Words from the Conference Superintendent

“I thank my God in every remembrance of you…making my prayer with joy.” Philippians 1:3

Congratulations from all of us in the Alaska Conference to Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut! It is with great delight that we join with the whole conference in celebrating the joyful election of Carlo Rapanut to the episcopacy last week at Jurisdictional Conference. What a blessing Carlo, Radie, Caleb and Titus have all been to us in Alaska during the time that Carlo served as our Conference Superintendent. He gifted us so graciously with his leadership, creativity, wisdom and grace. Carlo has been appointed to become the Bishop of the Desert Northwest Conference. Prayers for the whole Rapanut family in this time of transition. Read his kind words to our conference on his Facebook page (you may have to scroll down a little - lots of love is being given to him!).

Joy-full thanksgiving also for Bishop Elaine Stanovsky who led us so courageously and well these past six years, truly an inspiration to us all. Bishop Elaine will be retiring at the end of the year. We send her off with our blessings, with our thanks and with our love. Churches who wish to do so are invited to take a special offering before year end in her honor that will go to the Circle of Indigenous Ministries. Bishop Elaine and husband Clint are planning to retire to Whidbey Island.

We also send our congratulations and greetings to Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth who was also elected this past week at Jurisdictional Conference. Beginning in January, Bishop Bridgeforth will serve as the episcopal leader of the Greater Northwest, which includes our conference as well as the Pacific Northwest Conference and Oregon-Idaho. He comes to us from the California-Pacific Conference where he currently serves as the Director of Innovation and Communications. He brings to us a world of experience from his many years as pastor, his service as first a member and then the dean of the Cal-Pac cabinet, and his work as an author and as a college educator and administrator. Bishop Bridgeforth is also Dr. Bridgeforth, holding a doctorate in organizational leadership as well as a Master of Divinity (a more complete biography is below in his specific news article). A warm welcome to Bishop Cedrick and to his spouse Christopher Hucks-Ortiz. We look forward to your leadership in our midst and to sharing the wonders of Alaska with you!

We thank God for each of these episcopal leaders. Let us lift each one and their families in our prayers in this time of transition that lies ahead.  

Rev. Christina DowlingSoka, Alaska Conference Superintendent

Western Jurisdiction wraps up elections

The Western Jurisdiction elected its final two bishops on the evening of Nov. 4 as jurisdictional conferences wrapped up around the United States. Delegates elected the Rev. Cedrick D. Bridgeforth, the first openly gay African American man to be elected a bishop in The United Methodist Church, and the Rev. Dottie Escobedo-Frank, the jurisdiction’s third Hispanic bishop. They followed the Rev. Carlo A. Rapanut, the first Filipino American bishop in the denomination, who was elected earlier in the day. Conference communicators have the stories.

 

Carlo A. Rapanut

Cedrick D. Bridgeforth

Dottie Escobedo-Frank

UM News: Read stories on all of the newly elected bishops

All Western Jurisdictional Conference news

All articles that were sent out with daily recaps during the Western Jurisdictional Conference can be found on their website.

WesternJurisdictionUMC.org

Church and Clergy Profile forms due Dec.1

With the transition to retirement for our Bishop and the upcoming election of our new one, all Clergy and Churches are being asked to update their profiles. Several weeks ago, a follow up email went out to clergy with instructions on how to access the People Portal. Once you have successfully logged into your personal People Portal, you will find your Clergy Profile form to the left. If you have problems, please contact the conference office and I can assist you. In addition to the Clergy Profile, this Biographical Information form needs to be filled out and returned. | PDF | Word

Each Church Profile also needs to be updated and that will be done through the Church Dashboard. Once you are on your church dashboard, you will find the Church Profile link to the left. 

Both of these profiles need to be completed online through these means. They are to be completed by December 1, 2022. Both the Church Dashboard and the People Portal can be accessed from the Conference website at the bottom of the page.

If you need assistance, please reach out to Crystal. She can help you with login information if needed.

Lots happening at Birchwood Camp

Silent Auction

The Birchwood Camp Annual Auction is almost here! Bidding starts on November 14th and will end on November 20th at 6pm AKST.

Bid on handcrafted items, collectibles, vacation rentals, fun family packages, and more! Your donation will help complete the flooring project in the Lodge. You may also choose to send kids to future camps by donating to the Scholarship Fund. Click this link to view and explore the auction site.

Winter Youth Break-Away Camp

Registration for Winter Youth Break-Away is now open. January 4th-7th. For 6th through 12th graders. Register here.

New Maintenance Project

The kitchen and lodge floor and walls are going to be upgraded to better align with food health and sanitation standards. Birchwood Camp stayed in operation with uncertain income over the last two years, and now we need our community and generous donors to help us complete this project. Will you join us in ensuring another generation of use for the most frequently-used building on camp? Make a Donation

Jurisdictions see shift in bishops, more cooperation

Even as The United Methodist Church faces mounting disaffiliations, those who plan to remain United Methodist are working together more across jurisdictional lines. Episcopal elections also resulted in more women and people of color becoming bishops. Still, both delegates and bishops acknowledge challenges ahead.

Read the story

UM News: US bishops receive assignments

Read Council of Bishops press release

Council of Bishops welcomes newly elected bishops

The Council of Bishops (COB) of The United Methodist Church is welcoming thirteen (13) bishops who were elected during last week’s jurisdictional conferences in the United States.

“It is a joy to welcome this new class of leaders to the Council of Bishops. I anticipate that the impact of their leadership will be felt as soon as they arrive on the scene,” said COB President Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton.

Read more

General Conference heads to Charlotte

The Commission on the General Conference announced that the 2024 United Methodist General Conference will be April 23-May 3 at Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Western North Carolina and North Carolina conferences will co-host the event. "Our people are hospitable and welcoming, and we trust that the delegates who gather for what promises to be a historic gathering will be blessed by the city of Charlotte and the state of North Carolina and its warmth and beauty," said Bishop Kenneth H. Carter of the Western North Carolina Conference.

Read the press release

2 jurisdictions tackle racism in bishop elections

Two United Methodist jurisdictions on opposite sides of the U.S. interrupted their work to grapple with racism faced by some of their bishop candidates. The Western Jurisdiction met in a highly unusual closed session to discuss the racism, sexism and homophobia experienced during the meeting — especially by some of its diverse group of episcopal candidates. Meanwhile, the Southeastern Jurisdiction adopted a resolution to have its committee on episcopacy create a task force to study the impact of racial bias in the nomination and selection process for bishop candidates.

Read the story

Two popular resources for clergy available

2023 Worship Planning Calendar

This resource is the full music and worship planning calendar for each Sunday in 2023, as well as special days and times throughout the year. This calendar is designed to help pastors, worship leaders, Sunday School teachers, and more.

Download Here!

2023 Revised Common Lectionary Calendar

The Revised Common Lectionary is a three-year cycle of scripture texts following the liturgical year and is designed to be used in worship week by week.

Download Here!

YOUTH 2023 scholarship applications now open

Discipleship Ministries is excited to share that they are able to offer limited scholarships for those in need of assistance to attend the 2023 YOUTH event.

Click below to learn more about the process for applying.

Lean More and Apply!

New post for Bishop Harvey

Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey has been named the president of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History, starting immediately. "She has long been a change maker within the denomination," said Ashley Boggan, the agency's top executive. Harvey, of the Louisiana Conference, is the immediate past president of the Council of Bishops.

Read the press release

2023 UWF Reading Program Catalog available

The United Women in Faith 2023 Reading Program includes books for adults, children, and youth in the following categories: spiritual growth, leadership development, education for mission, social action, and nurturing for community.

View the 2023 catalog here.

Family missions: Build a life of service

Busy families might find it hard to dedicate time and energy to mission projects or serving others, but it doesn't have to feel that way. Reconsider what this type of work looks like and build a missional lifestyle that will nurture and strengthen lifelong faith. Laura Buchanan offers practical ideas for families searching for ways to live their faith.

Read the story

Small church's music festival draws big crowds

What began as a small way for Booneville United Methodist Church to reach out to the community has blossomed into an annual event attracting hundreds.

Read the story

6-14: Lisa on vacation

8: Election Day

11: Veteran's Day

12: Charge Conferences - Kenai & North Star UMC's

12: Charge Conference - Soldotna UMC

13: Charge Conference - Girdwood Chapel UMC

15-17: GNW Cabinet meeting

20: Charge Conference - Christ First UMC

20: Charge Conference - Turnagain UMC

21: Charge Conference - Ola Toe Fuataina Samoan Fellowship

22: Charge Conference - Every Nation UMC

24: Thanksgiving - Office Closed

25: Office Closed

27: Charge Conference - Anchor Park UMC

28: Charge Conference - Anchorage Korean UMC

29: Charge Conference - UMC of Sitka

1: Charge Conference - Homer UMC

4: Charge Conference - First UMC Fairbanks

5-8: Cabinet Meeting

13: Charge Conference - St. John UMC & First UMC Anchorage

15: Charge Conference - First UMC Ketchikan

24: Office Closed

24: Christmas Eve

25: Christmas Day

26: Office Closed

31: New Year's Eve

Upcoming Clergy Birthdays

November 9 - Murray Crookes

November 27 - Laura Krauss

December 23 - Christina DowlingSoka