Annual Conference will be held at St. John UMC in Anchorage on June 5th & 6th with workshops on June 4th.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

The registration process is now open.  You can register and pay online through this link.  If you would like to download a paper copy, you can do it here.  The early bird rate is nearing its end so make sure you take advantage of it by April 30th. 

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS

There will be a day of workshops on June 4th.  You can find a list of the workshops and their descriptions here. One of the workshops has been moved from the morning to the afternoon.  The links and forms have been updated to reflect this change.  You can sign up for these workshops when you register to attend Annual Conference.  If you decide to change your workshop after you have already registered, please contact the conference office to change it.  If you do not plan on attending Annual Conference but want to participate in one of the workshops, you can fill out this form.  

AWARDS 

You can start nominating clergy, laity, or youth for the Harry Denman Evangelism Award.  You can also nominate someone for being an Outstanding Lay Person.  Award nominations are due May 12.  

FORMS

Churches can submit their names for the memorial service on this form.  If you are part of an organization that would like to reserve a table for a display, fill out this form.

After ten years of discernment, two years of predevelopment, and a year of construction, Michael Burke of St. Mary's Episcopal Church is very pleased to announce:

The opening of applications for The Thomas Center for Senior Leadership is now underway!

The Thomas Center is envisioned to be a new living community - one that provides additional support so elders can maintain an active, vibrant lifestyle during their senior years. This unique center would focus on the gifts seniors offer, not on seniors as patients or passive care recipients. As an intentional community, it is uniquely interested in how we can live, not isolated and not entirely dependent on caregivers, but inter-dependently in the spirit of Christian fellowship and faith-centered mutual support.

The target date for opening is this fall, but they are accepting and reviewing applications now.

In the Spirit of the P.L.UM.E. ministry partnerships, they built into this program an eligibility preference for members of their P.L.UM.E. sister churches. It is their hope, that in The Thomas Center we will enter into a whole new facet of the collaborative work and ministry we all do together in Christ's name.

Find out more here.

For a look at the floorplans of the effiency, one bedroom, and two bedroom apartments and spacious congregate living spaces, including craft and exercise rooms, please visit them online at:  www.thomascenterAK.com.

United Methodist bishops from Africa, Europe, Asia and the United States will gather in Berlin at Hotel Palace Berlin for the Council of Bishops meeting, from May 1-7.

Main topics on the agenda include the development of vital congregations, the implementation of the four Areas of Focus, preparation for the 2016 General Conference of The United Methodist Church, and the role of bishops in helping to maintain the unity and faithfulness of the church in the face of many significant challenges and opportunities.

"The Council of Bishops is meeting in Europe because The United Methodist Church is a global church with approximately 40 percent of United Methodists living outside the United States," said Bishop Peter D. Weaver, executive secretary of the Council of Bishops. "It is important, as John Wesley emphasized, to be 'connected' with each other as we celebrate the diversity of gifts in our church and learn from each other how best to 'make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world' in this 21st century."

First UMC in Fairbanks is seeking a Praise Band Director. This is about a 1/4 time job for someone with a music degree or experience in musical leadership. The deadline for applicants is Friday, May 15, 2015. If you or someone you know would be interested or would like more information please contact Niesje at njs@alaska.com or 907-347-7760.

Saint John UMC in Anchorage is currently hiring a new worship leader for their 11:15 contemporary worship service. Visit www.stjohneagle.com for more info.

Von Cawvey will present an overview program on Habitat for Humanity and lift up opportunity for service this coming construction season at the May meeting of the St. John United Methodist Men.  It will be held following the 9AM breakfast on Saturday, May 16th in the fellowship hall.  Von has been an active volunteer, fundraiser and advocate for Habitat for a number of years.

Habitat has strong church "roots". Founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, the organization has provided simple, decent, affordable housing for over 1 million families world-wide. In Anchorage, Habitat has built 87 homes and rehabilitated another 12 since the Anchorage chapter was founded.

Each Habitat home owner goes through a rigorous application process. These low-income families are required to invest several hundred hours of "sweat-equity" in their home. In return, the can secure a 30 year, interest-free mortgage.

At this point there are a number of opportunities for volunteers to work eight hour shifts -both week days and Saturdays - throughout the summer and fall. The St. John men hope to recruit a team for at least two days of service during this time.

All area men of United Methodist churches are welcome to attend. Bring a friend.

Volunteers can  apply online to serve as marshals or pages during The United Methodist Church's 2016 General Conference. The denomination's top legislative assembly will meet in Portland, Oregon, May 10-20, 2016.

Volunteers are responsible for their own travel and expenses. Those interested should submit an online application before the deadline of July 31. If you have additional questions, contact Dick Hooton at revshoot@gmail.com.

The Local Host Committee will be looking for hundreds of volunteers to work full or part day shifts as greeters, registration assistants, airport guides, and other welcoming ambassadors to the Northwest. You can learn more and sign up at www.gc2016pdx.org.  If you are interested in going as a volunteer from the Alaska Conference, please contact the conference office at umc@gci.net. 

Join United Way of Anchorage on Saturday, May 2nd for the inaugural Downtown Scavenger Hunt!

Register or donate here: http://bit.ly/UWAScavengerHunt

Have fun in downtown Anchorage while helping United Way raise money to support programs and special collaborative work like 90% by 2020 that help our children in Anchorage succeed! It takes all of us to build the community in which children thrive. Be a part of it!

When: Saturday, May 2nd. 11 AM - 3 PM

Where: Town Square Park, Downtown Anchorage

Who: YOU! And your friends and family.

Registration is $35 per person, maximum 10 people per team. Kids are free with registered adults.

Register or donate here:

Before and after the hunt, there will be food and music on-site!

Thank you to our sponsors: Alaska Railroad, ExxonMobil, and The Boardroom!

Register for Summer Camp at Birchwood Camp

Online registration is now open for Birchwood Camp's Summer Programs. These camp programs provide safe spaces for spiritual formation, genuine community, and character development at Birchwood Camp's beautiful site in Chugiak. Online registration & detailed information is available at  www.birchwoodcamp.org/camps.

Below you will find a list of webinars for church leaders offered by Discipleship Ministries.  These webinars are free of charge. You can register by going to www.umcdiscipleship.org/webinars.

Tuesday, April 21: Family - Creating Rituals in the Home

Thursday, April 23: The Committee - Our Purpose

Tuesday, May 5: Called to Care for God's Good Creation - Intergenerational Environmental Stewardship (In Our Churches and Homes)

Tuesday, May 5: Creating Your Plan for Christian Faith and Discipleship

Tuesday, May 12: Budget-Friendly Creative Ideas in Children's Ministry

Tuesday, May 12: Supporting Your Teachers' Spiritual Formation

Thursday, May 14: Supporting Covenant Discipleship in the Congregation

Thursday, May 14: Stewardship in the Digital World - Has Your Church Made the Leap?

Tuesday, June 9: Children's Ministry - Staying Connected with Families Over the Summer Months

Tuesday, June 9: Where to Get Started with Older Adult Ministry

Thursday, June 18: Planning Children's Sabbath