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e~Aurora (a weekly news update)
The Alaska United Methodist ConferenceJanuary 21, 2014
In This Issue
~Dave's Dibble
~FREE Webinars
~Week of Prayer
~Grants Available
~Limitless Retreat
~PCWR & WInter Meetings
~Scholarship Application





ACS Print  

20/20 Vision:
Leading to God's New Horizons





 

Upcoming  Clergy
 Birthdays!   





Contact Information

 

Dave Beckett
cell 907-250-9143 






Ministry Quicklinks






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2013 Conference Journal
 
 
The Conference Journal is posted on our website and you can access it anytime you would like.  Download it onto your computer desktop for easy research.





David Beckett Dave's Dibble
Please read my new blog post, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Grace Always,

Dave

GBOD FREE Webinars

"Nominating Committee Develops Leaders," Thursday, Jan. 23 - 6:30 p.m. CT, Advice for committees to identify, train and support leaders throughout the year. To register.

 

"Trustees Manage for Ministry," Tuesday, Jan. 28 - 6:30 p.m. CT, Overview of the legal and fiduciary responsibilities for new and returning trustees. To register.

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


"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.

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

UMW 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.
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 be 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!
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.

Upcoming Events

January
     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
     22-23: Mission u Event at UMC of Sitka
    
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