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Feature Articles and News Stories Listed by Issue Date

February 2011 Youth and Young Adult Task Force connects young people and plans events to build PNC leadership. Peace Action Group prepared petition to end war in Afghanistan. Church sent 250 signatures. Senior lunch participants engage with each other, challenged by programs that build mutual caring. Gale Peterson discusses how mission and stewardship empower children to live their faith. Pastor serves 100-year-old transforming church and is mayor of 100-year-old Metaline Falls.

Da Vita McCallister is keynote speaker for 2011 Annual Meeting at University Congregational UCC Church in Seattle. Westminster hosts Kirkin' o' the Tartans, an American celebration of Scottish clans' plaids and colors. Visit to Tuscon stirs awareness of immigration issues and becomes surreal connection with tragic shootings. 'Got Spirit?' is the theme campers will explore during 2011 summer camps at Pilgrim Firs and N-Sid-Sen. News Briefs News briefs announce transitions, camps, retreats, events and opportunities in the Conference.

 

April 2011 Need for rebuilding in New Orleans continues, but national UCC funding for it is running out. Camps announce 2011 sessions, directors, dates and theme "Got Spirit: Seeing God in the Everyday." Annual Meeting will consider budget, name change and resolution to become Open and Affirming. Korean visit PNC and Korean young adults meetin July to engage in dialogue on issues of concern in their faith lives.

Horizon House marks its 50th year as the first retirement community in downtown Seattle. Partners in Education are available to help churches with decisions about curricula and resources. PNC's body is immersed in new life as moderator completes her year of service and offers reflections. Annual Meeting is time for "Connections, Reflection and Direction" as delegates meet in Seattle. News Briefs News briefs announce transitions, events and opportunities in the Conference.

 

Summer 2011 Dana Weir says camp and PNC friends have continued through the years and have a unique bond. Group evaluates role of PNC campsin life of conference and in lives of people who go to camps and retreats. Brandon Duran, moderator, establishes blog to help foster connections within the Pacific Northwest Conference. Yakama Christian Mission seeks volunteers to help rebuild homes after February firestorm. Marj Johnston heads Shalom Ministries in Spokane, offering "dining with dignity" meals to homeless downtown. Mike Denton tells of environmental threat and injustice to native communities from nuclear mining contamination. Korean visitors Young adults from Seoul, South Korea,visit PNC July 20 to 26, with plans to meet with young adults.

DaVita McAllister urges Annual Meeting participants to find their gifts and act on them to transform the world. Group evaluates role of PNC campsin life of conference and in lives of people who go to camps and retreats. Annual Meeting delegates pass resolution to be an Open and Affirming Conference. Lutheran Public Police Office merges with Washington Association of Churches to form the Faith Action Network. Ken Colman represents PNC on ecumenical Washington disaster relief and recovery agencies. Leadership Retreat participants learn about setting Big Holy Audacious Goals and new ways to solve problems. Church hosts Bike to Church Sundayas as part of exploring how the church and members can reduce their environmental footprint.. News Briefs News briefs cover transitions and eventson overcoming racism,learning justice leadership and homeless advocacy.

 

October 2011 Campers gain sense of awe as they learn different ways to pray, do a service project and experience more at 2011 PNC camps. Nancy Minard's hobby has been her ticket to participating in assisting with basket weaving at N-Sid-Sen for 12 years. Kirkland UCC's peace pole is readily visible to people who walk or drive by the church, which is near downtown. Admiral UCC worship leader creates a "forest" in the sanctuary to focus attention on the theme of "Seasons of Creation." Northshore UCC's witness of packing Totes-To-Go for hungry children in Woodinville schools spreads. Partner in Education reports on UCC survey on education, prices and personnel for Local Church Ministries resources.

Couple in mission raise concern about plight of Roma in Europe and the issues for the marginalized Polish Reformed Church. Environmental Justice Center is launched at Pilgrim Firs with a call to our responsibility to God to care for creation. Facebook groups are a tool to share about and reflect on UCC clergy / lay participation in Occupy Seattle and Occupy Spokane. As NE area rep, Marj Johnston started a Facebook group to provide a stream of information for members in the area . Broadview researches how to mitigate flooding that cuts access to its parking lot and create a neighborhood "paradise." South Korean young women interact with about 50 young adults in the PNC as part of their global partner visit in July. News Briefs New clergy and educational events announced.

 

October 2011 PNC treasurer's experiences in China, Dominican Republic and Haiti open her to trust as books close for the year. Jerry Hargitt's monthly columnreports on use of funds for Our Church's Wider Mission and One Great Hour of Sharing. Tree of Sharing Westminster UCC expects Tree of Sharing will fill 6,300 gift requests from 76 agencies for 2011, it's 31st year. Mike Denton's Column Requests for assistance from Insurance Assistance Fund shows retired clergy who served low-paying churches often experience poverty.

Cheney UCC works through Cheney Outreach to assure that Cheney children will have gifts for Christmas. Painting by member of Admiral Church in West Seattle will be used in 'Seasons of the Spirit' curriculum. Richmond Beach UCC partners to build 24 low-income housing units on its property for permanent housing with social services. Advocacy Events The Faith Action Network organizes advocacy education in Spokane, Yakima and Olympia in 2012. News Briefs Pacific NW Conference news reports include events, transitions and opportunities.

 

February 2010 Samoan church continues aid for relatives and communities through Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa. Retired clergy visit with retired colleagues to keep them informed of UCC Pension Board caring and changes. 2008 delegate to Korea shares insights from her experiences visiting Seoul and hosting visitors last year. Global Partnertrips Global partners in Germany and Korea invite delegations from conference to events in Brandenburg and Seoul.

Rodger Nishioka is preacher and workshop leader for Conference Annual Meeting April 23 to 25 in Wenatchee. - Retired clergy on Olympic Peninsula connect and form core group to start a new UCC church there. PNC's partners in education will help congregations learn about UCC curriculum and make decisions. Jerry Leggett gives concert on peace on March 7 at Everett First Congregational UCC. News Briefs UCC President visits PNC. Workshops, lectures, conference, and retreats.

April 2010 Geoffrey Black visits Seattle and Spokane to listen to dreams, hopes and visions of local church members. Tom Sorenson in Monroe finds digital publishing a way to spread his theological perspectives beyond his congregation. Jim CastroLang offers a column suggesting ways churches can become more adept in using media technology. Annual Meeting "Compassion, Communication, Community" is the 2010 Annual Meeting theme.

Earth Ministry in Seattle involves UCC and other congregations in environmental education, action and advocacy. Three PNC work camps maintain commitment to rebuilding post-Katrina New Orleans homes. Marilynne Wilson visits Cubaas part of a Witness for Peace health care research team. News News Briefs provide update of events.

 

June 2010 Kathleen Hosfeld is on contract to survey PNC churches about means to connect for meetings and doing business. Leadership Retreat prepares PNC for shape of new church life and interaction as it moves into the future. Visit to South Korea stirs awareness of how faith is shaped by a culture. Global partner churches learn from each other. Clint Cannon's ongoing education is behind United Churches in University Place having a high level of giving to OGHS.

Marine's story inpires conference to offer training to churches to help them work with returning veterans. Seminary professor discusses everyday opportunities for compassion and about young people and church involvement. Wayside UCC's history project offers ideas and model for preserving church records. Hospice chaplain finds the journey to death can be an adventure for the dying person and caregivers. Annual Meeting adopts resolutions, approves balanced budget and elects 142 people to committees.

 

September 2010 Forty campers and leaders joined in camp songs as part of celebrating and remembering N-Sid-Sen's 75-year history. Mental health chaplain offers training to help clergy and congregations adopt companionship ministries of presence. Long-term commitment from repeat camp directors and staff lends continuity to Pilgrim Firs and N-Sid-Sen summer camps. Everett UCC remakes itself, changing its name, making its chancel accessible and doing other improvements. Training UCC Justice LED training will be held Oct. 14 o 16 at Plymouth in Seattle PNC News News briefs announce transitions, events, opportunities, call to pray and act.

Quilts incorporate t-shirtsmost of which Linda Crowe of Veradale UCC designed for 16 of 19 years. Retired missionary leads interfaith council to build common ground and healthy Muslim-Christian relationships. Pastor, consultant, educator offers training in Celtic spirituality and in improving racial relations. Fauntleroy UCC in Seattle completesrenovations that help make its partnership with the YMCA more visible. Mike Denton comments on role of churches to make a difference as Pilgrim Firs as Environmental Justice Center. Insight Deeg Nelson points out needfor church involvement to keep up camps.

 

November 2010 Seattle U's School of Theology and Ministry provides model for ecumenical theological studies with emphasis on justice. 20 in PNC are trained to train others in UCC Justice Leaders Engaging in Developing (LED) program. Pastors offer radical hospitality to Guatemalan teen who is seeking asylum in the United States. Cooperative campus ministry at UW changes name and restarts, renamed as Progressive Christians at the UW. Moderator seeks feedback on communication and technology assessment. Survey Report Conference leaders receive report and recommendations following communication and technology survey. News Briefs Transitions, retreats, camps and events announced.

Cradle UCCers teach polity to MDiv students and clergy at Jesuit Seattle University's ecumenical program. North Idaho roots and music ministry give pastor rapport with churches in Wallace and Osburn. Youth director puts his plumbing and maintenance skills to work improving Pilgrim Firs. Counselor-pastor creates art and moves from talk to action using his skills as a blacksmith. Pastor shares his insights on doing youth ministry, based on resources as a UCC Partner in Education. Conference Minister Mike Denton reflects on conflicts in election season and approaches to church conflicts. Pastors Health Care PNC's Insurance Assistance Fund seeks applicants for assistance by Nov. 15 and raises fund.

 

December 2009 Robbie Paul shares her sacred storyof going to sacred spaces to heal history of unresolved grief of Native Americans. Lummi Island church celebrates its building's 100th anniversary and its ministries with parish nurses and labyrinth. UCC pastors are among leaders Spokane and Sound Alliance efforts with Sustainable Works—energy retrofits and jobs training. Alison Stendahl converses online with PNC's Global Ministries Committee. She serves at a school in Turkey. Churches open buildings to househomeless families through Family Promise and Interfaith Hospitality. Annual Meeting Roger Nishioka is 2010 featured speaker. The theme is "Communication, Compassion and Community". News of Events Learn about PNC retreats, camps and events offered as resources to extend your ministries.

Jim Castrolang talks on technologyuse to enhance camping programs during summer camps and all year. Walt Lofstrom writes songs with neighborhood children, a model for campers writing camp songs about their experiences. John Indermark writes curriculaand adult study books ecumenically and through Upper Room Books. Bruce Druckenmiller of Penn Central shares about fragile state of camping in some UCC conferences national meeting. Westminster serves soup to homeless who gather under the freeway across Fourth Ave. PNC News As the PNC develops this new form of communication, we need to share information. Global Partner Retired German pastor gives insights 20 years after fall of Berlin wall. Pilgrim Firs Pilgrim Firs explores becoming a national environmental justice center.

 

September 2009 Reflective acoustics of water enables campers to sing out during campfires. Deer Park church's name, Open Door' reflects its early years of leaving its door unlocked for people passing through. . . United Christian Church members work ecumenically to make 450 sandwiches a month for homeless people in Yakima. Christian Life Service and Action Committee invites clergy and lay leaders to develop ministries to veterans. Mike Denton cites Rosa Park's experience as an example for the Conference to discuss, vision and act. MEDIA Conference enters transitional time as it communicates while also reviewing media and technology to improve ties.

Two women celebrate 50 years of friendship since they met at a Pilgrim Firs family camp in 1959. As theme, "Breakthrough," said, campers experienced breakthroughs in their lives and ablities. Global Ministries Committee encourages investments through Oikocredit in the lives of people. Fabric artist creates prayer clothsas awards and fund-raising art for Earth Ministry. Leadership Retreat stirs visionsand discussion of issues facing the conference. Kathy Youde serves as women's consultant for three western conferences. NEWS PNC announces camps and retreats,hosting outdoor ministries national event and hiring new accountant.

 

 

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