A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference |
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Bishop Stanovsky announces retirement, changes to AC gatherings this year
In case you missed the email last week, Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky has announced her intention to retire at the end of 2021. At the same time, she announced that the GNW Area will not be meeting in-person in Puyallup in June for a shared Annual Conference session.
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Blogpost from Superintendent Rapanut
In a new blogpost, Superintendent Carlo Rapanut shares his experience on the trails this weekend and an open letter he received recently, and reflects on the power of words to move us forward.
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Latest Methodist History issue available to view
The January 2021 issue of Methodist History is now available for check-out from the Conference Library/Research Room.
Contents include the following stories:
George Scott Railton: Father of Salvation Army World Missions; "Helping Each Other in Business:" A Case Study of Social and Business Networks in Early Transatlantic Methodism; Transnationalism, Border Crossing, and Methodist Mission in the Early Twentieth Century: Samuel Culpeper's Ministry in Puerto Rico; and Alter Against Alter: The Plan of Separation and Northern Methodism in Georgia (1865-1939). Also, two book reviews on the history of the AME and the Story of Billy Graham.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility
It was announced last week by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services that they have broadened the eligibility of individuals allowed to make appointments and receive the COVID-19 vaccination. As a service to the community, we are sharing this with you.
You can read more here:
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An Attitude of Gratitude - The Examen
Tia Hollowood from Turnagain UMC is offering a Lenten Group study via Zoom, starting February 17 and occuring on Wednesday evenings through March 31.
The Prayer of Examen is a prayer form developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556) as part of his work on “spiritual exercises.” It is often a prayer at the end of the day but may be used any time. It is a way of reviewing the day with God with the intent of examining our need for forgiveness and healing, reconciliation and recommitment.
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Foundation grant opened
The First United Methodist Church Foundation is accepting applications for grants to be used as educational benefits, scholarships, out-reach to the community and the world, and capital projects of First United Methodist Church, Anchorage. Applications should be a concise request using the form provided by First United Methodist Church, Anchorage and can be found on the FUMC website at http://firstumcanchorage.org/ or at the church office. Submissions must be received by February 26, 2021 at the street address given below. Award recipients will be notified in March 2021.
FUMC Foundation - Grants
725 W 9th Ave
Anchorage, AK 99501
907-272-2112
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Three sermons now available for virtual pulpit supply
The Regional Media Center (RMC) is beginning to curate a digital, easily accessible library of sermons to support local churches stretched and stressed by the pandemic. Three sermons are currently available to preview and download on the RMC website with more coming soon.
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Join GNW Zoom Lenten study on 'Rediscovering the Spirit: From Political Brokenness to Spiritual Wholeness'
Rediscovering the Spirit is a three-week Lenten exploration of the critical spiritual principles we need to understand and embrace in order to find our way forward. Through this three-part study, participants will examine the nature of the inward-out movement and how to deal with our current social barriers. The class will be taught by retired Rev. Lowell Greathouse, using his recently-published book “Rediscovering the Spirit: From Political Brokenness to Spiritual Wholeness.”
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UMC Bishops offer Lenten Season Devotions
The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church will be offering a weekly devotion during the Lenten season which begins this week. Each Wednesday during Lent and every day during Holy Week, a 15-minute recorded devotion, led by a bishop and leaders from their episcopal areas will be released.
“We are offering this Lenten Devotion Series on Dismantling Racism in the hope that the church can engage in honest reflection about the realities of racism, colonialism and tribalism. All of these sins persist in the church, our local communities and the world. Lent is the time to humbly acknowledge this reality, to pray, to learn and ultimately work to reshape our world as it is in heaven,” noted Bishop Hope Morgan Ward of the North Carolina Annual Conference, who chairs the Council’s Task Force to End Racism.
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A virtual General Conference faces hurdles
Organizers face daunting challenges in trying to hold an in-person General Conference this year, but taking the global meeting online brings its own complications. The chair of the General Conference commission recently outlined the issues facing organizers of the United Methodist legislative assembly.
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General agencies cutting back
Faced with an ongoing pandemic and denominational uncertainty, United Methodist general agencies are reducing staff while trying to stay true to their missions. Kathy L. Gilbert and Jim Patterson report in a two-part series.
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'Black Church' film taps United Methodist sources
"The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song," a PBS film premiering Feb. 16-17, draws on historic photos from the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History. Film host Henry Louis Gates Jr. is shown visiting the United Methodist church he attended growing up.
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Agency hosts 'Justice Talks' webinar
The Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, top executive of the Board of Church and Society, will join agency staff for a conversation about their work and witness on Capitol Hill, advocating for peace and justice in a changing political landscape. "Justice Talks: A Look Ahead at 2021" will broadcast via Zoom at 4 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Feb. 24.
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Meharry president named to White House task force
Dr. James Hildreth, president and chief executive officer of United Methodist-related Meharry Medical College, has been named to the White House COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. The 12-member team will provide recommendations for addressing health inequities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and for preventing such inequities in the future.
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Service to mark interment of US Japanese
A virtual service to commemorate the 79th anniversary of the executive order that led to the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II is set for Feb. 19. The worship at 7 p.m. U.S. Pacific time will involve clergy and laity from historically Japanese American United Methodist congregations. It is sponsored by the National Japanese American United Methodist Caucus.
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Bishop Skeete, 'pastor to people,' dies at 90
United Methodists remember Bishop F. Herbert Skeete as a leader who stepped up to serve in whatever way the church needed. The retired bishop, who led the Philadelphia and Boston areas and helped establish Africa University, died Feb. 11 at age 90.
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Scholarships available for United Methodist students
The March 1 deadline is fast approaching for students to submit applications for scholarships from the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. Applicants must be members of The United Methodist Church and planning to attend a United Methodist-related school full time for the 2021-22 school year.
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Webinar series set on transgender life stories
The United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy, an advocacy group for inclusiveness in the denomination, will host a webinar series titled "Courageous Connections: Transgender Life Stories." Savannah S. Sanburg will lead the webinars from 6:30 to 8 p.m. U.S. Mountain time Feb. 25 and March 11. To register, email Sanburg at saviejoekane19@gmail.com.
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Dialogue with Catholics leads to 2 publications
Representatives of The United Methodist Church and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops announced the release of the results of their latest round of dialogue. They reported in the form of two publications about shared prayers, beliefs and recognition of each tradition's baptism.
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Now available for purchase - "Methodist Mission at 200"
Two years ago, Global Ministries began the celebration of the 200th anniversary of organized mission in what is now The United Methodist Church.
Methodist Mission at 200: Serving Faithfully Amid the Tensions, edited by Thomas Kemper, former general secretary, and Dr. David W. Scott, director of mission theology, commemorates this bicentennial and invites reflection on mission past—positive steps and missteps—and consideration of present and mission future.
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Finding a vocation in the midst of suffering
Project Transformation, a United Methodist-supported organization that gives young people a chance to do service and explore a call to ministry, is having a virtual event on Feb. 25. The topic: vocational discernment in the midst of suffering. The speaker is author and practical theologian Patrick Reyes.
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16-18: GNW Cabinet meeting - Carlo attending virtually
26: Leadership Team meeting
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14: Daylight Savings Time starts
15-18: GNW Cabinet meeting - Carlo attending virtually
17: St. Patrick's Day
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Upcoming Clergy Birthdays
February 19 -
Steve Fisher
March 21 -
Nico Reijns
March 23 -
Bob Jones Jr.
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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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