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Feature Articles and News Stories Listed by Issue Date

September-October 2017

PNC delegates share reflections on experiences at General Synod, offering insights on synod and the national UCC. Don and Lynnea Mayer scholarships have gone to 12 recipients since it started in 2006 for MDiv students at the STM. Tara Leininger finds wearing a clerical collar a valued tool in her identity as a pastor in a rural town where she is also mayor. 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. Michelle Doherty reports on ways to give to the PNC's new Friends of the Conference Campaign. South Korean partners call for an end to the war of words so there can be progress towards a peace treaty. Senior high camps bring together two different cultures from N-Sid-Sen and Pilgrim Firs as camps merge. Meighan Pritchard writes PNC column about a mosque spreading God's radical love across boundaries at a barbeque.

Courtney Stange Tregear will be the keynote speaker and be installed at the Fall Gathering Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at N-Sid-Sen. Amber Dickson is the new organizer for the Faith Action Network, where she served two terms as a UCC intern. Co-directors tell of UCC's commitment to the Faith Action Network since it formed six year as the interfaith advocacy arm. Plymouth UCC Seattle member is named volunteer of the year by Habitat for Humanity in King County. Members of Monroe UCC packed 46 back-to-school backpacks for severals community schools. Covenant groups at Ferndale and Walla Walla UCC churches strengthen relationships of church members. Mark Boyd summarizes summer camping programs, transition team and creative camp fires. News briefs include reports on transitions, films on Islam, documentary on 'Screenagers,' clergy retreat and more.

Summer 2017

Annual Meeting delegates, clergy and visitors seek to explore and understand what church vitality is. PNC adopts a budget that challenges the PNC to build vitality and honors commitment to national, Speaking by video, national UCC General Minister and President John Dorhauer shares reflections. Pride Worship Service has more clergy of more faiths involved in planning and conducting it. PNC global partners in East Seoul Presbytery share concerns about military tensions on peninsula. New Pilgrims Community changes name and style, but not its ministry of outreach to the community. N-Sid-Sen welcomes international summer staff. Pilgrim Firs has local staff, many who go home each day. Jenn Hagedorn is recognized at General Synod with the Youth/Young Adult Justice Award. Understanding the cycle of victim/villain/hero helps individuals and congregations address conflict. PNC Board seeks to shrink distances between people and congregations in the Conference.

Mike Denton tells of Rufus Anderson's three self-principles intended to encourage missionaries to be partners. Briana Brannon introduces resolution for PNC and churches to be welcoming of immigrants and refugees. UCC clergy and members jointhousands at the March for Science in Seattle and other communities. Helen Bonser who helped start the Pride Parade in Spokane is now a member of the Veradale UCC. Seattle Pride Parade 2017 Seattle Pride Parade seeks to clearly demonstrate the commitment of the UCC to advocate for LGBT people and issues. Eagle Harbor UCC plants a community cypress tree for Arbor Day/Earth Day event held at the church. PNC couple volunteered to teach English with Global Ministries partners in Sri Lanka for three months in 2017. Justice Leadership programs for young adults and older adults spread the work for justice in the region. Justice Witness Ministries meets on teleconference, has hotsheet and a website to communicate justice action. Transitions for clergy and news on events, including the 2017 General Synod June 30 to July 4 are included.

April 2017

Conference Board calls for Annual Meeting to be a vital community gathered together for mission. Kim and Eric Free learned to listen and learn about local people in Mozambique before starting projects. Synod delegate Jill Komura helps people address life transitions in her work at United Churches of Olympia. Nathaniel Mahlberg plans to engage his church in Walla Walla in General Synod before and after the gathering. Wade Zick divides energies between planning Annual Meetings and 2018 intergenerational mission camps. News Briefs include reports on transitions, women's retreat, special offerings, dialogue skills, valve turners and more.

In her 20 years of working in the PNC office in Seattle, Arlene Hobson has adapted to changes in leaders, locations and styles.. Justice Leadership intern David Choi learns about organizing faith communities to act through the Faith Action Network. Synod delegate Kyna Shilling brings together theater skills and worship planning at Plymouth UCC in Seattle. Lake Coeur d’Alene flood levels covered campfire areas and damaged dock at N-Sid-Sen.  Snow collapsed roof of boat barn. Conference Minister Mike Denton says that the church is the place to practice, encourage empathy

February 2017

As churches care about communities, communities will care about churches, said Courtney Stange-Tregear. In Anacortes, Pilgrim UCC has 15 members who volunteer to give out backpacks at Project Homeless Connect. Two members of All Pilgrims spend three months in Sri Lanka as volunteers with UCC/Disciples Global Ministries. N-Sid-Sen and Pilgrim Firs embark on new camping programing for 2018 with mission camps at Pilgrim Firs. Richmond Beach UCC voted on Jan. 29 to become a sanctuary church to shelter refugees from deportation. Erik and Kim Free visit in Northwest churches to tell about their work with Global Ministries in Mozambique. News Briefs include stories of transitions and stories of workshops, retreats and other events in the Conference.

North shore UCC holds events to meet Muslims, dismantle racism, offer meaningful movies and learn of white privilege. About 40 members of Fox Island UCC have learned about complexities of immigration by vigils at detention center. Leslie Cushman of the PNC Justice and Witness Ministries Committee advocates for reform of deadly use of force laws. Courtney Stange-Tregear shares her impressions from having participated in the Women's March in D.C. Members of PNC churches from Spokane to Seattle to Bellingham joined in local Women's Marches. In 2017, there will be two Annual Meetings, one for business at Pilgrim Firs and one for education at N-Sid-Sen. Mike Denton discusses issues of the separation of church and state as needed to prevent establishment of a religion.

 

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