This interactive workshop engages participants in tools used in faith-based organizing models across the country in ways that will revitalize leadership, develop meaningful ministry, and strengthen relationships within both the local congregation and throughout a community. This one-day seminar will offer workshops on building relational power, "one-to-one's," building effective teams, accountability, and evaluation.

 

The (2) one-day seminars will be led by Kelly Marciales, Executive Director of Valley Interfaith Action (VIA). VIA is a faith-based community organization that seeks to develop and empower leaders to surface local concerns and work together with public officials toward alleviating systemic injustice. VIA has eleven member congregations in its membership in communities across the Mat-Su Borough. Kelly is currently a Deaconess candidate in the United Methodist Church and is a member of Christ First UMC in Wasilla.

 

The first opportunity to participate in the Building Relational Churches: Faith Based Community Organizing for Congregational Renewal will be February 16 from 9 am - 5 pm.  Lunch will be included in the first option.  The second opportunity will be February 17 from 1 - 8 pm.  Dinner will be included in the second option.  Please only select one of the options during the registration process.

 

Anyone attending either of these options needs to register.  Register by Friday, February 9th.  The earlier survey does not count as your registration.  The conference will pay for the travel of the clergy and one lay person from each church to attend the learning event. 

 

Register Here

You can register for the upcoming conference committee meetings. There are various events scheduled during February 15-17 so make sure you know what they are.

 

The Leadership Team will hold a retreat for themselves February 15th from 10:30 am - 6 pm.

 

Conference committee meetings will begin with dinner at 5:30 pm on February 16 and then break into committees at 6:30.  If your committee needs more time than allotted on the 16th, they will continue meeting at 9 am on February 17.

 

Anyone attending either of these events needs to register by Friday, February 9th. 

 

Read the information letter from the Bishop and Superintendent  

Register Here 

This summer, Global Ministries Missionary Journalist and Photographer Paul Jeffrey came up to Alaska to visit some of our mission settings and interviewed folks on assignment for the United Methodist Women. Here are links to the videos of the four people he featured in his interviews:

Charles Brower: Native Alaskan Pastor in Nome, AK

Fran Lynch: UM Deaconess serving in Willow, AK

Berth Koweluk: Native Alaskan in Nome training to be a UM Certified lay Minister

Lisa Talbott: UM Pastor serving in Homer, AK

A list of churches that are open for appointment can be found on the Greater NW Area website.  As appointments are announced and the appointment process unfolds, new clear openings will be added to the list.  See the latest.

In the wake of disasters, UMCOR is present among the devastation to provide relief and hope. All of us can make a difference in these times of need by participating in UMCOR Sunday (formerly One Great Hour of Sharing). Brand new resources are available to encourage generosity, from videos and bulletin inserts to social media graphics and posters.

Encourage Generosity 

The Council of Bishops is once again offering scholarships for young adult, first-time participants to attend the National Workshop on Christian Unity and UMEIT:USA (United Methodist Ecumenical and Interreligious Training in the United States.)  Please let young adults, aged 21-35 know!

 

The National Workshop (NWCU) and UMEIT:USA occur parallel to each other once a year in a different area of the US.  This year they will be held in Silver Spring, Maryland April 16-19, 2018.

 

The NWCU is an opportunity for Christians who care about ecumenical and interreligious ministry to learn and network.  UMEIT:USA is the annual training in the US for Methodists engaged in ecumenical and interreligious ministry through the church.

 

The Council of Bishops will offer up to 6 scholarships, at $300 each, to assist young adults with the costs of attending.  To receive a scholarship application, either email   jhawxhurst@umc-cob.org  o r look for the posting at   http://www.ocuir.org/ocuir-blog/apply-today-for-umeit-2018-scholarship/.

 

Registration for the NWCU and UMEIT:USA is open via   www.nwcu.org.  The scholarship application is due to   jhawxhurst@umc-cob.org  no later than February 28.

 

Thank you for continuing to care about the unity of Christ's church.

 

February

14: Valentine's Day/Ash Wednesday
15-17: AUMC Winter Rendezvous & Learning Event
19: Presidents' Day

20-22: GNW Cabinet Meeting - Carlo attending

March

2-3: GNW "Table Talks" Facilitator Training event - Carlo attending

8-11: GNW Cabinet Meeting - Carlo attending

24: AUMC Leadership Team meeting

12-13: GNW Cabinet Meeting - Carlo attending
12-14: GBGM Board Meeting - Carlo attending
15: UMDF Board Meeting - Carlo attending

8-10: GNW Cabinet Meeting - Carlo attending
12: AUMC Leadership Team meeting
13: Mother's Day
28: Memorial Day - office closed

The Conference Office hours are:

 

Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Friday: 9:00 am - 11:00 am 

Submissions - If you have an article or event that you would like to share with the rest of the conference, submit it to the conference office by Monday evening for consideration.

Mission Statement:

The mission of the United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ.  Held and supported by the transforming relationship with God through Christ, we of the Alaska United Methodist Conference seek to be a community that creates a home for all peoples, finds our hope through grace and journeys together into God's preferred future.