A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference
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Sherwood named 2020 Outstanding Lay Person of the Year
Terry Sherwood of Girdwood Chapel UMC has been named Outstanding Lay Person of the Year of the Alaska Conference for 2020. The award was presented by Superintendent Carlo Rapanut last week at Girdwood Chapel’s Charge Conference. In his nomination letter, Rev. Nico Reijns writes, “Although I have only known Terry for a little bit less than a year, I can wholeheartedly say that there are few lay people I have ever met who are more committed to caring for their church family and furthering the ministries of their local church. “ Click here to read the whole letter.
Because of the pandemic and essential business nature of our virtual Annual Conference this year, our awards will be presented directly to the recipients at their charge conferences or worship services. Stay tuned for the other award announcements in the coming weeks.
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Have you felt God calling you to preach the Word?
Here are the registration links to the next offering of the CLM Basic and Preaching classes in Jan/Feb or 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Andy Bartel
BASIC
PREACHING
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Does your church have some spare room?
UMCOR has just announced the closure of the UMCOR West depot in Salt Lake City. Disaster Response Coordinators for the Western Jurisdiction are working to identify ways to retain some stockpile of disaster material in the region. We in Alaska are considerably separated even from our sister conferences in the West, making the receipt of disaster supplies even more difficult. In the interest of ‘staging’ materials (clean up buckets, hygiene kits, etc.) in Alaska, we are asking whether any congregation might have space that can be used for storage for the long term. Preference would be in the Anchorage area so it can be fairly central. If your church may have this space, please contact Dan Wilcox at 907.414.7078. With the depot closing, there is a time factor in potentially claiming some of the material before it is shipped to Sager Brown in Louisiana.
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Anchor Park UMW virtual auction has begun!
The United Methodist Women of Anchor Park UMC will not be slowed down by COVID in our mission to improve the lives of women, children, and youth both locally and around the world.
Though different than in past years, this year’s Holiday Auction is happening now on-line through noon on November 21st to raise funds for mission projects.
The first step is to register yourself as a bidder and then enjoy participating in this great fund raiser. The website includes auction items, as well as purchase items and items that can be pre-ordered by the 18th, so be sure to check it out and join in the fun!
All items will be ready for pick up by each bidder on the 21st between noon and 4 pm at Anchor Park UMC in a “drive through” manner. Should a successful bidder be from out of town, items will be mailed.
Anyone seeking any additional information can contact Jo Anne Hayden at 907-903-5025 or at hayden@alaskan.net.
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Pre-Order your Alaska United Methodist history book now!
Conference Historian, Larry Hayden, has picked up where former Conference Historian Bea Shepard left off on her book Have Gospel Tent will Travel. If you are interested in having the history of the Alaska United Methodist Conference from 1986 until now, please contact Larry by email or 907-222-1938.
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New book exploring 'Sustainable Engagement' offered as free download for GNW church leaders
Since 2015, the Rev. Dr. William Gibson has been working with District Superintendents, innovators, and local churches across the Northwest to instigate new and renewed vitality in United Methodist communities of faith. After more than five years of cross-conference resourcing across the area, he now supports such efforts as a member of the Greater Northwest Area’s Innovation and Vitality Team, through the team’s change theory of inclusion, innovation, and multiplication.
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Don't forget: Liberating Advent resources released Sunday for churches across the GNW
"Liberating Advent: A journey of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love" is a resource for local churches to include in their worship services with videos and text of scripture readings, artwork, original music and deep theological reflections. The resources – electronic and in print – are now available for churches to access.
Congregations can use each week’s worship service as a whole product or incorporate different elements. Churches are able to download videos and other printed materials, and if needed, can request an electronic copy of the material (DVD, Flash Drive).
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Prepare for GivingTuesday now!
GivingTuesday, December 1, 2020, is a day of global generosity when we recognize that sharing of ourselves offers us a glimpse of the best part of who we are. Generosity gives everyone the power to make a positive change in the lives of others and is a fundamental value that we share.
The United Methodist Church has hundreds of projects and causes that would greatly benefit if you chose to participate in GivingTuesday. The Alaska Conference is also a welcome receiver of GivingTuesday funds. Plan now to prepare yourself for GivingTuesday on December 1.
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Protocol legislation heads top court agenda
The United Methodist Judicial Council expects to decide whether it has the jurisdiction to consider the constitutionality of legislation for a proposed plan for separating the denomination. In ongoing virtual meetings, the denomination's top court will conduct business for the first time since the pandemic began. New items added to the postponed Spring 2020 docket will be posted on the Judicial Council website by Nov. 18 and the deadline for submission of briefs is Dec. 18.
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Be a part of the UMC Virtual Christmas Choir
You’ve seen the videos of choirs and studio singers coming together (digitally) to sing uplifting songs and hymns, creating works of art that in times like these are needed and incredibly inspiring.
Congregations will be able to use the video in their Christmas worship services and post to social media.
Now is your chance to be a part of a virtual choir for Christmas! Come together with unified voices to celebrate the birth of Christ our Savior!
Congregations will be able to use the video in their Christmas worship services and post to social media.
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Scholar to head Archives and History
The new top executive at the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History will be scholar and author Ashley Boggan Dreff. She succeeds the Rev. Alfred "Fred" T. Day III, who is retiring at the end of the year. A professor at United Methodist-related High Point University, she is the author of two books on United Methodist history and issues.
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For UMCOR, 2020 is one long emergency
In a year when one disaster seemed to follow another and the pandemic and other health concerns took center stage, the United Methodist Committee on Relief's longtime investment in training and support — both in the U.S. and globally — is paying off.
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Co-defendant in Caldwell case sentenced
Gregory Alan Smith, co-defendant of former United Methodist pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell, has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Smith and Caldwell pleaded guilty in what prosecutors described as a multimillion-dollar investment scheme. Caldwell led Houston's Windsor Village United Methodist Church to become the denomination's largest church in membership. His sentencing is set for Dec. 3.
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Church-related credit unions merge
Interfaith Federal Credit Union has completed its merger with United Methodist First Choice Federal Credit Union in Rapid City, South Dakota. Interfaith Federal Credit Union, with $102 million in assets, was established in 1948 to serve the financial needs of Methodist ministers in Southern California and Arizona. It has since expanded to other denominations.
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Diamond mining can rob children of education
Diamond-rich Kono lures young people away from school in search of a chance to earn lots of money that will make their lives easier. Adama Borway, a young girl who believes in education, wants children to stay in school. She is studying to be a medical doctor.
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Tips for restoring peace
The holidays approach on the heels of a divisive political season. These simple suggestions may help mend fractured relationships.
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Exercise with a soul-lifting payoff
Developing gratitude is like working out. The more you do it, the better you get.
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18: Charge Conference - Nome Community UMC
19: Charge Conference - UMC of Chugiak
23: Charge Conference - Ketchikan 1st UMC
26: Thanksgiving - Office Closed
27: Office Closed
28: Charge Conference - Anchorage Korean UMC
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1-3: GNW Cabinet meeting - Carlo attending virtually
2: Charge Conference - Seward Memorial UMC
3: Charge Conference - Moose Pass UMC
7: Charge Conference - Turnagain UMC
8: Charge Conference - UMC of Sitka
9: Charge Conference - Willow UMC
11: Leadership Team meeting
11: Charge Conference - Ola Toe Fuataina UM Samoan Fellowship
14: Charge Conference - Anchor Park UMC
15: Charge Conference - St. John UMC
16: Charge Conference - Fairbanks 1st UMC
17: Charge Conference - Anchorage 1st UMC
24: Christmas Eve - Office Closed half day
25: Christmas Day - Office Closed
31: New Year's Eve - Office Closed half day
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Upcoming Clergy Birthdays
December 10 -
David Hall
December 23 -
Christina DowlingSoka
Curtis Matz
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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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