A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference |
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Alaska Conference Special Sunday - September 19
Please mark your calendars! We are celebrating Alaska Conference Special Sunday this year on September 19th. In the coming weeks we will be sharing suggestions on how to celebrate this day in your local churches as well as actionable items that can be done in your local communities including but not limited to a special offering. Our focus this year will be on the following statement of values that we agreed on at Annual Conference to guide our transition into a Mission District:
We acknowledge that the Methodist Church is complicit with and rooted in the colonization of Alaska and recognize that we live in that ongoing legacy. We lament the harm and trauma that our faith community causes. John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Movement, summarized God's directives with three Rules: do no harm, do good, and attend to the ordinances of God. We also celebrate the grace, the love, and the good that our church does that calls us to re-imagine mission through intentional discipleship with one another.
We will live into the transition to a Mission District committed to:
1) The love of God, neighbor, and self demonstrated by the deliberate embracing and valuing of differences, the leveling of imbalances between people and systems, and the intentional dismantling of inequities in whatever forms they present themselves.
2) Healing, grace-filled mission with communities and churches that prioritizes local experiences and shares resources across time and distance through equitable relationships.
3) Living into connectionalism by belonging to and trusting in one another to nurture relationships that celebrate the gifts each of our communities bring, allowing us to move forward in a decolonized way.
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Grants for Hybrid Worship Services
Just over one week left to apply! These very simple fast grants are available to Alaska churches through our evolving relationship as a Mission District with the PNW Conference. Your AK Leadership Team and PNW have made funds available now.
It’s a one-page application and the selection Committee meets weekly to consider the possibilities.
We have approved funds to purchase cameras, computers, iPads, cell phones, cables, screens, internet services and the list goes on.
We have approved funds:
-to reimburse equipment already purchased during the pandemic for hybrid services
-to allow a church to purchase equipment instead of borrowing from the pastor or a lay person
-to be used with other funds the church provides for a larger project
-that allow a church to make hybrid services a reality or easier or smoother or less time consuming.
We have approved funds for large and small churches.
From Alaska Ken Hagler and Fran Lynch are serving on the selection Committee. We are emphasizing hybrid services, but consider other uses for this enhancement to your church – small group activities, development of weekly devotions, itineration to encourage support through the Advance, reaching out to isolated church members, or offering the possibility of teaching lay persons to assist in the tech needs of the church.
DREAM
TALK WITH OTHER CHURCH MEMBERS
RESEARCH
APPLY
This is a one time grant between $500-1,000, depending on the technology upgrade plan and needs.
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Sign up for COVID-19 Response Team newsletter
The Greater Northwest Area COVID-19 Response Team has started putting together a weekly newsletter to keep churches updated on trends in data across the area, while providing helpful links to resources and responses to questions about local ministry setting responsibilities, among other topics. Visit http://gnw-email.brtapp.com/subscribe, enter your e-mail address and click on the "GNW COVID-19 Response Team Update" from the list in order to subscribe.
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UMCOR issues first Haiti grants
In response to the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that rocked Haiti on Aug. 14, the United Methodist Committee on Relief is working with partners to provide urgently needed medical supplies to Haitian hospitals. Two grants — one to the Église Méthodiste d’Haiti (Methodist Church of Haiti), in coordination with local doctors and nurses, and the other to Service Chrétien d’Haiti — will enable the procurement of bandages, gauze, IV fluids, antibiotics and personal protective equipment at Les Cayes General Hospital and two clinics.
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New webinar to tackle Asian bias
Last October, Global Ministries' Asian American Language Ministry Plan, the New Federation of Asian American United Methodists and the Board of Church and Society teamed up to co-sponsor a webinar series called "Raise Up Your Voice Against Racism" with the goal of creating a safe space where Asian Americans and their allies can learn about and discuss racism. The next webinar in the series, "Racism and the Criminal Justice System," is set for 8 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Aug. 24. The Rev. John Oda has more on the monthly series and its impact.
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Funding for bishops improves but still shaky
With increased giving and cost savings from retirements, the fund that supports United Methodist bishops is in better shape, and bishops will receive their first raise in three years. However, the denomination's financial leaders still warn of possible troubles ahead for the Episcopal Fund.
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Jeff Swenson, bishops husband, dies
Jeff Swenson, husband of retired Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, died Aug. 22 at home of cancer. He and his wife frequently rode a tandem bike to wherever the bishop was preaching. The couple was coming up on their 53rd wedding anniversary on Aug. 31. A memorial service is scheduled at 11 a.m. U.S. Pacific time Oct. 9 at Hollywood United Methodist Church in Los Angeles.
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Pastor reflects on abuses at Indian boarding schools
United Methodist Pastor Norman Mark has memories of abuse, isolation, a poor diet and having to fight for the entertainment of the staff at four Indian boarding schools he was forced to attend as a child. He is a much quieter man than he would be without that experience, and he says a U.S. Interior Department investigation into the schools is overdue.
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A Wesleyan take on personal finance
Jesus talked a lot about money. So did John Wesley, Methodism's founder. Wespath and the United Methodist Publishing House have collaborated on a personal finance program called Saving Grace that is meant to reflect Wesleyan Christian values.
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Celebrating the power of photography
In honor of World Photography Day, United Methodist News photojournalist Mike DuBose talks about his love for documentary photojournalism and shares a collection of his work and the stories behind the images. "For somebody to allow me to share their story, to trust me with their story, is a great honor," he says.
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Creating a Narrative Budget: The Story Behind the Numbers
Introducing a new eight-session teaching series filled with helpful tips for designing an attractive and effective narrative budget. Available for Free and CEU credit this course will cover topics around:
- What moves people to give?
- Fitting apportionments/mission shares into ministry areas
- Choosing a format for sharing your narrative budget
- And so much more!
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Faith leaders demand relief for Haitians, Afghans
Leaders from the Interfaith Immigration Coalition are urging Congress and the Biden administration to halt deportations and expulsions to Haiti, create a robust humanitarian response to assist Afghans in danger and expand opportunities for Afghans and Haitians to seek refuge in the United States. The United Methodist Board of Church and Society and National Justice for Our Neighbors are members of the ecumenical coalition.
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Church center connects with military
St. Luke United Methodist Church stands just 10 miles from the fifth-largest military base in the world. The church's new Ranger Outreach Center is designed to show Christ's love to active-duty service members, veterans and their families.
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Pay gap persists between clergywomen and men
How do United Methodist clergywomen's salaries compare to their male counterparts? A report by the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women found clergywomen are faring a little better than in 2015, but more work is needed. In 2020, clergywomen made, on average, 11% less than clergymen.
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UMW Assembly registration opens September 1
Exciting plans are underway for the 21st Assembly of United Methodist Women, May 20-22, 2022. The Assembly website contains a wealth of information and resources regarding the upcoming event. We invite you to visit the site at assembly2022.org.
Registration will open on Sept. 1, 2021 for either the in-person event or the virtual experience.
Virtual registration kickoff
Save the date for our TURN IT UP! Virtual Teatime Sept. 8, 7-8 p.m. ET. Get excited about all we have to look forward to at this TURN IT UP! Assembly. Click the following link on Sept. 8 to join the virtual marketing kickoff: https://link.gntv.info/umwassemblymarketing.
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22-Sept 2: Lisa on vacation |
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6: Labor Day - Office Closed
20-24: GNW Cabinet meetings
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Upcoming Clergy Birthdays
September 4-
Ken Hagler
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 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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