A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference
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New Doors in an Old Space | Every Nation UMC
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Every Nation UMC is the new church start that is being planted in Anchorage, nestled in between Muldoon and Nunaka Valley neighborhoods on the East side of town. It’s a beautiful area, across the street from Chester Valley Elementary School in a building that is most commonly associated with the UMC Alaska Conference office, Conference Archives, and formerly East Anchorage UMC. A few historical connections exist with the building and new ones are being forged. For example, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts meet regularly, with Scout leaders who themselves were scouts there as children. Another intergenerational use of the building is as a voting center, when all kinds of wonderful people come around, with their bicycles, pets and children to cast votes. The volunteers that facilitate the voting include one family in their third generation. When meeting with neighbors in the streets, it is clear that much love is shared with the families and the historical memory of the United Methodist Church. Chester Valley Elementary using the parking lot as a safe location for the students in case of fires, earthquakes or other emergency is just one example of that historic trust.
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CrossOver to Life! • Week 30
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Being God's Favorite
Linda Haynes
CrossOver reflection for
Week 30
• Beginning June 30, 2019
Lord,
Let me never be so conceited to believe that you love me
More than the person standing next to me
Or the person living a continent away from me.
Keep me humble
So that I may know
That every person born is your favorite,
Beautifully and uniquely created by your loving hands. Amen
McLaren writes: “Our neighbor is anyone and everyone—like us or different from us, friend or stranger—even enemy.” And, “We must find a new approach, make a new road, pioneer a new way of living as neighbors in one human community, as brothers and sisters in one family of creation.” McLaren asks us to “see our differences as gifts, not threats, to one another.”
In every family, there are a variety of personalities, a variety of gifts, and a plethora of opinions. This is true in every church family and every domestic family unit. My sister was a cheeky tom-boy and I was a practical, perfectionist. And we often clashed.
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Superintendent out on vacation in July
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Carlo will be on vacation from July 3-20 and July 26-31. Rev. Bob Smith will be covering July 3-10 for him if there is a need.
Bob can be reached at 907-330-7770.
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Fall and Winter meeting dates set
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Please mark your calendars now for the Fall and Winter Rendezvous meeting dates.
- Fall Rendezvous - October 3-5, 2019
- Winter Rendezvous - February 6-8, 2020
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Fundraiser for Girdwood Chapel UMC
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The Forest Fair is July 5-7th and Girdwood Chapel UMC will be parking cars in our lot for $10. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and we appreciate the support.
We are located on the corner of Timberline and Alyeska Highway. Just follow the signs.
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Alaska Flag Day Celebration | July 9
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The annual Alaska Flay Day Celebration will be held at AK Child & Family on Tuesday, July 9 from 5:30-8:30 pm. The event includes food, live music, lawn games, ice cream, merchandise and more! Park at Service High School and take the free shuttle over. $5/individual or $20/family.
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7 Mississippi churches exit denomination
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The Mississippi Annual Conference voted to approve the departure of seven churches that asked to leave the denomination. The bishop and one of the pastors involved agree the connection had been fraying for some time.
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US elections see shift in GC2020 delegates
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U.S. annual conferences elected more delegates opposed to the Traditional Plan, but traditionalists estimate they still have the majority overall for General Conference 2020. But the top lawmaking assembly isn't the only place where delegates have an impact.
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Bishops ask top court to rule on 5 questions
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The Council of Bishops has asked the Judicial Council, the denomination's top court, to rule on five questions related to "the constitutionality, meaning, application and effect" of some portions of the Traditional Plan previously ruled constitutional. The bishops are also asking the Judicial Council to specify exactly when the new disaffiliation legislation takes effect.
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Neglected children spark outcry for immigration reform
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United Methodists are joining in the outcry over the treatment of children at a Texas detention center. Leaders say pray, write, call lawmakers and donate to the Global Migration Advance fund.
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Registration open for Leadership Institute 2019
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection announced today that registration is now open for
Leadership Institute 2019, held September 25-27 at the Leawood, Kansas campus.
The Church of the Resurrection, along with leading bishops, pastors and laity across the US, believes that the decision at the 2019 General Conference does not represent the vast majority of United Methodists in the US, and that it brought greater harm to our LGBTQ members and their families. The format and focus for this year’s conference are aimed at preparing United Methodist leaders to navigate and lead their congregations and annual conferences for the future, in response to events taking place in the denomination at this time.
Visit
li.cor.org for more details and to register.
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General Conference 2020 deadline extended for worship groups and liturgists
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United Methodist choirs, worship ensembles and liturgists from around the world have an opportunity to be part of the worship experience of the 2020 General Conference. Creatives may apply to share their talents while leading the church body during The United Methodist Church’s top legislative assembly meeting May 5 -15, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minn. The deadline for submission has been extended to September 15, 2019.
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Be prepared for a season of invitation this fall! As students and families return to school routines, they may consider visiting a church as well. Choose and customize back-to-school and fall seasonal outreach resources that best fit your community. A variety of tools are available in English and Spanish. While supplies last, use coupon code UMCF19 to save $200 off your order!
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New video calls out harassment of clergywomen
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The North Carolina Conference recently released a video, and it's a hit. Unfortunately, the subject is the hard time women still face as United Methodist clergy. "This is our little girl preacher" and "I keep picturing you naked under your robe" are among remarks women pastors say they've heard.
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3-20: Carlo on vacation
4: Independence Day - Office Closed
5: Office closed
22-23: WJ Summit Design Team - Carlo attending
26-31: Carlo on vacation
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3: Leadership Team meeting
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Upcoming Clergy Birthdays
July 11 -
Bob Smith
Joe-d DowlingSoka
July 21 -
Lisa Talbott
August 13 -
Bennie Grace Nabua
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Conference Office
907-333-5050
Superintendent Carlo
907-854-8340
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The Conference Office hours are:
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am - 11:30 am
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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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