Our church is at its best when we reach out to sisters and brothers in need.  World Communion Sunday calls the church to reach out to all people and model diversity among God's children.  United Methodists relate to World Communion Sunday by celebrating communion with other Christians around the world on this special Sunday.  Churches are also encouraged to receive an offering to support scholarships for ethnic undergraduate and graduate students.  Our gifts often enable first-generation students to attend college.

To make it easier for you to change the world October 4, please download a free eBook.  Also, download the World Communion Sunday pastor's kit.

Order leaflet offering envelopes and posters to enhance your World Communion Sunday celebration at www.umcgiving.org/ss or call 888-346-3862.  To hear World Communion Sunday in action, listen to these podcasts.

Legislation is heading to the 2016 General Conference that, if approved, would begin the process of developing a new official hymnal and provide for ongoing revision of the hymnal in the future.  Boards of the United Methodist Publishing House and Discipleship Ministries have endorsed the proposal.  The denominations most recent hymnal dates from 1989.  Read more here.

The Western Jurisdiction Annual Conferences continue to fight wildfires.  Be informed and read further to see how you can help!

Currently, the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference is in the midst of fighting several wildfires that have already claimed the lives of three firefighters (one of which was a United Methodist) when their vehicle crashed and flames from the fire consumed the vehicle.  The firefighters were not able to escape.

The biggest fires in Washington State include the Chelan Complex (155 square miles and growing), the Okanogan Complex, and Kettle Complex.  In Idaho, the Clearwater Complex fire is "under observation."

Jim Truitt, UMVIM Co-Corrdinator for the Pacific Northwest Conference states that:

In addition, Ronda Cordill, UMVIM Co-Coordinator for the Pacific Northwest Conference, shared that the conference is currently forming emotional and spiritual care teams to support the evacuees.

Washington is not alone, as fires have raged in Alaska and continue in several parts of Idaho, Oregon, Northern & Southern California, and Montana.

UMVIM Western Jurisdiction asks for your continued prayers.  Please pray for direction as you think about ways you might be called to help.  You might feel called to organize a future UMVIM tea, provide supplies for a team that will be part of the rebuild process, and/or make a financial donation.

The Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary offers congregations the free video "The New Realities of Engaging Newcomers." Presented by Lewis Center Director Lovett H. Weems, Jr., the five-minute video provides an overview of how new people are coming into church communities in different ways than previously, what it means for congregations, and what churches can do to engage these newcomers today.

Weems says, "It used to be that new people stated coming to a church because they moved to the community or married and started a family. Today, there is no one pattern for the way that people enter, engage, and join congregations."

The video is available to watch online or download at www.churchleadership.com/engagingnewcomers.

CROP Hunger Walks are coming up soon in Seward and Anchorage.  Those are the only ones currently scheduled to take place in Alaska.  If you are in either area, consider participating.  Up to 25% of the money raised stays in your area. 75% of the money raised goes to Church World Service. Seward will hold their walk on Sunday, September 13th (date change).  Anchorage will hold their walk on Sunday, September 27th.  Check out CROP Hunger Walk to find out the specifics for the walk in your area.

Start registering now to attend the School of Theology, which will occur September 18-19, 2015 at St. John UMC.  You can go to our website for more information or view the registration brochure.

The Alaska United Methodist Women are gearing up for their Annual Gathering which will be held at North Star Bible Camp from October 9-11.  In their latest newsletter that just hit the presses this week, you can find the registration form and information about what the amazing weekend will entail.  If you are a woman in Alaska you do not want to miss this!  Read the latest newsletter here.

Church leaders from around our denomination are eligible to participate in these upcoming free webinars offered by the GBOD Leadership Ministries division.  You can register online by going here.  Here are a few of the webinars coming up:

~Thursday, August 27 - Developing Your Ministry Plan-A Four Part In Depth Series; Session 1, Congregational DNA

~Tuesday, September 1 - Tuesday Tea with Melanie; Engaging Children in the Community-web chat

~Thursday, September 10 - Policies! Policies! Policies!

~Tuesday, September 15 - Celebrating Extended Advent: Why and How-to

~Tuesday, September 22 - What is Lay Servant Ministries all About?

~Thursday, September 24 - Developing Your Ministry Plan-A Four Part In Depth Series; Session 2, Discovering Your Congregation's Niche

~Thursday, September 24 - Grant Writing 101: Launching Projects & Ministries that Make a Difference