Cal-Pac Learning Labs

Church Websites 101: Monday, March 31, 6:30 PDT
Led by Dr. Alyssa Fisher, Director of Communications, and Melissa Jackson, Director of Marketing, General Council on Finance and Administration, this session will cover the most important information to include on your church website and how to make sure those looking for your church can find you and join you in person!

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• Promoting Your Church Event, presented with United Methodist Communications: Monday, April 7, 6:30 pm PDT
  Led by Brenda Smotherman, Public Relations Lead at United Methodist Communications, this session will walk you through everything you need to do to promote your event with local media channels, including how to write a press release, who to contact, and tips for media interviews.

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• Discerning Your Call to Ministry: For Future Clergy and Lay Leaders: Monday, April 21, 6:30 pm PDT
  Led by Rev. Brian Belting, Board of Ordained Ministry Vocational Discernment Coordinator, and Cathy Wilson, Associate Director of Lay and Clergy Credentialing and Development. Have you ever felt a nudge toward something more? A call to serve, lead, or make a difference? In The United Methodist Church, we believe everyone is called—whether to lay or ordained ministry. This engaging learning lab is designed to help you recognize and respond to God’s call in your life. Through personal discernment and practical guidance, you’ll explore different ministry paths and discover opportunities to nurture your calling. If you’re wondering, “How is God calling me?” or “What’s my next step?” this experience will provide the tools and support to help you move forward with confidence. Come ready to listen, learn, and take the next step in your journey!

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How to Nurture a Culture of Compassion in Your Church & Community: Monday, April 28, 6:30 PDT 
The church is most truly ‘the church’ when it embodies a culture of compassion. Seldom, however, are we taught how to actually cultivate and promote compassion throughout our life together. This is unfortunate, for not only is the church more faithful as it embodies compassion; it is more efficient and effective. This workshop, a partnership with Claremont School of Theology, explores how faith communities can embody compassion-based processes of engaging in the work of the church together including processes for collaborative decision-making and dialoguing across difference. It is led by Dr. Frank Rogers Jr., Professor of Spiritual Formation & Narrative Pedagogy and Co-Director of the Center for Engaged Compassion at the Claremont School of Theology.

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MAY 5 | 6:30-8 PM PDT

In May, our Learning Lab series will turn to preparing you for our Annual Conference Session for 2025. This week, we’ll introduce you to our new meeting application that we’ll use for our sessions, bringing our hybrid experience and voting process into one easy to use platform on your device, whether it’s desktop, mobile, or tablet. Stay tuned for more information.

MAY 12 | 6:30-8 PM PDT

In May, our Learning Lab series will turn to preparing you for our Annual Conference Session for 2025. This week, we’ll cover everything you need to know to register for and attend Annual Conference 2025. This session is designed for those who may be new to Cal-Pac or attending their first Annual Conference Session as a voting member. Stay tuned for more information.

MAY 19 | 6:30-8 PM PDT

REGISTER NOW AT THIS LINK

In May, our Learning Lab series will turn to preparing you for our Annual Conference Session for 2025. This week, we’ll join together with the other Western Jurisdiction conferences to learn about the four proposed amendments to our United Methodist Constitution.

This year’s Annual Conference gatherings require votes that impact our worldwide connection, and we want you to be informed and involved. Your participation matters!

At the General Conference 2020/2024 meeting, four pieces of legislation passed that would change the denomination’s constitution. In order for these changes to go into effect, the legislation must be ratified by the collective votes of annual and central conferences of the UMC. Throughout 2025, all central and annual conferences will be asked to vote on these important topics at their Annual Conference meetings.

The four pieces for ratification are:

• Ballot #1: Regionalization: Changing the structure of the UMC to create equity across the worldwide church.
• Ballot #2: Expand inclusiveness in church membership, especially as it relates to gender and ability.
• Ballot #3: Stand against racism and colonialism.
• Ballot #4: Clarify local pastor status regarding who can vote for clergy delegates.

Understanding these amendments is crucial as we move forward together, as each will impact how we operate as a global church. The Western Jurisdiction has prepared information on each to help you cast your vote. Lay and clergy members of the annual conference are invited to learn more and prepare for this critical vote by joining us on May 19 at 6:30 pm PDT for an information webinar where you can learn more from your ratification conference teams, and ask any questions you may have.

REGISTER NOW AT THIS LINK