e~Aurora
A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference
Conference News
"Come to the Table and Eat" | Soldotna UMC
Subsistence: “the action or fact of maintaining or supporting oneself at a minimum level.” Webster Dictionary. It is a word used a great deal here in Alaska and during the summer becomes a part of our culture here in Soldotna as the residents of Alaska as well as guests descend upon the Kenai River to fish and dip net for sockeye salmon, originally to subsist through the next year on fish caught.

Food insecurity is a reality in many places around the globe and here on the Kenai it is no different. Food of all kinds are a basic need to our life and well being, whether physical or spiritual. Here at Soldotna UMC we have done our best to address these concerns in the community. The table of Christ has no limits. Christ, God, tell us that there is more than enough for God’s children at God’s table. So let’s share Christ’s abundance. Let’s help everyone know the welcome of the life giving Spirit of Christ for our daily existence.

CrossOver to Life! • Week 24
What if we prioritize 'being' disciples over 'making' them?
Rev. Lowell Greathouse
CrossOver reflection for Week 24 • Beginning May 19, 2019
“We dare to believe that through tiny little seeds like us, through the yeast of our little ecclesia, through the spreading branches of this expanding movement, the world is beginning to change.”
Brian McLaren, We Make the Road by Walking (Chapter 37)

Recently, I was at a national church gathering where several people said, “If we had been focused on our church’s mission in St. Louis, what happened at General Conference wouldn’t have happened.” When I heard these statements, it made me wonder if there really isn’t a problem with our church’s mission statement.

Perhaps we need to stop and examine ourselves for a moment. Maybe we can’t “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world,” until we first take time to act like disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Perhaps that’s the real issue. So, maybe we need to change one word in the United Methodist Church mission statement. What if we changed the word “make” to “be,” since the mission of the Church really starts with us. Or, more precisely, it starts with God working in and through us. Discipleship has to do with what we do . . . how we see . . . how we act . . . what we worship . . . and how we treat each other and those around us.

Annual Conference
We are looking for an AC attendee or two that could house an out of town delegate. We have two individuals (one male and one female) that still need housing. If you are in the Anchorage or Chugiak/Eagle River area and can help, please let the Conference Office or Dan Wilcox know ASAP!
Annual Conference is next week, May 31 - June 1 at Christ First UMC in Wasilla. There will be workshops held on Thursday, May 30th at Christ First UMC as well.

An informational email went out to all clergy and voting delegates in March. You can view that email here .

Registration has closed.

The Fact Sheet had an incorrect date: it should say May 30: Pre-Conference Workshops - not May 31.
Dear Church, Dear World Survey

Last Friday, Superintendent Carlo sent out a pastoral letter where he shared updates on "making the road forward." In it there was an opportunity for folks to participate in a survey. Carlo invites you to respond to a short survey answering two questions: In the wake of the actions of GC2019 and the decisions of the Judicial Council, 1) What is your message to your church?, and 2) What is your message to the world? Click here to participate in the survey:  Dear Church, Dear World. It is a safe space and venue to share your thoughts and feelings about what is happening in our denomination. We, your conference leaders (Bishop, Superintendent, etc.) are genuinely interested in what you have to say.
Annual Conference
A tentative schedule (subject to revision) is available on the conference website.

The Pre-Conference Handbook is finished! Download it here. It has been mailed to those who requested that option. Please make sure you read through it before Annual Conference!
Bishop Stanovsky: UM Forward and UMC Next Gatherings
[This article was previously posted on our Facebook page last week and included in Carlo's pastoral letter email. It is now being posted in our weekly email]

Two potentially significant conversations will take place among United Methodists over the coming week.

Greater NW Area Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky shares some of the hopes of those who will participate from our region in UM Forward and UMC Next. She asks us all to be in prayer for those who will gather.

Emergency Cold Weather Shelter report
The Emergency Cold Weather Shelter that is held at First UMC Anchorage has submitted their 2018-2019 report now that their season is done.

National News
Church continues grappling with GC2019 vote
The decision of the 2019 General Conference continues to be met with both resistance and reinforcement.

Bishops affirm work on US structure
The United Methodist Council of Bishops approved a motion to work with the Connectional Table on proposed legislation for General Conference 2020 to create a regional structure similar to that of a central conference for churches in the United States.

Ecumenical group urges diplomacy with Iran
President Trump should avoid war with Iran by making a good-faith effort to pursue diplomacy and negotiations, said the National Council of Churches in a statement. The United Methodist Church is a member of the council.

Addendum to Book of Discipline available
The United Methodist Publishing House has published an addendum to the 2016 Book of Discipline containing the changes resulting from the 2019 special session of the General Conference.

Church future focus of annual conferences
Resolutions dealing with sexuality, environmental stewardship and the slogan of The United Methodist Church are among topics facing clergy and lay members at the denomination's 2019 annual conferences.

Save the date: Peace with Justice Sunday
On June 16, we will come together for Peace with Justice Sunday to spread the gospel of peace and encourage cooperation locally, nationally and globally. A new pastor and leader’s kit is available to help you encourage generous support for this crucial work, including worship resources, marketing materials, guides, planning information and more.

GC2020 marshals and pages sought
Applications are now open for United Methodists to serve as marshals and pages during the 2020 General Conference. The denomination’s top legislative assembly will meet May 5-15, 2020, in Minneapolis.

WesleysTake the Web: Directions for Singing
In the latest installment of the animated series featuring the brothers who founded Methodism, John and Charles Wesley tackle the topic of etiquette for singing in church.

The brothers come up with helpful hints to keep everyone "on the same page" of the hymnal.

Conference Calendar
27: Memorial Day - office closed
30: Office closed - staff in Wasilla
30: Pre-Conference Workshops @ Christ First UMC, Wasilla
30: Lay & Clergy Session @ Christ First UMC, Wasilla
31-June 1: Annual Conference @ Christ First UMC, Wasilla (office closed)
7-9: PNW Annual Conference - Carlo attending
7-17: Office closed
7-17: Crystal on vacation
12-15: Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference - Carlo attending
16: Father's Day
24-26: GNW Cabinet Retreat - Carlo attending
Upcoming Clergy Birthdays

June 8 -
Jim Doepken

June 10 -
Carlo Rapanut

June 13 -
Bailey Brawner

June 15 -
Matt Reinders
Conference Office
907-333-5050

Superintendent Carlo
907-854-8340
The Conference Office hours are:

Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am - 11:30 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 Tuesday at 9:00 am 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 in God's preferred future.
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