news

Our beloved United Methodist Church, especially our California Nevada Conference, is offering a table of connectional diversity through our very rich cultures that our children are witnessing and growing with in their journeys of life and faith. ...

A perennial problem for the Conference Disaster Response Ministry has been a shortage of storage space. We have historically not had a dedicated space to store the supplies we use in fire response like Fire Buckets, Cleaning Kits, and sifting tools....

Thanks to Napa Methodist Church congregant Loie Whitmer—and videos taken by a drone—there are a lot more people smiling and waving in Napa these days. Whitmer created a program called, “Just t Say Hi” which allows fellow congregants to stand outside ...

Turlock First United Methodist Church began offering a special Blue Christmas Services last year and decided to keep the tradition during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic by using several virtual platforms starting at 12 noon on Monday, December 21, 2020. ...

Sonoma United Methodist Church has held a Mission Handcrafts (formerly Bolivian Handcrafts) sale every year since 1992. The tradition continued in early December 2020 in spite of COVID-19. Handicrafts from around the world were displayed on tables ...

The United Methodist Publishing House dates to 1789 and has come through many dangers, toils and snares, as the old hymn goes. Then came COVID-19. While the pandemic was closing church buildings, it also was sabotaging the Publishing House’s sales ...

The Endowment Board is asking you to join them in spreading smiles this holiday season with a photo or video of yourself and/or loved ones experiencing a happy moment from 2020, or just a photo of your smiling face. The Endowment Board will compile ...

We reached out to the Rev. Kristin Stoneking, appointed pastor at Epworth United Methodist Church in Berkeley, California when we learned that she is one of the twenty (20) recipients of the 2020 General Board of Higher Education and Ministry ...

As we honor the Where Love Lives December theme of "Seeking to Be God's Light in the World" , Greater Northwest Conference offers these videos based on principles of inclusion, innovation and multiplication as we live into creating a fully inclusive ...

YOUNG ADULTS VOICES: ADVENT GATHERING Monday, December 21st at 6:00 – 7:30 PM “14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. 15(John testified to him and ...

During this disorienting time of pandemic, Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño invites us to join Mary in singing our praises to God. Together, let us experience the joy of Emmanuel, even as we wait for the healing transformation of our lives and our world. ...

 Hard to imagine a shepherd’s reason for hope when the darkness of brutal empire had joined hands with a poverty that crushed the spirit. Hard to imagine that the cry of joy could pry open lips long sealed shut by the gaunt grimness of a hand to ...

Join us for a time of celebration during this Advent season.  We will have a time to reach out across our Annual Conference to share stories of hope and faith in a time of worship and reflection. We will focus on the themes of Advent as we draw ...

The theme for this week is Joy (Advent Week 3). The scripture is Isaiah 61:10 and Luke 1:26-38 This week members of St. Mark's UMC in Sacramento present the Advent candle message and Bible reading; Sacramento Japanese members give the message and ...

December 13, 2020 is the Third Sunday of Advent. We, Cathy, Ellen, and I (Fel), on behalf of the Task Force on Children’s Ministry,[2]are coming to you in the connection of our California-Nevada Conference of our beloved United Methodist Church, that...

After heated debate, the Philippines Central Conference’s coordinating council voted to extend the episcopal leadership of the country’s three incumbent bishops through the end of 2021. Extending the bishops’ terms sparked controversy over the ...

Members from rural and urban United Methodist churches gathered on Zoom for the Wednesday Webinar on December 9, 2020 to learn ways to connect with children and youth. The event was hosted by the Conference Council on Young People’s Ministry and the ...

At the request of many clergy in the Annual Conference, we are excited to announce that the annual Gathering of the Orders will happen via Zoom on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. As a blessing to all, there is NO registration fee this ...

Fair Oaks United Methodist Church is connecting with each other this Advent season with a weekly socially distanced, drive-thru communion service on Wednesdays at 2 pm. Pastor Kim Montenegro meets cars in the parking lot and serves individual ...

Editor's note: Greater Northwest Conference Bishop Elaine J.W. Stanovsky shares her reflection, "Seeking to be God’s light in the world" as a part of the Western Jurisdiction Where Love Lives campaign. Isaiah 40 A voice cries out: “In the ...

Wayside UMC in Vallejo had recently lost two of her beloved parishioners. Lillian Stanfield died on November 6 after succumbing to cancer. Until the pandemic and her death, Lillian has served Wayside as volunteer organist for 42 of the church’s 63 ...

Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño shares a reflection for the second week of Advent around the first chapter of Matthew, verses 18-12 in which Mary and Joseph are visited by angels with news of Mary’s pregnancy and the coming Christ.   Bishop reminds us of ...

The theme for this week is LOVE (The Second Week of Advent) The scripture is Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 7:14 This week Rev. Yamada Foor greets children and blesses them; Lamb-see-do gets to talk about Advent Candles; kids learn a new Christmas carol, "...

Crystal Springs UMC celebrated its 61st anniversary in a special service that included California-Nevada Lay Leader Micheal Pope.  Remembering the day, Pastor Katai'i Tapa shared, "My heart is filled with so much thankfulness to God, due to the ...

The United Methodist Church in both Norway and Germany made decisions about becoming more inclusive of LGBTQ people in their congregations. During a virtual meeting in late November, the Norway Conference made plans to issue a public apology to LGBTQ...

The Christian Church universal in the global connection, including our beloved United Methodist Church entered the Advent Season in a year bombarded with the COVID-19 pandemic, humanitarian crisis, unemployment, displacement, escalating social and ...

Church plant: “the work of starting new things in a local church [that] requires creativity and vision for ministry at a whole new level” (from the Committee on New and Vital Congregations webpage). Church plant + pandemic: “Why?” asked Rev. Craig ...

The headlines remind us that “Children are not immune...” not just in terms of the COVID-19 virus, but also not immune to the mood and sway of this season of hope and disruption.  What are some ways we can improve our connections with children and ...

Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño invites us to wait with one another for the birth of Jesus as she reflects on hope during the first week of Advent. Bishop joins us as we  prepare our hearts for the coming of Emanuel, God with us, hoping that the Christ ...

 The theme for Children's Worship, Sunday November 29th is HOPE (The First Sunday of Advent) The scripture is: Mark 1:2-3 This week Rev. Motoe Yamada-Foor greets and blesses the children; we light our first Advent candle; Momoko Tamaoki Newsome ...

According to Jim Wallis, “Racism is the original sin of America.”[1] Therefore, there must be a repentance from people who have committed the Original Sin and then participate in courageous actions in dismantling racism. Children of Color suffer from...

I’m a double P.K.  My father is a United Methodist pastor and my mother is a Presbyterian clergyperson.  I’ve probably seen a lot more scripture than the average kid.  I’ve had many opportunities to read and learn about new scriptures in the Bible. ...

Scriptures have become an intricate part of my everyday routine; from waking up and reading the daily verse of the day to get myself started and refreshed to evening devotions and prayer with my family. Oftentimes, I find that a specific verse from ...

I, as an ordained Elder and Nerice, a commissioned Deaconess in our United Methodist Church, participated in the Poor People’s Campaign for Moral Recovery Caravan on Monday, November 23, 2020. We shared the same calling that we needed to stand up for...

Pastor Anthony Jenkins and the folks at Taylor Memorial UMC know a thing or two about working with corporate, ecumenical, interfaith and community partners, especially when it comes to caring for neighbors in North, East, and West Oakland. Since the...

The popular American image of the first Thanksgiving looks a bit like a United Methodist potluck — 17th-century style.   We imagine Pilgrims in funny hats and American Indians in feathery headdresses solemnly bowing their heads in gratitude for God’s...

As Youth Ministry Coordinator at Pacific Beach United Methodist Church, the importance of young people always rests on the forefront of my mind. It’s a wonderful blessing bestowed upon me to have the privilege of guiding children and youth through ...

Hafa Adai, Aloha, Talofa, and Malo E Lelei! James 1:22-24 says, “​But be doers of the word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in the mirror, for ...

On this Giving Tuesday let’s give to the UMCOR Sheltering in Love campaign so that vulnerable families in our communities and around the world most affected by COVID-19 can be supported.  Your gift will assist the poor, among them racial-ethnic and ...

Faith and political leaders across the country joined MAZON this week for a virtual Jewish Clergy Justice Mission (JCJM) gathering. The annual event normally takes place in Washington, DC and is a time for participants​ to learn about hunger in ...

The Endowment Board (also known as The Conference Claimants’ Endowment Board) has long played a vital role in the financial security of the retired clergy and spouses of the CA/NV Annual Conference. Via pre-82 pension contributions, healthcare cost ...

The theme for Children's Worship this week is Thanks Giving. The scripture is: Psalm 100 This week Rev. Mary Maaga welcomes children; Rev. Mahsea Evans shares his favorite scripture and a special message; Delilah Fakalaka shares her thanks and some ...

We’ve heard and read very disturbing news about the increased number of families that have been lining up for several hours to pick up food from the food banks all over the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic that put many parents lost their jobs ...

In a year when one disaster seemed to follow another, the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s longtime investment into the training and support of church members who respond — both in the U.S. and globally — is paying off. As directors of UMCOR ...

Tara Macy, a member of our Conference Committee on Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships, is a part of Shasta Interfaith.  They will be holding their annual Thanksgiving service this Sunday at 4pm on Facebook Live!  You are welcome to ...

 Did you know that Pillsbury, the company famous for holiday dinner rolls, has a factory in an illegal Israeli settlement?  And why is this important? The 2012 General Conference of the United Methodist Church called on us to boycott products made ...

The United Methodist Judicial Council expects to decide soon whether it has the jurisdiction to consider the constitutionality of legislation for a proposed plan for separating the denomination. A March 11 request from the Council of Bishops for a ...

Editor's note:  Wednesday Webinar will be on holiday next week for Thanksgiving. Please join us on December 2nd when we will discuss planting churches in the midst of a pandemic. Click here to register.  “It would be manageable if it was one child…”...

Save the Date! Gathering of the Orders will be meeting virtually on Monday January 25th from 9 am - 4 pm. Stay tuned for more details and connection information.  

In Genesis 1:27a, we read, “God created humanity in God’s own image, in the divine image God created them….” There is no separate category for “disability” in the Creation Story. Humanity is not divided into “us” and “them” by our differences on any ...