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Transitions announced

Conference Minister Mike Denton and Lauren Cannon at Keystone UCC welcomed son, Leo, into their family on Dec. 22.

David Krueger-Duncan has been called as the new pastor of Cheney UCC. He begins his ministry on Feb. 10.

Deborah Nelson was ordained at The United Churches of Olympia on Jan. 27. She has been called as as minister of children, youth and families at Wallingford United Methodist Church.

Ann Eidson began an interim ministry at Kirkland Congregational Church, UCC on Feb. 1.

David Kratz retired from Fauntleroy UCC. His last day in the pulpit was Jan. 27.

Interfaith Advocacy Day is Feb. 20 in Olympia

Stephen Boyles, a UCC young adult intern with the Faith Action Network, would like to remind you that the Inter-Faith Advocacy Day will be Wednesday, Feb. 20, at the The United Churches of Olympia, 110 11th Avenue SE, Olympia.

It is an opportunity for people of faith to be active citizens within the state of Washington.

For more information please go to bit.ly/IFAD2013.

Treasurers training is Feb. 23 in Seattle

Cheri Lovell, who leads the UCC Cornerstone Fund’s education programs, will offer a “Church Numbers for Treasurers” one-day seminar for new and experienced church treasurers from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 23, at Plymouth Church UCC, 1217 6th Ave. in Seattle.

She will discuss how management of church finances differs from businesses and even other nonprofits, helping treasurers understand endowments, investments and best practices. The seminar will also help treasurers understand the importance of telling the story, ensuring transparency, choosing software, and setting policies to protect the treasurer, church and funds.

Participants will also learn about inspiring generosity by connecting people to mission spending.

Lovell, whose early career was in banking, real estate and investments, earned a master of divinity degree at Emory University and was ordained in the UCC in 1998.

For information, call 206-725-8383 or email edie@lackland.com.

Conference Council meets Saturday, March 2

The Board of Directors will be meeting with the Conference Council, which includes representatives of the PNC committees, from noon to 3 p.m., Saturday, March 2, at Kirkland UCC. The council will discuss business, hear a Faith Action Network speaker and have a "Jammin" activity to work together on creative problem solving.

"The Council expands the depth and breadth of input from Conference leadership, allows for better communication at all levels of Conference life, and strengthens the covenant between committees and other partners in ministry with the Pacific Northwest Conference. The Conference Council includes representatives from the Leadership Committees, managing directors of our camps, representatives elected to national covenantal bodies and Board of Directors," said moderator Chris Hanson.

To RSVP, email Hanson at donandchris@hughes.net.

Clergy Retreat will be March 17

“Putting your Whole Self in...Is that What It’s All About?” is the theme for the retreat for authorized ministers of the Pacific Northwest Conference from Sunday evening, March 17 or 10 a.m., Monday, March 18 through pre-lunch, Wednesday, March 20, at Pilgrim Firs Camp and Conference Center in Port Orchard.

Holly MillerShank, team leader for the Ministerial Excellence, Support and Accountability Team in Cleveland, will be the key presenter along with conference leaders facilitating panels and conversations.

The retreat will help clergy look at authenticity, vulnerability and the practice of ministry. Participants will discuss preaching, pastoral care, social media and how their behavior affects their ministry.

For information, call 360-876-2031 or visit www.pilgrimfirs.org.

Young adult mission trip to South Korea set in 2013

The Global Ministries Committee of the PNC and Northwest Region of the Disciples of Christ is seeking participants for a Young Adult Exchange Visit to South Korea from June 17 to 26, 2013. The young adults will learn about their counterparts in the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of South Korea, how the church ministers and serves in that culture.

In addition, a delegation from East Seoul will visit the conference in May. The committee is recruiting host families and congregations who would like to participate in the exchange.

For information, email edevans@aol.com.

Lectures at Shalom Richland consider the future of faith

Stephen Patterson, professor of religious and ethical studies at Willamette University, is presenting a three lecture series on secular faith, at Friday and Saturday, Feb, 22 and 23, at Shalom United Church of Christ in Richland. Registration is $50 for the series or $20 per lecture, and $15 for students.

The lecture at 7 p.m. Friday is on “Does Faith Have a Future?” The 9:30 a.m. Saturday lecture is “What Do Americans Believe? and at 1 p.m., “Secular Religion.”

Patterson is the author of Beyond the Passion: Rethinking the Death and Life of Jesus and The God of Jesus: The Historical Jesus and the Search for Meaning. He is a frequent contributor to the Discovery Channel and the History Channel, and is featured in the progressive Christianity series Living the Questions.

For information, call 509-943-3927.

Application process begins for 2013-14 Young Adult Interns

Applications are now being accepted for young adults, ages 21 to 30, to participate in the 2013-2014 team of social justice volunteers in Seattle or five other sites across the UCC. Applications are due Feb. 15 or March 15. The year of service runs from late August 2013 through early August 2014, said Lauren Cannon of the PNC Justice and Witness Ministries Committee.

For information, contact Rich Gamble at 206-632-60212 or email rich.gamble@keystoneseattle.org.

United Church in University Place becomes Open and Affirming

Given that United Church in University Place is a UCC and United Methodist congregation, Neil Rader said that members had considered becoming open and affirming several times, but “always decided to agree to disagree,” not wanting to split the church over one issue.

In February 2012, they held forums on Referendum #74 on equal marriage and soon decided the issue was too narrow.

Members began studying about “full rights for all our people,” given that the congregation was open in the way they worked. The board formed a committee to study becoming a welcoming church. After a year of meetings, they decided to vote at their annual meeting to accept a declaration that United Church in University Place “manifests the spirit of hospitality as taught by Jesus by publicly welcoming all people, including those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender, to participate fully in every aspect of our ministry and life.”

Rader said accepting the declaration completed their process of becoming Open and Affirming and Reconciling, the United Methodist term. Both UCC Conference Minister Mike Denton and Bob Ward, a representative of the district superintendent, were gave comments after the vote.

For information, call 253-272-4890.

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