A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference |
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Stepping forward safely in love and trust
In a pastoral letter on April 22, Bishop Elaine Stanovsky wrote to United Methodists across the Greater Northwest Area, sharing her posture of hopeful caution as progress was being seen in the fight against the coronavirus. As she asked churches to "remain vigilant in their planning and decision-making processes," Bishop Stanovsky also promised an update to the area's COVID-19 guidelines by May 5.
Linked below is that new guidance for local churches and ministries, titled Stepping forward safely in love and trust. The new framework builds upon, but replaces Reimagining Life Together. It acknowledges the continuing risk of disease, advances in science, and the increasing capacity of our local church leaders to manage the risk in their contexts.
In 'Stepping forward safely in love and trust,' local leaders have more responsibility and authority to understand and guide their ministry settings wisely and safely with fewer mandated guidelines.
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Prayers for one of our own
Please be in prayer for incoming clergy Lucas Boomsma as his mother passed away from cancer a few weeks ago. Rev. Boomsma will be serving Seward Memorial and Moose Pass UMC's starting in July.
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2020 Conference Journals online
The 2020 Conference Journal is complete and has been mailed out to the churches and members of the conference. Elected Lay members to Annual Conference will need to get their copy from their church.
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Register for Camp now!
CREATION SPEAKS! ARE WE LISTENING?
In the beginning, God created. God is still creating now. What do God and Creation have to teach us about how to live today?
Creation Speaks invites us to look to God’s Creation, including each other, as we listen for God’s voice in the world today. By looking anew at the Creation story, campers will imagine what each part might teach us about God and our place in the world. Light, water, earth, seasons, animals, humans, and even a day of rest will invite campers to listen for God, still speaking to them today.
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Annual Conference Session |
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Annual Conference Registration is OPEN!
The registration for clergy and lay members to Annual Conference is 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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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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Georgia laity question bishop in full-page ad
A group of North Georgia Conference laity placed a full-page ad in May 9’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution with an open letter to Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson seeking answers around the appointment dispute at Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church, LGBTQ inclusion and the future of the church.
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Publishing House sees rebound
The United Methodist Publishing House was hit hard by the pandemic as churches, unable to meet in person, slowed or halted orders of curriculum materials. But with COVID-19 case numbers down in the U.S., the self-supporting agency is seeing sales bounce back. The Publishing House also has reached a purchase agreement for its Nashville headquarters.
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New podcast focuses on Anti-Racism as Christian Discipleship
“Expanding the Table,” a new video podcast series from the General Commission on Religion and Race, will debut on Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Series guests will focus on how individual Christians and church-based entities can and should engage the work of racial justice-making and anti-racism.
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2021 Vacation Bible School options
Vacation Bible School 2021 will certainly be different from years past. Regardless of how you provide Vacation Bible School this summer, plan on it being transformational for all those lives affected.
Here are several ways to creatively approach, reimagine, and restructure this summer’s VBS.
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Soul Cafe feeds body, mind and spirit
In the three years since it began, the one constant at Soul Café Supper & Service has been adapting to change. The ministry of Magnolia United Methodist Church began as a community food pantry and worship service, but has branched out into helping neighbors with home repairs, distributing books and performing baptisms.
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Reaffirmation of Faith for Someone Seeking Rebaptism
Most of those who have served as pastors in the local church have been asked at one time or another if they could rebaptize someone who has had a significant faith experience.
Our theological position is that baptism is a one-time event and does not need repetition.
This rite addresses this situation, acting as the sweet spot between having something organically connected to baptism without being confused for the same.
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17: Tax Day (extended date)
18: AC Award nomination deadline
18-20: GNW Cabinet meeting - Carlo attending virtually
28: AC Registration CLOSES
31: Memorial Day - Office Closed
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1: Memorial roll names DUE
14: GNW Cabinet
19: Juneteenth
20: Father's Day
20-24: Greater Northwest Annual Conference Sessions
28-29: GNW Cabinet Retreat
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Upcoming Clergy Birthdays
June 8 -
Jim Doepken
June 10 -
Carlo Rapanut
June 15 -
Matt Reinders
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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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