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e~Aurora (a weekly news update)
The Alaska United Methodist ConferenceJanuary 26, 2016
In This Issue
~Superintendent's Blog
~CCCG
~Prayer for GC2016
~Final Apportionment Report
~Idita-Walk Fundraiser
~Recruiting Volunteers
~Briefing for GC2016
~FREE Webinars
~Mission u Event
~Run & Walk for Warmth




ACS Print  

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



 

Upcoming  Clergy
 Birthdays!   



February 19 - 
Steve Fisher




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.


Superintendent's Blog
Read my new blog post: #pray4GC2016 

You can always read past blog posts here.  Have a great week!
Deadline Approaching for CCCG
The informational flier and registration form are posted on the the conference website for the Creating Congregational Cultures of Generosity workshop.  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 for making this event possible.  The CCCG event will be held at UMC of Chugiak on February 18-19, 2016.  The registration deadline is January 31st.
Sign Up to Pray for General Conference
Last week, Bishop Hagiya talked about the power of prayer in his latest blog.  United Methodist's are joining together in 131 days of continuous prayer leading up to General Conference in May.  You can read his blog here.

The Alaska United Methodist Conference will have our day of prayer on February 13th.  Here is the link to sign up for a time slot.  The prayer times are in 15 minute increments.  Let the conference office know if you have any problems signing up and we will help you out!
Money Final 2015 Apportionment Report
Here is the last apportionment report for the 2015 year.  The total percentage for 2015 was 90.44%, which was down from 92.23% in 2014.
Idita-Walk Fundraiser for Nome Community Center
The Nome Community Center, a UMW National Mission Institution,  is sponsoring the 1,049-minute walking event Idita-Walk, which draws participants from across Alaska, and around the globe.  Even your dog can participate in this walking event!

To participate in the Idita-Walk, keep track of how many minutes you walk per day on a paper form. Strive to reach the goal of 1,049 minutes - the same number of miles that sled dogs and mushers must trek across Alaska in order to reach the Iditarod finish line. If you walk an average of 35 minutes a day, you'll finish in 30 days. The Idita-Walk starts February 1st and ends March 31st.

The event benefits the Nome Community Center and all the services it provides Nome and the Bering Strait region, including the Nome Food Bank, the XYZ Senior Center, Nome Children's Home and Family Services.

It is $10 to register per person (or dog), $30 to register and order a T-shirt, and $50 to register and order a sweatshirt. If you're among the first 750 to sign up, you'll receive an official 2016 Idita-Walk pin upon registration
You can sign up for the 2016 Idita-Walk online at www.idita-walk.com.
How to Recruit Volunteers Without Begging
Churches need volunteers, and lots of them. But how can you convince someone to sacrifice time, energy and sometimes even their own money, to do something for free? Tricia Brown, a writer for United Methodist Communications, offers ideas.  Read the story here.
Briefing Previews 2016 General Conference Debates
In a gathering that repeatedly stressed church unity despite passionately held differences, United Methodists received a preview of some of the issues General Conference will debate when the denomination's top lawmaking body meets this spring. The staff of United Methodist News Service reports.
FREE Leadership Development Webinars
Contact: Jacqui King - Director, Leadership for Congregational Vitality - 615.340.7295

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.
Mission u Event Scheduled for Anchorage Area
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 second event will take place at Anchor Park UMC. It will be held February 12-13, 2016.  Please contact Jennifer Miller if you have any questions.
Anchorage Run & Walk for Warmth
For the past 6 years, First UMC Anchorage has partnered with United Way to help raise money that specifically goes to the 211 program in Anchorage.  This program helps families with financial support with utilities and rental assistance.  Their goal is to keep their neighbors housed and prevent family financial instability from ever reaching a crisis point!

The event will take place on February 20th at 9:00 at First UMC Anchorage.  Visit  http://bit.ly/RunWalkforWarmth to register yourself, form a team, or to just donate to the cause.

Upcoming Events

January
     28-31: Carlo in Cal/Nevada Conference for WJ Mission Cabinet meetings
     29-31: UMW Executive Team meeting at Birchwood Camp

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

March
     7-11: Carlo in Boise for GNW Cabinet meeting and NLI meeting
     13: Daylight Saving Time
     20: Palm Sunday
     21-23: Carlo in Seattle for GNW Cabinet meeting
     27: Easter Sunday
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