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e~Aurora

A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference

Conference News

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January and February Apportionments

The January and February apportionment report has been put on the conference website. This is a monthly report to show where each church is on their commitment to paying their part of the apportionments. The goal is to pay the apportionments in full by October of every year, churches do have until the end of the calendar year to pay them at 100%.


View the apportionment report

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Updated mailing lists

For those of you receiving these weekly newsletters, you also are receiving our weekly prayer emails which go out on Thursday mornings. We have created separate mailing lists for each of those mailings now. So, you can visit your preferences (at the bottom of each email sent) at any time to update any of your subscription lists from us. However, we would love for you to continue receiving both!


Most of you are serving the conference in some way that affirms that you should remain on our newsletter mailing list so that you can stay on top of conference items. If you ever have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the conference office at alaskauamc@gmail.com.

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Annual Conference Information


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.

National News

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General Conference further postponed to 2024

As the pandemic continues and the wait time for visas stretches to over two years in some countries, the Commission on the General Conference announced Thursday that the 2020 General Conference cannot be held in 2022 due to COVID-related and governmental policies/constraints.


Commission members received a report based on conversations with multiple officials of the U. S. Department of State outlining the massive backlog of visa applications in some areas. This backlog has led to wait times up to 800+ days for scheduling an initial interview. In addition, commission members described an increasingly complex interview process in some areas requiring two or three interviews, which also creates a roadblock that would preclude participation by many delegates outside the United States of America.


Read the full press release

Read the announcement by UM News

UMC Bishops to explore various pathways as GC is postponed

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UMCOR supports Ukraine relief

United Methodist Global Ministries is supporting humanitarian relief efforts that are under way as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Donations can be made to the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s International Disaster Response and Recovery fund, Advance #982450. The funds will enable United Methodists and mission partners to provide support in Ukraine and in neighboring countries welcoming those fleeing the violence.


Learn more

Donate

United Methodists in and near Ukraine help refugees

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United Methodist Women changes its name

United Methodist Women is changing its name to United Women in Faith. The church agency is also getting a fresh logo and an updated website and is introducing new and improved programs. The changes are designed to address the different needs and life stages of current members and new women, and to expand options for membership and engagement.


Learn more at www.uwfaith.org

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Bishops seek ruling on whether an annual conference can leave UMC

The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church is requesting a declaratory decision from the Judicial Council on whether an annual conference can separate from the denomination under the provision of the Book of Discipline. 

During a special meeting COB held via Zoom and through electronic balloting, the bishops approved a request to ask the church’s top court to address six questions


Read more

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Sierra Leone university celebrates first graduates

The United Methodist University in Sierra Leone, founded by the late Bishop John K. Yambasu, graduated its first class — 32 students in all — on Feb. 26. Speakers at the ceremony recalled Yambasu’s zest and passion as he worked around the clock to realize this dream.


Read the story

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UMCOR Sunday Pastor and Leader Kit

March 27 is UMCOR Sunday, a day in which churches throughout the denomination are encouraged to collect donations to support the work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief. For more than 80 years, UMCOR has ensured that 100% of its gifts to specific projects help those who need it most. Core resources are available in multiple languages.


See resources

Conference Calendar

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13: Daylight Saving Times starts

14: Mission District Task Force meeting (6 pm)

17: St. Patrick's Day

17: Leadership Team meeting (6 pm)

23-25: GNW Cabinet meeting - Carlo & Lisa attending

25: Local Church Statistics Reports due

31: Mission District Task Force meeting (6 pm)

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15: Annual Conference reports due

17: Easter Sunday

18: Tax Day

19-21: GNW Cabinet meeting - Carlo & Lisa attending

21: Mission District Task Force meeting (6 pm)

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Upcoming Clergy Birthdays


March 21 - Nico Reijns


March 23 - Bob Jones Jr.


April 18 - Bertha Koweluk


April 21 - Lucas Boomsma


April 23 - Karen Martin Tichenor


April 30 - April Hall

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The United Methodist Church


Bishop's Blog

Superintendent's Blog


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Conference Office

alaskaumc@gmail.com

www.alaskaumc.org

907-333-5050


Superintendent - Carlo Rapanut

carlorapanut@gmail.com


Director of Connectional Ministries - Lisa Talbott

lisamarietalbott@gmail.com

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

Alaska United Methdodist Conference

1660 Patterson Street, Anchorage, AK 99504

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