e~Aurora

On Saturday, April 2, at 9:00am AKDT, the Office of Deaconess and Home Missioner will be holding a virtual discernment event for laity in the United Methodist Church who feel called by God to a full-time vocation in service for those who are marginalized and in need.

To register go to https://tinyurl.com/DHMApril2022

Methodism in Alaska goes back two centuries (19th and 20th) with the founding of the orphanage at Unalaska (United Methodist Historic Site #350). One resident was Benny Benson who was the winner of the design for the Alaska State Flag (it was Territory back then). Thanks to recent research in the archives of the Russian Orthodox church it was discovered that he was not 13 years old but actually 14 years old at the time he won and he was of the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska. He had been previously believed to be Alutiiq. The Anchorage Daily News published the research findings on March 12, 2022. Each year on July 9th, AK Child and Family's Jesse Lee Home Campus celebrates Flag Day with music, games, and food to commemorate it's connection with Benny Benson and his design of the Alaska flag.

Read about the update

A church’s Board of Trustees plays a critical role in its legal status, operations, and the care and maintenance of its property. Faith Foundation Northwest gets questions from time to time about the role of a trustee, so we worked with both of the Conference Treasurers in our area to create these video guides. Please choose the video with the treasurer from your conference. You can also download an outline of each video presentation.

Visit the Faith Foundation Northwest website for more details.

Bishop Elaine JW Stankovsky has asked clergy and lay members of the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Conferences to hold dates in June for online Annual Conference sessions. You can find more information on the Alaska Conference website.

Reports from Conference Board and Agency Chairs are due to the Conference Office by Friday, April 15, 2022. If you have any questions, please email the conference office.

Petitions for the 2022 Alaska Annual Conference Session must be submitted by Sunday, May 8, 2022.

The Judicial Council has added to its docket the request from the Council of Bishops to rule on whether an annual conference can separate from the denomination under church law. Opening briefs are due April 12, and reply briefs on April 22.

Read the press release

Read Council of Bishops press release

Read rules for brief submissions

Questions, anger follow General Conference delay

Western Jurisdictional leaders have placed Bishop Minerva Carcaño on leave from her episcopal duties as two complaints against her are under review. Bishop Sally Dyck will serve as interim bishop of the California-Nevada Conference. No details regarding the substance of the complaints will be shared, the jurisdiction said.



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United Methodists around the world are condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine and responding to the plight of those affected. The denomination’s ResourceUMC.org website has created a landing page, “United Methodists Stand with Ukraine,” offering articles, statements from church leaders, social media graphics and information on how to provide support.

Visit United Methodists Stand with Ukraine

Brent Renaud, an American journalist and filmmaker killed covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine, was a 1994 Southern Methodist University graduate. While at SMU, where he majored in English and minored in sociology, he was a mentor to at-risk kids.

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Watch WFAA TV report

Leadership of United Methodist Men said the agency will upgrade how men's and Scouting ministry is "offered, packaged and distributed." During meetings March 3-5 at Aldersgate Renewal Center, new top executive Greg Arnold said, "It's time we approach this ministry with a much larger vision."  



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When disaster strikes anywhere in the world — whether it's a hurricane or a refugee crisis — United Methodists want to know how they can help. Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, tells how to respond through The United Methodist Church's relief channels, along with best practices on what to do and what not to do.



Learn more

Read more Ask The UMC

Conflict in The United Methodist Church took an unusual and highly public form on March 8, when a Florida Conference district superintendent was denied entry to one of the churches he oversees. His wife was told to leave as well. The leader of the Wesleyan Covenant Association Florida Chapter said the meeting his group was having at Waukeenah United Methodist was only for people wanting to leave the denomination. Facebook videos — widely shared — offer different accounts of the controversy.

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For the congregation of Asbury United Methodist Church, the Lenten season has been puzzling — literally. The church has been embracing and utilizing the popular word game Wordle to share reflections and daily devotions for each of the 40 days of Lent.

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The Boy Scouts of America continues to hold considerable value as an organization for youth, Florida Conference leaders say. But they add that truth-telling about the organization’s past is needed, including racial discrimination and child sex abuse by some Scouting leaders. Joe Henderson reports in an article that includes the Rev. Sharon Austin’s testimony about her family’s rich history with Scouting. 



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The United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women has launched a new website in conjunction with the celebration of the agency’s 50th anniversary. The site is a portal to connect United Methodists to guidance on sexual misconduct complaints as well as various ministry resources.

Read the press release

View the website

United Women in Faith's theme this year for their Day of Giving is “Embracing the Future.” They will have a very special 6-hour Live Day of Giving Facebook Event. Viewers will be able to watch panelist discussions, specialists on justice issues, uplifting speakers, meaningful worship, live music and much, much more! See more information here.

Invite your friends and join them March 23^rd on Facebook at 10:00 am EST and stay with them throughout the day to experience meaningful connections to your donations at work. https://fb.me/e/Tp00GXU9

UMCOR Sunday and Native American Ministries Special Sunday are approaching and the pastor and leader kit for each is available now. From planning to promotion and study to worship — it’s available and ready to use. Don’t forget the pew cards or the planning calendar for additional marketing and promotion ideas.

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