News

i-Relate at Laity Session

i-Relate is looking forward to being with you in various ways at this year's Annual Conference Session. We believe that Intercultural Competency is a great skill to have helping us to understand and relate deeply with one another in diverse cultural contexts. We hope that our sharing will spark great conversation and engagement. We also offer various in-depth sessions throughout the year for further learning and exploration.   As one of the presenters at the Laity Session, i-Relate...

Tithing Proposal Figures for Local Churches

As we continue to prepare for the task of holy conferencing next week in Sacramento and discern the tithing proposal being considered at the Annual Conference session, here are the figures for each local church in the California-Nevada with the current rule and the proposed change to a tithe. Tithing Proposal (PDF document)  ...

Oakland Korean UMC Tithes to Bridge of Love to Angola

Oakland Korean UMC recently presented Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr., with a $5,000 check for the "Bridge of Love to Angola" mission offering to take place at the Annual Conference Session in Sacramento. The Rev. Kang-Won Lee, pastor of Oakland Korean UMC, says the church wanted to raise enough to present an amount equivalent to the tithe of the $50,000 Bishop Brown challenged the annual conference to raise for the offering.   E-mail Dr. Larry R. Hygh, Jr., director of...

Last Minute Items for ACS

Prayer Room A prayer room will be available this year at ACS. Available times are: Wednesday, June 19, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. Thursday, June 20, 8:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Friday, June 21, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. and 5:30–9 p.m. Saturday, June 22, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Retirement Reflections Retirement reflections from some of the clergy who are retiring this year, are posted on the 2013 Annual Conference Session page. Show Your Badge Program  The Sacramento...

Annual Conference Speakers

This year, we will have three guest speakers at 2013 Annual Conference Session, June 19-22, 2013: the Rev. Dr. Eric Law will be speaking throughout the annual conference session; the Rev. Dr. George "Tink" Tinker, will deliver an "Invitation to Prayer and Reflection" on our history and current relationship with Native People, on Thursday evening, June 21; and the Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, of the Wisconsin Annual Conference, will preach for Ordination. Rev. Dr....

Items for ACS

Registration: Registration for 2013 Annual Conference Session is closed. If you did NOT pre-register, you must register upstairs in the conference office (Room 305). On Wednesday, registration opens at 8 a.m. The registration tables will be located in their familiar spot in the hallway outside our meeting space (Hall A). If you pre-registered, pick up your badge and registration packet. At 5:30 p.m., on Wednesday, all registration will move to the conference office (Room 305) and will remain...

Insuring the Future

The "Insuring the Future" Program is designed to help protect the financial future of local churches and members. The Dream Company, LLC is an organization that the General Council of the United Methodist Church (GCFA) has vetted and has potential to benefit local churches, members, and their families. To introduce "Insuring the Future," Dream is sponsoring a complimentary dinner at the Annual Conference Session featuring the president of their company, former NBA...

Mission Extension Society Leaders Gather for a Summit

Leaders from the 12 Mission Extension Societies in the California-Nevada Conference recently gathered for a summit at the conference center in West Sacramento. This was the first time all of the groups met collectively. During their time together, they shared ministry reports and had a strategic thinking session with Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr. The Revs. Matthew Smith and Linda Dew-Hiersoux, co-pastors of The Table at Central UMC, Sacramento, led the group in a devotional reflection based on...

United Methodist Join Voices for Victory Against Sex Trafficking in Nevada

By the Rev. Art Gafke In a major victory for victims of sex trafficking, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval signed a landmark bill. State Attorney General Catherine Cortez-Masto introduced Assembly Bill 67 in the recent legislative session in part because she knew of broad public support through Nevadans for the Common Good.    This broad-based, interfaith organization, began in May of 2012 to address various problems in Nevada. All ten United Methodist congregations in the Las Vegas...

Tithing Task Force Proposal

By the Rev. Rod Brayfindley Chair, Tithing Task Force Pastor, First UMC Redding There is growing enthusiasm for the proposal to make our apportionment formula a simple tithe on congregational General Fund income. I was convinced, almost from the start, that it could be a trust-building revolution from local churches to the Annual Conference. There are also still some vigorous opponents.   The proposal, to be voted on at the Annual Conference session, is to let go of the complicated...

Weather Continues Toll in U.S. Heartland

OKLAHOMA CITY (UMNS) — Greg Forrester, top executive for domestic disaster response for the United Methodist Committee on Relief, arrived in Oklahoma on Sunday to meet with church officials there on tornado recovery efforts. The trip was scheduled after the massive May 20 tornado that claimed 24 lives and caused widespread damage in Moore, Okla., and adjacent areas, and followed another round of deadly twisters. Read full story Read Bishop Hayes' call to prayer ...

Weather Continues Toll Across Middle America

DES MOINES, Iowa (UMNS) — "Many of the people who are cleaning out their basements know full well that when it rains hard tonight they are going to have water in them again," writes the Rev. Catie Newman, the Northwest District Disaster Response Coordinator for the Iowa Annual (regional) Conference, as weather continues to take its toll in the U.S. heartland. Read story here. Dealing with Disaster  ...

New Look for Women's Commission

CHICAGO (UMNS) — Forty years after the launch of feminist magazine Ms., four decades after Congress sent the Equal Rights Amendment to states for ratification and 10 quadrennia after The United Methodist Church established the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women, the agency has updated its logo. Read story and see logos Commission on Status and Role of Women  ...

McClain to Retire from Mission Society

NORCROSS, Ga. (UMNS) —The Mission Society, which deploys missionaries globally in a variety of Christian ministries, has announced the retirement of Dick McClain, its president and longest-tenured member of staff, effective May 2014. McClain, elected president in 2009, has worked at the organization since 1986. Read news release here.  ...

Tulare UMC Celebrates Sanctuary 100th Year

By Gerry Soults The public is invited to attend an open house with docent led tours of the sanctuary of Tulare United Methodist Church on Saturday, June 29, from 3 to 6 p.m. The church is located at 228 West Kern, Tulare, Calif. 93274. For more information, call (559) 686-8523, or e-mail tulareumc@sbcglobal.net.             In 1880 when Tulare was only eight years old, a small group of Methodists arrived in Tulare and began to hold their...

Nevada City UMC Holds Gospel Music Festival

The Nevada City UMC recently held its first annual gospel music festival. The festival featured area gospel artists, including Inheritance, Karen Westbrooks and Zamar, The Gospel Motivators, The Bethel AME Choir, Scott Hickman, and Grass Valley's Paige Anderson and The Fearless Kin. Southern-style food was served. The event partnered with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and proceeds will help to provide fresh water for villages in...

Lectionary Hymns for June 9 & 16, 2013

  Hymn suggestions for Revised Common Lectionary, Sunday, June 9, 2013 Hymn suggestions for Revised Common Lectionary, Sunday, June 16, 2013 With suggestions from United Methodist hymnals and songbooks.  ...

Last Chance to Register for Annual Conference Session

The registration deadline for Annual Conference Session, June 19-22 in Sacramento, is end-of-day on Saturday, June 1. Register for ACS here or visit the 2013 Annual Conference Session page – the first item found under "Quick Links" on the right side of the Home Page at www.cnumc.org.   Other important deadlines (see 2013 Annual Conference Session page for details): Childcare Registration (May 31): if you are planning to attend ACS and will need childcare, you...

Bishop Brown Meets with Union Leaders

By Dr. Larry R. Hygh, Jr., Communications Director Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr., recently met with union leaders concerning the national boycott of Hyatt hotels. The meeting was in response to concerns surrounding the annual conference session and current contracts with the Sacramento Hyatt where the 2013 session will be held in June, and future contracts with the Hyatt in Burlingame. The meeting included a history of the Hyatt Corporations boycott by Bill Camp, Executive Director of the...

Churches Merge for Missional Purpose

*By Dr. Larry R. Hygh, Jr., Director of Communications On Pentecost Sunday, Good Shepherd and El Cerrito United Methodist Churches (UMC) came together for worship in what will become the newly formed Open Door UMC. After a year and a half of discernment, the two churches unanimously voted last December to merge. "From this point on, we move forward together as Open Door United Methodist Church…we join together for our first service today and celebrate the heritage of both of these...