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e~Aurora (a weekly news update)
The Alaska United Methodist ConferenceSeptember 23, 2014
In This Issue
~Superintendent's Blog
~Bishop's Blog
~INM
~Fall Rendezvous
~Harriett Jane Olson
~History Book
~DV Month
~GBHEM
~FREE Webinars
~2015 Generation Transformation
~YAR 2014
~Save the Date!


ACS Print  

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


 

Upcoming  Clergy
 Birthdays!   


October 10 -
Luke Jones

October 18 -
Dan Wilcox

October 31 -
Sandy Ward



Contact Information

 

Supt. Carlo Rapanut 
cell 907-854-8340  





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.


Reflections of a Running Reverend
Please read my latest blog post, Learning from Spawning Salmon.  If you ever miss a week, you can read my previous blogs here.
Bishop Grant Hagiya Bishop's Blog
Bishop Grant Hagiya wrote a new post to his blog last week.  He talks about Apple and how they have failed us.  Read about it here.
Imagine No Malaria Imagine No Malaria
Our Imagine No Malaria coordinator, Julia Frisbie, has given us the great news that the Alaska Conference has surpassed the half-way mark for our fundraising goal for INM.  We have raised $75,585 of our $150,000 goal.  Way to go!  Let's finish strong!
Time to Register for Meetings - Sept. 25 Deadline
Fall Rendezvous meetings are quickly approaching.  If you are a part of a committee, please make sure you read the general information letter and fill out the registration form.

If you are able to house incoming members, please let us know at [email protected].  Thank you in advance!
It's Not Too Late...You Are Invited!
You are invited to join the Alaska United Methodist Women for lunch this Saturday, September 27th where they will host special guest, Harriett Jane Olson, CEO of UMW Inc.  Ms. Olson will be the special guest speaker during the Annual Gathering of UMW during that weekend.  If you can't make it for the entire weekend but would like to hear Harriett speak, please RSVP to [email protected] to attend the lunch.  The cost for the lunch is $15 and will be held at noon at St. John UMC.
History Book

Anchor Park UMC just celebrated 60 years of service and Book 3 was completed to document the last 10 years and the anniversary event. The 72-page book is an example of what other churches can do to recognize their involvement in community service and spiritual development. Contact Larry Hayden (info in Journal) or let the AUMC office know if you want one mailed.

Domestic Violence Awareness October is Domestic Violence ACTION Month!

We have all heard the statistics, 1 in 4 women nationwide have experienced Domestic Violence (DV); 1 in 2 Alaskan women have experienced DV. Now is the chance for each one of our churches to take a stand and support the women in our community. October is Domestic Violence ACTION Month. We are called as a people of God to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

 

In Anchorage there are events happening all month that we can all take a part in. Here are a few highlights:

  • October 1st at noon at Covenant House on A Street will be the Opening Ceremony. NO RSVP required. This is a chance to come together and say violence will no longer be accepted in our community. Stand up and be counted!
  • October 17th from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. there is a Green Dot training at AWAIC if you are interested in attending please email [email protected].
  • October 21st from 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. there is a Green Dot training at STAR if you are interested in attending please email [email protected].
  • October 23rd at 6:00 p.m. at YOUR CHURCH Shed the Light on Domestic Violence. We are inviting ALL churches to make a stand against violence! Pastors are invited to hold a service followed by releasing sky lanterns at 7:00 p.m. for more information email [email protected].

For more information on what churches can do go here.  The resources talked about on this website are available in Anchorage by contacting Jenn Miller at FUMC ([email protected]).

Wingfield to Lead GBHEM Division of Ordained Ministry

The Rev. Myron Wingfield has been named associate general secretary for the General Board of Higher Education's Division of Ordained Ministry beginning September 29, 2014.

 

Wingfield came to GBHEM in January 2013 as the assistant general secretary for Clergy Life in the Division of Ordained Ministry and has been serving as the interim associate general secretary for the division since March 2014. Prior to his appointment at GBHEM, Wingfield served as superintendent in the San Diego District in the California-Pacific Annual Conference for seven years.

 

An ordained elder in the California-Pacific Annual Conference, Wingfield has over 24 years of experience as an ordained minister. For nine years, he held leadership roles on the Cal-Pac Board of Ordained Ministry and was instrumental in leading the San Diego District in the formation and implementation of seven mission areas for the collaboration of clergy and congregations in mission and ministry.

GBOD Free Webinars
GBOD continues to offer FREE webinars for church leaders.  Here is a list of the upcoming dates and titles in September & October.  For more information and to register, go to www.gbod.org/webinars.

Tuesday, September 23 - What is a Methodist?
Thursday, September 25 - iKids-When Every Day is Disneyland
Thursday, September 25 - Stewardship: Show Me the Mission!
Thursday, September 30 - Mission Education
Wednesday, October 1 - Covenant Discipleship with Children
Thursday, October 2 - iKids-The Digital Child and Digital Brain
Thursday, October 2 - Missional Advent: Living Advent Outside of the Church
Tuesday, October 7 - What Do We Need to Change for Our Congregation? How Do We Start?
Tuesday, October 7 - Creating a Culture of Innovation-Part 1: Can My Leaders Innovate?
2015 Generation Transformation

Generation Transformation is an initiative of Global Ministries to increase opportunities for young adults to engage in mission throughout the connection. The program opportunities available are:

  • Global Mission Fellows - US2 Domestic Track and International Track - Age 20-30, 2 year commitment
  • Global Justice Volunteers - Age 18-30, 10 week commitment
  • Individual Volunteers - Age 18 and up, flexible commitment anywhere from 2 months to 2 years

Global Ministries has a vision of 500 young adult missionaries serving around the world.  View this video or download this brochure to learn more.  Applications are now available online.  Visit www.umcmission.org/gt.  The early-bird deadline is October 15th.

20s and 30s
Young Adult Retreat Coming October 24-25

All young adults in their 20s & 30s are invited out to Birchwood Camp in Chugiak for a retreat weekend. It's a good mix of downtime to relax and some scheduled time with fun things to do together. Pumpkin carving, bonfires, worship, discussions, great food, hot chocolate, a scavenger hunt, hiking and more. We're excited to welcome our Superintendent, Rev. Carlo A. Rapanut, to facilitate our worship & discussion on Saturday morning & evening! He'll work with us on themes in the book, "You Lost Me." It's a look at why many young adults don't connect with the church and where we go from here.


Childcare is provided during the worship & discussion portions. This year, we're offering a Saturday only option. Come out just for the day on Saturday if you'd prefer not to spend the night. More info at  www.facebook.com/Alaska20s&30s and registration at www.birchwoodcamp.org/camps

Birchwood Camp Save the Date! October 26: Birchwood Camp Annual Dinner & Auction

Birchwood Camp would like to invite everyone to the annual dinner, meeting and auction on October 26th.  The event will be held in Fireweed Hall as we celebrate the past year of ministry, elect new board members, enjoy a meal together, and support the mission of our camp through the live and silent auctions. This year the funds raised will support the camp scholarship fund and help add bathrooms to Fireweed Hall.

The silent auction will open at 4:30 pm in Fireweed Hall. The meal will begin at 5:00 pm, with the program and live auction to follow. Childcare will be provided in the Lodge after the meal.  The event will conclude around 7:30 pm. Seating is limited so please RSVP to 907.688.2734 or by email [email protected].

Upcoming Events


September
     26-28: United Methodist Women Annual Gathering at St. John UMC
     30-Oct 1: New Clergy Orientation

October
     1-3: Professional Church Workers Retreat at Birchwood Camp
     3-4: Fall Rendezvous meetings
     12: Seward Memorial UMC & Moose Pass UMC Church Conferences
     19: Unalaska UMC Church Conference
     24-25: Young Adult Retreat at Birchwood Camp
     26: East Anchorage UMC Church Conference
     26: Birchwood Camp Annual Dinner & Auction

November
     1: North Star UMC Church Conference
     2: Kenai UMC Church Conference
     9: Community UMC Church Conference
     12: Turnagain UMC Church Conference
     15: Homer UMC Church Conference
     16: Soldotna UMC Church Conference
     19: UMC of Chugiak Church Conference
     22: Girdwood Chapel UMC Church Conference
     23: First UMC, Anchorage Church Conference
     27: Thanksgiving - Office Closed
     30: Christ First UMC Church 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