March 7, 2019
2019 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
An invitation from Bishop Elaine Stanovsky
Dear Lay and Clergy Members of the Alaska United Methodist Conference,
 
As we live into the realities of the actions of the special session of the General Conference, I invite you to the 48 th session of the Alaska United Methodist Conference, May 30-June 1, 2019.
 
Come, ye that love the Lord, and let your joys be known….
We’re marching upward to Zion, the beautiful city of God

We will be hosted by Christ First United Methodist Church in Wasilla, Alaska. Workshops are scheduled to start at 10:30 am, Thursday, May 30. The Conference will open with Renewal of Baptism at 9:00 am on Friday, May 31 and end with closing worship and sending forth of clergy and laity to their places of ministry no later than 4:00 pm on Saturday, June 1.

FACT SHEET
We have compiled a Fact Sheet for you that has all the basic information for Annual Conference. Check here first for quick information.

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
Three workshops will be offered on the day before Annual Conference starts. They are:
Disaster Ministry in Alaska led by Sandra Woods
Beyond the Checkbook: Getting Bigger Gifts for Your Church led by Julia Frisbie
The New Front Door: Hacking Social Media Engagement in Ministry led by Rev. Bailey Brawner.

HOUSING
Christ First UMC members are opening their homes for home stays. It is based on first come first served so make sure you don't wait to long to register. Aside from home stays, the conference has secured two lodging facilities that have give our conference discounted prices. Of course you can also find your own lodging if neither of those options are what you desire. Keep in mind the conference does not reimburse for lodging.

TRANSPORTATION
The Conference will do our best to help people get from Anchorage out to Wasilla. If you are flying in from somewhere else and need transportation, please make sure you mark your need on your registration and we will do our best to match you up with someone else who will be going out there too. If you are willing to help with transportation, make sure you also let the conference office know.
REPORTS
A written report is expected from all committees, units, and ministries of the conference. We are asking for a half page report to be put into the Pre-Conference Handbook. The report request has already been sent out. The reports are due to the office by April 9.

PETITIONS/RULE CHANGES/ POLICY CHANGES
Action items to be brought to the floor of Annual Conference for a vote need to be submitted to the conference office by April 9.

MINISTRY TABLE DISPLAYS
If your ministry would like to have a table at Annual Conference, you will need to fill out a request form. Our space is limited so plan your display accordingly. Requests are due by May 1.

AWARD NOMINATIONS
Each year we ask for nominations for two awards. The first is the Outstanding Lay Person of the Year award. The second is the Harry Denman Evangelism Award (individual Lay, Clergy & Youth nominations). If you know a deserving person, nominate them by May 1.

MEMORIAL ROLL
We ask churches to provide names and a digital picture of people from their church that have died since our last annual conference. We want to honor them during our memorial service. Please send the form back by May 1.

Registration is OPEN!
ANNUAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
You can now register to attend the 2019 Annual Conference! Register early to take advantage of the lower price! If you have questions, please reference the information above or on our website first. If you can't find your answer there, please contact the conference office. We are here to help.

CHILD CARE REGISTRATION
Child care is for delegates only. We will provide child care for children that are infant through 12 years old. Child care will be at the same location as the sessions.