E-Lumination
The Bishop's Newsletter: E-Lumination
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Below is Bishop Hoshibata's E-llumination message sent March 3. Click here if you need a PDF version of the document for reprinting.
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Bishop Robert Hoshibata March 3, 2010
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Bishop Bob Hoshibata
would like to
communicate directly
with Conference leaders.
To do that he has established this email newsletter.
He encourages your feedback, comments, thoughts and ideas. Email him at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
If you have any problems receiving or reading
this email, you will also find on the conference website by clicking here.
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Ministry Cabinet Made New
Dear Greg,
In our annual conference, change is happening. Some of the changes are being made because of the need to offer leadership to our churches to enable them to be in ministry in new and different ways. In a sense, we in the church are being asked to be "made anew" to preach and proclaim and practice the Good News of Jesus Christ in a world that is dramatically different than in the past. What has worked well for pastors and congregations in the past may not be adequate for the challenges of being in ministry in the 21st century.
Recent news of changes in the composition of the Appointive Cabinet and in the titles and the job descriptions of the district superintendents have generated interest. These changes signal a commitment on the part of the leadership of the annual conference to refocus efforts and resources on bringing about health and vitality in our congregations.
I am announcing additional changes in our efforts to lead our congregations into health and vitality. The Ministry Cabinet of the annual conference will welcome additional members effective immediately. As we move into a new focus for our leadership of the annual conference, the Ministry Cabinet will play an increasingly significant role in planning and implementing the vision of the Conference. With these new persons added to the Ministry Cabinet, that team will include persons with insights and proven leadership in providing a wide range of expertise in ministry that will help define and support efforts that inspire congregations, their laity, and clergy to become more vibrant, involved in the world in significant ways, and grounded in Jesus' way of living. Those new to the Ministry Cabinet include:
- Mr. Greg Nelson, Director of Communications
- Rev. Lisa Jean Hoeffner, Executive Director, Camp and Retreat Ministries
- Rev. Beth Estock, Director of New Church Development
These three persons will join the members of the Ministry Cabinet:
- Ms. Cesie Delve Scheuermann, Conference Lay Leader
- Rev. Scott Harkness, Assistant to the Bishop for Transition (formerly Director of Connectional Ministries
- Rev. Bill Mullette-Bauer, Director of Stewardship and Finance
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Rev. Kate Conolly, Western District Superintendent and Dean of the Ministry Cabinet
- Rev. Dr. Bob Flaherty, Eastern District SuperintendentRev. Bonnie Parr Philipson, Metro District Superintendent
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Rev. Donna Pritchard, Southern District Superintendent
- Rev. John Watts, Central District Superintendent
Effective July 1, those who are assuming appointments as Assistants to the Bishop assigned to districts will serve on the Ministry Cabinet:
- Rev. Kate Conolly, Assistant to the Bishop assigned to the Western District
- Rev. Kim Fields, Assistant to the Bishop assigned to the Eastern District
- Rev. Lowell Greathouse, Assistant to the Bishop assigned to the Metro District
- Rev. Donna Pritchard, Assistant to the Bishop assigned to the Southern District
- Rev. Steve Ross, Assistant to the Bishop assigned to the Central District
Another transition in the Conference Center was announced recently. Pat Breen, who has served ably as the administrative assistant for the bishop for the past 11 years has announced that she will retire effective July 1, 2010. Her hope is to devote more of her time to her children and grandchildren and friends, and to engage in volunteer work and educational pursuits as well as a long list of hobbies and interests.
In these times of transitions, we may find ourselves feeling loss over the familiar patterns of the past. We are confronted by new ideas; new ways of being and doing that are at the same time exciting and scary. In such moments, we cling to our faith in God and in Jesus Christ as we look forward with hope and as we offer ourselves to the challenges of bold disciple-making in our congregations and communities. I ask that you keep our annual conference leaders and all our congregations in prayer!
In Christ's shalom,
A Prayer for the Journey, written by Melissa K. Beard, published in Alive Now, May/June, 2009:
O God, We confess that like the children of Israel we cry out for what is familiar, preferring the predictable routine of life in Egypt over the unfamiliar yet extraordinary future you have for us. History shows you have never failed us, but in our fear we wrestle to hang on to the past. O God, our heartfelt desire and delight is to be led by your Spirit to new places of ministry and service and to the places of worship and fellowship that bring you greatest joy. Help us to walk without hesitation in the path you set before us, never allowing fear to take us back to Egypt. And give us courage, O God, to be part of your lifelong journey of rebirth. Amen.
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Note: You can find a downloadable 1 page PDF version of this artilce below.
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Bishop Robert Hoshibata January 29, 2010
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Bishop Bob Hoshibata
would like to
communicate directly
with Conference leaders.
To do that he has established this email newsletter.
He encourages your feedback, comments, thoughts and ideas. Email him at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
If you have any problems receiving or reading
this email, you will also find it as a PDF by clicking here.
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Generous and Faithful Hearts
Dear Members and Friends of the
Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference,
News of disasters brings sadness and pain. Since the massive earthquake hit the island nation of Haiti, the world has become increasingly more aware of the people and culture of Haiti, including its economic challenges. The disaster has also touched the lives of many of us who are moved to compassion by the stories and images of suffering, loss and death, of triumph and resilience, and the generous outpouring of donations and volunteers.
Our United Methodist Committee on Relief, which does so much good in the face of such disasters, has itself been touched in a very personal way, as staff members, Rev. Sam Dixon and Rev. Clint Rabb were killed in the earthquake; and Rev. Jim Gulley was seriously injured.
I am touched by the generosity of the responses from our United Methodists in our annual conference! In the midst of difficult finances in our churches and our communities, there has been an outpouring of gifts in the offering plates of many of our congregations. Thus far, UMCOR reports that $71,000 has been contributed by the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference to the task of bringing hope to Haiti through food, water, medical care, and the rebuilding of churches, homes, schools and lives.
There are many creative projects emerging as people find ways of multiplying the love and the outpouring of gifts for the people of Haiti. If you have engaged in any special projects that you want to share, please let us know by sending a report to me at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
I invite you to keep the people of Haiti in prayer, to remember the lives of all who perished, and the staff of our United Methodist Committee on Relief. May God bless us with generous and faithful hearts!
In Christ's shalom,
Robert T. Hoshibata
Loving God, We remember that we are stewards of the manifold resources you have entrusted to us. We are people who belong to families, churches, cities and nations just like those who perished. With their friends and families we pause to give thanks that you gave them life and that you loved them. We give you thanks that in this present moment we are not entirely helpless-we believe that prayer does make a difference. Gracious God, guide our prayer, open our hearts and empower our acts of compassion and justice that suffering might be relieved, villages rebuilt, and lives restored. Bless our acts of obedience that in some small way, we might be used to restore hope, and increase faith, and widen the pathway to peace - as we offer our prayer in the name of your Son our Savior, the Prince of Peace. Amen. (Adapted from "A Service of Prayer for those Harmed by the Earthquake and Tsunamis"Copyright © 2004-2005 The Upper Room and The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church, PO Box 340003, Nashville TN 37203-0003. Worship website:www.umcworship.org.)
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E-Lumination - A message from Bishop HoshibataNovember 20, 2008
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E-Lumination - A message from Bishop HoshibataNovember 15, 2008
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E-Lumination - A message from Bishop HoshibataApril 27, 2008
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