Coming Sunday, October 18

Colleen Runty, our Director of Spiritual Formation, will bring the message “Dark Night of the Soul: John of the Cross" 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 Wednesday for Marvelous Meatloaf!

This Wednesday we're having meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and chocolate cake with buttercream icing! 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!

Mobile Food Pantry

The Mobile Food Pantry is looking for more volunteers! This once-a-month event is a fantastic opportunity to help our community and connect with those both in our church and beyond. Sign up here.

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.

Next Bike Ride October 18

While most fall months the St. John Men's Group will ride during the 2nd Sunday of the month, October looks a little different. Join with your mountain bike (unless it snows, then have your fat bike ready) October 18! 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!

Flu and Covid Vaccine Pop Up Clinic

Thank you for joining us in taking care of our community this past Sunday. St John will be hosting another Vaccine clinic on Sunday morning from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on October 25. Flu shots are free of charge, and covid shots are billed through your health insurance. Roll up your sleeve and help protect yourself and our community this winter.

St. John Trunk or Treat

Get your costumes on and join us at the St. John Trunk or Treat on October 24 from 4-5 p.m.

• We need folks that want to have fun and decorate their trunks to make this event possible! Sign up here to host a trunk.
• We are hosting a trunk that allows us to give back and "treat" others. The elders at the Anchorage Pioneer Home have a wish list we'd love to support. Check out some items from the list and sign up here. "Treats" aka items from their wish list, can be brought during the Trunk or Treat and placed in the Pioneer Home Trunk that we will be hosting. Let's fill a trunk for the Pioneer Home community!

Baked Goods and Volunteers Needed

The St. John UMC Craft Fair is coming soon - Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. The Craft Fair supports the construction of wells in Cameroon. Helpers can bring donated baked goods to the church between 12-7 p.m. on Friday, 10/23, or 7-9 a.m. Saturday, 10/24. Volunteers (particularly to make soup or assist with post-event clean up) can sign up here.

Breaking Bread with the Band

You are invited to a night of song and pizza with the praise band on November 7 at 5 p.m. in the sanctuary. Come sing along to some of your favorite worship songs in addition to some secular favorites. Also featured will be several original songs by St. John's own Mark Chase, including his soon to be released single, "The Least of These." We hope to see you there!

Anchorage Mission u

Join us on November 6 and 7 at Anchor Park United Methodist Church (2300 Oak Drive) for Anchorage Mission u, presented by United Women in Faith. Register here starting at 4:30 p.m. on November 6. Registration fee for in person is $45 or $20 online via Zoom. Everyone is welcome, those of different faiths, men...everyone! For more information email Sandra.

Scholarship opportunities are available here. Please fill out the form completely to be considered for a scholarship to a Mission u event. You do not need to be a member of The United Methodist Church to apply. You will be notified no later than November 3 of any award. 

Eleasha Sapon Wins Evangelism Grant!

Back in July our very own Eleasha Sapon won The Foundation for Evangelism Laity Award for her assistance in growing the United Campus Ministry at UAA, and with said award came consideration for a $1,000 grant from said foundation to support their evangelistic efforts. Well, great news y’all: she got that $1,000! Eleasha will be working with St. John to best determine what to use the funds for in the coming months, and we’re so excited and blessed to join her on this journey!

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.

PFD Tithe Challenge

Every year the Mission and Outreach committee encourages the congregation to consider tithing (giving 10% or more) of their PFD to a special project. This year we are supporting the new childcare center opening in downtown Anchorage at First United Methodist Church. You can designate your gift as PFD tithe challenge by selecting the drop down in electronic giving, or by writing it on the memo line of your check. Thank you for your generosity!

Helping Hands

We need more hands to help. The current need is giving rides to church on Sundays and Wednesdays in addition to household repair. To offer your hands contact Debbie Pintsch.

Survey to Identify Health and Wellness Outcomes

Pastor Andy has been serving on the Advisory Committee for a new collaboration between the State of Alaska, The University, and faith communities to improve health and wellness outcomes. He is hoping you might be willing to help pilot/test-drive a survey we have been developing. If you are willing, he would love your feedback on your experience of the survey. Thank you for those willing to participate!

We are conducting a congregational health assessment to learn more about the health-related needs

and priorities of faith-based organizations (e.g., churches, temple, mosques, etc...) across Alaska.

Findings from this assessment will be used to develop health and wellness programming for faith-based

organizations in Alaska. To be eligible for participation, you must currently be 18 years or older and

attending a faith-based organization located in Alaska. If you are eligible and agree to participate, this

survey should take about 5-10 minutes of your time. The survey asks some basic demographic questions

about who you are (e.g., age, gender), your faith-based organization, and health-related needs present

in your faith community (e.g., depression/anxiety, cancer, food insecurity). If you have any questions

about this study, please feel free to contact Nathan West.

Click here to take the survey.

Launch Party Luau for 3 Elements Educare

First UMC is hosting a Launch Party Luau to celebrate the opening of 3 Elements Educare. Your early investment in this project helped open the doors to make all this possible. 

It’s OFFICIAL! A new worker-led childcare entity is opened its doors October 1 to welcome childcare space for 10 infants, 12 toddlers, and 20 preschoolers. No one entity made this happen – it took investment from federal, state, municipal, philanthropic, corporate, and individual levels. It literally took a village, as they say! YOU have been part of this success, and we want to thank you by inviting you to join us for a dinner and celebration on Friday, October 23 from 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. at First United Methodist Church (725 W. 9th Ave. Anchorage, AK 99501). Come meet the team, see the vision, and share in the success with all who helped make it happen! 

Please register here.

Ticket cost: $30/adult, childcare $25/child

Anchorage Concert Chorus

Nearly a dozen St. John members participate in Anchorage Concert Chorus. The next concert is Saturday, October 24 at 7:30 p.m.

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

Music Machine Fundraiser

Hello to all my Music Machine families and friends! I am excited to share with you yet another fundraising event to support our Music Machine programs. Thanks to Mary Henry, we have the opportunity to receive support from Red Robin (DIMOND location) this Thursday, October 15, all day long. Red Robin will give 20% of Food Sales back to the Music Machine if diners show this flyer or mention The Music Machine fundraiser to their server. It's simple, and a delicious way to support us. Please share to all your friends, so we get a good turnout. This is for Dine In, or To-Go orders only. More details can be found on the flyer. Spread the word and thanks for your support!

St. John is 64

Will you still need me?

Will you still need me?

When I'm 64?

St. John was chartered 64 years ago on October 14, 1962 as the Church of the Beloved Disciple, but the church started many years before that. It started out as a dream of Bob Smay, John Cox, and Rev. David Blackburn and their families when they saw a need for a Methodist church in South Anchorage. We first met in congregant's homes and then in the community center Quonset hut on Birch Road as the Rabbit Creek Fellowship. We moved to the property on Rabbit Creek Road, that was donated by John Cox, in 1962. Then, in 1964, to the O'Malley property on which we now preside, where we continue to be a welcoming family joyfully sharing God's light.

So, you see...

Yes, you still need me.

Yes, you still feed me.

Yes, I'm 64.

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?