A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference |
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Wear orange, honor 'Justice for Our Children' on October 6
Along with the United Methodist Church's Native American Comprehensive Plan and the International Native American Caucus, United Methodists in the Greater NW Area are encouraged to wear orange and advocate for 'justice for our children' on October 6 and every day. Kristina Gonzalez, director of innovation for an inclusive church on the GNW Area Innovation & Vitality (IV) Team offers her thoughts and helpful resources.
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Alaska Professional Church Workers' Retreat
The annual AUMC Professional Church Workers’ Retreat will be held on October 7th. Out of an abundance of care and caution, the event will be held virtually via Zoom. Please hold our clergy, deaconesses and other professional church workers in prayer as they gather for a much needed day of support, accountability and learning. We thank all local churches and ministry settings for making adjustments to meetings and work schedules in order for your church worker(s) to be fully present for this important work of covenant community.
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Celebrate Donna Singleton, CLM
It is with great pleasure that we announce that both the PMU and the Conference Committee on Lay Servant Ministries has recommended Madonna "Donna" Singleton to the office of Certified Lay Minister within the United Methodist Church. Donna has completed all of the requirements necessary. We invite you to extend your congratulations to her.
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National Day of Remembrance
September 30th is the National Day of Remembrance for US Boarding Schools and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. First Alaskans Institute will be hosting a live stream called "Coffeetime on Healing" from 10 am -12 pm on September 30 on the First Alaskans Institute's Facebook page. The coffeetime is to share stories and healing pathways to help our community navigate through this time of our peoples' truths about boarding schools coming out.
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Contemplative Prayer Workshop
Linda Haynes is preparing her practicum for Spiritual Formation Certification. She invites you to a workshop as her practicum.
Conversations with God
“Moving our prayer life from monologue (to God)
to dialogue (with God) through the Holy Spirit.”
Thursdays, September 30 through October 28.
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
On ZOOM
Contemplative Prayer is a prayer of true faith, where we encounter God by opening ourselves into His Divine Presence. In silence we welcome the Holy Spirit, embracing the experience with receptiveness to the Spirit’s indwelling.
The five week workshop introduces or reclaims a variety of prayer methods that encourage each individual to release control of their life to God. Linda will shepherd you into a life-changing process of learning to listen to God’s voice. You may discover your preference by exploring Scripture, art, music, writing, contemporary and ancient prayer techniques.
Jesus extends the invitation to “abide in Him, as He abides in you.” (John 15:4)
Sit at His feet. Lean into His presence where you begin to listen, hear, and respond in obedience to the whisperings, nudges and voice of the Spirit.
Registration required by September 29 (Space limited to 10 participants)
to receive class materials by mail or personal delivery.
Contact: Linda Haynes,
907-355-8263
Register by emailing Linda with the info below:
Name
Phone number for text messages
Other phone number
Email Address
Mailing address
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2021 Stewardship Resources from clergy colleagues
No one has the pat answer on how to do stewardship in a time of pandemic. But one of the strengths of our church is our connection with each other. Leaning on that connection makes us stronger and wiser as leaders. Instead of listing the usual stewardship resources this year, we’d like to share some samples of what your colleagues have created as a resource for you in planning your church’s stewardship this year. We are thankful for our contributors: Rev. Cara Scriven at Puyallup, Rev. Jeremy Hajdu-Paulen at Tigard, Rev. Peter Perry at Olympia and Rev. Geoff Helton at Audubon Park. You’ll need to consider both your leadership strengths and your congregational culture to help shape your plans, but I hope these resources will be a helpful reference and inspiration. Perhaps an idea will spark that is relevant to your setting!
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UMCOR denounces treatment of Haitian asylum seekers
The United Methodist Committee on Relief denounces U.S. officials' behavior in Del Rio, Texas, against Haitian immigrants as "morally reprehensible." UMCOR also encourages United Methodist churches in the U.S. to consider exploring or expanding their ministries of welcome.
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Adam Hamilton: Leading in polarized times
Ahead of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection's 2021 Leadership Institute, UM News spoke to the Rev. Adam Hamilton about the pandemic, the proposed denominational split and how the congregation navigates its disagreements.
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Justice Leadership Program - equipping people in the work of justice
As Christians we are called on to stand up for compassion and in opposition to injustice. Faith forms the foundation for taking action but it's often difficult to know how and where to get started. Justice Leadership Program is thrilled to share with you that their justice training program for adults is now virtual - available for anyone, anywhere who has a passion for justice and a desire to get involved in the most important work in the world.
The Jubilee program exists to help inform, equip and inspire people to take action for social justice. The program is a 6-month virtual program for adults who want to increase their understanding of social justice, deepen their faith and build relationships of support with a community of their peers, and gain the skills and confidence to take meaningful action.
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"Get Your Spirit In Shape" podcast to debut 100th episode
“Get Your Spirit in Shape,” launched in 2016, features casual conversations with a variety of guests, all aimed at providing United Methodists with relevant information to enrich their personal faith journeys. Through the years, Joe Iovino, who serves as both host and producer, has interviewed United Methodist pastors, authors and other church leaders on topics ranging from current events to grace lessons learned in “Les Miserables.”
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Much-debated shelter now up and running
Park Hill United Methodist Church is a site for a city-sanctioned Safe Outdoor Space, providing temporary shelter for the unhoused. The city and church's plans led to a lawsuit that was dismissed. Kathryn Witte explains how the church got involved in the project and why it persisted in the ministry.
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Webinars to help reinvigorate Black churches
Black clergy and ministry leaders can get tips on growing and transforming their congregations and communities during a monthlong series of webinars. The training series will be offered at 6:30 p.m. U.S. Central time each Thursday from Sept. 30 to Oct. 21. The webinars will kick off the 25th anniversary celebration of Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century. The celebration will include a national conference.
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Are you ready for Advent?
Extend warm invitations to Advent and Christmas worship services and events with the help of outreach resources. Choose from banners, signs, postcards, invitation cards, posters and more. A wide variety of designs, messages and languages is available. Remind your churches to order today and receive up to $300 off customizable resources by using code UMCC21. This code is only available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once funds are depleted, the code will expire.
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Boigegrain ready for life after Wespath
After 27 years leading Wespath through economic crises and toward investments that are ecologically and ethically sound, Barbara Boigegrain is retiring at the end of the year. One of her signpost accomplishments is the creation of a pension plan for United Methodist clergy in Africa.
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Should I stay or should I go?
As the church confronts the new realities of a global pandemic and disagreements within the denomination, it is important for the people called United Methodists to explore and understand who we are, what we believe, and how we live as people of God today and into the future. To help us think through these issues, the Connectional Table, in cooperation with our general agencies, is hosting a series of discussions with United Methodist theologians and leaders that will help us better understand our faith, our church and ourselves. Beginning October 5, join us every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. Central Time (3:00 p.m. GMT) on our Facebook page, for a 20-30 minute conversation about who we are as the people of The United Methodist Church.
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World Communion Sunday October 3
On October 3, United Methodists will join Christians of different traditions to recognize our ecumenical oneness in Christ and to bring Christians together in a spirit of unity and peace. Prepare for your World Communion Sunday service by exploring the Pastor and Leaders’ Kit, full of helpful resources in Spanish, Korean, French and English.
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30: Mission District Task Force |
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7: Professional Church Worker Retreat
11: Indigenous Peoples' Day
14: Charge Conference - Every Nation UMC
19-21: GNW Cabinet meetings - Carlo and Lisa attending
25: Charge Conference - Palmer UM Fellowship
26: Charge Conference - Kenai UMC
31: Halloween
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Upcoming Clergy Birthdays
September 28 -
Darla Bradley
October 8 -
Andy Bartel
October 10 -
Luke Jones
October 12 -
Bishop Stanovsky
October 18 -
Dan Wilcox
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Conference Office
907-333-5050
Superintendent - Carlo Rapanut
Director of Connectional Ministries - Lisa Talbott
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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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