A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference |
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Call to the Alaska Annual Conference
United Methodist Followers of Christ in the Alaska United Methodist Conference,
With this letter, I call the regular 2022 session of the Alaska United Methodist Annual Conference to meet online at the following times:
- Alaska Clergy Sessions – June 2, 10:00-12:00 p.m. AKT
- Alaska Pre-Conference Informational Meeting - to be determined
- GNW Laity session – June 14, 5:30 p.m. AKT
- GNW Opening Session – June 19, evening
- Alaska Conference Plenary Session – June 20, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. AKT
- PNW Service of Commissioning & Ordination, June 22, daytime
- Oregon-Idaho Service of Commissioning & Ordination, June 24, daytime
- GNW Closing Session – June 25, daytime
Please hold these dates on your calendar. Registration for this year’s conference session and other related information is now available and can be accessed at the following link: https://gnw-reg.brtapp.com/2022_AK_ACSession.
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Annual Conference information
Registration for the 2022 Annual Conference Session is now open. If you are a Lay Member voted by your church to attend, are clergy, or hold another roll that allows you voice and or vote, then please register by May 31.
Petitions for the 2022 Alaska Annual Conference Session must be submitted by Sunday, May 8, 2022.
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Congratulations are in order!
The following Alaskans, after five consecutive weeks of meeting in person and online, completed the BASIC certified lay ministry course Sunday, April 10. If they are a part of your congregation or you have a relationship with them, be sure to reach out and congratulate them and encourage them in their journey towards certification.
Carrie Gruhn – St John Anchorage
Tyler Watson – Turnagain Anchorage
Carolyn Gordon – First Anchorage
Jackie Holmquist – UMC of Chugiak
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Calling all Lay Leaders!
The Association of Annual Conference Lay Leaders is holding a learning session via zoom on April, 23, 2022 and all lay leadership is invited to attend.
The learning session will be based upon II Timothy 1:8-12 and the theme is "Rise Up! and Reveal God's Grace." Anyone interested can attend from 7 am - 9:15 am Alaska time.
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Arctic Encounter Symposium
We hear passages from the Bible that we are stewards of the Earth and are to take care of it. Alaska is America’s arctic nation and in mid-April scientists and policy makers from other arctic nations came to Anchorage to give reports and network on how the arctic environment is holding up. There are challenges. Food security was a major issue of discussion. People need to manage fish stocks and agricultural land in order for future generations to survive. Health, energy and infrastructure was emphasized. The threat of coastal erosion and permafrost melting were also concerns.
United Methodists tend to do very well responding to natural disasters after they happen but there may be advantages to develop the skills and knowledge to help prevent a disaster in the first place. As United Methodists we can instill the value of caring in order to create healthy communities. We can advocate for education and job skill development wherever we live. Does your church have such a plan? How can we United Methodists improve the lives of our congregants and their environment? Act now.
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Ukrainians may be moved from Russian bishop's area
Can a Russian bishop effectively oversee Ukrainian United Methodists, given Russia’s invasion of Ukraine? Some European United Methodists say no and have proposed a temporary move of the Ukraine-Moldova Provisional Annual Conference from the supervision of Moscow-based Bishop Eduard Khegay. He’s strongly protesting.
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Raising alarm about missing indigenous people
The Native American International Caucus encourages United Methodists to observe the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons on May 5. Across the United States, thousands of Native women and girls go missing each year, and most cases remain unsolved. The caucus has scheduled a free webinar on human trafficking from 1 to 2:30 p.m. U.S. Eastern time May 5.
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Interagency Net-Zero Coalition issues progress report
The United Methodist Interagency Just and Equitable Net-Zero Coalition has published its first progress report a year after setting a goal of just and equitable net-zero emissions by 2050.
On Earth Day 2021, a group of United Methodist general agencies and commissions announced a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their ministries, facilities and operations and to do so through a lens of justice and equity. The coalition is working together as they learn to measure greenhouse gas emissions generated through their ministries and identify emission reduction strategies that support the flourishing of all communities.
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Resources translated for Ukrainian refugees
Leaders from The Upper Room will travel to Eastern Europe to support ministry partners working with Ukrainian refugees. Local publishing teams will translate into Ukrainian “Prayers for Hope” and “Finding Our Way,” two Upper Room resources, which will be printed for distribution to Ukrainians who have fled their country or who are still living in Ukraine.
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More flexibility coming for retirees
New options are coming for United Methodist retirees through the LifeStage Retirement Income program announced by Wespath Benefits and Investments. New possibilities include an annuity contract that guarantees an annual income from age 80 until death and a plan to increase Wespath retirement payments until participants earn their maximum Social Security benefits at 70.
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Parker exits SBC21; replacement sought
The founding coordinator of the young adults’ ministry of Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century has resigned, and the search is underway for a replacement. Nathalie Nelson Parker begins work as a recruiter at Gammon Theological Seminary on July 1. SBC21 is looking for an innovative, creative and energetic leader for the position.
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Creative worship ideas for churches to offer children
Join Discipleship Ministries on Zoom Tuesday April 26 at 5 P.M. Central where they’ll be joined by Mort the Snail!
They’ll explore and discover new and empowering ways to provide worship experiences for your congregation of all ages.
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Campbell to stay on as chief executive
The Rev. Jeff Campbell will become the permanent chief executive of United Methodist Discipleship Ministries on April 18. He has been filling that role since February 2021 as the acting chief executive. “Jeff Campbell brings a pastoral heart and a rich understanding of the role of the local church in making disciples of Jesus Christ,” said Bishop Mark J. Webb, president of the Discipleship Ministries board of directors.
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19-21: GNW Cabinet meeting - Carlo and Lisa attending
21: Mission District Task Force meeting (6 pm)
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5: Leadership Team meeting (6 pm)
5: Cinco de Mayo
8: Mother's Day
8: Petitions Due
8:Award Nominations due
19: Mission District Task Force meeting (6 pm)
31: Memorial information due for Annual Conference
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Upcoming Clergy Birthdays
April 21 - Lucas Boomsma
April 23 - Karen Martin Tichenor
April 30 - April Hall
May 12 - Faith McClellan
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Conference Office
907-333-5050
Superintendent - Carlo Rapanut
Director of Connectional Ministries - Lisa Talbott
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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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The mission of the United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Held and supported by the transforming relationship with God through Christ, we of the Alaska United Methodist Conference seek to be a community that creates a home for all peoples, finds our hope through grace and journeys together in God's preferred future. |
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