July 1, 2009
- Kim Felton has been hired for the newly redesigned half-time Administrative Assistant position in the yearly meeting office.
Kim has considerable experience working for nonprofits. After graduating from Multnomah Bible College with a journalism degree, she served seven years as writer and editor with the Luis Palau Association, followed by three years as web project manager with Medical Teams International, a humanitarian aid organization. Last July, she walked away from her full-time job to focus on freelance writing. Between editing book manuscripts and writing web and PR copy for various clients, she enjoys the great outdoors with her husband, Rob (director of public information at George Fox University), and is trying her hand at gardening. Claiming that she’s eager for a bit of people-interaction and up for a new challenge, she came to us. Kim is active at North Valley Friends Church in Newberg. She will officially begin July 1, overlapping with Terri Bowen for six weeks.
- Terri Bowen completes 25 years in the yearly meeting office on August 14. Terri has been a beloved co-worker, friend, and partner in ministry with us. We are going to miss her and her many gifts a great deal as she will be leaving the staff. We certainly hope to see her involved in yearly meeting events, and perhaps even volunteering at the office occasionally!Terri has meant a lot to all of us over the years and will be sorely missed. As the “voice of the yearly meeting” she has greeted, hosted, provided information, and helped knit us together as a community.Donations are being accepted for a surprise farewell gift (contact Bruce Bishop for details: bbishop@nwfriends.org) He is also collecting notes of appreciation to be presented to her at the yearly meeting sessions closing banquet. They can be sent to him at 200 N. Meridian, Newberg, OR 97132.
- NWYM has also been working hard on the search process for the Associate Superintendent for Youth and Young Adults.
Several months ago, Colin Saxton assembled a search team that involved Leslie Murray (North Valley youth pastor & Board of Youth/YAF clerk), Paula Hampton (Newberg Friends parent), Drew Miller (Youth Yearly Meeting clerk), Brittney Harold (Reedwood young adult) and himself. Approximately 10 resumes from people inside and outside NWYM were received. Phone interviews were conducted with five candidates. Three face-to-face interviews completed the process.At the final meeting, it was wonderfully clear that we have the right person already serving on staff in the interim role. Rachelle Staley, Newberg Friends, has such a clear call to this position and a deep passion for our youth, young adults and the yearly meeting as a whole. As the search team worked to listen to each of the candidates and to the needs of NWYM ministries at this time, they sensed that Rachelle was the best fitted for this work.
- Fifty years ago the publications board of Oregon (now Northwest) Yearly Meeting began a transition plan that would transfer the operation and ownership of “Oregon Yearly Meeting Press” from Ray Carter and Ralph Fletcher to the yearly meeting. The official change of ownership and management took place May 1, 1959, and the name became The Barclay Press, honoring Quaker theologian Robert Barclay. Ray Carter, Jack Willcuts, Harlow Ankeny, Dick Eichenberger, and Dan McCracken have provided primary editorial and managerial leadership over the years. Dan (pictured here) was initially added to the staff to do Linotype typesetting and today serves as the Barclay Press publisher. Staff members, book authors, article and devotional writers, board members, donors, and readers have all played an important role in 50 years of ministry. Barclay Press exists today due to a continuous vision and a willingness to embrace change. Current Barclay Press ministry is a rich mixture of tradition and innovation that looks toward serving future generations. Explore www.barclaypress.com to learn more.
- The Sowers Fund pledge total as of June 1 was: $47,780.68. Given to date: $43,475.63. The initial $50,000 will go to assist with Latino church planting. Donations can be sent to the yearly meeting office or made online.
- Yearly Meeting workshop descriptions are now online.
- Registration for Yearly Meeting Sessions is online as well. This is a new experiment, allowing people to register and pay online so that everything will be ready when you arrive. Paper copies of the registration forms are available at your church office if you prefer.
- The Outreach Celebration (formerly the Sunday afternoon Outreach Rally) will be held on Sunday evening, July 26, 7p.m. Join us for worship and the sharing of exciting stories of how God is using Friends around the northwest and the world.
- All past, present and future missionaries, board members, YCEW team members, and Teaching Abroad teachers are invited to congregate for the annual missions picnic. It will be Saturday, July 25, at noon at Jaquith Park on North College Street in Newberg.
- The Fine Arts Subcommittee of the Board of Congregational Care would like you to know of some great ways you can participate in this year’s Yearly Meeting Session through using the arts.
- Enjoy the Hoot each evening, where different groups from NWYM share their music on an outdoor stage. There is room for a few more performers.
- Attend a workshop entitled “Let Your Voice Be Heard,” led by Jim Teeters and Nancy Thomas, to have an opportunity to share original poetry and short writings.
- Participate in an Art Fair, featuring artistic creations either reflecting upon this year’s YM theme, or other inspirational and beautiful creations.If you would like to participate in any of these three things and want more information, you can contact the Fine Arts Subcommittee through Aletha McKennon .
- 25 Years of YCEW! If you have participated in a past YCEW trip please come celebrate 25 years of YCEW with your family on Sunday, July 26 at George Fox University. There will be a time of reflection, dessert, and celebration. Please RSVP or send questions to: ycewreunion@gmail.com.
- Youth Challenged through Local Service (YCLS) is a team of NWYM high school youth who will be working with BridgeTown Ministries for a week to show love and support to the people of inner-city Portland. The “Week of Passion” will take the team into some of the neediest areas of Portland to serve. Groups will be involved in leadership training, teamwork experiences, servanthood opportunities, mercy ministries and evangelism.This year’s YCLS team members are: Rachel Vance (Caldwell Friends Church), Katie Comfort (Reedwood Friends Church), and Joy McKibbin (Hayden Lake Friends). Team leaders are Tami Burton (North Valley Friends, currently teaching in Caldwell, ID) and Emily Smith (North Valley Friends).
- Recent ministry transitions include:
- Jim Pike, beginning at South Salem Friends on July 1. Jim and his wife Sharon have three grown children, Erin, Travis, and Justin. Jim has spent 14 years in full-time church ministry. He enjoys hiking, working out, and completing different projects around their home in Dallas, Oregon, such as a raised garden bed in their back yard.
- Adam Bradbury, begins July 1 at Greenleaf Friends as their full-time associate pastor. Adam has been a member at Rose Valley Friends, where he grew up, assisting in ministry there for many years. Adam is married to Annie, and they have two children, Judah (2 years old) and Selah (6 months old).
Chris Tiner has been hired at Meridian Friends as high school youth coordinator. He and his wife Stephanie have three children.
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