A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference |
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Conference Prayer Advocate shares info about Prayer Line
by Paul Williams
As Prayer Advocate for the Alaska Conference on behalf of the United Methodist Men, it is my job to inform everyone of the Prayer Line that was started by the United Methodist Men back in the early 2000s. We hope you will use this wonderful resource and spread the word to others. The prayer line started as a phone line answered by 4 to 10 men who sent prayers out to volunteer churches. With technology they moved to the internet and now reach out to thousands of connectional churches and individuals world-wide, exponentially expanding our reach. Any time day or night you can enter a prayer request into the link below which will connect you to the prayer wall. Persons around the globe will lift up your prayer. There is also a link to a prayer survey (not for judgement but for information) of the many ways we can talk to God.
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Have you felt God calling you to preach the Word?
Here are the registration links to the next offering of the CLM Basic and Preaching classes in Jan/Feb or 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Andy Bartel
BASIC
PREACHING
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Apportionment Report
The October Apportionment Report is available for download.
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Stamp Collectors Alert
Are you interested in international postage stamps? There is actually a Methodist Philatelic Society that deals with that. It was founded in 1970 and had an international membership of over 350 not that long ago. Its function is to encourage the study of philately associated with Methodism, and to provide a means of communication on all related philatelic subjects. It publishes a quarterly newsletter. Do a google search for “Methodist stamps” to get an idea of what government agencies around the world have recognized our Methodist heritage. The full story was published in the Northeastern United Methodist Historical Bulletin July, 1989. See Larry Hayden for a copy.
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Liberating Advent: A worship resource collection for the Greater Northwest Area churches
"Liberating Advent: A journey of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love" will be a resource for local churches to include in their worship services with videos and text of scripture readings, artwork, original music and deep theological reflections. The resources – electronic and in print – will be available for churches to access by Nov. 15.
Congregations can use each week’s worship service as a whole product or incorporate different elements. Churches will be able to download videos and other printed materials, and if needed, can request an electronic copy of the material (DVD, Flash Drive)
“We know our churches miss being together – especially during this season of anticipation – and we wanted to provide some support through these ‘Liberating Advent’ worship elements,” said Rev. Dr. Leroy Barber, director of innovation for the Greater Northwest Area Innovation Vitality team. “Our world – the oppressed and marginalized in our communities – is crying out for our help. And Jesus calls us to be there. This Advent resource is meant to honor Jesus’ life and the season we’re in as a church in new and powerful ways.”
*This video was created following strict safety and sanitation protocols from the Greater Northwest Area of the UMC’s “Reimagining Life Together” guidelines for ministry settings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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GNW Innovation Vitality Team offers free learning experiences to equip leaders for relational community work
Decolonizing our Mission. Engaging our Communities. Exercising Cultural Humility. These are essential practices for United Methodists seeking to create or deepen community partnerships and build or strengthen relationships of justice for a time such as this.
The Greater Northwest Area’s Innovation Vitality Team is partnering with three strong voices this November to deliver three learning experiences over Zoom introducing or refreshing participant’s understanding of these critical practices.
Register now to join us for this series of learning experiences with:
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Dr. Soong-Chan Rah, author, theologian and practitioner on the topic of Decolonizing Mission, Thursday, November 5, 2020, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. PST REGISTER HERE
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Maria-José (Coté) Soerens, pastor, innovator and community activist on the topic of Community Engagement and Community Development, Tuesday, November 10, 2020, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. PST REGISTER HERE
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Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, author, activist and practitioner on the topic of Cultural Humility, Thursday, November 12, 2020, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. PST REGISTER HERE
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Bishops to discuss church future, pandemic
The Council of Bishops plans to meet Nov. 2-5 amid a pandemic and racial unrest, as well as denominational and political anxiety. The opening session on Monday, including the president’s address, was streamed live on the Council of Bishops Facebook page: facebook.com/umcbishops.
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Racial and sexual parity linked, panelists say
Real progress on racial issues in The United Methodist Church is impossible unless LGBTQ people are accepted as full participants in every aspect of the denomination, said both panelists during a sometimes emotional online discussion about racism. The topic of intersectionality was discussed in the hourlong conversation.
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Leadership body affirms Christmas Covenant
The Connectional Table, a leadership body that coordinates mission and ministry, voted to affirm the Christmas Covenant legislation as a vehicle for providing global regionalism in The United Methodist Church. The legislation originated with General Conference delegates from the Philippines, Africa and Europe. Like the Connectional Table, the group seeks to create a U.S. regional conference that will have parity with other regions in the denomination.
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Connectional Table's Emerging Project launches first video segments discussing General Conference and the future of the UMC
The Connectional Table’s Emerging Project is launching video segments about the future of the United Methodist Church. The Emerging Project is moving in a new direction by using Wesley’s historic questions that ask, what to teach, how to teach, and what to do. The first video, “Can General Conference be Virtual?” is a 4-part interview, where Thomas J. Bickerton, bishop of the New York Episcopal Area and president-elect of the Council of Bishops, discusses the possibilities for holding General Conference virtually in 2021.
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UMCOR Depot West to close
Citing the need for good stewardship of available resources, leaders of the United Methodist Committee on Relief are consolidating the operations of their relief supply network and relocating materials from UMCOR Office and Depot West in Salt Lake City to UMCOR Sager Brown in Baldwin, Louisiana.
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Inclusiveness webinar set for Nov. 14
An inclusiveness webinar for laity and clergy sponsored by the United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy & Friends will be held over Zoom from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. U.S. Mountain Time on Nov. 14. The event, with Bishops LaTrelle Easterling and Karen Oliveto as keynote speakers, will focus on recent developments within United Methodism, including efforts to dismantle racism and diminish homophobia.
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African bishops: Let's make our own choices
United Methodist bishops in Africa vowed to stay in The United Methodist Church despite the potential split expected at General Conference next year. During a virtual meeting, the bishops also said they feel the mediated Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation should be renegotiated.
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Publishing House board faces hard times
The board of United Methodist Publishing House met by videoconference Oct. 27, approving a $31 million budget and learning of the impending retirement of Tammy Gaines, chief financial officer. The self-supporting Publishing House has faced slumping sales in the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing layoffs and a decision to put its headquarters up for sale.
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Advent 2020 resource focuses on justice and peace
"Seeking Jesus, The Advent of Justice and Peace" is a five-week Advent anti-racism resource available now through the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race. The resource begins Nov. 29 and continues through Dec. 27. Cost is $20.
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Do United Methodists observe Sabbath on Sunday?
For United Methodists and other Christians, Sunday is the Lord's Day, the day of Christian worship. Sabbath is a Hebrew word meaning "seventh," and the seventh day, for both Jewish and Christian people, is Saturday. Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, has more on the history of Sabbath.
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8 ways to be a peacemaker
A bitter election. A deadly virus. Unrelenting racism. Economic, environmental and social crises. With the Christian witness of peace desperately needed, Annette Spence talked to eight United Methodists about how they model peace.
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Faith calms fears for COVID-19 survivors
Several Filipino United Methodists, including some on the front lines, credit God and their faith with helping them triumph over the coronavirus. "COVID-19 was life-threatening, but God's love and faithfulness was lifesaving," said Dr. Glenn Roy V. Paraso, who spent a month in the hospital after contracting the virus.
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Call to US churches to tackle justice issues
As the National Council of Churches celebrates 70 years of public witness, its governing board calls on churches in its 38 member communions "to partner with God in breathing new life into our nation" while coming to grips with racial injustice, the coronavirus pandemic and an economic crisis. The United Methodist Church is a member of the NCC.
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Boy Scouts lawsuit raises legal concern for churches
A Nov. 16 deadline approaches for churches to file paperwork intended to shield them from any potential liability stemming from a class action lawsuit against Boy Scouts of America over past sexual abuse claims.
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10: Charge Conference - Girdwood Chapel UMC
11: Veteran's Day
16: Charge Conference - Soldotna UMC
18: Charge Conference - Nome Community UMC
19: Charge Conference - UMC of Chugiak
23: Charge Conference - Ketchikan 1st UMC
26: Thanksgiving - Office Closed
27: Office Closed
28: Charge Conference - Anchorage Korean UMC
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1-3: GNW Cabinet meeting - Carlo attending virtually
2: Charge Conference - Seward Memorial UMC
3: Charge Conference - Moose Pass UMC
8: Charge Conference - UMC of Sitka
9: Charge Conference - Willow UMC
11: Charge Conference - Ola Toe Fuataina UM Samoan Fellowship
14: Charge Conference - Anchor Park UMC
15: Charge Conference - St. John UMC
16: Charge Conference - Fairbanks 1st UMC
17: Charge Conference - Anchorage 1st UMC
24: Christmas Eve - Office Closed half day
25: Christmas Day - Office Closed
31: New Year's Eve - Office Closed half day
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Upcoming Clergy Birthdays
November 6 -
Tafa Fulumua
November 9 -
Murray Crookes
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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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