Western Jurisdiction Clergywomen's Consultation 

"taking flight: leading into the unknown"

We live in changing times and much is said about the demise of the church. In the midst of this lament, wonderful ministry does occur. We will celebrate the ways in which women are leading the church into the future in creative and gospel-filled ways.

Keynote Speaker: Elaine Heath, New Day Ministries, Dallas, TX

Where: Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV
Women are to reserve hotel rooms directly from the hotel. Please make room reservations through the Grand Sierra Resort: online by clicking HERE or call them at 800-648-5080; the passcode for our group discount is Clergywomen United Methodist.

Assignment: Whether or not you can attend "taking flight: leading into the unknown" we ask to have a photo taken of you 'taking flight' in your ministry. Send it to Katie Ladd. We will use these photos in a work of art and celebrate the wonders of God's gospel alive and at work in the world.

Registration Fee: $130
*Generous scholarships available upon request. Women in need should contact Sharon Moe. To receive scholarship discounts, women need to register before Dec 1.
**The conference is subsidizing travel costs that exceed $300. If you need help paying for your travel expenses, please contact Sharon Moe.

Please visit our Facebook page often to find out about workshops, schedule, worship, prayer, and to be aware of evolving information:

Workshops

Monday

Non-traditional New Ministries - Team Led: Sue King, Mira Conklin, Staci Lieuallen, and Linda Dove

Sue King, of the Yellowstone Conf, is the Director of Nu Places for Nu Faces (www.nuplaces.org), which empowers laity to start new ministries. Sue has recently started a house church.

Mira Conklin, of Oregon-Idaho Conf. Through the Western Washington County Hispanic/Latino Ministries, Mira is building a truly multicultural and multilingual community that seeks to serve and love one another as well as God. (http://wwchispanicministries.blogspot.com/)

Staci Lieuallen and Linda Dove, of Oregon-Idaho Conf, run Pathways, which includes an Indoor Play Park and Jubilatte, a coffee shop ministry. (www.tigardumc.org)

St. Brigid of Kildare (the only UM monastery) - Mary Ewing Stamps

Mary Ewing Stamps founded St. Brigid of Kildare in Minnesota. It is a Methodist-Benedictine community through which Christians walk the Benedictine way of life.(http://www.janrichardson.com/saintbrigidmonastery.html) (http://eip.uindy.edu/crossings/publications/St_Brigid_of_Kildare_bklt.pdf)

The Gospel According to Twilight : Women, Sex, and God- Elaine Heath

Elaine Heath founded the community of New Day in Dallas and is the Director of the Center for Missional Wisdom at Southern Methodist University. She has written several books, including The Mystic Way of  Evangelism.  http://newdaydallas.wordpress.com/2010/02/12/elaine-a-heath-2/

How to Lead Your Church Out of Decline - Karen Vannoy

Karen Vannoy, of Desert Southwest Conf, is co-pastor of Phoenix First UMC and co-author of Not Just a One Night Stand: Ministry with the Homeless and the forthcoming book 10 Temptations of Church: Why Churches Decline and What to Do About it.  http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=1046610

Clergy and Sabbath-keeping - Katie M Ladd

Katie M Ladd, of Pacific Northwest Conf, is the pastor of Queen Anne UMC in Seattle. She has developed a new video curriculum called Rhythms of Life: Sabbath, which introduces people to the practice of keeping Sabbath. (www.peaceablekindom.blogspot.com)

Neighborhood-based ministries - Stephanie Ahlschwede 

Stephanie Ahlschwede, of the Nebraska Conf, is the Executive Director of United Methodist Ministries, which strives to eradicate hunger, poverty, and racism. The Big Garden, a program of UMM, is a network of 26 community gardens in the Omaha area and its sister project, the Big Rural Garden. (http://bigmuddyumc.org/about-us/staff/21) 

Preaching on Fire - Dottie Escobedo-Frank

Dottie Escobedo-Frank, of Desert Southwest Conf, is the pastor of CrossRoads UMC in Phoenix. She is also the author of Sermon Seeds and Igniting Worship: Advent and Christmas.

Diversity in Ministries - Candace Lewis

Before joining the staff of Path 1, Candace Lewis planted New Life Community, an African American congregation in Jacksonville, FLA. (http://www.path1.org/)

Leading Staff - Patricia Farris 

Patricia Farris, of the Cal-Pac Conf, is the Senior Pastor of First UMC of Santa Monica. She is an editor for Circuit Rider Online and has contributed articles to many Christian publications. Her interests are in church renewal and worship. (http://www.santamonicaumc.org/#/welcome/clergy-staff)

Coaching - Mary Huycke

Mary Huycke, of Pacific Northwest Conf, is a district superintendent and coach through her business Courageous Space. She is also an author with the Alban Institute. Her most recent book is Pathway to Renewal: Practical Steps for Congregations

Helping Children Heal - Leanne Hadley

LeAnne Hadley, of Rocky Mtn. Conf, is Associate Pastor of First UMC Colorado Springs. She is also the founder and president of First Steps Spirituality Center. She helps children heal from grief stemming from the loss of a parent, friend or family member; or physical, mental or sexual trauma. (http://www.1ststeps.net/)

Tuesday

 Deep Listening - Mary Huycke

Accountable Governance: Setting Up Church Structures - Lisa Jean Hoefner

Lisa Jean Hoefner, of Oregon-Idaho Conf, is the Executive Director of Camp and Retreat Ministries for the UMC in OR-ID. She started Creation Vacation, which allows very low income families the opportunity to vacation at a camp setting. This project started as a way to align camping programs with the Bishops Initiative on Children and Poverty. (http://gocamping.org/creationvacation)

St. Brigid of Kildare Monastery - Mary Ewing Stamps

"We Were the Least of These" - Elaine Heath

In this workshop, Elaine Heath teaches from her book of the same name, which is designed to help pastors know how to read the bible with survivors of sexual abuse/assault. 

Community Gardening 101 - Stephanie Ahlschwede

Incarnational Spirituality - Karen Vannoy

Preaching on Fire - Dottie Escobedo-Frank

Social Networking and Change - TBA

Enneagrams - Elizabeth Winslea

Elizabeth Winslea, of Oregon-Idaho Conf, co-pastors two congregations in the Portland area, Sunnyside UMC and Lincoln Street UMC. 

Non-traditional New Ministries - Team Led: Sue King, Mira Conklin, Staci Lieuallen, and Linda Dove

Diversity in Ministry - Candace Lewis

Spiritual Leadership - TBA