News

Registration Deadline Extended for Feb. 11 'Pathway to Renewal' Event

The deadline to register for "Pathway to Renewal: An Introduction to Leading Transformational Ministry for Congregational Teams," on Saturday, Feb. 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Fairfield United Methodist Church, has been extended. Register by Thursday, February 9 to take advantage of this one-day workshop in which participants will be given the tools, principles, and skills to affect change and renewal in their church.   Congregational renewal is more than re-tooling your...

Don't Forget: Register for Feb. 16 Clergy CEU Workshop

Feb. 16 is just two weeks away! Don't forget to register for the Clergy CEU workshop "Cultural Competency: A Leadership Skill for Building and Strengthening the Church," at Holy Cross United Methodist Church in Stockton on Thursday, Feb. 16 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.). Cultural Competency is defined as the willingness and ability to shift perspectives and change behavior, depending upon the cultural/racial context – and developing it requires a spiritual journey. The goal is to become...

Registration Opens for March 14 Gathering of Clergy

Register now to attend a day of soul-satisfying worship and re-affirmation of your call to ministry, Wednesday, March 14, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church in Alamo, California. This day of worship and renewal for all clergy and candidates – in all orders of ministry, active and retired, appointed and not-currently-appointed – features worship and music leaders Mark Miller and Marcia McFee and is sponsored by the California-Nevada Annual...

'LIMITLESS: Redefine Tomorrow' Event Is for Young Women of Faith

Registration Deadline Is Feb. 22 By Connie Hunter Chair, California-Nevada UMW   August 2-5, 2012, the United Methodist Women (UMW) is sponsoring a national gathering of young women at Duke University. The event will equip young women of faith to transcend barriers and to do justice in their communities by putting faith, hope, and love into action.   The weekend will include worship and Bible study, workshops and labs, and opportunities to engage in community service (justice...

Oregon-Idaho Offers Program of Worship Resources

Registration now is open for the Alton L. Collins Retreat Center's 2012 series of resources for passionate worship: Liturgical Arts Renewal@Collins (LARC). The 2012 workshops begin on Feb. 28 with an event featuring two young clergy musicians who defy stylistic labels while enabling their congregations to claim, enthusiastically, their voices of faith. Jackson Henry was highlighted in a recent United Methodist Reporter story about a resurgence in congregational singing, and Joe Stobaugh is...

Claremont Offers 'Transforming Ministry: New Best Practices' Conference in July

Experienced United Methodist pastors are invited to a one-week intensive introduction to emerging best practices in ministry, July 22-27 at Claremont School of Theology (CST) in Claremont, California. You will learn techniques and approaches from around the country – the practices that are helping pastors today to build successful churches for the new generation. The design of the conference will invite you into a learning community of your peers, who come from a variety of places and...

Marcia McFee 'Brings' General Conference to Lake Tahoe

Last chance to sign up for Elevation Retreat discount 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,...

Register Now for Pathway to Renewal, Feb. 11

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...

Register for Clergy CEU Workshop on Feb. 16

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.   Click here to register for Feb. 16 workshop.   Download flyer here.   Holy Cross UMC is located at 1200 W. Hammer Lane, Stockton, CA 95209. Visit the...

'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. The training will be led by the Rev. Gaye Benson, pastor of El Sobrante United Methodist Church.   Cost of $25 includes instruction materials and lunch. Childcare is not available.   Register online here. (Pre-registration is required.)   Download...

Dates, Times, Locations of Discovery Events Are Set

The dates, times, and locations for this spring's Discovery Events have been finalized. The schedule is as follows: Great Northern District: Oroville Saturday, February 25, 2012 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Registration 9:30 a.m.) First United Methodist Church, 45 Acacia Avenue, Oroville, CA 95966   Bridges District: Fairfield Sunday, March 25, 2012 2-6 p.m. Fairfield UMC, 1875 Fairfield Avenue, Fairfield, CA 94533   El Camino Real District: San Jose Saturday, March 31, 2012 10...

Early Bird Pricing for 'Elevation!' Workshop Closes January 31

Register before January 31 and receive the early bird pricing for "Elevation!" a continuing education and spiritual renewal retreat for worship leaders with Dr. Marcia McFee, May 14-18, 2012 at Zephyr Point Conference Center. Rejuvenate your passion for ministry through 21 contact hours of experiential and informative sessions. There will be opportunities for peer conversations and practicum on the concepts learned. Time will also be available to take advantage of the meditative...

Discovery Event Registration Opens

Online registration is open now, for a series of Discovery Events focused on being, seeing, and doing what matters to God. Join Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr., Conference and district superintendents, and other clergy and laity for a time of re-connecting with our passion for Jesus Christ and our compassion for all, as preparation for reaching those who are close to the heart of Jesus.   Explore the resources available to each church to help it fulfill its part in God's mission, and learn...

'Living Bread, Living Stories': A Preaching Workshop, Feb. 3-5

"Living Bread; Living Stories," a preaching workshop and refresher course featuring the Rev. Jim Walker, is scheduled for Feb. 3-5 (Friday-Sunday) at Clovis Memorial United Methodist Church. It is sponsored by the Central Valley District Committee on Ministry. Walker, an Elder in full connection in The United Methodist Church and pastor of Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, uses a dynamic preaching style to bring life to biblical narratives....

GBOD Offers Free Webinars in January and February

The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church is offering free webinars, this month and next, for church leaders. Register at www.gbod.org/committee_resources. Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 11:30 a.m. PST: Principles of Church Renewal for DSes Key factors for setting a path toward renewal of district congregations.   Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 4:30 p.m. PST: Goal Setting for Vital Congregations A guide for setting realistic numerical goals for your congregation on the...

Plan to Attend a Discovery Event in 2012

Over the last several years, we in the California-Nevada Annual Conference have been changing how we live as a connection of churches. Many things have taken place: we have sought to "rethink, renew, and reform" around a network of circuits; we have devised a plan to encourage, equip, and position servant leaders – both lay and clergy – to join with God's mission in the world; we have dedicated ourselves not only to revitalizing existing congregations but also to creating...

Anne Dilenschneider Leads Transformational Leadership Course This Month in Stockton

Anne Dilenschneider returns to California in January to teach the annual CLayM pastors' course in spirituality and leadership, as she has done each year since 1999. This year she will be offering a mid-week, 11-hour (1.1 CEU credits) Transformational Leadership course for clergy and laity on Tuesday evening, January 17 (6-9 p.m.) and on Wednesday, January 18 (8 a.m.-4 p.m.) at Grace United Methodist Church in Stockton.   Transformational Leadership is a specific philosophy of community...

SAMHSA Webinar: Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale

Register now to join the free Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) webinar, "Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale: An Introduction," taking place on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, 4-5:30 p.m. (Pacific Time). The webinar will introduce SAMHSA's Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS TACS), which is being implemented to help states, tribes, jurisdictions, providers, and other stakeholders develop recovery-oriented systems...

Register Now for Fifth Annual Youth Workers' Retreat

Take a break – refresh, refuel, and re-connect. All youth workers are invited to spend a weekend in retreat and conversation with other youth workers from the Conference, at the fifth annual Youth Workers' Retreat at the Valley of the Moon Camp in Glen Ellen, California, March 23-24, 2012.   Guest Speaker Gavin Richardson is a fellow youth worker from Hendersonville, Tennessee, who is considered an innovator in ministry with youth and the church. He is a writer, community...

Apply Now for UM Student Loans, Scholarships for Spring Term

Loan applications for the 2012 spring term are being accepted now by the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry of The United Methodist Church. Apply at the GBHEM website. (Click on "Loan Application" under "Loans & Scholarships" at www.gbhem.org.) Scholarship applications for the 2012-13 academic year opened Jan. 4 and will be accepted through March 1, also at the GBHEM website. (Click on "Scholarship Applications" under...