A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference |
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A call to prayer and action for Tonga
On Thursday, January 20th, Bishop Stanovsky sent out a call to prayer and action for Tonga in the wake of the volcanic eruption and tsunamis that occurred.
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The AUMC office is closed while Crystal is on vacation. This e~Aurora was completed before she left so it might be missing late breaking information. |
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Winter Learning Event/Meetings Save the Date
Please save the dates of February 18-19 for the Winter Learning Event/Rendezvous meetings, which will be held virtually. More information will be available in the coming weeks.
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Save the Date! 2022 Local Church Leadership Training for Laity in the GNW
Laity serving on local church committees, especially those who chair administrative committees, are encouraged to save the date for a Greater Northwest Area-wide training on Saturday, February 26, 2022. The two-hour training will be offered online starting at 9 a.m. AKT (10 a.m. PT, 11 a.m. MT) by district superintendents and staff of the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Conferences. Those new to their roles or to leadership of committees are strongly encouraged to attend. Translation will be offered in Spanish and Korean.
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It’s time for a federal law against LGBTQ discrimination
By the Rev. April Hall for the Peninsula Clarion
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When my wife and I decided to move to Alaska, we wondered if we would be welcome in our new neighborhood.
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Deaconess and Homer Missioner Discernment Event
The Office of Deaconess and Home Missioner will host a Virtual Discernment Event for laity in the United Methodist Church who feel called by God to a full-time vocation in service for those who are marginalized and in need.
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Anchor Park EPIC Youth Fundraising Opportunities
Support the Anchor Park UMC youth as they fund raise for mission work, serve the greater Anchorage community, and attend Youth 2023 in Florida.
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An online auction from February 4-6, 2022. A lot of Alaskan businesses have donated items for the auction. Follow this link to view the items between now and then and bid often. Learn more here.
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A bake sale selling banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, mini cakes, and gluten free chocolate chip muffins. Learn more here.
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Parents Valentine Date Night babysitting. February 12 from 4:30-8:30 PM the youth will watch your kids so you can have a night out. Learn more here.
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Birchwood Summer Camp Registration Open
Names have great power. Some hold special meanings and some come with expectations. In a lifetime, we may give new meaning to our name or take a new name. Along the journey, we discover who we are and how God equips us to care for others.
In this new summer camp curriculum resource from InsideOut, we'll look at how the people of the Bible confronted expectations, confounded others’ assumptions, and forged new identities. Campers are invited to use the sacred ground of camp to reflect on who they are as an individual and how they are connected to others. As we explore, we are reminded that God knows us beyond any name we might be called and invites us into relationship.
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Free webinar: "We Aren't Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry"
Sponsored by the Cascadia District Church Extension Society of the Oregon-Idaho Conference, the webinar "We Aren't Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry" is free and open to anyone in the Greater Northwest Area of The UMC to attend.
The webinar, which begins at 9 a.m. AK time, 10 a.m. PST, 11 a.m. MST on February 24th, will feature author of the book by the same title, Mark Elsdon. Bonus: Everyone who registers will receive a free copy of Elsdon's book.
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UMC Bishops call for equal voting rights
The Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church is calling upon United Methodists to use their influence in their states, legislative districts, and local precincts to enable voter registration and to encourage elected officials to provide the resources necessary to support the fullest possible participation in elections.
The bishops issued their statement today in the aftermath of the decision by the United States Senate to reject legislation that would have counter action taken by several states legislatures making voting more difficult, especially in minority communities.
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COB Executive Committee endorses Central Conference statement on vaccines
The Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church is standing with the statement from the Central Conference bishops concerning the WCA’s plan for distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to General Conference delegates in Africa.
In a brief statement released today, the Executive Committee said: “We stand with our Central Conference colleagues and urge all to read their letter and hear the concerns. These matters impact the entire church and undermine the integrity of the work of the General Conference delegates. We are grateful for the leadership of our Central Conference colleagues.”
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Extending prayer, aid to Tonga after eruptions
United Methodists and other faith leaders are calling for prayer and aid for Tonga after a massive volcanic eruption and tsunami on Jan. 15 wreaked significant damage on the archipelago. About 35% of the population is part of the Free Wesleyan Church, and The United Methodist Church has several Tongan congregations.
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Get insight into mental health issues
Two virtual seminars on mental health first aid will be offered on March 10 and 24. The free events will be led by Chris White, a hostage and crisis negotiator and mental health trainer.
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Lenten anti-racism small group study available
“Faithful Lent: Connecting the Practices of Lent and Anti-racism” is a new Lenten resource for congregations to use in a small group setting. The purpose of the six-week study is to make explicit connections between the traditions of Lent and the work of anti-racism.
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Church and Society interns
The General Board of Church and Society is recruiting interns for the summer of 2022. If you know a young person interested in vocation, advocacy, and justice, encourage them to become an Ethnic Young Adult intern!
Program dates June 5th- July 30th, 2022. Apply by March 1, 2022.
The Ethnic Young Adult Internship (EYA) is for United Methodist young people desiring to put their faith in action! Interns gain professional experience with Church and Society partner organizations who work on justice issues in the sphere of public policy, nonprofit, and advocacy.
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Claremont School of Theology ordered to sell campus
Claremont School of Theology faces a court order saying it must offer its California campus for sale to The Claremont Colleges, a neighboring consortium of schools — and for a price likely to be millions below fair market value. UM News reports on this latest challenge for the financially embattled United Methodist seminary.
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#StillInMission
You are invited to join Global Ministries for #StillInMission Episode 39! In addition to the meetings with missionaries, there will be a joint devotion/centering experience led by the missionary presenters in the episode.
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Podcast discusses ministry with Deaf community
In the latest “Meet in the Middle” podcast, the Rev. Drew Gordon talks with the Rev. Leo Yates Jr., an ordained deacon in the Baltimore-Washington Conference who has written several books on Deaf ministry and services. They discuss personal experiences in the Deaf community and how churches can assist in building ministry for the Deaf, Deaf/blind and those who are losing their hearing as they mature.
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24-Feb 4: Crystal on vacation
27: Leadership Team meeting 6-8 PM
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10: Mission District Task Force meeting
14: Valentine's Day
18-19: Winter Learning Event/Rendezvous meetings
21: Presidents' Day
22-24: GNW Cabinet meeting - Carlo and Lisa attending
26: Area wide Leadership Training for Laity
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Upcoming Clergy Birthdays
February 19 -
Steve Fisher
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Conference Office
907-333-5050
Superintendent - Carlo Rapanut
Director of Connectional Ministries - Lisa Talbott
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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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