Dear Lay and Clergy Members of the Alaska Annual Conference,

You are warmly invited to the 52nd session of the Alaska Annual Conference, June 4-6, 2023. An annual conference planning team has been working with Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth, Alaska Conference Staff, and the host congregation in planning our gathering in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Registration is now open for our 2023 annual conference session. The registration fee, which helps offset the cost of in-person meals and online tech support, is on a sliding scale to help meet the needs of all members of the Conference. You may select the fee that best suits your budget:
  • $0.00 fee waiver
  • $10.00 on-line only fee
  • $25 reduced Conference fee
  • $75 standard Conference fee
  • $100 sponsorship level fee to assist others
 
There are a variety of housing options in the Fairbanks area, from hotels to home stays to RV parks and campgrounds. We have secured Conference rates at several local hotels. Explore the options here.

Many local churches budget for Annual Conference expenses. You are encouraged to submit your expenses to your church, and in accordance with Conference Rule 3.05, any lay or clergy member or other person required to attend Annual Conference may be reimbursed by the Conference for approved expenses. Please contact the Director of Connectional Ministries, Rev. Lisa Talbott (lisamareitalbott@gmail.com), if you have questions or would like to request additional financial support.
 
Please note that registration will close on May 9.

In his call letter in early February, Bishop Bridgeforth shared with us the theme for this annual conference, “Go and Do Likewise” centered on the familiar story of the Good Samaritan as found in Luke’s Gospel (10:30-37). As we prepare ourselves, our bishop asked us to consider several questions:
  • What are we learning and sharing about service with and among others?
  • Where is God calling us to show up and do good?
  • What impact are we having in our community or through our ministry?
  • How is this scripture both a mirror that helps us reflect and a window so that we can see others?

Our Alaska-specific conferencing around these questions and our regular work will begin with Opening Worship at 11 AM on Sunday, June 4, online via Zoom and in person at Fairbanks First United Methodist Church. Our Alaska-specific conferencing will end with a Service of Commissioning which should conclude by 1 PM on Tuesday, June 6. See below for further details.

General schedule of the 2023 Annual Conference season:

GNW Installation of Bishop Bridgeforth & Opening Session
SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2023
2 PM AKT Livestream only
 
Alaska Clergy Session
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023
10 AM AKT Online only
 
Alaska Annual Conference Sessions
SUNDAY-TUESDAY, JUNE 4-6, 2023
The sessions will be hybrid with GNTV voting support.
 
Some additional tentative Details:
OPTIONAL: Pre-Conference workshops and learning events Saturday, June 3. Times and sessions to be announced.
 
Sunday, June 4, 11 AM – 7 PM: Opening Worship, Laity and Clergy Sessions, Plenary
Monday, June 5, 9 AM – 8 PM: Plenary Sessions, Memorial Service
Tuesday, June 6, 9 AM – 1 PM: Plenary, Commissioning Service
 
GNW Closing Session
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2023
Evening. Livestream only
 
Your full participation is essential at Annual Conference. Just as lay members often miss work and other obligations to be present, clergy are expected to prioritize this time away from their local churches to strengthen our connectional life together, either in person or over Zoom. Annual Conference is one of the minimal requirements for clergy. Absences must be discussed with the Superintendent, Rev. Christina DowlingSoka (dwlngsk@yahoo.com) and reported to the Conference Secretary, Rev. Nico Reijns (pastorreijns@gmail.com).
 
Thanks for your care and attention to registration and all the other ways you will prepare yourself for annual conference this year!