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Transitions announced

Stevi Hamill will be ordained at 3 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 29 at Fauntleroy UCC in Seattle and online. Stevi, who graduated from Seattle University’s School of Theology and Ministry in 2021, is called as campus minister for retreats at Seattle University’s Campus Ministry.

Lorraine Leist, who was approved for a transfer of standing from the Rocky Mountain Conference, now works as a chaplain.

Terry Rice, a member in discernment in Walla Walla, was approved for ordination.

Kelle Brown, Jennifer Castle and Kevin Bechtold were installed for ministry at Plymouth Church, UCC during their May 22 worship service. Rev. Dr. Brown’s three way covenant was approved.

Amara Oden was ordained on June 5 at Suquamish UCC.

Maureen McLain was ordained at Magnolia UCC on June 26. She earned her master of divinity from Pacific School of Religion and is ordained to a covenanted ministry of Adult Faith Formation.

Amy Johnson was unanimously approved for ordination. Her ordination is Aug. 13 at Wayside UCC in Federal Way. She has been called to serve as the Minister for Sexuality Education and Justice in the national setting of the UCC, Justice and Witness Ministries.

Emily Linderman, who was ordained in the PNC in 2020, has transferred to the Northern California Nevada Conference.

Terry Rice’s ordination paper was accepted unanimously.

Peter Ilgenfritz transferred his standing to the York Association of the Maine Conference.

David Weddington transferred his standing to the PNC from the New Hampshire Conference.

The Committee on Ministry consented to have Jermell Witherspoon authorized as a minister in the UCC. He is serving Everett UCC and Liberation UCC.

Jess Peacock has transferred his standing to the Ohio Conference.

Bill Comfort has transferred his standing into the PNC.

Communities of Practice begins

Communities of Practice groups are set to begin September 2022 and run through May 2023. The program will be online only at the on-set. As the ever-changing COVID situation allows, each group can collaborate to decide how to proceed.

Like last year, participation is open to the Montana Northern Wyoming and the Central Pacific conferences. Active, retired, specialized ministers and members in discernment are invited to participate.

Coordinators are Brigitta Remole and. Amy Hitchens, who will take over in September). Registration is $250 and assistance is available.

For information, email Brigitta.ucc@gmail.com or amy@npucc.org. Registration is open at http://www.ultracamp.com/info/sessiondetail.aspx?idCamp=367&campCode=nss&idSessio n=364405

General Synod 23 announced

National UCC General Minister and President have announced that the next General Synod of the UCC will be held June 30 to July 4 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The theme is “Making All Things New,” Isaiah 43:18-19.

For information, visit https://www.ucc.org/next-synod-now-a-year-away-will-be-in-person-hybrid-aspects-being-explored/?inf_contact_key=58d474aa756bbfab8cbea5f8b71c165209c74070ac2bf3cfa7869e3cfd4ff832.

Boundary Training Oct 17

There will be Boundary Training for Retired Clergy from 3 to 6 p.m., Monday, Oct. 17, organized by Tara Barber, who will be sending out a link. It is for retired clergy, but others may take it, even though it will not acccount to their tri-annual requirement. Ministers with exempt standing are not required to take it, said Cameron Sharp, co-chair of the PNC Committee on Ministry West.

For information, call 253-334-1974 or email revsharp13@comcast.net.

Mushroom workers seek aid

Mushroom workers at Ostrom Mushroom Farms in Sunnyside are demanding a workplace free from threats, excessive pressure, harassment and retaliation, according to the Farm Worker Ministry Northwest.

Victoria Ruddy, United Farm Workers, reports on the struggle:

“The Ostrom committee has been busy organizing their community to support the campaign. They have been getting support for the community petition at local retailers that carry Ostrom mushrooms. I have attached a photo from this weekend at Safeway.

They have not heard anything from the company since the July 7th meeting. They requested a meeting last week and the company declined. We sent an additional written request over the weekend to the CEO Travis Wood and so far there has been no response from the company and the issues remain unresolved. The workers are continuing to organize and take action.”

Ostrom Mushroom Farms workers want the company to know that people nationally are paying attention to this issue. Stand with them in solidarity.

A petition addressing their concerns is at act.seiu.org/a/ostrommushroompetition?contactdata=HQ4GtVotKnv9g4soOLm+RS13YwJugPbWXFaFmoARqQjRRdR5YpxqjUJ2Z0g1ujWfcsVYOOI4SHa8PT8SN8ryjaHDlUrvyfWQ0Npl17f4UndfJC5tx+VFAjZukF7NLp4UDdQf6qrLGLqEyQp3+yOceqr6X2GKFY+rOJ14keWEytj3gTcIOb+BTZZMEg==&ms=email&emci=23bb98f5-3af7-ec11-b47a-281878b83d8a&emdi=ea000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001&ceid=179504.

UCC marks 50 years of ONA

The national UCC Open and Affirming movement is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ONA Coalition and the ordinations of Bill Johnson and Anne Holmes in an event 7 to 9 p.m., each day, Aug. 5 to 7.

“Shaping Generations: Queer Justice and Love in the UCC” honors the past, celebrates the present and claims a vision for the future of the movement for LGBTQ+ ministry and advocacy in the UCC. To date, 1,800 UCC congregations and settings are ONA.

For information, visit openandaffirming.networkforgood.com/events/44056-2022-ona=national-gathering.

Environment Webinar held

“Environmental Justice for All,” a free UCC webinar on Water and Environmental Justice is planned 1 p.m., Aug. 10.

Register at ucc.zoom.us/webinar/register/7316572289662/WN_6dlGQmngRTiJXOya9pnhOQ.

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