. We will be providing lunch to those in person, and we will be providing access via Zoom for those who cannot attend in person. The Executive Committee of the Board will meet May 14 from 4pm to 7pm, also at Beacon UMC and virtually.
Please contact Stephanie Franklin (sfranklin@pnwumc.org) to let her know if you will be attending in person or virtually, or if you will not be able to attend.

Crest to Coast Lay Led Churches Summit
2025-05-17 10:00 - 14:00 | Kelso United Methodist Presbyterian Church, 206 Cowlitz Way, Kelso, WA, United States
Join lay leaders from across the PNW for an afternoon of collaboration on May 17th, 10-2 pm.
District Superintendents Kathleen Weber and Daniel Miranda welcome you and your church teams to this remarkable opportunity to exchange ideas, foster connections, and engage in meaningful collaboration through Zoom breakout rooms.
At this hybrid event, Crest to Coast District participants will meet in person at Kelso UMPC, and participants from the Inland, Puget Sound, and Seven Rivers Districts will join virtually via Zoom.
Register Here: https://gnw-reg.brtapp.com/C2CLayLedChurchesSummit

Crest to Coast dcom Meeting
2025-05-19 12:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
If you have questions or would like to be added to this calendar event, please contact Sue Ostrom.

Understanding the Constitutional Amendments
2025-05-19 18:30 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/understanding-the-constitutional-amendments/
In May, the Western Jurisdiction is providing a webinar to prepare members to learn about the four proposed amendments to our United Methodist Constitution.
This year’s Annual Conference gatherings require votes that impact our worldwide connection, and we want you to be informed and involved. Your participation matters!
At the General Conference 2020/2024 meeting, four pieces of legislation passed that would change the denomination’s constitution. In order for these changes to go into effect, the legislation must be ratified by the collective votes of annual and central conferences of the UMC. Throughout 2025, all central and annual conferences will be asked to vote on these important topics at their Annual Conference meetings.
The four pieces for ratification are:

Ballot #1: Regionalization: Changing the structure of the UMC to create equity across the worldwide church.
Ballot #2: Expand inclusiveness in church membership, especially as it relates to gender and ability.
Ballot #3: Stand against racism and colonialism.
Ballot #4: Clarify local pastor status regarding who can vote for clergy delegates.

Understanding these amendments is crucial as we move forward together, as each will impact how we operate as a global church. The Western Jurisdiction has prepared information on each to help you cast your vote. Lay and clergy members of the annual conference are invited to learn more and prepare for this critical vote by joining us on May 19 at 6:30 pm PDT for an information webinar where you can learn more from your ratification conference teams, and ask any questions you may have.
REGISTER NOW AT THIS LINK

Using A.I. Tools in the Church
2025-05-23 09:30 - 16:00 | Cathedral of the Rockies, 717 N. 11th St., Boise, ID, 83702, United States
So maybe you’ve heard all the buzz about A.I. in the news over the last year. Perhaps you’re thinking, what is it, what impact does it have on the church, should be using it, and is it the devil incarnate? If you’ve been asking any of those questions, are curious, convinced, or are dead set against it, we have the training for you.
Jason Moore has been a longtime proponent for the use of technology in the church. For decades he’s been leading trainings on the use of media, screens, visuals, hybrid and more. And now he’s helping the church embrace Artificial Intelligence in ministry.
Click here to register for this in-person event.
In this day-long training, Jason will walk you through what A.I. is, why we should be using it in the church (with theological underpinnings to back it up), how to use it (and how not to use it), and even where the ethical lines are that we should not be crossing. During the day, Jason will expose you to the tools, help you know which are best for what scenarios, talk about copyright, ethics and do several real-time demos. We’ll also cover 10 distinct ways to use A.I. in ministry.
If you’d like a broad primer on A.I. to see how it could benefit your ministry, this is for you. And don’t worry, it’s not highly technical.
You also won’t have to go broke with A.I. because many of the tools are free or inexpensive. Bring your computer and follow along, or just sit back, watch and observe.
Lunch will be provided for all registered participants!

Location Details: Emmaus Center (Or Olivet) at Cathedra of the Rockies Downtown Campus
Cost:

Individual Registrant: $59
Team Registration (for 3 or more): $15 off each registration for groups of 3 or more!
COTR Member: $39 with discount code COTR

CWJFON Immigration Clinic w/Free Consultations
2025-05-24 11:00 - 16:00 | Glenn Anthon Hall, 1001 S 16th Ave, Yakima, 98902, United States
Immigration attorneys will be providing free immigration consultations for individuals who need them on May 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Glenn Anthon Hall on the Yakima Valley College Yakima Campus. Call Central Washington Justice For Our Neighbors (CWJFON) at (509) 300-1101 and leave a voicemail. They will call you back to set up a 30 minute consultation time for you.
Download the Event Flyer | English | Español

Memorial Day
2025-05-26 | WA
The conference office is closed in commemoration of Memorial Day.

PNW Focus Sessions
2025-06-02 18:00 - 19:30 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/pnw-focus-sessions/2025-06-02/
Guests can watch online at https://pnwumc.org/ac2025.
Registered members should attend via the Zoom meeting link that will be sent to them before the meeting.

PNW Focus Sessions
2025-06-03 18:00 - 19:30 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/pnw-focus-sessions/2025-06-03/

Crest to Coast Pastoral Leaders Day Apart
2025-06-04 09:30 - 15:00 | Chehalis UMC, 16 S Market Blvd, Chehalis, WA, 98532, United States
“Circles of Hope”
A Crest to Coast Day District Day Apart
Wednesday, June 4th, 9:30 am – 3 pm

Come celebrate the “circles of hope” in your own life while building community and connecting more deeply with God, yourself, and your colleagues. There will be ample time for personal reflection, along with group work, artistic expression, movement, fun and games!

Register here

Board of Discipleship
2025-06-04 11:00 - 12:30 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/board-of-discipleship/2025-06-04/
The Board of Discipleship is planning to meet on this date to continue its connectional work. Please contact Rev. DJ del Rosario for any additional information about this meeting.

Seattle District Committee on Ministry
2025-06-12 09:00 - 15:30 | The Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church, 816 S 216th St, Des Moines, WA, 98198, United States
This is a regular meeting of the Seattle District Committee on Ministry.

PNW Annual Conference 2025
2025-06-26 - 2025-06-29 | Bothell United Methodist Church, 18515 92nd Ave NE, Bothell, 98011, United States
The 2025 session of the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference will take place from June 26 to June 28 at Bothell UMC.
Learn more by reading this story on the 2025 PNWAC website.

Independence Day
2025-07-03 - 2025-07-04 | WA
The conference office is closed July 3-4 in commemoration of Independence Day.

S.L.A.M. Trip - Week One
2025-07-06 - 2025-07-10 | WA
Looking for a summer service experience for your youth? The Greater Northwest Area has a collaborative trip for youth groups that partners with SLAM Trips (Students Learning About Mission) on the Yakama Reservation in Central Washington. This de-colonized mission trip is native-led and focuses on a balance of relationship growing, learning, and service with Yakama elders and community members.
The Greater Northwest Area has coordinators to assist groups with pre-trip work, collaborating and growing as an area, and assisting with extra funding throughout this process. Their goal is to equip students and leaders in the GNW through cultural learning, telling the truth of the Methodist Church’s impact as missionaries in the Greater Northwest Area, and growing in relationship with our native siblings.
For more information or signup to go with the Greater Northwest Area groups on July 6-10 or July 20-25, go to the Greater Northwest Area’s Page or reach out to any of the GNW Coordinators:

Rev. Drew Hogan (OR-ID Representative – PastorDrewHogan@gmail.com )
Rev. Sheila Miranda (PNW Representative – SMiranda@pnwumc.org)
Rev. Murray Crookes (AK Representative – Munrahcito@gmail.com)

S.L.A.M. Trip - Week Two
2025-07-20 - 2025-07-25 | WA

PNW Conference United Women in Faith Leadership Team
2025-07-23 - 2025-07-24 | Yakima: Wesley UMC, 14 North 48th Avenue, Yakima, WA, 98908, United States
Please refer to the PNW United Women in Faith website for more information.

Mission u 2025
2025-07-24 - 2025-07-26 | Yakima: Wesley UMC, 14 North 48th Avenue, Yakima, WA, 98908, United States
Each year, United Methodists across the PNW Conference prepare for faithful living and action by engaging in transformative educational experiences at Mission u events. This summer, Mission u is scheduled to occur July 24-26 at Wesley UMC in Yakima, Washington. These events are centered around curricula designed to motivate, inform, and enrich our commitment to global ministry. The theme for 2025 is “Practicing Hope Together,” inspired by a book by Tabatha Holley. The book is available to purchase on the UWF website.
Please save the date and plan to join us at Mission u as we explore the good news and what it means for our lives! Questions? Email Jan Catrell, Mission u dean at jcatrell@yahoo.com.
More information about this year’s event will be available soon. Please refer to the PNW United Women in Faith website for more information.

Convocation 2025: UNCHARTED
2025-07-24 - 2025-07-27 | First United Methodist of Madison, 203 Wisconsin Avenue, Madison, WI, 53703, United States
Sponsored by the Reconciling Ministries Network
Church – we’ve set off from the shores of the last General Conference hopeful for progress and inclusion. But between then and now, we’ve also been buffeted by polycrisis: heightened cruelty, exclusion, and a shaky future of justice for LGBTQ+ people of all intersecting identities.
In the swirling chaos: who do we say God is? And who do we say we are?
The Spirit is calling us into Uncharted waters.
This July, come to beautiful Madison, WI, to refresh your soul, enlarge your capacity, and find your travelers on this justice journey. Just in time, RMN is poised to create a different, stronger movement in this era of our Church and our world.
Click here to learn more and register.

Empowered by Grace: Disability Justice and Theology 35 years after the ADA
2025-07-25 - 2025-07-26 | Bothell United Methodist Church, 18515 92nd Ave NE, Bothell, 98011, United States
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) –the historic civil rights law which protects the rights of disabled people –was signed into law on July 26, 1990. This landmark legislation improved access, made discrimination against disabled people illegal, and transformed our systems to become more inclusive. Churches, however, fought hard and successfully for exemption from the ADA.
In celebration of the 35th anniversary, in recognition of July as Disability Pride month, and in an effort to lament and repent of religious ableism, Bothell UMC and the PNW Disability Ministries Committee are hosting this multi-day conference. You are invited to join us for practical, justice-oriented workshops; for worship, fellowship, and a documentary screening; and for a keynote talk on Becoming Accomplices for Disability Justice.
Website: https://www.bothellumc.org/empowered-by-grace-2025
Registration: https://bothellumc.breezechms.com/form/303550
FB Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HQHWSf6EZ/

Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course
2025-07-31 18:00 - 20:00 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/lay-servant-ministriesbasic-course/2025-07-31/
The “Introduction to Lay 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 your gifts, calling, and responsibilities as a follower of Christ. The course is being offered this summer (Thurs. & Mon. 6 to 8 PM PDT (Jul 31, & Aug 4, 7, 11, & 14) online for those interested in taking this next step in exploration.
While the course is offered for those who register at no cost, participants must secure a copy of the Lay Servant Ministries Participant’s Book (DR626 • 978-0-88177-626-3 • $11.00) by Sandy Zeigler Jackson and Brian Jackson. The participants’ book is available at Cokesbury and from Amazon in paperback and for Kindle.
To register for this online Zoom course, please email Emilie Kroen (ekroen@yahoo.com), Director of Lay Servant Ministries for the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference, by July 18, 2025. When you email her to register, please provide the following information as you do: your Name, Address, Phone #, and your local church setting. If you have questions, you may also contact Emilie with those.
Participant Requirements: Have the book named above, read the 1st session before the first course meeting, and fully engage in all 5 sessions with audio and video active. Additional assignments will be provided in your welcome letter.

Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course
2025-08-04 18:00 - 20:00 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/lay-servant-ministriesbasic-course/2025-08-04/

Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course
2025-08-07 18:00 - 20:00 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/lay-servant-ministriesbasic-course/2025-08-07/

Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course
2025-08-11 18:00 - 20:00 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/lay-servant-ministriesbasic-course/2025-08-11/

Legacy Giving 101: Developing a Simple Program for your Congregation
2025-08-12
Legacy giving is often called “low-hanging fruit.” People usually – once they have gone to their great reward – want to leave a gift to an organization they love but they don’t know how. Or worse, they aren’t asked. Universities, hospitals, and animal shelters do a great job of reminding and asking people to leave a gift in a will. But what about the church? In this one-hour webinar, you’ll learn how to start a basic legacy program for your congregation. It’s easier than you think.
There are two identical sessions, both offered on Aug. 12. For questions, please email projects@umoi.org.
See times and register for one of the two sessions.

Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course
2025-08-14 18:00 - 20:00 | https://www.pnwumc.org/event/lay-servant-ministriesbasic-course/2025-08-14/
