News from the Alaska United Methodist Conference

e~Aurora

A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference

Conference News

St. John UMW Holiday Auction

St. John United Methodist Women are sponsoring an online virtual auction. All proceeds will go toward supporting UMW programs and missions. What a perfectly timed event for gift giving over the holidays! Be sure to check out the site often. Register to bid and you will be notified when someone else outbids you so that you can up your own bid as desired. The auction opens on Thanksgiving Day and runs through 1 pm on December 5th. Item pickup will be from 4-8 on December 5th at the church. Payment can be made by cash, check (at time of pickup) or credit card (online). The auction link is auctria.events/St.JohnUMCHolidayAuction Share this opportunity with others and enjoy the fun while supporting important mission work!

Christmas Cookie backing party

Join Birchwood Camp in this annual holiday tradition!

There will be 6 sessions and only 4 families can register for each session to limit the number of people in the Lodge. Each family will be making 4 different kinds of cookies in addition to the sugar cookies that Birchwood will make for everyone to decorate. Families can only take home the cookies they actually make. Please bring your own container.

Session 1 – Dec. 2, 6-9pm

Session 2 – Dec. 3, 6-9pm

Session 3 – Dec. 4, 2-5pm

Session 4 – Dec. 4, 6-9pm

Session 5 – Dec. 5, 2-5pm

Session 6 – Dec. 5, 6-9pm

Registration Fee: $40 per baking kit. A family can share one baking kit.

National News

Where and why to donate TODAY on Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday emerged in 2012 to encourage people all over the world to embrace generosity. As the movement has grown, an increasing number of nonprofits, including denominational agencies and local churches, have taken the occasion to promote special opportunities for giving. There are TONS of United Methodist related agencies that would welcome your donation today. There are several Alaska related numbers you can donate to as well.

Global Ministries

Church & Society

Religion & Race

Status & Role of Women

Western Jurisdiction Volunteer In MIssion programs

United Methodist Women

Plus many more...these are just the ones that I received emails about at the conference office.

Invest in students on UM Student Day

The denomination has dedicated Nov. 28 as United Methodist Student Day, where we set aside time to honor and celebrate students in our congregation and around the world. With this special offering, we invest in their future. Build awareness and encourage generous support with the help of offering talks, sermon starters, liturgies, age-level resources and more.

Download the resources

Rittenhouse verdict lamented

The acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse from homicide and reckless endangerment charges in Wisconsin could encourage vigilantes, said United Methodist Women in a statement. "This verdict sends a message that anyone exercising their constitutional right to assemble and peacefully protest cannot assume they will have the protection of state governments," said the statement.

Read the statement

Group gets immersion in Native history, concerns

The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference brought together United Methodists from nine states for a deep dive into Native American ministries and challenges. The immersion group visited historic sites and the new First Americans Museum, as well as a local church and public charter school focused on teaching Native youth about their culture.

Read about the immersion experience

Read about the youth programs

UM News: Native American museum makes belated debut

Conference Calendar

30: Charge Conference - First Anchorage UMC

5: Charge Conference - Turnagain UMC

6: Charge Conference - First UMC Fairbanks

7: Charge Conference - Ola Toe Fuataina UM Samoan Fellowship

8: Charge Conference - Willow UMC

9: Charge Conference - Anchor Park UMC

13-15: GNW Cabinet meetings - Carlo and Lisa attending virtually

20-30: Carlo on vacation

24: Christmas Eve - Office Closed

25: Christmas Day

31: New Year's Eve - Office Closed

Upcoming Clergy Birthdays

December 23 -

Christina DowlingSoka

The United Methodist Church

Bishop's Blog

Superintendent's Blog

Conference Office

907-333-5050

Superintendent - Carlo Rapanut

carlorapanut@gmail.com

Director of Connectional Ministries - Lisa Talbott

lisamarietalbott@gmail.com

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.

Mission Statement

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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