The Room Where It Happens
For United Methodists in our region, the annual session of the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference is the room where it happens. As we sleepily shared last Sunday, our own Portland First delegation has returned from three very full days of Annual Conference* in Salem.
Our lay members to Annual Conference were responsible for supporting creation care legislation, participating in our legislative sessions, leading music in worship, praying over the conference, and taking part in the Young People’s Address. Portland First was well represented amongst our Methodist siblings.
Newly formed Conference Green Team, including inaugural members Bob Wilson and Jim Teisher.
Alina Klimecky, Jenna Arenivar, and Maryn Arenivar lead music during Annual Conference.
Annual Conference participants from Portland First: Maryn Arenivar, Rev. Karyn Richards-Kuan, Jenna Arenivar, Alina Klimecky, Rev. Rachel Byers, Bob Wilson, Jim Teisher. Online participants: Harriet Ottaviano, Paul Nickell.
Each Annual Conference we hear from the Bishop through the Episcopal Address. This year, Bishop Cedrick shared the Episcopal Address for the 2025 Annual Conference session in short installments that are available for all to read or hear.
Today’s Word with the Pastor is really a Word with the Bishop, as you are invited to learn what’s going on in the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference and the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area from the eyes of our Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth. Read or listen to the Bishop’s 2025 Episcopal Address here.
This Sunday I’ll see you all in worship where we’ll all get to learn more about our bold initiatives for the next 5 years. I am proud of the many voices and thoughtful people who have contributed to these initiatives and I can’t wait to share them with you!
With excitement,
Pastor Karyn
* For a refresher, an “Annual Conference” is a:
Regional body (for us, the state of Oregon and the southern half of Idaho)
Organizational body (conducting the ministry and business of the conference)
Gathering (where an equal number of clergy members and lay members gather for worship, fellowship, and to conduct the business of the conference)