A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference |
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Annual Conference Session |
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Laity Orientation tonight with Lay Leader Jo Anne Hayden
Due to the fact that this year's Laity Session is a shared session, an additional orientation Zoom meeting for the Alaska Conference has been scheduled for TONIGHT, Tuesday, June 15th at 7 pm, especially for first time Lay Members though all laity are welcome. In addition to sharing some basic information relative to your role as a Lay Member, we'll briefly highlight our virtual meeting givens, the Pre-Conference materials, and try to assist in responding to questions attendees may have. Once again, should you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Jo Anne at hayden@alaskan.net or 907-903-5025.
The link needed for the orientation Zoom meeting TONIGHT, Tuesday, June 15th at 7 pm is:
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Use WhatsApp to network and chat about items for the Annual Conference Sessions
The Alaska Conference leadership has decided that the Chat function of the Zoom Webinar system that will be used for the upcoming annual conference sessions will be limited only to communication between participants and the panelists. So as to provide a virtual, online substitute for the kind of networking among members that is a large and significant part of a face-to-face annual conference session, both in the seats during any session as well as in the hallways during breaks and overnight during recesses, Kelly Marciales has established and will serve as the moderator of an alternative using WhatsApp.
The drawback to this as opposed to the Zoom Chat is that to participate a member has to have a second device--a smart phone--and the expertise to use it. So, members who don't have access to that technology will not be able to join us in these conversations.
But this might be the best we can do.
To participate you will need to download the WhatsApp app to your smart phone, and connect to our chat using this link:
We urge you to distribute this link widely to all other members of the AUMC you know so that not knowing about it will not be a reason a member can't participate. It will be far better for a member to get the link two or three times than not to get it at all. This is not an attempt by anybody to control the process, but to provide equal access to the process for all members. And while this is primarily intended for the use of AUMC members, no one will be excluded who chooses to participate in the conversation using this method, since it will not be considered to be part of the debate on any matter before the conference for decision, and no voting will be possible through this medium.
In addition we want to be clear that this is not part of any scheme to manipulate, predetermine, or even to influence the outcome of any of the process, but to facilitate full participation of everyone in the process.
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Addendum to Pre-Conference Handbook available to download
An Addendum to the Pre-Conference Handbook is now available with the following contents:
- A working schedule/agenda for our Alaska Conference time on June 22nd
- The most current Nominations Report
- A discontinuance as a United Methodist congregation motion
- A petition to create a Cross-Conference Vitality Commission.
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Last Zoom Webinar training sessions
Practice sessions are being held prior to the AC Sessions to familiarize members with Zoom and the voting platform we’ll be using.
GNTV will again be our tech hosts for this year’s virtual annual conference session and they are offering new and improved processes for voting and participation.
The remaining training dates are offered for members to familiarize themselves with the online platform and voting. Learn more here.
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Live Streaming will be available for guests during AC Sessions
The live stream link will be sent out later once it is set up for those that wish to watch. You will be able to find it on the Conference YouTube channel once it has been set up.
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Annual Conference Schedule
The Alaska United Methodist Conference will meet online at the following times:
- 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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Bishop Stanovsky to appoint Rev. Carlo Rapanut as GNW Assistant to the Bishop
Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky has announced her intention to appoint the Rev. Carlo A. Rapanut as Greater Northwest Area Assistant to the Bishop, effective July 1, 2021. He will continue in his role as Alaska Conference Superintendent.
Currently, Rev. Rapanut serves as director of connectional ministries for Alaska, as part of the portfolio of conference superintendent. Those specific responsibilities will shift to a new leader, which the bishop will announce in the coming weeks.
“Carlo is a trusted voice and respected leader in Alaska and as a part of our Greater Northwest Area Cabinet,” offered Bishop Stanovsky. “I know that he will excel in this new role and help us with the strategic and adaptive work necessary as we move forward together.”
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Bishop Stanovsky to hold commissioning and ordination services across the GNW this summer
Bishop Elaine Stanovsky will be holding in person commissioning and ordination services across the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area this summer. The three services, part of the sacred tradition for ordaining, commissioning, receiving, and recognizing new clergy leaders within The United Methodist Church, will be the first in the area since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our very own Rev. Emily Carroll of St. John UMC and Rev. Murray Crookes of Every Nation UMC will be part of the service in the Seattle area on the 25th. Emily will be ordained an Elder and Murray will be commissioned a Provisional Elder.
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Former bishop known for 'reconciling spirit'
Former Bishop James E. Dorff, who led the formation of what is now the Rio Texas Conference, died June 7 of pancreatic cancer. United Methodists remember Dorff for his ability to bring people together.
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College scholarships up to $3,000 available
The UMC of the Resurrection is excited to bring Leadership Institute 2021 to you September 29 - October 1 as one live experience, with two options: Online or In Person*
At Leadership Institute 2021, their aim is to equip, strengthen and inspire you in your leadership, preparing you for a new season of ministry marked by unity, clarity of vision and a call to love extravagantly.
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A Father's Day prayer
To honor loving fathers and father figures who impact our lives, United Methodist Communications share this brief prayer.
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Books to inform the LGBTQ conversation
As The United Methodist Church continues to be divided over LGBTQ inclusion, United Methodist Now offers this collection of books, written by United Methodists from a variety of viewpoints, to help you better understand the conversation.
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After mass grave found, groups urge action
After the bones of 215 children were found at the site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School in Canada, Native American United Methodists are urging a closer look at Methodist-run schools. The Native American International Caucus asks bishops to commit time and money to the investigation. The executive committee of the Northeastern Jurisdiction Native American Ministries Committee also has issued a letter of solidarity with the caucus.
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Death and resurrection top list of United Methodist queries
What happens when we die? Is there life after our lives here on Earth, and what will it be like? Many have written to Ask The UMC, the official information service for the denomination provided by United Methodist Communications, over the years asking how United Methodists answer these and other questions about death, resurrection and life in the new creation. The new Death and Resurrection Series gathers responses to these oft-repeated questions in one place for easy reference.
“We thought it would be helpful to gather our responses to the various questions we regularly receive on this topic in one place, so people could more easily find answers,” said Vicki Wallace, Ask the UMC Team Director.
The series also provides discussion questions, which may be used for personal or group reflection.
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Bishop Oliveto called a faith leader to watch
The Center for American Progress, a progressive think tank in the U.S., has named Mountain Sky Conference Bishop Karen Oliveto among 21 faith leaders to watch in 2021. The center says its list "celebrates those leaders — some well-known and others newly on the scene — who are using their platforms to fight for justice."
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Prepare for Fall outreach with free resources
Fall is the perfect time to invite people back to church and celebrate back to school with customized banners, yard signs, sandwich board signs, postcards, invitation cards and more. Use coupon code UMCFA21 for $150 of free resources!
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Observing World Refugee Day
World Refugee Day is June 20. To help observe, resources including poems, a downloadable bulletin insert and an interactive map are available from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, whose work with refugees began in the 1940s and continues today.
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Juneteenth resource
Juneteenth (June 19) marks the day in 1865 when U.S. federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure all African Americans were freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed.
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Apply to be new UMM General Secretary
Due to the retirement of our General Secretary, the General Commission on United Methodist Men is seeking a qualified individual to serve as its General Secretary. This person will serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission on United Methodist Men, exercising general administrative oversight over the activities and policies of the Commission. This person is accountable to the Commission for the planning, coordination, interpretation and implementation of goals and objectives to support the mission of the General Commission on United Methodist Men and the directives of General Conference.
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Join Church and Society for a special three-part webinar series
June 17, 2021, Repairing:
Panel discussion on examples of reparations in the United States (Japanese Americans, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Evanston, Illinois). What can we learn from these examples of reparations?
June 24, 2021, Re-imagining:
As people of faith, what is the case for reparations from a theological/biblical perspective? And how can we prophetically live into that calling now and guarantee it for the future?
June 10's session will be rescheduled.
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15: Lay Member Orientation
19: Juneteenth
20: Father's Day
20: GNW Opening Session 5:30-7 PM
22: AK individual sessions 9-11 AM & 1-3 PM
23: AK/PNW shared session 1-2:30 PM
23: GNW Closing Session 5:30-7 PM
28-29: GNW Cabinet Retreat
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4: Independence Day
5: Independence Day Observed - Office Closed
17: Western Jurisdiction Special Called Session
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Upcoming Clergy Birthdays
June 15 -
Matt Reinders
July 11 -
Bob Smith
Joseph DowlingSoka
July 21 -
Lisa Talbott
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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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