A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference | |
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You can still register for camp!
There is still time to register for a summer camp at Birchwood Camp. Check out their website for more details. The summer's theme is "FruitFULL Faith"!
The camp is also still looking for interns to work the camps this summer. They are paid positions ranging from 5 to 15 weeks. For more information about interning, visit their website to apply.
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Annual Conference Related News | | |
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Introducing our Annual Conference theme, logo
This year’s Annual Conference logo features the work of artist He Qi in the piece titled “The Good Samaritan.” Dr. He Qi is a Chinese artist who paints biblical stories in a folk-art style from a Chinese context. He is an artist-in-residence at Fuller Theological Seminary (CA) and a distinguished visiting professor at the Art Institute of RUC (Renmin University of China, Beijing).
Read more about the theme and artist on the GNW News site.
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2022 Members register for Special Session by April 25
If you were your church's Lay Member to the 2022 Annual Conference and registered to attend, please make sure you register to virtually attend the Special Session which will be held on May 6. You should have already received an email regarding this with the link to register. If you did not receive that email, please contact the conference office immediately. All currently appointed clergy also need to register to virtually attend the special session. If anyone has questions, please feel free to reach out to the Conference Office, Superintendent Christina, or DCM Lisa.
Thanks!
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Annual Conference REGISTRATION is OPEN!
You are warmly invited to attend the 52nd session of the Alaska Annual Conference, June 4-6, 2023 at Fairbanks First United Methodist Church.
There is a MEMBER registration for any Lay Members to Annual Conference, Alternate Members attending, Clergy, and a few more.
The IN PERSON GUEST registration is for guests and anyone else that wants to attend that has no voting privilege.
Even if you are participating via ZOOM, we ask that you register so that you will be able to receive the proper links when it is time.
If your child(ren) will be attending with you, please register them on the CHILD CARE registration form.
As always, if you have any questions, please contact the conference office.
MEMBER Registration - Ends May 9
IN PERSON GUEST Registration - Ends May 9
CHILD CARE Registration - Ends May 9
Hotel Information - Blocks of rooms will be released at specified dates. Please check the information sheet for specifics on each hotel. There needed to be a change to the first hotel listed on the previous information sheet. The Bridgewater has an internal website issue that prevented us from using the link to book a room there, so they have switched that block of rooms over to the SpringHill Suites. This new hotel information sheet has the updated booking link for that. It has also been updated on our website. Sorry for the inconvenience.
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Ministry Display Requests
If your United Methodist related organization would like to have display space during this year's Annual Conference, please submit the request to the Conference Office for consideration.
Display requests are due May 7, 2023
Display Request
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Award Nominations
If you know someone who has an exceptional ministry for evangelism - expressed in word, sign, or deed - please consider nominating them for a Harry Denman Award. Any Youth, Lay, or Clergy can be nominated.
Do you know a Lay Person who has gone above and beyond in various areas of ministry and or service to their local church? Now is your chance to nominate them for the Outstanding Lay Person of the Year.
Let's recognize the amazing people in our conference!
Nominations are due April 23, 2023.
Harry Denman Award (Youth, Lay, & Clergy)
Outstanding Lay Person of the Year
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Petitions
Do you have any legislation you would like to bring to the floor of the Annual Conference? This is your one time of year to implement change to matters that pertain to the Alaska Conference or the greater United Methodist Church.
Petitions are due April 23, 2023.
Petition form
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Dates & Information
We want to keep the preliminary dates announced for clergy sessions, annual conference sessions and special-called sessions to consider church disaffiliations in front of you. More details on each session will be forthcoming.
Alaska Specific information is:
- Service of Installation for Bishop Bridgeforth & GNW Opening Session, May 20, livestream only from Aldersgate UMC in Juneau
- Alaska Clergy gathering, May 25, online only
- Alaska Conference Session, June 4-6, hybrid from First UMC Fairbanks in Fairbanks
- GNW Closing Session, June 15, livestream only
- Alaska Special Called Session, May 6, online only
Read more of this story on the GNW News site.
Below are some tentative dates related to the Alaska Conference Session. Please note that some of the dates may shift a little:
- Publish Pre-Conference Handbook - May 1
- Registration Closes - May 9
- Memorial Information Due - May 16
FORMS ARE NOW POSTED ON THE CONFERENCE WEBSITE FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE!
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Greater Northwest Area News | |
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S.L.A.M. trips to offer GNW Area youth an opportunity to learn about native culture and perspectives
Youth (grades 7-12) and their leaders from across the Greater Northwest Area are invited to come together for a unique opportunity to get to know one another as they learn about and serve the Yakama community July 16-21 for a S.L.A.M. trip (Students Learning About Mission) on the Yakama Nation reservation in Wapato, Washington.
Learn more on the GNW website.
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New Lay Servant Ministry Course offered
Lay Servant Advanced Course: The Method of Our Mission (UM Polity)
May 9 - May 25, 2023 (Thurs & Tues 5 - 7 PM AKDT)
Register by May 2
To register, email Emily Kroen and provide your Name, Address, Phone # and your local church setting.
This course is available through Zoom. The only cost is the book.
To find out more information or ask questions email Emily Kroen.
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Bishop Wilson shares priorities, hopes for future
While acknowledging the significance of being the denomination's first Native American bishop, David Wilson is clear he intends to be an effective leader for all United Methodists under his purview. Wilson sat down for an interview with UM News to talk about his priorities and hopes for the future of The United Methodist Church.
Read the story
UM News: South Central elects Wilson as denomination’s first Native American bishop
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Churches respond to Louisville violence
Prayer vigils held at three Louisville-area United Methodist churches in response to a deadly shooting spree April 10 at a bank drew about 150 people. The city also is reeling from another mass shooting in a Louisville park that left two people dead and four injured.
Read the story
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Leadership resources for women
United Women in Faith has a new collection of resources to help women grow their leadership abilities. The 2023 Leadership Toolkit is available on the digital platform Bridge. To access the information, women need to establish an account with Bridge.
Read the press release
Start a Bridge account
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Church presence grows in Canada
The Rev. Norman Feliciano serves as the lead pastor of a growing congregation serving predominantly Filipino and immigrant families across more than 110 miles of British Columbia. The Pacific Northwest Conference worked with the United Church of Canada and The United Methodist Church’s mission agency to establish a United Methodist presence in the province.
Read the story
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Older Adult Recognition Day resources available
Each year, United Methodist congregations are invited to observe Older Adult Recognition Day in May — the same month the U.S. observes Older Americans Month. To help church leaders plan an Older Adult Recognition Day, ENCORE Ministry director Richard Gentzler compiled a free downloadable resource containing Scripture passages for sermon ideas, suggested hymns, prayers, Psalter readings and a litany.
View the resource
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Our call as United Methodists to eradicate sexual harassment
During the month of April, especially, we encourage all United Methodists to commit to eradicating sexual harassment in The Church. Sexual harassment is fueled by deeply rooted attitudes about power, authority, and gender. It will be prevented when these attitudes are challenged and overhauled! As the only agency tasked with providing resources to prevent, navigate and eradicate sexual misconduct, we encourage you to visit UMSexualEthics.org and utilize our resources.
Read more
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Church's tradition serves fish at Easter sunrise service
Sunrise Easter services are common for many churches, but have you heard of a sunrise service with a fish breakfast? This is a tradition that Hope United Methodist’s pastor, the Rev. David Martin, has celebrated for decades.
Read the story
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Board to focus on mission at Maputo meetings
Members of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries will gather in Maputo, Mozambique, for their board meeting April 20-22. The meeting will be preceded by an African Mission Partners Consultation, April 17-19, focusing on the future of United Methodist mission in Africa. It will be the first in-person board meeting for Global Ministries since 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the first outside the U.S.
Read the press release
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Churches call for peace treaty in Korea
As the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement approaches, Christians worldwide, including the World Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches in Korea and The United Methodist Church, are calling for an end-of-war agreement and a peace treaty.
Read the story
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Native American Ministries pastor and leader kit
Explore these resources to learn how and why United Methodists celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday. Invite your faith community to give generously, knowing that half of the gifts remain in the conference to support local Native American ministries; create programs and resources; and educate and support seminary scholarships for United Methodist Native Americans. Core resources are available in multiple languages. Native American Ministries Sunday is April 23, 2023.
Download now
Visit the GNW Area Circle of Indigenous Ministries website
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Interfaith FCU announces Pastoral Loan Program
Interfaith FCU understands answering the call to serve as clergy comes with unique financial challenges. IFCU is here to help.
The purpose of the new Pastoral Signature Loan Program is to provide additional cash during a time of need. Active clergy can borrow up to $3,000 for 24 months at 7.75% APR*, with no credit check required. Credit Union membership required.
For more information email lending@InterfaithFCU.org or call 800-245-0433.
https://interfaithfcu.org/pastoral-loan-program
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10 ways to take care of God's creation
Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 throughout the world. Check out this video to learn how United Methodists are called to take care of our environment and to discover creation care tips.
Celebrate Earth Day
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18: Tax Day
20: Leadership Team meeting
25-27: Cabinet Meeting in Idaho - Christina and Lisa attending
27: Mission District Task Force meeting
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1: First Day of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
4: Leadership Team meeting
5: Cinco de Mayo
6: Alaska Special Session
14: Mother's Day
20: Bishop Bridgeforth's Installation & Annual Conference Opening Session
25: Mission District Task Force meeting
29: Memorial Day - Office Closed
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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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