e~Aurora
A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference
Aurora
CONFERENCE NEWS
Register for Professional Church Workers Retreat and Fall Rendezvous meetings
Today is the deadline to register for the upcoming Professional Church Workers Retreat and Fall Rendezvous meetings which will take place at the Conference Center (1660 Patterson Street, Anchorage, 99504) on October 4-6, 2018.  The Professional Church Workers Retreat will be Oct 4-5 and the Committee Meetings will be Oct 5-6.

Register HERE!
Housing/Transportation for upcoming meetings
Do you have time to help transport someone? Do you have an empty bed in your home?

It's that time of year again where we are asking for folks to help provide transportation and help house someone for the upcoming meetings.

If any of this interests you, please contact the conference office at 907-333-5050 or [email protected].
Birchwood Camp auction
We warmly invite you to the 2018 Birchwood Camp Auction on October 27, 4-7 pm! It will be a time to reflect on all the amazing work that has been done in the past year, have some fun bidding on exciting live and silent auction items, enjoy some great food and reconnect with old friends and make some new ones!  Since it's fall, dress up in your favorite flannel or sweater and your Bogs or XtraTuffs! Click this link to learn more about this event and to preview the auction items.
 
Dinner is provided but seating is limited so please RSVP to the Camp office (907) 688-2734 or [email protected] by October 15th, or click  here to register online!
2019 Youth Mission Immersion
Join us January 18-19, 2019 as we explore what it means to be a servant of God through service to others. This Mission Immersion Weekend will offer opportunities to grow in our faith as we serve our local community. We will gather in fellowship with youth from across Alaska for this Mission Immersion Experience. Some of the places we've served at in past Mission Immersions include Habitat Restore, FISH, Pioneer Home, Anchorage Rescue Mission, Beans Café & Habitat for Humanity. We'll meet on Friday night and have time of worship & fellowship. We stay overnight at St. John and then go out into Anchorage and serve all day Saturday! Cost is $30; scholarships are available!  All youth and their friends are invited to join us. We also need adults to help on Saturday as we go out into the community.

Please contact Robbie at [email protected] to register or for more information.
UMW Annual Gathering | Register NOW!
Here is the August issue of Alaska Women's Response newsletter.   You will find inside important information regarding "Commune", our Annual Gathering 2018, which is coming up THIS WEEKEND.

You'll also find the items delegates will vote on:  Standing Rules, Budget and the Slate of Nominations.

Newsletter & Annual Gathering Information
CROP Hunger Walk 2018
CROP Hunger Walk
CROP Hunger Walk will take place this Sunday, September 30 at First Congregational Church.  Registration will begin at 12:30 pm, walk starts at 1:30 pm.
Team packets are available or you can walk as an individual (bring your pledge).  The walk is mostly on the campus of UAA. This is a family friendly walk. 

Walkers will be sent off by the Pipe and Drum Corp.
 
The Alaska Jumping Flea Society will provide lively music.  Treats and drinks will be available. Call Jan Wachsmuth at 862-0194 for more information.
Minister to the Spiritual Life staff of AK Child & Family
AK Child & Family
The Spiritual Life Department of AK Child & Family will be having a staff retreat next month.  As part of the retreat, they will be receiving written prayers and affirmations to strengthen their ministry.
 
Minister to the students and staff of AK Child & Family by being a part of it!  These can be anonymous (or not), from you as an individual, or from your whole congregation!
 
E-mail prayers, words of encouragement/appreciation or affirmation to [email protected] by October 8th
 
Thanks for all you do to support the mission of AK Child & Family!
Does your church need a work team next year?
UMVIM It is time to start thinking about what UMVIM work teams are needed for Summer 2019.  Several teams have already indicated an interest in serving in Alaska next year!  If your church is looking to host a team, please contact Dan Wilcox, [email protected] with information about what your needs are, and what types of teams you might host.
Silver Anniversary for David Moore - you're invited!
You are invited to the SILVER ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION of DAVID MOORE'S YEARS AS DIRECTOR OF UNITED CAMPUS MINISTRY FAIRBANKS on Saturday October 13, 2018 at 6:30PM. Dinner will be served at 7PM. Cost is $30.00
 
Please, come and join us. It will be an evening of good Christian fellowship. You will hear from David and this year's students who annually conduct the program of personal comments, distribution of door prizes, prayers, music and a video. This year's video will encompass 25 years and just maybe you'll see a student that you know. We are hoping that there will be many former students attending in order that you will see how UCM affects lives. Come and see what a worthwhile endeavor this is for college students in Fairbanks and in many other universities. We need your support. Your presence is important to us as we endeavor to show you that your contributions are greatly appreciated and UCM Fairbanks is worthy of being on your donor list.
 
Come and help us thank David for his work the past 25 years and show him that our prayers will be with him as he steps out to the future!!!
 
RAVEN LANDING CENTER
1222 Cowles Street Fairbanks, Alaska
 
Please RSVP by 10/10/18
907-474-7804 or 907-378-1959
Local Church Leadership Connection
In an effort to address isolation which some local church leaders feel, letters of invitation have been sent to local church leaders to participate in an initial conversation with others within the Alaska Conference serving in the same local church leadership role.
 
The effort is triggered from the work of a small task force created by the conference Leadership Team.
 
The goal of our first phase of connection is to create a network of support, collaboration, information sharing, and leadership development among our lay people in local church leadership roles.
 
The initial conversations with the local church leaders have begun.  The last conversation for now is scheduled below:
            Local church
      Trustee Chair - Monday, October 1st at 6:30 pm
 
We look forward to creating these connections among our local church leaders. Anyone with questions should contact Superintendent Carlo Rapanut or Lay Leader Jo Anne Hayden.
NATIONAL NEWS
Commission on a Way Forward Videos
The Commission on a Way Forward has released all 10 videos of a series that the Commission hopes will inform The United Methodist Church on its processes and work done during the 18-month period of its meetings and deliberations.  The videos can be viewed on Facebook or YouTube and can be downloaded for viewing offline.  The Alaska Conference will be highlighting one each week for the next 10 weeks.

Week 8
Dave Nuckols (laity, Minnesota Conference) and Helen Cunanan (clergy, Pampango Philippines Conference) have a conversation about the Commission, sharing their experiences from different places in the world. (Length 7:50).
Download: https://tinyurl.com/nuckols-cunanan
YouTube: https://youtu.be/pJCPnFqQgUU
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/umcforward/videos/2114658032149912/ 
African bishops support unity, traditional view of marriage
United Methodist African bishops unanimously reaffirmed their view that marriage is between one man and one woman and vowed to "maintain the unity" of The United Methodist Church.

 Read the Council of Bishops press release
Letter urges GC2019 to prioritize exit plan
A theologically diverse group of United Methodists urges delegates for the special General Conference in 2019 to put an exit plan for churches at the top of the agenda. The open letter started in the West Ohio Conference and is drawing signatures. 
 
Read the story
Puerto Rican bishop gives thanks to UMCOR
In the year since Hurricane Maria swept across Puerto Rico on Sept. 20, 2017, The United Methodist Church has been sending prayers and support. The United Methodist Committee on Relief has contributed more than $20 million, allowing the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico to establish the Renew, Rebuild and Reconstruct (Rehace) program. A series of videos produced by Michelle Maldonado of United Methodist Communications shows the impact the church has had.

Watch videos
Methodist Church of Cambodia becomes official
The Methodist Church of Cambodia officially came into being in early September, the result of years of collaboration among five mission agencies, their missionaries and the work of indigenous leaders.

Read the story
Watch a free webinar
An online library of free webinars is available to watch on demand. These webinars offer training and tips to help your church use new tools to communicate with members and reach out to your community. Current topics include YouTube, social media Q&A, promoting events on Facebook, Advent outreach and branding.
 
World Communion Sunday | October 7, 2018
On Oct. 7, World Communion Sunday, the denomination will provide scholarships for national and international students who need financial support to answer God's call in pursuing graduate-level education. Download tools to empower your congregation to give generously, including social media tools, graphics, videos, bulletin inserts, offering talks, preaching helps, e-books and posters.

Pastor & Leader's Kit
CONFERENCE CALENDAR
September
26-28: GNW Cabinet meeting in Portland - Carlo attending
28-29: GNW IV Summit in Portland - Carlo attending

October
1: AUMC Trustee Chairs connection
4-6:  Fall Rendezvous (New Clergy Orientation/Clergy Retreat and Committee Meetings)
11-13: GBGM Board meeting in Atlanta - Carlo attending
16: Charge Conference - Unalaska UMC
20: Charge Conference - Soldotna UMC
21: Charge Conference - St. Peter the Fisherman UMC
21: Charge Conference - Seward Memorial UMC/Moose Pass UMC
22: AUMC General Conference delegation meeting
28: Charge Conference - Christ First UMC
29: Charge Conference - Community UMC

November
3: Charge Conference - Ola Toe Fuataina UM Samoan Fellowship
4: Charge Conference - Willow UMC
7: Charge Conference - Girdwood Chapel UMC
8: Charge Conference - UMC of Chugiak
10: Charge Conference - Homer UMC
10: Charge Conference - North Star UMC
11: Charge Conference - Kenai UMC
11: Charge Conference - Jewel Lake Parish
14: Charge Conference - Palmer UM Fellowship
15: Charge Conference - UMC of Sitka
16: Charge Conference - First UMC Ketchikan
17: Charge Conference - Douglas Community UMC
17: Charge Conference - Aldersgate UMC
25: Charge Conference - Anchorage Korean UMC

December
4: Charge Conference - Anchor Park UMC

January
6: Charge Conference - Turnagain UMC
7: Charge Conference - First UMC Anchorage/First Samoan UMC of Anchorage (tentative)
13: Charge Conference - First UMC Fairbanks
22: Charge Conference - St. John UMC
Office Hours
Office Hours
The Conference Office hours are:
 
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am - 11:30 am 
happy_birthday_candles.jpg

Upcoming
Clergy Birthdays
 
September 28 -
Darla Bradley



Conference Office
907-333-5050

Superintendent Carlo
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 Monday evening for consideration.
AUMC Logo 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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