News

Registration Deadline Extended for Feb. 11 'Pathway to Renewal' Event

The deadline to register for "Pathway to Renewal: An Introduction to Leading Transformational Ministry for Congregational Teams," on Saturday, Feb. 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Fairfield United Methodist Church, has been extended. Register by Thursday, February 9 to take advantage of this one-day workshop in which participants will be given the tools, principles, and skills to affect change and renewal in their church.   Congregational renewal is more than re-tooling your...

Register Now for Pathway to Renewal, Feb. 11

Register now for "Pathway to Renewal: An Introduction to Leading Transformational Ministry for Congregational Teams," Saturday, Feb. 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Fairfield United Methodist Church. Congregational renewal is more than re-tooling your mission statement or adding new programs. Congregational renewal occurs only when congregations have a complete change of heart and reorient their very understanding of the nature and purpose of their church.     Workshop leaders...

Dates, Times, Locations of Discovery Events Are Set

The dates, times, and locations for this spring's Discovery Events have been finalized. The schedule is as follows: Great Northern District: Oroville Saturday, February 25, 2012 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Registration 9:30 a.m.) First United Methodist Church, 45 Acacia Avenue, Oroville, CA 95966   Bridges District: Fairfield Sunday, March 25, 2012 2-6 p.m. Fairfield UMC, 1875 Fairfield Avenue, Fairfield, CA 94533   El Camino Real District: San Jose Saturday, March 31, 2012 10...

Discovery Event Registration Opens

Online registration is open now, for a series of Discovery Events focused on being, seeing, and doing what matters to God. Join Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr., Conference and district superintendents, and other clergy and laity for a time of re-connecting with our passion for Jesus Christ and our compassion for all, as preparation for reaching those who are close to the heart of Jesus.   Explore the resources available to each church to help it fulfill its part in God's mission, and learn...

GBOD Offers Free Webinars in January and February

The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church is offering free webinars, this month and next, for church leaders. Register at www.gbod.org/committee_resources. Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 11:30 a.m. PST: Principles of Church Renewal for DSes Key factors for setting a path toward renewal of district congregations.   Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 4:30 p.m. PST: Goal Setting for Vital Congregations A guide for setting realistic numerical goals for your congregation on the...

Five New Ideas from GBOD to Start the New Year

Each month, the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) generates a list of five new ideas to help promote vital congregations. Start the New Year off right: Click here to download Five New Ideas from GBOD for January 2012....

Vital Signs Reporting: Frequently Asked Questions

Last Monday (Jan. 2), the Communications Office emailed churches and pastors, asking for the email address they wish to use for the Vital Signs project. The response has been overwhelmingly good – with 233 churches responding. However, as more people are using the system, we've noticed that there are a few frequently asked questions. Here are three of them, along with answers.   Q: How does the time period work? Is it Sunday through Saturday, or Monday through Sunday?   A:...

Plan to Attend a Discovery Event in 2012

Over the last several years, we in the California-Nevada Annual Conference have been changing how we live as a connection of churches. Many things have taken place: we have sought to "rethink, renew, and reform" around a network of circuits; we have devised a plan to encourage, equip, and position servant leaders – both lay and clergy – to join with God's mission in the world; we have dedicated ourselves not only to revitalizing existing congregations but also to creating...

Save the Date for Extraordinary Orders Event in March!

Clergy and candidates: Set aside March 14 on your calendar now – for an event you will not want to miss! It will be a day of worship and renewal for all clergy and candidates – in all orders of ministry, active and retired, appointed and not-currently-appointed – featuring worship and music leaders Mark Miller* and Marcia McFee.**   This gathering of the orders is brought to you by the California-Nevada Annual Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, the Orders of...

Focusing on Vital Signs, Vital Congregations in the New Year

In 2012, the focus in the California-Nevada Annual Conference – and for United Methodists everywhere – will be on helping congregations be vital and focused on God's mission in the world. Our Council of Bishops, the Connectional Table's Call to Action, and the California-Nevada Conference Strategic Plan for Congregational Vitality all are in agreement on the importance of this focus. Vital Signs reporting and Vital Congregations goal setting are two separate opportunities set...

Five New Ideas From GBOD for December

Each month, the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) generates a list of five new ideas to help promote vital congregations. Click here to download Five New Ideas From GBOD for December 2011.  ...

Congress on Evangelism Convenes in January in Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The Congress on Evangelism for the United Methodist Church convenes at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Conference Center in Nashville, Tennessee, Jan. 3-6, 2012. Focusing on Wesleyan evangelism in the local church, the Congress is designed for leaders, both clergy and lay – addressing their need for tools, inspiration, and community. Workshops provide practical, hands-on lessons for evangelism in the local church, led by successful practitioners (and...

Conference Superintendent for Congregational Vitality Is Hired

Following a nationwide search, Bener Agtarap has been named the new Conference Superintendent for Congregational Vitality for the California-Nevada Annual Conference.   Agtarap will join the staff July 1, 2012. Originally from Manila, Philippines, he is an ordained elder in the Wisconsin Annual Conference and since 2009 has served as a new church strategist for Path 1 and New Church Starts Division of the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD).   "We are excited for what the...

Two New Ministry in Action Stories Reflect Commitment Plus Creativity

In Ministry in Action stories just posted to the Conference website, two California-Nevada Annual Conference churches share examples of commitment coupled with creativity. Merced UMC: Pastor Jay's Challenge is the story of how a sermon illustration generated hundreds of dollars for ministry – when the pastor "put his money where his mouth is"!   FUMC Santa Rosa Calendar Supports Youth tells how a desire to help youth inspired a creative – and successful –...

Circuit Leaders Gather at Mount Hermon

Fifty-one of the California-Nevada Conference's circuit leaders gathered at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center this week (Nov. 7-9, 2011) to share with and learn from each other, to be resourced and inspired by guest speakers, to dream, and to plan. Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr. attended, as well, as did district superintendents and several Conference staff members.   The three-day retreat focused on "unpacking" how the Conference-wide strategy for revival, renewal, and...

Building Community at 'Building a Small Groups Ministry' Workshop

First United Methodist Church of Carson City, Nevada threw wide its doors on Saturday, Oct. 8 and turned a "Building a Small Groups Ministry" workshop into a community-building affair. In addition to the 25 UMCs represented – from as far afield as seven hours away – there were participants from two other denominations, as well.   The daylong workshop was led by Bill Willits, one of the founding pastors at North Point Ministries in Georgia and a nationally known...

CLayMAway Is Just Around the Corner

Don't miss out! Fall is in the air and the next CLayMAway course is fast approaching. November is just around the corner, so apply now to attend the Conference Certified Lay Ministry program's next CLayMAway course, offered in two class blocks beginning in November (Nov. 14-18, 2011 and Jan. 16-20, 2012), at the Mercy Center in Auburn.   CLayMAway (the training with live instructors) trains lay persons for effective and expanded service in the local church and community by providing...

No Gathering of the Orders This Year; Circuit Leaders to Meet in November

By tradition, and with the encouragement of the Discipline, in recent years Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr. has invited all Orders to gather with him in the fall for a time of "retreat, learning, and strengthening relationships." This year, however, there will not be a Gathering of the Orders. In its place: a retreat for circuit leaders only, Nov. 7-9, at Mt. Hermon Retreat Center. The purpose of the Circuit Leaders' Retreat is to create an opportunity for circuit leaders to catch fire...

Register for November 'Basic Training' for Church Administrative Leaders

Register now to attend a "Church Administrative Leaders' Basic Training with Q & A," led by Diane Knudsen, Conference Treasurer and Director of Administration, on Saturday, Nov. 12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at El Sobrante United Methodist Church. Cost of $10 includes lunch and materials.   Register here (or at www.cnumc.org/register).   For more information, contact Diane Knudsen at dianek@calnevumc.org.   El Sobrante UMC is located at 670 Appian Way, El Sobrante,...

Reminder: Last Chance to Register for Oct. 8 Small Groups Workshop at FUMC, Carson City

Have you intended to register for the Small Groups Workshop with Bill Willits at First United Methodist Church in Carson City, and just haven't quite gotten around to it?  Don't wait! It's only a week away – so take a moment and register now to attend "Building a Small Groups Ministry" with Bill Willits, Saturday, Oct. 8, 8:45 a.m.-4 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Carson City, Nevada.   Bill Willits, Executive Director of Ministry Environments for North...