A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference
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GNW COVID-19 Response Team Update
The GNW COVID-19 Response Team released two recommendations based on their ongoing conversations and broader developments in the fight against this disease. Both are directed primarily to churches and ministries in Option 2, though Option 1 ministries should note the words of caution regarding the Delta variant. The first is a recommendation to return to masking indoors in all public settings like worship due to the rampant spread of Delta. The second is our promised guidance on congregational singing.
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July Apportionment report
The apportionment report for July has been posted to the conference website. We are more than half way through the year. See if your church is more than half way done paying their apportionments for the year.
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United Methodist leads American Medical Association
Dr. Gerald E. Harmon, a family medicine physician, is the 176th president of the American Medical Association, the nation's premier physician organization. He is a member of Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church.
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Discussing Christian nationalism - carefully
The Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol spurred a new Courageous Conversations resource from Discipleship Ministries. It is designed to help United Methodists talk about Christian nationalism while maintaining civility.
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We Gather Together: How small groups bring connection to the post-pandemic church
A two-part webinar series titled "We Gather Together: How Small Groups Bring Connection to the Post-Pandemic Church" will be offered at 1 p.m. U.S. Central time Aug. 10 and Aug. 12 by Amplify Media, a multimedia platform of the United Methodist Publishing House. The Rev. Ryan Dunn, minister of online engagement for United Methodist Communications, will host.
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Conference and megachurch enter mediation
The North Georgia Conference and Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church have agreed to enter a mediation process in an effort to resolve their dispute stemming from a pastoral appointment. They will refrain from public comment on this matter until the mediation process has concluded. Mt. Bethel also held a prayer rally July 25 that included leaders of the Wesleyan Covenant Association.
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What is Critical Race Theory and what Christians should know
Critical Race Theory (CRT) examines how laws in the United States have built and supported racial inequities. It is an ideological framework that names race as a social construct and asserts racialized inequities in society are fostered by historic and current systemic, institutional, and legal policies and practices.
You can watch a Facebook Live discussion on Critical Race Theory and access an infographic available now.
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First Americans Museum on conference tour
The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference is offering its next immersion event Oct 24-28. The immersions offer insight into the experience of Native peoples within the conference. One stop this time will be the new First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City.
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Volunteerism is a priority at Florida church
More than 90% of attendees at the South Crestview campus of Crosspoint, a United Methodist church, do volunteer work. The Rev. Lisa Ausley, associate pastor, tries to find the right volunteer job for each church member, "because of what it does for the individual."
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Rebuilding church choirs after the pandemic
The impact of the year-plus-long pandemic on singing in the church and on choirs in particular is difficult to overstate. Diana Sanchez-Bushong, Discipleship Ministries’ director of music ministries, gathered a panel of church musicians for a podcast on revitalizing the church choir.
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The faith of a sports icon
With baseball season in full swing, enjoy this story about the legendary Jackie Robinson and his grounding Methodist faith.
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Become a difference maker
Want to effect change in your neighborhood, city, world? Start with the basics of worship, prayer and small groups.
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UMC Energy Efficiency 101
Reducing your church's energy bills saves money for program and mission. Join us on Thursday, August 5, to learn simple strategies to increase energy efficiency in your church. Colby May, founder of LIT Consulting, will explain common ways in which churches inadvertently waste energy, and he will provide simple strategies to increase efficiency.
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Virtual Day Camp
The ministry of camp can be a source of support in the lives of campers everywhere, every day. This Virtual Day Camp from United Methodist Camp Retreat Ministries is here for kids of all ages to find the comfort, inspiration, and fun of camp, in your living room. Welcome to the next best thing to being at camp!
Explore activities in Spiritual Development, Nature Exploration, STEM, Music, Art, Social/Emotional Learning, Exercise, and more!
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6: Labor Day - Office Closed
20-24: GNW Cabinet meetings
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Upcoming Clergy Birthdays
August 13 -
Bennie Grace Nabua
September 11 -
Emily Carroll
September 17 -
Autumn Krueger
September 22 -
Won Jea Keum
September 28 -
Darla Bradley
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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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