A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference | |
Special Called Session information
Discussion Session
There will be a Discussion Session 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 Discussion Session will be held via Zoom and is open to everybody.
Join the Zoom
Meeting ID: 954 1433 3266
Passcode: 989650
Registration
Registration for the actual Special Session is only for those that are clergy members and the lay members of the June 2023 Annual Conference (lay member or alternate, whoever was last seated in the June annual conference). If a lay member did not attend the June 2023 annual conference, they were not seated. The registration email went out today so if you did not get that and you believe you should have, please contact the conference office. Once you register, you will be given the Zoom information to participate. Please register by December 3.
Resolution
Below is the one page resolution for the December 4th Special Session. Attached to it are the prior Leadership Team Report and prior petition that we are reconsidering. There are five pages total.
Resolution
Live stream
The actual Special Session on Monday, December 4 at 6 PM will be live streamed from the Conference website. Those who do not have voice or vote are welcome to watch the live stream here.
Visit the Special Session page on the Conference website
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Prayer request from First UMC Anchorage
It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you of the passing of our beloved sister-in-Christ, Carolyn Gordon. Carolyn served as the lay member to Annual Conference and the Lay Leader at First UMC, Anchorage for many years. She exuded joy with her whole being, encouraged singing all day long, and loved God’s people so very well. She leaves a huge whole in our hearts and in the community of First UMC Anchorage. Thank you for lifting Carolyn’s family and her church family in prayer in this time of loss.
Peace,
Pastor Emily
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Virtual Discernment event
For laity in The United Methodist Church who feel called by God to make a lifetime commitment to full-time ministries of love, justice, and service, there is an opportunity to become part of a covenant community.
Join us on December 2nd, 2023, at 10:00am AKT to learn more about what it means to be a deaconess and home missioner.
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/DHMDecember2023
If you would like to have more information, but can't attend the event, contact Deaconess Chivi at deaconesschivi@gmail.com
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UWF Brunch is December 9
The St. John UMC United Women in Faith Annual Christmas Brunch is on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Join them as the St. John Players, back by popular demand, bring them "The Real Housewives of the Bible-Christmas Edition." There will also be a silent auction, music and of course, wonderful food. Tickets are $10. For more information, contact Debbie Pintsch.
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Birchwood Camp
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.
Summer Internships are available. These are paid intern positions ranging from 5-15 weeks. There is a weekly stipend and it includes housing and meals. If you arrange prior to your start, you can also receive school credit. Reach out to Birchwood if you are interested.
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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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Pastors grapple with artificial intelligence
The promise and problems around artificial intelligence are touching the religion world. After a United Methodist pastor used AI to craft a worship service including a sermon and hymn, the verdict from the congregation was thumbs down. “They were glad we did it,” said Jay Cooper, pastor at Violet Crown City Church, “and let’s not do it again.”
Read the story
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Malaria work continues in Africa
The battle to combat malaria in Africa continues as a priority for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, with distribution of mosquito nets and training of young people ongoing. In Burundi, where malaria rates doubled in 2019, pastors and students at 20 local schools have been trained to spread malaria awareness, educating classmates and parishioners about symptoms and encouraging them to visit a health clinic at the first sign of disease.
Read the story
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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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