A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference |
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Zoom Webinar Training Sessions
GNTV will again be our tech hosts for this year’s virtual Annual Conference session. There are new and improved processes for voting and participation. To help us get familiar with the technology, training sessions have been scheduled. You need only to attend at least one session but may attend more if you need the extra practice.
- Tuesday, June 1, 6:30 pm AKST
- Saturday, June 5, 3:00 pm AKST
- Wednesday, June 16, 11:00 am AKST
- Monday, June 21, morning (TBA)
This is only a save the date announcement. More information about how to register for these sessions will be provided soon.
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Annual Conference related deadlines
Please mark your calendars with the following deadlines. It takes your participation to have a great Annual Conference! Get those award nominations in!
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Annual Conference Registration is OPEN!
The registration for clergy and lay members to Annual Conference is now OPEN. If you are a voting member of the Alaska United Methodist Conference, please register to attend the virtual sessions. Guests do not need to register as they will just watch the live stream.
The Alaska United Methodist Conference will meet online at the following times:
- AK Clergy Gathering – June 3, 9:00 -11:00 am AKT
- GNW Laity session – June 9, 5:30 pm AKT
- GNW Opening Session – June 20, 5:30-7:00 pm AKT
- AK individual sessions – June 22, 9:00-11:00 am & 1:00-3:00 pm AKT
- PNW/AK shared session – June 23, 1:00-2:30 pm AKT
- GNW Closing Session – June 23, 5:30-7:00 pm AKT
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Barber receives national recognition for entrepreneurial, innovative work in the church
Being a misfit in the church pays off. Rev. Dr. Leroy Barber - a self-described "misfit" - was recently named one of five Wesleyan Investive's Tom Locke Innovative Leaders for 2021 for his work as an innovator, entrepreneur and leader of color in the church. Barber is the director of innovation for an engaged church in the Greater NW Area. | Read more of his story on the GNW News page. |
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Judicial Council refuses COB request to rule on Protocol
The highest court in The United Methodist Church has exercised its discretion to decline a request by bishops to decide whether the plan for separation on the part of some in the church, known as the Protocol, is constitutional.
In its decision released April 16, the Judicial Council denied jurisdiction in the case, noting there was no indication that the Protocol has been adopted by either the General Conference or the Council of Bishops (COB).
The COB does not adopt legislation, so the rationale of the Judicial Council raises questions about its decision not to exercise jurisdiction, since three annual conferences noted in the petition have submitted the Protocol as proposed legislation.
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A call to prayer for societal injustice
Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century (SBC21), the Native American Comprehensive Plan (NACP), Discipleship Ministries and The Upper Room are hosting live events in April to strengthen and encourage Christians fighting racial injustice.
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Author discusses hopelessness and decolonizing faith
What does it mean for us to seek out the Jesus of the margins? How will that affect our understanding of faith and our world? In the latest episode of the Compass Podcast, the Rev. Miguel De La Torre, the author of "Decolonizing Christianity," talks about living in hopelessness while being a person of faith.
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Pastor gave up her pulpit for Lent
The Lenten season leading into Easter is "prime time" for most pastors' sermons, but this year the Rev. Linda Stephan decided to step aside and let others speak. Stephan, pastor of predominantly white Williamston United Methodist Church, invited several African American pastors from around the country to be guest preachers for the church's virtual services. "If we really want to be a voice against racism, it has to start with us, and recognizing what voices are missing in our lives," Stephan said.
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Churches across theological spectrum exiting
With a potential denominational split still up in the air, some congregations aren't waiting to head for the exits. Churches in Maine, Texas and Illinois are among those in the process of severing ties with The United Methodist Church.
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Podcast series addresses resilience in ministry
In the latest episode of the podcast series "Reservoirs of Resilience," the Rev. Liliana Padilla, pastor of Westlawn United Methodist Church, talks about the obstacles she faced in ministry and how overcoming them gave her experience to draw on in leading her church through the pandemic.
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23: Leadership Team meeting
27: Award Nominations DUE
30-May 1: WJ Stakeholders Event - Carlo attending virtually
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5: Cinco de Mayo
9: Petitions DUE
9: Mother's Day
18-20: GNW Cabinet meeting - Carlo attending virtually
28: AC Registration CLOSES
31: Memorial Day - Office Closed
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Upcoming Clergy Birthdays
April 23 -
Karen Martin Tichenor
April 30 -
April Hall
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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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