Recent News

Love needs a backbone too!

What would Jesus say to Jonah, sulking because God forgave Nineveh? In this reflection, the Rev. Paul Graves argues Jesus’ call to “love your enemies” requires a backbone: love expressed in action, not just feeling. Drawing on Scripture, neuroscience and peaceful societies, Graves invites readers to name their fears and ask where love needs courage.

Pastor appreciation, done differently

Clergy Appreciation Month is a chance to go deeper than cards and gift baskets, writes Rev. Geoff Helton. He urges congregations to see their pastors as human, protect their rest and share ministry’s load. Helton invites churches to talk openly with their pastor about what’s working and what isn’t, and notes superintendents can help facilitate.

Teach your children well

Passing an 87-year-old veteran holding a sign for help, Rev. Paul Graves shares that he offered only a helpless gesture and felt ashamed. Recalling “Teach Your Children Well,” the author made a vigil sign urging voting, then turned to the Starfish Story and Ecclesiastes 11:1 to reflect on how small acts of generosity and mutual learning across generations matter.

Directories, scammers, and gift cards, oh my!

Fraudsters are targeting churches by posing as pastors, bishops or visitors seeking directories. PNW Communicator Patrick Scriven urges congregations to protect member information and offers three practices: tell members how leaders communicate, set a consistent process for benevolence requests, and train staff and volunteers to pause, ask questions and relay messages rather than share details.

Microsoft Publisher is set to retire. What now?

Microsoft Publisher retires in October 2026, ending updates and support — a wake-up call for churches using it for bulletins and newsletters. United Methodist Communications offers replacement software options for every budget on ResourceUMC. PNW Conference Archivist Rev. Pam Osborne also flags a preservation risk: convert old .pub files to PDF or Word before they become unreadable.
Disaster Preparedness & Response

National Preparedness Month gives PNW Churches several ways to help

September is National Preparedness Month, and the Pacific Northwest Conference is asking churches to act. Beyond making plans, building kits and staying informed, congregations can restock supplies distributed after this year's Washington floods and fires by assembling hygiene kits and period packs. UMCOR's Connecting Neighbors training, coordinated locally by Jeff Nichols, offers additional readiness resources.
Disaster Preparedness & Response

United Methodist Early Response Team serves Spokane families after wildfires

Eight United Methodist Early Response Team volunteers from three annual conferences spent Aug. 28-30 in Spokane's Old Trails area, sifting ash to recover ceramics, coins, medals and keepsakes for four households after the Spokane Complex fires. Covenant and Audubon Park UMCs fed the team daily. Gifts to PNW Advance #352 support the recovery ahead.
Opinion/Editorial

The Fix-It Trap: Anxiety and leadership in our congregations

Rev. Rich Füss, pastor of Hope UMC in Bellevue, names a pattern he sees across congregations: anxiety that expects the pastor to fix decline, budgets and grief. Drawing on family systems and adaptive leadership thought, he argues the response must be shared by clergy and laity, offering reflection questions for both and for church councils.
GNW Communications -

Alaska Conference

Oregon-Idaho Conference

Creation Care

Caring for God’s creation: 17 EarthKeepers commissioned across the Greater Northwest

Recently commissioned Global Ministries EarthKeepers completed training in environmental stewardship and faithful action. This cohort included EarthKeepers from both the Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Conferences, who are now developing community-based creation care projects. A recording of the commissioning service is now available for congregations and individuals to watch.
Patrick Scriven -

Pacific Northwest Conference

Opinion/Editorial

The Fix-It Trap: Anxiety and leadership in our congregations

Rev. Rich Füss, pastor of Hope UMC in Bellevue, names a pattern he sees across congregations: anxiety that expects the pastor to fix decline, budgets and grief. Drawing on family systems and adaptive leadership thought, he argues the response must be shared by clergy and laity, offering reflection questions for both and for church councils.
GNW Communications -

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