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e~Aurora (a weekly news update)
The Alaska United Methodist ConferenceMarch 25, 2014
In This Issue
~Dave's Dibble
~Choose Respect
~Annual Conference
~INM Website for GNW
~New Day Alaska
~PLUME AMW Exploration
~Award Nomination
~One Great Hour of Sharing
~Birchwood Camp Registration
~Mission u Event
~UMM Retreat
~20s & 30s Gathering
~Change the World
~Prayer





ACS Print  

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





 

Upcoming  Clergy
 Birthdays!   


March 25 -
Evelyn Erbele

March 29 -
Doug Handlong

April 12 -
Robert Hicks

April 16 -
Julie Wasser

April 23 -
Karen Martin Tichenor





Contact Information

 

Dave Beckett
cell 907-250-9143 






Ministry Quicklinks






Join Our Mailing List





 



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
Read my latest blog: Balcony View.  You can always read previous blog posts here.

Grace Always,

Dave

Choose Respect Choose Respect Rallies Around Alaska
A Letter from Governor Parnell:
Fellow Alaskans,

In December of 2009, I pledged that Alaska would take every step necessary to stop the epidemic of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse in Alaska. Since then, we have witnessed more and more Alaskans finding the courage to speak, and the strength to act.

 

We started with 18 partner communities. By March of 2013, more than 150 Alaska communities participated in Choose Respect marches, rallies, and community events. Together, we are sending messages of hope and healing to the many who have suffered from these crimes.

 

Our next Choose Respect event will be this Thursday, March 27th.

Together, let's take back some ground for safer homes and stronger families.

Anchorage - Delaney Park Strip (noon) Superintendent Dave participating 

Juneau - Capitol Building (noon)

Fairbanks - Chief David Salmon Tribal Hall (noon)

Kenai - Clock Tower (noon)

Ketchikan - State Building (6PM)

Seward - (5PM)

Sitka - Totem Square (noon) 

Annual Conference Documents Online
The registration form for Annual Conference is still being worked on but all the nomination forms and requests are posted on the conference website for you to download and submit.  The direct links are below:
Outstanding Lay Person of the Year Nomination
Harry Denman Evangelism Clergy Nomination
Harry Denman Evangelism Laity Nomination
Harry Denman Evangelism Youth Nomination
Petition Form
Display Request
Imagine No Malaria New Website for Imagine No Malaria Stories & Resources

A new website dedicated to telling Imagine No Malaria stories in the Greater Northwest Area is now online.  Created by INM Field Coordinator Julia Frisbie, the new site will be a connecting place for the stories of how churches in the Oregon-Idaho, Pacific Northwest, and Alaska Conference are saving lives in the fight to end deaths by Malaria in Africa.  Even more useful will be updated resources and event information for local churches to engage in the campaign.  Check out the site at INM.greaternw.org and send feedback and questions to Julia at [email protected]

Missional Community New Day Alaska Invites New People

If you know of someone who needs a new expression of our Christian faith and lives in the Anchorage area consider inviting them.  They meet every Tuesday at 6 pm at the Mountain View Boys and Girls Club.  After sharing a light meal there is singing and Bible discussions.  For more information contact [email protected]

Academy for Missional Wisdom PLUME AMW Exploration

Everyone interested in Missional Communities is invited to attend a free full day learning orientation called Exploring Missional Wisdom.  It will be at St. John United Methodist Church in Anchorage at 9:30 a.m. on March 28 and will feature Rev. Dr. Elaine A. Heath and Rev. Dr. Larry Duggins, co-founders of the Missional Wisdom Foundation. Hear their inspiring stories of forming a network of experimental new monastic communities, missional house churches, and the Academy for Missional Wisdom in Dallas, Texas. Learn about the way these kinds of communities can reorient the established church to its God-given missional vocation. Explore the biblical and theological foundations of this form of ministry. Find out how to become a part of the first PLUME cohort of the Academy for Missional Wisdom which will prepare women and men, both laity and clergy, to start and lead missional and new monastic communities in diverse settings. 

 

Contact Rev. Robert Hicks at [email protected] if you are planning to attend.  Find information regarding schedule and content here (schedule is subject to change).

Alaskan United Methodist Nominated for Heart of Anchorage Award

Jennifer Miller has received official notification that she has been nominated for the 2014 Heart of Anchorage Awards.  Jennifer has worked tirelessly to combine her faith, her employment at First U.M.C., and her commitment to service in order to enhance the community of Anchorage.

 

First United Methodist Church of Anchorage is a member of the Downtown Partnership, and Jennifer has represented the church well as an ambassador of her faith community to the larger community of Anchorage.  Her nomination is an acknowledgment of her faith made flesh through acts of commitment and service.  The ministry of First Church is strengthened by the unique character and service of Jennifer Miller.  Please join Ron Myers in congratulating Jennifer on this wonderful recognition. Register to attend the banquet to celebrate the Heart of Anchorage Award nominees by calling FUMC at 272-2112.


The banquet is this Saturday, March 29, from 5:00 to 7:00pm in the ConocoPhillips Atrium.  Tickets are $30 per person.

One Great Hour of Sharing

For nearly 75 years, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has been offering the ministry of compassion, walking alongside survivors of disasters and meeting the most urgent needs. UMCOR stays with communities long after a disaster strikes and news of it has disappeared from the headlines.

Every day of the year, United Methodists have an opportunity to do a world of good and sustain UMCOR's legacy of hope. By contributing to One Great Hour of Sharing, United Methodists share in UMCOR's work to bring relief to thousands of people in more than 80 countries.

 One Great Hour of Sharing is an annual church-wide offering observed on the fourth Sunday in Lent (this year, March 30). This offering secures UMCOR's administrative costs, thus allowing 100 percent of all other donated funds to go directly to designated programs. It also guarantees the availability of unfettered funds when disaster strikes.

Continue UMCOR's legacy with your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing on Sunday, March 30, or at any time throughout the year.

Birchwood Camp Register for Birchwood Summer Camps
Online registration is now open for Birchwood Camp's Summer Camp programs! Birchwood Camp provides safe spaces for spiritual formation, genuine community, and character development for children and youth of all ages. An early registration discount is available before April 1. For more information & online registration, visit: www.birchwoodcamp.org/camps.
UMW Mission U Events
Information is now out for you to register for the upcoming Mission U Event in Wasilla which will be held April 4-5.  All are welcome to attend.  Learn about the Roma of Europe, The Call, and Leaving Home Finding Home.  Three events have already occured and have been enjoyed.  Don't miss out on this opportunity if you are able to attend!
N Information Flyer
N Registration Form
N Poster
UMM 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 5th 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.

 

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 @ [email protected] Payment can be made at the retreat.
20s and 30s 20s & 30s April Gathering

All young adults in their 20s & 30s are invited to dinner & discussion at Jeff & Susan Koonce's home (11863 Rockridge Drive) on Saturday, April 12. Rev. Dave Beckett will join us to facilitate conversation on Marcus Borg's "Speaking Christian." Bring food to share for dinner. Free childcare provided at Saint John UMC from 5:30-8:30pm. RSVP to Pastor Jenny Smith at [email protected]. More info at www.facebook.com/Alaska20s30s.

Change the World Change the World Event Reaches Five-Year Milestone

On May 17-18, United Methodists from across the country and around the world will pull together for an event to help Change the World in both large and small ways. For the fifth year, local churches will take on service projects that improve the circumstances of others and spark public interest in volunteer activities.

 

On Change the World Weekend, hundreds of United Methodist churches and thousands of church and community volunteers will deploy to parks, homeless shelters, food pantries, schools, health centers and more, to do what they can to help others. Since 2010, when the global service project began, countless volunteers from the U.S. and countries in Africa and the Philippines have completed more than 14,000 projects.

 

Register your project now at umcom.org/changetheworld. Churches who register their project(s) now can receive a free promotional kit while supplies last. The kit includes sermon starters, a lawn banner, a Rethink Church t-shirt, and more. After registering for the event, you can submit new details or edit your event anytime by emailing  [email protected].

prayer hands Do you Enjoy Praying?
For the past two Annual Conferences we have had a 30 day prayer email that goes out to all those who will be attending Annual Conference.  The person/people who coordinated that are no longer in the conference.  Is there someone out there willing to take this on?  If you feel called, please contact the conference office ([email protected] or 907-333-5050).

Upcoming Events

March
     27-29: AMW Retreat and Coaching
     31-April 2: Cabinet Meeting in Seattle

April
     4-5: Mission u Event in Wasilla
     5: UMM Retreat at Hope Retreat Center
     5: Leadership Team meeting
     12: 20s & 30s Gathering
     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