A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference |
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Re-imagined/Re-engaged Cold Weather Shelter
I am excited to say that we are working on reengaging with families that are currently unhoused in Anchorage. Since March 2020, the Emergency Cold Weather Shelter has had to readjust. The families did not fall through the crack, but were able to be housed in hotels. And now it is time for us, as believers and followers of Christ, to answer the call to reengage with this amazing outreach ministry. We are being asked to help welcome families at the hotel where they are staying, providing them with care packages, help fill out the registration paperwork, and help them settle in. The plan at this time is to have an online sign-up so that AWAIC will know who to call on what days to help, with the idea being churches will again have a specific night on a rotating schedule of volunteers.
If you are interested in being a part of this AMAZING ministry opportunity, please contact me, Jennifer Miller, via email at fumc@gci.net or call my cellphone (907) 351-0274.
Thank you for your assistance!
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Winter Youth Break Away camp at Birchwood
Online registration is now open for Winter Youth Break Away (WYBA) to be held at Birchwood Camp on December 28-31, 2021. We invite your kids to join us for this exciting winter camp for students in grades 6-12. Campers will have the opportunity to build community, make new friends, try new winter activities, experience different and unique worship styles and have some fun during their winter break!
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Merry Christmas!
We hope you have a Merry Christmas this Saturday. Our office will be closed Thursday and Friday of this week in observance of the Christmas holiday.
The office will also be closed Thursday and Friday of next week as well in observance of the New Year.
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United Methodists reach settlement in Boy Scouts' Bankruptcy Case
United Methodist leaders have reached a settlement in the matter of the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) pending bankruptcy proceedings. Upon final court approval, the settlement would absolve any claims of sexual abuse that may have occurred in congregation-sponsored Scouting programs.
Under the terms of the settlement, United Methodists would raise and give $30 million over a three-year period into a fund that will be utilized to compensate survivors, and United Methodist congregations that charter Scout troops and packs would be released from all abuse claims involving Scouting activities. A team has been formed to identify strategies and materials that may be used to raise the funds. The church would also agree to work for the healing of survivors and recommit to work toward ending sexual abuse of young people. Through the General Commission on United Methodist Men, United Methodists will work with the BSA to continue to ensure Scout safety and grow Scouting ministry as part of its mandate through The Book of Discipline.
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Top court releases decision
The Judicial Council, The United Methodist Church's top court, has released its last decision of 2021. Decision 1419 affirms a decision by the Northeastern Jurisdictional Committee on Appeals in an elder's administrative appeal. The Judicial Council, which has been meeting online, also has begun deliberations on its fall 2021 docket.
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Christmas message expresses hope for church
Council of Bishops President Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey is optimistic that the new year will offer more opportunities for United Methodists throughout the world to engage in increased ministry and to be more loving. "As we enter 2022, we will continue to make room for all to be welcome," writes Harvey, who also leads the Louisiana Conference.
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Filipino leaders push to elect new bishops
A year after extending its bishops' terms, the Philippines Central Conference Coordinating Council is pushing for a special session to elect new bishops — with or without the General Conference in 2022. However, United Methodist leaders in the Philippines acknowledge that such a plan potentially faces hurdles under the Book of Discipline.
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Supporters celebrate plan's second anniversary
Proponents celebrate the second anniversary of the Christmas Covenant legislation submitted to General Conference. The Christmas Covenant is a set of legislation and constitutional amendments aimed at establishing regional equity in the structures of the church while maintaining unity in connection. In a video, Bishop Rodolfo Juan of the Philippines explains his support for the plan.
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Reviving Christmas cheer in dark times
In this second year of the pandemic and amid violence and natural disasters, United Methodist churches are getting creative in helping people experience Christ's birth and love's pure light. Heather Hahn reports on how churches are sharing Christmas joy.
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New resource available for Disability Awareness Sunday
As worship leaders and pastors begin planning their upcoming church year, a new resource is now available from the Commission on Disability Concerns of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. The new liturgy, created by persons with disabilities, includes hyperlinks to websites, alternative materials and additional recommendations for consideration. The Book of Discipline requires that annual conferences designate a Sunday to observe Disability Awareness Sunday.
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Digital Fresh Expressions webinar
Discipleship Ministries hope is to equip “digital missionaries” who are using technology for outreach ministries that connect with neighbors and friends.
Additionally, by applying the “loving first journey” in the digital ecosystem, participants will continue working on plans to plant new places for new people in digital spaces.
The first webinar starts on Thursday, January 13, 2022.
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Foundation offering local church grants
The Foundation for Evangelism is launching a new $250,000 Equipping the Local Church grant cycle. Grants for $5,000 or $10,000 will be awarded to Wesleyan-tradition congregations with under 250 participants, or clusters of churches working together. Applications open Jan. 15.
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2021: The year in photos
Amid challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainties about the future of the denomination, United Methodists continued to live out their faith and serve their communities in 2021. Photographers from UM News, the denomination's official news service, documented a year in the life of United Methodism worldwide.
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How do United Methodists celebrate January 1?
For many around the world, Jan. 1 is the day to celebrate the beginning of a new calendar year. But for United Methodists, there are at least three different reasons to celebrate on that day, writes Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications.
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2021: Notable church members remembered
This year, United Methodists mourned the passing of noted evangelists, civil rights activists, the inventor of a beloved children's toy and the woman believed to be the last U.S. Civil War widow. UM News has 39 remembrances of notable church members memorialized in 2021.
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Hymn history: 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel'
When United Methodists sing "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” few likely know this popular Advent hymn's origins span across 1,200 years. Crystal Caviness has the story of how Latin vespers chanted by monks in the 800s ended up being recorded in the 21st century by the likes of Kelly Clarkson and Wynonna Judd.
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20-30: Carlo on vacation
23: Office Closed
24: Christmas Eve - Office Closed
25: Christmas Day
30: Office Closed
31: New Year's Eve - Office Closed
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1: New Year's Day
11-14: GNW Cabeinet meetings - Carlo and Lisa attending
17: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
24-Feb 4: Crystal on vacation
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Upcoming Clergy Birthdays
December 23 -
Christina DowlingSoka
January 4 -
David Owsley
January 18 -
Karen Dammann
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Conference Office
907-333-5050
Superintendent - Carlo Rapanut
Director of Connectional Ministries - Lisa Talbott
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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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