news

On Thursday June 1st, from 6pm-9pm at Berkeley UMC, 1710 Carleton, Join the Cal-Nev Philippine Solidarity Task Force in raising support for the 2017 Pastoral Solidarity Visit to the Philippines, with the Battle of the Bands & Adobo Cook-Off. Bands will Battle, while raising funds to support this years solidarity trip, learn about current issues in the Philippines, why delegates are going, and eat and vote for the best Adobo. Battle of the Bands line up: Dirty Boots Digma Salami Rose Joe Louis ...

Elko United Methodist Fellowship is celebrating her 26th Founding Anniversary this coming June 11, 2017. The invited guest preacher is the Associate General Secretary and Executive Director of Path 1 of the General Board of Discipleship Rev. Dr. Bener B. Agtarap, He was also the former Conference Superintendent for Congregational Vitality in the California- Nevada Conference. To those who want to celebrate with us, service starts at 10:00am @ 539 Court St. Elko Nevada and you may call 753-5220.

By the Rev. Lindsey Kerr   Last Tuesday, April 25, at First Congregational Church of Oakland, I witnessed one of the most inspired social justice events I have seen in a long time. The gathering, “A People’s Movement for Just Peace: Understanding the Root Causes of Armed Conflict in the Philippines”, featured a variety of speakers on tour from the Philippines. They spoke to the national situation of the Philippines, as well as to the ongoing civil war between the Government of the Republic of ...

The Sacramento Gay Men's Chorus returns to Stockton to perform in the Sanctuary of Central, Sunday, May 7 at 3.00pm. The SGMC was founded in 1984 as a singing group aimed at fostering a sense of community and providing support for Sacramento area gay and lesbian people. Over the past thirty years, the group has become an integral part of the Sacramento arts community as well as a voice for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality. The chorus strives for musical excellence and ...

Saturday May 6, 9 am-3 pm, huge garage sale including electronics, books, kitchen ware, jewelry, art, furniture, records and more. Lunch starting at 11:30 am with Minestrone soup, Chili and homemade pies. This is our largest fundraiser of the year. Come and support us. Point Richmond First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.

Renowned Methodist historian and theologian, Rev. Dr. Justo González, will be offering a Summer course on Latino/a perspectives on church and theology. The class will take place at Pacific School of Religion, in Berkeley, CA, from June 12 to 16 and can be taken for both academic credit and CEUs.   A native of Cuba, González is author of more than a hundred books on the history of Christianity, Wesleyan theology, and Latino/a religious experience in the United States. He served as the first ...

Sacramento Gay Men's Chorus comes to the Central Valley. "Puttin' on the Glitz" Concert, Sunday May 7th 3pm at Central UMC 3700 Pacific Ave Stockton. Tickets $10 available at the church office or at the door. Students free.

Dr. James H. Salley, Associate Vice-Chancellor for Institutional Advancement for Africa University, will preach for the opening worship of the 2017 Annual Conference Session (ACS) on Wednesday morning, June 21.  The ACS offering will benefit Africa University as the school celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The celebratory offering will take place during opening worship. Clergy and laity from churches across the California-Nevada Conference are encouraged to bring, and present their ...

United Methodist Church Day with the Fresno Grizzlies will take place on June 3 at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person and includes a free hat. Proceeds will benefit "Imagine No Malaria." This year there will be auction for a person to throw out the first pitch as well as change the manual scoreboard during the second and fourth innings. A combined UMC choir will sing the national anthem. For an informational flyer with more information, click here.  

Season two of the hit series "Finding Jesus" featuring Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño will premiere this Sunday, March 5, on CNN.  The six-part series brings to life Jesus’ ministry and journey throughout the ancient world and reveals fascinating new insights using the latest state-of-the-art scientific techniques and archaeological research.  This season the show will explore: The Childhood Home of Jesus; The Tomb of King Herod; The Bones of St. Peter; Relics Believed To Shed Truth About Doubting ...

Boy Scout units have been (and are) sponsored by a number of United Methodist Churches (or affiliate groups like United Methodist Men). The United Methodist Church has been one of the largest sponsors of Boy Scout Units.  Rules have changed in the Boy Scouts in the last few years, which allows sponsors greater flexibility in creating units that align with their goals.  Since June 2015, a Boy Scout unit can have adult leadership who are gay. As of January 2017, transgendered boys are allowed into...

Over the past seven years a very different model has been developed for elevating people out of poverty.  The California-Nevada Conference Committee on Children and poverty has worked diligently to introduce the NETworX model to churches in the Conference.  In 2016 at the National Conference of UMC a resolution was introduced and adopted endorsing NETworX.  In brief, the model is anchored in developing intentional friendships across class lines by surrounding poor families with two to four ...

By Dr. Larry R. Hygh, Jr.   Erin M. Hawkins, General Secretary for the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR), will be the keynote speaker for the 2017 Annual Conference Session to be held June 21 to 24 at the Hyatt Regency in Burlingame.    This year's annual conference theme is "Testify to Love: Your Story Matters." Hawkins says, "Jesus used stories to bring people together, to create a deeper understanding around the bond of our common humanity. Indeed, we are all connected and our ...

Musical Variety Concert – From pop to Bach , both vocal and instrumental. Featuring some of the Peninsula’s best musical artists like Kathleen Nelson, Lynnelle Bilsey, & Bill Alley (Crystal Springs UMC musical director). An afternoon of fun on Sunday March 19 at 3:00 PM. Suggested Donation $20 to benefit LifeMoves. Reception follows. Crystal Springs UMC, 2145 Bunker Hill Dr., San Mateo. Call 650-345-2381. LifeMoves is a group that supports homeless families in San Mateo County..

California-Nevada Conference officials are in contact with churches and officials on the ground in Lake County and San Jose about the recent flooding, and the Conference's response to the natural disaster.  They are also in contact with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Alum Rock UMC in San Jose is standing by at the invitation of the Red Cross in case the need to shelter evacuees extends into next week.United Methodists and other ecumenical and community partners in Lake County...

Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño recently welcomed the Rev. Sekove Veisa, Deaconess Litia Vulase Veisa, and the Chairman of the Council Vakatawas, Alifereti Malo.    An installation service recently took place for Rev. Veisa who is serving half time as a conference resource person for Fijian ministry, and half time on the pastoral staff of First UMC in Santa Rosa.  Rev. Veisa will also resource the Council of Vakatawas and the various Fijian ministries in the conference.    He is ordained as a ...

Following the lifting of the evacuation at 2 p.m. Tuesday, all three United Methodist evacuation centers (Sutter UMC, Chico Trinity UMC, and Roseville First UMC) shifted from active, to standby mode.  Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea announced that the evacuation order was lifted and that it was safe to return; however, there remains "an evacuation warning" that considers the possibility that there could be future changes in the situation.   With rain expected later this week, all three ...

The Rev. David Samelson, Great Northern District Superintendent, has been in contact with pastors from the two circuits affected by the Oroville Dam evacuation.    Eight churches in the Great Northern District have been affected by the evacuation order.  In the Butte Circuit: Biggs UMC, Gridley UMC, and First UMC Oroville, and five churches in the Yuba City/Marysville Circuit:  First UMC Marysville and Marysville Hmong, First UMC Yuba City, Grace UMC Yuba City, and Love Korean UMC Yuba City.   ...

FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS - TRUMPING THE SYSTEM Sponsored by The Immigration Task Force of California-Nevada Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church   WHEN:  February 20, 2017   WHERE:  EPWORTH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - 1953 HOPKINS ST., Berkeley, CA.94707   TIME: 9:00 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M.   TO REGISTER, CLICK HERE                   AGENDA      9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. - Registration 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. - Invocation and Speaker - Bishop Minerva Carcano “Why are immigration issues important...

*By Dr. Larry R. Hygh, Jr.   "As Christians, we are called to love one another, to welcome one another, and to care for one another…We are called to do this even when, especially when, that is hard," says Jessie Tientcheu, a member of The Table at Central United Methodist Church (The Table) in Sacramento.  The Table has worked with a local Sacramento organization, Opening Doors, a Church World Service affiliate, to help resettle two refugee families in the Sacramento area.    Tientcheu, whose ...

Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño stood in solidarity with Imam Dr. Mohamed Abdul-Azeez of the Tarbiya Institute in Roseville, CA.  Their meeting was part of a national interfaith movement of action that took place across the nation in solidarity with refugee and Muslim communities around noontime Jummah prayer.   With more than 30 United Methodist clergy and laypeople, Bishop Carcaño attended the prayer service and presented Imam Azeez with a letter of solidarity and a fruit basket.  She gave remarks ...

*By Dr. Larry R. Hygh, Jr. Leadership from across the California-Nevada Conference recently gathered for a retreat with Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño to begin the quadrennium exploring the Conference's foundational goals and denominational focus areas.  "As leaders of the California-Nevada Conference of The United Methodist Church we gather knowing that we are here to lead God's people on the journey ahead," says Bishop Carcaño.    Bishop Carcaño led the opening worship and preached from Acts ...

By Dr. Larry R. Hygh, Jr.   "I was born and raised a Methodist and had this feeling from when I was little that I wanted to do something cool when I grew up," says Margaret "Maggie" Lohmeyer.  That "something cool" for Lohmeyer is being a Global Mission Fellow of the General Board of Global Ministries working as a field coordinator for the Jubilee Initiative in the Bridges District.    Lohmeyer says she felt a "call to mission" back in 2013 after traveling with her church on a mission trip to ...

Aldersgate UMC in Chico will hold a Finance Faire on Saturday, February 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Speaker for the event will be: Diane Knudsen, Conference Treasurer; Susan Peters, UM Foundation; Cory Parish United Methodist Endowment Board; Rev. John Dodson, Capital Campaign Consultant; and, Ted Ramirez from the United Methodist Credit Union. Workshops will include: day to day finances; investments; and estate planning.  Cost is $10 and includes lunch.  Check can be made payable to "AUMC"...

National Sanctuary Press Conference, January 17, 2017        Statement of Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño   Thank you for the opportunity to be with you on this morning.  I want to share that United Methodists stand firmly with our immigrant brothers and sisters who continue to face the harsh treatment that the U.S. has given them for far too long while they labor in our fields, care for our elderly, build and clean our homes, and serve us at the tables of our favorite restaurants.    With other ...

for the use of all UMC advocacy and justice members, all members of CA/NV UMC, and both youth and pastor education. Draft Guidance on Prohibiting Free Samples of Tobacco Products The FDA recently issued a draft guidance, The Prohibition of Distributing Free Samples of Tobacco Products, for public comment. When finalized, this guidance will help tobacco product manufacturers, distributors, and retailers understand—and comply with—the prohibition of distributing free samples of tobacco products. ...

On Christmas day Laurel UMC went out in streets of Oakland to give away more than 60 blankets to the homeless. In addition, the youth sang carols and the Laurel choir sang the "Hallelujah Chorus." Throughout the month of December, the congregations collected blankets and felt that it was fitting to pass them out on Christmas day. The youth also gave up their annual gift giving party and used those funds to purchase more blankets.  "We want to make sure that even on holidays the hands and feet ...

The Camp and Retreat Ministry of the Oregon-Idaho Conference of the United Methodist Church is seeking a new member for our team to serve as the director for the Alton L. Collins Retreat Center, located just southeast of Portland, Oregon.  We require: a commitment to our mission of “Creating quality environments of Christian hospitality and learning,” familiarity with United Methodist polity, experience with camp and retreat ministry, experience in leading a staff in working together, and a ...

The Gathering of the Orders will take place January 17 to 19 at Mt. Hermon. Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño will be the preacher on opening night and the Communion Celebrant at the Thursday morning Communion Service. Bishop Carcaño will also be available for individual meetings and hosting a group at each meal. The Rev. Dr. David Vásquez-Levy, President of the Pacific School of Religion (PSR), will be the key note presenter on Wednesday, and Thursday morning, using Biblical and theological disciplines...

Each year we, the churches of the Greater Sacramento area, gather together in celebration of Jesus Christ birth and through fellowship and fun/games reflect on the wonderful grace of God given to us throughout the year. This year as we thought about how grateful we were this holiday, we joined in the fun and showed how much we appreciated what we had by bringing donations of new or barely used winter-ware items to help the homeless youth of Sacramento, CA. So as the youth and volunteers were ...

The California Nevada Board of Ordained Ministry in conjunction with The General Board of Pension and Health Benefits, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, The Texas Methodist Foundation, and the Lily Foundation are offering three scholarships for seminarians.    Criteria for scholarship recipients: * United Methodist enrolled certified candidate for ministry (elder or deacon) * Demonstrated merit, progress, and commitment in the candidacy process * MDIV student enrolled at one ...

The Pacific School of religion (PSR), a radically inclusive seminary dedicated to social justice, has been given the incredible opportunity, beginning in March 2017, to coordinate a first-time mentoring & internship program for college-age- (18-23) emerging leaders who are first-and second-generation immigrants and may be considering a path toward pastoral ministry in service to immigrant and non-immigrant communities throughout California, with a focus on the Central Valley. This innovative ...

Friends and colleagues of the Rev. Brian Adkins are invited to be present to lay hands on him, and send him forth with love and prayer as he prepares to serve on the United Methodist Commission on a Way Forward. Adkins is one of 32 persons selected by the Council of Bishops for the group charged with bridging the denomination’s deep divisions around LGBTQI people.  This music-filled, local sending forth will take place at Epworth United Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins Street, Berkeley, on ...

December 9, 2016   Friends,   Grace and peace to you during this season of Advent as we anticipate the birth of the Christ Child.  This Sunday we light the pink candle on the Advent wreath; a candle that stands for joy.  It is the shepherds’ candle because the shepherds received a message of great joy.    It is with great joy that I announce that the Rev. L. Fitzgerald "Gere" Reist, II has accepted our invitation to come among us to serve as our interim conference superintendent for leadership...

Director of Children and Youth Ministries (Evergreen Valley United Methodist Church) We seek a person who will generate new ideas and programs and who values a team concept of ministry. Candidate must possess excellent organizational, communication, teaching, administrative and computer skills. A college degree (BA or BS) and background in education or youth/children ministry is preferable but not required. Candidate must pass a background check upon hiring. Two personal and two professional ...

Friends,   After much prayer and consultation our brother and colleague in ministry, the Rev. Greg Bergquist, conference superintendent for leadership development for the California-Nevada Annual Conference, has been named associate general secretary for the Division of Ordained Ministry at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) effective January 2017. While we will greatly miss Greg on our Cabinet and in our ministries across the California-Nevada Conference, I believe you ...

By Dr. Larry R. Hygh, Jr.   After a prayerful and discerning process, the California-Nevada Conference Commission on the Annual Conference Session has chosen "Testify to Love: Your Story Matters" as the theme for the 2017 Annual Conference Session.  Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño met for the first time with the group that consists of more than 20 persons, both clergy and laity, from across the annual conference.  After much sharing, Bishop Carcaño invited the Commission to discern a theme for the ...

United Methodist Student Day is November 27.  This is one of the six Special Sundays of the denomination.  It is observed on the last Sunday of November and furnishes scholarships and loans for students attending United Methodist-related and other accredited colleges and universities.  Twenty-Seven college students from the California-Nevada Conference have been awarded scholarships through the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) totaling more than $40,000.  For a complete ...

Pioneer UMC in Auburn anticipates being at 100 percent of their 2016 conference tithe by the end of December.  "This represents an amazing transformation," says the Rev. Dave Samelson, Great Northern District Superintendent. Three years ago Pioneer UMC was severely in the red financially and unable to pay practically any of their conference tithe.  "The church also had to move from their pastor being full-time to three-fourths time," says Samelson.    Samelson says, "The church had a long and ...

The Israel/Palestine Task Force (IP Task Force) has launched a new website <> and welcomes visitors. “Our goal is to more broadly inform the Conference about our work and encourage individual and congregational involvement,” states Yvonne Turner, IP Task Force Chair. “We also want to serve as a resource.” The site highlights IP Task Force work areas, links to more information, and suggested actions. Currently, the No Way to Treat a Child project invites readers to add their name to a letter to ...

The following letter was sent to President Barack Obama by the Bishops of the Western Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church expressing opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline and support for the Standing Rock Sioux Nation.  October 25, 2016 President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Obama: We, the bishops of the Western Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church, write in support of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation and all who bear ...

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house. And thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need…… Then all nations will count you happy, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.  Malachi 3:10, 12   Brothers and Sisters,   Grace and peace to you in the name of Christ Jesus.  What a joy it is to be in ministry with you!  You are a...

The Cal Nevada Annual Conference Committee on Higher Education and Campus Ministry has released the 2017 Campus Ministry Grant applications.  These grants are made available through our Annual Conference operating budget to minister to college students.  Past recipients have included our Wesley Foundations, local churches that reach out to local campuses, and college campuses focused on student spiritual needs. The grant application consists of a request form, click here, and financial ...

Bethany UMC invites you all to a free benefit concert with Bobby Jo Valentine on Saturday Oct 22, 2016 at Bethany United Methodist Church at 7pm in San Francisco. Bobby Jo is an award winning singer and songwriter and has become well known in our Cal-Nev Conference. Join us for a night of music, light refreshments, and fellowship. A free will offering will be taken to support the San Francisco Night Ministry, which serves the homeless of San Francisco every night of the year, by having pastors ...

The Reverends Staci Current and former pastors, Darrell Darling, Jeff Kunkel, John Emerson, Paul Henshaw, Kim Risedorph, and Gary Grundman, will join with the Lynnewood UMC congregation to celebrate the church's 50th anniversary the weekend of October 1-2, 2016. World Communion services at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. culminate a Jubilee Year with events including a benefit concert for Open Heart Kitchen with Jim and Jean Strathdee (January), a "Happening" with 60s fashion show and music (July), Heritage...

Clergy and laity from across the California-Nevada Conference gathered last Saturday at St. Paul's UMC in Manteca for the Installation Service for Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño. Bishop Carcaño preached "Bound by Love" based on Philippians 4:10-20.  To view the sermon, click here.  

A reception for Bishop Carcaño will also take place this Sunday, October 2, at South Reno UMC, 200 De Spain Lane, Reno, NV, at 2 p.m. Another reception will be held on Saturday, November 19, at Los Altos UMC, 655 Magdalena Ave., Los Altos, CA, at 2 p.m.   For Bishop Carcaño's bio, click here.

The Sacramento Japanese United Methodist Church (SJUMC), a member of the Pentecost Circuit, is proud to announce a free benefit concert on September 25, 2016 by the ACC Guitar Ensemble. All donations received at this benefit concert will be applied to fundraising efforts that SJUMC has planned in order to host a Stop Hunger Now meal packaging event next year during Lent. This will be the third year that the church has adopted Stop Hunger Now as one of its mission projects. The seven-member group...

The offering during the Installation Service for Bishop Minerva Carcaño will benefit the California-Nevada Conference Disaster Relief Fund.   This fund has allowed the Conference to meet immediate needs until UMCOR grants arrive, and to meet needs not covered with those grants. The fund has provided assistance during recent fires, as well as earthquakes, and other disasters. Persons, or churches, wishing to donate who will not be present on Saturday can make checks payable to "California-Nevada...

It was a glorious warm day at Sebastopol UMC on September 18, when the Rev. Schuyler Rhodes, Bridges District Superintendent, challenged the church to envision the future for another 150 years. He preached from 1 Peter 3:8-12 on the subject, "Blessings," which was followed with a church potluck.        According to the West Sonoma county Historical Society the church is "the only continuous owner of the same Main Street property in Sebastopol since 1867."       There have been 32 pastors and ...