e~Aurora
A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference
Aurora
Greater Alaska Theological Education (GATE)
This year, the Lay School of Theology has a new name. The Greater Alaska Theological Education (GATE) event will take place September 16-17, 2016 at St. John UMC (1801 O'Malley Road, Anchorage).  It still is a program of Perkins School of Theology and the Alaska United Methodist Conference.  Anyone is welcome to attend.

You can find the informational brochure/registration form on the conference website or by clicking here.
2016 CROP Hunger Walks begin
CROP Hunger Walk
The 2016 Anchorage CROP Walk will be held on September 25, 2016 at First Congregational Church, 2610 E. Northern Lights Blvd.  Registration begins at 12:45 p.m. and the Walk starts at 1:30 p.m.  The Post-Walk Celebration with live music and home-made treats begins at 2:30 p.m. 
 
CROP Hunger Walks are community fundraising events sponsored by Church World Service (CWS) Twenty-five percent of the money raised in our CROP Hunger Walk is distributed to local hunger-alleviating agencies. This year's agencies are F.I.S.H. (Fellowship in Serving Humanity) and the Lutheran Social Services of Alaska Food Pantry.  There will also be a food drive on the day of the Walk to benefit the Food Bank of Alaska.  

You may pick up all the materials you need to get your team ready for the CROP Walk on August 10, 2016 at First Congregational Church from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  If you are unable to pick up materials on August 10, please contact Dave Boling at 272-0615 to arrange a different pick-up time.
July Apportionment Report
Money
The July apportionment report has been posted to the conference website.  Get the latest figures here.
45 Young Adult Missionaries Commissioned
Forty-five new United Methodist young adult missionaries were commissioned on Aug. 3 for service in 19 countries and five states of the United States. Another group of 19 Global Mission Fellows will be commissioned in September in Seoul, South Korea. Read more on the Global Ministries website
United Methodist Global AIDS Fund Newsletter
Global AIDS Fund
Rev. Melissa Engel is the conference consultant for the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund.  She is sharing their latest (July-August 2016) newsletter with you, here.
Come to Mission u!
The Alaska United Methodist Women are excited to be bringing Mission u to you again!

The two studies this year are:
*Climate Change: A Call to Hope and Action, led by Debra Gerrish
*The Bible and Human Sexuality, led by Janice Nightingale

Please contact Jennifer Miller at 907-351-0274 or alaskan_miller_girl@yahoo.com for more information and to register.

The upcoming Mission u event will be held in Anchorage at Turnagain UMC September 9-10. There was a conflict with the Homer date and so that has been postponed until further notice.
Study Leaders needed for 2017!
The Executive Team of United Methodist Women of Alaska are accepting applications for Study Leaders for  Mission u events to be implemented summer/fall of 2017.   Here is the required application.  Please note the deadline for applications is November 18, 2016.  
 
Please let those you think may be interested in this wonderful opportunity know!  
 
You may contact Jenn Miller at alaskan_miller_girl@yahoo.com  or 907-338-1434 (home) or 907-351-0274 (cell) with any questions.
What Could a VIM Team Do For You?
UMVIM
Could your congregation be a potential work site for a VIM team for next summer?  Dan Wilcox, the Volunteer In Mission coordinator for the conference is asking congregations to take time between now and September to consider what projects your church might have in 2017.  There are already three teams from the lower 48 that have shown interest in coming.  If you would like more information about hosting a VIM team, or what a team can do for you, please contact Dan at danielpwilcox@gmail.com.  He can connect you with a team now, or send you information that can help your congregation discuss whether or not a VIM team is right for you.
Conference Office Email Address has Changed
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We have begun the process of changing the conference office email from umc@gci.net to alaskaumc@gmail.com.  For workflow ease, we are consolidating everything to the Google platform (email, calendar, etc.).  Please update your address books/contacts lists and start using alaskaumc@gmail.com for your emails to the conference. Carlo's email (carlorapanut@gmail.com) will remain the same.
Upcoming Events
AUGUST
July 19-August 18: Carlo on vacation in the Philippines

SEPTEMBER
5: Labor Day - Office Closed
9-10: Mission u at Turnagain UMC
19-23: GNW Cabinet Retreat - Carlo attending
29-October 1: Quadrennial Benefits Conference - Carlo attending

October
4-5: GNW Cabinet meeting in Seattle - Carlo attending
7-9: UMW Annual Gathering at Anchor Park UMC
14-15: Fall Rendezvous Meetings at Conference Center

November
2-4: Extended Cabinet Summit in Jacksonville, FL - Carlo attending
6: Daylight Savings Time ends
8: Election Day
14-16: Crystal on vacation
14-15: GNW Cabinet meeting in Portland - Carlo attending
24: Thanksgiving Day - Office Closed
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Upcoming
Clergy Birthdays

September 5: Charles Brower
September 22: Won Jea Keum
September 28: Darla Bradley


Conference Office
907-333-5050

Superintendent Carlo
907-854-8340
Submissions - If you have an article or event that you would like to share with the rest of the conference, submit it to the conference office by Monday evening for consideration.
AUMC Logo Mission Statement:
The mission of the United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ.  Held and supported by the transforming relationship with God through Christ, we of the Alaska United Methodist Conference seek to be a community that creates a home for all peoples, finds our hope through grace and journeys together into God's preferred future.
Copyright © 2016. All Rights Reserved.