In 1968, the Oregon Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and the southern part of the Idaho Annual Conference merged to form the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference. The forty-eighth session of the OIAC meets in Salem next week and I will be attending with Wanda Eddy and Kris Stolz. 

Each year there is a special banquet on Friday evening, where one church in each district receives recognition and an award.  I'm pleased and proud to tell you that RFUMC is the church from the Crater Lake that is being recognized with the "Adaptive Engagement Award," highlighting our engagement with the community. Members of RFUMC are invited to be present and come forward when the award is announced.  However, because registration for the banquet is now closed it is not possible to purchase a ticket for the meal. Hoping that some might want to be present, I encourage you to consider making plans for a fun Friday night out. Drive or carpool to the Salem Convention Center for the awards event that begins around 6:45 pm. There is no cost for persons sitting in the visitors gallery. Why not make plans to enjoy a nice dinner in one of Salem's many fine restaurants and join us for the awards event afterwards?

I still have vacation days to use before July 1st and won't return to the office much before the end of the month.  The musicians are planning a very special Music Sunday on June 19. I plan to preach on June 26, but otherwise won't be  available except for emergencies. If you have need of pastoral care during this time, please contact the church office.  I'll look forward to celebrating with you the summer worship in the basketball court, bringing together worshipers from the Flipside and Sanctuary worship services at 10am on Sunday, July 3rd.  A potluck will follow.  Watch for more details later.