'Compassion, Communication, Community' is 2010 theme

“Compassion, Communication, Community” is the theme for worship, workshops and speakers at the Pacific Northwest Conference’s Annual Meeting 2010 from 1:30 p.m., Friday through Sunday, April 23 to 25, at the Wenatchee Convention Center. 

Edie Lackland, Stewardship Committee chair, said congregations should plan in advance to bring cards with pledges for their members’ time and their church’s treasure for the ministry of the Pacific Northwest Conference.  They will place them on the communion table during the closing worship service

Rodger Nishioka, associate professor of Christian education at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga., will preach at the opening worship. Nishioka promotes educational ministries, because many youth and young adult baptized and confirmed into churches consider themselves post-denominational but still are looking for ways to engage in mission and ministry.

He earned a bachelor’s degree at Seattle Pacific University in education and taught school in Tacoma.  His master’s in theology is from McCormick Theological Seminary, his doctor of divinity degree from Austin College and his PhD from Georgia State University.

The 15 workshops scheduled include supporting “members in discernment” as they explore their call to ministry; political advocacy; reporting requirements for church treasurers and exploring activities of the national and regional United Church of Christ.

Others are Celtic spirituality; gracious space for families, congregations and communities; InterPlay as a life and spiritual practice; a new praise book, “Sing! Pray and Praise,” “From War Front to Home Front: Helping Veterans Heal”; discussion with keynote speaker; ending homelessness; clergy tax questions; unified national UCC governance; the spiritual tasks of aging; beyond the progressive church; “Experiencing Faith Practices” curricula, and “Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees, but...”

Carol Scott Kassner is planning the Saturday morning worship and Conference Minister Mike Denton will preach for the closing worship on Sunday.

Following last year’s vote to be a Global Ministries Conference, there are plans to connect online with UCC mission personnel at the Global Ministries Committee display to learn about their lives and ministries.

In business, delegates will vote on a 2011 budget, a resolution from General Synod on constitution and bylaws changes related to different roads to authorized ministry, bylaws changes related to the PNC Board and Council makeup, said Dennis Hollinger-Lant, chair of the board.  Delegates will be assigned to hearings to review the items of business.

During Annual Meeting 2010, at least affinity groups will be offered.

• Caring For Creation Network, led by the Christian Life, Service and Action Committee, will help people find how to reduce their personal and church carbon footprint

• The Rev. Jake Pomeroy of the Cornerstone Fund will offer practical steps for developing a narrative church budget.

• The PNW Chapter of the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns will explore what it means to say, “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here.”  How about welcoming the addict, the homeless, conservatives, liberals, those of differing opinions, lesbians, gays, bisexual, straight, transsexual, professional blue-collar workers, mentally ill, disabled, young and old?

• Dayton High School’s Drama Club will present warning signs of abusive relationships, especially among teens.

• Bing Tso will lead discussion on UCC governance.

• Pacific School of Religion grads will meet.

For information, call 206-824-1770.

 

Copyright Pacific Northwest Conference News © April 2010