Professional Church Workers' Retreat

The Alaska Professional Church Workers' Retreat is THIS WEEKEND! The purpose of this retreat is to embrace play as a sacred act, to offer an intentional respite to those who have been ministering in a variety of ways during this very difficult time, and to connect and build relationships with one another. See more information linked in the invitation letter and updated draft agenda. Please direct questions to Lisa Talbott.

Laity Sunday 2022

This year's Laity Sunday theme from Discipleship Resources is Rise Up! Reveal. God's love for us is revealed through Jesus Christ. This year, you may choose to celebrate Laity Sunday on October 9, while the clergy and professional church workers are on retreat. Attached are a draft bulletin and notes based on the theme. All you need to do is recruit volunteers and choose hymns! Also, there are additional resources from the Greater New Jersey Conference for your reference. Special thanks to David Means, Donna Singleton, and Betty Hertz who wrote and compiled these resources. We give God thanks for the priesthood of all believers!

Laity Sunday Notes

Laity Sunday Bulletin

GNJ Laity Sunday Preaching Resource

GNJ Laity Sunday Worship Resource

Dropbox link from Discipleship Ministries

Charge Conference paperwork ready for download

Conference Superintendent Christina DowlingSoka is planning Church/Charge Conferences with all the Alaska churches. As those meetings get scheduled, now is the time to start filling out the paperwork. The superintendent is asking that the paperwork is completed and emailed at least one week prior to your scheduled meeting.  You can find the Church/Charge Conference page here.

ERT Training, October 15th, at Anchor Park

Early Response Teams go into disaster areas soon after the response phase for the sake of helping homeowners sort through homes and move towards recovery. We hope to be deploying ERTs to Western Alaska by the end of this month to help cleanup after the storms in September. 

To be an ERT, you must be at least 18 years of age, be able to physically do the work of a cleanup, and pass a background check. Also, you need to be flexible to quickly shifting situations!

If you are interested or have any questions, than please contact Dan Wilcox at danielpwilcox@gmail.com, or 907.414.7078. You must preregister for the training to ensure availability of materials.

Apportionment Report

The treasurer’s office has sent us the September apportionment report. You can view it anytime on the conference website here. There are three months left of 2022 to pay 100% of your apportionments.

Special offering during charge conferences to benefit Circle of Indigenous Ministries, honor Bishop Stanovsky

In honor of Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky's retirement and her legacy of supporting the work of indigenous ministries during her 14 years of episcopal service, the Greater Northwest Area cabinet announces that a special offering will be taken at charge conferences this fall for the Circle of Indigenous Ministries.

Learn more on the GNW News site.

Disaster relief for Western Alaska

As we have watched the devastating storms that have hit the western coast of Alaska, many have wondered what they might do. Alaska Conference Disaster Response is actively involved with partnering agencies and state emergency response to help with response and have a view to recovery. 

We are inviting churches to hold special offerings this coming week, using the Conference Advance #310 to remit funds to the conference. Anything collected will be used in state as we respond to the communities in need. 

If you have any questions, please contact Dan Wilcox, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, danielpwilcox@gmail.com, 907.414.7078.

Checks can be sent to Conference Treasurer, Brant Henshaw, at PO Box 13650, Des Moines, WA 98198-3650

Hurricane recovery begins in Florida

United Methodists responded to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Ian with typical compassion for the survivors and determination to respond effectively. At least 88 deaths and 1,600 rescues have been documented in Florida since the storm hammered the state last week.

Read the story

Caucus calls for end to Columbus Day

The United Methodist Church’s Native American International Caucus released a statement applauding the recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day as a federal holiday for the first time starting in 2021. At the same time, the official United Methodist caucus called for an end to the federally recognized celebration of Columbus Day. In the podcast “The Unfinished Church,” the Rev. Fred Shaw also talks about the damaging legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery of which Columbus was a part.

 

Read the statement

Listen to “The Unfinished Church” podcast

Bishops push back against recruitment tactics

As churches weigh disaffiliation, bishops are trying to set the record straight on misinformation being spread about The United Methodist Church’s future. They also are working toward building a church where traditionalists, centrists and progressives will all feel they belong. Meanwhile, a recent church court decision could have an impact on disaffiliation lawsuits in civil court.



Read the story

UM News: Church court makes impact

Church says clergywoman faces trumped-up charges

Church groups are rallying together in support of the Rev. Glofie Baluntong, a pastor known for her social justice work. The former United Methodist district superintendent and longtime deaconess has been charged with attempted murder, but she and her supporters say she is innocent and the charge is meant to silence her advocacy for indigenous people.

Read the story

#StillInMission Episode 47

United Methodist Missionaries are #stillinmission and we hope that you will join us to learn more!

We are excited to invite you to join us for #StillInMission Episode 47 which will be on October 6 at 8 am AK time!

To register, click here. Registration is required.

'The Recap' debuts

“The Recap” is a short video news segment produced by United Methodist Communications that helps United Methodists have a better understanding of what is going on in the denomination, find inspiration in stories of ministry and learn how the denomination is transforming the world. The debut episode looks at the splintering occurring in The United Methodist Church, as well as how the church is helping Ukrainian refugees and children with special needs in South Africa.

Watch the video

New UMCOR grant to help remove landmines in Ukraine

When Russian Federation forces recently withdrew from large parts of Ukraine, they left behind landmines, booby traps and unexploded cluster munitions hidden to do the most harm. A new $2 million grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief to Mines Advisory Group will help demine reclaimed ground, enable teams to identify the exact location of unexploded ordnances and educate Ukrainians living in or returning to these areas on safe behaviors to reduce the risk of accidents.

Read the press release

Walking fundraiser started Oct. 1

A wellness walk fundraiser is planned from Oct. 1 through Nov. 12, with the proceeds going to Emmaus Ministries. Emmaus is dedicated to strengthening disciples for the renewal of the church. Cost to register for the walk is $29. Participants are asked to walk 7 miles, which is the distance between Jerusalem and Emmaus. After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to two disciples walking to Emmaus — an encounter described in Luke.

Read the press release

Register

Community Bible study helps church make disciples

Churches in the Chitungwiza Marondera District are making disciples of Jesus Christ in their communities through in-depth Bible study. The district trained 40 class leaders through the Community Bible Study International program and today has 161 classes functioning.



Read the story

Watch the video

Young elder numbers hit record low

The Lewis Center for Church Leadership has published its annual report on clergy age trends in The United Methodist Church. The number of elders under age 35 is at a record low. Young deacon numbers are up slightly. The Rev. Lovett H. Weems Jr., senior consultant for the Lewis Center, has done an analysis of the trends.

Read full report

Read Weems' analysis

Read report highlights

6: Professional Ministries Unit meeting

7-9: Professional Church Workers Retreat

10: Indigenous Peoples' Day

13-17: GNW DCM Retreat

18-20: GNW Cabinet Meeting

20: Leadership team Meeting

27: Mission District Task Force meeting

28 - Nov. 1: Christina in Juneau

30: Charge Conference - Aldersgate UMC

31: Charge Conference - Douglas Community UMC

31: Halloween

2 - 5: Western Jurisdiction Conference

6: Daylight Saving Time ends

6: Charge Conference: Seward Community UMC

8: Election Day

10: Charge Conference: UMC of Sitka

11: Veteran's Day

12: Charge Conference - Kenai & North Star UMC's

12: Charge Conference - Soldotna UMC

13: Charge Conference - Girdwood Chapel UMC

15-17: GNW Cabinet meeting

20: Charge Conference - Christ First UMC

20: Charge Conference - Turnagain UMC

21: Charge Conference - Ola Toe Fuataina Samoan Fellowship

24: Thanksgiving - Office Closed

25: Office Closed

27: Charge Conference - Anchor Park UMC

28: Charge Conference - Anchorage Korean UMC

Upcoming Clergy Birthdays

October 8 - Andy Bartel

October 10 - Luke Jones

October 12 - Bishop Elaine Stanovsky

October 18 - Dan Wilcox

November 5 - Kim Poole

November 6 - Fa'atafaFulumu'a

November 9 - Murray Crookes

November 27 - Laura Krauss