United Methodist Women's Annual Gathering  is always a great event and wonderful opportunity to gather with other United Methodist Women throughout the state. We  hope you will join us October 7-9 at Anchor Park United Methodist Church in Anchorage.    Attached is a copy of the  2016 Annual Gathering registration form that  can be  filled out  online or printed off and sent in.

The Lewis Center for Church Leadership and Wesley Theological Seminary have gathered free resources to help pastors better understand and manage their personal finances.  The resources are available at http://www.churchleadership.com/clergyfinances.

"A basic responsibility as Christian stewards is to manage personal financial resources so that we can care for ourselves and our families and marshal the resources needed to respond to God's call to generous giving." says Lewis Center Director Lovett H. Weems, Jr.  "This is especially true for clergy who are expected to teach and model faithful stewardship within our congregations.  Mastering personal finances is both a personal and a pastoral responsibility."  The free resources offered can help clergy better meet these responsibilities.

Clergy Personal Finance Resources topics: Why Clergy Personal Fiances Matter; Personal Finances and Budgeting; Debt; Compensation and Taxes; Insurance; Investing; and Estate Planning.

United Methodist Women mourns the passing of Becky Dodson Louter, 46, executive secretary for the Deaconess and Home Missioner Office, which oversees the lay order of the church dedicated to workers in vocations that alleviate suffering. She was a member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Johnson City, Tennessee.   Read the press release

The United Methodist Church launched a four-part advertising series across the U.S. this week, offering an invitation for seekers to connect with local churches. The ads are present on television, billboards, digital platforms and mobile devices.

The first set of ads, running now through mid-October, highlights the church's role in disaster response and the importance of staying involved in recovery efforts until they are complete. The next two series of ads will focus on the denomination's work in education and hunger relief.

"This campaign is an opportunity to tell the story of the good work that is happening throughout The United Methodist Church," said Jennifer Rodia, chief communications officer at United Methodist Communications. "We hope that people will see these ads and gain a sense of how United Methodist churches offer opportunities to connect with their community and grow in their faith."

In December, the campaign will shift to the Advent theme of finding the true meaning of Christmas: lending a hand to a neighbor in need, encouraging joy in the lives of others, and giving the gifts of time and care.

Local churches can take part in the campaign during the Advent season by utilizing customizable outreach tools, available in English and Spanish, which carry the national advertising message.

Resources available at  UMCom.org/advent  include:

The national campaign is part of the Rethink Church ministry of The United Methodist Church, a movement to encourage local church congregations to look outside of their four walls, identifying needs in the community and then rising to meet them.