Our District Superintendent, Erin Martin, joined us in worship on Sunday, January 26th offering a great message on Unity and taking questions from the congregation in each of our two Sunday morning worship settings about the process, what we can expect to happen, when we might know who is coming, etc.
Here's what Erin communicated about the process being followed:
In January, Westside went on a list of churches that will be "open" as of July 1, 2020. This list goes out to our Annual Conference (so all the churches in Oregon and Idaho), in addition to all those in the Pacific NW Conference (all of Washington and N. Idaho) and to the Alaska Missionary Conference. Every clergy person within those areas then can put in their name for consideration with their District Superintendent.
Beginning in January the Appointive Cabinet (made up of all District Superintendents from all the above-listed areas, plus other representatives of the Greater NW area) began meeting with the Bishop every month for a three-day meeting, as well as weekly for an hour Zoom call to look at appointments and begin to discern who goes where.
They begin with what are termed "Strategic Appointments." These are the larger congregations, such as those in the Salem Cooperative, Portland First, Seattle First, etc. Once those appointments are decided, then this narrows the list as they look to make appointments for other congregations.
When they uplift a congregation, the DSs then bring those names forward of those who have requested to move to that place and others whom the cabinet felt led could serve there. The cabinet prays over these names and seeks to discern who should be the one they believe may be the best choice for this congregation at this time. The person they select as their first choice will then be introduced to that congregation's Church Council. After this meeting, the Church Council will then discern if they agree with the discernment of the cabinet. If the Church Council has red flags, then the next person from the cabinet's list would be brought to them. This is the regular process of appointment. Once selected and announced that the bishop intends to appoint this person to that place, that sets the appointment.
This is the process used. In our case, there is a name already raised as an excellent candidate for us. There may be other names that are brought to the Appointive Cabinet. And the cabinet will be discerning who is best to send here. This is the reason we have asked that you be praying for this person, whoever it is! May God bring the person best suited for us this season.
The question was asked when we might know, to which Erin said hopefully by March.
On this Sunday one member of the congregation brought forward this thought -- "We have to trust that this is a good process, for it brought us you." This was such an encouraging thought. We often speak of the mistakes made in the last time of appointment change -- miscommunications, misguided asides, etc which left many feeling jerked around-- but it might be good to remember the good part of all that was this: it brought us together. And this has meant a marvelous growing season for us all!
Also, on that same Sunday when Erin came, we gathered with members of Christ and Aloha UMCs to hear about the protocol which is to be brought before General Conference 2020 and the state of the UMC. Ric Shewell shared with us from his position on the team of 10 that directs our Jurisdiction through this season. He has his ear to the rail on the legislation forthcoming. He shared and then opened it up for questions regarding the process the UMC is in as to whether or not to separate into more than one denomination. This was a good start for conversation and something that needs to continue as we move toward General Conference.
A favorite moment was when towards the end, Susan Brehmer asked, "How many here love Jesus?" Every hand went up. Then she said, "There is our unity." Amen.