United Methodist bishops from Africa, Europe, Asia and the U.S. will gather in Oklahoma City at the Skirvin Hilton for the Council of Bishops meeting, November 2-7, 2014.

The meeting begins on Sunday, November 2, with a memorial service to remember bishops and their spouses who have passed away during the last year.

Among the meeting highlights will be the traditional ceremonial "passing of the gavel" from former Council president Bishop Rosemarie Wenner to Bishop Warner Brown of the San Francisco Episcopal Area on Monday at 10:45 a.m. CST. Bishop Brown assumed the presidency of the Council in May, but the full Council last met in November so the formal recognition will occur at the beginning of this meeting.

Immediately following the ceremony, Bishop Brown will present the annual presidential address to the Council - which will be live streamed for the first time. Viewers can watch the speech online while it is happening at umc.org/cobaddress, where it will also be archived for later viewing.

On November 6, an "act of repentance" service will be held at St. Luke's United Methodist Church for members of the Council and special guests. Several governors of Indian nations have been invited, as well as three Oklahoma Supreme Court justices who are active in native affairs in Oklahoma.

The executive board of United Methodist Women of Alaska is accepting applications for Mission u Study Leaders for 2015-2016.  Please find attached, in WORD and PDF, a summary of the courses to be facilitated throughout the Alaska Conference.  Information and an application is included.  Please note the deadline for applications is December 15, 2014.  

Please distribute or forward this information to those you think may be interested in this wonderful opportunity.  

You may contact me at bonitajane@yahoo.com or 907-776-8555 or 907-440-1636 with any questions.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Bonita Miller

Dean of Mission Education

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. 

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 fumc@gci.net. Everyone is invited to join us for dinner.
In need of a ride? We will do our best to provide one! 

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)!