A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference
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Options for gathering for in-person worship this Easter and beyond
Many in the U.S. are looking back at a year impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Throughout the year, so many of us have been working creatively to adapt worship and ministry to keep people safe. With improving conditions across much of the Greater Northwest Area and with warmer weather approaching, interest in in-person gatherings is increasing, especially as Easter approaches.
It is important to remain cautious, and ministries should consider the practicality of each option for their community as they do.
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Information on COVID vaccines and the church
A new resource is available from Reimagining Life Together on what the coronavirus vaccines mean for you and your ministry settings at this time. The resource sheet was created by the GNW COVID-19 Response Team to provide more information and some clarity as we see vaccines roll out across the country and our communities in Alaska, Washington, Idaho and Oregon.
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The Rev. Jeffrey Campbell named acting head
The Rev. Jeffrey Campbell, who oversees strategic programming at Discipleship Ministries, has been named the agency's acting top executive. Campbell was selected to take on the work of the late Rev. Junius B. Dotson while the agency's board searches for a top executive.
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Questions about the Episcopal Fund answered
A public webinar on Feb. 13 led to multiple questions related to the Episcopal Fund, which supports the work of United Methodist bishops. Staff at the General Council on Finance and Administration and United Methodist Communications put together answers to frequently asked questions.
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Dotson remembered for seeing all the people
While helming Discipleship Ministries, the Rev. Junius B. Dotson introduced the "See All the People" initiative. At his funeral service March 6, fellow United Methodists testified that for Dotson, "See All the People" was not just a catchy slogan but a way of life.
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'Girls, Jesus is calling YOU!'
In a March 3 video message for Women's History Month, Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño of the California-Nevada Conference shared some of the lessons she has learned about the value of women in helping heal the world and the plan that God has for all of us.
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Clergy care a priority in pandemic year
This month marks the first anniversary of churches having to close their doors because of the pandemic, and for pastors, it has been a yearlong stress test. A grant from the Florida Conference let one pastor buy a bicycle, and other conferences have found creative ways to support clergy in taking time off and renewing themselves.
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Army chaplain returns to his native Korea to serve
The Rev. DooSoo Lee's latest pastoral appointment has taken him to his motherland. Lee, who is Korean American and a U.S. Army chaplain, currently serves soldiers at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys in Pyeongtaek.
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BBC program takes on Wesley, Methodism
The BBC Radio 4 program "In Our Time" recently explored the life of John Wesley and the influence of the Methodist movement he helped found. Three scholars joined host Melvyn Bragg for the 52-minute discussion. Program notes include a reading list about Wesley and Methodism.
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New feature invites essays on racism
UM News is inviting people to share their stories about encounters with racism, as well as hopes and ideas for combating it, in a new forum titled, "We Are God's Family: Personal Encounters with Racism." The feature is designed to foster dialogue and build understanding of how racism affects people at a personal level.
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Wesley Theological Seminary all-online summer term course registration open
Plan your summer with Wesley! Just a few of this summer's course offerings:
- Music & Social Justice - Dr. Carolyn Rosen
- Spirituality & Ecojustice – Dr. Beth Norcross
- The Church and the Civil Rights Movement - Dr. Tony Hunt
- Church Finances - Dr. Lovett Weems
- Teaching and Learning in Christian Education for a Diverse World - Dr. Jana Strukova
- Introduction to Disability Ministries And Deaf Ministries - Rev. Leo Yates
- Social Justice & Cinema: Racism, Colonialism & the Rights of the Marginalized - Dr. Dawn Cooper Barnes
- Biblical Storytelling - Dr. Tracy A. Radosevic
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#StillInMission Series
During the event you will have the chance to hear a presentation from one of the missionaries listed below and learn more about how God is at work through United Methodist missionaries all over the world. If you want to learn more about these missionaries before the call, click on their names to be taken to their missionary bio or visit www.umcmission.org.
#StillInMission Episode 29
April 1, 2021 | 12:00 PM EDT
Featuring…
Paul Webster is serving as a Mission Advocate in the United States.
Princess Jusu is serving as an Instructor at the UMC Women’s Training Center in Monrovia with the Liberian Annual Conference in Liberia.
Trisha Manns is serving as a Mission Advocate with Young Adult Mission Service in the United States.
Vincent Yohanna is serving as a Lab Scientist Fellow at the Ganta United Methodist Mission Station in Liberia.
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Ace Hardware named ministry partner
The General Council on Finance and Administration has announced Ace Hardware as The United Methodist Church's newest vetted ministry partner. The partnership will allow churches to shop online and in local Ace Hardware stores and receive 10% off purchases.
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2021 Our Year of Hope - UMW Day of Giving, March 23
On March 23, United Methodist Women celebrates its 152nd anniversary with its annual Day of Giving! This year’s theme is “Our Year of Hope,” and, for the first time, we will have a very special six-hour live Day of Giving Facebook Live event! Tune into the United Methodist Women Facebook page on March 23 beginning at 9:30 a.m. (EST) to hear from your general secretary and national president, regional missionaries, national mission institutions, deaconesses and home missioners, panels on racial and climate justice and more!
Be a part of looking toward the future with hope by contributing to the Legacy Endowment Fund. Any amount is welcome before, during and after Day of Giving March 23, 2021, Our Year of Hope! Visit unitedmethodistwomen.org/legacyfund for ways to give.
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15-18: GNW Cabinet meeting - Carlo attending virtually
17: St. Patrick's Day
28: Palm Sunday
29-April 2: Holy Week - Office Closed
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2: Good Friday
4: Easter Sunday
13-15: GNW Cabinet meeting - Carlo attending virtually
15: Tax Day
23: Leadership Team meeting
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Upcoming Clergy Birthdays
March 21 -
Nico Reijns
March 23 -
Bob Jones Jr.
April 18 -
Bertha Koweluk
April 23 -
Karen Martin Tichenor
April 30 -
April Hall
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Conference Office
907-333-5050
Superintendent Carlo
907-854-8340
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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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