A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference | |
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Updated Mission u call for Study Leaders
Alaska United Women In Faith leadership team is seeking leadership for the first year of a two-year study, with a distinct curriculum created for both 2023 and 2024 under the broader theme of Living the Kin-dom.
In this first year of Living the Kin-dom, we will explore the heart of the good news of the kingdom. Why do preaching the good news of the Kin-dom and acts of curing and healing seem to go hand in hand (Luke 9: 2, 11)? More questions will be answered as well.
This will be an online study.
Please contact staatslori@gmail.com if you have any questions.
mission-u-2023-call-for-study-leaders (1).docx
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Payday Loan Jubilee in Progress
Payday loan interest rates in Alaska regularly reach 435% APR, a predatory lending practice affecting over 15,000 of our most economically vulnerable neighbors each year. In solidarity, Mutual Aid Network of Anchorage (MANA) launched the Payday Jubilee this month to pay off payday loans for qualified Alaskans. Local churches are encouraged to share this information widely, and any congregations interested in learning more about predatory lending reform and related economic justice work here in Alaska are encouraged to reach out to Erin Baldwin Day.
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Final 2022 Church Apportionments
The fiinal apportionment report for 2022 has been completed. You can always view it on the conference website. 84% was brought in from the churches this year. This is about the same as last year.
View the report
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Methodist History in the archives
The latest issue of Methodist History has been received for checkout from the conference library.
Articles include:
- John Wesley, Eighteenth-Century Medicine and Health Care for the Poor
- Elodia Guerra, a Woman Evangelist Ahead of Her Time
- Methodist Desegregation and Inclusion: Polity vs. Policy
- An American Parable: African American Neighbors in Philadelphia during the "Late Awful Calamity" of 1793
- The Central Jurisdiction: Methodism's Original and Central Sin
- five book reviews
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Greater Northwest Area News | |
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Scholarship opportunities for United Methodist students in the Alaska and Pacific Northwest Conferences
Are you a United Methodist college student with membership in a church in the Alaska or Pacific Northwest Conference? If so, the Pacific Northwest Conference has a scholarship program available for students pursuing a degree through an accredited program, college or university. Applications must be completed by the end of the day, March 31st!
These scholarships are being offered to students who are members of a United Methodist ministry setting (church or campus ministry) in the Alaska or Pacific Northwest Conference. We will be offering a limited number of $1,500 scholarships.
Learn more
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Greater Northwest Area Clear Appointment Openings
The appointive cabinets of the Greater Northwest Area and the Bishop are continuing the practice of sharing ‘clear openings‘ as the appointment process unfolds. When the appointive cabinets publish clear openings, they are giving clergy the opportunity to express an interest in a particular appointment. An expression of interest will not circumvent the usual discernment process and does not guarantee that the interested clergy will receive preferred consideration.
View the openings here
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Executive Director search for Faith Foundation Northwest
Faith Foundation Northwest is seeking applicants for its Executive Director position. The successful candidate will serve as chief advocate and leader of the Foundation’s mission to provide financial resources that strengthen the ability of congregations and agencies rooted in the Wesleyan tradition and Christian spiritual commitment. The current director, Tom Wilson, previously announced his plan to retire in June of 2023.
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Burgos Núñez elected as board president
Newly elected Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez was unanimously voted in as the president of the board of directors for Discipleship Ministries. Burgos Núñez leads the Upper New York Conference. “The work of Discipleship Ministries is crucial as it supports conferences and local congregations in developing world-changing disciples in creative and innovative ways,” he said.
Read the press release
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Congolese president donates car to Bishop Unda
In recognition of The United Methodist Church’s work in East Congo, the president of the country gifted a Nissan 4x4 vehicle to Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda. The vehicle will help with efforts to evangelize in remote areas.
Read the story
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Get bookish in 2023
For many United Methodists, a new year is a good time to plan to read more, research a new area of interest or dig deeper in the Bible. Crystal Caviness has recommendations to help with those studious endeavors.
Read the story
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What is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity?
During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Christians from around the world come together for eight days to celebrate our shared love and mission in Jesus Christ. It’s a time to recognize the ways we can transform the world together through the power of the Holy Spirit. Who knew a week could be eight days? That’s the power of prayer. Discover more about the history of this important week and what it means for us today.
Read more about Week of Prayer
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First United Methodist Latina sworn into US Congress
Rep. Delia Ramírez Hernández (D-Ill.) was sworn into the 118th U.S. Congress on Jan. 7, becoming its first United Methodist Latina. Ramírez Hernández, who grew up attending Humboldt Park United Methodist Church in Chicago, also has been a leader in the denomination.
Read the story
Faith on the Hill: The religious composition of the 118th Congress
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Create connections this Easter with discounted resources!
As you celebrate the light and new beginnings that Easter brings, it’s a perfect time to welcome those in your community to join in. Customizable outreach resources, including banners, signs, postcards, invitation cards, posters and more, will help your congregation stand out and reach people who need to hear the good news. Resources are available in a wide variety of designs, languages and message types. Get up to $200 off these resources by using code UMCEA23. Discounts are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Order now
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29: Charge Conference - Jewel Lake Parish
29-31: National Association of Directors of Connectional Ministries meeting - Lisa attending
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1: First Day of Black History Month
2: Leadership Team meeting
6-14: WJ College & DCMs Retreat - Lisa attending
14: Valentine's Day
15-21: Superintendent on vacation
20: Presidents' Day
22: Ash Wednesday
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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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