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Conference Journal

Dave's Dibble

Read my new blog post: Church 3.0.

You can always read previous blog posts here.

Grace Always,

Dave

Prayer Request
Please be in prayer for Rev. Karen Dammann, serving East Anchorage UMC, and her family. Her mother passed away Monday February 17th after declining health. Karen was able to be with her last week while she was still alive.

One Great Hour of Sharing, March 30

One Great Hour of Sharing helps underwrite UMCOR's cost of doing business every day. It ensures that 100% of all other contributions you make go directly to the projects you specify, instead of covering administrative or fundraising costs.

Watch this promotional video to learn more, and click here for additional resources such as sermon starters, bulletin inserts, and posters.

One Great Hour of Sharing is March 30, but contributions to this offering can be made all year around.

SPRC Online Training Dates

Dave is offering two online trainings for SPRC chairs and committee members. Included will be a discussion of the purpose of SPRC, best practices, and how to give feedback to your pastor. Dates are March 19 or 20 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM. Both nights contain the same content. The platform will be FUZE. Contact Crystal at umc@gci.net to register your attendance.

UMM to Study Jonah at Annual Retreat

United Methodist Men (UMM) from South Central Alaska will gather at the Hope Retreat Center on Saturday, April 5^th for their annual retreat. The theme of the retreat will be "Jonah: Dealing with Life's Interruptions" The retreat leader will be Bob Smith, pastor of Turnagain UMC.

Bob comments "We usually get all caught up with the whale in the world's best know fish story but in reality the story of Jonah is one of a "man with a plan" who keeps getting side tracked by God's interruptions. We will examine this short Biblical book and discuss how we deal with interruptions in life.

Bob and Walt Hays will also read a short, one act play "It Should Happen to a Dog." This comedy portrays Jonah as a traveling salesman on the Mediterranean circuit. Bob will lead three study sessions on the theme plus the participants will have an opportunity to plan future UMM projects and structure.

The retreat is scheduled from 10AM to 5PM at the Hope Retreat Center. Men will meet at St. John to carpool @ 8:30 AM. The cost will be $35.00 and will include two meals, snacks and study materials. -Men should pre-register by contacting Jim LaBau, co-president of the AK Conf UMM @ jimlabu6@cs.com Payment can be made at the retreat.

Eagle River United Methodist Camp Job Openings

The Eagle River United Methodist Camp in Juneau, AK is looking to fill two positions: Executive Director and Camp Host. You can find out more about each position here. Please contact them if you are interested.

Live Streaming through Techshop

Does today's hectic living make it difficult for members to attend worship services regularly? If you want to keep them linked to the congregation, join the thousands of churches around the country using live streaming. Live streaming is one of the fastest growing services for congregations wanting to reach out to members and seekers. It allows people to watch live video broadcasts of your church worship service or special event through their computer, tablet or mobile device. Equally important, live streaming is one of the most cost-effective ways to keep members involved.

Be ready to stream during Lent and Easter! Through this special offer, your church can enjoy a bonus three months at no additional cost when you sign up for twelve months of live streaming service.
Sign up today at www.myUMClive.com. Use discount code, Lent, on the Contact Us form. But hurry...this offer ends March 15, 2014!

Lenten Resources for 2014
Lent begins this year with Ash Wednesday, March 5 and extends until Easter, April 20. Below are Lenten resources to help you through this season of reflection on Christ's sacrifice and redemptive love.

The Society of St. Andrew, which leads feeding ministries, offers the "Create in Me a Clean Heart" Lenten devotions program for churches and individuals.
To sign up
To download devotional booklet

Abingdon Press, part of the United Methodist Publishing House, offers a number of choices for devotional and group study during Lent including
The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus;
He Set His Face to Jerusalem;
God's Gift of Life;
The Sanctuary for Lent 2014;
Voices for Good Friday;
To browse and order

The United Methodist Board of Discipleship offers worship resources and lectionary planning help
To View Resources

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.

Registration deadline is quickly approaching: March 7, 2014!

Eco-Palms

Watch this informational video about Eco-Palm harvesting. It explains all you need to know about Eco-Palms-why we purchase them, the benefits of Eco-Palm premiums for small-farmer communities in Guatemala and Mexico, and the socially responsible harvesting techniques that protect the environment and the health of the palm.

Palm Sunday is April 13. Place your order for Eco-Palms by the March 21, 2014 deadline. Visit www.ecopalms.org to learn more.

Early Response Team Training Opportunity

First United Methodist Church in Fairbanks will be hosting its first Early Response Team (ERT) training workshop from March 28, 29 & 30, 2014 and conducted by a certified UMCOR trainer. This workshop is open to anyone, statewide, interested in providing a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of disaster. Make your plans now to attend this wonderful opportunity.

Registration cost is $35.00, which will cover training materials, background check fees and other costs involved in hosting the workshop. Tuition assistance may be available upon request. Childcare will, also, be provided upon request. Assistance for those flying to Fairbanks is available for three (3) participants from remote towns/villages as well as transportation to and from the airport.

For further information and/or registration please contact Debbie Ervin (akdrc99708@gmail.com) or First United Methodist Church (office@fairbanksfirst.org)

Mission U Events

Information is now out for you to register for the upcoming Mission U Event in Sitka (THIS WEEKEND) and Wasilla. All are welcome to attend. Learn about the Roma of Europe, The Call, and Leaving Home Finding Home. Two events have already occured and have been enjoyed. Don't miss out on these opportunities if you are able to attend!

SE Information Flyer
SE Registration Form
SE Poster
N Information Flyer
N Registration Form
N Poster

Scholarship Application

From now until 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!

Upcoming Events

February

22-23: Mission u Event at UMC of Sitka

March

     3-5: Area Cabinet Meeting in Portland
     4-11: Crystal on vacation
     8-16: Dave on vacation
     21-23: UMW Limitless Retreat
     27-29: AMW Retreat and Coaching
     31-April 2: Cabinet Meeting in Seattle

April

5: Leadership Team meeting
24-29: Crystal attending UMW Assembly

May

     14-18: Dave on vacation
     19-21: Cabinet Meeting in Seattle
     26: Memorial Day - Office Closed
     30-31: Annual Conference at Anchor Park UMC

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