A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference |
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Standing in solidarity against anti-Asian hate
Friends in ministry in the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area,
Where does love live, if not in our hearts and in our relationships with God and our neighbors?
My heart is heavy with this week’s news of a young white man’s racial hatred targeting Asian and Asian American women for murder in Atlanta. Is there no limit to the depths of hatred and inhumanity?
What insanity blames innocent fellow citizens for a virus that spreads silently, putting people of every nation and race at risk? No-one is safe. No-one is to blame. If one suffers, we all suffer together.
My heart overflows with love for the women who lost their lives, for elders attacked on sidewalks, for passers-by spit at. Love lives where people lay their lives down for their neighbors, not where people violate the dignity, safety and very lives of their neighbors out of irrational fear and hatred.
Listen with me to the reflections of my friend and colleague, Bishop Bob Hoshibata of the Desert Southwest Conference, who said this week: “We must confront the ways that harm presents itself: whether it be ‘innocent’ re-telling of jokes, to perpetuating racist rhetoric related to COVID-19, or violent actions to innocent people, we must acknowledge that these are things that fuel bias and prejudice against those of Asian heritage.”
I affirm the words from Asian and Asian American Bishops of the United Methodist Church, the New Federation of Asian American United Methodists, the Asian American Language Ministry Plan, along with other Asian American leaders and academics of the United Methodist Church, including some from the Greater NW Area: “We ask that all United Methodists read again and live out our own Charter for Racial Justice which states that all persons are of equal value in the sight of God and that racism is a rejection of the teachings of Jesus Christ.”
May the LOVE of God continue to light our path in these dark days,
Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky
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Annual Conference related deadlines
Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky has asked clergy and lay members of the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Conferences to hold June 20-24, 2021 open for online Annual Conference sessions. More information will be released soon.
In the meantime, please mark your calendars with the following deadlines.
Registration for Annual Conference is expected to open sometime after Easter.
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History of the Alaska United Methodist Conference available
A newly published history of the Alaska United Methodist Conference (1986-2020) is available on the conference website for your reference. It is a sequel to the book Have Gospel Tent Will Travel which was written by Bea Shepard and Claudia Kelsey for the Methodist Centennial in 1986 (which is also on the website). A very few hard copies are available for purchase.
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Webinar: BOTH/AND – Maximizing Hybrid Worship Experiences for Online and In-Person Audiences
Join us for Both/And: Maximizing Hybrid Worship Experiences For Online and In-Person Audiences on Saturday, April 17, 2021 (5-7:30 p.m. MDT • 4-6:30 p.m. PDT • 3-5:30 p.m. AKDT). Worship media consultant and coach Jason Moore will be the trainer for this event.
A generous gift to the Regional Media Center is making this opportunity available at no cost to United Methodists across the Greater Northwest Area.
This 2-hour workshop will delve into strategies for how to create powerful transformative worship where no one feels like they’re an afterthought.
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Fair and equal ordination for all: "What is worth it?" Recalling the trauma from going on trial as an LGBTQ+ clergy
As the Western Jurisdiction "Where Love Lives" campaign examines the theme of "Fair and Equal Ordination for All," Rev. Karen Dammann shares - in her own words - the isolation, fear, and trauma she experienced when put on trial for being an LGBTQ+ clergyperson 17 years ago last week.
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Bishops reconsider May 8 Special Session of General Conference
The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church met on Monday, March 22, 2021 in an additional meeting to consider pressing matters related to the Council’s work. After much conversation, the bishops reached a decision that in the best interest of the church at this time, they would cancel the Special Session of the General Conference which was set for May 8, 2021.
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Speaking out against anti-Asian violence
With a rise in harassment and violence against the Asian American community in the U.S., Asian and Asian American church leaders and groups, including the New Federation of Asian American United Methodists and the Asian American Language Ministry Plan, are urging United Methodists to speak out and address the systemic nature of hate crimes. "Shifting this hatred into the light of God will require that all of us condemn acts of racist hatred and move toward love, tolerance and justice," the group's statement said.
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Mourning loss of life, decrying racism
Emily Jones, United Methodist Women's executive for racial justice, released a statement on behalf of the women's organization mourning the lives lost during the March 16 shooting rampage targeting Asian American women in the Atlanta area. The group also vowed to renew its commitment "to fight for racial justice for all people while paying specific attention to the ways race and gender intersect to uniquely target women of color."
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Celebrating first Native Interior secretary
United Methodist Native Americans have sent a letter of congratulations to Secretary Debra Haaland, the first Native American head of the Interior Department and any cabinet office. The Interior Department manages public land and houses the Bureau of Indian Affairs. "We will commit to keeping her in dedicated prayer and stand ready to assist in whatever ways we can to work for the benefit of the seven generations," the denomination's Native American International Caucus said.
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Day by day guide to Holy Week
We invite you to journey through the sacred events of Holy Week that lead us to Jesus' Resurrection on Easter in this new UMC.org devotional series written by United Methodist pastors.
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Virtual Easter Choir from Discipleship Ministries
This was an amazing experience bringing together over 400 singers from different countries, congregations, and communities – proving that even in the midst of a pandemic we are still united.
Thine Be The Glory is an Easter celebration hymn that transcends time and cultures.
To download the video and learn more about the history of the hymn click below
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Leadership Spotlight: Dr. Ashley Boggan Dreff
As the first woman to take on the office of General Secretary for the General Commission on Archives and History, Dr. Ashley Boggan Dreff shares her reflections on Women’s History Month. “I think women really are the foundation of many facets of society,” she said.
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Why is Good Friday called 'good'?
The New Testament describes Good Friday as a day of suffering that ends in Jesus' crucifixion — events that sound like anything but good. A short video from United Methodist Communications and its Ask The UMC ministry examines the third-century history behind the phrase, as well as how remembering the day moves us to the hope of Easter.
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Meharry provides vaccines and peace of mind
A United Methodist medical college serves as a COVID-19 vaccination site in an underserved neighborhood and is easing the concerns of some who mistrust the medical community.
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Honoring West Ohio clergywomen
As part of its Women's History Month celebration, the West Ohio Conference has been highlighting the ministry of some of its clergywomen. Among them are Pastor Mary Carmen Padilla, who was recruited to plant Camino de Vida (Way of Life), a church for the Latino community of Fremont, and the Rev. Jessica Cavinee, who followed her call to ministry despite those who told her a woman and mother should be at home rather than in seminary.
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28: Palm Sunday
29-April 2: Holy Week - Office Closed
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2: Good Friday
4: Easter Sunday
13-15: GNW Cabinet meeting - Carlo attending virtually
15: Tax Day
23: Leadership Team meeting
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Upcoming Clergy Birthdays
March 23 -
Bob Jones Jr.
April 18 -
Bertha Koweluk
April 23 -
Karen Martin Tichenor
April 30 -
April Hall
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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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