Coming Sunday, September 27

Pastor Andy Bartel will bring the message “Everything is Holy Now: Thomas Merton" this Sunday. Services are at 8:00, 9:15 and 11:30 a.m. Watch services live or later on our YouTube Channel.

Join Us for Another Amazing WNS!

This Wednesday we're having Chicken Alfredo and Limeade Cake! Supper starts at 5:15 and runs until “about” 6:00 or 6:15. Suggested donation is $10/plate and $5/half plate, but please just pay as you can. We hope to see you there!

Welcome Point

The next Welcome Point Class will be meeting September 27 and October 4. This class offers an opportunity to learn about St. John’s story, explore our beliefs and values, discover your spiritual gifts, and gain an understanding of the United Methodist Church’s denominational structure. It is also a time of discernment as you consider whether you feel called to join in membership. The class will meet from 10:30-11:20 a.m. in Room 163. If you have questions, contact Pastor Andy or Colleen Runty.

Children & Youth Ministry

Wow, it was so wonderful to see all of our kids and youth back for programming this past Wednesday and Sunday! Looking forward to seeing you next time. Invite a friend! Update returning children and youth here. New children and youth register here.

Transforming Together: LGBTQ+ Retreat

More information and registration here.

Book Study: How to Fight Racism

The Rev. Andy Bartel, Lead Pastor of St. John UMC Anchorage will facilitate a Sunday School Book Study focused on the text How to Fight Racism by Jemar Tisby. The class will begin October 11 and take place during the Sunday School hour, from 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.

Stephen Ministry Training Course

Stephen Ministers are St. John congregation members who are trained to offer high quality, one-on-one, confidential, Christ-centered spiritual care to people who are going through tough times. We offer a 50-hour training course every two years to people interested in becoming Stephen Ministers. The next course will begin January 9, 2027. We will meet at the church on Saturday mornings from 8:00 to noon for 12 sessions. For more information, talk to anyone at church wearing one of the blue Stephen Minister badges or contact one of the pastors. We will hold an informational meeting at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 6.

Group Soul Care

Does your soul feel weary or disconnected? Would you like to connect deeper with God and others but unsure how to? Group Soul Care is an opportunity to learn how to listen to others and oneself so that we can be better guests in each other’s stories as well as our own. Colleen Runty, Director of Spiritual Formation, will be the spine for the group offering support, structure, and safety. Groups will be limited to 4 individuals. Schedules will be determined based upon groups availability, location (Zoom or in-person) and group preference. A definite desire and ability to attend consistently is needed to support group cohesiveness. An informational meeting will be scheduled once all interested participants have been identified. Notify interest in participating by September 30. Groups will begin in October. If this feels like a spiritual nudge, contact Colleen Runty to share interest or ask for more information.

Dinner for 9

Dinner for 9 is an opportunity to get to know other people from the church. To participate register by September 30.

This is how it works:

• Groups of “9ish” people are put together by Colleen Runty, the Director of Spiritual Formation, based on your input in the Registration Form. (Fill out form here.)
• Most groups meet monthly. At the first dinner, the group should decide what meeting schedule will work best for them.
• Each dinner is hosted by a different group member, usually at the host’s house. Every participant is expected to host at least once. Some may prefer to host at a restaurant, park or at the church, for a nice change of pace.
• The host prepares the entree, and other group members bring an appetizer, side dish, salad, beverage, bread, or dessert.

If you have questions, contact Colleen Runty.

Lay Ministry: Come to the Table

Join us as we explore the sacrament of Holy Communion. We’ll look at the service of “Word and Table” through the lens of its Biblical and theological roots. Some questions we will pursue: What do all those words mean? Why does the pastor do all those actions? How can a better understanding of Communion enhance our spiritual journey? This will be a hybrid class, meeting in person (Room 160) at St. John UMC Anchorage or via Zoom. Class limit is 12 people. This course meets the continuing education requirement for re-certification for Certified Lay Servants and Certified Lay Speakers.

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When: October 11,18, 25, November 1, 8 from 3-5 p.m. AKST

Instructor: Betty Hertz, Certified Lay Speaker, St. John UMC Anchorage Lay Leader

Register here.

Questions? Contact Betty Hertz.

Bike Ride Moves Back to Sundays

As fall approaches, the St. John Men's Group is switching their bike ride back to the 2nd Sunday of the month. The group rides a variety of the excellent trails on the Hillside and throughout Far North Bicentennial Park. They meet at the Service High School trailhead next to the little gym at 3:30 p.m. All are welcome, so please come join us!

Morning Mobility

Mobility: the ability or capacity to move 

Flexibility: the ability of a joint or series of joints to move through an unrestricted, pain free range of motion

Stability: the strength to stand or endure

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There's a class meeting on Tuesday mornings that focuses on helping our physical mobility, flexibility and stability. The group instructor started leading these classes in October 2023, and when the Southside Y closed, the instructor asked St. John if the classes could continue here. We have been meeting at St. John since March of 2025. A requested donation of $5 per class goes to the Youth Mission Fund, which will help fund the youth trip to Texas next year.

Come join us! We meet for an hour, but if you need to leave early, that's okay! For more information, talk to Carrie Gruhn, our instructor.

Show Your Care With Your Vote

Do you have a plan to make sure you vote this coming November 3, 2026? Do you need transportation to the polls? Will you even be in town? Do you want to vote by mail, but don't know how? (October 24 is the deadline to apply) Can you help with transportation or filling out the forms to vote by mail? Contact Teri Inch at 907-382-4262. As Christians we need to care for others and our world. Voting is one way to do just that.

• December 8, 2026: Annual Charge Conference
• February 26-28, 2027: Women's Retreat

Questions to Consider Asking Your Potential Pediatrician or PCP

Not all of these questions will apply or be important to everyone, but here are some things to consider before deciding on a provider:

• Do you offer same day acute or “sick” visits? 
• What are your hours and do you have any evening or weekend availability? Do you have to meet certain criteria for those appointments?
• Do you offer phone/nurse triage?
• Do you have separate sick and well waiting areas?
• What is your professional opinion on immunizations, delayed schedules, and do you have an immunization policy in place?
• What is your professional opinion on trans or LGBTQ+ healthcare, and do you have any policies in place to reflect your opinion?
• Is this a small or a big practice; if you go out of town or are sick, who covers for you?
• My children have different needs and prefer different providers. Is this possible here? 
• At what point are parents not present for all of their child’s visit? What private health information of a child’s is potentially kept from their parent, if any?
• What are your professional opinions on: _______ (breastfeeding, safe sleep, sleep training, temper tantrums, birth control)?
• What can I expect at a regular visit? 
• Do you offer lactation services? 
• What do you most commonly refer out for? 
• Is there anything else you think I should know about your practice?

Office Hours

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday

9 a.m. to noon Friday

Ph: 907-344-3025 Email us Visit our website

Address change?

Please send any contact information changes to Colleen Runty at members@stjohnanchorage.org

Have you remembered the church in your will, like a child or grandchild?