A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference | |
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Bishops share Epiphany message
The five bishops serving the Western Jurisdiction, including three newly elected bishops, offer a video message for the celebration of Epiphany. The holiday that celebrates the magi’s visit to the Christ child officially falls on Jan. 6, but many churches will mark the celebration this Sunday. The video is intended to be used by churches in worship or online.
Read the press release
Watch the video
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Western Jurisdiction Creation Justice Movement Worship Gathering invitation
Join the WJ Creation Justice Movement Group on Thursday, January 12th at 9:00 a.m. AKT for a time of Worship during this season of Epiphany. Into this season of light, what can the stars of the sky teach us about creation care and direction. What is the journey we are being called to make during this new year that brings us closer to Jesus and strengthens our call to creation justice.
Participants are asked to bring a square piece of paper to the time of gathering.
Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 892 2336 3500
Passcode: 733143
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Greater Northwest Area News | |
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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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UMC Bishops ask church for clarification on 2024 Conference
The Council of Bishops (COB) of The United Methodist Church is petitioning the denomination’s top court for clarification on its recent decision regarding the General Conference that will be held in 2024.
The church’s court, known as the Judicial Council, ruled last month in Judicial Council Decision 1451 that the General Conference session to be held in 2024 is the postponed 2020 General Conference.
Read more
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Retired bishop joins Global Methodist Church
Former Upper New York Conference Bishop Mark J. Webb, who retired on Dec. 31, has surrendered his credentials as an elder and bishop in The United Methodist Church. He is now an elder in the Global Methodist Church, where he will serve as an active bishop. Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez, who now leads the Upper New York Conference, shared Webb’s news and his own vision for the conference.
Read Bishop Burgos Núñez’s statement
Read Global Methodist Church statement
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Organist marks 70 years of Christmas services
Shirley Schmunk, 91, was hired as the main organist and music director for Hill Top United Methodist Church in 1952, but she's been a lifelong member of the congregation, having been baptized there as well. Schmunk marked her 70th year as the organist for Christmas services this past holiday.
Read the story
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Celebrating 20 years of mission in Mongolia
The Mongolia mission initiated by the Korean United Methodist Church in 2003 now has 12 United Methodist churches, two mission centers and various outreach ministries serving the Mongolian community. During the Mongolian Mission Initiative’s annual meeting, that work was celebrated and the first two local elders in the country were ordained.
Read the story
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United Methodists establish urban schools
Over the past three years, the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area witnessed the dawn of a new era as The United Methodist Church founded two state-of-the-art private schools in Harare. An international high school for girls is set to open its doors in Mutare early this year.
Read the story
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Question about bishop complaints added to docket
The Judicial Council has added to its docket a request from the Council of Bishops to rule on the constitutionality of parts of Paragraph 413 in the denomination’s Book of Discipline. The measures in question provide a way for the Council of Bishops as a whole to address complaints under church law against fellow bishops. The bishops requested the church court give their question expedited consideration. Briefs are due Feb. 1 and reply briefs are due Feb. 11.
Read bishops’ questions
See the docket
Read Paragraph 413
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More than $325,000 in grants awarded
The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has announced the awarding of $325,614 in grants to 38 projects that will increase intercultural competency and support vital conversations about race, cultural diversity and systemic equity. Action Fund Grant recipients include ministry settings in 26 U.S. conferences, eight central conferences, two universities, one seminary and one United Methodist caucus.
Read the press release
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day January 16th
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on Monday, January 16th. To help commemorate the day, consider using some of the resources listed below.
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Six mission projects any church can adopt in 2023
What we often don’t realize is that there are mission projects in which your church can participate without booking travel or having to get participants’ shots up to date.
Click the link below to learn more and to download a Pastor and Leader Kit for six Special Sundays!
Learn More!
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Justice Talks: Our 2023 Priorities
Join Church and Society staff on January 25th from 3-4 p.m. (ET) for a discussion on their legislative priorities for 2023 and the 118th Congress.
Register here
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Updates to Book of Discipline available
New updates to the 2016 Book of Discipline, the denomination’s policy book, are now online. This updated version contains additions to the list of United Methodist bishops, to include bishops elected in late 2016, 2017 and 2022, as well as a correction to the index.
See the updates
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Scholarships available for United Methodist students
Applications are now open for scholarships from the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. Every year, UMHEF awards $2+ million to students planning to attend one of the 100+ UM-related colleges, universities, and seminaries across the country. Don’t let finances get in the way of achieving your dreams of a quality education! Apply by March 1 at https://umhef.org/apply.
(Scholarships from UMHEF are separate from those offered by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.)
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Church helps transform community
Renovating abandoned homes and offering first-aid training to address gun violence are already underway, and a wellness center and grocery store are in the planning stages because of Canton for All People, a ministry of Crossroads United Methodist Church. Brett Hetherington reports on how the organization is helping to transform local neighborhoods.
Read the story
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Ascessibility is 'not just the ramp'
When Jerry Lamb could not maneuver his wheelchair into the pews of Camden First United Methodist Church, he and his family started worshipping in the narthex. That didn’t sit right with the church's pastor, who committed the church to increase its wheelchair accessibility. Holly Meyer reports on the need for more accessibility in worship spaces.
Read the story
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Reflecting on 2022: The year in photos
Amid challenges from an evolving denomination, multiple natural disasters, the war in Ukraine and a continuing struggle to address migration, United Methodists continued to live out their faith and serve their communities in 2022. Photographers from UM News, the denomination's official news service, documented a year in the life of United Methodism worldwide.
See the photo presentation
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Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI leaves ecumenical legacy
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who died Dec. 31 at age 95, was the first pope to have belonged to a committee of the World Council of Churches. He served on the ecumenical organization's Faith and Order Commission. The World Council of Churches has a remembrance.
Read remembrance
Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome: Methodists worldwide react to former pope's death
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10-12: GNW Cabinet Meeting
16: Office Closed - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
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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