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A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference
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Need a Volunteer in Mission team?
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 We have a number of VIM teams interested in coming to Alaska next summer to work at churches and in our communities. Planning needs to happen now if a team is to come next summer. We have at least two teams that are primarily youth, so please consider the skill level necessary for the work that needs to happen. Please contact Conference UMVIM Coordinator Dan Wilcox at danielpwilcox@gmail.com if your congregation is interested in hosting a team.
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October 2017 Methodist History in archive room
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The October 2017 issue of Methodist History, the church's academic journal, is now available for checkout from the conference library. One of the stories is from Alex Parrish entitled
"Educator and Civilizer:" The Woman's Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Education of Indigenous Alaskans.
Mr. Parrish presented the topic at the June Historical Society meeting in Anchorage. You can find his story on page 47.
Other stories are: The Distinguished Blessing: Sarah Wesley, Jr.'s Witness to a Trio of Faithful Deaths; Separation, Inclusion, and the Development of Black Leadership in the Methodist Episcopal Church; The "Methodist" Student Crisis in Neuchatel, 1820-1826: Jean-Henri Grandpierre and Samuel-Auguste de Petitpierre; The Annual Conference in West Virginia: A Case Study in Connectionalism.
See
Crystal or
Larry to check it out, or anything else in the resource room at the conference center.
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Free Public Lecture at APU
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God's Mechanics... the popular idea that somehow religion and science are at war, ignores the fact that an awful lot of scientists and engineers are also churchgoers. How do they do that? What does religion look like to someone immersed in technology? And what can their viewpoint tell the rest of us?
The Cardinal Newman Chair at APU will host Br. Guy Consolmagno, S.J., Ph.D., the Director of the Vatican Observatory (Rome Italy and Tucson, AZ), for a free public lecture "God's Mechanics: The Spiritual Life of Techies" on Tuesday November 28, 2017 (7:00-8:30 p.m. at St. Patrick's Church on Muldoon Road). Consider taking advantage of this unique opportunity.
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T-shirt pillows for AK Child & Family
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Jan Wachsmuth is organizing a group of women to make 50+ t-shirt pillows for AK Child & Family. They will be gifts for the children.
The event will be on Thursday, December 7 from 10 am - 3 pm at the Conference Center (1660 Patterson Street, Anchorage).
Lunch will be provided. If you have questions or want to let Jan know you will be there, give her a call (862-0194) or send her an email!
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Christmas Cookie Baking Party
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 You are invited to Birchwood Camp's 2nd Annual Christmas Cookie Baking Party. It will be held December 17th from 1-5 PM in the main lodge. Registration is $15 and all supplies are provided. Please go to www.birchwoodcamp.org for more details and to register.
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Middle School and High School Students are invited to this year's Winter Youth Break Away camp which will be held January 2 - January 6, 2018.
Bring your sleds, skates, snowshoes, and helmets...play in the snow!!! Excellent food, fun and fellowship! Join them for Water is Life!
Registration fee: $240
Registration Open: October 1, 2017
***NEW*** Extended Camp Hours!
Check-in/drop-off 11 AM, Tuesday, January 2
Pick-up at 11 AM, Saturday, January 6
www.birchwoodcamp.org/camps
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Call for 2018 Mission u Certified Study Leaders
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The Leadership Team of the Alaska United Methodist Women is receiving applications for two study leaders to teach at Mission u events throughout the Alaska Conference. The time frame for teaching is mid-summer through the end of 2018.
The studies that they are recruiting teaching leaders for are:
ISSUE STUDY: What About Our Money? A Faith Response
SPIRITUAL GROWTH STUDY: Seeking Health and Wholeness
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Greetings in Christ,
As a Host, through E.O. Tours, I have scheduled a Holy Land Tour, Journey Through the Bible, October 15-25, 2018.
Here are some initial highlights for consideration:
- The cost of the tour does not include travel to and from Tel Aviv
- Folks with initial interest are departing from various locations
- You'll need to arrive in Tel Aviv, October 15, 2018
- The tour ends (departure from Tel Aviv) October 25, 2018; however, you may make prior arrangements to extend
- The cost ($1998) listed in the brochure is a cash price (check or electronic debit)
- You can pay by credit card with a 4% service charge
- Early registration saves you $150 prior to November 15, 2017
- Early registration savings reduce as the date draws near (the brochure lists increments)
- This will be a wonderful & educational tour
- Our schedule is customized to enable more time at sites of interest
- While I am the Host; I'm not the Guide...We'll have local Tour Guides
- Lynn Kile (member of First UMC) is our Tour Coordinator
There will be upcoming informational meetings at First UMC in Anchorage. Please contact Lynn Kile, 696-5453, or myself (Pastor Steve Fisher) 272-2112, to let us know of your interest and we will keep you updated on informational meetings.
Many Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Steve Fisher |
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Way Forward interim report drafted
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 The Commission on a Way Forward has drafted an interim report to share with the Council of Bishops that emphasizes the need for unity of the church, yet recognizes the different theological understandings on LGBTQ inclusion.
Read the press release |
Pastors become chaplains after massacre
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 The mass shooting at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas, turned local United Methodist pastors into community chaplains and special prayer service leaders. They also had to console members of their own congregations who knew victims of the horrific event.
Read the story |
GC2020 worship and music director selected
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Raymond Trapp has been named worship and music director for the 2020 United Methodist General Conference by the Commission on the General Conference. Trapp is director of music at Vanderveer Park United Methodist Church in Brooklyn, New York, and music director of the New York Conference.
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Amazing kids of The United Methodist Church
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Want some inspiration? Meet children across the connection who are doing great things like building wells and handing out bike helmets to keep kids safe.
Read more
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Celebrate United Methodist Student Day
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 United Methodist Student Day is Nov. 26. On this Special Sunday, congregations around the country will join to provide scholarships for deserving United Methodist students. For resources to help celebrate the special offering, download the United Methodist Student Day Pastor and Leader's Kit.
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 Registration is underway for the 2018 Wesley Pilgrimage in England. Applications also are being accepted for 24 scholarships that will be awarded to commissioned provisional elders and deacons, licensed local pastors, lay servants, lay speakers and certified lay ministers.
Read more
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#GivingTuesday is November 28
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 The season of giving is nearly upon us and that means it's almost time for UMC #GivingTuesday.
On Nov. 28, you will have the opportunity to once again "Connect Your Passion with God's Mission" to address the needs in the world today.
Last year, nearly 2,550 donors from 19 countries donated more than $850,000 through The Advance to support mission and ministries around the world. This generosity illustrates the true meaning of the season.
To help you get involved and spread the message of generosity, GBGM has created a host of #GivingTuesday resources. You will find the answers to frequently asked questions, tips for using social media and creative ways to foster the giving spirit.
What project or missionary will you support this year? Through The Advance, you can choose from more than 300 United Methodist missionaries and 600 United Methodist-related projects worldwide. From disaster relief to feeding the hungry to improving the quality of life of women and children around the world, you are sure to find a project that feeds your passion, including several in the Alaska Conference.
As always, 100 percent of your gift to The Advance goes directly to the project of your choice.
The #GivingTuesday toolkit also offers ways to get friends and family involved, including asking them to make an early Christmas gift in your honor to your favorite Advance project or missionary on Nov. 28. You also can make a gift in honor of those on your Christmas list.
This Advent, continue to "Connect Your Passion with God's Mission" through The Advance at www.UMCmission.org/give.
Download your UMC #GivingTuesday resources today. |
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November
8: Charge Conference - Willow UMC
12: Charge Conference - UMC of Sitka
13: Charge Conference - Aldersgate UMC
13: Charge Conference - Douglas Community UMC
16: Charge Conference - UMC of Chugiak
19-20: UMDF Board Meeting - Carlo attending
23: Thanksgiving - Office Closed
24: Office Closed
26: Charge Conference - Anchorage Korean UMC
27: Charge Conference - First UMC Fairbanks
28: UMC #GivingTuesday
28: Charge Conference - Palmer UM Fellowship
29: Charge Conference - Turnagain UMC
30: Charge Conference - First UMC Anchorage/First Samoan UMC of Anchorage
December
2: Leadership Team meeting
3-7: GNW Cabinet Meetings in Seattle - Carlo attending
7-17: GBGM Round Table Conversation in the Philippines - Carlo attending
24: Christmas Eve
25: Christmas Day - Office Closed
31: New Year's Eve
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The Conference Office has new hours!
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
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Upcoming
November 8 -
Jason Cornish
November 17 -
Jean Bruscia
December 10 -
David Hall
December 23 -
Christina DowlingSoka
Curtis Matz
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Conference Office
907-333-5050
Superintendent Carlo
907-854-8340
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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.
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 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.
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