A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference |
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Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky announced dates for the 2020 Sessions of the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho, and Pacific Northwest Annual Conference, with participants meeting remotely online in September. The sessions will be livestreamed with no registration required for “guests” of the conference. The Alaska Conference will meet 6-9 p.m. AKT, on Tuesday, September 15, 2020.
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Annual Conference Registration Open for voting members |
The Virtual Annual Conference Session registration is now OPEN. MEMBERS of the Annual Conference need to register in order to participate. GUESTS are invited to join via livestream. No registration required for guests. The livestream link will be provided within 7 days of the conference. Deadline for registration is SEPTEMBER 1.
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Pre-Conference Handbook Available for download |
The Pre-Conference Handbook is complete and available for download. MEMBERS, please review this material prior to the Annual Conference Session.
***A petition was inadvertently left out. It has been included now.
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GNTV Practice Sessions scheduled |
MEMBERS of the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho, and Pacific Northwest Annual Conferences are encouraged to participate in a practice session to gain familiarity with the Zoom Webinar platform and the online voting system that will be used for Annual Conference this year.
This webinar will be led by staff from GNTV who will be helping to facilitate the technical aspects of the webinars and voting processes.
GUESTS do not need to attend this practice or register for the Annual Conference Sessions. Each will be livestreamed for guests with more information released closer to the date.
Practice Sessions will be offered on the following dates/times:
Registration is quick, free, and required in advance.
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Certified Lay Ministry Classes
Have you felt God nudging you to a deeper discipleship? Have you wanted to serve the church and community in a more focused way that uses your talents and God-given gifts? The United Methodist Church has a certified leadership program that equips church members to use their gifts in service to others through the church and in the world.
St. John UMC will be offering the BASIC coursework on September 19 and 26 from 1pm-5pm. Attendance at both classes is required for completion.
To purchase your required reading, Certified Lay Ministry BASIC Participant Book CLICK HERE.
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Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course
The "Introduction to Lay Ministry: The BASIC Course" is the foundational course for Lay Servant Ministries. This is the gateway course for those who are called to be Certified Lay Servants, Lay Speakers, and Lay Ministers. And can also be part of a person's discipleship plan to acquaint you with their gifts, calling, and responsibilities as followers of Christ.
Time: Tuesdays 2-4 pm PDT September 29 through October 27
Location: Online Zoom Course
Instructor: Emilie Kroen, Oregon-Idaho Associate Lay Leader
Register by September 20 - email ekroen@yahoo.com or call Emilie at 503-312-4138. Provide your Name, Address, Phone #, and your local church setting.
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Bishop John Yambasu's funeral set for September 6
Bishop John K. Yambasu, the late resident bishop of the Sierra Leone Conference, will be laid to rest on Sept. 6 after a series of services that will celebrate his life. All churches in the Sierra Leone Conference have been asked to conduct services of remembrance on Aug. 30.
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Nhiwatiwa to lead Africa College of Bishops
Zimbabwe Area Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa was elected Aug. 17 by active United Methodist bishops in Africa to serve as interim president of the Africa College of Bishops, following the death of Sierra Leone Bishop John K. Yambasu. Africa University has also announced that it has established an endowment for scholarships in memory of Yambasu.
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New United Methodist advertising campaign encourages hope
A new advertising campaign from The United Methodist Church urges people to find hope together amid the challenges posed by this year’s COVID-19 pandemic and heightened racial tensions. “It's been a year like no other. You're not the only one trying to make sense of it all. The people of The United Methodist Church believe that when we turn to God's love, we can find peace, joy and hope. Let's find hope together,” the ads proclaim, directing viewers to the website UMC.org/hope.
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Colleges, seminaries reopen amid COVID-19
Across United Methodist-related higher education — including 13 seminaries and 112 colleges and universities in the U.S. alone — there's a scramble on to reopen safely for fall term amid the ongoing pandemic. Many schools resume this week.
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Participate in Dismantling Racism town halls
Invite your congregation to be a part of two Dismantling Racism town hall events this month, on August 19 and August 26. First, seasoned leaders, including James Lawson, Joel N. Martinez, Sue Thrasher and Clara Ester, reminded us of where we've been and need to go. Then, a panel of emerging leaders, including Ann Jacob, Theon Johnson III, Andres De Arco and Katelin Hansen, will discuss their strategies for changing the world.
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Agency launches anti-racism campaign
The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry has introduced #ColortheConversation, a new discussion and listening campaign to address racism in the fields of higher education and ministry. The campaign invites others to respond with their own topics and video stories.
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African schools adapt to health requirements
With more than 1 million confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa, United Methodist schools and universities face unprecedented challenges. Many are turning to e-learning to make sure education continues while others focus on safety protocols as students return to school. UM News communicators from around the continent share how schools and churches are adapting.
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The Transformation Virtual College Tour announces keynote speaker
Rev. Dr. Michael Bowie, Executive Director of Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century (SBC21) and the National Network of Young Adults, are blazing new trails by reimagining their largest gathering The Leading In Transformation (LIT) Conference into a 5-Stop virtual conference called The Transformation Virtual College Tour, engaging every jurisdiction within and beyond the United Methodist Church. World-renown motivational speaker Dr. Eric Thomas is partnering as The Transformation Tour’s keynote speaker. Working with leading organizations like Nike, NBA, NFL, and schools and colleges across the country, Dr. Thomas is committed to empowering leaders to innovate their lives and make an impact in the world.
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United Methodist Women elects board of directors
Twenty women were elected at several online jurisdictional meetings for the 2021-2024 term on the United Methodist board of directors. The board sets policy, secures funds from members and determines the organization's budget, as well as hiring and supporting the agency's top executive. UMW also announced a new program advisory group.
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New anti-racism 101 online course
This online course centers on one big idea: the differences between anti-racism and defending oneself against charges of racism. As a 101 course, the content will focus on defining anti-racism as interrupting and dismantling racism; identifying which actions fall into categories of anti-racism (avoidance or defending oneself against charges of racism); and building resilience to white fragility. The three sessions will roughly fall under these categories: theory (big idea), practice (identifying the differences), and personal (internal work).
Pre-register now for a special discount!
Special price for the first 100 registrations: $34.99
Regular price: $39.99
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Methodists crucial in fight for women's vote
A Methodist woman's letter played a key role in pushing the 19th Amendment over the finish line. The struggle for women's suffrage took more than 70 years, and Methodists were involved throughout. Heather Hahn has the story as the U.S. celebrates the centennial of the amendment's ratification.
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Preparing for Advent in unparalleled times
How can church leaders imaginatively prepare for the Advent season without the traditions of its typical events and rituals? The Promise of Advent webinar series, hosted by the Rev. Adam Hamilton, will discuss church leaders' hopes and concerns around Advent planning with a panel of pastors, theologians and worship leaders. The four-part series begins Aug. 25 and concludes Sept. 3.
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#StillInMission Episode 13
The #StillInMission Series connects the church to the work of United Methodist Missionaries all over the world through a virtual meeting each Thursday.
This week, #StillInMission Episode 13 brings to us a special opportunity to meet some of the brand-new class of Global Mission Fellows Serving on the US-2 Track. These new Fellows join a legacy of young adult service and leadership development more than 60 years old.
Join us on Thursday, August 27 at 1:00 PM EDT to learn more about these amazing Fellows!
Magdeline Russo is serving as the Children and Youth Director at McCabe Memorial UMC in Florida.
Shiree Fetterly is serving as a Community Organizer with Seminole Heights in Florida.
Emily Autry is serving as a Field Coordinator with the Fill the Table Initiative in Florida.
Natalie Buck is serving as a Ministry Associate at Arch Street UMC in Pennsylvania.
Katelyn Dino is serving as an Administrative Assistant for Florida Justice for Our Neighbors.
Registration is required for this event, and you can do that by clicking here. This event will be panel style, with an opportunity to meet in a smaller group with the Fellows to go more in depth with just one. You can choose the Fellow you would like to hear more from in the registration in the question, ‘Which missionary would you like to hear more from?’
As these young adult Fellows begin their missionary service your virtual and financial support are critical. Thank you for your donations, prayers, and the ways that you show up for United Methodist Missionaries as they continue to faithfully answer God’s call even during these unprecedented times. If you cannot attend the event in person, please consider giving to the Global Mission Fellows Program or one of the missionaries above at www.umcmission.org.
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7: Labor Day - Office Closed
15: Alaska Annual Conference Session (6-9PM)
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Upcoming Clergy Birthdays
September 11 -
Emily Carroll
September 17 -
Autumn Krueger
September 28 -
Darla Bradley
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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 Tuesday at 9:00 am for consideration.
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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 in God's preferred future. |
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