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e~Aurora (a weekly news update)
The Alaska United Methodist ConferenceDecember 29, 2015
In This Issue
~Prayers
~Alaska UM PET
~CCCG
~Epiphany Breakfast
~Mission u Event
~FREE Webinars




ACS Print  

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



 

Upcoming  Clergy
 Birthdays!   


January 3 - 
Bishop Grant Hagiya

January 5 - 
Janice Carlton

January 18 - 
Karen Dammann



Contact Information

 

Superintendent
Carlo Rapanut

cell 907-854-8340  





Ministry Quicklinks





Join Our Mailing List





2015 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.


prayer hands Prayers
Please keep Rev. Evelyn Erbele from 1st Ketchikan in your prayers.  Her eldest sister, Ruth, passed away on December 13th.  Evelyn was able to be there with her when she passed.  Pray for all of Evelyn's family as they grieve this loss.

Please keep Bishop Minerva Carcaņo from the California Pacific Annual Conference in your prayers.  Her mother, Rebecca Carcaņo died on December 20th.  Pray for all of Bishop Carcaņo's family as they grieve this loss.
Alaska United Methodists Complete Special Project for PET
United Methodist Men (UMM) completed a special project to assist the ministry of the PET Project by completing 48 seating units just before Christmas for the Inland North West PET Shop in Spokane, WA. United Methodist Men from the St. John, Turnagain, and Willow churches were involved   The work was also shared by eight members of the Palmer UM Fellowship and several couples from St. John UMC.

Jim LaBau, President of the Alaska Conference United Methodist Men, shared "This was a major project that involved some 250 hours of volunteer labor that included the sawing, sanding and drilling of the dimensional lumber for the wooden seat bases and backs, painting all of the wooden parts, using commercial foam, carpet pad and marine quality vinyl to upholster the seats and backs, attached the metal seat brackets and packing the seats for shipment. We thank all of our volunteers especially Del LaRue who did all of the woodworking and hosted our work party."

PET is an acronym for Personal Energy Transportation.

Walt Hays, who has served as a PET volunteer for 12 years, adds "This "hands-on" project during the holiday season brought a lot of joy to the volunteers as they could envision the difference that our efforts will make in bringing mobility, dignity and a chance for a better life to members of the human family that are poor, disabled and largely forgotten. This effort was funded by United Methodist Men, individual donors and generous in-kind corporate gifts from Buster's Professional Upholstery in Anchorage and Rex Peg Fabrics of Tacoma."

To learn more about PET and see videos and read stories about those who are helped, go to www.petinternational.org.
Creating Congregational Cultures of Generosity
The informational flier and registration form are now posted on the the conference website.  We have also included the registration form for the Winter Rendezvous meetings, as they coincide with the CCCG event.  Keep in mind that the pastor and one finance or stewardship person from each church will have their transportation and registration cost covered to attend the CCCG event.  More lay members are encouraged to attend if they are able but their transportation costs would not be covered.  We want to thank the Tuell Center again for their generosity with this event.  The CCCG event will be held at UMC of Chugiak on February 18-19, 2016.
Epiphany Breakfast
Christ 1st UMC in Wasilla will be having an Epiphany Breakfast on Sunday, January 3, 2016 at 9:30 AM.  It will be a fundraiser for Imagine No Malaria.  If you are in the area that morning, go support a great cause and eat some bacon!  If you have any questions, contact them at christ1st@mtaonline.net.
Mission u Event Scheduled for Kenai Peninsula
Every year the United Methodist Women of Alaska put on educational events based on study topics.  This year the studies are Created for Happiness: Understanding Your Life in God which will be led by Susie Smalley and Latin America: People and Faith led by Walt Hays.  The first event will take place on the Kenai Peninsula.  It will be held at North Star United Methodist Church on January 15-16, 2016.  Please contact Bonnie Miller or Jennifer Miller if you have any questions.
FREE Leadership Development Webinars
Contact: Jacqui King - Director, Leadership for Congregational Vitality - 615.340.7295
 
 
STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE: GETTING IT RIGHT AT THE STARTING LINE
Jan. 7 @ 6:30 PM CST - Ken Slone, Director of Stewardship & Connectional Ministries
Start with this webinar focused on the new member of the Stewardship Team, Finance Committee, or Church Council - those who are looking to get started on the right foot. If your work in the church deals with people's giving, you know the importance of that responsibility. Bathe your work in prayer. Remember, you are not alone; there are places to find help! As you enter the New Year, reflect on these ideas that could make your job the best one in the church!
 
 
SPRC: OVERVIEW OF A YEAR OF LEADERSHIP
Jan. 14 @ 6:30 PM CST - Jacqui King, Director, Leadership for Congregational Vitality
The S/PPR committee creates a healthy work place for staff so that ministry is vital and effective. The committee has responsibility for goal setting and staff accountability to your congregation's goals, benefit recommendations, and building positive relationships among staff and congregation. 
 
 
CHURCH COUNCIL: OVERVIEW AND FOCUS FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR
Jan. 21 @ 6:30 PM CST - Jacqui King, Director, Leadership for Congregational Vitality
Begin the year for new and continuing leaders by connecting your leadership with an overview of the year ahead. The Church Council or Leadership Team will discover important support resources for building and overseeing a comprehensive plan for ministry and discipleship. Additional resources for single board leadership model are included in this webinar.
 
 
LOCAL CHURCH LAY LEADER/LAY MEMBER TO ANNUAL CONFERENCE: WHAT'S MY JOB?
Jan. 27 @ 6:30 PM CST - Jodi Cataldo, Director of Laity in Leadership
Local Church Lay Leaders and Lay Members to Annual Conference have a role and responsibility to promote the role of laity as we work to fulfill our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. In partnership with clergy, lay servant ministries, the local church and the annual conference, the work of local church lay leaders and lay members to annual conference have significant potential for increased vitality throughout The United Methodist Church.

Upcoming Events

December
     28-31: Carlo on vacation
     31: New Years Eve - Office CLOSED

January
     1: Happy New Year!
     3: First UMC Ketchikan UMC Church Conference
     9: UMC of Sitka Church Conference
     10: Aldersgate UMC Church Conference
     10: Douglas Community UMC Church Conference
     11: Anchor Park UMC Church Conference
     12-14: Carlo in Portland for GNW Cabinet meeting
     17: First UMC Fairbanks Church Conference
     17: Carlo visiting New Hope Methodist Presbyterian Church
     19: East Anchorage UMC Church Conference
     21-25: Carlo in Portland for Briefing of First Elected to General Conference and DCM Meeting
     28-31: Carlo in Cal/Nevada Conference for WJ Mission Cabinet meetings

February
     7-9: Carlo in Seattle for GNW Cabinet meeting
     18-19: Creating Congregational Cultures of Generosity (CCCG) at UMC of Chugiak
     19-20: Winter Rendezvous meetings at East Anchorage UMC
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