Harry Denman Award - Mary Werner

Meet Mary Werner, 2023 recipient of the Harry Denman Evangelism Award

Mary was nominated by Rev. Walt Hays, who writes:

“I have known Mary Werner for over 25 years as part of the Saint John Church family and as a co- worker (extraordinaire) on several mission teams. A career educator, Mary knows how to apply Biblical and life-skills to help those in need. Mary has a keen interest in the Bible and theological studies and has been part of an ecumenical Bible Study group and groups that study the theological classics (C. S. Lewis and others) for over 20 years. I would state that Mary is a Matthew 25:37-40 disciple. She is a true servant leader not content to simply be compassionate but to help others (especially the working poor of the world) to have a more abundant life.”

This faith foundation led Mary on many mission teams. She’s traveled six times to the Republic of South Africa, four times to Guatemala, and then to Liberia just last year. With these teams she used her language and photography skills to enhance the work for everybody. She has also been an enthusiastic supporter of the NGO, “Days for Girls International,” where she serves as South Central Alaska’s Chapter Chair. This organization is at work on 6 continents with a proven program of menstrual health education and distribution of washable, reusable kits. She works with volunteers from Anchorage to Chickaloon who have funded over 3,000 kits in 13 years — with 640 distributed by the recent Libera mission team.

Along with this work Mary has used her skill as a seamstress in helping local women at sewing cooperatives and leading classes and training on feminine hygiene for older elementary girls.

The nomination closes by saying: “Mary is a "doer" of the word. She was recognized for her outstanding work as a servant leader with the Susannah Wesley Award in May of 2022 by the United Methodist Men of the Alaska Conference.”

One Matters Award - First UMC, Ketchikan

Every year, Discipleship Ministries partners with Annual Conferences to offer the One Matters Award to one congregation who had at least one baptism or profession of faith after a year without one. The award comes with a plaque and $1000.00 check. At annual conference 2023, First UMC, Ketchikan received this award. Rev. David Owsley, reflects on what this means to them:

“I did not expect that we would receive the One Matters Award. Reflecting on this past year and how we've grown, the best examples I can give came from one of our new members. I asked her not only what brought her to our church but, most importantly, what made her want to be a part of our community? She said, “I was welcomed with open arms and I felt like I could belong here. That this was a place where my contributions were greatly appreciated.”

Looking back on this last year, we have focused on our welcome. We have reestablished Fellowship as we come out of COVID. I think all of these things have contributed to our growth over the last year. Now that we have the beginnings of good Fellowship again, we're starting to focus outward into our community. With the money we receive from this award, we plan to host more events for our community and let people know that we are not only here, but we are active and that they are invited to participate in the life of our worship community.”

Belonging: An Intergenerational Soul Care Retreat

United Women in Faith is offering a new approach to personal enrichment focused on giving care to your whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Our approach to Soul Care embraces both self-care and spiritual rejuvenation.

The retreat will enrich us through thought-provoking speakers, music, poetry, playshops, sacred circle discussions, networking and more! The retreat provides us opportunity to bring new women into our United Women in Faith Sisterhood. Each woman registering is to invite a friend not already in UWF, and because this will be an intergenerational retreat, we are striving for a diverse blend of women.

Our “BELONGING” retreat theme will bring us into intentional community as we slow down, reflect and renew. While we do, we claim the joy, the hope, and the fulfillment of being in harmony with self and spirit.

Registration is Open!

$200 fee

Registration ends August 1.

Click here: Registration Form

For more information contact

Bonita Miller 907-440-1636 OR

Janice Nightingale 907-398-7844

Early Response Team basic training being offered

Be ready when the next disaster strikes to help those most in need. The Early Response Team Basic Training offered on Sat., August 26, at Mount Vernon UMC (Washington), will prepare you on ways to clean out a flooded home, haul debris, sift through ashes and work alongside survivors while staying safe. The class is taught by United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) certified trainers and includes examples of recent missions, hands-on activities, and an opportunity to meet people with a passion to serve. Anyone 18 years or older is welcome to attend.

Click here to register, learn more, and for a downloadable flier to share.

Mission u 2023

Alaska United Women in Faith invite you to Mission u 2023, meeting four Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 beginning Aug. 22. Rebecca Absher will lead the study of “Living the Kin-dom: Exploring the Lord’s Prayer as a Spiritual Practice for Social Transformation” by Riva Tabelisma.

Sign up here

Draw the Circle Wide

Alaska United Women in Faith will be holding their Annual Gathering at Anchor Park UMC September 29 - October 1, 2023.

The scripture focus for the weekend is Romans 15:7, "So reach out and welcome one another to God's glory. Jesus did it; now you do it! (The Message)"

The keynote speaker will be the United Women in Faith National Board President 'Ainise 'Isama'u and the worship leader will be Rev. Bennie Grace Nabua of UMC of Sitka.

Registration form will come out soon. Save the date now! Learn more about the schedule here.

'Vamos à igreja': Worship music in Angola

Church services in Africa often last several hours and are full of joyful, infectious music. During an April reporting trip to Angola, videographer Joey Butler and photographer Mike DuBose were able to capture music during worship at two United Methodist churches. A few of the songs might be familiar to U.S. audiences.

Watch the video

UM News: Lighting the way in Angola

Bishop Devadhar, who led with kindness, dies

Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar’s unexpected death at age 72 has led to an outpouring of grief across The United Methodist Church. United Methodists are remembering the denomination’s first Indian American bishop for his compassionate leadership, deep spirituality and work for Christian unity.

Funeral set for July 27, 2023

Read the obituary

Read Council of Bishops press release

Hope for the Black church

Three leaders recently gathered for a discussion of the importance of the Black church, and a video of the ensuing discussion is available online. The hourlong video touches on the opportunities for creativity that open up in times of disruption. It is hosted by Patricia Peña, director of diversity and innovative community engagement with Path 1 at Discipleship Ministries. The panelists are the Revs. Michael Bowie, Adrienne Zachery and Kevin Kosh.

Read the press release and watch video

Group plans convocation in October

Reconciling Ministries Network, a group that advocates full inclusion of LGBTQ people in The United Methodist Church, plans to hold its Convocation 2023 on Oct. 13-15 both virtually and at First United Methodist Church in Charlotte. The theme will be Onward to Perfection. Pre- and post-Convocation workshops are also scheduled for Oct. 12 and Oct. 16. Early-bird rates end July 31.

Read the press release

To learn more and register

Agency releases open letter on Bishop Carcaño

The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has released an open letter to the Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops on the ongoing suspension of Bishop Minerva Carcaño. The bishop faces a church trial on undisclosed charges on Aug. 21-25. The agency reiterated its call for the charges to be disclosed and asked for more information about whether the bishop has received a fair process.

Read the letter (PDF)

Read the Western Jurisdiction statement

The Book of Discipline on complaints against bishops

Child's baptism request has multiplication effect

Following the closing session of vacation Bible school at Navarre United Methodist Church, one of the youngest students who participated approached the pastor and asked if she could be baptized. The girl’s request led to 12 baptisms, one baptism reaffirmation and five decisions to join the church by profession of faith.

Read the story