e~Aurora
A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference
Aurora
CONFERENCE NEWS
Meals/Housing/Transportation for upcoming meetings
Do you like to cook?  Do you have time to help transport someone? Do you have an empty bed in your home?

It's that time of year again where we are asking for folks to help cook a meal, provide transportation, and help house someone for the upcoming meetings.

If any of this interests you, please contact the conference office at 907-333-5050 or [email protected].
Register for PCWR and Fall Rendezvous meetings
Now is the time to register for the upcoming Professional Church Workers Retreat and Fall Rendezvous meetings which will take place at the Conference Center (1660 Patterson Street, Anchorage, 99504) on October 4-6, 2018.  The New Clergy Orientation/Clergy Retreat will be Oct 4-5 and the Committee Meetings will be Oct 5-6.  If you should be attending these meetings, you received an informational email last week.  If you didn't please let us know in the conference office.

Register HERE!
The New Journey ministry begins today!
The Nunaka Valley area church plant (hereafter to be called Every Nation UMC) will be rolling out a ministry to begin the process of church planting. The ministry will begin TODAY Tuesday, September 18th at 6:00 p.m. (and every Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. for the foreseeable future) and will consist of a free community meal with a short devotion and music sharing. All people are invited to participate and eat, and the focus of the ministry will start as a means to gather community members and discover the needs of the people in relation to the developing church. We need help in the form of food, volunteers, and prayers. If there is a group in your congregation that would be willing to provide cooking support, please contact pastor Murray, or if there are individuals that are interested in going door to door to invite community members to the meal, pastor Murray would also like a person to go with, in two-by-two fashion. The New Journey ministry (Tuesday feeding ministry) is meant to be open to all people and faiths as a community outreach, and it can be modified to fit multiple ministry settings, so if there are people that wish to establish something like it in their faith community, please send them to volunteer! 
Lifting up Willow UMC
Last week, Jeff Campbell, Executive Director of Conference Relationships at Discipleship Ministries, wrote a blog about Willow UMC and how they are strong in serving their community.  Willow UMC is truly a church that models discipleship and service.

Read the blog here
Does your church need a work team next year?
UMVIM It is time to start thinking about what UMVIM work teams are needed for Summer 2019.  Several teams have already indicated an interest in serving in Alaska next year!  If your church is looking to host a team, please contact Dan Wilcox, [email protected] with information about what your needs are, and what types of teams you might host.
UMW Annual Gathering | Registration NOW!
Here is the August issue of Alaska Women's Response newsletter.   You will find inside important information regarding "Commune", our Annual Gathering 2018, coming up the last weekend of September, including the registration form with an early bird discount!

You'll also find the items delegates will vote on:  Standing Rules, Budget and the Slate of Nominations.

Newsletter & Annual Gathering Information
CROP Hunger Walk 2018
CROP Hunger Walk CROP Hunger Walk will take place on Sunday, September 30 at First Congregational Church.  Registration will begin at 12:30 pm, walk starts at 1:30 pm.
Team packets are available or you can walk as an individual (bring your pledge).  The walk is mostly on the campus of UAA. This is a family friendly walk. 

Walkers will be sent off by the Pipe and Drum Corp.
 
The Alaska Jumping Flea Society will provide lively music.  Treats and drinks will be available. Call Jan Wachsmuth at 862-0194 for more information.
Minister to the Spiritual Life staff of AK Child & Family
AK Child & Family
The Spiritual Life Department of AK Child & Family will be having a staff retreat next month.  As part of the retreat, they will be receiving written prayers and affirmations to strengthen their ministry.
 
Minister to the students and staff of AK Child & Family by being a part of it!  These can be anonymous (or not), from you as an individual, or from your whole congregation!
 
E-mail prayers, words of encouragement/appreciation or affirmation to [email protected] by October 8th
 
Thanks for all you do to support the mission of AK Child & Family!
Silver Anniversary for David Moore - you're invited!
You are invited to the SILVER ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION of DAVID MOORE'S YEARS AS DIRECTOR OF UNITED CAMPUS MINISTRY FAIRBANKS on Saturday October 13, 2018 at 6:30PM. Dinner will be served at 7PM. Cost is $30.00
 
Please, come and join us. It will be an evening of good Christian fellowship. You will hear from David and this year's students who annually conduct the program of personal comments, distribution of door prizes, prayers, music and a video. This year's video will encompass 25 years and just maybe you'll see a student that you know. We are hoping that there will be many former students attending in order that you will see how UCM affects lives. Come and see what a worthwhile endeavor this is for college students in Fairbanks and in many other universities. We need your support. Your presence is important to us as we endeavor to show you that your contributions are greatly appreciated and UCM Fairbanks is worthy of being on your donor list.
 
Come and help us thank David for his work the past 25 years and show him that our prayers will be with him as he steps out to the future!!!
 
RAVEN LANDING CENTER
1222 Cowles Street Fairbanks, Alaska
 
Please RSVP by 10/10/18
907-474-7804 or 907-378-1959
Survey or Map reader needed
Dave Wachsmuth has copies of the original plan for Birchwood Camp.  There is a little bit more than he can decipher from the surveyors notes.  He is looking for some help from someone with knowledge on how to read them.  Please contact him at 907-862-1194.  Dave is currently serving on the board of directors for Birchwood Camp and is on the property committee.
Local Church Leadership Connection
In an effort to address isolation which some local church leaders feel, letters of invitation have been sent to local church leaders to participate in an initial conversation with others within the Alaska Conference serving in the same local church leadership role.
 
The effort is triggered from the work of a small task force created by the conference Leadership Team.
 
The goal of our first phase of connection is to create a network of support, collaboration, information sharing, and leadership development among our lay people in local church leadership roles.
 
The initial conversations with the local church leaders have begun.  Upcoming conversations are scheduled below:
            Local church
      Finance Chair - Monday, September 24th at 5:30 pm
      Trustee Chair - Monday, October 1st at 6:30 pm
 
We look forward to creating these connections among our local church leaders. Anyone with questions should contact Superintendent Carlo Rapanut or Lay Leader Jo Anne Hayden.
NATIONAL NEWS
Commission on a Way Forward Videos
The Commission on a Way Forward has released all 10 videos of a series that the Commission hopes will inform The United Methodist Church on its processes and work done during the 18-month period of its meetings and deliberations.  The videos can be viewed on Facebook or YouTube and can be downloaded for viewing offline.  The Alaska Conference will be highlighting one each week for the next 10 weeks.

Week 7
Jasmine Smothers, Julie Hager Love and Tom Berlin are Commission members who are also clergy serving in the Southeastern Jurisdiction (SEJ). In this interview, they reflect on their experience and their hopes for the future of the United Methodist Church. (Length 5:46).
Download: https://tinyurl.com/smothers-love-berlin
YouTube: https://youtu.be/85KP5qxfCpA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/umcforward/videos/2114649482150767/ 
Picking up pieces after Philippines super typhoon
United Methodists were picking up the pieces and preparing to assist others after Super Typhoon Mangkhut struck the northern part of the Philippines, leaving dozens dead and missing after a massive mudslide. Parsonages, churches and a bishop's home were among the structures sustaining damage.

Read the story
Churches pitch in amid Florence's floods
While the rains of Florence in much of the eastern Carolinas have subsided, waters are still on the rise. United Methodists still can't calculate the storm's damage but have found ways to help as the disaster continues.

Read the story
Houston Chronicle reports on rescue arranger helping in Carolinas
Groups push for modified Traditional Plan
As the special General Conference approaches, advocates for maintaining church policies on homosexuality have submitted modifications to the Traditional Plan. A like-minded advocate submitted a separate proposal to dissolve The United Methodist Church.

Read the story
Check out new guidelines for UMCOR kits
UMCOR is collecting Cleaning Kits, Hygiene Kits, and School Kits for distribution in the United States and its territories.  Kits are no longer distributed overseas.  Instead UMCOR works with partners to make sure that appropriate supplies are purchased locally to support the economy in the affected area.  In addition to being socially responsible, this approach has meant that the guidelines for kits being used in the U.S. are now more user-friendly.  According to the UMCOR website:   
      "The new kit content lists were designed to offer our donors greater ease and flexibility in purchasing their donations. During this period of transition, UMCOR will accept any kits that had already been assembled pursuant to the old content lists. Nothing will go to waste. Thank you for your patience as we continue to improve this partnership of care."

More details and the kit assembly instructions can be found at https://www.umcor.org/UMCOR/Relief-Supplies 
New Book of Discipline Errata is available
A new edition of the Book of Discipline 2016 Errata is now available which includes changes to paragraphs 408.3, 410, and 422. These changes were tied to a constitutional amendment on Paragraph 50 of the Constitution that was passed by the 2016 General Conference and subsequently ratified by the members of the annual conferences. The ratified amendment was published in the Errata in May 2018, but the paragraph changes were not included at that time.
 
World Communion Sunday | October 7, 2018
On Oct. 7, World Communion Sunday, the denomination will provide scholarships for national and international students who need financial support to answer God's call in pursuing graduate-level education. Download tools to empower your congregation to give generously, including social media tools, graphics, videos, bulletin inserts, offering talks, preaching helps, e-books and posters.

Pastor & Leader's Kit
CONFERENCE CALENDAR
September
24: AUMC General Conference delegation meeting
24: AUMC Finance Chairs connection
26-28: GNW Cabinet meeting in Portland - Carlo attending
28-29: GNW IV Summit in Portland - Carlo attending

October
1: AUMC Trustee Chairs connection
4-6:  Fall Rendezvous (New Clergy Orientation/Clergy Retreat and Committee Meetings)
11-13: GBGM Board meeting in Atlanta - Carlo attending
16: Charge Conference - Unalaska UMC
20: Charge Conference - Soldotna UMC
21: Charge Conference - St. Peter the Fisherman UMC
21: Charge Conference - Seward Memorial UMC/Moose Pass UMC
22: AUMC General Conference delegation meeting
28: Charge Conference - Christ First UMC
29: Charge Conference - Community UMC

November
3: Charge Conference - Ola Toe Fuataina UM Samoan Fellowship
4: Charge Conference - Willow UMC
7: Charge Conference - Girdwood Chapel UMC
8: Charge Conference - UMC of Chugiak
10: Charge Conference - Homer UMC
10: Charge Conference - North Star UMC
11: Charge Conference - Kenai UMC
11: Charge Conference - Jewel Lake Parish
14: Charge Conference - Palmer UM Fellowship
15: Charge Conference - UMC of Sitka
16: Charge Conference - First UMC Ketchikan
17: Charge Conference - Douglas Community UMC
17: Charge Conference - Aldersgate UMC
25: Charge Conference - Anchorage Korean UMC

December
4: Charge Conference - Anchor Park UMC

January
6: Charge Conference - Turnagain UMC
7: Charge Conference - First UMC Anchorage/First Samoan UMC of Anchorage (tentative)
13: Charge Conference - First UMC Fairbanks
22: Charge Conference - St. John UMC
Office Hours
Office Hours
The Conference Office hours are:
 
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am - 11:30 am 
happy_birthday_candles.jpg

Upcoming
Clergy Birthdays
 
September 22 -
Won Jea Keum

September 24 -
Selusi Tuiolemotu

September 28 -
Darla Bradley



Conference Office
907-333-5050

Superintendent Carlo
907-854-8340
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 Monday evening for consideration.
AUMC Logo Mission Statement:
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 into God's preferred future.
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