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A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference
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Table Talks Begin in the Alaska Conference
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 "The Lord be with you," said Superintendent Carlo Rapanut to begin the second of the Alaska Conference's "Table Talks" on Saturday, April 21st. And, being dutiful United Methodists, the twenty-five gathered participants from across the Kenai Peninsula responded, "And also with you."
Read more here
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Greater Northwest human sexuality discussion
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 United Methodists in the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area held discussions on human sexuality and the future of the denomination in churches Portland, Oregon, in Lewiston, Idaho, and Anchorage, Alaska. Kristen Caldwell reports on those discussions.
Read UMNS story on Way Forward discussions
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You are invited to Table Talks!
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Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky is encouraging United Methodist clergy and laypersons across the Greater Northwest Area to attend worshipful 'Table Talk' conversations about human sexuality, and about the future of the Church we love.
 Please watch the Bishop's invitation and share it with your local church! You can download a copy to use in worship and in other settings on the Greater Northwest Vimeo page.
The Table Talks for Alaska have been scheduled.
- April 28: Turnagain UMC, Anchorage 9 am - 1 pm
- April 29: Christ First UMC, Wasilla 1:30 - 5:30 pm
- May 5: First UMC, Anchorage 9 am - 1 pm
- May 5: Aldersgate UMC, Juneau 1:30 - 5:30 pm
- May 12: First UMC, Fairbanks 9 am - 1 pm
For planning and logistics, we ask that you register if you intend to attend one of the Table Talks above. REGISTER HERE TO ATTEND ONE OF THESE EVENTS Learn more here
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 Click here to read the invitation letter from Bishop Elaine Stanovsky inviting us all to attend Annual Conference!
Registration is live for attending Annual Conference in Seward. It is important for you to read through the FACT SHEET before you register. There are pieces of information that you will need in order to make choices on your registration.
REGISTER HERE for General Registration ($60)!
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The Lay & Clergy sessions will be held on Thursday evening, May 31st. They will take place from 7-8:30 pm at Seward Memorial UMC.
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 If you would like to nominate someone for either the Outstanding Lay Person of the Year Award or the Harry Denman Evangelism Award, you have until May 1st to submit it.
There are a lot of deserving people out there so take time to nominate them!
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 If your ministry wants a display space during Annual Conference, you need to fill out the Ministry Display Table Request form by May 1st.
If your church has any deaths since last annual conference, then please fill out the Memorial Roll Submission form by May 1st.
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 The remaining hotel rooms have been released. At this point, if you want to stay in some place other than a home stay, you will need to make your own housing arrangements. The Assembly of God cabins are all full as well.
Just a reminder, all housing costs (if any) are the responsibility of the individual. The conference only reimburses travel costs.
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Pre-Conference Workshops | May 31
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Visit to Spring Creek Correctional Center
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 On Thursday, May 31, clergy and lay have been invited to Spring Creek Correctional Center to hear about their work on Restorative Justice with inmates and victims. If you are interested, please contact Rev. Jim Doepken directly and let him know.
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 In this fast paced world of family responsibilities, career demands and social media, take a break to relax, slow, and grow at the Women's Psalm Retreat at Psalm Lake on Birchwood Camp. We will be digging deeper into Psalms along the shores of Psalm Lake; the perfect place for God to speak peace and joy into our crazy busy lives! Starting on Friday, April 27th at 7pm with welcoming and a restful evening; followed by Saturday, April 28th sunrise beside Psalm Lake praise, worship, meditation, prayer walk and much more! Leave around 8pm refreshed and renewed. Visit www.birchwoodcamp.org for registration.
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 First UMC Ketchikan is cleaning out their church storage and have come across items from a day care they housed. There are 8 buckets of beads and a dozen sorting cups/dispensers for them. Pastor Evelyn is willing to bring them to Annual Conference if there is a church that could use them. If you are interested, please contact Evelyn by email.
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Clear appointment openings
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 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.
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UMC bishops to act on three major issues at the Chicago meeting
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The bishops of The United Methodist Church will meet in Chicago from April 29-May 4 to celebrate leadership through the passing of the gavel, certify constitutional amendments and finalize their recommendations to the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference.
The April/May meeting of the Council of Bishops will also hear leadership reports regarding immigration, ecumenical relations, racism, disaster relief and other mission and ministry work around the global denomination.
Read the full news release
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Witnesses recall birth of The United Methodist Church
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Five decades is always an important milestone, and 2018 marks the Big 5-0 for The United Methodist Church. That's the reason we've compiled a quick list of 50 reasons the world is a better place thanks to the witness and work of the people of the UMC.
There are so many more we could list and you surely have your own reasons. We encourage you to share them using
#UMC50.
Check the list
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Bishops mourn Barbara Bush
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The United Methodist Council of Bishops sent a letter to former President George H.W. Bush to say they are mourning the death of his wife, former First Lady Barbara Bush. Mrs. Bush was also the mother of the 43rd president, George W. Bush, who is a United Methodist. Council President Bishop Bruce R. Ough said the bishops were praying that God's comforting arms will encompass the Bush family.
Read the press release
Read the letter
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2018 School of Congregational Development
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The 2018 School of Congregational Development will be held in San Diego this August 15-18.
Or, here's a QuickLook sheet with most of the information, if that's more convenient.
There are two things that you need to know:
- The Early Registration deadline is April 30. This is $45 less than the regular registration and $100 less than the late registration (after July 15).
- There are generous scholarships available, especially for those serving Racial Ethnic Churches, Small Churches, and churches in the Western Jurisdiction. They have received applications for about 50% of the available scholarship funds. If you wish to apply for a scholarship for this event, make sure you do! The scholarships are awarded by the GBGM to qualified applicants on a first-come basis. Scholarship information is available on the registration website.
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2017 UM Communications Annual Report
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The United Methodist Communications' 2017 annual report is available online at
www.umcom.org/2017-annual-report. The new annual report is in video form for the first time. Recognizing the needs and preferences of today's audiences, what was once a 40-page report has now become a 400-word animated video.
The annual report features highlights of the past year as United Methodist Communications provided resources and support at all levels of the church, from local congregations to the global denomination. As you watch, you'll learn how we used five languages to tell stories of mission and ministry around the globe, looked at faith through the eyes and words of children in our advertising campaign, spotlighted #amazingUMCkids doing inspirational work, provided communications support for relief efforts when disasters struck and much more - and you may see some familiar faces as well.
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April
28: Table Talks - Turnagain UMC
29: Table Talks - Christ First UMC
May
5: Table Talks - Aldersgate UMC
5: Table Talks - First UMC Anchorage
8-10: GNW Cabinet Meeting - Carlo attending
12: Table Talks - First UMC Fairbanks
12: AUMC Leadership Team meeting
13: Mother's Day
28: Memorial Day - office closed
31: Pre-Conference workshops at Seward Memorial UMC
June
1-2: Alaska Annual Conference at Seward Memorial UMC
22-24: PNW Annual Conference
27-29: GNW Cabinet Retreat - Carlo attending
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The Conference Office hours are:
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
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Upcoming
no May birthdays
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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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