News from the Alaska United Methodist Conference

e~Aurora

A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference

Bishops condemn violence at U.S. Capitol

In response to the January 6 violence at the U.S. Capitol, Bishop LaTrelle Easterling shared a statement that brings hope and inspires action. She said, "As a church, as Christians, we must condemn all the forces that led to the unprecedented insurrection today – forces of hate, of white supremacy, of distorted self-interest, and abuse of power."

Read the statement

Conference News

Birchwood Camp offers Day Camp for kids

We know that a lot of families are still facing the challenges of the unfamiliar school year. Birchwood Camp is offering Day Camp that will help support the needs of parents and kids.

Days are packed with fun games, music, crafts, hiking, ice skating, sledding, roasting marshmallows, nature exploration, and more. Children are given the opportunity to grow and thrive through these new experiences, all in a safe & fun environment.

Campers can connect to online school and receive homework help from our amazing staff. Campers bring their own lunches and laptops.

For campers in grades 1-12

Registration Fee: $30 per day

Date: starting January 12, 2021

Time: 9 am - 3 pm

HURRY! Enroll your kids now. You may register for a day or several days at a time.

National News

Book discussion: "I'm Black. I'm Christian. I'm Methodist.

Join the I’m Black. I’m Christian. I’m Methodist. writers and editor Rudy Rasmus in a robust discussion moderated by GCORR Interim General Secretary Garlinda Burton.

In the book, ten Black women and men explore life through the lens of compelling, personal accounts. They are leaders whose lives are tangible demonstrations of the power of a divine purpose and evidence of what grace really means in the face of hardship, disappointment, and determination.

This conversation will include topics such as:

What Has Racism Cost the Church?
Intersections of Race, Gender, and LGBTQIA+ Identity
Ministry and Racism

January 19, 2021, 2:00 p.m. CST / 3:00 p.m. EST

Assault on U.S. Capitol dismays United Methodists

United Methodists both near and far were disturbed by the actions of a mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. The Rev. Alisa Lasater Wailoo texted into the early morning hours with Capitol Hill United Methodist Church members who had been under siege at the building.

Read the story

COVID-19 is top church story of 2020

The church's response to the COVID-19 pandemic was voted the top United Methodist news story of 2020 by conference communicators in the U.S., Africa, Europe and the Philippines and UM News staff.

Read the story

Grappling with postponed General Conference

Organizers have yet to determine whether the pandemic-postponed General Conference can go forward as planned on Aug. 29-Sept. 7 in Minneapolis. They have decided not to reopen the usual process for accepting proposed legislation to the lawmaking assembly.

Read the story

Safe celebrations for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is next Monday, January 18, but it's not too late to plan a celebration, even in the midst of the pandemic. Explore a collection of ideas for virtual gatherings, socially distanced events, online education opportunities and community service projects.

Find Ideas

Human Relations Day is this Sunday!

Advocate for the oppressed and lend a helping hand to those in crisis by participating in Human Relations Day this Sunday, January 17, or on another date of your choosing. Begin by downloading free Special Sunday resources for worship, social media and more, available in four languages.

Download now

Missionaries cope with coronavirus challenges

Travel bans and fear of COVID-19 complicated the service of United Methodist missionaries in 2020. Recruiting for the 2021 class has started, but a smaller number will be chosen, and it remains to be seen if they'll be able to travel to their assignments.

Read the story

Pandemic claims pastor

The Rev. Mark Demas died of COVID-19-related complications on Jan. 6, at 61. He led Coffeyville First United Methodist and Edna United Methodist churches in southeast Kansas and was recalled by a church member as "such a caring person."

Read the story

Conference Calendar

11-14: GNW Cabinet meeting - Carlo attending virtually

18: Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Office Closed

14: Valentine's Day

15: Presidents' Day

16-18: GNW Cabinet meeting - Carlo attending virtually

26: Leadership Team meeting

Upcoming Clergy Birthdays

January 18 -

Karen Dammann

February 19 -

Steve Fisher

The United Methodist Church

Bishop's Blog

Superintendent's Blog

Conference Office

907-333-5050

Superintendent Carlo

carlorapanut@gmail.com

907-854-8340

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.

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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