A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference
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You now have until the end of
TODAY,
July 28
to submit nominations for the Harry Denman and Outstanding Lay Person of the Year awards.
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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.
We 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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Keep focus on Black lives
Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky and other Oregon-Idaho Conference leaders urge United Methodists not to let the tumult in Portland distract from anti-racism work. In a statement, the church leaders affirmed nonviolent protest but condemned violence by some protesters and police. They also condemned the involvement of federal law enforcement as "an unwelcome intrusion."
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Annual Conference
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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'Triple whammy' of issues challenges pastors
Pastors are working longer hours dealing with the coronavirus, economic hard times and racial issues. Four of them speak about the pressures of their jobs and the progress they are making.
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4 new online courses for church leaders
Amid heightened demand, the United Methodist Communications training team has launched a new set of online courses that people can take as their schedules allow. The four free courses are: Communicating about Online Giving, Leading Remote Worship, Recording Great Video and "Ministerio en los grupos de Facebook," a Spanish version of how to use Facebook groups in ministry.
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Moore-Koikoi to lead agency board
Western Pennsylvania Conference Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi was elected president of the board of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race during a July 11 virtual meeting. “We do live in hope,” she said in accepting her new role. “We do believe that there will be a day when we will dismantle racism.”
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Agency launches online anti-racism course
The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race is launching "You Are Here: First Steps for White Christians on Race and Racism," an online course for Christians who want to acquire a fundamental understanding of race and racism from a biblical perspective. The four-part self-directed course begins Aug. 1 and special preregistration discounts are available.
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Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century national executive director meet & greet
RSVP and Register NOW @
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#IGiveUMC to honor teachers
Teachers are preparing for what promises to be a unique school year. Honor them by hosting an #IGiveUMC campaign! People will donate to your church in honor of a current or former teacher or teacher-figure, and then share on social media to encourage others to do the same.
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Virtual family dinners
Greensburg UMC in the East Ohio Conference is producing creative, video-focused Facebook content to strengthen ministry during the pandemic. Wednesday night virtual family dinners are one of the most popular events, offering an "authentic and transparent" space for fun, casual connection.
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Blessing of the devices
As the back-to-school season nears, consider expanding a "Blessing of the Backpacks" worship service to include digital devices that many students and families are relying on this year. A new article shares a "Blessing of the Devices" prayer and other ideas to enhance your service.
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Global Ministries missionaries
#StillInMission Episode 10
will take place on
Thursday, July 30 at 1:00 PM EDT.
Learn a little about the missionaries by clicking their names below.
Hannah Reasoner
is serving as the Assistant for Partnerships and Network Development for the Latin American Ecumenical Center for Inclusive Communication in Colombia.
Edwin Ramirez
is serving as the Assistant to the President for Institutional Development at the National Evangelical Primitive Methodist Church of Guatemala.
Patrick Booth
is serving as the Co-Director of Project ARK (Advancing Resilient Khmer) in Cambodia.
Leah Magruder
is serving as the Formation Department Assistant while her husband,
Wesley Magruder
, is serving a Lecturer of Theology, at Seth Mokitimi Methodist Seminary in South Africa.
Natallia Manyeza
is serving as a Lecturer at the United Methodist University in Sierra Leone.
Registration is required
for this event, and you can do that by
clicking here
. During the meeting, we will break into small groups to hear individual presentations.
You can choose the missionary you would like to hear more from in the registration in the question, ‘Whose presentation would you like to hear?’
These new missionaries have answered God’s call to mission during an uncertain time, and your virtual & financial support through these events are critically important.
If you cannot attend,
consider showing your support by giving financially
to one of the missionaries above. Simply click their hyperlinked name (or search for them on
umcmission.org
) to be taken to their personal advance pages and scroll to the bottom to give securely.
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3-16: Carlo on vacation
21: Leadership Team meeting
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Upcoming Clergy 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 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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