news

Turlock First UMC rallied together October 15 for the Redwood Empire Food Bank. Redwood Empire Food Bank were receiving donations of perishable and nonperishable food items that required preparation and cooking facilities. However, they were in dire need of nonperishable foods that required no cooking or preparation. Local resources were depleted. First UMC Turlock received $4,000 worth of donations in one hour.  They were able to purchase water, Gatorade, protein bars, jerky, trail mixes, and a...

A “Building an Inclusive Church workshop” is planned for Saturday, October 28th at Walnut Creek United Methodist Church, from 8:30 to 5 pm. Our workshop facilitator is the Rev. Dr. Israel Alvaran, Reconciling Ministries Network Western Regional Organizer. The free workshop helps congregations become Reconciling Churches, welcoming LBGTQ and all others into the full life of the church. Come learn the basic steps to building an inclusive community in your church. Register at http://tinyurl.com/wal...

Sometimes, someone leaves a lasting impression on your soul, and when that person leaves this earth, they leave behind a legacy that others can only try to fill.   This was the case of one such member of the McKinleyville United Methodist Church of the Joyful Healer. Teri Hawkins was a long time member who felt the need 3 years ago to show faith in action in a way that used her particular gifts and talents. She was a masterful seamstress/tailor and found the organization “Little Dresses for ...

*By Dr. Larry R. Hygh, Jr.   "Our prison system cages people for long periods of time, like a human zoo, and tears them apart from their innocent children," says Pastor Holly Hillman. "So the question a church can ask itself is, 'What are we here to be and do?" Hillman recently helped to plan and was one of the leaders for the Bishop's Consultation on Prison Ministry within the California-Nevada Conference.    The purpose of the consultation, held at the Conference Center in West Sacramento, ...

Thanks to the generosity of several United Methodist churches and community organizations in Northern California, more than $8,000 was raised during a September speaking tour for a guest house project in the Palestinian village of Wadi Foquin to boost tourism and help offset agricultural losses due to encroachment by an illegal Israeli settlement onto its land. Since it was initially established in 1985, the settlement of Betar Illit and its accompanying outpost settlement, Hadar Betar, have ...

The Conference Committee on Christian Unity and Inter-religious Relationships is rejuvenating and looking for fresh connections! We want to know what exciting things have been going on ecumenically and interfaith-wise in our Conference! Please share your best practices, bridge-building events, heart-warming connections, etc with us! Email your photos and a brief description to Akiko Miyake-Stoner (akiko@ujcclife.com). We look forward to hearing from you!

Brentwood UMC recently celebrated its 150th church anniversary with Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño preaching from the theme, "Rooted and Grounded in Love," based on Ephesians 3:14-21.  For more information about the 150th celebration, history, and the church's ministries, click here.  

Rabbi Greg Wolfe, Imam Amam Shahin, and the Rev. Brandon Austin of Davis UMC explain their interfaith walk and meal happening in Davis on Sunday. The trio did an interview yesterday on "Insight" with Beth Ruyak on Capital Public Radio.  An interfaith meeting in Davis this weekend connects Christian, Jewish and Islamic leaders as the religious communities face conflict. This past summer, Imam Ammar Shahin raised controversy in a sermon last summer. The three explain their interfaith walk and meal...

For churches wishing to donate through the California-Nevada Conference for immediate relief for the fires, and immediate needs of future disasters, make checks payable to "California-Nevada Annual Conference," and write "CN Disaster Response" in the memo line.  Churches can add their donation in with their tithing form and annotate in the area as "other designated giving."    Mail checks to the California-Nevada Conference Center, P.O. Box 980250, West Sacramento, CA 95798-0250. This helps the ...

In late September, the Korean caucus held a mission dinner for a new church being planted at San Francisco Korean UMC. Each year, the Korean caucus has been having a mission dinner, and two congregations have been planted (New Creation UMC and Jesus Love UMC) in the California-Nevada Annual Conference. In the past this dinner has raised $20,000.  The Rev. Staci Current, Bay District Superintendent, preached for the worship service. Music was led by the Korean caucus clergy and their spouses. ...

Fire Update 10/17/17 as of 10:30 a.m. Bishop Carcaño Visits Sonoma Circuit Today we met with about 20 leaders from the Sonoma Circuit who shared their stories of evacuations, fear and a deep desire to serve others.  We learned that 80% of our Sonoma church had evacuated.  On Sunday morning those who had gathered for worship had looked around and realized that only the poor had stayed.  Poverty is a sure deterrent to being able to easily move out of the way of the danger of natural disasters.(...

The First United Methodist Church of Roseville will be holding "A Blessing of the Animals" on Sunday, October 8, 2017. The event will be held in the church parking lot next to the church located at 109 Washington Blvd, Roseville, CA. (corner of Church St. & Washington Blvd) Bring your pet OR a photo of your pet. Our pets are a blessing to us...join us in blessing them!

The Cal-Nev Philippine Solidarity Task Force has two upcoming report backs from their recent trip in July. The first will be at Park Presidio United Methodist Church (4301 Geary Blvd, San Francisco) on October 8th, 2017 at 11 AM. The next opportunity will be a youth report back to take place at the Waller Center (1525 Waller St., San Francisco) from 4-6 PM. Join us to hear more about what's currently happening in the Philippines with martial law, extra-judicial killings, the war on drugs and ...

The Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry is accepting grant applications for 2018 Campus Ministries. Funded by the Annual Conference, the Board currently administers grants to support Campus Ministries at seven northern California universities. The Board also provides support to circuits or congregations looking to expand their presence on love university campuses. For information and applications, contact Patty Bartscher at pattybartsher@sbcglobal.net, or 650-922-3889

The Basic Lay Servant Course for El Camino Real District will be presented at Evergreen Valley UMC on Saturday, October 14th and Saturday, October 21st from 9AM to 2 PM. The cost is $20 and snacks and lunch will be provided. Nina Klepec will teach the class. If you plan to attend, please contact Donna Furuta (donna.furuta@hotmail.com) (408) 258-6710 or Pastor Sunae Cho (408) 691-9215.

On October 14th, 1917 the first worship service of Methodist Episcopal Church (today known as the Rio Linda Community United Methodist Church) was held in the school house. The first church building was completed in August 1918 and officially dedicated on October 13, 1918. The original church building was destroyed by a fire in June 1951. Ground was broken on April 20, 1952; the first service held in the new building on October 5, 1952. On October 8, 2017 we will celebrate the 100th anniversary ...

The California-Nevada Philippines Solidarity Task Force (PSTF) calls for congregations to support the week of action now taking place from September 15 to 24, "In Solidarity With the Philippines."   PSTF, as members of National Ecumenical-Interfaith Forum for Filipino Concerns (NEFFCON), and in conjunction with Nor-Cal’s chapter of the International Committee on Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP,) invites pastors and congregations in the California-Nevada Conference to express their support...

By Linda Kuruhara, Chair of the Immigration Task Force   On September 7, there was a grand march to the Sheriff's Office from the Capitol.  This was an advocacy march for SB 54, The California Values Act. This act separates Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) from local law enforcement. and establishes a uwallbetwenn the two agencies, so that Californians can live in safe communities.  this Act is an expansion of the Trust Act which passed legislation a couple of years ago.  It was established...

The call came from the American Red Cross for female chaplains to come to Texas to provide support in shelters following Hurricane Harvey.  Last week, the Rev. Toni Hartman (3rd from left), a chaplain and clergyperson in the California-Nevada Conference answered that call. Here are some of her reflections... September 10 I have been in the shelter in Dallas. When we first arrived there were 3,600 people. Today they moved 600 back to Beaumont,Texas to a shelter closer to their homes. We have ...

For churches across the California-Nevada Conference who have been creating cleaning kits (flood buckets) to help replenish the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR) West Depot in Salt Lake City, there will be a truck dispatched that will travel to through the annual conference to pick up the flood buckets.  Churches will be asked to bring their cleaning kits to designated churches (to be announced soon) on October 14 and 15.  The truck will then begin its route to pick up the kits from ...

The Refugee/Immigration/ Sanctuary Task Force of St. Mark's UMC Sacramento, along with ACT (Area Congregations Together) is offering an Immigration/DACA Forum and Workshop on Sat. Sept. 30, from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the church located at 2391 St. Mark's Way, Sacramento.  There will be a presentation by Attorney Sharron Williams from Justice Immigration Legal Services, assisted by Attorney Gina Manchiati.  The Rev. Michael Yoshii of Buena Vista UMC will be speaking about their current ...

Have you ever served a church that missed a paycheck? Have you ever served a church that didn’t pay its tithe? Have you ever been troubled by the financial condition of the congregation you are serving? From October 17 through 21, the Rev. Dr. Ken Sloane will be presenting workshops in each of the California-Nevada districts on what pastors need to know about church finances and connectional giving.    The Rev. Dr. Ken Sloane is the UMC's Director of Stewardship and Connectional Ministries, ...

The CA-NV Annual Conference Certified Lay Ministry Program (LM) has approved a blended course that utilizes on-line learning through BeADisciple.com and classroom learning on Second Saturday training days to complete the requirements for Certified Lay Ministry training.   The LM Blended Course, allows students to work from the comfort of their own homes to complete modules 1-4 and then attend four additional courses, Deeper into the Bible, Preaching and Preaching Practicum, and Lay Pastoral ...

The Endowment Board would like to thank donors for their contributions in the fiscal year 2016 to 2017. Through gifts, the Endowment Board has granted over $44 million to the Board of Pensions (BOP), and the Retired Clergy Association (RCA) to provide healthcare subsidies, Pre-1982 pension service years funding, and RCA membership, services, and programs for the retirees and their spouses of the California-Nevada Conference.      In fiscal year 2016 – 2017, the Endowment Board provided:   BOP: -...

Ata Manasra from the Palestinian village of Wadi Foquin, in the West Bank, will visit the California-Nevada Annual Conference September 10 to 20 for an educational and fundraising speaking tour. Manasra is the coordinator of the Narjes community development project, a unique Muslim-Christian partnership supported by the General Board of Global Ministries that assists with economic initiatives, and other efforts to help make life sustainable while resisting the Israeli military occupation. He ...

A Call to Action to The United Methodist Churches in the U.S. September 4, 2017   We have learned that President Trump is considering rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) which presently provides undocumented immigrant young people employment authorization.  Under DACA young people are able to obtain social security cards, work and go to school.  Since DACA’s inception in June 2012, almost 800,000 young people have received its benefits.  Many other young people who ...

  The Board of Pensions has launched a new web site to communicate their services and news to the clergy, churches, and lay people of the California-Nevada Conference.  It can be found at www.bopumc.org. The web site features pages devoted to pensions, health insurance plans, wellness programs, church resources, frequently used forms, retired clergy resources, news articles, and more.  Other links and resources include The UM Foundation, The Conference Claimants Endowment Board, the Retired ...

By Kelly Peterson-Cruse   California-Nevada’s summer camping season is over, but the blessings and impact will last far beyond closing campfire and worship.  Camping and Retreat Ministries “branched out” in new and exciting ways this season.   We partnered with our ethnic camping programs, and two of them were held out our own Camp Lodestar.  As well, our conference camping program provided outreach to churches that usually haven’t attended our camps in the past.  These partnerships included ...

  First United Methodist Church of Vallejo hosted a Summer Learning Cafe where many community children and youth came to join with children of the church. Mornings began with breakfast and conversation about the body and nutrition. There were also sessions on anti-bullying, and self-affirmation sessions presented by Vallejo Police, plus classes in music, art, HulaHoops, kite-making and chess.  The student's lunch was provided by the Vallejo Unified School District. During the afternoon sessions,...

Missionary Ken Cruz, who is from The Philippines and serves in Cambodia, will be on itineration this fall in the Conference.  He is available to visit church groups October 25 to November 5.  “Ken is charming, charismatic, and makes an engaging presentation about his work in community health and agricultural development,” according to Howard Parker, Conference Secretary of Global Ministries. Missionary Cruz will be preaching at supporting churches on the two Sunday mornings that he is here, ...

Some folks who are young at heart came up during the Children's Moment one Sunday recently when there were no children in church. They participated and answered questions as their 6 year old selves. From left to right - Chris Handley, Children's Moments Leader, Pamela Woicicki, Don Harris, Paul Woicicki, Cliff Williams, John Handley and Kathleen Mirtoni. Thanks to the UMM of Roseville who had decided to do this at their last meeting and others who jointed to make a very meaningful, fun, and ...

Our Cabinet went on retreat on August 3rd-6th for spiritual formation and team building, and to think strategically as we prepare for our work for the coming conference year.  We retreated to Yosemite National Park and were reminded of our Creator God who has blessed us with the magnificent beauty of Creation.    We also visited Mariposa United Methodist Church and had the opportunity to consult with Pastor Allison Byerley about the Detwiler fire.  We are so grateful for Pastor Byerley’s ...

Five years ago this Saturday, a white supremacist opened fire inside a Sikh gurdwara in Oak Creek, WI, taking the lives of six people. Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño says, "As Christians, we are called to love all God’s children and grieve when one suffers.  The memory of Oak Creek reminds us that our work of building God’s beloved community is not yet done.  May we join others in remembering Oak Creek, and may our remembering stir our hearts to loving our neighbor, truly loving with the very love ...

The Endowment Board bid farewell to Board President the Rev. Dr. Tony Ubalde at their annual meeting on Saturday, June 3. Rev. Dr. Ubalde served as a trustee for 15 years. “We are very grateful for Tony’s dedication over the years,” says Executive Director, Cory Parish, “his spectacular leadership has benefitted not only our organization, but the hundreds of retired clergy and their spouses that we support. We cannot thank him enough for his efforts during his tenure with The Endowment Board.” ...

*By Dr. Larry R. Hygh, Jr.   History was made when the Rev. Tikiko Namata Lesuma was ordained and elder during the service of ordination at the 169th session of the California-Nevada Conference.  Lesuma is the first Fijian person to be ordained an elder in The United Methodist Church (UMC).  "It's very humbling.  I feel so blessed and so privileged to be ordained…It's an opportunity to be able to encourage more Fijian folks to come into leadership in our conference, and the broader church," ...

California-Nevada Conference Lay Leader, Micheal Pope, was one of the keynote speakers at the California Senior Rally Day at the California State Capitol.  Pope is CEO of the Alzheimer's Services of the East Bay (ASEB). To view a highlight video of the event, click here.  

On Sunday, July 16, more than 300 members of the California-Nevada Bay District 5-Rainbow Circuit gathered together in unity for worship, a potluck lunch and fellowship at the Castro Valley Community Park. It was the Circuit's second annual Worship in the Park event. The Circuit is called the Rainbow Circuit because it is one of the most diverse Circuits in the Conference. The Circuit membership consists of eight churches with ten different nationalities in its membership.   The Rev. Rochelle ...

At their 40th anniversary gala, Tri-Valley Haven recognized Asbury United Methodist Church as "Builders of the Beloved Community." Asbury UMC and Tri-Valley Haven envision a world without violence and have long history of working together to serve adults who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, or homelessness.

The Board of Camping and Retreat Ministries announces the appointment of Lisa Jean Hoefner to the Kings Beach UMC and Retreat Center.  Hoefner is the previous Executive Director of Camping for the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference.  She, along with Kelly Peterson-Cruse, Director of Camping and Retreat Ministries, and the board will transition this facility into a full retreat center as a part of California-Nevada's Camping and Retreat Ministries.  They hope to provide and explore new ministry ...

Trinity UMC Berkeley presented four quilts to the four Native American congregations in the California-Nevada Conference during the 2017 Annual Conference Session.  The quilts are in response to the 2016 Annual Conference Session Acts of Repentance to Native peoples and communities in our region. To view the presentation, click here.  

The Gridley United Methodist Church has established a Blessing Box located in front of the church. The Blessing Box will be available to those who need emergency food items. The idea for setting up a Blessing Box came from one of our members Jerry Long who saw an article reporting a blessing box at a church in the east. He presented the idea to the church members who thought it would be an example to the Gridley community of the churches commitment to follow Christ's commandment to feed the ...

The Endowment Board supports the retired clergy and spouses of the California-Nevada United Methodist Conference with financial resources, education and connections. Since 1891, the organization has provided security and peace of mind for ministers through pension fund contributions, financial relief for churches and social events to keep retirees active and engaged. On June 23, 2017, The Endowment Board presented their annual grant to Board of Pensions and the Retired Clergy Association at ...

The United Methodist Church of Merced is connecting with a movement in the Central Valley called 1 Pueblo 1 Lucha (1 people 1 fight).  After building relationships with leadership to make change in their valley, they are partnering with several Central Valley organizations that have been doing work for years: Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative (CIVIIC); Faith in Merced, an associate of PICO; Faith in the Valley, a larger umbrella associate of PICO; Immigrant Legal Resource ...

Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño recently served as the preacher for the Baccalaureate service for spring commencement at the University of LaVerne. She is pictured with University President Devorah Lieberman (left), and University Chaplain Zandra Wagoner (right).

East Timor Religious Outreach (ETRO) contributes to Timorese self-determination and development on the micro-level by providing educational opportunities to poor, deserving youth and young adults. Last year, ETRO was able to award $5,000 for educational scholarships to each of California-Nevada Conference's ecumenical partners:  the Protestant Church in East Timor (Igreja Protestante iha Timor Lorosae) headquartered in the capital city of Dili, and the Roman Catholic Salesian Sisters Vocational...

In preparation for the Fijian Youth Annual Camp ‘FJY17’ from July 11 to 14, the men’s group of two churches in Sacramento jumped at a chance to help fix the roof of the Hawks Dorm at Camp Lodestar. A total of eight men from Centennial and Florin UMCs under the guidance of Camp Lodestar manager, Jeff Clark, and the leadership of Joeli Tavaga of Centennial UMC, the men tore down four layers of shingles and insulation from previous fixes to reveal the original pine decking. Some of the men also ...

The Rev. Dr. Greg Bergquist, associate general secretary for the Division of Ordained Ministry at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), will be the preacher for the Memorial Service on Thursday, June 22, at 2 p.m. In his GBHEM role, Bergquist oversees all functions of the division, including the strategic planning for the recruitment and training of United Methodist clergy.   Most recently, Bergquist served as conference superintendent for leadership development for the ...

Hmong United Methodists in California held their first regional conference at Trinity UMC in Sacramento on April 21 and 22. The event was organized by the National Hmong Caucus to strengthen and revitalize Hmong United Methodists to become vital and sustainable congregations. A similar event will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Charlotte, North Carolina.  There were more than 100 people in attendance.  Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño and Central Valley District Superintendent, the Rev. ...

*By Dr. Larry R. Hygh, Jr.   "The saints that have gone before us worked in the church and this is an opportunity for us to give back," says the Rev. Robin Mathews-Johnson, pastor of Watsonville First United Methodist Church (UMC).  Watsonville First UMC is giving more than a tithe (tenth) from the $1.5 million in proceeds they received from the sale of property the church owned.  "The gift has been received by us from the work of the former leaders, and now we're passing it on," says ...

The South Sacramento Interfaith Partnership (SSIP) recently held its annual fundraising dinner and auction. Established in 1970 and located at Bethany Presbyterian Church, the SSIP Food Closet serves families and individuals in need through the distribution of donated and purchased food. Seven Sacramento United Methodist congregations partner with the agency: Centennial, Chinese Community, Florin, Hope, Oak Park, Sacramento Japanese, and Sacramento Wesley.  Event speakers were Lori Sugar, food ...