The weather is finally warming and the signs of spring are all around us.  I've enjoyed our recent gatherings as we’ve been together at Celebrating Generations and Leadership Enrichment.  Thank you for your participation in these two events.

It is time that I bring you up to date on several fronts:

Transitions

Adrian Harris (Vicky) has moved to Grand Coulee to begin his ministry there.  Chuck Wilkes (Mitzi) has accepted the call from Hayden True North to be their pastor.  Eric Stilwell (Pam) has resigned at Zillah.  Steve Morley (Annette) has concluded his time in Richland and will be heading to Ireland soon.  Craig Wikoff (Shar) will be leaving Sandpoint in the fall and the family will be moving to China. I am working with seven churches in pastoral searches: Chelan, Deer Lake Lakeside, Ephrata, Grandview, Lewiston First, Richland, and Zillah.

Family Notes

Kathy Luhn (Othello) has recently undergone a knee replacement.  Luis and Lisa Rodriquez (Wapato) have adopted a son, Enrique Joseph, who was born on May 4^th. I recently had the privilege of dedicating Paul and Alyssa Clark’s (Connell) daughter, Rosalie Faith, who was born in March.

Additions to our District Team

We said farewell at District Assembly to our district legal counsel, Neil McKay, and our district accountant, Joyce Chitwood.  I want to inform you that we have two new team members who are coming on board to assist our district.  Bill Buckholdt, an NNU grad, an attorney with Randall Danskin, and member of Spokane Valley, has agreed to serve as our district attorney.  Kristi Crooks, a graduate of Boise State with a CPA background and a member of Spokane Valley, will be picking up the financial responsibilities in our office.  We welcome them both to the district team.

District Advisory Board

Your district leadership team met this week to conduct the business of our district.  We have established 4 teams to give oversight and direction to our work.

1)   Church and Pastoral Health Team - Holland Lewis, chair
2)   Finance and Insurance Team - Monte Chitwood, chair
3)   Properties and Facilities Team - Dale Shafer, chair
4)   Vision and Implementation Team - Chad Wilks, chair

The Advisory Board meets about 6 times a year.  Meeting dates for the rest of 2011-12 are July 28, October 25-26, December 1, and March 2-3.  If you need to meet with the board or request approval for something, it should be submitted in writing to the district office no later than 10 business days prior to the scheduled meeting date.  Many requests, such as building approvals, will first go through the appropriate team for review.  Time is needed to make sure all questions have been answered so a recommendation can then be made to the board.

Sabbatical

As you learned at Celebrating Generations the DAB has granted me a 3 month sabbatical.  I will be away from June 20-September 20.  The key leadership team during my absence is Chad Wilks, DAB Secretary, and Stacy Schuster, my assistant.  I'd encourage you to remain in contact with Stacy about all matters of concern and interest to the district and she will pass on to Chad things she cannot care for directly.  Chad will be helped by 3 elders (Holland Lewis, Bob Luhn, and Chuck Wilkes) and together they will work with churches and pastors to give careful oversight to matters that need attention.  I will be working with a leadership coach to seek to enhance my abilities in this area as well as working on physical, mental and spiritual renewal.  I plan to read and write, travel and teach, renew and restore. I would covet your prayers and be assured I will continue praying for each of you.

Camp & Retreat Dates

• May 31-June 3 – 50+ Retreat at Ross Point
• June 19-22 – Senior High Camp at Lutherhaven
• June 22-25 – Junior High Camp at Lutherhaven
• July 24-29 – Children’s Adventure Camp at MiVoden

Funding the Mission

I want to encourage all of our churches to be sure you are using the online calculation and reporting system that is provided by our denominational ministry center.  It is important to have consistency across the district, both in calculating and reporting. This website is both a simple tool to use and an easy way to track what you are doing each month.  Pastor Shawn Stevenson has provided a visual tutorial (http://www.nwdistrict.org/home/webresources.html) that will enable you to care for this matter.  It is vital for your benefit and for ours.  Right now only about 1/3 of our churches are reporting monthly – please help us by making this part of your regular financial reporting.  Thank you!

Clusters

I will be meeting with our coaches in early June for some strategic planning.  Clusters continue to be a vital way for us to stay connected across the district and I'd encourage all pastors and associates to take advantage of the opportunities our coaches provide for engagement and encouragement.

Resource

Just a reminder that at www.theDiscipleshipPlace.org there are some helpful materials for your laity.  You will find there Lay Minister Studies; 31 devotionals for new believers; Youth Ministry Academy that gives 20 lessons on best practices in youth ministry; and a host of other materials and resources for lay training.

Fall Retreat

October 4-6 is the date for our Fall Leadership Team Retreat.  I've invited Dr. Jesse Middendorf, our General Superintendent, to be our speaker.  We will again be in Leavenworth.  Later this summer you will receive detailed event information and online registration will be available on the district website.

God’s blessing be upon you!

Thanks for all you do in your missional outpost. It is because we have godly women and men scattered across Northwest District who are faithfully serving God that the kingdom is advancing.

Hear God’s good words to Joshua today, “Be Strong and Courageous!  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for I am with you wherever you go.”

Randy