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e~Aurora (a weekly news update)
The Alaska United Methodist ConferenceApril 8, 2014
In This Issue
~Dave's Dibble
~Annual Conference
~Bishop's Blog
~INM 5K Fun Run/Walk
~Apportionment Report
~Lay Member Passes Away
~Film for Easter
~FREE Webinars
~20s & 30s Gathering
~Birchwood Camp Registration
~Birchwood Camp
~Change the World
~GBGM Donations





ACS Print  

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





 

Upcoming  Clergy
 Birthdays!   


April 12 -
Robert Hicks

April 16 -
Julie Wasser

April 23 -
Karen Martin Tichenor

May 9 -
Ron Myers

May 15 -
Steve Eldred

May 18 -
Cindy Roberts

May 19 -
Linda Jean Myers






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: Knowing When You Begin the Spiritual Slide.  You can always read previous blog posts here.

Grace Always,

Dave

Important Annual Conference Information
The registration form for Annual Conference is complete and registration is now open! If you would like to pay by check and fill out a hard copy, this form is for you.  If you want to register online and pay by credit card, this link is for you.  The early registration, which saves you $15, ends on April 30.  Make sure you take advantage of the savings!

You can find all the nomination forms and requests posted on the conference website for you to download and submit.  The direct links are below.  Please note their due dates.
Outstanding Lay Person of the Year Nomination (due May 5)
Harry Denman Evangelism Clergy Nomination (due April 30)
Harry Denman Evangelism Laity Nomination (due April 30)
Harry Denman Evangelism Youth Nomination (due April 30)
Petition Form (due April 14)
Display Request  (due May 15)

We are looking for a few groups who want to make meals for Annual Conference as a fundraiser.  We are also looking for homes for delegates to stay in and transportation help to get the delegates from homes to the meetings.  Lastly if you are interested in helping with child care we need your help!  If you are able to help with any of these requests, please contact the conference office at 333-5050 or [email protected].  Thanks!
Bishop Grant Hagiya Bishop's Blog
Bishop Hagiya posted a new blog a few weeks ago and we wanted to make sure we shared it with you.  Learn about Exposing Vulnerabilities.
Imagine No Malaria 5K Fun Run/Walk

Run or walk a 5K for fun and fitness. Better yet, do it for a great cause! Help eliminate malaria from the face of the planet.

 

Where: trails by Anchor Park UMC

When: May 31, 2014 2:00 p.m.

 

Open to all ages. More details about registration and sign-up to come soon.

 

We also need volunteers to help organize the run. If you are interested, please contact Carlo Rapanut Tel. 696-2353 email: [email protected]

Money Apportionment Report

The March 2014 Apportionment report is posted to the conference website.  If you are interested in seeing how your church is doing in paying its part of the apportionments, check them out here

In Memory LeRoy Coon, DCUMC Lay, Passes Away

LeRoy Coon was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer down in Arizona last week and was hospitalized over the week-end.  Sandie and their children were with him when he passed away on April 4th.  This is a message from Beth McEwen, daughter of LeRoy:

"Thank you all for your prayers - it has meant so much and continues to uphold us. Dad passed away last night and is now in the arms of our Heavenly Father. At this point we haven't had any time to react or plan anything and we will be taking things one day at a time making all the necessary arrangements.

Love and hugs to all! Please keep the prayers coming that Mom and the family can be strong for this next leg of the journey.

Beth"

Special Film Depicts Range of Emotions at Easter

The range of emotions Christians experience concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are dramatically portrayed in a new short film celebrating Easter available from the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD).  Produced by GodFilms, a GBOD ministry, the film Resurrection! allows viewers to look at the death of Christ on the cross through a different lens.

"This film takes us through the emotions of Good Friday, the three days in the tomb and then resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ," said Steve Horswill-Johnson, executive director of communications at GBOD and senior producer/director of GodFilms. "In a few minutes, it expresses the emotions of the crucifixion in a different way - in a funeral setting."

Because images of Jesus' death usually get so much attention, Christians tend to dwell on the death of Jesus more than His resurrection, Horswill-Johnson said. But this Easter film looks at death differently.

The film is part of a comprehensive collection of resources to help individuals and congregations prepare for Lent and Easter that are available at www.GBOD.org. The film also is available online to download for free at www.ChuckKnowsChurch.com.

GBOD FREE Webinars for Church Leaders
The General Board of Discipleship offers FREE webinars weekly for church leaders to participate in.  Please find the list of what is coming up in April below.  Register at www.gbod/webinars.
April 15 - Media: What's Trending in Elementary Schools?
April 16 - Safe Sanctuaries for Camps & Retreat (Part 1)
April 22 - Pastors: Making a Good Move
April 24 - SPRC: Your Role When the Pastor Changes
April 29 - Choosing Curriculum
April 29 - Claiming a Missionary Mindset
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.

Birchwood Camp Register for Birchwood Summer Camps
Online registration is 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. For more information & online registration, visit: www.birchwoodcamp.org/camps.
Birchwood Camp News from Birchwood Camp
Birchwood Camp is Hiring!
Birchwood Camp in Chugiak is looking for a couple great people to join their ministry team: an Office Manager (part-time year-round) and a Camp Cook (seasonal). You can learn more about these employment opportunities or apply online at the following link: http://birchwoodcamp.org/get-involved/job-opportunities/. Please send questions to Marie Sweezey, [email protected].

 

Nominate Someone for the Kelsey-Shepard Scholarship

The Outdoor Ministries Committee awards a $200 camp scholarship each year that recognizes gifted leadership in the life of United Methodist Camping. This scholarship honors long-time Camping volunteers Claudia Kelsey and Bea Shepard. The nominee (can be a child, youth or family) should exhibit outstanding leadership and service to the local United Methodist Church and additionally meet one of the following leadership requirements: 

a. Outstanding service to Community
b. Outstanding service to School
c. Outstanding service to local Camp
Nomination forms are available at this link and are due by April 30.
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.

 

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].

Donation Advance Support
The General Board of Global Ministries has provided us a spreadsheet that shows donations and support within our conference for 2013.  You can look at it here.

Upcoming Events

April
     12: 20s & 30s Gathering
     13: Palm Sunday
     14: Pre-Conference Handbook Materials Due
     18: Good Friday
     20: Easter Sunday
     24-29: Crystal attending UMW Assembly in KY
     30: Early Registration Deadline for Annual Conference

May
     10: Birchwood Camp Open House
     11: Mothers' Day
     14-18: Dave on vacation
     19: Registration Deadline for Annual Conference
     19-21: Cabinet Meeting in Seattle
     26: Memorial Day - Office Closed
     29: Pre-Conference Workshops at Anchor Park UMC
     30-31: Annual Conference at Anchor Park UMC

June
     1-2: Conference UMW meetings at Jewel Lake Parish
     11-15: Dave attending Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference
     20-22: Carlo attending Pacific Northwest Annual Conference
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