Winter 2024-2025

Midwinter Youth Retreat theme for Feb 7 to 9 at Pilgrim Firs will be on "Coming Full Circle ...Another Way."

Zac Norenberg, assistant director at Pilgrim Firs, shares about ongoing camps while Mark Boyd is on sabbatical.

Samoan congregation in Anchorage reaches out to youth with a music ministry that puts new beat to traditional hymns.

Fall 2023

Global Ministries Committee announces that two global partners will visit the PNC and attend Annual Meeting in April.

Pam Peterson is filling staff roles and has AmeriCorps help to clear underbrush after a summer of camps, retreats at N-Sid-Sen.

Spring 2023

Leda Zakarison is reporting to area churches about her experiences as Global Ministries intern in Beirut, Lebanon.

N-Sid-Sen prepares for full season of spring, summer and fall camps and retreats for PNC members and churches.

Fall 2022

Taiwanese Christian Church hosts a camp at Pilgrim Firs in August to teach the Taiwanese language to children.

Spring 2022

Mark Boyd announces plans to assist at Pilgrim Firs and announces plans for the summer season of PNC-UCC camps.

Magnolia UCC follows study on homelessness with building tiny houses in Seattle to help move people into permanent housing.

Fall 2021

Youth delegate to virtual General Synod is impressed with ginormous impact of national UCC on social justice issues.

Spring 2021

Jasmine Meredith, a Spokane teen and Westminster UCC member, speaks at March 20 rally to Stop the Hate of Asians.

N-Sid-Sen prepares sets upCOVID portocols for summer camp programs and use by families and youth.

Falth leaders hold art contest to uplift humanity and dispel apathy in face of graffiti on temple and hate inspired shootings.

WInter 2020

Westminster youth leaders Randy and LInda Crowe take photos of children and youth wearing pageant costumes.

Patty Metzger of Fox Island UCC carves her grandchildren's spirit animals in a totem in a back yard tree stump .

Kelsey Peterson Beebe connects people to God and each other through movement in her Dancing Pastor Ministries.

Winter 2019-20

Kizzie Jones publishes new book in series on dogs, adding new breeds and insights useful for children's sermons.

Bellingham UCC provides remodeled basement as The Ground Floor drop-in center for youth to have a safe space.

N-Sid-Sen announces theme and dates for 2020 summer camping programs. The theme is "This Is Our Prayer."

Fall 2019

Andrew Conley-Holcom is leading a class on white supremacy and idolatry and starting Racism Anonymous.

Intermediate camp explores injustices and what makes for justice, sharing in conversation around the image of a tree.

Summer 2019

Michael Joseph visits PNC/Disciples churches to tell of Global Ministries peace work in Colombia.

Mark Boyd promotes camps with aid of directors sharing how camps impact their lives.

Wade Zick shares role of the arts and music in the life of Pilgrim Firs, about 65 percent of groups using the camp.

April-May 2019

Sarah Haycox does research on civil rights leader in Richmond Beach and advocates for having center named for him.

N-Sid-Sen announces summer camping programs around the theme "Peace Works." Directors are named.

Jubilee Justice participants join in advocacy and work in local congregations. Young adult program will take a year off.

Pilgrim Firs work on sewage system likened to work camps are doing to evaluate their priorities and programs.

January-March 2019

Kaila Russell reports in online newsletter on activities and programs at Pilgrim Firs during 2018.

November 2018

Teens come to mission camp at Pilgrim Firs in June to do home-improvement projects to help people stay in their home.

Shalom UCC does voter education for immigrants with the Tri-Cities Faith Action Network at area events.

September 2018

N-Sid-Sen senior high camp welcomes Moina Shaiq to share about her life as a Muslim woman in the U.S..

Justice Leadership Program begins year with six new interns and two continuing interns to serve agencies and churches.

Summer 2018

N-Sid-Sen will be the site for combined PNC summer camps for all ages. Pilgrim Firs will host mission camps.

April-May 2018

Ruth Brandon and her grandson were among many from the PNC who joine in the March for our Lives.

Wade Zick tells of impact of Friends of the Camps appeal for funding for maintenance and improvements.

Mike Denton describes changes in the PNC camping programs over the years and new appeal for support from conference.

February-March 2018

Justice Leadership Program plans Holy Week Pilgrimage; recruits 2018-19 young adult interns.

Bellingham UCC will renovateits unfinished basement to house the Northwest Youth Services outreach to homeless youth.

Diane Schmitz co-facilitates an Anti-Racism Seminar for White People with a curriculum from Allies for Change.

November-December 2017

Justice Leadership intern helps 350 Seattle organize hundreds of people visiting 109 Seattle banks in Divest the Globe protests.

UCC Justice Leadership interns' experiences multiply as they share with each other over common meals.

School of Theology and MInistry of Seattle University celebrates ithe 20th anniversary of its founding.

Wade Zick describes the new mission/service camps, called 'Common Fire,' at Pilgrim Firs beginning summer 2018.

September 2017

New team of justice leadership interns began in September serving ecumenical agencies and nonprofits.

Kizzie Jones' two books for children are translated into Spanish because of her involvement in literacy programs.

Senior high camps bring together two different cultures from N-Sid-Sen and Pilgrim Firs as camps merge.

Summer 2017

Justice Leadership programs for young adults and older adults spread the work for justice among churches and agencies.

N-Sid-Sen welcomes international staff for the summer. Pilgrim Firs has local staff, many who go home each day.

Jenn Hagedorn is being recognized at General Synod with the Youth/Young Adult Justice Award.

Justice Witness Ministries meets on teleconference, has hotsheet and a website to communicate justice action.

April 2017

Wade Zick divides energies between planning Annual Meetings and 2018 intergenerational mission camps.

Synod delegate Kyna Shilling brings together theater skills and worship planning at Plymouth UCC in Seattle.

November-December 2015

Eliza Penick promotes Heifer International projects to address poverty and community.

Tom Sorenson writes book to introduce Bible, teaches classes on Russia-Ukraine relations.

September-October 2015

Pilgrim Firs campers learn about experiences of Syrian youth in refugee camps.

Wade Zick begins as new managing director at Pilgrim Firs Camp and Conference Center.

Communities of Practice offers clergy small groups for learning and support.

Senior high co-director says camps reenergize youth and give solid base for life back home.

Blaine UCC openedits vacation Bible school to include adults, as well as children.

June-July 2015

Justice Leadership interns complete their year of service and advocacy in August.

N-Sid-Sen welcomes young adults from three countries through Camp America.

April-May 2015

Prayer flags peace messages connect junior high campers and Syrian refugee youth in Jordan.

Amber Dickson gains insights into issues that affect people as Faith Action Network intern.

Mark Boyd reports on Midwinter retreat and anticipates summer camping season.

February-March 2015

Young adult interns engage in advocacy for affordable housing and homeless individuals.

December 2013

Mark Boyd announces 2014 camp season dates, theme and plans.

June-July 2013

Kizzie Jones publishes award-winning children's book about dachshunds, sea creatures and values.

April-May 2013

Gardener and children grow food for Issaquah food bank as part of Spirit of Peace UCC mission.

Intern gains insight into link between faith and justice in work at Church Council of Greater Seattle.

February-March 2013

Young adult intern serves with and learns about Faith Action Network advocacy efforts.

December 2011

Painting by member of Admiral Church in West Seattle will be used in 'Seasons of the Spirit' curriculum.

October 2011

Environmental Justice Center is launched at Pilgrim Firs with a call to our responsibility to God to care for creation.

Kirkland UCC's peace pole is readily visible to people who walk or drive by the church, which is near downtown.

Partner in Education reports on UCC survey on education, prices and personnel for Local Church Ministries resources.

April 2011

Partners in Education are available to help churches with decisions about curricula and resources.

February 2011

Youth and Young Adult Task Force connects young people and plans events to build PNC leadership.

Gale Peterson discusses how mission and stewardship empower children to live their faith.

December 2009

John Indermark writes curricula and adult study books ecumenically and through Upper Room Books.

Winter 2023-24

N-Sid-Sen and Pilgrim Firs announce plans for spring retreats and summer camping sessions for 2024.

Nine-member youth team cleans N-Sid-Sen grounds for fire mitigation and beautification in November and December.

Summer 2023

Senior high camp directors anticipate a fruitful time of activities, discussions and interactions for campers.

Family camps at N-Sid-Sen are like family reunions for many of those who attend regularly and find nurture.

Winter 2021

Amara Oden and Stevi Hamill graduated from the School of Theology and Ministry and value the ecumenical studies there.

UCC played a central role in founding and the history or the School of Theology and Ministry as a place for forming clergy.

Conference helped start, fund the School of Theology and Ministry and had retired clergy serve as adjunct instructors.

Recent graduates and alums formed a Speak Out for STM group to raise questions about the closing and find options.

N-Sid-Sen is planning a regular camping season for summer 2022, with groups coming in spring and fall.

Summer 2021

Ed Coleman summarizes efforts of Stewardship Committee to help implement budget line item for anti-racism.

Dismantling Racism group leads gathering session in discussing encouraging PNC to be more anti-racist.

Allysa De Wolf will lead a workshop on cults and conspiracy theories for the 2021 General Synod.

November-December 2016

Amy Johnson at Wayside UCC is commissioned to promote Our Whole Lives curriculum for national UCC.

Five members of PNC churches begin Justice Leadership Jubilee intensive program of training and service.

Camps prepare for midwinter junior and senior high youth retreats in January and March at Pilgrim Firs and N-Sid-Sen.

September-October 2016

Extended family's lives intersect with summer camps and retreats at N-Sid-Sen.

Young adult intern team begins year commitment in Justice Leadership Program.

Pilgrim Firs announces upcoming retreats for the Conference.

Senior High Aqua Camp install benches along trails and a bridge at N-Sid-Sen.

PNC News Briefs include clergy and lay leader transitions, lectures and other events.

About 60 PNC youth attended the National Youth Event in July at Orlando, Florida.

June-July 2016

Farm Worker NW Ministry asks UCC and others to join berry boycott to support farm worker justice.

Congregations tell how their ministries go "out on a limb" to serve their communities and members.

April 2016

Retired minister discovers new life in writing and publishing children's books.

Camps plan counselor trainingduring summer, announce camp dates, seek funds for mattresses and plan curriculum.

February 2016

Team from PNC churches plan workshop "On the Intersection of Faith Journeys and Scientific Inquiry."

Festival of Preaching and Worship will be held April 11 to 14 in Seattle. The event is held every four years.

September-October 2014

Western Regional Youth Event drew 300 youth for workshops, worship and service.

June-July 2014

Jenn Hagedorn begins education for congregations on need for living wage.

April-May 2014

Camps gear up for summer season and for Western Regional Youth Event.

Adult forum hears journal of a soldier in Iraq, sharing realities of war and coming home.

December 2012

Faith Formation replaces Partners in Education for resourcing education shift.

PNC sends lay leaders to national gathering of the UCC network for youth ministers.

Donald Schmidt shares new Bible translation with study guides.

September 2012

Mike Denton's column shares a letter extolling youth participants in the National Youth Event during July in Indianapolis.

Tara Barber reports on PNC participation in 2012 National Youth Event and a service project at a food bank in Indianapolis.

April 2012

Partners in Education offer advice and resources for churches to develop Safe Church or Safe Conduct Guidelines.

November 2010

Seattle U's School of Theology and Ministry provides model for ecumenical theological studies with emphasis on justice.

Cradle UCCers teach polity to MDiv students and clergy at Jesuit Seattle University's ecumenical program.

Cooperative campus ministry at UW changes name and restarts, renamed as Progressive Christians at the UW.

Pastor shares his insights on doing youth ministry, based on resources as a UCC Partner in Education.

September 2010

Pastor, consultant, educator offers training in Celtic spirituality and in improving racial relations.

February 2010

PNC's partners in education will help congregations learn about UCC curriculum and make decisions.