Sage Wise Sage District Oregon-Idaho Conference United Methodist Women Volume 10, Issue 1 - Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference
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Sage Wise
Proceeding from wisdom; well judged; shrewd; well adapted to the purpose.
Sage District Oregon-Idaho Conference United Methodist Women
Winter 2021 Volume 10, Issue 1
Paul’s Desire to Visit Rome informed about legislation which may come before
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First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all our Senate and House of Representatives in Boise,
of you because the news of your faith is being possibly through different Zoom meetings. The
reported in all the world. 9 God is my witness, whom spring EMEE (Every Member Enrichment Event) will
I serve with my spirit in telling the good news about be done on Zoom, with the date set for March 20th.
his Son—that I constantly mention you, 10 always Mission u is planned for July 9th through the 11th at
asking in my prayers that if it is somehow in God’s the Nazareth Retreat Center. However, if we still
will, I may now at last succeed in coming to need to stay home, plans may be changed to
you. 11 For I want very much to see you, so that I provide a virtual Mission u. Sage District Annual
may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen Meeting, is planned for September 18th, and if we
you, 12 that is, to be mutually encouraged by each cannot meet face to face, we will adapt to provide
other’s faith, both yours and mine. another virtual meeting. The Oregon-Idaho
Conference United Methodist Women are working
Romans 1:8-12 (CSB) Christian Standard Bible on plans for DLTE (District Leadership Training
Just like Paul, who so wanted to be with the church Event) and the annual meeting for October 15th and
in Rome, I so want to be with all of you in person! 16th respectfully to be held at Boise First United
However, we are still being asked to stay home, Methodist Church. If we still cannot meet in person,
wear masks, and practice social distancing, wait for we can meet virtually.
our vaccinations, and for COVID-19 to end. One thing we can do together is be proud of being
In these difficult times, I am so thankful for United involved in United Methodist Women, and the work
Methodist Women! United Methodist Women are we do in our local communities, in our nation, and
still practicing faith, hope, and love in action globally. We are a strong organization of women
throughout the world. We tell others we care about who keep each other in our hearts and minds
them, even if we may never meet them face to face. through prayer, our mission work, our support for
We share and live our faith with them through our each other, and we are connected to each other, no
mission work with our partners, and our national matter where we reside. For over 150 years, women
and international institutions. We share in spreading from different locations and situations support each
the good news and praying for people and our work other through faith, hope, and love in action.
throughout the world, as we pray for each other I cannot wait till we can be together again face to
closer to home. face. In the meantime, I will continue to keep you in
I, also, keep you in my prayers constantly. Prayer my prayers and brag about the work we all do
requests are still being sent out through emails and together. God bless you all my sisters!
phone calls for each other and for people we will Joyce H. Orem
never meet face to face. Our work continues and Sage District President
pledges for mission are still coming in, although, we
may not meet our total pledge. But that is okay, as
we are resilient in our resolve and understand our Inside This Issue
Important Dates to Remember 2
circumstances have changed. We adjust and Officers List 2
continue our work. Legislative Event 3
Resource Room Manager 4
The new year brings challenges as we plan for our Membership Nurture and Outreach 4-8
future. The Idaho Legislative Event will be done by Special Article 9 - 10
Zoom, and although dates are not currently set in Legacy Fund 11
stone, the committee is working on ideas to keep us Conference Education and Interpretation 12
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January and February 2021 – Idaho Legislative Event sessions on Zoom
March 20, 2021 – EMEE Zoom meeting
July 9 – 11, 2021 – Mission u, Nazareth Retreat Center, Boise, Idaho
September 18, 2021 – Sage District Annual Meeting, Nampa First, Nampa, Idaho?
October 15, 2021 – DLTE (District Leadership Training Event), Boise First, Boise, Idaho
October 16, 2021 – Conference Annual Meeting, Boise First, Boise, Idaho
May 20 – 22, 2022 – Assembly, Orlando, Florida
President Spiritual Growth Mission Coordinators:
Joyce H. Orem Bonnie Anderson Education and Interpretation
208 – 859 – 5780 208 – 221 – 8047 Ingrid Cook
jhillisorem@hotmail.com monty@dcdi.net ianddcook@gmail.com
Vice President Chair of Nominations Social Action
Vacant Vera Kenyon Judy Halverson
208 – 989 – 7535 judybhalverson@gmail.com
Secretary ldkvak@gmail.com
Lucy Scopinich Nominations Committee
208 – 387 – 0661 (Home) Nominations Committee Member
208 – 409 – 2067 (Cell) Members Rochelle Killett
lkscop0661@gmail.com Lory Neser rochellekillett@gmail.com
808 – 286 – 4829
Treasurer lneser@aol.com Legacy Liaison
Jean Spence Lory Neser
(541) 656-6630 (Cell) Kay Durham
jeanlacook@yahoo.com 541 – 962 – 1002 (Home) Mission u Dean
541 – 975 – 3997 (Cell) Bonnie McOmber
Communications Committee kaydurham71483@yahoo.com bjdlmcomber@live.com
Joyce H. Orem
Charlene Wimpy Idaho Mission u Assistant Dean
Bonnie Anderson 208 – 642 – 4304 (Home) Leona Whitcomb
cwimpy@q.com jayandleona1969@gmail.com
Elinor Chehey
208 - 343 - 8018 Idaho Legislative Event Western Jurisdiction Chair on
elinorchehey@gmail.com Coordinators Nominations
Elinor Chehey - Chair Lynda Montgomery
Resource Room Manager dynomont_3@msn.com
Earlene Lamb Mary Getchell
541 – 786 – 8039 (Cell) 208 – 860 – 2715 National Program Advisory
peggye@eoni.com mlgetchell@aol.com Group
Dixie Jacky
Mission Coordinators: Gayle Woods dixiejacky@gmail.com
Education and Interpretation
Vacant Judy Halverson Yuni Rueda Barrera
yuni.rueda@gmail.com
Membership Nurture and Conference and Western
Outreach Jurisdiction Officers and other
Maralyn Wells Positions
208 – 989 – 0917
mfwells-35@msn.com Vice President
Gayle Woods
Social Action gaylewoods5964@msn.com
Connie Johnson
541 – 216 – 8342
connie.johnson53@gmail.com
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Idaho Legislative Advocacy Event
Idaho State Legislature will begin its annual session January 11, 2021. This means that we must be
ready to put our faith, hope and love into ACTION.
To prepare, we will have our annual Idaho Legislative Advocacy Event virtually this year, using Zoom.
Part One
Sunday, January 10, 2021, 7:00-8:15 pm MST (6:00-7:15 pm PST)
• Elinor Chehey will show us how to navigate the Idaho Legislature’s website to find committee meetings
or House and Senate hearings and meetings.
• Lee Flinn will give a presentation on how bills are written and introduced to committees
• Retired Idaho State Representative, Donna Boe, will share the most effective ways to contact your
elected representatives and advocate for policies.
• Judy Halverson will wrap it up with an overview of specific legislative issues members of United
Methodist Women want to watch this session.
Register for the January 10 session by replying to: gaylewoods5964@msn.com. You will be sent
the Zoom link.
Part Two
Sunday, February 7, 2021, 7:00-8:15 pm MST, 6:00-7:15 pm PST
• Medicaid Funding Legislation – speaker TBA
• Foster Care Legislation, Housing concerns, and other critical issues – Christine Tiddens, Idaho Voices
for Children
Part Three
Sunday, February 21, 2021, 7:00-8:15 pm MST, 6:00-7:15 pm PST
• Tax Legislation (homeowner’s exemption, circuit breaker legislation) – speaker TBA
• Education funding and other legislation – speaker TBA
Registration link for parts 2 and 3 will come in late January. Mark you calendar now!
Please share this with your contacts – anyone is welcome to participate.
3
Resource Room Manager
2020 will certainly be a year to remember... both good and bad.
Fortunately, the Reading Program is one of the Goods. I hope you found
comfort and encouragement in reading this year. This is just a reminder
to be sure to send me your Reading Program
Reporting Form found here:
https://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/download-resources/
readingprogram-2021-reporting-form.
Bonus Books/Podcasts
Faith Talks can now be counted in the category of Spiritual Growth. You
must participate or listen to two Faith Talks podcast. If you participate/
listen to three, it will be counted as a Bonus Book in the Spiritual Growth
category.
Movies: These movies will also count toward the Reading Program: Just Mercy; the Hate U Give; and
Pushout
Children and youth books can be found within the categories.
Bonus Books: These count as two books in their different categories.
The Mission U Study books count as Bonus Books.
Most of this information can be found on the Reading Program website:
https://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/readingprogram
Blessings to each and everyone of you in 2021.
Earlene Lamb
2315 E L Avenue
La Grande, OR 97850
541-624-5796 (H)
541-786-8039 (C)
Unit Survey (Census)
2020 Unit Survey Link: www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/census2020
The final deadline for reporting will be March 30, 2021.
Each unit president needs to do the 2020 census of their unit. Instructions (in printed form) will be sent to all
unit presidents. Fill out the printed form. Use this form to fill out the online information. If you cannot do this
online, please send the printed form to me and I can fill out the online form for you. Also it would be nice if
each shepherdess would contact their group and see how they are doing and report to me.
Thank you,
Maralyn Wells
mfwells-35@msn.com
915 E. Ionia Dr.
Meridian, Idaho 83642
A preview of the questions follow on the following four pages.
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(Editor’s note: This article has been submitted to response magazine.)
A League of Her Own
The 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed by the House of Representatives on
May 21, 1919, and the Senate passed it two weeks later. Three-fourths of the states needed to ratify this
amendment. Tennessee was the 36th state to ratify the amendment on August 18, 1920 and was certified
by Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby on August 26,1920 and became law. This amendment ensured
women the right to vote. From the National Woman Suffrage Association, the League of Women Voters
was founded in Chicago in 1920 between the passing and ratification of the 19 th Amendment to inform
women how to register to vote, where their voting precincts were located and to advocate for the
participation of women in politics. The League of Women Voters continues today working on voter rights,
advocacy, and education, and celebrated 100 years on February 14, 2020.
Elinor Chehey joined the League of Women Voters while living in Pocatello, Idaho and continued her
participation after moving to Boise 47 years ago and has been active for over 50 years! During this time,
she has been active in the Idaho Debates as a frequent timekeeper of debates and forums, making sure
the individuals know the rules set for each discussion and signals when their time to speak has ended. She
has concentrated on voter service activities through the League such as establishing a citizens commission
in reapportionment of legislative districts.
Because of her extensive knowledge of the Idaho legislative process and the issues and legislation which
is proposed each year during the legislation session, she has kept Idaho United Methodist Women in both
the Oregon-Idaho and the Pacific Northwest Conferences informed. She has testified at committee
meetings on important legislation which affects the citizens of Idaho, and advocates on social issues United
Methodist Women are involved in.
For many years, she has organized the Idaho Legislative Event, held annually in Boise, Idaho. The Idaho
Legislative Event is a two-day event, starting on Sunday afternoon with orientation. Elinor leads us through
the Idaho Legislative process and the Idaho Legislative website. Afterwards, we have dinner together and
continue into the evening with information from speakers on current events and legislation affecting the
State of Idaho. On Monday morning, participants gather at the Capitol Building and have the options to sit
in on the House and Senate committee meetings, take a tour of the Capitol Building, or attend the House of
Representative and Senate hearings. The First Presbyterian Church, located one block from the Capitol
Building, is gracious to allow us to have a luncheon with our Senators and Representatives. It is Elinor who
prepares a delicious lunch for us. Afterwards, participants have the option to continue to sit in or participate
in the House and Senate Committee meetings, Senate and House hearings, meet personally with their
local Senators and Representatives, or shop at the Capitol gift shop which sells books about Idaho, and
gifts from Idaho artisans.
Although COVID-19 has drastically changed our lives, the 2021 Idaho Legislative Event will happen
virtually. In January, we will learn how to use the Idaho Legislative website, learn how bills are written and
introduced to committees, effective ways to contact elected representatives and advocate for policies, and
an overview of specific legislative issues United Methodist Women want to follow this session. Two
meetings in February will cover Medicaid Funding, Foster Care, housing concerns, and other critical issues.
Specific legislation such as homeowner’s exemption and circuit breaker tax legislation, and education
funding will also be covered. Elinor and her team has done a wonderful job of planning this event.
Elinor is involved in her local United Methodist Women unit at Boise First United Methodist Church
(Cathedral of the Rockies) in Boise, Idaho, and serves on the Sage District United Methodist Women of the
Oregon-Idaho Conference. She helps at Boise First organizing weekly meals for the homeless and needy.
Her other community activities include volunteering in her neighborhood association, and Interfaith
Sanctuary Housing Services.
(Continued on page 6)
9(Continued from page 5)
Recently, Elinor Chehey was recognized for her work with the Idaho League of Women Voters in the
Sunday/Monday October 4, 2020 edition of the Idaho Press newspaper from Nampa, Idaho. Another
important recognition Elinor received December 16, 2020 (via Zoom) was from the City Club of Boise, who
presented her with the Dottie and Ed Stimpson Award for Civic Engagement. This award is given yearly to
an individual or a group of individuals who encourage people from diverse backgrounds to come together
and discuss issues in a civil manner with the intent of finding solutions which can be mutually agreed upon.
Thank you, Elinor, for your dedication. We are truly blessed to have you help us learn about our legislative
process and important issues which affect women, children, and youth in the State of Idaho!
Elinor Chehey idahopress.com/Life touch
League of Women Voters Idaho volunteers Elinor Chehey (left) and Crystal Callahan at World Refuge Day
in 2019. Courtesy League of Women Voters Idaho/idahopress.com
10LEGACY FUND
We celebrated – 2019 marked the 150th year of the birth of our organization – United Methodist Women
and yes, we celebrated. All of our district and conference events included cake, ice cream and singing.
Many of us went to Mission u and studied the 150 years of Women in Mission. We donated money on our
day of giving, some of us gave a monthly gift, others included United Methodist Women in their planned
giving. Yes, we celebrated.
And then came 2020. It has been a year filled with uncertainty and many challenges. Women across the
country have and continue to care for families, friends, gather in different ways, while continuing to work
and serve together in bold ways. Because of their collective efforts, commitment and hard work – The
Legacy Endowment Fund balance is $30,800,00!
The Legacy Fund Endowment Campaign came to a close at the end of 2020 but there is still a lot of road
ahead of us to reach and exceed our $60 million goal. Even though the campaign has ended, fundraising
will continue until we reach our goal.
There are many ways to give. One you might consider now is to make a special year-end gift to the
Legacy Fund Endowment Campaign. This will end 2020 and begin 2021 in strong fashion. You can mail
your campaign gift to:
National UMW, 475 Riverside Drive, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10115 Attention: Legacy Fund.
Or make an online donation to: https://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/150/give
It’s a new year – a year filled with hope and anticipation. May each day hold a blessing for you.
Lory Neser, Legacy Liaison
11DISTRICT NEWSLETTER 1-2021
PRAYER AND SELF DENIAL OFFERING
Each January the program “A Call to Prayer and Self-Denial” encourages women to step out in faith and
bring the love of Christ into a hurting world. This year’s emphasis is on Leadership Development in three
African countries. Women struggle to achieve equality with men especially in African culture. Once
women receive leadership training, they gain self-worth, seek education for themselves and their children,
contribute to their families financially, and contribute to their community as a whole. The leadership
training provided by United Methodist Women includes: GED and ESL, job readiness, life skills and
livelihood training, scholarships, microenterprise programs and more.
There is a story in Numbers 27:1-8 about the five daughters of Zelophehad who came to speak to Moses
after their father had died. They had been left out of the family inheritance that was all going to their
father’s brothers. “Moses brought their case before the Lord. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “The
daughters of Zelophehad are right in what they are saying. You shall indeed let them possess an
inheritance among their father’s brothers and pass the inheritance of their father on to them.”
Moses talked to God and God responded positively. Women began to own an inheritance because the five
daughters spoke up. This text shows us that God values us as women. We were created in God’s image.
We are equal heirs to God’s kingdom even here on earth.
This year’s Prayer and Self Denial offering will support programs that transform the lives of women,
children, and youth through the work of our eight Regional Missionaries. With our support, programs that
lift up women leaders, like Training for Transformation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique,
and Sierra Leone, will bear fruit.
You can access the whole Prayer and Self Denial program by going to: https://
www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/2020-2021-program-book-call-to-prayer.
Invite the women in your unit to participate by making their donations online (visit
unitedmethodistwomen.org and go to “Donate” from the menu, then click on “Direct my gift to” and choose
“Call to Prayer” from the drop-down menu) or mail them into your unit treasurer.
The call for United Methodist Women to step out in faith to support our marginalized sisters and their
families in areas of need around the world is great and we are up to the task. Please give to the Prayer
and Self Denial Offering.
Ingrid Cook
Conference Education and Interpretation Coordinator
12Sage District United Methodist Women
c/o Joyce H. Orem
157 E 1000 N
Rupert, Idaho 83350
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
In 2021 Mission u will continue as planned with our 2021 studies:
Spiritual Growth for 2021
• Bearing Witness in the Kin-dom: Living Into the Church’s Moral
Witness through Radical Discipleship
Spiritual Growth for 2020 and 2021
• Finding Peace in an Anxious World
Issue Study for 2020 and 2021
• Pushout - The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools
2021 Youth Mission Study: Becoming Peacemakers in a Culture of Violence
2021 Children’s Mission Study: Responding to Violence
United Methodist Women shall be a
community of women whose purpose is:
to know God and to experience freedom
as whole persons through Jesus Christ;
to develop a creative, supportive
fellowship; and
to expand concepts of mission through
participation in the global ministries of
the church.
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