Professional Church Workers' Retreat

In Alaska, we have a broad range of people engaged in professional ministry, so this retreat is open to all professional church workers - pastors, deaconesses, home missioners, LLPs, CLMs, elders, deacons, camp directors, and more, both active and retired. This retreat is specifically geared toward those who have been actively engaged in ministry during these challenging times and need space to breathe, process, and play. The purpose of this retreat is to embrace play as a sacred act, to offer an intentional respite to those who have been ministering in a variety of ways during this very difficult time, and to connect and build relationships with one another. See more information linked in the invitation letter and draft agenda. Please direct questions to Lisa Talbott.

The registration link will be sent out by tomorrow and the hotel reservations must be made by September 22 if you are staying at the hotel!

Charge Conference paperwork ready for download

Conference Superintendent Christina DowlingSoka is planning Church/Charge Conferences with all the Alaska churches. As those meetings get scheduled, now is the time to start filling out the paperwork. The superintendent is asking that the paperwork is completed and emailed at least one week prior to your scheduled meeting.  You can find the Church/Charge Conference page here.

Western Jurisdiction releases profiles of episcopal candidates for public review

As part of its commitment to engage in a more transparent dialogue leading up to the Western Jurisdictional Conference in November and the selection of new bishops, the WJ Committee on the Episcopacy has launched a public site to view profiles on the candidates who are discerning their call to this important leadership role within The United Methodist Church.

Individuals highlighted on this page have publicly decided to share information about themselves – including a short video – to provide more context on their call to serve as an episcopal leader. The hope is delegates, caucuses and other individuals have a chance to learn more about these potential WJ episcopal leaders before the Western Jurisdiction Conference convenes Nov. 2-5, 2022, in Salt Lake City, and votes are cast to select just a few individuals from this diverse pool of qualified spiritual leaders.

Learn more on the WJ website.

Alaska Conference Special Sunday

The Alaska Conference Special Sunday is traditionally observed the 2nd Sunday of September, but churches may celebrate it any time this fall. This year, our focus is on our three mission churches: Nome, Unalaska, and Willow UMCs. You may give in two ways: either make a donation to your local church designated for one or more of the mission churches and your treasurer will write a check directly to that church, or you may give using the Advance numbers listed below. Please continue to pray for these three churches and their pastors!

Willow UMC Advance #931511

Willow Community Food Pantry Advance #931520

Unalaska UMC Advance #931855

Nome Community UMC Advance #931027 (specify Nome)

United Women in Faith Annual Gathering

"Finding Joy in Faith and Action: Changing the World from Where We Are" is our theme for the hybrid meeting (live and zoom) at St. John UMC in Anchorage on September 30 - October 2. 

Our very own retired Deaconess Fran Lynch will be doing a 2-part Bible Study.

Our scripture focus is Romans 15:4-6 and James 2: 14-17.  While we would love to have everyone physically present, we are offering ZOOM as well. Masks are encouraged and we will make every attempt to provide safe space for us all. 

Showered in Grace is a mobile shower trailer which is used to offer showers to the homeless in and around the Anchorage area. They will be the recipient of the tangible giving with supplies such as soap, shampoo, etc. There will also be a silent auction and an online auction with proceeds going to AK Child and Family and Nome Community Center.

Hoping to see you in September where we can spend time to get acquainted, get revived, educated, inspired and sent home with joy to change the world. 

Register here

Susie Smalley, AUWF Vice President

asusansmalley@gmail.com

70th Anniversary - Fairbanks First UMC

This September 17th and 18th FUMC Fairbanks will be celebrating 70 years of ministry at one of America’s northernmost United Methodist churches. It promises to be not just a celebration of what has been accomplished, but a celebration of what we continue to do and will be doing into the future.

Back in 1952, some may have been skeptical about planting a Methodist congregation this far north. An earlier attempt in 1905 at having a Methodist congregation in Fairbanks had failed by 1918. Who would have imagined in 1952 that 70 years later, in 2022, in the wake of a global pandemic that First United Methodist Church of Fairbanks would be thriving? Today we continue welcoming new families and new faces, and meeting the needs of local people.

The celebration is for those that have been here for generations, for years, and those that have just arrived. The Alaska United Methodist Conference Superintendent, the Reverend Christina DowlingSoka, plans to attend and deliver the message at worship on Sunday. We are reminded by the words of our anniversary motto, "Through faith, we have come this far; with faith, we will journey on.” We will gather for dinner on Saturday September 17, worship together on Sunday September 18, and continue our journey together as America’s northernmost United Methodist Church. For tickets or more information, call the church office at (907) 452-2956.

Housing needed

United Women in Faith are looking for Anchorage area homes for out-of-town ladies to stay in while they attend the upcoming Annual Gathering, September 30 – October 2. If you have space and would like to host someone, please reach out to Co-President, Debbie Pintsch at dpintsch@gci.net.

LegacyTea

Let's spill the tea by sharing the good news about the Legacy Fund. As a permanently invested endowment, the Legacy Fund will be an ongoing source of income, providing the assurance that our important work can always continue. Giving to the Legacy Fund will support United Women in Faith in perpetuity. That’s why gifts to the endowment fund are such a vital way to sustain and grow our capacity to serve and advocate. Join in on September 30th from 2:30-3:30 pm at St. John UMC.

RSVP to Bonnie Miller by September26th.

Certified Lay Servant classes

Rev. Andy Bartel will be offering the Certified Lay Ministry BASIC and PREACHING courses again this fall on Wednesday evenings from 6-8 p.m., both in-person and via Zoom. Basic will run Sept 14, 21, 28, Oct 5, and 12. Preaching will run Oct 19, 26, Nov 2, 9, 16. Space is limited, and is open to all Alaska United Methodists. In person will meet at St. John UMC. Register here for the Certified Lay Ministry BASIC Class. Or Register here for the Certified Lay Ministry Preaching Advanced Class  Please note that the BASIC class is a prerequisite to the Preaching class.

Disaffiliation process

Have you been wanting to know more about the process that is being followed in the Greater Northwest area, including here in Alaska, when a church inquires about disaffiliation?

Here is a copy of the paragraph in the Discipline that relates to this process and the timeline that we will be following in the GNW as well as FAQ's related to Clergy and Disaffiliated Churches. 

• Disaffiliation FAQs Related to Clergy & Disaffiliated Churches
• GNW Disaffiliation Timeline(s)
• Reference: ¶2553 Disaffiliation of a Local Church Over Issues Related to Human Sexuality

British Methodists react to Queen's passing

Leaders of The Methodist Church in Britain have issued a statement about the death of Queen Elizabeth II. It reads in part: "The loyalty to, and love expressed, for Queen Elizabeth across the world is a testament to the life that she led, one marked by dedicated service to others."

Read the statement

More disaffiliation questions answered

In the fourth installment of its "Is The United Methodist Church really…?" series, Ask The UMC answers three more questions related to disaffiliation, including inquiries about the status of appointed clergy and members after their congregation decides to disaffiliate. The series is a response to widespread misperceptions or misinformation that some congregations are receiving as they discern their next steps.

Read Q&A

Read Part 1 on theology and pensions

Read Part 2 on human sexuality

Read Part 3 on Paragraph 2548.2

Bishop Robert H. Spain dies at age 96

Bishop Robert “Bob” Hitchcock Spain, a retired Bishop of The United Methodist Church, passed away on September 9, 2022, at the age of 96.

He was elected a Bishop in the United Methodist Church in 1988 during the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference (SEJ). He served the Kentucky and South Carolina conferences. After his retirement he served as chaplain for the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville until 2016.

Read more

Church court releases fall docket

The United Methodist Judicial Council has released a 24-item docket for its fall session. Because of the pandemic, the Judicial Council has been meeting online and deliberations are not yet scheduled. Briefs are due Oct. 12 and reply briefs are due Oct. 22. 

See the docket

World Communion Sunday - Oct. 2

United Methodists join Christians of different traditions to recognize our oneness in Christ and to bring us together in a spirit of unity and peace. In the ResourceUMC pastor and leaders’ kit, you can find Spanish, Korean, French and English resources to help you prepare for your World Communion Sunday service.

Learn more

African bishops condemn Africa Initiative and WCA

The United Methodist Church (UMC) bishops in Africa have condemned the Africa Initiative group and the Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA) for spreading falsehoods about The United Methodist Church in Africa.

At the close of their meeting at Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe, the bishops declared that they would have nothing to do with both the Africa Initiative and WCA as those two groups are now working for and promoting Global United Methodist Church, a denomination that has not been approved by the General Conference of the UMC. 

The four-day meeting had been bathed in devotions and prayers including a visit to Chinando, a special prayer center in the mountains that was created by Methodist women.

Click here to read the statement from the African bishops.

2 United Methodists elected to central committee

The World Council of Churches 11th Assembly elected two United Methodists as members of the ecumenical organization’s central committee. Bishop Sally Dyck, the Council of Bishops ecumenical officer, and the Rev. Ann Jacob, a pastor in Edmonds, Washington, will serve on the 150-member committee that acts as the main decision-making body for the World Council of Churches between assemblies.

See list of members (PDF)

See photos from the WCC Assembly

Local Church Historian School launches September 26

The United Methodist Commission on Archives and History is offering a Local Church Historian School for anyone interested in telling the story of their church. The curriculum will cover a wide range of skills necessary to research and write about the heritage and legacy of a church. A free, self-directed course is available, and there’s also a guided course with continuing education credits for $150. The school begins on Sept. 26.

Read the press release

Enroll

Ways to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month

During National Hispanic Heritage Month, observed Sept. 15-Oct. 15 every year, The United Methodist Church is called to incorporate and listen to Hispanic voices and speak out in support of them being heard in the public forum. ResourceUMC offers several ways for churches to observe the event.

View the resource

Pacific Islanders pledge unity amid schism

Amid rising church disaffiliations, The United Methodist Church’s Pacific Islander Ministry Plan Advisory Committee pledged to continue to live into God’s unity and not focus on issues that divide. The group’s statement noted that Pacific Islanders, like others in the church, have differing views on human sexuality. “Our hope is that this one issue will not ‘conquer and divide’ us so that we can continue our journey in the UMC,” the group said.

Read the statement

Bishops respond to letter from MARCHA

MARCHA, the United Methodist caucus of Hispanic Methodists, issued an open letter of concern Sept. 2 to the Council of Bishops regarding the current complaint filed against Bishop Minerva Carcaño. The letter expresses concern about the handling and extension of the complaint process and requests that the Council of Bishops remove the complaints from the Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops and assume responsibility for processing them. In a written response to the caucus, the Council of Bishops acknowledged the grief and pain caused by the unresolved state of the complaint and subsequent suspension of Bishop Carcaño. The bishops also said the adjudication of the complaint process rests with the jurisdictional college of bishops and committee on episcopacy, and that the process has been delayed due to an appeal filed with the Judicial Council, the denomination’s top court. That appeal is still pending. The Council of Bishops said it joins MARCHA and others in prayer for healing for Bishop Carcaño and all who have experienced harm. 

Read MARCHA open letter

Weeklong celebration showcases ministry success powered by communications

United Methodist Communications will celebrate the power of effective communication to drive successful ministry during Communications Impact Week (September 12-16, 2022). The event will showcase how communication resources and tools are empowering ministry near and far -- shared via their website and social media channels throughout the week.

“The pandemic not only changed how many churches do ministry, but it also underscored the vital importance of communication in connecting people with the church,” said Dan Krause, chief executive of United Methodist Communications. “We recognize that members may not be aware of the work done behind-the-scenes to equip ministry through communications. We hope they’ll be inspired about how these efforts are having a real-life impact.”

In 2021 alone, UMCom served 1,900+ local churches, trained 2,000 church leaders, garnered 459 million advertising impressions, serviced 900,000 text messages, supported 1.67 million social media followers and had 14.6 million web page views.

Read more

New Bible Study: Being the Church with the Oppressed

Religion and Race released a new four-session Bible study - Being the Church with the Oppressed: Four African Perspectives. It includes a free French version and a free Portuguese version.

Learn more

Church honored by high school

Just over a year ago, New Hope United Methodist Church welcomed a new neighbor: a brand-new high school in the church’s backyard. Now, the school has honored New Hope as a “Bronco Backer.”

Read the story

15-30: Lisa out of the office

30-Oct 2: United Women in Faith Annual Gathering

7-9: Professional Church Workers Retreat

10: Indigenous Peoples' Day

13-17: GNW DCM Retreat

18-20: GNW Cabinet Meeting

31: Halloween

Upcoming Clergy Birthdays

September 17 - Autumn Krueger

September 22 - Won Jea Keum

September 28 - Darla Bradley

October 8 - Andy Bartel

October 10 - Luke Jones

October 18 - Dan Wilcox