Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr. has announced a Cabinet change, effective July 1, 2012. After six years, the Rev. Jerry Smith will be completing his service on the Cabinet. Rev. Smith is superintendent for the Great Northern District.

"I am extremely grateful for Jerry's faithful leadership during some challenging years for the California-Nevada Conference," the bishop said. "He has led the formation of the Great Northern District and has a deep love for that region of our Conference. We have benefited greatly from his service on the Cabinet and look forward to what he will bring to the Conference in the next phase of his ministry."

The bishop has asked the Rev. David L. Samelson, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Eureka, to become the new superintendent to the Great Northern District on July 1.

Rev. Samelson is a graduate of Pacific School of Religion and Asbury Theological Seminary and has been a member of the California-Nevada Annual Conference since 1988. Before being appointed to Eureka First in 2006, he served at Greenville, Taylorsville, and Yreka UMCs. He currently is a circuit leader in the Great Northern District.

"I am delighted to welcome Dave Samelson to the Cabinet," Bishop Brown said. "He has a passion for the local church. His unique gifts of ministry will serve the Conference well in this role, as we continue to work toward a goal of more ably carrying out our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We look forward to his leadership."

Dates, Times, Locations of Discovery Events Are Set

Join Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr., Conference and District Superintendents, and other clergy and laity at one of these events, for a time of re-connecting with our passion for Jesus Christ and our compassion for all; exploration of resources available to each church to help it fulfill its part in God's mission; and learning from one another about creating clear, simple disciple-making movements and innovative ways to create new places for new people.

Please note that although you may attend at whatever location is most convenient for you, content at each event will be somewhat specific to the hosting district. Therefore, we recommend that you go to the event within your own district, if possible.

Reconnect with your passion for Jesus Christ and your compassion for all. Join us on Feb. 25, March 25, March 31, or April 14 for a day of being, seeing, and doing what matters to God!

Briefing Previews General Conference Issues

This is look at issues explored at a recent Pre-General Conference News Briefing in Tampa, Florida. A separate story, Preview to Church Restructuring Debate, focuses on the proposal to restructure the Church.

TAMPA, Fla. (UMNS)—Diverse issues presented at a recent three-day briefing signaled the workload ahead for the lawmaking body of The United Methodist Church, which meets this spring.

More than 300 delegates, communicators, and others who will be part of the 2012 General Conference met Jan. 19-21 at the Tampa Convention Center, site of the legislative assembly, for a preview of some of the issues they will face April 24-May 4. United Methodist Communications sponsored the event, with involvement and support from other agencies and ministries of the Church. This is a brief look at the issues explored.

Proposed changes to the ordination process would eliminate guaranteed appointments, streamline the ordination process, and sharpen the focus on making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, said members of the Study of Ministry Commission in their presentation on clergy effectiveness proposals.

The Rev. Jay Williams, pastor of Glendale United Methodist Church, Everett, Massachusetts, endorsed the plan, which would eliminate the commissioning step, create an orientation to ministry, and require Conferences to have vocational discernment coordinators.

Guaranteed appointments was introduced in the 1956 Book of Discipline as a way to protect women who received the rights to become ordained at that General Conference, said the Rev. Tom Choi, Hawaii District superintendent, California-Pacific Annual (regional) Conference.

Leadership needs to be creative and nimble, said the Rev. Amy Gearhart, senior pastor of Missouri United Methodist Church in Columbia. She said security of appointment for elders in good standing has become a "barrier to mission."

In 2010, the United Methodist Sustainability Advisory Group released a report saying there are 784 more pastors than appointments in the denomination. Clergy retirements by 2013 will leave drastically low numbers, if younger clergy are not recruited and encouraged.

Bishop Larry Goodpaster, current Council of Bishops president, discussed the proposal to create a "set-aside bishop" without residential responsibilities.

Some delegates questioned whether a new bishop position, along with the elimination of guaranteed appointments, would shift too much power to the bishops.

Goodpaster emphasized that the General Conference will still be the only voice that speaks for the entire denomination and bishops will remain bound by The United Methodist Book of Discipline.

Representatives of the United Methodist ethnic/racial ministries asked news-briefing participants to see and hear them because often they feel "invisible."

The denomination's ethnic initiatives help start new churches and cultivate new leaders to draw more people of color into The United Methodist Church.

"It is our mission to be the Church for all people and to bring the great news to each in their own language," said the Rev. Francisco Cañas, speaking for the ethnic/racial ministries. Cañas is national coordinator of the National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry.

The group expressed concerns with a proposed restructure of The United Methodist Church, which includes a plan to consolidate nine of the denomination's 13 general agencies into a new United Methodist Center for Connectional Mission and Ministry.

The ethnic initiatives said there was little or no consultation with them about the new structure proposed by the Interim Operations Team, which developed the restructure proposal endorsed by the Connectional Table and Council of Bishops. The Connectional Table drafted the legislation.

"We should have some direct say-so about where we are placed and financed," said the Rev. Fred A. Allen, national director of Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century.

"Pacific Islanders will give their last dollar before they see a church die," said Monalisa Tui'tahi, executive director of the Pacific Islanders National Plan. "We need your partnership to be part of the family."

Representatives of the United Methodist Council on Korean American Ministries, Asian American Language Ministry, and Native American Comprehensive Plan also spoke.

The Rev. Anita Phillips, executive director of the Native American Comprehensive Plan, softly asked that question and stilled the room of General Conference delegates, communicators, and agency staff.

Not far from the Tampa Convention Center, where the legislative assembly of nearly 1,000 delegates from around the world will meet, is a marker in honor of the remains of a small Native American tribe uncovered when the center was constructed in 1987.

"A temple mound stood five stories high and existed before the time of Christ," said the Rev. Stephen Sidorak, top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns. Tampa also was the deportation center for Native Americans and African slaves, he said.

The committee working on the service has been to the Philippines and other places to gather stories from indigenous persons "wherever United Methodism has spread its blanket on the land," Phillips said.

"My hope rests in Christ. I claim you as a brother or sister in Christ and ask that you claim me as a representative of the Native American nation," she said. "It is one of the most important things you will do at this General Conference."

A 20-member Committee to Study the Worldwide Nature of The United Methodist Church considered how to forge deeper connections, establish greater local authority, and create a more equitable sharing of power and representation, reported Kansas Area Bishop Scott Jones, who chaired the committee.

"Part of what we heard everywhere was … a desire to have greater equality across the Church," said the Rev. Cathy Stengel, a district superintendent from the Upper New York Annual Conference.

The Rev. Forbes Matonga of Zimbabwe, the committee vice chair, said the denomination must make some changes to bind its members together. "As we were listening, it was very clear that people we met want to remain United Methodist," he added.

Central Conferences outside the United States have the right to adapt provisions in the Book of Discipline for their own use, but "nobody knows what is adaptable and what isn't," Jones pointed out. The committee has submitted legislation to solve that problem.

The committee's other legislative petitions focus on the duties of general agencies to be responsive to the world Church, and continued conversations about a global model for the denomination.

As the U.S. economy improves, more than 40 percent of United Methodist congregations "describe their financial health as good or excellent," reported John Goolsbey, a staff executive with the denomination's Council on Finance and Administration.

Still, all levels of the Church responded to the recession, he said, by cutting staff, freezing salaries, and re-aligning ministries. The downturn affected church endowments and savings, capital projects, and giving to mission work.

At General Conference, the finance and administration agency's main task will be to present a proposed Church budget for 2013-16. The agency also submitted 43 petitions.

To facilitate the budget process, the agency established an economic advisory committee, which created three economic scenarios and worked with the projections of denominational agencies, explained the Rev. Pat Youngquist, staff executive.

At $603 million, the recommended budget reflects general reductions of 6.6 percent and marks the first time a budget smaller than the one for the previous quadrennium will be presented.

The World Service Fund represents 52 percent of the budget, at $311.6 million. Other categories are Ministerial Education, $105.6 million; Episcopal (the bishops), $90.3 million; General Administration, $8.2 million; Black College, $42.1 million; Africa University, $9.4 million; and Interdenominational Cooperation, $8.2 million.

"Great ministries cannot be done without your support for the apportionments," A. Moses Kumar, top staff executive of the Council on Finance and Administration, reminded the delegates.

General Conference will consider two proposals that would change clergy pensions, shifting more of the risk in retirement preparation from Annual Conferences to individual clergy.

The United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits is asking the denomination's top lawmaking body to choose between the two options. The first would combine a defined benefit component with a defined contribution component, like the clergy's current retirement program but with a reduced benefit for clergy and, consequently, a lower contribution for Conferences. The second option would be a defined contribution-only plan.

A defined benefit plan provides a monthly pension payment for life, with the employer assuming the bulk of the investment risk. A defined contribution plan – like the 401(k) plans most corporate employees now have – provides an account balance to use during retirement, with the clergyperson assuming most of the risk that the money will not run out in his or her lifetime.

"We have a theology of hope, but we try not to build that into our actuarial projections," said Barbara Boigegrain, the pension board's top executive.

The proposed changes would not reduce benefits for retired clergy who already are being paid, nor reduce what active clergy already have earned.

Leading a session on "Holy Conversation about Challenging Issues," Minnesota Area Bishop Sally Dyck said, "For many people, General Conference is dread-full.

Holy conferencing, or holy conversation, she said, "sets a tone for respectful dialogue and relationship building." The goal is to have dialogue instead of debate, and to find consensus around important matters rather than having "winners" and "losers."

"We do more political conferencing than holy conferencing," declared the Rev. Mike Slaughter, lead pastor of Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church, Tipp City, Ohio. Paraphrasing John 16:13, he expressed hope that "the Holy Spirit will lead to things to come."

The Rev. Bruce W. Robbins, pastor of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, Minneapolis, agreed. "The challenge of holy conversation can be a source of frustration and despair," he said. He cited the dilemma of being asked to conduct same-sex marriage ceremonies and the two covenants to which he is called – "as an ordained clergy and as a disciple of Jesus Christ."

The Rev. Thomas Lambrecht, vice president and general manager of Good News, said he experienced holy conferencing in the Wisconsin Annual (regional) Conference's study of homosexuality and called it "next to impossible at General Conference."

While some issues may seem impossible to resolve, he said, "it is important to remember how we treat one another, with respect and understanding. Holy conferencing allows us to talk about our deeply held convictions and the reasons we hold them."

Erin Hawkins, who leads the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race, said, "We are tasked with sustaining a difficult conversation every day.

Approaching General Conference, said the Rev. Stephanie Hixon, it is normal to feel anxious and somewhat fearful. She is co-executive director of the denomination's JustPeace Center for Mediation and Conflict Transformation.

"My prayer," she said, "is that we may know God's embrace is strong enough, wide enough, and tender enough to carry the important conversations that are put before us."

Panel participants were asked what they hope to experience about holy conversation from presiding bishops, other delegates, and themselves, and listed courage, fairness and respect, honesty, humility, and openness to others in the Spirit.

In his sermon, the Rev. Tom Albin, dean of the Upper Room for the United Methodist Board of Discipleship, focused on the importance of prayer before, during, and after General Conference.

He introduced a resource, "50 Days of Prayer Before & During General Conference 2012." Electronic communication will make it possible for every local congregation in every part of the world to pray with and for the 988 delegates. Using the Internet and free, downloadable files, every United Methodist will be able to read the same Scripture, share the same insights, and pray the same prayer for 40 days before General Conference – as well as to pray through each day of the conference, April 24 through May 4.

Calling for diversity, he said, "To continue perpetuating the old rule of inviting only the people we know, who look and behave like us, will not produce the vitality and diversity that by nature belongs to God's kingdom.

"As United Methodist people, we find the solid ground of our mission in God's trust, love, and compassion for the entire breadth of humankind."

Marcia McFee 'Brings' General Conference to Lake Tahoe

Marcia McFee's Elevation Worship Leaders' Retreat will take place at Lake Tahoe just a few days after she completes her work as worship leader for General Conference in Tampa, Florida.

"I will be ready to celebrate and tell stories of what will hopefully have been an amazing 28 (yes!) worship experiences there," McFee says. "Examples will abound from my time there as it relates to how we offer life-giving, transforming worship in our local churches. Come and join the fun!"

The Elevation Worship Leaders' Retreat will take place May 14-18 (Monday-Friday) at Zephyr Point Conference Center in Zephyr Cove, Nevada. It will begin at 6 p.m. (Pacific Time) on Monday and end at 11 a.m. on Friday.

Already, the retreat is nearly at capacity and early bird special pricing ends at the end of January – so don't delay! Decide now to make 2012 the year that you renew your soul and your skills as a worship designer and leader by attending the Elevation Worship Leaders' Retreat, led by renowned worship designer and leader Marcia McFee.

Register now for "Pathway to Renewal: An Introduction to Leading Transformational Ministry for Congregational Teams," Saturday, Feb. 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Fairfield United Methodist Church.

Congregational renewal is more than re-tooling your mission statement or adding new programs. Congregational renewal occurs only when congregations have a complete change of heart and reorient their very understanding of the nature and purpose of their church.

Workshop leaders Mary Huycke and the Rev. Dan Smith, certified co-active leadership coaches and members of the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference, are working with church leaders across North America to lead congregations through this process by providing the tools, principles, and skills to effect change and renewal in the church. They have co-authored three books published by The Alban Institute: Pathway to Renewal: Practical Steps for Congregations (2008); Practicing Right Relationship: Skills for Deepening Purpose, Finding Fulfillment, and Increasing Effectiveness in Your Congregation (2005); and Redeveloping the Congregation: A How To for Lasting Change (2003).

For more information, download flyer here, or contact Mahsa Farahani in the Districts Administration Center at mahsaf@calnevumc.org or 916.374.1503.

Fairfield UMC is located at 1875 Fairfield Avenue, Fairfield, CA 94533. Get directions from Google Maps on the church's web page (http://calnevumc.org/churches/detail/234).

For more workshop and training opportunities, go to www.cnumc.org/register or click on the "Registration" tab on the Home Page at www.cnumc.org.

Online registration is available for a Clergy CEU workshop, Thursday, Feb. 16 at Holy Cross United Methodist Church in Stockton (9 a.m.-5 p.m.). The workshop cost is $85.

The next Clergy CEU workshop will be on Tuesday, June 19, the day before Annual Conference Session begins, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., location TBD.

Holy Cross UMC is located at 1200 W. Hammer Lane, Stockton, CA 95209. Visit the church's webpage (at http://www.cnumc.org/churches/detail/103) to plan your route using Google Maps.

'Grow Spiritually Through Daily Discipline': A District Lay Speaking Workshop, Feb. 25

Register now for the district lay speaking training, "Grow Spiritually through Daily Discipline," on Saturday, Feb. 25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at Easter Hill United Methodist Church in Richmond, California.

For more information, contact Sylvia Britt at smbritt@comcast.net or Becky Sheldon in the Districts Administration Center at beckys@calnevumc.org or 916.374.1500.

Easter Hill UMC is located at 3911 Cutting Blvd., Richmond, CA 94804. Get directions from Google Maps on the church's web page (http://calnevumc.org/churches/detail/192).

For more district lay training opportunities, visit the "Laity Registrations" page or go to www.cnumc.org/register (or click on the "Registrations" tab on the Conference website at www.cnumc.org) and select "Laity Registrations" from the menu on the right.

Youth 2011 Hip-hop Artist 'Agape' Brings Concert to Manteca in March

Agape (Dave Scherer) is a hip-hop artist who electrified audiences at the Youth 2011 events last summer with his dancing, rap, and storytelling that combines to spread the message of God's love through Christ.

Agape has been touring full time for 10 years, performing for hundreds of thousands of youth across the US and in six different countries, "Spreading God's love through hip-hop." He has a passion for young people and for helping them to realize their worth and to see themselves through Jesus' eyes.

And don't let the idea of hip-hop intimidate you: Agape has had people of all ages praising God together and having a great time. An Agape concert is fun for the WHOLE family!

Don't miss a great event! Register here now to experience Agape in concert on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul's UMC, 910 E. North Street, Manteca, CA 95336. Tickets are just $10 per person but only 200 seats are available, so don't delay!

He has recorded five CDs and has recorded with critically acclaimed producer Ant (Atmosphere, Brother Ali). On his recent CD, he had the privilege of working with Chris Brown's producer, Ra Charm and Grammy-award winning singer Billy Steele (Sounds of Blackness, The Steeles). Agape has shared the stage with the likes of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Toby Mac, David Crowder, Tony Campolo, and Gospel giant Kirk Franklin. And in 2001, he co-founded "JUMP" (Joint Urban Ministries in Praise), a ministry dedicated to helping urban youth unleash their leadership skills through the arts. Agape recently received the Tom Hunstad Award for excellence in youth ministry and for his contribution to the lives of young people.

Sierra Choral Festival in March Invites Participants

The annual Sierra Choral Festival (SCF), taking place in the Yosemite foothills in Oakhurst, California, is open to lovers of church choral music from all denominations, including United Methodist Church choristers in the California-Nevada Annual Conference.

Whether United Methodist or not, lovers of choral music are urged to sign up now to participate in the festival – under the direction of widely praised conductor, composer, and arranger Allan Robert Petker.

The SCF choristers will prepare and present a program titled, "Let Your Light Shine," on Saturday, March 10 at 4:30 p.m., at the Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, 39696 Highway 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644. The concert will be open to the public.

Registration fees for choristers, which cover the workshop and all sheet music, are $45 for individuals, $75 for two registrants from the same family, and $25 for students. Scholarship arrangements may be explored if needed.

Rehearsals will be Friday, March 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. and again on Saturday, March 10 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with a potluck salad brunch at midday.

The goal of the annual gathering of singers from the Mountain Area and beyond is to strengthen choral singing, according to Catherine Walker, Sierra Vista Presbyterian music director and coordinator of the festival. Participants come from all walks of life, having in common a love for singing in choirs and presenting top-quality choral music. Walker describes the festival's rehearsal times as "a rich time of singing together and learning 'choral tricks' that will benefit our future choral singing." It also will be a time of inspiration, she says.

Petker's credentials are extensive and impressive, including having conducted numerous accomplished choral groups across the U.S. and abroad, such as the select Consort Chorale in the Bay Area and the Santa Clarita Master Chorale in Southern California. More than 250 published choral works bear his name as composer and/or arranger, and he holds the post of director of publications for Fred Bock Music and its subsidiaries. In addition, as a teacher and instrumentalist, Petker has distinguished himself through several highly praised teaching documents, including a multi-volume series of books titled Choral Questions and Answers, considered a staple by many music educators.

If you are interested in participating, contact New Community/Oakhurst UMC Director of Music Monika Moulin at the church office, 559.683.2652 or office@newcommunityumc.net, for registration information.

Moulin says, "Making a joyful noise through participation in church choirs is one of the most fundamental and most moving ways for folks to live out a faith in an all-loving God. This Sierra Choral Festival is ecumenical and invigorating, a perfect way for members of varying and various faith communities to come together to worship and praise God."

News:

Bishop Announces Cabinet Change

Dates, Times, Locations of Discovery Events Are Set

Briefing Previews General Conference Issues

Marcia McFee 'Brings' General Conference to Lake Tahoe

Register Now for Pathway to Renewal, Feb. 11

Register for Clergy CEU Workshop on Feb. 16

'Grow Spiritually Through Daily Discipline': A District Lay Speaking Workshop, Feb. 25

Youth 2011 Hip-hop Artist 'Agape' Brings Concert to Manteca in March

Sierra Choral Festival in March Invites Participants

Events:

Active Registrations: