A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference | |
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Considering Alaska United Methodist Conference's Future: A Four-Part Series
Continuing our series on our reconsideration of becoming a Mission District of the Pacific Northwest Conference of The United Methodist Church, I’d like to offer my perspective as a former member of the Mission District Task Force, a current member of the Leadership Team, and a member of the LGBTQ community.
We’ve already heard about the work that the Mission District Task Force has undertaken to hone in on our conference values. And we’ve heard from our Leadership Team chair about the thoughtfulness with which we’ve considered the changing financial and administrative landscape of The United Methodist Church. I echo the sentiments of my colleagues who wrote those perspectives.
Read more from Tyler Watson, Lay Member of the Leadership Team
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Bishop Bridgeforth to appoint Rev. Kristin McGuire as Alaska Conference Superintendent
Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth has announced his intention to appoint the Rev. Kristin McGuire as Conference Superintendent for the Alaska United Methodist Conference, effective July 1, 2024.
“Throughout her ministry, Kristi has lived out our faith through the deep love and care she has offered to those she has served. As a faithful United Methodist, she seeks justice and equity in every situation,” offered Bishop Bridgeforth. “The gifts she has shared in Juneau will now bless all the ministries across Alaska and our Greater Northwest Area. I know Kristi will be a strong asset as we move forward in ministry together.”
McGuire will replace the Rev. Christina DowlingSoka, who has served as Conference Superintendent since 2022. In July, she expects to retire after 40-plus years of ministry, many alongside her husband, Joe-d.
Read more
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Special Called Session information
There will be a Town Hall discussion on Saturday, December 2 at 4 PM to help answer any questions that you might have regarding the vote that will take place during the Special Called Session to be held December 4th.
This will be held via Zoom and is open to everybody.
If you missed it, Bishop Bridgeforth sent out a Call Letter last week announcing the Special Called Session.
Read it here
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Charge Conference assistance
Don't forget that Crystal in the Conference Office is available during work hours to help individuals get logged into their People Portal to work on the Charge Conference paperwork. Don't wait until the last minute!
Don't forget that charge conference reports should be complete one week prior to your date. You will need to have a hard copy of the reports for the Superintendent.
Charge Conference Info
Link to M.I.L.E. video
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Birchwood Camp news
Birchwood Camp will hold their Annual Auction and Cookie Decorating on Sunday, December 3 at camp. The cookie decorating will begin at 1 PM and is $15/person. Their auction will begin at 5 PM (live and online) and will conclude with a dinner at 6:30 PM. The cost is $30/person. Please make sure to RSVP if you plan to attend either (or both!) event.
Winter Youth Camp will be held January 3-6, 2024. It is for youth that are in grades 6-12. The registration fee is $525. Keep a look out for the registration in the future.
Last, but not least, they are hiring an Administrative Assistant.
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Intro to Lay Servant Ministries: Basic Course
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. It can also be part of a person’s discipleship plan to acquaint you with the gifts, calling, and responsibilities as followers of Christ. This course will be offered over five two-hour sessions on Zoom on Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30 & Feb. 6, 2024, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. PT
Learn more + register on the PNW website.
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Apportionment Report
The apportionment report as of November 20 has been shared with the clergy of the conference. You can view where your church is below.
Apportionment Report
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Bishops plan to call special General Conference in 2026
The United Methodist Council of Bishops plans to call a special session of the General Conference in 2026 for delegates to strategize and work toward bringing about the next vital expression of United Methodism. The decision comes after the Judicial Council’s recent revised ruling on when the next regular General Conference session should be scheduled. The bishops plan to unveil the specific call next year.
Read the press release
UM News: Church court reverses call for extra General Conference
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Plans take shape for new, unified conference
A vision for unifying the North Texas, Central Texas and Northwest Texas conferences has been laid out by Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. and colleagues from the conferences. A timetable foresees the new conference being operational by January 2025. Pamela Hughes reports on next steps and priorities.
Read the report and watch video
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Bishops plan for new leaders, renewed vision
During its November meeting, the United Methodist Council of Bishops elected East Ohio Bishop Tracy S. Malone as its next president. She will be the first Black woman to serve in that role. In addition to electing new officers, the bishops discussed their vision for how the denomination can move on from a tumultuous time.
Read the story
Read the press release
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Judge dismisses lawsuit by churches seeking exit
A Montgomery County judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a group of 42 churches seeking the court’s help in disaffiliating from the Alabama-West Florida Conference. In a ruling released Nov. 10, the judge said the court is without jurisdiction in the case “because the relief sought by Plaintiffs would require the Court to interpret a provision of the Book of Discipline intertwined with church doctrine.”
Read the story
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Conference receives US federal energy grant
The Mountain Sky Conference announced that it is a recipient of a new kind of grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to support energy efficiency in the nonprofit sector. The conference received the grant, which will support energy-efficiency projects at local churches, in partnership with the University of Colorado Boulder. The $5.87 million grant will fund projects across five states: Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.
Read the story
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The burden of an alcoholic pastor
After missteps and failures along the way, the Rev. C. Don Jones made it through treatment for alcoholism and is back in the pulpit. But the wounds from the experience are still there. In “The Sun Still Shines: The Legend of a Drunken Pastor,” Jones tracks his eight-month journey through rehab stints and regressions.
Read the story
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Board reviews spending on bishops, agencies
The board of The United Methodist Church’s finance agency approved agency and bishop spending plans for the coming year, including increased pay for bishops and funding for their office support. The board also looked ahead to what giving and church departures might mean for the coming 2025-2028 denominational budget.
Read the story
Read the press release
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Rosalynn Carter was a first lady of faith, action
Rosalynn Carter, who died Nov. 19 at age 96, drew on her Christian faith in becoming a politically engaged first lady with a focus on expanding and improving mental health care. John D. Pierce’s tribute notes her Methodist background.
Read commentary
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12-25: Lisa on vacation
21: Charge Conference - Aldersgate UMC
23: Thanksgiving - Office Closed
24: Office Closed
26: Charge Conference - UMC of Sitka
28-29: GBGM Mission Partners Consultation - Christina and Lisa attending
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3: Charge Conference - Anchorage Korean UMC
3: Charge Conference - Willow UMC
5: Charge Conference - Turnagain UMC
6: Charge Conference - Homer UMC
5-7: GNW Cabinet meeting - Christina & Lisa attending
8-14: Christina in Unalaska
16: Leaderhip Team meeting
17: Charge Conference - St. John & First UMC
17: Charge Conference - Christ First UMC
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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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