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Conference Journal

Dave's Dibble

I have not posted a new blog for this week. You can always read previous blog posts here.

Grace Always,

Dave

Bishop's Blog
Bishop Grant Hagiya has a new blog post on the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area website. You can read We are Always Easter People here.

Apportionment Update
The April Apportionment report has been published. You can view it here.

Imagine No Malaria by Julia Frisbie

Alaska has raised 30% of its goal! Congratulations, that's wonderful! I'm eager to share some new resources

with you.

On our inm.greaternw.org website, I've been collecting useful information on the Toolkits page (under Resources). There's a whole section for local churches, as well as resource kits for many different events.

One of the events coming up quickly is Mother's Day. Since malaria disproportionately affects mothers and small children, please consider saving lives with your church on this holiday! Our Mother's Day Toolkit has everything you need for a successful alternative gift campaign.

Selling Fair Trade Products

Selling fair trade products in your local church or community is one way you can support the livelihoods of small-scale farmers around the world, in observance of World Fair Trade Day, May 10.

Through UMCOR partner Equal Exchange, you can identify the best ways to promote fair trade through Equal Exchange's Community Help Hotline. Learn how to gain support from your pastor, brainstorm ways to improve product sales, and how to educate your community about fair trade and its impact on farmer communities.

Every time United Methodists and friends purchase fair trade products through the UMCOR Coffee Project, a portion of every pound sold goes to UMCOR's Small Farmer Fund to support farmer co-ops and sustainable agricultural projects. Visit Equal Exchange now to learn more.

Spanish For Ministry & Life! August 18-19, 2014

Spanish proficiency is an increasingly useful skill for ministry - and life! Come meet our neighbors in Mexico and learn Spanish while immersed in Mexico's rich culture and warm hospitality. Whatever your current ability, this experience is tailored to your level and will build on what you already know. Led by Rev. Gregory Norton of Westwood UMC, Los Angeles, in the California-Pacific Conference. Learn more details at www.ggnorton.com - click on "mexico 2014."

Transitions and Facebook

In the quickly changing day and age of social media, some clergy are unsure how they should handle Facebook with previous parishioners. Here is a resource for pastors who are in a church transition and dealing with Facebook.
Pastoral Transitions and Facebook

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 TODAY, 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.
Harry Denman Evangelism Clergy Nomination (due April 30)
Harry Denman Evangelism Laity Nomination (due April 30)
Harry Denman Evangelism Youth Nomination (due April 30)
Outstanding Lay Person of the Year Nomination (due May 5)
Display Request (due May 15)

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS (descriptions & non-delegate registration)

We are looking for one more group who would like to make a meal 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 you! If you are able to help with any of these requests, please contact the conference office at 333-5050 or umc@gci.net. Thanks!

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.

Open to all ages. Suggested participant fee of $15/adult and $5/child. REGISTER HERE! Online or Hard Copy

Where: trails by Anchor Park UMC

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

EVERY DOLLAR WILL BE MATCHED (UP TO $10,000) BY THE CONFERENCE BOARD OF PENSIONS!!!

We also need volunteers to help organize the run. If you are interested, please contact Carlo Rapanut Tel. 696-2353 email: pastorcarlo@umcchugiak.org

News from Birchwood Camp

Spring Work Day at Birchwood Camp

Help Birchwood Camp get ready for a busy summer season during the Spring Volunteer Day on May 4. Volunteers are needed from 12-5pm to help with various maintenance, building, and clean up projects around camp. All skill levels are desired, from cleaners & organizers to electricians, builders & those handy with a hammer! Contact Stephen, manager@birchwoodcamp.org for more information or if you'd like to help.

Birchwood Camp's Spring Open House

Everyone is welcome to attend Birchwood Camp's Annual Spring Open House, a fun, family friendly event on Saturday, May 10, 2014. Those who would like to get some exercise & see a nice view of our camp grounds can join us for our 1 mile Fun Run/Walk at 10:00 am. Proceeds from the Fun Run support Birchwood Camp's scholarship fund. We'll also have free open house from 10:30 am - 2:00 pm with live music, lunch around the camp fire and activities to enjoy with your family. We hope you'll join us! Check out the camp's website for all the details & register online for the Fun Run/ Walk:

http://birchwoodcamp.org/2014/03/2014openhouse/

Registration Is Open

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.

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 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

Upcoming Events

April

30: Early Registration Deadline for Annual Conference - TODAY

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

www.alaskaumc.org

umc@gci.net