20/20 Vision: Leading to God's New Horizons
|
|
Upcoming Clergy
Birthdays!
November 17 -
Jean Bruscia
|
Contact Information
Supt. Carlo Rapanut cell 907-854-8340
|
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
|
|
 Update from Phil Campbell
On Sunday, Phil wrote on his Facebook page: "My year of living surgically. Knee replacement on Oct. 21. Heart murmur detected while in hospital after surgery. Not thought to be a big deal but follow up echo cardiogram recommended. It was done Nov. 5 and revealed an aortic aneurysm. Landed in Denver Friday morning, Nov. 7 and had cardiothoracic surgery Friday afternoon/night. Recovering at Colorado University Medical Center. Hope to be moved to a general floor today or tomorrow. I'm in great shape for a guy with so many things wrong with him. Nice to be alive. Probably be in Denver for 4 weeks.Thanks, everyone, for prayers, good wishes, and loving care across the miles. I love you all!" In his latest update, he said that more tubes and wires have been disconnected and he is now able to walk around. The doctors are saying "they aren't used to seeing an aortic resection patient doing so well." Let us continue to keep Phil and Teresa in our prayers. |
 Bishops Certify Constitutional Amendments
Annual conference members have ratified all four amendments to The United Methodist Church's constitution. The Council of Bishops certified the votes on the amendments approved by the 2012 General Conference, which includes one allowing General Conference to be held sometime other than the spring. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story. |
 Sweatlodge Celebrates 10 Years!
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 contributors will participate in the sweatlodge ceremony on November 18. Please read the flyer for more information and to donate. Your last day to make a pledge is Wednesday, November 12 for the fundraiser!
|
 Turkey Cooking Class For people in the Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage area, Christ 1st UMC will host a "Cook a Holiday Turkey Safely" class taught by the Alaska Cooperative Extension Services this Friday, November 14 at 6 PM. A goodwill offering is asked of participants to cover the cost of food. A lucky participant will go home with a prepared turkey to cook. Call 376-3109 or email chirst1st@mtaonline.net to get more information or to reserve your spot! |
 New Day Alaska Coat Distribution
On Saturday October 18, in five hours, New Day Alaska gave away over 80 winter coats and jackets to people who needed warm coats for the winter. The coat distribution, held at Anchor Park UMC, was advertised by flyers on public bulletin boards in Fairview, Mountain View, and Airport Heights. A hundred coats were generously donated by United Methodist Church of Chugiak's Recycle for a Reason (R4R), Anchor Park UMC, New Day members, and local residents. Half the remaining coats went to Mountain View Boys and Girls Club for kids who needed them. The other half were stored at Anchor Park UMC for distribution as needed or for another New Day coat event planned for January. People, who came from Fairview, Mountain View, Airport Heights and also from midtown, appreciated their coats and enjoyed refreshments and a chance to visit. Thanks to R4R and everyone who donated coats, and special thanks to Anchor Park UMC and Pastor Doug Handlong for their support and encouragement as our anchor church.
New Day Alaska is a small ecumenical mission group working on Christian outreach to diverse, multi-cultural local families and individuals who may not be affiliated with churches. Our Kenyan pastor, Kirimi Ikiugu, has returned home to his family in Kenya. However, the group now includes two East African members from the Congo and Sudan, as well as Anchor Park UMC's Lupe Saafi. With access to Congolese, several Sudanese dialects, Swahili, Arabic, French, Tongan, Filipino, and Samoan, we are studying the idea of offering translation services to recent immigrants who have trouble filling out required forms written only in English. We greatly appreciate the support and would welcome more members.
Abbe Dunning-Newbury 907-696-7090 dunning.newbury@mtaonline.net.
|
 We just wanted to take a moment to remind you that Debbie Ervin is the Conference Volunteer In Mission (VIM) Coordinator. If your church has a desire to have a work team come to do some work, please contact her at akdrc99708@gmail.com or 907-978-0537. Teams from outside have already been inquiring about opportunities to volunteer in Alaska. Don't wait! |
 United Methodist Student Day
United Methodist Student Day calls the church to support students as they prepare for life in uniting faith with knowledge. The offering provides scholarships for qualified United Methodist students. November 30 is set as this year's United Methodist Student Day, but your congregation may choose to celebrate UMSD on any Sunday during the year.
|
 GivingTuesday, December 2
GivingTuesday will be here before we know it. There are several projects that we would like you to consider donating to. The Alaska United Methodist Conference is a missionary conference so we have several projects within our state that count on donor dollars to fund some of their work. You can find a listing of our Missionaries and local projects with Advance numbers here. Along with those projects is our Missional Priority - Imagine No Malaria. You can donate to this cause as well and even indicate your church in your donation so that your dollar amount donated can be added to your church's goal. It really is a win/win situation! You can download the directions on how to donate here.
Every gift made online through The Advance this year on December 2 will be matched up to $1 million (*see website for stipulations).
UMC #GivingTuesday offers an opportunity to start off the holiday season by giving instead of getting, through supporting organizations and missionaries that have been researched and approved by Global Ministries. And 100 percent of all gifts made through The Advance are given directly to the designated project.
|
 Call for Mission u Study Leaders
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 Bonnie Miller at bonitajane@yahoo.com or 907-776-8555 or 907-440-1636 with any questions. Bonnie has started a Blog in which news about Alaska Mission u will be posted periodically. You can see it at http://aumwmissionu.blogspot.com/.
|
 Free Webinars
GBOD continues to offer FREE webinars for church leaders. Here is a list of the upcoming dates and titles in November. For more information and to register, go to www.gbod.org/webinars.
Thursday, November 13 - Seize the Day: Making the Most of Your "Special" Sundays
Tuesday, November 18 - Engaging Families and Children with Special Needs
Tuesday, November 18 - What to Preach - iKids: Parenting in the Digital Age
|
 World AIDS Day - December 1, 2014 (or Sunday, November 30)
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)! |
 Diana Butler Bass Rescheduled for 2015
Mark your calendars now! Diana Butler Bass will be in Alaska January 30-31, 2015. She was scheduled to give a talk a year ago but had to cancel at the last minute. We don't have the specifics nailed down yet but wanted to make sure you got her on your calendar! You can visit her website for more information about her.
|
|
|
