A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference
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"Welcome. Love. Serve." | Anchor Park UMC
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Anchor Park UMC was birthed in 1954 in response to the growing population of Anchorage in the 1950s; established to be a neighborhood church, placed in a growing subdivision that is now a long-established neighborhood. The church grew over the years, it grew through disciples deeply loving as God has loved them, responding to the needs of this community as they arise.
In 1978, the Tongan Fellowship was established. The Tongan Fellowship has greatly influenced life at Anchor Park UMC for the past 40 years, sharing their culture and wisdom. They’ve shared their gifts of music and leadership at Anchor Park UMC for years.
Anchor Park UMC has served as a church home for many people. When you come into the sanctuary on Sunday morning and look around you will see a diverse body of people, many ages, races, and cultures. We are a community of people that embody a welcoming, loving, and serving spirit – the core pillars of our mission statement here at Anchor Park UMC.
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CrossOver to Life! • Week 26
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Whatever The Hardship, Keep Rising Up!
Rev. Kathleen Weber
CrossOver reflection for
Week 26
• Beginning June 2, 2019
Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. (God) doesn’t grow tired or weary. (God’s) understanding is beyond human reach, giving power to the tired and reviving the exhausted.
… those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will fly up on wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary.
Isaiah 40:28-31 CEB
What does it look like to rise up whatever the hardship? Who embodies strength in the midst of adversity?
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Annual Conference Wrap Up
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We want to make sure we thank everyone who helped make Annual Conference a success this year.
Church Cleaning/Prep
- Matt Stielstra
- Sherry Fetzner
- Sharon Horwath
- Ann Robison
- Laura Lahrson
- Caesar Marciales
- Esther, Jade, & Lydia Wilcox
- Brian & Evan Taylor
Hospitality
- Lunch Friday - Palmer UM Fellowship
- Dinner Friday - Christ First UMC
- Lunch Saturday - Willow UMC
- Amy Stielstra
- Dawn Webster
- Sharon Howarth
- Phyllis Sullivan
- Ed Ripley
- Carol Sizemore
- Janet Schwartz
- Deb Turner
- Kelly & Caesar Marciales
- Bruce Morgan
- Linda Haynes
- The Taylor Family
Housing
- Ronnie McKenzie
- Debbie Turner
- Joe-d & Christina DowlingSoka
- Fran Lynch
- Murray & Chivi Crookes
Airport Rides
- Jim LaBau
- Charles Brower
- Alan Dennis
- Karen Dammann
- Ronnie McKenzie
Child Care
- Jullie, Tawney, & Torrey Zook
- Sharon Horwath
- Caesar & Annabella Marciales
- Elizabeth Ripley
- Kris-Ann Wilcox
Audio/Visual
The success of Annual Conference could not have happened without all of you and your support. There are many more people to thank so please don't feel left out if your name did not make the list. We thank you all!
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Adopted by the Alaska Untied Methodist Conference on Saturday, 01June19
The Alaska United Methodist Conference affirms the four commitments that came forth from the
UMC Next meeting at the Kansas City United Methodist Church of the Resurrection on May 20-22:
We believe these commitments are essential to a hope-filled future for the global Methodist movement as we make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world:
1. We long to be passionate followers of Jesus Christ, committed to a Wesleyan vision of Christianity, anchored in Scripture and informed by tradition, experience, and reason as we live a life of personal piety and social holiness.
2. We commit to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in all forms and toward all people and build a church which affirms the full participation of all ages, nations, races, classes, cultures, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities.
3. We reject the Traditional Plan approved at General Conference 2019 as inconsistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ and will resist its implementation.
4. We will work to eliminate discriminatory language and the restrictions and penalties in the Discipline regarding LGBTQ persons. We affirm the sacred worth of LGBTQ persons, celebrate their gifts, and commit to being in ministry together.
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Dear Church, Dear World Survey
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.
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Conference office will be closed next week
The conference office will be closed Monday, June 10 through Monday, June 17. Carlo will be attending the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference and Crystal will be away on vacation.
Because no one will be in the office, there will not be an e~Aurora next week.
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Your UMFCU can assist with mortgage lending
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30 year fixed mortgage rates recently dropped to 3.75% with no points. To learn more about mortgage lending, contact Nellie at 800-245-0433, ext 225. Not yet a UMFCU member?
Email
sandra@umfcu.org
to request a membership packet.
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Apportionment Report | May
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The apportionment report for our churches has been posted to the conference website. This information includes all payments made through May.
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Two US conferences ordain, commission LGBTQ clergy
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Two U.S. annual conferences have ordained and commissioned for ministry openly LGBTQ clergy. The Baltimore-Washington Conference ordained a married LGBTQ elder and commissioned a married lesbian as a provisional deacon. The Northern Illinois Conference ordained an openly transgender deacon and commissioned two openly LGBTQ provisional deacons.
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Liberia pushes to recruit young people into ministry
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As young people continue to shy away from the church, The United Methodist Church in Liberia is frantically trying to recruit them to ministries — especially as clergy. The focus on young people is a major part of the Liberia Conference's strategic plan for the next five years.
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New website highlights bishops' work
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The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church has launched a new website dedicated to the issues and business of the 120-plus leaders who give oversight to the denomination. The site contains biographical information for active and retired bishops, news, information about annual conferences and details on the ecumenical work the council and its staff undertake on behalf of the church.
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Jane Marshall, revered composer, dies at 94
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As a young homemaker and Methodist choir member in the early 1950s, Jane Marshall composed the anthem "My Eternal King," which would become a staple for church choirs across denominations. She went on to a long, acclaimed career as a composer and educator. Marshall died May 29 at age 94.
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Cape proud of work at leadership agency
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The top executive at the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry says she is "at peace" as her retirement approaches. The Rev. Kim Cape has led the agency for eight years and has served the church for a total of 43 years.
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Tornado cleanup underway in Midwest
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Severe weather including tornadoes passed through the Midwestern U.S., and relief workers from The United Methodist Church and emergency management agencies are among those surveying the damage and helping residents.
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Celebrate all men this Father's Day
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While some men may never have children of their own, they provide guidance to children and youth as scoutmasters, sponsors of youth organizations, big brothers in Big Brothers Big Sisters, school mentors and a score of other ways. United Methodist Men urges churches to celebrate a "Men’s Ministry Sunday" on Father's Day.
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Peace with Justice Sunday is June 16
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Although you, and possibly even your congregation, may lack the resources alone to effect change in a broken world, your giving is vital for the UMC to continue its global ministries of reconciliation. Because of the Peace with Justice Sunday offering, the people of The United Methodist Church are able to make a difference together by sowing seeds—and yielding fruit!—of peace.
Download resources to support this special Sunday from
UMCgiving.org.
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7-9: PNW Annual Conference - Carlo attending
10-17: Office closed
10-17: Crystal on vacation
12-15: Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference - Carlo attending
16: Father's Day
24-26: GNW Cabinet Retreat - Carlo attending
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4: Independence Day - Office Closed
5: Office closed
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Upcoming Clergy Birthdays
June 8 -
Jim Doepken
June 10 -
Carlo Rapanut
June 13 -
Bailey Brawner
June 15 -
Matt Reinders
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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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