Pastor’s Blog: Atmosphere of Grace

See below to access the district newsletter for the remainder of 2025.    

A lot has been happening in the Umpqua Valley District.  In this newsletter a couple of events at Winston will be highlighted along with upcoming training events at Canyonville and Winston.  You will also find the speaking schedule for Pastor Miller.     Rebecca Cameron presenting 8 Principles of Health (June 2025)

I came across this article that did a very good job of outlining the history and rationale for having Bible study groups in homes.  Clearly, this is not a new concept, but it is a good reminder of a methodology that can be used today: Small groups aren’t just another church program — they’re where…

Many were blessed, including the staff, at the April 13 2025 clothing giveaway at the Myrtle Creek Church.  From clothing to baby items to drawings for bikes and more, those that came were thankful they did!  Several indicated hearing about God’s Closet via Facebook and came for the first time.  Others who had come before…

On Wednesday, April 9 2025 John and Pam McVay visited the Canyonville prayer meeting.  Attendees from both Canyonville and Myrtle Creek greeted them and MerryMakers sewing ministry presented the McVays with a hand-crafted quilt.  Attendance overflowed the main circle and was over 30 people.  Afterwards, the McVays stayed by to visit with members and Pastor…

There is a lot happening across our district.  To learn more about the churches in our district and to access their respective websites visit this page HERE.  Our focus for the remainder of the year is on utilizing small groups to expand our outreach into areas where there are no Adventist churches.  You can read…

In Acts 2, one can see how Pentecost dramatically impacted the early church. It marked the fulfillment of Jesus Christ’s promise to send the Holy Spirit to empower and guide His disciples. On that day, as the Holy Spirit filled Christ’s followers, the church multiplied in number from 120 to 3,000 believers. The Pentecost serves…

    Our next Elder TEAMS training will be February 21-22 at the Winston Church with the following schedule:Friday, February 21 at 6:30pm – Orientation to Public Evangelism by Pastor Murray MillerSabbath, February 22:  All elders and their spouses are invited to attend.  Materials will be provided. *Elders: Please consider expanding our team by inviting…

Members from multiple churches attended Sabbath School, Church, fellowship lunch and an afternoon session at the Winston Seventh-day Adventist Church October 19, 2024.  The presenter was Pastor Ken Williams who shared in-depth insights regarding the Biblical teaching of the investigative judgment, Adventist history and more.  Over 100 were in attendance for the worship service (based…

There are many happenings and God-led events happening around our district.  Please take a few minutes to read the District Newsletter and find out more about what our 4 Churches are doing!   Featured District Event: Jaime Jorge in Concert!    

  Pastor Nate Hellman serves as Associate Ministerial Director for the Oregon Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.  He has served in various settings of local church ministry, and now ministers as a coach, mentor and equipper of both pastors as well as their congregations. We are looking forward to having Pastor Nate Hellman come and share during…

  The Umpqua Valley District Comprises churches from North, Central and South Douglas County.  With such an area to reach, teamwork and cooperation amongst our amazing churches and ministries will be necessary.  In order to foster oneness of purpose and keep the churches informed about what is happening in each area, the Umpqua Valley District…

Sabbath morning, May 11 saw many from our district arriving for the much-anticipated District Creation Sabbath at the Myrtle Creek Church with Dr. Stan Hudson from the North Pacific Union Conference (learn more about his ministry HERE).  Dr. and Cindy Hudson had already blessed the Canyonville Adventist Elementary School (CAES) with a week of prayer…

Sabbath, May 11 will be a special focus on Creation featuring Dr. Stan Hudson (see the North Pacific Union Conference webpage HERE).  Everyone from the Canyonville, Myrtle Creek and Winston Churches is invited to attend the presentations at the centrally located Myrtle Creek Church.  The schedule is as follows: – 11am – A Call to Worship…

The First Quarter of 2024 included a focus on spiritual renewal in the New Year (see www.tendaysofprayer.org), a challenge to all to Stay Connected with Jesus (see the reflection guide HERE), and the beginning of a training/equipping focus districtwide (the booklet we are using districtwide is available HERE; an article about Elder’s Training is available HERE)…

Elders meetings for the elders and their spouses from the Canyonville, Myrtle Creek and Winston Churches will take place February 2-3, 2024.  All Elders and their spouses are invited to attend for a time of worship, instruction, collaboration and more!  Materials will be provided.  The schedule will be emailed to elders in mid-January.  The goal…

Find out about happenings since the Spring of 2023.  The newsletter contains a small sample of everything that has been happening around the district, and planning is currently underway for 2024.    

After much prayer, preparation and lots of work, God’s Closet had it’s grand opening at the Myrtle Creek Seventh-day Adventist Church on Sunday, August 13, 2023.  About 20 households were provided with clothing, school supplies, shoes, toys, literature and more!   Prior to the Grand Opening there were many hours of volunteer labor in acquiring the…

As our oneness series continues at each church in the district, I (Murray Miller) have been sharing a practical sheet that gives suggestions to applying the principles of Matthew 18.  Most of this document was written by Elder John Sweigart (retired VP for Administration for the Kansas-Nebraska Conference).  Elder Sweigart shared this with pastors in…

Revelation’s HOPE (RHOPE) is coming LIVE to Canyonville starting April 6 at 7pm!  With the world in chaos, political unrest across our nation, and senseless violence tearing into the safety of our homes, people across the country are looking to the future with fear. But the Bible has proven itself accurate throughout history, and it…