e~Aurora
A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference
Conference News
All three parts of Episcopal Address available

Bishop Elaine JW Stankovsky has completed her three part Episcopal Address. If you missed them, find the links below.
Thank you!
We want to thank everyone for making the virtual Annual Conference session a success. Overall we felt it went smoothly. We hope you did as well.
Summary of Annual Conference by Communications chair, Rev. Jim Doepken
Our Conference Communicator, Jim Doepken has put together a summary of the 49th Session of the Alaska United Methodist Annual Conference.
Re-watch the Annual Conference Live Stream
The Annual Conference session was recorded and may be viewed by clicking the link below.
Evaluation form
We value your feedback. Please fill out an evaluation form whether you were a participant on Zoom or an observer on the YouTube Livestream. We would like to know what we did well and where we can improve.
Church/Charge Conference paperwork now online

Every year, churches across the denomination have church/charge conferences with the Superintendent. Superintendent Carlo has already begun scheduling those with each of the Alaska churches. The forms are now posted on the conference website for download. Paperwork from each church is due at least two days prior to your meeting. Please send the completed paperwork to the Superintendent and the Conference Office.
Anti-racism book study

Alaska UMW has asked me to lead a book study as a member of the conference Racial Justice Committee. I have chosen Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad. I am attaching the flyer for the virtual 6-week event. We will begin Friday, September 25 and meet each Friday for 1 hour to discuss our learnings and ask questions in a safe, brave space. I hope that we can expand this to clergy and beyond UMW circles. I offer this book study to anyone who wants to engage in anti-racism work and desires a caring community to journey with them.

The link to register is: https://bit.ly/AUMWBook

Those who register will receive a link to the Zoom meeting directly from me. The registration form is also a covenant, a commitment to join and attend for 6 weeks. It is because of the sensitive nature of this topic that only those who commit to the 6 weeks will receive a link to the Zoom gathering.

Please keep this work in your prayers.

Peace to all,
Sr. Kelly Marciales
UMW Racial Justice Award given

Every year the Alaska United Methodist Women award a deserving person in the state of Alaska that has made it their mission to help in any Racial or Social Justice issues. This year, the award has been given to Steve Maga. Steve Maga is currently a member of First United Methodist Church of Anchorage (FUMC).

Steve has served the church in local, conference, and national levels in many capacities. He is the secretary of the Samoan Caucus of the United Methodist Church. In this role he has been vital in the planning of an annual event for Pacific Island youth and young adults from across the nation called "MANA". This event is a great gathering that creates a space to build relationships with God and others. He is also the consultant for Pacific Island Ministries Comprehensive Plan at the General Board of Global Ministries; in this role he is part of a team that is focusing on development of Pacific Island churches by supporting their ministries and needs. This includes helping fund ongoing ministries. Steve is also involved in Bridge Builders of Anchorage with whom he helps to connect Pacific Islanders with the community of Anchorage. Before joining FUMC, he was a member of First Samoan UMC, where he stepped up to lead the youth by encouraging them to take part in the community. He participates in the Council on Homelessness and is a role model for all when it comes to helping others whenever you ask. He serves as a board member for Pacific Islanders National Caucus of UMC. He serves at Bean's Cafe, heads youth in Christmas caroling, and is a member of the Anchorage Mayor's "Welcome Anchorage" Team.

Congratulations Steve!
National News
Full communion with Episcopalians delayed

Citing the pandemic's ongoing threat, United Methodists and Episcopalians have agreed to put plans for full communion between their two denominations on hold for now.
Churches pick up after Sally

Hurricane Sally left a lot of United Methodists feeling they’d experienced a bad storm that could have been much worse. Some Alabama-West Florida Conference churches that had damaged buildings still hoped to have services this Sunday. Sam Hodges reports.
5 scholars who actively engage in the past

2020 Recipients of five awards, grants and scholarships given by the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History demonstrate "active engagement of the past, illuminating the very DNA that forms United Methodist identity," said the Rev. Fred Day, top executive.
World Communion Sunday resources available

Christians around the globe annually celebrate World Communion Sunday on the first Sunday in October, which is Oct. 4 this year. For United Methodists and others, the observance focuses our attention on the universal and inclusive nature of the church. Donations to the World Communion Special Sunday offering equip U.S. students of color and international students to transform the church and their communities as both laity and clergy.
Advocacy group launches new campaign

Reconciling Ministries Network, an unofficial church advocacy group for LGBTQ people, announced a new campaign that will focus on grassroots organizing around intersectional justice. The Rooted & Rising campaign calls on the reconciling movement "to be the Church, no matter what the denomination decides when the General Conference meets."
Agency names 2 new ministry partners

The General Council on Finance and Administration has added two companies to its ministry partner program: Subsplash and Ecolab/Guest Supply. GCFA vets ministry partners to make sure they respond to church needs. Subsplash is an online giving platform and Ecolab sells cleaning and food-handling supplies.
Grappling with how racism coexists with faith

Three theologians from across the U.S. wrestled with how Christianity can overcome racism at a time when polls show that many white Christians don’t see racial injustice as a problem. Heather Hahn reports on the most recent online panel in the United Methodist series on dismantling racism.
Clergy: Racial justice is church's responsibility

Church leaders are determined to address racial inequities peacefully despite tumult around a police shooting that left an African American man paralyzed and the subsequent shooting deaths of two protesters. Bishop Hee-Soo Jung says racial justice will be a hallmark of the Wisconsin Conference.
At 94, he's 'Mr. Music of United Methodism'

The Rev. Carlton R. "Sam" Young is well known in church music as a hymnal editor, composer, arranger and scholar. One informed admirer calls him "Mr. Music of United Methodism." Young, 94, is out with a new collection of sheet music.
I AM Her Women's Leadership Summit

The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women's I AM Her Women's Leadership Summit will be held October 8-10th, 2020. Here is the link to the registration page where you'll find all registration details and a full schedule: https://www.garrett.edu/events/i-am-her-womens-leadership-summit-2020. Here is the commercial they developed for the summit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCnbypWI9bI&t=13s.
Conference Calendar
30: Charge Conference - Aldersgate UMC
1: Charge Conference - Douglas Community UMC
5: Charge Conference - St. Peter the Fisherman UMC
7: Charge Conference - Every Nation UMC
13: Charge Conference - Kenai UMC
14: Charge Conference - UMC of Chugiak
15: Charge Conference - North Star UMC
17: Charge Conference - Unalaska UMC
19: Charge Conference - Palmer UM Fellowship
20: Charge Conference - Anchor Park UMC
21: Charge Conference - Christ First UMC
29: Charge Conference - Homer UMC
31: Halloween
Upcoming Clergy Birthdays

September 22 -
Won Jea Keum

September 28 -
Darla Bradley

October 8 -
Andy Bartel

October 10 -
Luke Jones

October 12 -
Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky

October 18 -
Dan Wilcox

October 19 -
Kristi McGuire
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 Tuesday at 9:00 am for consideration.
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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 in God's preferred future.