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Forty new pastors from around the annual conference are gathered for New Pastor's Orientation. The two day event includes a Disciple Making workshop by the Rev. Dr. Phil Maynard, and informational sessions on the conference's strategic direction, lay ministry, communications, young people's ministry, administrative nuts and bolts, financial stewardship, new places for new people, and culture of innovation and collaboration.  

As the Pacific School of Religion (PSR) opens its 150th year of classes, United Methodist students gather for the first meeting of the 2016-2017 academic year at the seminary.  The United Methodist Church has had a formal relationship with the seminary since its early beginnings, and PSR today, continues to train a significant percentage of clergy and lay leaders in the California-Nevada Conference. Since its founding in 1866, PSR has served as a multi-denominational Christian seminary. ...

On this day as we remember 9/11, let us continue to pray for the victims, the perpetrators of this human atrocity, and for all their families.  Even after 15 years since New York City experienced this tragedy and the US and even the world shook under its impact, we feel the pain of needless death.  As people of Christian faith we do know, however, that there are no easy answers to moments like 9/11.   What we experienced in this country on 9/11 happens all over the world all too often.  Human ...

Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño was presented a Doctor of Divinity degree honoris causa during Claremont School of Theology’s (CST) 2016 Convocation celebrating the new school year and highlighting their commitment to interreligious work and creating a difference for the world. For the full convocation story, click here. To watch the convocation, click here. To read CST President, Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Kuan's, remarks, click here.  

Missionary Marilyn Chan, who is a member of Stockton Central UMC serving in Cambodia, will be on itineration in the California-Nevada Annual Conference Oct. 11 to 23, and then again Nov. 22 to Dec. 7. If interested in a visit, contact Howard Parker, the Conference Secretary of Global Ministries, at howard.parker@gmail.com.   Marilyn Chan coordinates the ministries for women of the Methodist Mission in Cambodia, including the women's livelihood program that is pictured in the photo by Paul ...

Rev. Neal Harrell & Joseph Archer are the Co-Chairs for SUMU’s New Ministry Grant Application Process. SUMU invites churches in the Sacramento region to apply for new ministry grants on a rolling basis. The next deadline for reviewing new ministry grant applications is November 1, 2016. Grant applications can be completed online at http://sumuchurches.org. As a mission extension society, SUMU does not make grants to established churches for construction, improvements, or repairs. SUMU grants are...

Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, resident bishop of the California-Nevada Annual Conference, has assigned recently retired Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr. as the senior interim pastor of Glide Memorial United Methodist Church in San Francisco.   “There is no better person to lead Glide as its Interim Senior Pastor in this time of transition than Bishop Warner H. Brown Jr.  He knows and loves Glide and truly values the transformative ministry that Glide has been devoted to over these many years.  Bishop ...

Wesley United Methodist Church, San Jose, annual Aki Matsuri festival will celebrate the coming of the fall season. Experience a modern twist of a Japanese festival with new and traditional foods, a variety of entertainment and activities, and one-of-a-kind shopping. Aki Matsuri (Fall Festival) is on Saturday, October 1, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the heart of San Jose’s Japantown at 566 N. 5th Street.   Parking will be available to our visitors at the Wesley 6th Street parking lot, down 5th ...

An Installation Service, and reception dates, have been set for Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño.  Bishop Carcaño begins today as the resident bishop of the California-Nevada Annual Conference.  An Installation Service will take place on Saturday, September 24, at 2 p.m. at St. Paul's UMC, Manteca, CA.  The church is located at 910 East North Street, Manteca, CA.   Persons are encouraged to carpool because of limited parking. Childcare is available for 6 months to 5th grade. For childcare, RSVP to ...

By Dr. Larry R. Hygh, Jr.   More than 120 pastors and church leaders from across the California-Nevada Annual Conference recently gathered at Saint Paul United Methodist Church (UMC) in Fremont for the Multicity Conference.  "Laity and clergy can come together and be informed and equipped to do God's work," said the Rev. Samuel Yun, convener for the annual conference's Leadership Development mission focus area.  "Before we can change the world, we have to change ourselves."   The one-day event ...

Redlands, California. Daniel Charles Damon has been honored by The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada (The HSUSC) at its annual conference in Redlands, California, July 17-21, 2016, by being named a Fellow of The Hymn Society. This award, the highest honor given by the organization, was conferred because of Damon’s work as a hymn-text writer, hymn-tune composer, editor, and teacher, as well as his significant contributions to The HSUSC.   Born in Rapid City, South Dakota, Damon ...

Please inform friends, colleagues, new United Methodists and others who speak Spanish that there is a lay servant class just for them! It will be held on 2 Saturdays in August so that all 10 hours can be taught. The class will be held at New Creation Church in the sanctuary lounge. The address is 1675 Winchester Blvd. Campbell CA 95008.. The class will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday August 13th and August 20th. Attendance at both days is necessary to receive a completion ...

Two leaders from the Palestinian village of Wadi Foquin will visit the California-Nevada Conference from July 26 to August 16 for an education and fundraising speaking tour.    Ata Manasra is the coordinator of the Wadi Foquin (Narjes) Community Development  Project, and Adel Hroub is the youth coordinator for the project. Venues for their speaking tour will include:  South Hayward UMC, San Ramon Valley UMC, Lynnewood UMC in Pleasanton, St. Mark's UMC in Sacramento, First UMC Redding, the ...

*By Dr. Larry R. Hygh, Jr.   "I think of myself as one who has responded faithfully to God's call in my life, which has been affirmed by my brothers and sisters," said Bishop Karen Phyllis Oliveto upon her consecration as a bishop in The United Methodist Church (UMC). "I have always seen my life as a life of service. I'm trying to follow the path God has placed for me."   Bishop Oliveto says, "We are a people rooted in God's grace.  In the days to come may we model grace in all our ...

August 22 is the deadline to apply for California-Nevada Ecumenical Grants. The Advocacy and Justice Committee has a small budget available to support ecumenical and interfaith social justice advocacy initiatives.    Ecumenical or interfaith organizations may apply for Ecumenical Grants if they meet the following criteria: Such organizations must include meaningful participation by one or more United Methodist churches, committees, or task forces as well as other faith communities. The project ...

Sonora United Methodist Church will host a Tongan Luau from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 30; the family-friendly event includes entertainment, dancing and a tropical feast of roast pig, teriyaki chicken, sweet and sour port, sweet potatoes, salads, desserts and coconut-pineapple-mango punch; event will be held at the Parish Hall of St Patrick's Catholic Church, 127 W. Jackson Street, Sonora; tickets are $20 adults, $10 children, free for children younger than 5; tickets are available at the door ...

Bishop Minerva Carcaño has been assigned the California Nevada-Conference (San Francisco Episcopal Area) to be the resident bishop beginning September 1. Bishop Carcaño has served the California-Pacific Conference the past four years.  For Bishop Carcaño’s bio, click here.   Other assignments in the Western Jurisdiction are:   Alaska Conference – Bishop Elaine Stanovsky California-Pacific Conference – Bishop Grant Hagiya Desert Southwest Conference – Bishop Robert Hoshibata Oregon-Idaho ...

The latest is an update for the Erskine Fire as of June 29 at 9:30 a.m. The fire is 46,684 acres and is 60 percent contained. There are more than 1,700 firefighters fighting the fire. There are no evacuations in place and residents can return to their homes with ID for proof of residency. Kern County’s Office of Emergency Services’ transition center is open to support the needs of recently evacuated residents who are now returning to their homes.   United Methodists are responding as follows: ...

The Sonora United Methodist Church is hosting a Tongan Luau on Saturday, July 30th, from 5 - 8 pm. This is a family event with entertainment, dancing and a tropical feast. The dinner will include roast pig, teriyaki chicken, sweet and sour pork, sweet potatoes, salads, desserts and coconut-pineapple-mango punch. The Luau will be held at the Parish Hall of St Patrick’s Catholic Church, 127 W. Jackson Street, Sonora. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children, free for children under the age of ...

Alum Rock UMC’s Pride leader was invited by Supervisor Ken Yeager to offer the invocation at the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors meeting on June 21, 2016. Supervisor Yeager contacted the church after we published a letter regarding the continued theft and vandalism of our Pride flags on campus. We’d like to share our invocation message with all: Board of Supervisors Meeting Invocation June 21, 2016 The philosopher and theologian Dr. Cornell West said, "justice is love in public." I ...

The Rev. Dr. Karen Oliveto, senior pastor of Glide Memorial United Methodist Church in San Francisco, is the Episcopal nominee from the California-Nevada Annual Conference to the Western Jurisdiction Conference.

Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr. will appoint the Rev. Dave Samelson to a dual appointment beginning July 1.  Samelson, who is currently the District Superintendent for Great Northern District and Dean of the Cabinet, will co-pastor the Point Pleasant UMC in Elk Grove where he will work alongside the church’s long-time pastor the Rev. Neal Harrell.   Bishop Brown says, “When a pastor serves a long time in a community, the change of clergy can be challenging.” He added, “Pastor Neal Harrell has ...

THE GOLDEN GATE RADIO ORCHESTRA - Presents their 18th Anniversary Concert of Music from the Great American Songbook on June 26 at 3:00 PM. Vocals: Eric Ribeiro, Heather Otte. Maestro: Steven Reading. Selections include: “Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered,” “More Than You Know,” “Nice Work If You Can Get It.” Free Refreshments. Tickets: $15. Call 650-871-7464. Crystal Springs UMC, 2145 Bunker Hill Dr., San Mateo.

Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr. and other faith leaders met yesterday with United States Senator for Nevada, Dean Heller (R) in his Capitol Hill office seeking his support for sentencing reform. Photographed, from left to right, Rabbi Ethan Bair, Temple Sinai, Reno, Senator Heller, Rev. Neal Anderson, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Reno, and Bishop Brown.  

  Mr. Oather M. Jones, Sr. (Pictured on the left) Bishop and Mrs. Warner H. Brown, Jr. are saddened to announce the death of Minnie’s father, Mr. Oather M. Jones, Sr. on June 9, 2016 in Baltimore, MD.  He was 94 years old.  Funeral services for Mr. Jones will be held on Friday, June 17, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 2201 Garrison Blvd., Baltimore, MD.   Condolences may be sent to the family at 2126 East Hoffman Street, Baltimore, MD 21213.   Bishop and Mrs. Brown thank you for ...

On May 21st, men, women and children came out to walk/run for backpacks at the Burlingame H.S. track and field. On this beautiful spring morning 40 participants each walked/ran an average of 4 miles and raised $3,500 for Backpackpalooza. These funds will give us a jump start in preparing us for our 11th annual backpack giveaway and party for underserved children in the community.

When the Western Jurisdictional Conference convenes next month, its nominating committee will select people to serve as the jurisdiction's representatives on the denomination's general boards and agencies for the next quadrennium. Agencies include the Connectional Table; General Boards of Church & Society, Discipleship, Global Ministries, Higher Education & Ministry, and Pensions & Health Benefits; General Commissions on Communications, Religion & Race, and the Status and Role of Women; the ...

The official app of the 2016 California-Nevada Annual Conference Session is now available.  The app will aid participants in organizing and planning their activities while in attendance throughout the week of June 22 to 25. The app includes: daily schedules, meal event times and locations, access to social media, e-documents, live streaming, and resources to aid participants. To download the app on Apple devices, click here. To download the app on Android devices, click here.  

Concord, Calif.— Eighty-four-year-old Jim McGuire considers a 30-mile bike ride as just a “warm up.”  For 41 years he has led Concord United Methodist Church’s bike-a-thon benefitting Heifer International projects.  His “Peddle for Heifer” event raises close to $8,000 annually from pledges for riders. (Read more)  

The Rev. John Chamberlin, National Coordinator for the East Timor Religious Outreach (ETRO), issuing an appeal to the annual conference to provide educational scholarships for young, impoverished students, through the Protestant Church in East Timor (Igreja Protestante iha Timor Lorosae) headquartered in Dili, and the Roman Catholic Salesian Girls School located in the rural mountain village of Venilale.  Last year's appeal resulted in ETRO being able to award $3,400 to each of the ecumenical ...

As a church, Alum Rock UMC made the decision that the LGBTQI community was welcome to be part of the “church family” in 1999. This wasn’t really new to most of us in the church, but it was the first time we made a public statement about it. By the way, when we say “welcome”, we mean welcome to join us in every way – from visitor to volunteer to lay person to lay leader to clergy. And, we mean welcome just as you are – be the person God created you to be – no need to change anything for us. We’re...

Rev Sandy Gess of Park Presidio UMC-San Francisco receives on behalf of the congregation the Certificate of Recognition from Assemblymember David Chiu, 17th Assembly District (Assistant Speaker pro Tempore), for honoring victims of AIDS at a week of community events in remembrance of HIV/AIDS and looking forward for World AIDS Day .  In the background is a four-panel block from the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt.  The Certificate reads: "This certificate is presented to Park Presidio United ...

A Response of Solidarity and Support to Acts of Justice and Mercy: A Report by the International Fact-Finding Team of the California-Nevada Annual Conference   We, the members of The California-Nevada Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church’s Fact-Finding Team, moved by a desire for mercy and justice and inspired by our connectional church, traveled on a pastoral trip to Kidapawan and Arakan from April 22 to 24th, 2016. While there, we interviewed people who participated in the ...

After returning from Fiji, Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr. wanted to reach out to the Hindi speaking community in the Bridges and Central Valley Districts. The Rev. Dr. Immanuel Reuben, and his wife Grace Reuben were invited, and visited the California-Nevada Conference to help engage with the Hindi speaking community and understand their needs.     In 21 days, Reuben visited 10 homes, preached at eight United Methodist Churches, and conducted three home prayers reaching more than 150 people.   "We...

Every four years, The United Methodist Church holds a worldwide General Conference to update the denomination’s policies and its positions on current social issues. The next General Conference is this May in Portland, Oregon, and our California-Nevada Annual Conference will send six voting delegates. Delegation co-chair Emily Allen is giving two presentations in local churches about General Conference. Come hear about the hot-button issues coming before General Conference, from LGBT equality to ...

The Rev. Dr. Lisa Allen, assistant professor of worship and music at Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, has been named worship planner and leader for the 2016 California-Nevada Annual Conference Session.   She is an elder in the North Georgia Annual Conference. Prior to joining the faculty at ITC in 2005, where she teaches courses on Christian music and worship, Dr. Allen was an associate pastor of worship and evangelism at a local United Methodist Church.   She also was a...

On Sunday, March 20, a special Little Free Library was unveiled at Tatum’s Garden in Salinas, CA.  This Little Free Library was the dream project of Patti Munoz and several other members of First United Methodist Church of Pacific Grove, CA after hearing Amanda Bakker speak at the church’s Faith Retreat.  Amanda is the creator of Tatum’s Garden, a fully-inclusive and accessible playground in the area.  A group from the church visited the Garden.  When they returned to church they began talking ...

Chinese Community UMC Oakland, together with Wayside UMC of Vallejo, is hosting an event on April 30. A team of cyclists have challenged themselves to ride 100km (approximately 62 miles) to raise funds for their mission partner in Uganda, Kumi Christian Visionary School (KCVS), now in its third year of operation, serving some of the most vulnerable children in the village. This year’s fundraising goal is $30,000, which will be used to purchase additional land and perimeter fencing for security,...

April 4, 2016  Dear Brothers and Sisters In Christ, "Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord." (Psalm 130:1b) We have a longstanding mission relationship with our brothers and sisters in the Philippines. On April 1, a United Methodist Church compound started giving sanctuary to farmers and indigenous people after a protest for food relief was violently disrupted. Three protesters were killed and more than 100 injured when police forces fired on the crowd on a major highway in front of a ...

Individuals and churches are invited to submit a letter regarding their nominees for this year's Bishop Melvin Talbert Award. The California-Nevada Annual Conference Commission on Religion and Race makes this award annually to a person within the conference who best exemplifies a proactive stance in addressing, and working toward dismantling, racism in the church and society.  Submissions should be sent to Rev. Barbara Horikoshi-Firebaugh, Chairperson; c/o Faith United Methodist Church, 3600 J ...

PORTLAND, Oregon – Leaders will gather to discuss current realities regarding HIV and AIDS at “AIDS is not over! Global issues and the church,” a free, United Methodist Global AIDS Fund-sponsored event on May 9 in Portland, Oregon. Delegates and non-delegates attending the 2016 General Conference of The United Methodist Church are invited to be a part of the conference. At least 37 million people are living with AIDS, half of which are women. There are 13.3 million children living as orphans due...

A California-Nevada Conference grant from the Conference Disaster Fund has provided a trailer in Mountain Ranch Park to aid in the Butte Fire response. One of the services taking place in the trailer is crisis counseling for fire survivors. The trailer also as the long term recovery center providing case management and other needed services to the community. The trailer has three rooms, for an office, counseling and small group/ committee meetings. The Conference applied for, and received, a ...

Each year Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr. awards a Bishop's Award to a layperson, or laypersons, that have demonstrated outstanding service both in their local church and beyond the local church.  Service beyond the local church may be in the annual conference, the general church, the local community or beyond.  He invites lay and clergy of the California-Nevada Conference to lift up people deserving this recognition. Deadline for submission is March 31 and should include a short narrative on how ...

New missionary Joshua Doan from the San Jose Vietnamese United Methodist Church, who is to serve in Malaysia, will be available May 23 to 28 to visit California-Nevada churches.  He will be in the San Jose area Monday to Thursday, May 23 to 26, and in the San Joaquin Valley, Friday and Saturday, May 27 and 28.  A visit can be arranged through Howard Parker, Conference Secretary of Global Ministries, howard.parker@gmail.com. Malaysia in 2002 became host to some 200,000 Vietnamese young adult ...

*By Dr. Larry R. Hygh, Jr.   More than 1.1 million people descended upon the San Francisco Bay Area for Super Bowl 50 and its festivities.  The Super Bowl's golden anniversary game was played in Santa Clara's Levi's Stadium.  One circuit partnered with an agency to free victims of human trafficking, and bring justice to sex buyers, and traffickers, who use the festivities surrounding the Super Bowl for this practice of modern-day slavery.      The City Circuit, a group of six United Methodists ...

The 7th Annual Youth Worker's Retreat was held February 4th and 5th at the Waller Center in San Francisco.  There were 25 participants who spent time in reflection and conversation with Sam Halverson, author of "One Body - Integrating Teenagers into Your Congregations."  They also had a session on "hot topics" using the expertise and ideas of the youth workers in attendance.  The group will do a three month "check-in" luncheon to see what progress has been made with their ideas and new ...

The Climate Justice Action Network is a newly-created network of United Methodists linking faith and action in response to climate change.  It is one of several action networks connected with the Western Methodist Justice Movement.  This network originated as a project of the Advocacy and Justice Committee of the California-Nevada Annual Conference, through an Ecumenical Agencies Grant given to Earth Justice Ministries to establish this network.  The Coordinator of the newly-created Climate ...

Gerald Emmett Wrenn Jan. 21, 1952 - Jan. 31, 2016 Resident of Hayward   Wrenn served as the California-Nevada Conference Youth Director from 1990 to 1994. Jerry grew up in Castro Valley, living the typical life of the Bay Area post-war baby boom generation: Little League, Boy Scouts, Sunday School, Giants baseball, developing a life-long love of super hero comics and baseball memorabilia. He held a variety of jobs over the years but most enjoyed his work with children and youth as a youth ...

A Hindi speaking ministry outreach will take place from February 9 to 29 when the Rev Dr. Immanuel Reuben, and his wife Devki Rubaiammal Reuben, will be arriving from Fiji. Rev. Reuben is scheduled to preach, do home visits, and attend meetings with key leaders in the Sacramento, Galt, Tracy, Fremont, Hayward and Salinas area. Here are his major speaking events: -        Feb 13 at 5:30 p.m. Robin Philip’s Sacramento, CA – fellowship and dinner -        Feb 14 at 10 a.m.– Galt UMC – Worship and...

Missionary Katherine Parker, who serves in Nepal on behalf of the annual conference, will be available this spring to visit California-Nevada churches, Global Ministries has now announced.  Her dates itinerating will be April 19 through May 3, and May 22 through June 26.  While her Sunday mornings are already committed to supporting churches, there are other opportunities for a visit that can be arranged through Howard Parker, Conference Secretary of Global Ministries, howard.parker@gmail.com. ...