A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference |
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A call to truth-telling and repentance from The Native American International Caucus of The United Methodist Church
As United Methodists begin to understand the historical role the church has played in generations of colonization and harm to Native American peoples, a petition has emerged, calling on churches to tell the truth and repent for their historical role in the loss of countless lives and devastation of rich indigenous cultures.
Greater Northwest Area Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky has signed the petition, as has Rev. Dr. Allen Buck, director of the GNW Circle of Indigenous Ministries as well as other leaders in the GNW Episcopal Area.
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Alaska churches can now apply for tech grants
Alaska and PNW are teaming up so Alaska Conference churches can apply for hybrid worship grants! The Pacific Northwest Conference previously announced the opportunity to apply for tech grants to assist in local churches upgrading their hybrid worship experiences. The Alaska Conference donated $10,000 to the fund and have representatives on the grant awarding committee. PNW generously matched our donation. The deadline is September 1, so apply soon!
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Virtual Discernment Event
The Order of Deaconess and Home Missioner will be hosting a virtual discernment event on Thursday, August 12 at 4:00pm AKT for laity in the United Methodist Church who feel called by God to a full-time vocation in service for those who are marginalized and in need.
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Bishop Shamana dies at age 81
Bishop Beverly J. Shamana, a retired bishop of The United Methodist Church, has died. She died this week in California at age 81.
Bishop Shamana was elected and consecrated to the Episcopacy in 2000 in the Western Jurisdiction. She was the second black woman elected as a bishop in the history of the UMC. Bishop Leontine T. Kelly was the first black woman elected in 1984.
Council of Bishops President Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey described Bishop Shamana as a voice for justice and all that was right and true.
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Service set for the Rev. H. Eddie Fox
A celebration of life service for the Rev. H. Eddie Fox, noted United Methodist evangelist, will be held at 11 a.m. U.S. Central time on Aug. 14 at Hermitage United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Dr. H. Eddie and Mary Nell Fox Endowment for Evangelism at the Foundation for Evangelism.
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What is Critical Race Theory and what Christians should know
Critical Race Theory (CRT) examines how laws in the United States have built and supported racial inequities. It is an ideological framework that names race as a social construct and asserts racialized inequities in society are fostered by historic and current systemic, institutional, and legal policies and practices.
You can watch a Facebook Live discussion on Critical Race Theory and access an infographic available now.
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First Americans Museum on conference tour
The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference is offering its next immersion event Oct 24-28. The immersions offer insight into the experience of Native peoples within the conference. One stop this time will be the new First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City.
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We Gather Together: How small groups bring connection to the post-pandemic church
A two-part webinar series titled "We Gather Together: How Small Groups Bring Connection to the Post-Pandemic Church" will be offered at 1 p.m. U.S. Central time Aug. 10 and Aug. 12 by Amplify Media, a multimedia platform of the United Methodist Publishing House. The Rev. Ryan Dunn, minister of online engagement for United Methodist Communications, will host.
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Conference and megachurch enter mediation
The North Georgia Conference and Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church have agreed to enter a mediation process in an effort to resolve their dispute stemming from a pastoral appointment. They will refrain from public comment on this matter until the mediation process has concluded. Mt. Bethel also held a prayer rally July 25 that included leaders of the Wesleyan Covenant Association.
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Live your dream
At Interfaith FCU we believe in saving with a purpose towards a meaningful future. If your plans include a mission trip, attending a conference, furthering your education, or going to camp, we are here to support your journey. Purpose Savings provides the opportunity to earn up to $150 in matching funds towards your Purpose Savings goal.
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Virtual communications conference helps churches move forward
Balancing online, in-person services and hybrid models poses challenges to church leaders. United Methodist Communications’ Training Team will host its second in a series of ecumenical virtual communications learning conferences to equip churches and ministries with next level communication methods for new era. The Church Communications Workshops Series: Moving the Church Forward through Communication will take place daily from 10:30am to 2:30pm CT on August 24-25, 2021.
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Introducing Launch Parties
Is your church looking to recover ground lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Are you thinking about launching a new worship service for a different demographic from the one you presently serve?
If so, Launch Parties may be just the help you need! See how this new series can help you launch a new worship community!
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What organizations does the church fund?
One of the more frequent questions Ask The UMC receives is about whether The United Methodist Church funds particular non-United Methodist organizations. The United Methodist Communications team reports that some people are surprised by the United Methodist-related entities their apportionments fund partially or not at all.
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Primer for churches on cryptocurrency
Churches may be grappling with gifts of cryptocurrency. The Rev. Ken Sloane, director of stewardship for United Methodist Discipleship Ministries, offers 10 things for churches to know about the volatile digital currency such as bitcoin and dogecoin. He urges churches to have a gift acceptance policy.
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Scarritt Bennett leader stepping down
Sarah Wilke, executive director of the Scarritt Bennett Center, plans to step down at the end of 2021. Wilke has led the independent nonprofit for five years. Scarritt Bennett, whose campus is owned by United Methodist Women, serves as a conference center and hub for women's empowerment, racial justice, spiritual formation and education of laity. The center is launching a search for a new executive director.
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World Photography Day website provides photo resources for churches
In observance of World Photography Day on August 19, United Methodist Communications has gathered a variety of photographic resources at UMCom.org/photography to help local churches tell their stories through compelling imagery.
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Faith Talks: August 19
All are invited to the next live recording of the Faith Talks podcast on Thursday, August 19 at 2:00 p.m. ET. They’ll discuss honoring labor, before and after Labor Day. The guests are Harriett Jane Olson, General Secretary and CEO of United Methodist Women, and co-chairs of The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis and Bishop William J. Barber II. This session will be well-attended so you are encouraged to register as soon as possible.
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6: Labor Day - Office Closed
20-24: GNW Cabinet meetings
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Upcoming Clergy Birthdays
August 13 -
Bennie Grace Nabua
September 11 -
Emily Carroll
September 17 -
Autumn Krueger
September 22 -
Won Jea Keum
September 28 -
Darla Bradley
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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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