A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference |
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Annual Conference Session |
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Voter ID emails
GNTV sent out emails last Thursday to all those who have registered for Annual Conference. In that email, you will find your VOTER ID. This number is unique to you so please do not share it with anyone. If you do, that may lead to your vote being invalidated. If you have registered and you have not received this email, please contact the conference office ASAP so that we can get you your specific information. You may have to check your spam/junk if you don't find it in your inbox.
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Registered participant links emailed out
If you have registered for Annual Conference as a Clergy person or Lay Member, the conference office sent out email on Friday with Zoom links to participate on Tuesday during the Alaska sessions, the Alaska/Pacific Northwest Session and GNW Closing Session. If you did not receive this email, please contact the conference office to get the information. This is different information than the live stream link provided for guests.
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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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Annual Conference Schedule
The Alaska United Methodist Conference will meet online at the following times:
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AK individual sessions – June 22, 9:00-11:00 am & 1:00-3:00 pm AKT
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PNW/AK shared session – June 23, 1:00-2:30 pm AKT
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GNW Closing Session – June 23, 2:45-3:45 pm AKT ***NEW TIME***
EVALUATION FORM
Please give us your feedback once Annual Conference has concluded. Your comments are important and helpful.
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Live Streaming will be available for guests during AC Sessions
The live stream links are below for those who would like to watch but are not voting members who have registered.
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GNW Closing Session time change
One change has been made to the Annual Conference schedule since last week. After the already-scheduled Alaska and Pacific Northwest Shared Session on Wednesday afternoon, we will move into a short break as we conclude this session. At 2:45 p.m. AKT, members of the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference will join us for a closing Greater Northwest Area Session lasting approximately one hour. We will join together for worship, sharing of significant actions taken by the conferences, and receive an invitation to the 2022 annual conference session. This final hour will utilize the same Zoom link for participants as the preceding session.
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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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Bishop Stanovsky to appoint Rev. Lisa Talbott as Alaska Director of Connectional MInistries
Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky has announced her intention to appoint the Rev. Lisa Talbott as Director of Connectional Ministries (DCM) for the Alaska United Methodist Conference, effective July 1, 2021. She will also continue in her role as pastor of Homer United Methodist Church in Homer, Alaska.
“Lisa brings visionary leadership, a deep love for Alaska, and a passion for ministry that inspires,” shared Bishop Stanovsky. “She is already a connector and I know that people in Alaska and many in the Greater Northwest Area will welcome her leadership in this new role.”
As DCM, Rev. Talbott will serve as the steward of the vision of the annual conference, aligning resources, and ensuring connections among local churches, throughout the conference, across the Greater Northwest Area and the denomination. She will be a partner in ministry with the Conference Superintendent and serve on the bishop’s cabinet.
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New consultant announced for committee
The United Methodist Global AIDS Committee unanimously chose the Rev. Sunny Farley to serve as its next part-time global AIDS consultant. Farley succeeds Linda Bales Todd, who worked with the committee for 17 years.
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Lay leaders call for 'sustainable peace'
The pandemic-forced delay in General Conference has magnified the denomination's differences and challenges, says a statement by the Association of Annual Conference Lay Leaders. "We seek a sustainable peace," the group's statement says.
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United Methodist Communications to Celebrate Social Media day June 30
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Take the Challenge, Church!
Do a plastic-free challenge, encouraging the congregation to increase what they are doing to address the issues related to plastic. Find a way for them to report their actions and be sure to celebrate the results. To join the global effort or for inspiration and ideas, visit plasticfreejuly.org.
The United Methodist Creation Justice Movement provides tips as a tool to equip church members, families, and individuals to respond to God's call to care for creation and do justice with our neighbors.
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Grants will support children's homes
Three children's homes in Indiana will receive $3 million grants from Methodist Health Group. The grants will go to Bashor Children's Home, the Indiana United Methodist Children's Home and United Methodist Youth Home.
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Register for part 2 & 3 of Church and Society webinar series
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? Register
NEW DATE! July 19, 2021, Remembering:
To better understand the case for reparations, this webinar will examine the history of our unjust past and the legacy of slavery. It will also examine H.R. 40 as a step towards a more just future. Register
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Where is John Wesley's birthplace?
In honor of John Wesley’s birthday on June 28, Ask The UMC is exploring key historic places and sites from his life in Epworth, a small town in Lincolnshire in northeast England. Share this resource with your congregation so that they can learn more about Wesley’s life and ministry.
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$500 grants available for rural churches
Rural churches can apply for $500 grants to be used to respond to specific needs in their communities. The deadline to apply is Oct. 15. United Methodist Rural Advocates will notify the 10 grant recipients by Dec. 1.
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22: AK individual sessions 9-11 AM & 1-3 PM
23: AK/PNW shared session 1-2:30 PM
23: GNW Closing Session 3:45-3:45 PM
25: Ordination & Commissioning Service 4-5 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
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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