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Conference Journal

Dave's Dibble

I am traveling today to meet with Jurisdictional leaders so there is no new blog, but you can read my previous posts here.

Grace Always,

Dave

On New Year's Resolutions

With the start of the New Year, 2014, I bring you the joy of a fresh beginning. As I have made my 2014 goals for the year, I have thought seriously about my spiritual practices for the coming year. Have you made any resolutions or goals for your spiritual lives? To read more about spiritual goals, please see my new blog posting.

Wishing you the joy of Christ in 2014!

Bishop Grant

Appointment Announcement
It is the intention of Bishop Grant Hagiya to appoint Rev. Dan Wilcox, currently serving at Unalaska UMC, to Willow UMC. Please be in prayer for the churches of Unalaska and Willow as they begin to work with this transition and for the Wilcox family as they prepare to make the move.

Bishop Jack Tuell Passes Away

November 14, 1923 - January 10, 2014

Bishop Jack M. Tuell, retired Bishop, pastor and beloved spouse of Marjorie Beadles Tuell, died on January 10, 2014. He is survived by Marji at: 816 S. 216th St #637, Des Moines, WA 98198. He is also survived by their three children: Jacqueline T. Joday of Chippewa Falls, WI; Cynthia D. Tuell of Upland, CA; and James Knowles-Tuell of Delmar, New York.

Ordained in the PNW Conference, Reverend Jack and Marji Tuell served the Pacific Northwest Conference at Everett: Grace; Tacoma: Lakewood; as Puget Sound District Superintendent; and Vancouver: First. In 1972, Rev. Jack Tuell was elected Bishop and assigned to the Portland Episcopal Area from 1972 - 1980, followed by the Los Angeles Episcopal Area from 1980-1992. He retired in 1992 after many years of service.

There will be two services to celebrate the life and ministry of Bishop Jack M. Tuell:

~Saturday, January 25, 2014 at 2:30 pm in the Wesley Terrace Auditorium, located on the campus of Wesley Homes, 816 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198. Parking will be available in the far back parking lot of the Conference Center, located behind the Terrace Building on the north side of 216th Street.

~Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 2:30 pm in the sanctuary of Des Moines United Methodist Church, located at 22225 9th Ave. S., Des Moines, WA 98198. Church phone number is 206-878-8301.

Final 2013 Apportionment Report
Way to go church! All but 3 churches paid 100% of their apportionments for a total conference percent of just under 94! That is the highest it has been in years. We thank you all for your commitment. You can review the report here.

UMW Limitless Retreat
Young women in Alaska are invited to attend the Limitless retreat, March 21-23, 2014 at Kings Lake Camp in Wasilla. If you are between the ages of 20 and 35, this is for you! Come discover your power as a young woman, experience the meaning of service to others, take a break to recharge and refocus, celebrate your individual unique abilities, and meet other young United Methodist Women. Learn more about the weekend and register here.

Recycle for a Reason
The United Methodist Church of Chugiak was recently featured in an article in the Anchorage Daily News for their community work. Ever since the Salvation Army closed it's thrift shop in Eagle River, they have been accepting donations and providing a space to sell them for charity. You can read more about the article here. Great job, UMCC!

Grants Available

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. Applications should be a concise request of no more than 150 words that includes name of person and/or organization, specific request amount, why the grant is needed and how it will be used in 2014. Submissions must be received by February 14, 2014 at the address below. Awards will be posted in March 2014.

FUMC Foundation - Grants

725 W 9th Ave

Anchorage, AK 99501

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The Office of Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships (OCUIR) of the Council of Bishops is encouraging United Methodists around the world to participate in the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity January 18-25, 2014.

"We participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity to remind ourselves that we belong to Christ, and that we are one family in Christ," said Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, ecumenical officer for the council.

Has Christ Been Divided? is the theme for this year's observance. Resources, including posters, daily scripture, prayer guides, bulletins, pulpit announcements and prayer cards, are available online from the

Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute

"There are so many church-dividing issues to contend with these days that many of us are very weary," said the Rev. Stephen Sidorak, ecumenical staff officer for the OCUIR. "During this special week set aside for intentional and communal prayer for Christian unity let us appreciate once more our need to rely less on ourselves and more on the Lord to show us the denominational and ecumenical way forward."

In addition to constant prayer during the designated week, Christians are encouraged to continue prayer for unity throughout the entire year, especially at noon each Friday.

Professional Church Workers Retreat and Winter Rendezvous Meetings
The information regarding the Professional Church Workers Retreat and the Winter Rendezvous meetings is now posted on the website. Please begin registering for these events now!

Info for Professional Church Workers Retreat
Info for Winter Rendezvous
Registration for Winter Rendezvous/Professional Church Workers Retreat

Please contact the conference office if you are able to help house people who fly/drive in for the meetings. We appreciate all of those that can help!

Youth Mission Immersion

All youth grades 7-12 are invited to a Youth Mission Immersion on January 17-19, 2014 in Anchorage. Hosted by PLUME (Presbyterian, Lutheran, United Methodist & Episcopal) churches, youth will spend a weekend serving others in Anchorage. Visit www.plumeyouthAK.com for info, schedule, to register and pay online. Cost is $35 which includes lodging, food and a T-shirt!

Anchorage Area Mission u Event

This event will be held January 17 - 18 at Anchor Park UMC. With the theme, "Put Your Arms Around the World," we will embrace the studies of The Roma of Europe, The Call: Living Sacramentally and Walking Justly and Leaving Home, Finding Home, our children's study.

Mission U Flyer, Registration form, poster

We urge you each to register as soon as possible, so that our planning process for you will run smoothly. Registration has now become $35. Please contact Bonnie Miller at 907-776-8555/907-440-1636 or bonitajane@yahoo.com if you have any questions!

Scholarship Application

Between January 6, 2014 and March 5, 2014, United Methodist students enrolled in a degree program in the 2014-2015 academic year at an accredited college/university can complete a single on-line scholarship application at www.gbhem.org/scholarshipapplication to be considered for a variety of scholarships available through the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Check out what our church is doing to support students' pursuit of postsecondary education!

Please share this information with all of the members of your congregations.

FREE Webinars

The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church is offering free orientation webinars for church leaders in January on the following topics:

- SPRC Overview of a Year of Leadership, January 14, 2014 TODAY

- Lay Leader: What's My Job? January 16, 2014
- Nominations Committee Develops Leaders, January 23, 2014
- Trustees Manage for Ministry, January 28, 2014

Visit GBOD to find out more and to register. For more information and additional resources, contact Betsey Heavner, bheavner@gbod.org.

Upcoming Events

January

     14: Sitka Church Conference
     14-20: DCM meeting - Dave attending in Los Angeles
     17-18: Mission u Event at Anchor Park UMC
     17-19: Youth Mission Immersion
     19: Jewel Lake Church Conference
     22: Girdwood Church Conference
     24-26: UMW Meetings at Birchwood Camp
     26: Northern Light Church Conference
     30: Chugiak Church Conference

February

     5-7: Clergy Retreat
     7-8: Winter Rendezvous meetings @ East Anchorage UMC

March

21-23: UMW Limitless Retreat

Submissions

If you have an article or event that you would like the rest of the conference to know about and participate in, feel free to submit them to me each week by Monday evening. I ask that you type up what you want included and let me know how many weeks you want it published for. Thank you!

Contact Info

Crystal Feaster

Administrative Assistant

907-333-5050 phone

907-333-2304 fax

www.alaskaumc.org

umc@gci.net