Pacific Northwest Conference

Last weekend in Wenatchee the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Church of Christ met for its Annual Meeting.  Bellevue First Congregational Church was represented by Pastor Linda Roddis, Kerby Avedovech, Peter and Linda Lin.  Paul and Kathie Forman were also there; Paul as a Ministerial Delegate and Chair of the Christian Life, Service and Action Committee and Kathie as a member of the Ministry Resource Committee (Nominating Committee) and as a conference representative to the National UCC Office of General Ministry Board.

The Conference Annual Meeting is a gathering of the 81 Alaska, North Idaho, and Washington UCC churches.  It is a family reunion of sorts.  You get to hear the news of many churches, meet church folk in person that you have talked to on the telephone, see old friends and make new ones.   There is business like electing officers and committee members—Jennifer Koop, Sharon Linton and Peter Lin will be on committees for the next two years—; passing a budget; amending By Laws; recognizing new clergy in our midst; and remembering clergy and spouses who have passed away.   There is great worship and inspiring, helpful, workshops and a keynote speaker.   Joan King, her daughter Renee and husband Brian Thorngate saw the Convention Center “Welcome UCC” sign and came to Sunday morning worship.

The Keynote speaker this year was Dr. Rodger Nishioka, associate professor of Christian education at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga., and Elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  With great energy and humor he spoke to us in helpful ways about our churches becoming more hospitable.  He made us stop and think about how we “do church.”  Using the analogy of tribe and immigrants, Rodger reminded us of how much tribal (insider) language we use in church life that makes the visitor or new Christian feel like they are outsiders and maybe do not belong at this church.

We do some things right, like printing the Lord’s Prayer and Doxology in our service bulletin for not everyone knows the Lord’s Prayer or which version our congregation uses, and maybe have never heard of a doxology.  Whenever we introduce a Bible passage as “the familiar story of ….” someone may be thinking to themselves, “I have never heard it before, maybe I do not belong here.”  Rodger gave simple ways to be more inclusive like introducing the Bible passage by saying, “this story that is so beloved to many and may be brand new to others.”  Announcements are another time that insider or tribal language is often used.  We say, “Emptynesters” will meet in “Fenwick Hall” never explaining either the group or the place.  We need to see ourselves as new people do and make openings for them to become part of the congregation for they bring gifts, stories and energy to enrich this body of Christ.

In March when I first came, we talked a lot about nametags.  I asked if you would be kind to Kathie and me by wearing one.  Many of you do and we appreciate it.  Nametags were also made and are available for children and youth at the nametag station by the Chapel.  Wearing nametags is still important and a habit you want to have when your new lead pastor comes.  Yes, I know your friends know your name and it is our friends that we come to church to see.  But it is new friends that need us to wear nametags every Sunday and at other church events.  It is the visitors/immigrants who see the nametags as being inclusive, hospitable and welcoming which we claim we are.   If you need a new nametag ask Kim in the Church Office or put a note in the offering plates.

In 2011, the Conference Annual Meeting will be at University Congregational UCC in Seattle on the last weekend of April.  I hope you will consider attending.