Mountain Sky Conference UMC - Montana East/West Districts

06/15/2022

You are invited to join in the Mountain Sky Annual Conference!

On Thursday, the Mountain Sky Annual Conference will begin with a beautiful opening worship service on at 10am. All Worship services and sessions can be viewed online at the Mountain Sky Conference page: https://www.facebook.com/MountainSkyUMC

Whether you are a voting member or part of a local church, you can find information about Annual Conference here: www.mtnskyumc.org/ac22

If you are a voting member and need technical assistance, call the GNTV support line at 478-245-4042.

If you registered late for Annual Conference and/or have not yet received your Voter ID - please be on the lookout in the next day or two for that email from [email protected]. Often the email goes to Junk/Spam folders, so please make sure you are checking there as well!

If you have other Annual Conference related questions, please email [email protected]

Grace & Peace,

Rev. Annie Arnoldy

Director of Connectional Ministry
Superintendent of Leadership Development

The Mountain Sky Conference of The United Methodist Church will live in God’s grace and abundance as we lead a re-energized peaceful and compassionate movement to claim the life-changing love of Jesus Christ for ALL people.

06/06/2022

The Mountain Sky Conference staff is preparing to welcome over 500 people to the June 16-18, 2022 Annual Conference, hosted in Helena, MT. We are excited to be back in person and to offer an online experience for those joining virtually.
Stay up to date through information found on the AC 2022 webpages: www.mtnskyumc.org/ac22.
How to prepare for Annual Conference:
• Prepare for AC - There are items on this page that will be updated a final time on June 10 in preparation for Annual Conference - you may print these or bookmark them in your browser: https://www.mtnskyumc.org/prepare-for-ac22
• COVID-19 Safety Information is detailed here… the short-story is that we will wear mask at all indoor gatherings and have masks optional at outdoor gatherings - thank you for caring for one another - https://www.mtnskyumc.org/covid-safety-protocols-ac22
• Mission Engagement and Tug-O-Love: Please plan to ride the yellow school buses to all sites as there is limited parking; and then, join the Mountain Sky Conference Youth at the Tug-O-Love at 6pm at Covenant UMC on June 16th - join a team when you arrive and raise money for missional partners!
• What to bring: please bring a reusable water bottle, travel coffee mug, snacks, COVID cloth or disposable masks, shoes for walking, smart device for voting (phone, tablet, or computer), a battery bank to recharge your device, and the materials you would like to print beforehand
• Ride-sharing will be available from hotels by attendees who will have “driver” signs; School buses will be utilized to travel between the two churches during the event. The parking lots surrounding both churches will have signage letting drivers know where to park.
• Prepare for lively worship, opportunities for special offerings, meaningful rituals, wonderful reunions, great food, and the movement of the Holy Spirit!
Information for all Voting Laity and Clergy:
• Voter ID from GNTV - expect an email from GNTV on June 10th with your unique Voter I.D. number - you will want to print this or keep it handy for each plenary session of Annual Conference (in June and October)
• There will be a few items to vote on in June during plenary sessions - all participants will use the GNTV “Get Recognized” form throughout the sessions with Bishop Karen recognizing speakers from the front table (both online and in-person)
• There will be an orientation session via Zoom on June 7th at 6:30pm with GNTV and members of the MSC Annual Conference Planning Team - you will practice voting, go over all sessions and materials, and have a time for questions – The attendee link is posted on the Prepare for AC page, and is also included here: https://link.gntv.info/mtnskypreconf22
Questions:
• We are happy to help answer any questions you have and will have special hours next week, June 6-10th, between 10am-12pm MT - you can email [email protected] or contact Jared O’Kegley-Gibson, MSC Event Manager, at (303) 389-9455 (text or call)
• For questions about communications needs, please email [email protected]
• To reach Rev. Annie Arnoldy, Director of Connectional Ministry, please text or call (303) 389-9459
The fine print
• Regular registration has closed; people can still register under the late registration price through June, although meals and other items may be limited: https://www.mtnskyumc.org/registration-ac2022
• Refunds and changing from online to in-person (and vice versa) are no longer available, except in cases of emergency
• You may still participate online instead of in-person if your circumstances have changed, but a refund will not be given as of June 1, 2022
• Your registration is valid for June and October to complete both sessions of the Annual Conference meeting - please do not unsubscribe from conference emails as information will be sent by this method
See you next week for AC 2022!
Annie Arnoldy, Director of Connectional Ministry
Superintendent of Leadership Development
Jared O’Kegley-Gibson, Event Manager
Assistant to Leadership Development

The Mountain Sky Conference of The United Methodist Church will live in God’s grace and abundance as we lead a re-energized peaceful and compassionate movement to claim the life-changing love of Jesus Christ for ALL people.

04/11/2022

Did you know that one accepting adult in an LGBTQ+ young person’s life can reduce their risk of su***de by 40%? Are you ready to learn more about how you can be that accepting adult for a young person in your life or ministry?

Beyond Welcome is a crash course from NexGen & Inclusiveness Ministries that’s designed to empower leaders and volunteers in youth ministry to best support LGBTQ+ youth at youth retreats and other youth related activities. This workshop will introduce participants to basic terminology around LGBTQ+ identity and will provide tangible tools for how to adequately support and include LGBTQ+ youth in group activities. These tools include how to use correct names and pronouns, what to do if you make a mistake, how to handle coming out conversations, and affirming theology and scripture to pass on to all of our youth.

Beyond Welcome will take place Wednesday, April 20th at 6:30pm-8:00pm MDT via Zoom. This event is strongly encouraged for adult volunteers for CONVO and Westside Weekend.

Please register at the link below and contact Court VonLindern at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

REGISTER HERE:

https://mtnskyumc-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcucOioqD4tGty5D9I8ZUJk_iu4f3ugZney

03/31/2022

From Allen Adams, Great Falls First

Warming Up After Church

By Rev. Allen Adams

Several weeks ago when the temperature was below zero and
the strong wind was blowing, I was waiting outside the church for
my ride home. The service and I had a misunderstanding about
what the pick-up time was so I came back in the church and called
to get it corrected and then I choose to wait outside thinking they
wouldn't be long.
As I waited, three of the homeless, who had slept near the
sanctuary wall walked up to me in a friendly, greeting manner and
said “we need to warm this man up” they called out to gather
around me and gave me a great big warm hug! I was shaking, I
didn't realize I was that cold. One started to warm my hands, one
was kissing my ears, eyes and cheeks, and the other one had a
complete hug around me. It felt so good. I began to calm and
wasn't shaking any more.
After a while they all helped me get into the car that came for
me, helping me with my books and oxygen machine. As I was
leaving I thanked them so much and asked “How do you all stay
warm”? one said ‘We live close together”.

03/28/2022

03/09/2022

Annual Conference 2022 Registration is now open. Go to the Conference website: https://www.mtnskyumc.org/ac22
for all the information that you need.

***Please note that the hotel blocks expire on APRIL 1 so please make your reservations now***

The Mountain Sky Conference of The United Methodist Church will live in God’s grace and abundance as we lead a re-energized peaceful and compassionate movement to claim the life-changing love of Jesus Christ for ALL people.

02/24/2022

JUST LOVE 2022 Lenten Series

Sundays through Lent, beginning

March 6, 2022 5:30 – 6:45 p.m. (MT)



Explore justice issues and live into Beloved Community.

Here is a brief taste of sessions in the series.

On Sunday, March 6 at 5:30 pm (MT) the panel discussion will be focused on Net-Zero Emissions: What’s Next for the UMC?

On Sunday, March 13 at 5:30 pm (MT) Crystal Chissell from Project Drawdown will be joining us to discuss Stopping Climate Change.

On Sunday, March 20 at 5:30 pm (MT) Motus Theater will present a program on immigration with a reflection on climate change during Welcoming the Stranger.

On Sunday, March 27 at 5:30 pm (MT) Ellie Bundy, the Presiding Officer of the Montana Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force will present on Missing Indigenous Persons.

On Sunday, April 3 at 5:30 pm (MT) Motus Theater will share stories of people who have experienced incarceration.

On Sunday, April 10 at 5:30 pm (MT) Rev. Brandon Wrencher will help us explore how to have transformative conversations.

Find more information:
https://www.mtnskyumc.org/newsdetail/justlove-2022-lenten-series-15849478

and register HERE: https://mtnsky-reg.brtapp.com/JustLove22

JUST LOVE 2022 Lenten Series Sundays through Lent, beginning March 6, 2022    5:30 – 6:45 p.m.  (MT) Explore justice issues and live into Beloved ...

02/22/2022

Lay Servant Ministries Training
We Are United Methodists
An interactive exploration of the heritage of The United Methodist Church

6:00 PM-9:00 PM Friday, April 22, 2022
10:00 AM-5:00 PM Saturday, April 23, 2022

Lakeside Community Chapel's Gathering Place
236 Adams St, Lakeside, MT 59922

Using a timeline, skits, a puzzle, a flow chart, and other learning aids, this course provides an opportunity for participants to work with others to explore the people, events, and situations that facilitated the formation, separation and reuniting of legacy churches that eventually came together to become The United Methodist Church.

The course also explores elements of the UMC, such as three forms of grace, the means of grace, the Wesley Quadrilateral and more. Major United Methodist beliefs and church structure will be examined and discussed.

The course closes with an overview of the UMC's current situation, possible outcomes, and an opportunity to pray for The United Methodist Church and all the people that are and will be involved in seeking God's will for the future of the UMC.

This course was approved by the legacy Rocky Mountain Annual Conference as an advanced course or continuing education course for Certified Lay Servants, a "heritage course" option for Certified Lay Speakers, and to be used as a continuing education course option for Certified Lay Ministers.

We Are United Methodists is open to anyone, but is limited to 24 participants.

Instructor: Gene Haning, CLM
Cost: There is no charge for the course, but a love offering will be taken to cover meals, snacks, printing, and incidental expenses.

Book: A PDF copy of We Are United Methodists ~ An Interactive Exploration of the Heritage of The United Methodist Church will be sent to registered participants in the course.

*Register at: LayServantTraining.org

For more information or questions, please contact Gene at (719) 588-7627 or [email protected]