To view the August statement of the apportionment report on the conference website, click here.

The Dixon-Rabb Hall for UMCOR Sager Brown Depot volunteers is almost complete! Last week, workers poured new concrete for the parking lot.

When the dorm opens around Christmastime this year, it will be fully integrated into the existing campus at Sager Brown, where UMCOR runs a relief-supply depot and houses thousands of volunteers each year to help pack and ship relief supplies.  Dixon-Rabb Hall will accommodate 24 guests at a time, increasing UMCOR Sager Brown's housing capacity for volunteers from 60 to 84 guests.

The new building is named for the Rev. Dr. Sam Dixon and the Rev. Clinton Rabb.  Dixon was the former head of UMCOR and Rabb was the assistant general secretary for Mission Volunteers.  Both died of injuries they sustained in the collapse of the Hotel Montana in Port-au-Prince, Haiti during the earthquake in 2010.  They had gone there for conversations about how Global Ministries might support the development of health programming in Haiti.

Washington state is currently battling the largest fire in its state's history.  As of last week, the fire has burned over 391,000 acres or 612 square miles.  To put that in perspective, the city of Seattle is only 142 square miles.

Your financial donations are needed.  An Emergency Declaration has been given which allows access to federal resources only.  However, unless there is a Presidential declaration (which is unlikely because so much of the fires have burned in rural areas) there is no financial assistance provided to help individuals outside of donations.

You can make a donation to the PNW Conference's Disaster Fund (Advance #352) through your local church or by sending a check with "Conference Advance #352" on the memo line to:

PNW Conference Treasurer

P.O. Box 13650

Des Moines, WA 98198

You can also make a donation online.  Click here to make an online donation to the Pacific Northwest Disaster Fund.

In addition, UMVIM volunteer teams will be needed to help with long term recovery efforts.  If you are interested in serving as a volunteer, please contact PNW UMVIM Conference Co-Coordinators, Jim Truitt and/or Ronda Cordill.

Andrew Zajac, 26, one of the three firefighters with the U.S. Forest Service killed in Washington state, was the son of the Rev. Mary Zajac, senior pastor at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Charles, Illinois, and her husband, Jim Zajac, reports the Chicago Tribune.  Andrew Zajac, Tom Zbyszewski, 20, and Richard Wheeler, 31, were killed and four others injured when flames overtook their crew two weeks ago.  Wheeler was a member of First United Methodist Church in Wenatchee, Washington.  Read the story.

Once home to three United Methodist churches, the 7th Ward in New Orleans, LA has not had a United Methodist presence in 10 years.  The Rev. Hadley Edwards plans to change that with the Spirit Church. Read the story here.

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.

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.

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 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:

~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