News from the Alaska United Methodist Conference

e~Aurora

A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference

Conference News

The Alaska Omnibus Proposal

In case you missed it last week, the Alaska General Conference Delegation, with the help of a few others, submitted a piece of legislation to General Conference. It is their attempt to offer a pathway so all of our churches can see a future for the United Methodist Church.

View the Alaska Omnibus Proposal

Read the delegations summary of the proposal

Foundation grant opened

The First United Methodist Church Foundation is accepting applications for grants to be used as educational benefits, scholarships, out-reach to the community and the world, and capital projects of First United Methodist Church, Anchorage. Applications should be a concise request using the form provided by First United Methodist Church, Anchorage and can be found on the FUMC website at http://firstumcanchorage.org/ or at the church office. Submissions must be received by February 26, 2021 at the street address given below. Award recipients will be notified in March 2021.

FUMC Foundation - Grants

725 W 9th Ave

Anchorage, AK 99501

fumc@gci.net

907-272-2112

Regional News

Where Love Lives: Monday School

The Western Jurisdiction's "Where Loves Lives" Campaign is continuing this month with messages and resources from the California-Nevada Conference.

In yesterday's resource, Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño encourages all churches and ministry settings across the Western Jurisdiction to be persons and places where God's love lives.

Watch the video now

You can learn more about the Where Loves Lives Campaign on the Greater Northwest Area website.

Pastor's move highlights challenges moms face

The Rev. Meredith Dodd, an elder in the Pacific Northwest Conference, was interviewed for a segment that aired on CNN considering the strain the pandemic places upon parents and the uneven impact on mothers. Dodd shares her personal decision to set aside her local church appointment to care for her children.

Read and watch the story

National News

Bishops plan to meet February 18

The United Methodist Council of Bishops plans to have a one-day virtual meeting of the more than 150 active and retired bishops at 9 a.m. U.S. Eastern time Feb. 18. The bishops will discuss the global denomination's current situation and reflect on the mission and ministry of the church amid the pandemic.

Read the press release

Discipleship's top executive battles cancer

The Rev. Junius B. Dotson, the top executive of Discipleship Ministries, told his staff and board on Jan. 28 that he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He also said he would continue to work as he fights the disease.

Read the story

Church sees surge in giving at year's end

Giving to denomination-wide ministries was better than the worst of the pandemic's projections, according to preliminary figures from the General Council on Finance and Administration. However, The United Methodist Church still faces financial strains.

Read the story

Holistic health around the world

In the first "Get Your Spirit in Shape" episode of 2021, Kathleen Griffith of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries reminds people to care for their whole selves — mind, body and spirit. Griffith also shares how the agency's Abundant Health Initiative met its ambitious goal of reaching 1 million children with lifesaving intervention.

Listen to the podcast

Free Lenten biblical reflection series available

The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race is offering a free six-week Lenten biblical reflection course called "Roll Down, Justice!" Each lesson is based on songs from Mark A. Miller's songbook of the same name and includes guides for study.

View the resource

Marking Ash Wednesday safely

With COVID-19 still a threat, worship leaders are urging increased caution in observing Ash Wednesday on Feb. 17. An ecumenical team convened by three United Methodists, two of them from Candler School of Theology, produced a six-page guide to reduce health risks as Christians mark the start of Lent. The guide draws on a range of experts, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Read the guide

Discipleship Ministries offers tips

Loving people and planet in the name of God

Join the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement in a 5 part Workshop Series.

February 28, March 4, 7, 11 & 14, 2021 -- 7-9 pm ET Cost: $15

This workshop will prepare you to understand creation care and climate justice in the Wesleyan Tradition; to recognize environmental concerns and solutions; to incorporate creation care into your worship; and to exercise environmental stewardship in the life of your congregation and community.

More information and/or register here

Church builds house for formerly incarcerated

One church is donating more than $230,000 to build a fully furnished house where people released from prison can live while they get their lives back on track. Advent United Methodist Church raised the funds through its 2020 Love Your Neighbor As Yourself Challenge, which encouraged people to cut their Christmas spending in half and give the other half to a Christmas Eve offering. Jessica Brodie has the story.

Read the story

Conference Calendar

14: Valentine's Day

15: Presidents' Day

16-18: GNW Cabinet meeting - Carlo attending virtually

26: Leadership Team meeting

14: Daylight Savings Time starts

17: St. Patrick's Day

Upcoming Clergy Birthdays

February 19 -

Steve Fisher

The United Methodist Church

Bishop's Blog

Superintendent's Blog

Conference Office

907-333-5050

Superintendent Carlo

carlorapanut@gmail.com

907-854-8340

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.

Mission Statement

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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