United Methodist choirs and worship ensemble groups from around the world may now audition online for an invitation to perform at the 2016 General Conference, The United Methodist Church's top legislative assembly which meets in Portland, Oregon, from May 10-20, 2016.

To apply for an invitation to General Conference, groups are asked to submit a letter of application that includes the following: 1) name of group; 2) name of primary contact person along with email address and phone number; 3) brief history/bio of the group including number of members, general age range, group's location, and any unique characteristics; and 4) a link to a private YouTube video of the group performing. The application should be emailed to [email protected] by January 12, 2015.

Performance opportunities for invited choirs and ensembles include morning worship and/or a lunchtime showcase venue. Groups are responsible for their own expenses.

The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA), working in partnership with Vanco Services, LLC, has developed a convenient mobile-device app that will allow members and visitors to make donations to the church while they are at church or if they are away.

The app, called "Easy2Give", is now available as a free download for Android™ devices. An AppleŽ iOS version will be available by the end of the year.

To donate, the user searches and finds a local United Methodist church, or one nearby if traveling, using GPS enabled technology. Users can even set a church as their "home" church to conveniently donate to the United Methodist church of their choice. Churches with a Vanco account are able to receive funds with the app. To help promote the program among church members, Vanco has developed a sample bulletin message to distribute to church members and visitors to further explain how to use the app.

Vanco has been in partnership with GCFA since 2002 and provides EFT and online giving tools to local churches. For more information about how a local church can participate in any of the giving programs, call Vanco at  800-774-9355.

Valley Christian Conference (VCC) announces a job opening for someone willing to be trained as a Community Organizer.  The first stage of this is a three month internship with Anchorage Faith & Action -Congregations Together (AFACT).  The successful applicant will receive $10 per hour for this training period.  During this training, the applicant will be eligible to apply for a full time position of Congregation Based Community Organizer for the Mat-Su Valley working with VCC as the sponsoring committee.

Interested persons should email Angela Liston at [email protected] or by phone at 907-351-0279.

Anchorage Faith & Action - Congregations Together (AFACT) is offering a Leadership Training for clergy and lay leaders.  The four-day session provides participants with an overview of faith-based community organizing, with some specific training in other areas.  The training will be held November 5 through November 8, 2014 at Holy Spirit Center.  Download the brochure or registration form. 

Pursuant to 2012 General Conference legislation, the General Board of Church and Society has announced two U.S. consultations to review the United Methodist Social Principles "in regards to succinctness, global relevance, and biblical theology." The consultations, which are also being held in Central Conferences, will inform the proposals the Board will bring to the 2016 General Conference. The Board invites applications from those interested in attending. Up to twenty participants will be selected for each consultation. Both U.S. consultations will be in Washington, D.C., January 16, 17, and Jan. 23, 24. The Board will pay for transportation, lodging, and meals. Application deadline is Dec. 15. For selection criteria and an application form, contact Phil Campbell,  [email protected], or visit  http://umc-gbcs.org/faith-in-action/social-principles-consultations-to-set-process.

Bill Floerchinger was honored by the United Methodist Men of St. John UMC for his outstanding work as an advocate and volunteer parts builder for the PET Mobility cart that serves the world's disabled.

Bill was presented with a life membership in the United Methodist Men and received a plaque from the founders of the PET Mobility Project, Rev. Mel West and Rev. Larry Hills (both UMC clergy) who founded this faith-based, volunteer driven movement 20 years ago.

Walt Hays, volunteer coordinator for the PET Project in Alaska, cited Bill's

eight years of service as tireless promoter of PET and his coordination in building and shipping over 500 sets of seats and large quantities of finished wooden parts to the PET Shop in Spokane, WA for final assembly. Bill has worked with Untied Methodist Men, The Christian Men's Fellowship (Disciples of Christ), youth at Birchwood Camp, scout groups and with an individual scout working on his Eagle award in this effort.

PET is an acronym for Personal Energy Transportation. This sturdy, hand-

cranked cart can carry 300 pounds and is made by some 800 volunteers - mostly seniors - in 24 shops across the USA. In the past 20 years 48.000 PET carts have been given free to the leg-disabled in 100 countries world-wide. $12 million in private sector funding has been raised and expended to underwrite this ministry. PET is approved for "Advance Special" giving by the Board of Global Ministries of the UMC.

A photo of Bill and a brief article about his volunteer work with PET appears in the Fall, 2014 edition of the national newsletter of United Methodist Men.

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 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]).

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].

First UMC & First Samoan UMC will be hosting a free turkey dinner Nov 2nd at 5:30 p.m. for anyone in the Anchorage community. They will be serving a turkey dinner with all the fixings to everyone who walks through the door. This is a chance for everyone to come together and enjoy a meal.

If anyone would like to donate please contact FUMC at [email protected]. Everyone is invited to join us for dinner.
In need of a ride? We will do our best to provide one! 

AK Child & Family is happy to be celebrating the 10th Anniversary of their Sweatlodge.  One way for you to help them celebrate is to contribute to their fundraiser.  The top 10 highest contributors will participate in the sweatlodge ceremony on November 18.  Please read the flyer for more information and to donate.

World AIDS Day, observed each year on December 1, provides an opportunity for people around the world to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS and to show their compassion and support to those living with the disease. Tie it into your 1st Sunday of Advent! There are several resources available for worship here and here.

World AIDS Day is one of the UMC's Special Offering Sundays providing a great way for our churches here in the Alaska Conference to help raise funds for the UMC's next great priority: eradicating HIV by 2020. The United Methodist Global AIDS Fund invites you to participate in the Just Save One initiative. 75% of the funds for the Global AIDS Fund will be used for projects to educate, prevent, and treat HIV/AIDS all over the world. 25% of the funds we raise stays in the Alaska Conference to be used for HIV/AIDS ministries!

Let people know how to donate! There are a few ways to give:

1. Drop a check made payable to UMCOR in your church offering plate and indicate Advance #982345 on the memo line. Doing it this way will assure that the Alaska Conference receives 25% of your donation.

2. Mail your contribution to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087.

3. Go to Give To Mission and type #982345 to access the UM Global AIDS Fund giving page.

Take a look at this video and use it as an educational tool for your congregation(s)!