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The Crater Lake Connection

October 2017 ~ Vol. 6, No. 8

440 Maxwel l Road, Eugene, OR 97404 John Tucker – Dis t r ic t Super in tendent Voice: (541) 689-3725 ~ FAX: (541) 689 -4612 Kay Burd ick – Admin is t ra t i ve Ass is tant Of f ice E -mai l : c rate r lake@umoi .org John Tucker : john@umoi .org Of f ice Hours: 8 :00-4:00, M-TH; Closed Fr idays

Litany for American Christianity based on Matthew 25:31-46

By the Reverend John Tucker, District Superintendent

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’

“Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

New Revised Standard Version

CONTENTS District Superintendent

1 ~ A Word From John

Connections Beyond the District

2 ~ Bishop’s Symposium 2 ~ Congregational Giving Records

District Connections

3 ~ Samoan American Caucus 4 ~ District Lay Leader Column 5 ~ District Prayer List

Youth & Young Adult Ministries

6 ~ Campus Ministry 7 ~ District Youth Leader Column 8 ~ Exploration 2017

Mission

9 ~ #Giving Tuesday 10 ~ Call For Cleaning Buckets

Opportunities and Resources

11 ~ Early Response Training 11 ~ Messy Church Training 12 ~ Oregon-Idaho Reconciling UMs 12 ~ Called To Love! 12 ~ Safe Sanctuaries Training 13 ~ Choral Extravaganza

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Oregon-Idaho Conference Crater Lake District United Methodist Church Camp & Retreat Ministries United Methodist Reporter (News) United Methodist Missions Church World Service

John Tucker

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And many of his followers said to him, “Jesus, we do not want to feed those who cannot feed themselves.”

And Jesus said, “Over my dead body.”

And again, they said, “Jesus, we do not want our tax dollars to provide healing to people who cannot pay their own bills.”

And Jesus said, “Over my dead body.”

A third time they said, “Jesus, we will not welcome strangers or treat illegals as neighbors.”

And Jesus said, “Over my dead body.”

And now they shouted, “Jesus, the least of these get what they deserve. They reap what they sew.”

And Jesus said, “Over my dead body.”

Then they argued, “We should be more loyal to our nation than to your teachings.”

And Jesus whispered, “Over my dead body.”

And the followers said, “So be it!”

And the case was closed. And the tomb was sealed. (Back to Table of Contents)

Connections Beyond the District ~

Bishop’s Symposium Scheduled

This year’s Bishop’s Symposium is No Joke: A Rabbi, an Imam, a Pastor and Brian McLaren walk into. . .

This year’s Bishop’s Symposium will focus on the need to develop our capacity for intercultural communication as we experience the possibilities of interfaith relationships. Through a variety of opportunities, we will glean from the wisdom of others to learn what can be gained, and dream a little about what we might ourselves do.

United Methodist clergy and lay persons are invited to attend. There are three ways to participate: November 4, 2017, at Seattle First United Methodist Church; March 7-9, 2018, at Boise First United Methodist Church; or by borrowing the documentary film No Joke from the Regional Media Center.

Click here for all the details. (Back to Table of Contents)

Attention! Pastoral Access to Congregational Giving Records

By the Reverend John Tucker, District Superintendent

The paragraph set out below now appears in the 2016 Book of Discipline. It is codification of a practice that healthy congregations already follow. It grants the pastor access to congregational giving records. This is a

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spiritual matter. When there is a sudden change in an individual’s giving pattern, the pastor needs to know so that she or he can offer pastoral support. Sometimes people go through a crisis that impacts their giving but has nothing to do with their support of the church. Even if a changed giving pattern is connected to their support of the church, it is helpful for the pastor to know what is going on.

I am aware that some congregations are sensitive about pastors knowing individuals’ giving habits. Our sensitivity toward money shows that we value money over other gifts and talents. We expect pastors to know who can sing, teach, repair and administer, but not who can give. While money is important, it should not be idolized over other gifts and talents.

I am also aware that there is mistrust behind the feelings that the pastor should not know who gives what. Where there have been cases of clergy misconduct around giving patterns, I apologize. If such instances were to arise in the future, there are steps we can take to hold clergy accountable. However, I do not think it is healthy to presume mistrust in how we treat one another. Accountability is the companion of trust and we need more of both in our churches, districts and annual conferences.

¶340.2 (c) on page 277 of the 2016 Book of Discipline

(2) To administer the temporal affairs of the church in their appointment, the annual conference, and the general church. (a) To administer the provisions of the Discipline. (b) To give an account of their pastoral ministries to the charge and annual conference according to the prescribed forms. (c) To provide leadership for the funding ministry of the congregation. To ensure membership care including compliance with charitable giving documentation requirements and to provide appropriate pastoral care, the pastor, in cooperation with the financial secretary, shall have access to and responsibility for professional stewardship of congregational giving records.

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District Connections ~

Medford Hosts Samoan American Caucus

By Soteria Moli

With only four years of active membership in the Oregon-Idaho Conference, the Medford Samoan Fellowship of the Medford First United Methodist Church (MSFFUMC) kicked into overdrive August 17th-19th to take on the task of hosting this year’s Samoan Caucus Meeting, a sub-organization within Global Ministries consisting of 13 congregational memberships from the states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii. Of these 13 congrega-tions, there are five United Methodist Conferences represented: Alaska, Pacific-Northwest, Oregon-Idaho, California-Nevada and California-Pacific. The Samoan Caucus Annual Conference was nothing short of history in the making for Crater-Lake District, but especially for the Oregon-Idaho Conference. To have such an event geared specifically for the Pacific Islander community here in our midst is the very first of its kind to have ever existed.

On day one, the opening worship service was graced with the presence of Rev. Linda Tucker, senior pastor at

L to R: President Rev. Michael Seui, Rev. Dr. Tauileata Moli, Rev. Linda Tucker, District

Superintendent Rev. John Tucker, Vice President Pastor Fetuao Hakai - Opening Worship Service

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Medford First UMC (also known as the Church of the Rogue) and District Superintendent, Rev. John Tucker. Samoan Caucus President Rev. Michael Seui and Vice President Pastor Fetuao Hakai shared a few remarks as well. Afterward, the Rev. Dr. Tau Moli and members of MSFFUMC performed a traditional welcoming ceremony called “Le Ava” to display their openness for their honored guests.

Day two was filled with workshops covering many subjects crucial to the UMC. Workshops speaking to the importance of getting involved with United Methodist Men (UMM) and United Methodist Women (UMW) featured guest speakers Rev. Steve Fisher, Rev. Kalina Katoa and local Medford UMW President, Beverly Douglas. In addition, there were workshops for the Youth and Young Adults featuring guest speaker Pastor Monalisa Lolohea. Closing out day two was a traditional fundraising event, “Tausala,” featuring every attending congregation. An amazing menu for each meal, from morning until night, was enjoyed by all!

Day three was dedicated to the younger generation of God’s army. MSFFUMC readied a field day at Fichtner-Mainwaring Park for conference participants to really enjoy Oregon’s beautiful air. There was a bounce house set up for the young ones (and not so young ones), as well as music and a BBQ for everyone to just relax and enjoy each other’s company. Afterward, it was only right to meet one last time at Church of the

Rogue for a revival and one last night of praise and worship to close out a God-filled event memorable for all.

The members of the MSFFUMC in partnership with Medford’s Church of the Rogue hosted an event that filled the church halls and sanctuary with traditional Samoan dancing, Samoan ceremonial speeches, Samoan praise and worship, but most of all, over 150 Samoan people. People who represented their own congregations, districts and conferences all for one purpose: to meet and discuss how they can use the beauty of the Samoan culture to spread the love of Jesus Christ within their own communities.

Thank you for letting us share this experience with you! Samoa muamua le Atua! (God first, Samoa!)

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What’s Your Passion?

By Teri Watanabe, District Lay Leader

On the second Saturday of September, the City of Veneta holds an annual Harvest Festival. The event features live music, food and artisan booths, and community spirit. The proceeds benefited Mid Lane Cares and the Fern Ridge Service Center. I helped staff the Community Dinner booth where the main draw was “Cookies for Cash,” a fresh-baked invitation to stop at the booth; learn about the ministries of the free, weekly Community Dinner and the cold-weather activated Warm Shelter; and offer support in the form of a Double Your Dollars donation matched by an anonymous donor. (I admit I had quite a few cookies myself!)

I met a lot of new people from the community and enjoyed seeing others whom I hadn’t seen in a while from other activities and

view from pianist’s chair during opening worship

Medford Samoan Fellowship welcomes guests through means of the ‘Ava Ceremony’

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places—such as Start Making a Reader Today (S.M.A.R.T., Oregon’s longest running literacy program), the Community Dinner and Warm Shelter, the Veneta Chamber of Commerce, and the local gyms (West Lane Fitness and Courtsports in Eugene/Springfield).

During one of the lulls in foot traffic, one of the Rotary members (whose booth was sharing our tent) was asking about what was happening at Valley. I started to tell her about the covenant sermon series we were engaged in and what it meant to live as a covenant community. I was in the middle of telling her about the new worship format we were using, the new songs, even worshipping in the round so that we could have discussions with each other—and would have gone on except I was interrupted. A woman passing by came into our tent area, laid a hand on my shoulder, looked intently into my eyes, and asked me what I was talking about. She said, “I couldn’t help but hear how passionate you were and I want to know what you are talking about.”

I happily shared my excitement and we had quite a lengthy discussion of how God moves within a gathering of just two or three, within a worship setting, and within a community. But what a revelation! To know that a passionate speech could invite someone into a conversation. To hear that passion could be contagious. To

discover that passion for God could be communicated so fluently.

What is your passion for God? What does it sound like? What would you say? God is the source of our deeply rooted desire for Him, Jesus is the reason we can live in light and love each other, and the Holy Spirit is the song within our souls just waiting to be shared.

May we all be passionately moved to spread our spiritual excitement with an intense enthusiasm that excites and ignites others!

Many Blessings Back to Table of Contents)

Crater Lake District Intercessory Prayer List

You are invited to offer prayers of intercession for the following churches, clergy, and lay leaders on the dates indicated. Pastors are encouraged to mention these people during intercessory prayer time during morning worship.

Oct 1 – Oct 7 Ebbert Memorial UMC Pastor: June Fothergill Springfield Lay Leader: Bob Beck

Oct 8 – Oct 14 College UMC, Philomath Pastor: Michael Gregor Lay Leader: Peter Finn

Oct 15 – Oct 21 Oakridge UMC Pastor: Ross Spencer Lay Leaders: Terry Crawford, Ken Wright

Oct 22 – Oct 28 Lakeview UMC Pastor: Steve Mitchell (leave of absence – preaching once a month)

Lay Leader: Darryl Anderson

Oct 29 – Nov 4 First UMC, Medford Pastor: Linda Tucker Ad Bd Chair: Dave Decarlow

Nov 5 – Nov 11 Myrtle Creek UMC Pastor: Tau Moli Lay Leader: Joyce O’Day Hobson

Nov 12 – Nov 18 Wilbur UMC Pastor: Pam Meese Lay Leader: Stephanie Chandler

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Youth & Young Adult Ministries ~

The Wesley Center - The University of Oregon

A Community of Many Communities for Students at the U of O, LCC, NCU and beyond!

By Warren Light, Campus Minister and Director, Wesley Foundation uowesleycenter@gmail.com

The Wesley Center is a community - in the midst of learning - encouraging faith, love, and justice. All students and young adults, regardless of denomination or religious background are welcome to attend.

Mission Statement, Wesley Foundation at the U of O

“We must serve each other in love and in humanity.” Lailah Gifty Akita, Beautiful Quotes

If you want to know what’s going on at campus, please look beyond the news. I am not asking you to close your eyes, only look more closely. Mission is happening alongside the many hardships and in spite of violence and fear.

God is ever present and God’s people are bold. . . .

When I was at Annual Conference on the east coast years ago, a preacher (and advocate) named Art Brandenburg shared his memories of a trip around the world to various UMC missions. He ended by sharing the following insight: “You think that we send people into the mission field, but more people are being sent back to us than we ourselves send.”

Our campus ministries are missions, but mission is not a cul-de-sac. You know what I mean here. They are not the dead ends where the money rests or is spent. Where nothing grows nor comes back.

On the contrary, Campus Ministry is like ALL mission fields in that it is mutual. It is a guiding principle of nature itself that our own giving inspires others to be giving, resulting in a generous, kind community of communities. We all know the positives - LOVE works - Agape is real! I cannot tell you how many times I have seen young adults move from loneliness, confusion, rage and hurt to community and a sense of purpose. I get to witness to this renewal almost every day here at the Wesley Foundation.

Thanks to YOU.

It’s because you care enough to support campus ministry. Without the UMC presence on our local campuses, more lives and souls are lost to emptiness or violence. Your caring makes the difference to so many. I hope that you take a few moments today to contemplate that one fact. God is using your gifts to lift up the brokenhearted and set people on a direction of hope.

So, this is why so much comes back in mission. The Wesley Center has birthed thousands of personal missions. In my short time (12 years) here, I have seen hundreds of students become involved in equity work: gender equity, equity for disabled persons, LGTBQ support and racial equity.

Dozens of students have resourced local churches in Safe Sanctuaries work - many have graduated and are doing what they learned first and practiced first at Wesley. Campus ministry, like all missions, is not a cul-de-sac, a road that goes nowhere. It is mutual and abundant:

Mission is river to the people of God - meaning ALL people - The River overflows its banks and

shares its life with the world.

Intern Nikaya helps perform Women's

Dance Project: Breaking the Glass

Ceiling.

Intern Michelle and a friend taste the ice cream to make

sure it's ok while Warren watches!

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It provide nutrition and hope to all who live within its influence.

You are both the recipient and the river . . . .

And it starts when you pray for a student, when you offer to support a meal (they are hungry!) or when you put an offering in an envelope and hope for the best.

Grace knows no bounds. Your generosity in spirit makes a difference. And that difference blesses us all. We continue to pray, to love, to practice mission, because it is who we are - and because it “works.”

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Martin Luther King Jr.

There is a cost to success! Please consider misssional needs as this year starts. Gifts can be made to individual campus ministries or through the conference to Campus Ministry (where it is split to reach all campuses). Support can be given by way of:

A monthly automatic gift to Wesley, Westminster or Conference Campus Ministries for the upcoming year. A direct deposit form is available by calling (541) 654-8144.

A tax-deductible one-time gift to the ongoing ministry on campuses. The needs are great as we all start our new year! It is truly where lives are changing each day.

Any gifts mailed to our address will be honored toward whichever campus ministry you indicate. Our

Address is: The Wesley Foundation, 2520 Harris Street, Eugene OR 97405

Come to the Choral Extravaganza on November 12th. Click here for more information.

Take Good Care, And Thank you for Supporting Campus Ministry. As one of my students said recently of the supporters of campus ministry: “You rock!”

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Creating a Strong Youth Team

Finding others who are willing to help with youth ministry can be a challenge. Even more challenging though is figuring out how to empower everyone who does get involved in healthy ways. While we know that ministry is at its best when it’s collaborative, it can be difficult to create room for other people especially when you are all volunteers.

Here are a few tips to develop a better and stronger team:

1. Cast Common Vision Some say working with youth can be like herding cats, but working with volunteering adults isn’t much better. The metaphor I have been playing around with is the image of paracord. From the outside, the paracord is strong and sturdy. It appears united

Anna Eckelbarger

Salas

Each year we help sponsor Take Back the Night, donating people and supplies as we gather to end sexual violence.

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and clean, but the minute you cut it open you see the messiness inside. There are all of these different types of cord wound together that don’t do much good without the sturdy sleeve around the outside.

This is much like a team of people. When we are all just trying to cling together with nothing holding us together, we are a hot mess. However, when united by a common goal, we are strengthened and solidified. Just like the sleeve of the paracord, common vision can bring even the most different people together to do amazing things.

2. Trust Each Other. Trust is a unique theological concept. Trust at the core believes that everything will be okay no matter how bad things might appear on the surface. Trusting in God is a central part of the Christian walk, but this is easier said than done. Trust is about inviting others along on the journey with you. Believing in your team and the gifts they bring to the table is important to team unity and empowerment.

3. Communicate Often. It can be easy to get busy and get used to preparing for youth activities one week at a time in isolation; however, this approach often results in narrow ideas and little creativity. Instead, consider planning with your team a season at a time (or longer). Knowing what’s coming creates an investment on the part of your adult leaders and provides the opportunity for new and creative ideas that would be too difficult to execute on short notice.

4. Invest in Friendship. At its core, collaboration is an outpouring of the community you’ve created. Community, as a biblical concept, is about doing life together. It is not about sharing space but about sharing of yourself in deep ways. Community is a place to be yourself and collaboration is a means of putting what you bring into community to good use. So spending time with your team when you are not “working” is an important means of learning about one another.

Collaboration is about working with others to create something amazing. Working with others is difficult, but it has great benefits. Collaboration forces us to see others, rather than just ourselves. It requires us to move beyond ego so that we can make room for each person to be seen, heard and valued. When we work together well, our effort is given purpose and we feel confident in our role.

Doing this work is tough, but I challenge you to try. Whether your team is two people or twenty, prioritizing collaboration can dramatically change the way you do ministry. Live into this change. Push through the messy and difficult start to see how amazing it can be.

I’m praying for you. (Back to Table of Contents)

Exploration 2017 is Coming to Portland Don’t Miss It!

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Registration for Exploration, a three-day event for young adults age 18-26, is now open. This biennial event is designed to help attendees listen, discern, and respond to God’s call to ordained ministry, as they explore their gifts for service as a deacon or elder in The United Methodist Church. Exploration is a program of the office of young adult discernment and enlistment at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM).

This year’s event will be held November 3-5 in Portland, Oregon. Young adults who have a sense that God might be calling them to ordained ministry, who have wondered what ministry in The United Methodist Church is all about, who would like help sifting through issues involved in an

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ordained vocation, or who want to learn more about The United Methodist seminaries and theological schools should attend this event. Exploration is part of GBHEM’s strategy to enable and resource leadership within the church.

“Exploration is an amazing experience where youth and young adults can gather, and in the midst of community, discern their calls together,” said Rev. Dr. Trip Lowery, director of young adult ministry discernment and enlistment at GBHEM. “The United Methodist Church does not have a shortage of youth and young adults feeling called into church leadership. Exploration is a space where those feeling called can continue to discern what their next faithful steps should be, even if they discern those next steps are not into ordained leadership.”

There are several ways to live into vocational ministry in The United Methodist Church. Speakers and workshop leaders from various ministry settings will facilitate discussion about the diverse ways of living into a call to church leadership.

To register, or learn more about Exploration, visit ExploreCalling.org. More information about GBHEM can be found at GBHEM.org.

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Mission ~

SAVE THE DATE!

UMC #GivingTuesday is Nov. 28

We hope you will join United Methodists around the world to support Global Ministries missionaries and Advance projects on UMC #GivingTuesday Nov. 28.

Frederick Buechner once described "calling" as the place "where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." One of the great things about The Advance is that it allows you to invest your resources where your passion answers specific needs in the world.

The UMC #GivingTuesday theme this year is "Connect Your Passion with God's Mission." One hundred percent of your gifts made online through The Advance goes to the missionary or project of your choice.

In 2016, more than 2,550 people from 19 countries gave gifts of more than $850,000 toward missionary support and Advance projects. The countries or territories represented included Argentina, Austria, Chile, Côte d'Ivoire, Fiji, Guam, Ireland, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, the Philippines, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This was truly a global effort.

Thank you for your generous gifts through The Advance, the designated giving channel of The United Methodist Church.

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Our impact areas this year are:

Food and Agriculture

Church Development

Disaster Response and Relief

Education

Health

Economic Empowerment

Social Justice

WASH/Water and Sanitation

Women and Children

Mission Personnel

Now is a great time to start thinking about how you want to connect your passion to God's mission on Nov. 28. Visit umcmission.org/give to learn more about missionaries and projects. Your gift on UMC #GivingTuesday will help bring hope and healing to a world in need.

We would like to encourage you to share this information with your friends, family, and church members. We will be sending you more information as the weeks go by.

In mission together,

Thomas Kemper, General Secretary General Board of Global Ministries

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Cleaning Buckets and Hygiene Kits needed

UM Connector, September 14, 2017 - United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is urgently requesting that churches support them by providing cleaning buckets and hygiene kits for use in Texas, Louisiana, Florida and other areas following hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Churches can assemble kits locally and/or provide financial gifts to UMCOR Advance giving fund #901440 for materials to be purchased and assembled at UMCOR depots.

A volunteer is willing to help by collecting buckets across the conference and transporting them to the UMCOR West Depot in Salt Lake City. With a higher expected volume of material to transport, several churches have volunteered to act as collection points for areas around the conference. So far, the following churches are willing to act as drop points for buckets:

• Newman UMC in Grants Pass, Oregon • Coburg UMC in Coburg, Oregon • Trinity UMC in Salem, Oregon • Tabor Heights UMC in Portland • Caldwell UMC in Caldwell, Idaho • First UMC in Boise, Idaho • Jerome UMC in Jerome, Idaho

For drop off hours and info contact the individual church or Donna Waltman, UMCOR Depot Liaison at dgwaltman@frontier.com or 503-622-3226. If your church is not near a collection point, or in might be able to serve as one, also contact Donna.

Instructions for making buckets and kits is available on the UMCOR web site.

Read more about cleaning buckets in a United Methodist News Service story.

Bend UMC fills Cleaning Kits

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Opportunities/Resources ~

Early Response Training in October

UM Connector, September 14, 2017 - The Oregon-Idaho Conference’s Disaster Response Team will be offering a training for Early Response Team members on Saturday, October 21, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Portland’s First United Methodist Church.

In the aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, United Methodist’s are looking for ways to respond and support those in need. Joining an Early Response Teams (ERT) is one of the ways to help. By being part of a trained team that works through a coordinated network of faith-based and government responders, ERTs are a key part of the stabilization necessary to help people begin the process of rebuilding their homes and lives.

ERT training gives you the skills, understanding, and certification to work on a short-term team to reach out. Because both the interest and the need are high, the usual $25 fee for this training is being waived. Come for free to learn more about what ERT teams do and how you can respond.

Bishop Elaine Stanovsky has asked churches across the conference to support ERT teams with special offerings throughout September, so funding will be available for team supplies.

Register online now, download a brochure to share with your church, or contact Becky Platt at beckyplatt1@peoplepc.com if you have questions about ERT training.

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Messy Church Training Registration Open

There is still time to register for the “Getting Messy in the USA” Messy Church national conference at Community UMC in Huntington Beach, CA, on October 20-21! If you are thinking of starting a Messy Church or have been worshipping as Messy Church for a while, this is an opportunity you do not want to miss. Lucy Moore, the founder of the Messy Church global movement and Martyn Payne from Messy Church UK will be our plenary speakers. Stephen Fischbacher, a Scottish composer who founded Fischy Music will be providing fantastic music. You will also learn about the launch of Messy Church USA and how you can stay connected after the conference.

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.

Register today at https://calpacumc.formstack.com/forms/messychurchnationalconf2017.

Cost for Conference is still only $120 and includes three meals and multiple snacks.

Housing Options: There are a limited number of "home-stay" options with members of Community UMC so register today!

If you need more information contact Roberta Egli at roberta@messychurchusa.org or call her at 541-760-3909.

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Oregon-Idaho Reconciling United Methodists

Bring a potluck dish to share and join the Oregon-Idaho Reconciling United Methodists on Saturday, October 14, 2017, at St Paul’s United Methodist Church - 11631 SE Linwood Ave – Milwaukie, OR 97222. The meeting will begin at 9:45 a.m. and adjourn at 2:00 p.m. The program, bystander training, will introduce participants to proactive ways to be a supportive presence in racially or socially difficult circumstances. Led by Rev. Stewart (PNWAC Elder) using the peace circle model, the training will enhance understanding of how to intervene in ways that feel safe and doable by providing skills to prevent and reduce harm.

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Called To Love!

Making Our UMC’s Safe Places for Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Persons

Saturday October 21, 2017 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Salem First UMC Saturday October 28, 2017 10 a.m. – 2p.m. Gresham First UMC (includes lunch)

You and your church can help save lives!

Come and find out how your warm welcome and acceptance can make all the difference to gender-nonconforming young people, adults and their families.

This practical workshop is being offered by our annual conference to help us focus our ministries with those who all too often experience rejection.

“Called to Love!” will help you and your church be better informed and resource you to be more hospitable.

Are you wanting to learn more about gender to help your church be more welcoming? Are you feeling called to open your heart and draw the circle just a bit wider? Do you want to help provide a healthier and safer environment in your ministry setting? Then this workshop is for you!! Register now and bring your pastor and other church leaders.

Leaders for this event will be the Revs. Jim and Bonnie Parr Philipson, retired Oregon-Idaho clergy.

Registration deadline: the Monday at noon before each Saturday event! Registration is online at https://umoi-reg.brtapp.com/CalledtoLove. Cost is $5 per person and covers refreshments at Salem, lunch at Gresham, and materials.

Child care for younger children (up to age 8) will be provided upon request if made when you register. For each child you are welcome to provide a snack from home. If your child will be coming more than an hour late you must let us know.

Salem FUMC is located at 600 State St., Salem, OR 97301 www.salemfirstumc.org Gresham FUMC is located at 620 NW 8th St., Gresham, OR 97030 www.greshamumc.com

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Safe Sanctuaries Training in Beaverton October 1

UM Connector, September 21, 2017 - Safe Sanctuaries is the United Methodist term for efforts to protect children, youth and vulnerable adults from abuse in our churches, during church activities, or by church leaders. Every ministry setting within the annual conference is required to have a Safe Sanctuaries policy and to have an annual training for staff and volunteers who work with children, youth, and vulnerable adults.

The training on October 1st from 1:00-4:00 p.m., at Beaverton UMC is led by Rev. Warren Light, who has served as the Safe Sanctuaries Coordinator for our conference and who helped develop the template for the

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local church safe sanctuaries policy. He will be joined by BEST (Bystander Efforts Serve Transformation) trainers who are students and young adults from the Eugene, Oregon, higher education communities. Warren is also campus minister at Wesley Center in Eugene which serves these communities, and this training is part of their ministry to the annual conference. Other special guests will be representatives from organizations that can be resources for your local church efforts to prevent abuse and support survivors of abuse.

The cost of the training is $10 per person or $50 per church for groups of 5-12. You can pay at the door, but must pre-register for planning purposes. For more information and to register, send an e-mail to Warren Light at uowesleycenter@gmail.com

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The Wesley Foundation Campus Ministry Presents The 27th Annual

CHORAL EXTRAVAGANZA

"Communities of Engagement Create & Share Joy"

Sunday Nov. 12, 2017 4:00 PM

First United Methodist Church 1376 Olive Street, Eugene, OR 97401

Come for a delightful evening of music presented by United Methodist Choirs

The Choral Extravaganza is a benefit for the Wesley Center, an outreach to students, faculty and staff of the University of Oregon, LCC, and NCU. A free will offering will be taken to support food, service projects, educational events and programs for young adults.

For more information, call 541-654-8144

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NOVEMBER CRATER LAKE CONNECTION DEADLINE: OCT. 17

We welcome news from throughout the Crater Lake District. Please let the District Office know if you have news or announcements you would like included in The Crater Lake Connection. (541) 689-3725; craterlake@umoi.org ~ 440 Maxwell Road, Eugene, OR 97404