news

By JB Brayfindley Contributor to Instant Connection “We are coming together to let people know we are inclusive and loving congregations,” says Doug Treadwell, chair of the Welcoming Team at First United Methodist Church in Sacramento, who spearheaded the coordination of 11 area UMCs to march together in this Sunday’s Pride parade.    “What drove our interest [to participate] was the support of the Western Jurisdiction, and other UMC churches in the United States and Europe … in clarifying that...

Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño is attending the Consultation on Diaspora Churches in London, England sponsored by the World Methodist Council. More than 50 participants have gathered from all over the world to determine how to accompany and support Methodists and others who are forced to migrate and who seek to continue their journey with Christ and their participation in Christian community. Bishop Carcaño is part of a 12-member delegation representing The United Methodist Church. The delegation ...

Cuando: Jueves, 20 de junio, 12:15-1:45 p.m., Greens on 10the (953 10th, Modesto)  Favor de traer $16 para la comida.  para más información: descargar el póster    You are invited to attend the annual Hispanic Luncheon at Annual Conference Session.  When: Thursday, June 20, 12:15-1:45 p.m. at Greens on 10th (953 10th Street, Modesto)  Please bring $16 to cover the cost of your lunch.  Download flyer for more information      

Noting, "The gospel was powerful enough to change an institution from within and from the outside," Moses Kumar, General Secretary of the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA), has sent an open letter to bishops cautioning careful consideration of the "collateral damage" that would be done by a continued decline in apportionment collections. "Jesus was a protestor," writes Rev. Kumar. However, He "didn't abandon the synagogues and the Temple." Read Open Letter to Bishops in its ...

On Sunday, June 16, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Sacramento will host UMC missionary Katherine Parker for a 7 p.m. presentation about UM missionary work in Nepal. Her theme will be “Sangsangai: Together on the Journey."    A health and community transformation advisor with the United Mission toNepal, Parker works with adolescent empowerment (including sexual/reproductive health and rights and menstrual hygiene; maternal and child health; and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). She is ...

Annual Conference Session (ACS) attendees will become a voice for children on Thursday, June 20 by taking part in a candlelight prayer vigil calling attention to the plight of children around the world, and by making a commitment to act on behalf of their concerns. The vigil, “Listen to Our Children,” will begin at 9 p.m., immediately after the close of the evening session, in Modesto Centre Plaza, 1000 L Street, just outside the DoubleTree Hotel. It is scheduled to end at 9:45 p.m.  The vigil...

The Mission Handcrafts project again will be selling items at Annual Conference Session (ACS) to fund mission activities around the world. To date, Mission Handcrafts has raised more than $108,000 for missions, many of the recipient projects being United Methodist Advance Specials. During the 2019 Annual Conference Session the sale will be held at First United Methodist Church, located at 850 16th Street, Modesto, CA 95354 (see photo at right).   Sales will open on the first day of ACS, ...

For Immediate Release June 3, 2019   Council of Bishops Unveils New Website (www.unitedmethodistbishops.org)   WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church is pleased to announce the launch of a new website dedicated to the issues and business of the 120-plus leaders, who give oversight to the denomination.   The website: www.unitedmethodistbishops.org contains the biographical information of the active and retired bishops; latest news regards the COB;  information...

"God does not discriminate": That's the basis for the San Francisco Pride March sponsored by the California-Nevada Conference of The United Methodist Church and taking place Sunday, June 30. Join Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, Bay District Superintendent Staci Current, fellow United Methodists, and others in this expression of solidarity with our LGBTQIA+ siblings. The march is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. and end at 6 p.m. Parade viewing seating for 25 will be available on a first-come/first-ser...

The California-Nevada Conference of The United Methodist Church is seeking to fill the Director of Leadership Development position and will be accepting resumes through June 14, 2019. The salary for this position ranges from $75,000 to $95,000 with an excellent benefits package included.   Applicants should forward the following items to hr@calnevumc.org with a reference to the job title, “Director of Leadership Development” in the subject line. A cover letter indicating your match to the ...

The Commission on the Annual Conference Session held its final meeting in preparation for the 2019 ACS, this week in Modesto. The planning session took place on Tuesday at the DoubleTree Hotel, site of the June 19-22 event. The session span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-...

By JB Brayfindley  Contributor to Instant Connection    “Where’s all the money go?” asked Bob Fairbrook, a financial planner at Ernst & Young, LLP at a pre-retirement seminar for members of the California-Nevada Conference. “It is not a rhetorical question – you have to know,” he told his audience, explaining that for retirement planning it is important that an individual know their net worth and cash flow.     Ernst & Young is a CPA firm contracted by Wespath Benefits & Investments (formerly ...

There are new resources available on the 2019 ACS Offering page. We have posted a link enabling online giving, along with a new bulletin insert to promote the Annual Conference Offering (designed to be printed as a two-sided 5 ½ x 8 ½ insert). Download bulletin insert (new version) Give to Annual Conference Offering The online giving form includes the option of adding 3% to your donation to offset the nominal fee that PayPal charges non-profit organizations. It is calculated automatically ...

In April and May, the California-Nevada Conference’s Healthy Church Initiative sponsored several workshops on “Guest Readiness,” led by Jason Moore of Midnight Oil Productions, at different locations within the conference. If you missed them – or attended and would like to build on what you learned – United Methodist Communications (UMCom) is offering a series of online screencasts (podcasts with visuals) on the topic.    “I’ve wondered where I’ll end up,” Dr. Kim Pope-Seiberling said, relating ...

The California-Nevada Conference will have the privilege of commissioning a new United Methodist missionary at Annual Conference Session this year.   Hesed Soriano Lim is one of eight new missionaries who were celebrated at a May 15 service of blessing as they completed their orientation and training through the General Board of Global Ministries. She and another missionary being commissioned this summer will join the teaching staff of Seth Mokitimi Methodist Seminary in Pietermaritzburg, ...

Tired of settling for fundraising instead of promoting biblical stewardship and multifaceted generous-hearted living? Growing Generous Souls, Betsy Schwarzentraub’s new book, helps people connect deeper faith issues with daily rhythms, including:   How to put God first in their relationships and hectic schedules; How to live and teach a balance of work and rest; and How to deal with money limits and the pressure to constantly consume.  The book makes an excellent tool for pastors and lay ...

Registration for the “Youth and Child” Program at 2019 Annual Conference Session (ACS) is now open. Access the registration form here. You’ll also find a link to the registration when you visit the Annual Conference Session 2019 site (featured on the cnumc.org home page).  The deadline to register your child/children is June 17.  ACS will take place June 19-22, 2019 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Modesto, CA. (Register to attend ACS by June 1.)  

In 2018 the California-Nevada Annual Conference overwhelmingly passed a resolution endorsing H.R.4391, a bill that addressed the human rights of Palestinian children held in Israeli military detention.        Reintroduced on April 30, 2019 as the Promoting Human Rights for Palestinian Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act (H.R.2407), the new bill prohibits U.S. funding for the military detention and ill treatment of children in any country, including Israel. The bill is strongly ...

You have one more week to register to attend the 2019 California-Nevada Annual Conference Session (ACS). The deadline is Saturday, June 1. Online registration is an easy process, so please take time to sign up today.    2019 ACS will take place June 19-22 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Modesto, CA.You will receive hotel booking information in your ACS registration confirmation.   Visit the Annual Conference Session 2019 site (it’s a featured link on the cnumc.org home page) for updated information ...

By JB Brayfindley Contributor to Instant Connection   “I love it!” exclaimed Shari Sandoval, the California-Nevada Conference’s project coordinator for Volunteers In Mission (VIM). “I can’t wait to see what else I will get to do this week!”   Sandoval is volunteering alongside members of San Jose’s Wesley United Methodist Church (at left) at the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR) West Depot in Salt Lake City, Utah.   “It is a huge warehouse – floor to ceiling of buckets and other ...

“This was the best Pre-Conference event I’ve ever attended!” was one of a dozen positive responses Rev. Gere Reist, California-Nevada Conference executive director of Leadership Development, received after the District Conference/Pre-ACS Orientation in the El Camino Real District this past Saturday (May 18).    The event took place at Almaden Hills United Methodist Church in San Jose.    Reist credits the new format of PowerPoint and video combined, interspersed with Question and Answer times, ...

PRESS RELEASE (Leawood, Kansas) -- More than 600 United Methodists gathered in Kansas this week for UMCNext, a conversation in response to the adoption of The Traditional Plan by the 2019 Special General Conference. The participants depart today from an event that has been remarkable for many reasons.   "Every movement has a tipping point, a game changer, a watershed moment; this is one of them," said convening team member Rev. Junius Dotson. "In a moment none of us have experienced before and ...

A first compilation of Recommendations, Resolutions, and Petitions for the 2019 Annual Conference Session has been added to the website. "Volume 1" includes the proposed legislation received and perfected as of May 15, 2019. The designation "Pending" in the table of contents denotes material still being refined. Download Recommendations, Resolutions, and Petitions: Compilation 1 here (PDF). Or visit the California-Nevada Annual Conference Session 2019 page and look under "Quick Links." A ...

Four District Conferences and Pre-Annual Conference Session Orientations are taking place this weekend. The schedule is as follows: Great Northern District  Date and Time: Saturday, May 18, 2019 – from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Location: Loomis UMC, 6414 Brace Road, Loomis, CA 95650  Event Page    Los Rios District  Date and Time: Saturday, May 18 – from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.    Location: Pinole UMC, 2000 San Pablo Avenue, Pinole, CA 94564  Event Page    El Camino Real District Date and Time: ...

The California Endowment's Board of Directors this week elected new leadership, naming Shawn Ginwright, PhD, as board chair for the private, statewide health foundation and Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño as vice-chair. “Both Shawn and Bishop Minerva are attuned to the challenges and opportunities to improve the health and well-being of diverse, underserved communities” Robert K. Ross, M.D., president and CEO of The California Endowment said, in making the announcement. “We are very fortunate to ...

The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA), in collaboration with United Methodist Communications, has created a video "thank you" for conferences that reached their 2018 apportionment goals. That's us! the California-Nevada Annual Conference was able to pay 100% of its general and jurisdictional apportionments for last year, thanks to the faithful tithing of our churches. Consider this video a virtual pat on the back or "Arigato!" and download and share it with your congregation ...

Wondering what your church's gifts to the Annual Conference Offering can provide? Download a new resource posted to the 2019 ACS Offering page, to explore the possibilities. The two-page PDF details numerous urgent and long-term needs for development of facilities at Davuilevu Theological College in Fiji, the recipient of this year's Annual Conference Offering. Download it here or visit the California-Nevada Annual Conference Session 2019 site and look for "2019 Annual Conference Offering" ...

From the Council of Bishops At the World Methodist Council [WMC] meeting in Seoul, Korea in 2018 a decision was made to host a global consultation on migrant and diaspora Methodist churches. The goals of the consultation will be both to celebrate the evangelical role United Methodist migrants are making around the world, and to discern ways we can be more ecumenically engaged as we plant new churches. Bishop Rosemarie Wenner is taking the lead on the organization and execution of the ...

Come hear the joyous sound that is handbells! On Sunday afternoon, May 19, 2019 at 4 p.m., Campbell United Methodist Church will hold its seventh annual All-Handbell Concert. Campbell UMC is blessed to have four handbell choirs participating in this year's concert: The Carillon Choir, the New A'Peal Ringers, the Discovery Ringers, and the Diamond Ringers (the last consisting of youth from 3rd to 8th grade). They will perform a repertoire that includes a variety of styles: pop, classical, ...

By Nancy Price   Under cloud-dappled skies on a brisk October morning, a handful of volunteers from Memorial United Methodist Church in Clovis gathered with members of the North Fork Mono Tribe and student volunteers from Berkeley, Vermont (by way of Monterey Bay) and Oregon in a Sierra mountain meadow near Bass Lake in Madera County.   Their task: To assist with the Crane Valley Meadow restoration, an ongoing project that began in 2003 and is a joint venture of the North Fork Mono and the ...

A much sought-after affiliation agreement between Claremont School of Theology and Willamette University finally has been signed. Read press release here. The Rev. Dr. Kah-Jin Jeffrey Kuan (at right), a member of the California-Nevada Annual Conference and one of Cal-Nevada's delegates to the 2016 and 2019 General Conferences, serves as president and professor of Old Testament/Biblical Studies at Claremont. (Also see: Claremont School of Theology Receives Favorable Legal Judgment, Jan. 25, ...

By Laura Ginyard  Beulah Grant Ministries Coordinator, Patterson Federated Church  Laurence Kolding (at left), one of the eldest members of our church – and our gifted church Poet Laureate – turned 100 years old on April 7. Laurence began attending Patterson Federated Church at the age of 17, when his high school principal instructed him sternly to “come to church and sing in the choir.”  That was in 1936. Ever since, Laurence has contributed greatly to our church in so many ways, from his ...

My name is Marsha Bryan and I have recently joined the staff as the Legacy Advisor for The Endowment Board. Each year, The Endowment Board grants the Board of Pensions (BOP) funds to help retirees cover the financial gap that emerges when Medicare falls short. With the increasing cost of healthcare, this gap is widening. The support our clergy get from The Endowment Board is more crucial than ever to their health, comfort, and security.   As a first-time attendee and clergy spouse, I want to ...

By Rev. Laurie McHugh  Pastor, Windsor UMC    Camp Noah is a nationally acclaimed, 20-year-old preparedness and resiliency program for children, hosted across the U.S. in communities that have been impacted by disaster and trauma – and it is coming to Redding, Chico, and Santa Rosa this summer, thanks to a partnership involving Lutheran, Episcopal, Presbyterian, and United Methodist congregations around Northern California.    Engaging the story of Noah and the Ark, children at the one-week day ...

By JB Brayfindley  Contributor to Instant Connection    “Get away from seeing new people as “visitors”; visitors are unexpected, but … guests are prepared for,” explained presenter Jason Moore during a May 4 workshop hosted by the Healthy Church Initiative of the California-Nevada Annual Conference Office of Congregational Development.     Moore, from Midnight Oil Productions (and formerly animator/illustrator and member of the worship design team at Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church), led a ...

A page devoted to resources in support of the 2019 Annual Conference Offering has been created. It's located under Quick Links on the California-Nevada Annual Conference Session 2019 site. (Look for the ACS logo under "Bishop's Message" on the right-hand side of the cnumc.org home page, to find ACS 2019 site.)  Resources available now:  A 1:36 message from Global Missionary Carmen Scheuerman, explaining the importance of the Conference Offering to the Davuilevu Theological College in Fiji;...

  A grouping for Mealtime Events has been added to the California-Nevada Annual Conference Session 2019 site. To find the listing of all mealtime events scheduled so far, along with registration information where applicable:   Click on the link to California-Nevada Annual Conference Session 2019, located on the right-hand side of the cnumc.org home page, immediately below “Bishop’s Message” (identifiable by the logo for this year’s session), and  When the site loads, you'll find "ACS Meal ...

Six videos – resources to help prepare for this year’s Annual Conference Session – have been posted to the California-Nevada Conference website (cnumc.org). The videos will be included in the training provided at pre-ACS Orientations, taking place May 18 and June 1.   While particularly relevant to voting members, the videos will be helpful to anyone interested in the life of the conference. They were created to assist in an understanding of several key topics that will be a part of the June ...

“You may have noticed [that] our neighbors at St. Peter's Episcopal Church have been doing extensive landscaping in the front of their church building, including installing a new labyrinth walk,” reports a spokesperson for First United Methodist Church of Carson City.    “The walk is finished and the community has been invited to join with the congregation of St. Peter's this Saturday to dedicate the labyrinth.”    Download flyer (suitable for printing as a bulletin insert) for details.

By Cate Monaghan  Interim Communications Director, CA-NV Annual Conference  “Are you a Methodist?”   YES!   “Are you a Christian?”   YES!   “Are you a disciple?”   YES!  The rallying cry from Conference Lay Leader Micheal Pope (right) and its attendant enthusiastic response concluded the speakers’ remarks as Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño wrapped up a grueling schedule of 12 Post-General Conference Episcopal Visits that included stops in each district of the California-Nevada Conference and covered...

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary has announced that Rev. Dr. Mai-Anh Le Tran has been named Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean. This is a historic appointment as Dr. Tran is the first woman of color in the seminary’s 166-year history to be named Academic Dean.   Dr. Tran is an ordained elder and member of the California-Nevada Conference of The United Methodist Church.   Read press release on the seminary’s website.

In accordance with the Standing Rules of the California-Nevada Annual Conference that state, “The Conference Secretary shall mail a nominating ballot to all eligible clergy on May 1 of an election year,” Conference Secretary Mark Wharff yesterday emailed nomination ballots to deacons and elders, associate members, and local pastors. If you are in one of those categories, please check your Inbox.    Ballots must be returned or postmarked by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4 to be eligible for ...

A Certified Lay Minister (CLM) lunchtime gathering has been scheduled for Wednesday, June 19 during Annual Conference Session at the DoubleTree Hotel in Modesto. A head count is being taken now.   Download flyer for details.

The Episcopal Church – United Methodist Dialogue Committee has agreed to send a resolution for full communion to be considered by the Council of Bishops and for possible consideration by the 2020 General Conference of The United Methodist Church. Read press release.

The El Camino Real District hosted the final Bishop’s Confirmation Rally of the year, last weekend (Saturday, April 27, 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.) at Almaden Hills United Methodist Church in San Jose. There were 24 confirmands – representing First UMC, San Jose; St. Paul UMC, Fremont; San Ramon Valley UMC in Alamo, and Campbell UMC – along with 14 chaperones and 11 staff members.    Bishop Minerva Carcaño and the California-Nevada Conference Office of Camping and Retreat Ministries and Young People's ...

Monday, April 29, 2019 12:07 PM Friends,  I am sincerely sorry that I find myself once again writing to you to offer my condolences following an attack on a synagogue. The attack on Saturday in Poway was an attack on all that is decent. The FBI stands with the Jewish community here in Sacramento and nation-wide in the fight against hate crime.  I did want to let all of you know that, at present, we are unaware of any links between the Poway incident and the Sacramento area. We also have no ...

Immigration is the main topic of the Contemporary Issues Forum to be held in May at Davis United Methodist Church. The weekly events are for the general public as well as church members and are hosted Sunday mornings from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the church.    Guest speakers include members from church and interfaith delegations who have visited various locations of advocacy concern.    First, on May 5, Emily Henderson, who traveled to Douglas, Arizona/Agua Prieto, will speak on “Resilience on the...

Buena Vista United Methodist Church in Alameda will hear from an international, interfaith delegation this Sunday (May 5) about the root causes of migration from Honduras.   Earlier this year the delegation met with organizations working and advocating for the rights of migrants, and explored factors that are forcing migrants to flee. These include violence, environmental degradation, drug cartels, organized crime, corrupt security forces, and impunity for ongoing human rights violations.   Rev....

SPECIAL PRESS RELEASE NOTE:  The Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops (WJ COB) has published an open statement in response to the Judicial Council rulings made on April 26, 2019. At the request of Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, the press release has been made available to the California-Nevada Annual Conference and can be found below.   ------------------------ COPY OF PRESS RELEASE BELOW ------------------------   April 26, 2019    A STATEMENT FROM THE WESTERN JURISDICTION COLLEGE OF BISHOPS  ...

Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño has announced the opening of the nomination process for this year’s Bishop’s Awards. These awards recognize laity who exemplify the best of personal and social holiness by:   attending to their spiritual growth;    providing leadership in their local church; and   taking their discipleship out into the world to make disciples of Jesus Christ to transform the world.                                                                The Bishop’s Award is presented at ...