Pacific Northwest Conference United Church of Christ

Northern California Nevada Conference

pncucc@yahoo.com — Tue, 24 May 2011 15:59:00 PDT

The Annual Gathering (Meeting) of the Northern California Nevada Conference happened last weekend. Here is a slideshow put to music summarizing their gathering. Let's remember that many Conference have their Annual Meetings over the next few weeks. To remember that we live in Covenant, say a prayer for the life of another Conference.

Da Vita MacCallister Sunday Sermon

pncucc@yahoo.com — Wed, 04 May 2011 08:57:34 PDT

A couple people asked me if the Tech Crew from Annual Meeting was going to video the sermon by Da Vita MacCallister at University Congregational United Church of Christ on Sunday morning May 1. Well....no...that was not in the plan.

However, University does an audio recording of their sermons and podcasts them. You can subscribe to their sermons on Itunes. Also, here is the sermon page from their website where you will find DaVita's sermon to listen to.

University Congregational UCC Sermon Page

Annual Meeting 2012

pncucc@yahoo.com — Tue, 03 May 2011 20:45:05 PDT

The next Annual Meeting of the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Church of Christ
is April 27-29, 2012

All Videos are up on the Blog

pncucc@yahoo.com — Tue, 03 May 2011 22:31:42 PDT

As I write this on Tuesday evening, I am reflecting with a smile about how wonderful this Annual Meeting was. All of you should know, all of you should give thanks to Ben von Ullrich for his great work editing all the video from the weekend and getting it uploaded so we can watch it again and again. He uploaded the last video about an hour ago breaking the Annual Meeting record for most hours of video edited and finishing in the shortest amount of time. Ben -- I look forward to working with you again next year.

Also, another big shout out to John Eisenhauer who patched all the cords and equipment together with his genius that allowed for all the projection at Annual Meeting, the recording of the video, and the high quality of sound on the videos. John -- I look forward to our continued collaboration as well.

And...many thanks to those who contributed as Blog authors like Jason Boyd, Nick CastroLang, Da Vita McCallister, Brandon Duran, and Margaret Irrabarra.

Enjoy the Blog...it is rich with the content, life, and vibrancy of the Annual Meeting. Also, visit the PNCUCC YouTube Channel for all the videos.

Thanks to the many people who though email, a kind word, or a touch of the shoulder at the Annual Meeting expressed your appreciation to the Tech Crew. We notice and it matters! And to all of you who watched over the live stream -- you helps us reach to heights in viewership their as well.

See you online and in Pasco for next year's Annual Meeting.
Jim CastroLang

Remembering the Connections We have Lost in our Conference

pncucc@yahoo.com — Tue, 03 May 2011 22:30:56 PDT

Every year, during Friday night Worship, we pause to remember by name those who we have died over the last year. These are people who we have valued connecting with in our Conference over the years. We pause to reflect on their accomplishments and service in our Conference -- and the value of their friendship. We pause to see how their presence helped to point so many in a direction of hope and faith.

Watch and listen...again to these remembrances.

Every Stitch Tells a Story: A Worldview Workshop

pncucc@yahoo.com — Tue, 03 May 2011 20:11:24 PDT

Mary Maxwell led this workshop on Friday afternoon. Thanks to Kizzie Jones for providing the video of this workshop.

This workshop invites you to a trip around the world, a "trunk show" of colorful studio art quilts illustrating stories based on memories of world travel and living overseas (Saipan, Mariana Islands, Ecuador, and Nepal). She expresses her ambivalence with the changes in the traditional life of indigenous people that have resulted from development and concern about the direction the world is headed. She served as a docent at the Portland Art Museum since returning to the U.S. after four years as a Global missionary in Kathmandu. Mary Maxwell is a retired oncology nurse from the Portland Veterans Hospital.

She has served as a UCC global missionary, teaching nursing in Kathmandu. She has lived and traveled worldwide collecting ethnic textiles and creating colorful textile art inspired by her travels. She has created fiber art based on the changes in the traditional life of indigenous people that have resulted from development and contemporary global issues.

Thank you for a great Annual Meeting!

pncucc@yahoo.com — Tue, 03 May 2011 16:31:23 PDT

I knew I'd forget to thank some people in the video!

I forgot to mention my deep gratitude for the youth leaders who pulled together a great program, the many youth who so actively participated in the weekend, the young adults who connected with and shaped this year's meeting, the childcare providers, the workshop presenters, and all those who contributed to the amazing worship experiences. I'm sure there are more people to thank. It takes a lot of talented people and the grace of God to pull such a beautiful event together!

Please take a moment to download and complete the 2011 Annual Meeting evaluation. We want to carry forward the best ideas into the 2012 gathering in Pascoe.

You can download the evaluation form here.

Annual Meeting Loose Ends

pncucc@yahoo.com — Tue, 03 May 2011 11:43:50 PDT

Maybe you are like me.... didn't bring Stewardship Commitment from my Congregation to the Annual Meeting where we were invited to put it in the offering plate at Saturday night worship. Maybe you are also like me...have not yet filled out your Annual Meeting evaluation form which gives helpful input to the Conference and to next year's planning team for how we can have an improved Annual Meeting experience.

Well here are three documents that will help you catch up:

Stewardship Letter & Worksheet

Stewardship Covenant Commitment Form

2011 Annual Meeting Evaluation Form

Saturday Night Worship Sermon

pncucc@yahoo.com — Tue, 03 May 2011 10:40:38 PDT

The sermon in this worship was shared by Gail Crouch, Mike Denton, and Kimmy Elias reflecting on the theme of the Annual Meeting, "Connections, Reflections, Directions". The scripture read before the sermon was I Peter 1:3-9 .

Saturday Night Worship Music

pncucc@yahoo.com — Tue, 03 May 2011 10:31:05 PDT

If you like powerful Organs and Big Choirs then you will love the music from this worship. Douglas Cleveland, Organist and Music Director from Plymouth UCC, Seattle is on the organ in the University Presbyterian Church. Heidi Blythe, Director of Music at University Congregational UCC, Seattle is directing the choir as well as the Brass Quintet and the Jazz Combo.

Here is the Bulletin for this Worship:

And now the Video....published at http://pncuccam.blogspot.com

Da Vita MacCallister Friday Workshop

pncucc@yahoo.com — Tue, 03 May 2011 11:33:46 PDT

Our first chance at Annual Meeting to meet Rev. Da Vita MacCallister, Connecticut Conference Associate Minister for youth and young adults was Friday afternoon during this workshop.

Here are the PowerPoint Slides that go with this workshop

Global Ministries Missionary: Alison Stendahl

pncucc@yahoo.com — Tue, 03 May 2011 10:01:12 PDT

Ed Evans, chair of PNCUCC Global Ministries Committee interviews Alison Stendahl, appointed by the Common Global Mission Board of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church-Disciples of Christ since 1980, serving as Academic Dean and a mathematics teacher at Uskudar American Academy, by the invitation of the Health and Education Foundation.

Alison Stendahl in Turkey from Ed Evans on Vimeo.

Opening Affirming Resolution and Vote

pncucc@yahoo.com — Mon, 02 May 2011 14:07:08 PDT

Earlier I posted the Saturday morning hearing concerning the Opening and Affirming Resolution.

Here is original resolution:

Here is final language voted on:

Here is video of the Hearing:

And, here is the video of the formal presenting, discussion, debate, and vote on the resolution:

Friday Night Worship Bulletin

pncucc@yahoo.com — Mon, 02 May 2011 13:58:15 PDT

The Music and Sermon from Friday night have been posted on this Blog. Here is the Bulletin for that worship.

Friday Worship Bulletin

Plenary Session 2 & 3: Saturday Afternoon

pncucc@yahoo.com — Mon, 02 May 2011 19:13:42 PDT

This was definitely a packed gathering time. Following an opening prayer the Technology and Information Report was presented by Kathleen Hosfeld who contracted by the Conference to make recommendations to the Conference.

Then the Nominations slate to fill Board of Directors and Committee positions was presented for a vote. The Financial picture for 2010 was presented followed by a vote on the 2012 budget. Then, the CLSA name change resolution and the Open & Affirming (part 7-9 of this playlist but also pulled out and posted earlier).

And there is more...after a short break we heard the Camp Reports, Conference Minister Mike Denton's report, an Installation of all elected people, passing of the Moderator's cross & gavel from Kristine Zakarison to Brandon Duran. Finally, there was recognition of new clergy, retiring clergy, and students in discernment.

What an afternoon!

Looking Back

pncucc@yahoo.com — Mon, 02 May 2011 07:23:20 PDT

So our 2011 Pacific Northwest Conference Annual Meeting has come to a close. Looking back on this meeting gives me a very positive feeling about the future of our conference. Our Still Speaking God indeed has more truth and light to break forth from our UCC churches in Washington, north Idaho, and Alaska.

That truth and light already started breaking forth this weekend. I hope I am not alone in already rethinking how we communicate in and from our churches. There are some boats we are missing by not moving forward with the technological tools through which God can also speak - and just because I'm typing this on an iPad2 doesn't mean I fully understand it all either. But we can walk forward together on this, and our youth and young adults can lead us. Let's listen to them.

And then there was our Open and Affirming resolution. Wow. Can I tell you just how joyful it was Sunday morning in worship to be able to tell my congregation that we declared ourselves an Open and Affirming conference without a single dissenting vote? There was - and is - great joy. I was told that the Pacific Northwest Conference has one of the highest percentages of ONA congregations in the entire UCC. I've not seen the stats on this, but this tells us that we can lead. God is calling us to lead. Let us lead the whole UCC, let us bring our voices of love and justice to all our brothers and sisters across the Body of Christ.

A "PS" -- thank you to those who came to this meeting from outside the area who joined my congregation - Kirkland Congregational Church UCC - for our Holy Humor Sunday worship. We were so glad to have you share this joyous day with us!

And with that, I draw this to a close. My Schnauzer is telling me he wants attention.....and while Davita taught us about pelicans and grasshoppers this weekend, I know the importance of tending to the Schnauzer! :-)

See everyone in Tri-Cities in 2012! Blessings!

The Women Preached it First

pncucc@yahoo.com — Sun, 01 May 2011 23:34:01 PDT

"The Women Preached it First" video from the UCC was mentioned in the Saturday night worship by Rev. Gail Crouch in the sermon she shared with Conference Minister Mike Denton and Kimmy Elias.

All videos from Annual Meeting can be found at http://pncuccam.blogspot.com

Video of Open & Affirming Resolution Hearing

pncucc@yahoo.com — Sun, 01 May 2011 23:18:48 PDT

Here is the video of the Open & Affirming Resolution hearing held Saturday morning April 30 in the Sanctuary of University Congregational UCC. This of course led to a vote in the afternoon on the resolution that passed without any NO votes.

All Videos can be watched at http://pncuccam.blogspot.com

Da Vita MacCallister Keynote Address

pncucc@yahoo.com — Sun, 01 May 2011 15:48:46 PDT

Rev. Da Vita MacCallister came all the way from the Connecticut Conference where she works for the Conference in Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Hopefully, you saw on this Blog the workshop she did on Friday and the sermon during worship Friday night.

She woke us up Saturday morning following our devotion time with this great keynote talk:

All the Friday Night Worship Music

pncucc@yahoo.com — Sun, 01 May 2011 09:25:20 PDT

Here is all the spectacular music from Friday night Annual Meeting worship in one playlist.

More videos are coming..over the next few days....keep your eyes on this Blog.

Annual Meeting Continues into Sunday

pncucc@yahoo.com — Sun, 01 May 2011 09:21:47 PDT

At the closing worship last night, new Moderator Brandon Duran reminded delegates and visitors that the Annual Meeting did not end with the recessional music of the worship. Those in attendance are commissioned to bring the Annual Meeting our to the local UCC churches in the area and throughout the Conference.

Go to a UCC church on Sunday morning and bring the energy, spirit -- the Connections, Reflections, and Directions -- the full welcome and embrace from this Annual Meeting into each local church. Let them know that you have come from and bring the Annual Meeting to them.

Then...come back to this Blog...comment on this post...and share your experience in the local church this morning.

Final ONA Language

pncucc@yahoo.com — Sun, 01 May 2011 15:27:19 PDT

Wanted to make sure that everyone had the final language from the "Therefores" in the Opening and Affirming Resolution passed at Annual Meeting on Saturday. There were a couple changes from the proposed language.

ONA Final Language

Pelicans and Grasshoppers: Da Vita Friday Sermon

pncucc@yahoo.com — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 21:27:22 PDT

Are you a grasshopper or Pelican? If you never considered it, this sermon will have you asking yourself and others.

friday worship: sermon from PNC UCC on Vimeo.

Friday Night Worship: Music Part 1

pncucc@yahoo.com — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 18:09:36 PDT

The videos will start rolling....here is the first video of Friday night worship...some of the exquisite music..more to come.

Mike Denton is speaking

pncucc@yahoo.com — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 17:06:30 PDT

How blessed are we to have Mike Denton's leadership as our Conference Minister. The future of the Pacific Northwest Conference of the UCC looks bright for many reasons and the Holy Spirit is truly moving through us.