A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference |
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A pastoral update on our COVID-19 response
Dear Siblings in Christ,
We are making progress, but we are not quite there yet. It has been over a year since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted life as we knew it. We continue to persevere, exhausted at times, yet anticipating the day when we can gather, greet each other, share communion and other precious rhythms of life and spiritual practice in person without risking harm to one another. Hopeful also that we now carry with us new learnings and practices, hard lessons of necessity that will continue to connect us in new ways in life and ministry.
The rapid vaccine rollout gives us hope that we can enjoy more freedom to gather as families and faith communities soon. Vaccinations coupled with continuous strict adherence to safety protocols are expected to lower infection rates, hospitalizations and COVID-19 related deaths. Overall, we have seen the number of cases decline since the winter peak in many places, but progress has been stalled by premature re-openings, the easing of restrictions in some places, resistance by some to being vaccinated and observing simple safety practices: washing hands, social distancing, wearing a mask. I hope that each of us is continuing to follow these practices, as well as being vaccinated, consistent with medical advice, as soon as we are eligible.
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Zoom Webinar Training Sessions
GNTV will again be our tech hosts for this year’s virtual Annual Conference session. There are new and improved processes for voting and participation. To help us get familiar with the technology, training sessions have been scheduled. You need only to attend at least one session but may attend more if you need the extra practice.
- Tuesday, June 1, 6:30 pm AKST
- Saturday, June 5, 3:00 pm AKST
- Wednesday, June 16, 11:00 am AKST
- Monday, June 21, morning (TBA)
This is only a save the date announcement. More information about how to register for these sessions will be provided soon.
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Annual Conference related deadlines
Please mark your calendars with the following deadlines. It takes your participation to have a great Annual Conference! Get those award nominations in!
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Annual Conference Registration is OPEN!
The registration for clergy and lay members to Annual Conference is now OPEN. If you are a voting member of the Alaska United Methodist Conference, please register to attend the virtual sessions. Guests do not need to register as they will just watch the live stream.
The Alaska United Methodist Conference will meet online at the following times:
- AK Clergy Gathering – June 3, 9:00 -11:00 am AKT
- GNW Laity session – June 9, 5:30 pm AKT
- GNW Opening Session – June 20, 5:30-7:00 pm AKT
- AK individual sessions – June 22, 9:00-11:00 am & 1:00-3:00 pm AKT
- PNW/AK shared session – June 23, 1:00-2:30 pm AKT
- GNW Closing Session – June 23, 5:30-7:00 pm AKT
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Webinar - clergy fitness: Not an oxymoron!
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Three new additions to online Sermon Library
This week, we added three new sermons to Regional Media Center’s Sermon Library. The latest contributions from IV Team members Rev. Dr. Leroy Barber and Rev. Dr. Jess Bielman touch on always relevant themes of justice and equality, grounded in our scriptural heritage.
We hope that this small but growing sermon library will help local leaders to take a pause, focus on other essential work, or virtually invite a new voice into their pulpit.
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Bishops call for dismantling systemic racism in aftermath of George Floyd verdict
The Council of Bishops stands together with all justice-loving people around the world in prayerfully bearing witness to the jury’s decision that convicted former police officer Derek Chauvin of murdering George Floyd.
The racial violence experienced by communities of color has pushed us to think more deeply about how white supremacy functions in our society. We must continue the work of dismantling systemic racism so that the lives of black, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander and Native American sisters and brothers will no longer be needlessly taken. We are called as people of faith to work for a world in which love, peace and justice reign. It is our hope that United Methodists around the world will take up this work as a continuing commitment of our baptismal vows.
As we reflect on the importance of this verdict and on our work in the days ahead, we pray for peace in the midst of truth telling, empathy in the midst of grief and action that leads to healing and greater justice for all of God’s children.
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General agencies of the UMC commit to net-zero emissions by 2050
In the first net-zero commitment of its kind, a group of agencies of The United Methodist Church (UMC) today released a joint statement, “Our Climate Commitment to Net-Zero Emissions.” The collaborative, multi-institution statement pledges to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the organizations’ ministries, facilities, operations and investments by 2050. “Net-zero” describes the process by which human-caused greenhouse gas emissions can be balanced, or “netted out,” by removing emissions from the atmosphere.
The statement acknowledges that the UMC “has long affirmed our individual and collective responsibility to address the unfolding climate crisis.” In light of these values, the group said it was “called by our faith, informed by science, and led by our relationships with impacted communities” to respond urgently.
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Council of Bishops are gathered in virtual meeting April 26 to April 30
The bishops of The United Methodist Church are meeting April 26 to April 30 in a virtual gathering that will bring together more than 120 episcopal leaders from across the globe.
Faced with the disruptions and postponements due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the bishops will discuss the changing role of the episcopacy and ways to lead the church in more transformative, evangelical and prophetic ways.
The April meeting of the Council of Bishops will also hear leadership reports regarding antiracism, ecumenical relations, immigration, disaster relief, and other mission and ministry work around the global denomination.
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Bishops, delegates called to mission focus
Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey challenged bishops and General Conference delegates to focus on shared mission, not frustrations. In her second public address as Council of Bishops president, Harvey spoke to church leaders dealing with the crisis of a potential church split and the second pandemic-caused General Conference postponement.
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Major League Methodists
Major League Baseball recently decided to elevate the historic Negro Leagues to major league status, highlighting the legacy of thousands of Black players from the era of segregation. Among them: Henry "Bo" Mason and John Wesley Donaldson, who played for the Kansas City Monarchs and had Methodist roots in Missouri.
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Observing World Press Freedom Day
In honor of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, United Methodist Communications is spotlighting the work of United Methodist News and its correspondents around the world. This year’s theme, “Information as a Public Good,” is a call to affirm the importance of providing information for the benefit and well-being of the public and to advance openness and transparency.
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Still In Mission
#StillInMission Episode 30
April 29, 2021 | 12:00 PM EDT
Featuring…
Anna Troy is serving as the Director of Open Heart Ministries in the United States.
Nancy Crew is serving as the Instructor at the UMC Women’s Training Center with the Liberian Annual Conference in Liberia.
Navya Hopkins is serving as a Kids Worker with INSPIRE in Germany.
Nkemba Ndjungu is serving as the Presbyter of the Stann Creek Circuit with the Methodist Church of Central America in Belize.
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Connectional Table approves proposal for a conversation about identity, vision, connectionalism, and mission
At its April 22nd on-line meeting, the Connectional Table approved a proposal to use the next year to host conversations about the future United Methodist Church, including how articulating identity and vision might impact issues of connectionalism and mission.
The Connectional Table approaches such work grounded in its purpose and essential functions. As noted in the Book of Discipline, The Connectional Table’s purpose is “…for the discernment and articulation of the vision for the church and the stewardship of the mission, ministries, and resources of The United Methodist Church as determined by the actions of the General Conference and in consultation with the Council of Bishops, ¶904.
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27: Award Nominations DUE |
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5: Cinco de Mayo
9: Petitions DUE
9: Mother's Day
17: Tax Day (extended date)
18-20: GNW Cabinet meeting - Carlo attending virtually
28: AC Registration CLOSES
31: Memorial Day - Office Closed
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Upcoming Clergy Birthdays
April 30 -
April Hall
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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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