A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference
|
|
|
Neighbors Out the Front Door | Aldersgate UMC
|
Aldersgate United Methodist Church was founded just 33 years ago in 1986. The congregation was intentionally planted in the midst of a low income housing area, to better serve those who live on the margins in the Mendenhall Valley. This setting sees a very high level of transition in and out of the neighborhood, with a high number of people moving in and out on a monthly basis. The congregation is a wonderful point of stability here, but it has not always been easy being off of “the beaten” path in such a rapidly changing environment. The immediate neighborhood has not been able to support the congregation financially over the years, and the next circle of housing is difficult to connect with due the configuration of streets in the area. We have had to employ some creativity in reaching out beyond the immediate setting to engage those who want to participate in our ministries and who can offer financial stability.
|
|
|
|
CrossOver to Life! · Week 42
|
Patterns of Hope
Rev. Donna M.L. Pritchard
CrossOver reflection for
Week 42
• Beginning September 22, 2019
Lately, I have been thinking about the power of patterns in my life. It seems we all adore patterns. Nature is full of patterns—the delicate design of a butterfly’s wing, the growth rings of a tree’s trunk, the tiger’s stripes, the snowflake’s symmetry—all patterns that speak to us of stability and sensibility. We love patterns. So it is no wonder we fall unconsciously into our own patterns of love or of fear, patterns of gratitude or miserly suspicion, patterns of hope or despair. These patterns will create reality and define possibility for us if we let them. If we are not awake to the warp and weave of each moment in life’s tapestry, the patterns we do not notice can take us away from God’s original creation of us and can obscure the intent of the Creator.
|
|
|
|
Book and Bake Sale in Anchorage
|
Its that time of year again!! The United Methodist Women of First United Methodist Church in Anchorage will be having their annual Used Book Sale, Saturday September 28th 9am-1pm. All Hardback Books are $1 and paper back $0.50. We will also be having a bake sale at the same time to help raise funds for our 75
th
Anniversary Celebration!
|
|
Looking for Housing Volunteers
|
With the upcoming conference meetings, we will be looking for home stays for some of our attendees. If you are able to house one or two people for a few days in early October, please
contact the conference office. Thank you!
|
|
|
Community Health Fair at Anchor Park UMC
|
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2019
Open to the public: 10AM-3PM
Location: Anchor Park United Methodist Church, 2300 Oak Dr.
Parking-Free
Participation- Free
Sponsor/Coordinator: Charter College Anchorage Campus
Exhibitors/Activities
- Blood Bank of Alaska
- Municipality of Anchorage Health Dept-Flu shots
- Home Instead Senior Care
- Alaska Back Care
- Health Coaching
- Blood Pressure screening
- Nutrition education
- Physical activity education
- Suicide Awareness
- Domestic Violence Awareness
|
|
Mission u is coming to you!
|
Mission u events take place across every United Methodist Conference and are organized by conference United Methodist Women leadership. At our Mission u events in Alaska we will grow in our understanding of the mission of the church in the current world context. Events include worship, singing, interest groups around current issues, audio visual presentations, food and fellowship! Please join in embracing the opportunity to grow, share and advocate for others!
Aldersgate UMC: October 4-5
Soldotna UMC: November 1-2
UMC of Chugiak: November 22-23
|
|
|
Special annual conference passes 8 resolutions
|
The Desert Southwest Conference held a special session Sept. 14. During the gathering, voters adopted eight resolutions. The resolutions are aspirational and shape the year-round work of the annual conference.
|
|
Black leaders discuss church future
|
Dozens of key African American laity, clergy and bishops met Sept. 19-20 to pray, hear each other's concerns and discuss the future of The United Methodist Church as a prelude to the 2020 General Conference.
|
|
|
Returning entrusted land in Ohio
|
With tears in his eyes, Chief Billy Friend of the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma accepted a land deed from Thomas Kemper, top executive, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. Nearly 600 people present at the Sept. 21 ceremony rose to their feet and applauded while Wyandotte from Oklahoma, Kansas and Michigan lifted celebratory cries.
|
|
GCORR presents free online course
|
We know many of you have downloaded and used the
Implicit Bias Workbook
. This popular resource is now available as a free on-demand
online course
designed for you to take at your own pace.
By taking an intentional look at implicit bias, learning what it is and the ways it works in our brains and in our actions, we can question perceptions and break down the barriers to reaching full inclusion, diversity, equity, and community.
We invite pastors, teachers, and anyone who is interested in learning and teaching others about implicit bias to take this course.
|
|
|
What comes after GC2020 petitions deadline
|
The deadline to submit legislation to the 2020 General Conference is now in the rearview mirror. Heather Hahn reports on the process ahead as a fuller picture emerges of what options will be before the denomination's top lawmaking assembly.
|
|
Number of elders under 35 dropping
|
The number of United Methodist elders in the U.S. who are under age 35 has declined for three years in a row, a new study from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership shows. But some conferences have found strategies to attract more young elders.
|
|
|
To fight racism, 3 churches reckon with past
|
Racial discrimination at Foundry United Methodist Church, a prominent church in the U.S. capital, led two African American congregations to break away in the 1800s. Now the three congregations, which include Asbury United Methodist and John Wesley AME Zion churches, are reconnecting.
|
|
Western Jurisdiction to hold summit on 'next steps'
|
A Fresh United Methodism Summit is planned for Nov. 14-16 at Rolling Hills United Methodist Church to discuss the vision and values of the jurisdiction and the future of the denomination. The summit will include 2020 General Conference delegates. Space is limited for the event, so observers must apply for a seat by Sept. 25.
|
|
|
Tiny houses offer steps out of poverty
|
United Methodist Federal Credit Union has a special offer for you.
18 month share certificates
1.70% rate 1.71% APY*
Limited time offer ends 10/31/2019
$1,000 minimum deposit
See website for details.
|
|
This week, the Northwest United Methodist Foundation is sharing a resource kit for celebrating All Saints Day as a church family.
The holiday is an important opportunity for churches to acknowledge the ways that people continue to be involved in the ministries of the church beyond their lifetimes.
|
|
|
Introducing The Committee teaching series
|
Join Chuck and the rest of The Committee at Park Grove Community Church, a church that has lost its pastor and is closing its doors unless it reinvents itself, for a sixteen-session online teaching series that will help your congregation discuss some of the most critical issues that prevent many congregations from becoming a vital church.
Your congregation may not be facing closure and may be a vital and growing church. However, all congregations face the issues addressed in The Committee at some point.
With entertaining videos and a study guide to help you along the way, this teaching series is sure to open discussion in your congregation.
Class opens October 1st, 2019!
|
|
Get ready for Advent outreach
|
Extend warm invitations to people in your community this Advent and Christmas! Get started by exploring a collection of customizable outreach tools, including postcards, invitation cards, banners, yard signs, posters and downloadable digital resources. Choose the language and design that best relates to your community! Use code UMC19A to receive a $300 discount.
|
|
|
25-27: UMC Next - Carlo attending
30-Oct 4: Crystal on vacation
|
|
3-5: Professional Church Workers & Fall Rendezvous meetings
10-12: GBGM Board Meeting - Carlo attending
14: Charge Conference - Unalaska UMC
19: Charge Conference - Soldotna UMC
19: Charge Conference - St. Peter the Fisherman UMC
20: Charge Conference - Seward UMC
20: Charge Conference - Moose Pass UMC
25: Charge Conference - UMC of Sitka
26: Charge Conference - Aldersgate UMC
26: Charge Conference - Douglas Community UMC
29: Charge Conference - Nome Community UMC
31: Halloween
|
|
Upcoming Clergy Birthdays
September 24 -
Selusi Tuiolemotu
September 28 -
Darla Bradley
|
|
|
Conference Office
907-333-5050
Superintendent Carlo
907-854-8340
|
|
The NEW Conference Office hours are:
Monday - Friday: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
