Professional Church Workers' Retreat

In Alaska, we have a broad range of people engaged in professional ministry, so this retreat is open to all professional church workers - pastors, deaconesses, home missioners, LLPs, CLMs, elders, deacons, camp directors, and more, both active and retired. This retreat is specifically geared toward those who have been actively engaged in ministry during these challenging times and need space to breathe, process, and play. 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 draft agenda. Please direct questions to Lisa Talbott.

Housing needed

United Women in Faith are looking for Anchorage area homes for out-of-town ladies to stay in while they attend the upcoming Annual Gathering, September 30 – October 2. If you have space and would like to host someone, please reach out to Co-President, Debbie Pintsch at dpintsch@gci.net.

Mission u 2022

Great news— COMMUNITY is God’s desire for us! Please join us at Mission u 2022 as we reflect on the community that Jesus is calling us to be!

This year, as we study Luke 13, we find ourselves in a period of disruption and uncertainty. In the midst of a devastating pandemic, divisive political climate, unaddressed systemic racism, ecological crises and economic turmoil, we turn to the stories of Jesus that have anchored Christian communities for two millennia. 

Our hope is that we will leave Mission u with a bigger and broader vision of the community Christ is calling us to be in times of loss, grief and massive disruption. What would be possible if we tend to the needs of our communities in small yet radical ways, as Jesus did in Luke 13?

Join us September 6, 8, 13, and 15 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Each session will cover two chapters of the study book.

Who Can We Be Together? is the book and it can be found at the e-store.

Register here. Deadline is September 1st. Zoom links will be sent to registered participants.

Any questions may be directed to staatslori@gmail.com.

Bishop urges end of falsehoods, pivot to future

Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton used his first address as Council of Bishops president to call on backers of a breakaway denomination to stop mischaracterizing The United Methodist Church. He also called on United Methodist leaders to begin pivoting to what they hope their denomination will be.

Read the story

Bishops agree ways to tackle gun violence; church disaffiliations

Church court clarifies property-transfer rules

The Judicial Council ruled that a much-debated church law can only be used for transferring property and is not an exit path for members to another denomination. In a separate matter, the Judicial Council released a memorandum on the vote by the Bulgaria-Romania Provisional Annual Conference to move to the Global Methodist Church.

Read the story

Read sidebar on memorandum

Read Council of Bishops press release

Mississippian to lead denomination's lay leaders

Members of the Association of Annual Conference Lay Leaders recently elected LaToya Redd Thompson, the Mississippi Conference’s lay leader, to lead the global organization. “It’s important as we face a potential divide as a church that everyone knows the AACLL acts with a focus on its mission and purpose,” she said.

Read the story

Justice and healing for Native American children

The Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Conference Committees on Native American Ministries invite United Methodists to observe a special time of prayer and action from Sept. 30 to Oct. 6, as they remember the atrocities experienced by tribal children once taken from their families and placed in boarding schools. The Native American International Caucus offers resources and suggested activities for raising awareness.

View the resource

Bishop dedicates reconciling church in Kenya

The dedication and consecration of a new church sanctuary in Kenya brought together United Methodists of varied perspectives on LGBTQ inclusion. East Africa Area Bishop Daniel Wandabula joined hundreds of congregants in celebrating the new sanctuary for First United Methodist Church Moheto. In 2019, the church voted to become the first congregation in Africa to identify as reconciling.

Read the story

Does the church support workers' rights?

From the beginning, the Methodist movement has focused particular attention on the concerns of workers. Justice, dignity and equality for workers are an integral part of The United Methodist Church’s social teachings and heritage. Ahead of Labor Day in the U.S., Ask The UMC explores the church’s stance on workers’ rights. 

Read the story

Read more Ask The UMC

Young people needed for church study

Do you know a 15- to 22-year-old in The United Methodist Church? The United Methodist Communications Research Team is leading a study about youth in the church to explore their spiritual journeys, values, goals, desires and more. The study offers a $150 incentive for participation in a three-day online discussion board. Pastors and church leaders are encouraged to share the registration link and invite young people to join.

To register

Webinar: Introducing the new Safer Sanctuaries

Presented by the Upper Room as part of Discipleship Ministries, a webinar series begins Oct. 6 called "Safer Sanctuaries: Nurturing trust within faith communities." The webinar series runs Oct. 6, 13, 20 & 27 and is hosted by Chris Wilterdink and Kelly Peterson. 

Safe Sanctuaries has long been a trusted source of policy and procedural guidance for abuse prevention in the church. In April 2023, The Upper Room will be publishing a new resource, Safer Sanctuaries: Nurturing Trust within Faith Communities, that builds on the strong foundation of past efforts while preparing churches for the work of the future. In anticipation of this forthcoming publication, Discipleship Ministries and The Upper Room will offer a four-part webinar series featuring insights from Safer Sanctuaries writers. A sample version of the 2023 print resource will be available for all webinar registrants.

Learn more and register here for the webinar series.

MTSO panel discusses tech, older adults and churches

While many churches have employed technology to enhance and broaden their reach in recent years, they have sometimes struggled over ways to include older parishioners for whom digital connections aren’t second nature.

Methodist Theological School in Ohio will address the issue in a virtual conversation, “Technology, Older Adults and Churches: Opportunities and Challenges,” at 7 p.m. Eastern Aug. 31. The event, part of MTSO’s Science and Religion Digital Dialogues series, is free to the public. Advance Zoom registration is required and available at //www.mtso.edu/olderadults.

Justice Talks: The Rise of Christian Nationalism

Justice Talks: The Rise of Christian Nationalism is scheduled for September 28, at 3PM ET. Church and Society staff will be joined by Amanda Tyler, Executive Director for the Baptist Join Committee for Religious Freedom and Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, Director for the Presbyterian Office of Public Witness.

This ecumenical conversation will define Christian nationalism and its history in the United States. Participants can expect to hear from Christian leaders on the dangers of rising trends and the importance of religious freedom for all.

Register here

United Methodists walk where Jesus walked

More than 50 United Methodists joined in a Holy Land trip led by Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett earlier this summer. Travelers represented two United Methodist conferences — Holston and North Alabama — and included children as well as adults.

Read the story

Retro recipes

For United Methodists, faith and food go together like Jello and fruit in a mold. Take a step back with us to revisit favorite recipes that span the 20th century and beyond.

Cook up a delicious dish from the past

Vibrant churches = vibrant communities

The United Methodist Church is steeped in a rich tradition of mission. Check out these United Methodists whose passion to serve impacts their communities in big ways.

Click here to read more

Wisdom from Spirit-filled dissidents

The Wesley brothers' radical message is as relevant today as it was in the 18th century.

Listen to a new episode

1-2: Crystal off

5: Labor Day - Office Closed

9: Cabinet meeting - Christina & Lisa attending

15-30: Lisa out of the office

Upcoming Clergy Birthdays

September 4 - Ken Hagler

September 11 - Emily Carroll

September 17 - Autumn Krueger

September 22 - Won Jea Keum

September 28 - Darla Bradley