A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference | |
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Brian Anderson
I have lived in Alaska for 16 of the past 20 years and currently reside in Anchorage with my spouse (Kristin) and 3 children: Doug 11, Kiearan 7 and Sophia 5. I enjoy being outdoors and riding my bike. Recently I tried dip netting and enjoyed the overall experience, though the verdict is still out on future expeditions. I am currently the chaplain at Alaska Pacific University, and have been in the role for 6 years as well as taking on this new role at Christ First in Wasilla. I am excited for this new part of my journey and learning, loving and growing along the way with friends and supporters near and far.
Peace.
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Charles Ensminger
Charles has served as a pastor in the United Methodist Church for 26 years and is currently the pastor of Ḵunéix̱ Hídi Northern Light United Church. Charles has also taught as an Adjunct Professor of Religion at Tennessee Wesleyan University, a role he has enjoyed for 20 years, teaching “Introduction to the Bible,” “Introduction to the Christian Faith,” and “Discipleship and Film” among others.
After graduating from Tennessee Wesleyan, Charles attended Drew University in Madison, New Jersey where he earned a Master of Divinity as well as an M.A. in Biblical Studies. He then went on after a few years break from school to do a D. Min. degree at Methodist Theological School in Ohio.
Charles married Cindy Fitzgerald in 1996. While Charles was at Drew, Cindy was at Seton Hall earning her master’s degree in marriage and family counseling. She, via online capabilities, currently works for Behavioral Heath Associates in Chattanooga, TN. Charles and Cindy have two cats and a rambunctious dog.
During his tenure as pastor, Charles has also served as the director of the Wesleyan Christian Fellowship program at Tennessee Wesleyan, worked with the Kingsport District Academy when he served in
Blountville, and, for five years while at Niota UMC, was also a certified Firefighting Chaplain by the state of Tennessee.
Charles has written three books:
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Crafting the Sermon: A Beginner’s Guide to Preaching (2019)
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Saturday Faith: Moving through the Crisis of Hopelessness (2021)
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From Advent to Ascension: A Journey with the Christ (2022)
He has also written the chapter, “And in the End” in the book Now What? A Guide to the Gifts and
Challenges of Aging (Front Edge Publishing, 2021).
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Madonna "Donna" Singleton
My name is Madonna “Donna” Singleton; in 2021 I became a Certified Lay Minister (CLM). In 2022 I completed a course specializing in Congregational Care Ministry (CCM).
I have been married to the love of my life Rob, for 40 years, we have lived in Alaska for 30 of those years; we have two grown children; who grew up in Palmer, and still live here.
I serve Palmer UMC Fellowship (PUMC), which is one of the reconciling ministries in the Conference.
I am blessed to have been assigned to the Pastoral Leadership role at my home church. Having served PUMC for 18+ years, primarily as Church Secretary but also in other
leadership roles has made the transition easier for both the congregation and me. These years of service have given me both an operational and congregational perspective on what it means to be a part of PUMC and allowed us to continue in the outreach ministries we have ongoing and to start a few new ministries as well.
I am excited that PUMC continues it's goal of community service through these
community outreach projects:
As part of PUMC’s mission to be good allies by showing-up, listening, and loving, we had the great fortune to join with other churches in our Conference and be at Anchorage Pride fest and be a part of the Anchorage Pride parade in June; as well as, having our own booth at Underground Pride here in Palmer in July.
Our School lunch outreach program received three grants that will enable us to once
again partner with Palmer High School staff and students to provide weekend lunches to students in the Valley who are experiencing food insecurity.
We have ongoing collection drives for the following organizations in the Mat-Su Valley:
- Blankets for The Children's Place
- Food and other essential items for the Palmer Food Pantry
- Clothes and sundries for MyHouse
- We also help maintain a Little Free Library with the Palmer Lions in a park in Palmer
I am excited to see the love of God being demonstrated in practical ways every day in
our community in and outside of the walls of our church by the people I am blessed to
lead in worship weekly. They challenge me to live out my own faith walk and I pray that I
can continue to do so while extending the same challenge to all of the PUMC family.
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Multiple save the dates
Fall Pastoral Leader Retreat
We want to share that the Fall Pastoral Leader Retreat will be held September 21-24, 2023 at Alaska Pacific University. More details and a registration will come in a few weeks. This is a required event for those under appointment/assignment.
Winter Learning Event
The Winter Learning Event will be open to anyone interested, clergy and lay. The dates will be February 2-6. The location is still being determined.
Annual Conference 2024
Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth did announce during the summer's Annual Conference Session that the 2024 AC will be June 27-30 in Anchorage.
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Charge Conference paperwork coming soon!
***Heads up to Churches, Pastors, and Church Leadership***
We will mostly be using an online reporting system for church charge conference paperwork this year. Most of the forms will have the identical questions as in past years but you will not be filling out a PDF or Word document out anymore, you will be answering the questions online.
You will have access to these forms through your People Portal. Clergy should have accessed their People Portal at lease once already and some church leadership may have as well. Here is a link with a step by step process on how to login.
We suggest that you take the time now to try to login so that when the paperwork is available, you can easily log in and begin. Please note that I am here to help! If you have a question or are having trouble logging in, please contact Crystal in the conference office so I can assist you. This is what I am here for!
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An unexpected gift for Disaster Response in Alaska!
Deepest thanks to Rev. Steve Poteete-Marshall who took time out of his vacation cruise to Alaska to meet local United Methodist pastors along the route. He presented a check from his congregation for Disaster Response in Alaska to Rev. Kristi McGuire and expressed joy at touring the church where Bishop Cedrick was installed. Thank you, Pastor Steve and the people of Estero Bay United Methodist Church in Morro Bay, CA, for embracing connectionalism and being in ministry with us!
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Youth and youth workers experience Yáych'unal (Courage) in Yakima
This summer, 61 youth and youth workers from across the Greater Northwest Area met in Wapato, WA, for a week of service and learning with new neighbors from the Yakama Nation. With financial and prayerful support from across the area, leaders partnered with the Yakama organization Mending Wings in providing the S.L.A.M. Trip, the first mission experience for many of the youth.
Read more on the GNW News site
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Free worship planning retreat for GNW area churches with Marcia McFee
Through worship, people find a sense of belonging and community, coming together to share common beliefs and values. A well-planned worship service can foster a connection with the divine, promoting a deeper understanding of one’s purpose and encouraging a life of compassion, love, and selflessness.
Worship planning can be a lot of work. What if you don’t have to do this planning alone? What if you could participate in a worship planning retreat from the comfort of your home, for free?
Empowered by a gift from a generous donor, the Greater Northwest Area is pleased to offer United Methodist local churches in the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho, and Pacific Northwest Conferences the chance to participate in Dr. Marcia McFee’s 2023-2024 livestream worship planning retreat at no cost to you on August 13-16, 2023 (recordings are also available in perpetuity afterward). Please consider participating and share this with members of your congregation who help to plan worship for your faith community (pastors, lay ministers, worship leaders, and team members). Our participation gives you access to the entire event for free!
Learn more and register here
We encourage you to take advantage of this free offer (usually $150 per church) made possible through our conference’s participation.
Click here to read the entire announcement and to share this opportunity online.
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Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course
The Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference is opening their basic lay servant ministries course to people throughout Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. If you were unable to attend the course by Pastor Andy Bartel in August, here is another opportunity. Emilie Kroen is an experienced instructor of Lay Servant Ministries.
September 7 - 21, 2023
TIME: Thurs & Tues 7 – 9 pm PDT; Sept 7, 12, 14, 19, & 21, 2023
LOCATION: On Line Zoom Course
INSTRUCTOR: Emilie Kroen, Oregon - Idaho Ann. Conf. Director of Lay Servant Ministries
COST: The cost of the book
REGISTER By Aug 31, 2023:
Email: ekroen@yahoo.com. Provide your Name, Address, Phone #, and your local church setting. Courses fill quickly so register as soon as you can commit to the schedule and course participation expectations. *Each participant must have a book, attend all 5 sessions with audio and video functions active throughout each session.
BOOK: Lay Servant Ministries by Sandy Zeigler Jackson and Brian Jackson
Participant’s Book • DR626 • 978-0-88177-626-3 • Participants’ books available in paperback at Cokesbury $9.29, Upper Room $12, and Amazon $11. ebooks are also available.
The “Introduction to Lay Servant Ministry: The BASIC Course” is the foundational course for Lay Servant Ministries. This is the gateway course for those who are called to be Certified Lay Servants, Lay Speakers, and Lay Ministers. And can also be part of a person’s discipleship plan to acquaint you with their gifts, calling, and responsibilities as followers of Christ.
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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 TODAY, August 1.
For more information contact
Bonita Miller 907-440-1636 OR
Janice Nightingale 907-398-7844
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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.
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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
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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.
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Judge orders Oklahoma to redo special session
The Oklahoma Conference is appealing a judge’s order that it re-create its April special session to vote on a church’s disaffiliation. The judge specifically called on the conference to bring back voters who are no longer United Methodist. The conference says the order violates the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment.
Read the story
UM News: A look at other court cases
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UMCOR aids flood-ravaged Nigeria
A $150,000 grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief is providing food and other support to thousands of people displaced by devastating flooding last year. “Today, all of us are witnesses of God’s love,” said Nigeria Episcopal Area Bishop John Wesley Yohanna before the relief was distributed.
Read the story
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Ministry helps people obtain IDs
Thanks to a paperwork error made more than 50 years ago, Deborah Holston has been unable to secure proper identification. Without an ID, she can’t qualify for housing assistance, get a job or receive Supplemental Security Income benefits. Now, with help from Foundry United Methodist Church’s ID Ministry, she is close to getting her ID. The church ministry helps more than a thousand people each year obtain the documentation they need.
Read the story
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Church court releases fall docket
The United Methodist Judicial Council has released a six-item docket for its fall session. The United Methodist Church’s top court plans to meet in person in October at Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Briefs are due Aug. 30 and reply briefs are due Sept. 9.
See the docket
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Festival of Wisdom and Grace set in August
Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center has scheduled its annual Festival of Wisdom and Grace for Aug. 21-24. The conference focuses on finding purpose and renewal in the second half of life. This year’s event, with the theme “Strong Roots, Bright Future: Our Jewish Roots,” will center on the Old Testament.
Learn more
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Efforts for regionalization move forward
Two United Methodist leadership bodies affirmed the direction of legislation to put each geographic region of The United Methodist Church on more even footing. United Methodist leaders also have gotten an update on discussions around the number of bishops on the African continent.
Read the story
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Conference partners with prison chaplains
Carmelo Urena, director of chaplaincy/religious services for Philadelphia Prisons, is a valued partner to the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Prison Ministries and Restorative Justice Team. Together they work with chaplains and others to help the conference minister to people living in prisons. The program extends past spiritual needs to help those who lack resources and family support.
Read the story
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Building beds and making disciples
A bed is a basic need for the proper physical, emotional and mental support that a child needs. That is why Charlie Schnabel, a member at Brookings First United Methodist Church, got involved in building beds for kids. Now the entire church is involved.
Read the story
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Blessing rural kids, butterflies
The Rev. Rob Spencer stepped down as a local church pastor to start a nonprofit that has had hundreds of rural children experiencing nature by planting native wildflowers for butterflies. Spencer, a fourth-generation Methodist clergyman, named the nonprofit Cutiv8 Community. Addressing kids’ “nature deficit” is just one of its goals.
Read the story
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Mission work helps refugee become homeowner
A group of retirees from three United Methodist churches have been volunteering as carpenters for Rochester Refugee Resettlement Services for many years. Their work is supported by Everyday Disaster grants from the Upper New York Conference. Shannon Hodson reports on one of the refugees who has been helped by this ministry.
Read the story
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Survey fuels concern for clergy
Rates of obesity, diabetes and hypertension continue to worsen for United Methodist clergy, according to a survey of 1,200 pastors in The United Methodist Church. However, the results showed some positive developments related to clergy’s spiritual vitality. The Clergy Well-Being Survey is conducted every two years by Wespath Benefits and Investments. The agency is planning listening sessions to help better understand the results.
Read the press release
Read the report
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Long-running youth mission project builds faith
For more than 30 years, youth groups from the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware conferences have been serving in the Appalachian region by providing home repair to those who do not have the means to take on the repairs themselves. More than just repairing homes, this mission ministry, called CAMP JOY, provides transformative service experiences for youth and their leaders.
Read the story
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10: Professional Church Workers check-in @ 10 am
Superintendent consultations throughout the month
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4: Labor Day - Office Closed
7: Leadership Team meeting @ 6:30 pm
21-24: Professional Church Workers Retreat @ Alaska Pacific University
28: Mission District Task Force meeting @ 6:00 pm
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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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We acknowledge that the Methodist Church is complicit with and rooted in the colonization of Alaska and recognize that we live in that ongoing legacy. We lament the harm and trauma that our faith community causes. John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Movement, summarized God’s directives with three Rules: do no harm, do good, and attend to the ordinances of God. We also celebrate the grace, the love, and the good that our church does that calls us to re-imagine mission through intentional discipleship with one another.
We will live into the transition to a Mission District committed to:
Alaska Conference Values
- The love of God, neighbor, and self, demonstrated by the deliberate embracing and valuing of differences, the leveling of imbalances between people and systems, and the intentional dismantling of inequities in whatever forms they present themselves.
- Healing, grace-filled mission with communities and churches that prioritizes local experiences and shares resources across time and distance through equitable relationships.
- Living into connectionalism by belonging to and trusting in one another to nurture relationships that celebrate the gifts each of our communities bring, allowing us to move forward in a decolonized way.
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