e~Aurora
A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference
Aurora
Get Fall Rendezvous Dates on Your Calendar!
Save the Date
Make sure that you put October 14-15 on your calendar if you are on a conference committee.  We will be holding the Fall Rendezvous meetings at the Conference office starting Friday evening and ending Saturday at lunch. Registration information will be sent out within the next week.  Prior to the Rendezvous meetings, New Clergy will have an orientation from October 10-12 and the the Professional Church Workers Retreat will take place from October 12-14.
Mission u in Anchorage - THIS WEEKEND
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

The upcoming Mission u event will be held in Anchorage at Turnagain UMC September 9-10. Click here for the registration form.  View the informational brochure here.

This event is not just for women.  It is for MEN and Youth as well!

Please contact Jennifer Miller at 907-351-0274 or alaskan_miller_girl@yahoo.com for more information.
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. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

You can find the informational brochure/registration form on the conference website or by clicking here.
Do You Need a VIM?
UMVIM If your church or ministry is in need of a Volunteer in Mission team for next year, please contact Rev. Daniel Wilcox, UMVIM Coordinator for Alaska at 907.414.7078, or danielpwilcox@gmail.com.  We would like to have teams and projects matched up by the end of September.  Teams are able to do construction, Vacation Bible School, general upkeep, and other various projects.  The more quickly we know what is available, the more quickly you can start planning.
Apportionment Report
Money The August Apportionment Report has been posted to the conference website for your review.
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.  

If someone from your church has not picked up the registration materials, please contact Dave Boling at 272-0615 to arrange a pick-up time.
The Sisterhood of Quilters - Retreat
What a summer South Central Alaska has had! So many sunny days, who could stay inside to sew? Are you behind on your projects because you have been camping, fishing or hiking? It is time to start catching up. Come out and join us for a fun filled weekend! The quilt retreat has reached 40!!!! 40 years... with life's ups and downs, quilting weaved our lives together.  The retreat will be held September 22-25, 2016 at Laverne Griffin Youth Camp in Wasilla.  It will start Thursday at 3:30 pm.

Lavern Griffin Youth Camp is waiting with smiling faces to greet you. The camp is located on a lovely lake. If you are not familiar with the camp visit the website to see facilities.

Things you should know:
·      Retreat is limited to 30ish people
·      Heated cabins are centrally located
·      Home cooking 3 meals a day
·      Bathhouse short walk from cabins
·      Beautiful windows in sewing spaces
·      Good friends
·      A chance to get away
·      Sewing, laughing
·      Learn something new
·      Show and tell Saturday night

Click here for the Retreat Brochure.

Sponsored by Anchor Park United Methodist Women (UMW).
United Methodist Women Annual Gathering 2016
United Methodist Women's Annual Gathering is always a great event and wonderful opportunity to gather with other United Methodist Women throughout the state. We hope you will join us October 7-9 at Anchor Park United Methodist Church in Anchorage.  Attached is a copy of the 2016 Annual Gathering registration form that can be filled out online or printed off and sent in.
 
This year, the Alaska UMW Leadership Team has the pleasure of announcing that we do have some funding available to assist those wanting to attend.  Fill out the scholarship application and submit it for consideration by September 15th. 
 
Contact Bonnie Miller, President, if you have any questions!
Recruiting: Birchwood Camp Board Members
Birchwood Camp
Birchwood Camp continues to be an important disciple-nurturing ministry of Alaska United Methodists and supports our churches through camps for children, youth, families and adults. We are also committed to "building community on common ground" by welcoming a wide variety of churches, nonprofits, schools, government, business and private groups to use our facilities and experience the presence of God in our beautiful and serene property with easy access to the Anchorage area.
The board leaders are charged with carrying the vision for the mission and ministry of Birchwood Camp. They are currently recruiting board members to join their team in 2017 to help grow this important ministry. Are you, or is someone you know, called by God to lead at Birchwood Camp?

Board members at Birchwood Camp:
  • commit to 3 year terms - although some shorter interim terms may be available
  • meet approximately monthly - 6 board meetings per year and committee meetings between board meetings
  • serve on one of the board committees: property, finance, capacity building, fundraising
  • provide operational oversight through support of our new camp director, Relena Myers
  • support Birchwood Camp through prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness
  • are passionate about camping ministries and growing the programs, facilities and reach of Birchwood Camp
Their current need is for leaders with strengths in finance and/or managing the upkeep of our aging facilities. They anticipate new facilities soon so construction/project management skills - as well as anyone with a passion for camping ministries - are appreciated!

They welcome inquiries about board service; current board members are happy to meet with prospective board members to review the commitment, roles and responsibilities of board leadership.

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Nora at ofredrick@me.com or (907)250-3642
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.
"Discovering God's Future for Your Church" Conference and Live Stream
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Registration is open for the Discovering God's Future for Your Church Conference and Live Stream. Hosted by the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary, the event will provide a step-by-step process to help congregations discern God's vision for their future.
 
Discovering God's Future for Your Church is Saturday, November 5, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Conference attendees may participate in person at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, or via live stream from their own computer or mobile device across the globe. The event is ecumenical and designed for both laity and clergy.
 
At Discovering God's Future for your Church, attendees will learn how to discern God's vision for their congregations - a step-by-step process for considering the strengths, challenges, and people that God has given them both in their churches and in communities. This process can reveal what God is calling their congregation to be and to do.
 
Attendees will learn that whether God's vision for their church is large or small, it has to be right for their congregation - right at this time, right in their context. And they will learn how to make this vision come alive in their churches to be faithful and fruitful to God's will.
 
Topics include: Your Church's Future and the Clarity of Vision; How to Discern a Vision; Living the Vision; and The Power of Vision.
 
Discovering God's Future for Your Church is presented by Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., distinguished professor of church leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary and director of the Lewis Center.
 
Additional conference and live stream information and registration is available at https://www.churchleadership.com/discovering-gods-future-church.
World Methodist Conference Gathers Wesleyan Family
The 21st World Methodist Conference, held in Houston, Texas last week, brought together some 2,500 faithful, from 108 countries and 88 communions, including The United Methodist Church. The once-every-five-years event featured preaching, singing, teaching and networking. Read the story.
Disaster Preparedness Month
Disaster Preparedness
September is recognized as National Preparedness Month (NPM) which serves as a reminder that we all must take action to prepare, now and throughout the year, for the types of emergencies that could affect us where we live, work, and also where we visit. Due to the success of last year's theme, "Don't Wait, Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today," will be returning again this September with a continuing emphasis on preparedness for youth, older adults, and people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.  Thank you for taking time to help make America more prepared for emergencies.

If you don't have current plans to recognize Disaster Preparedness month, maybe some of the information on the National Preparedness website will provide some ideas that will be simple to implement. 

https://www.ready.gov/september

Thank you for all you do!
World Communion Sunday is October 2
Our church is at its best when we reach out to sisters and brothers in need. World Communion Sunday calls the church to reach out to all people and model diversity among God's children. United Methodists relate to World Communion Sunday by celebrating communion with other Christians around the world on this special Sunday. Churches are also encouraged to receive an offering to support ethnic undergraduate and graduate students. Our gifts often enable first-generation students to attend college.

Download a free eBook.
Download the World Communion Sunday pastor's kit.

Order leaflet offering envelopes and posters to enhance your World Communion Sunday celebration at www.umcgiving.org/ss or call 888-346-3862.
Upcoming Events
SEPTEMBER
9-10: Mission u at Turnagain UMC
16-17: GATE at St. John UMC
19-23: GNW Cabinet Retreat - Carlo attending

October
4-5: GNW Cabinet meeting in Seattle - Carlo attending
7-9: UMW Annual Gathering at Anchor Park UMC
10-12: New Clergy Orienatation
12-14: Professional Church Workers Retreat
14-15: Fall Rendezvous Meetings at Conference Center
19-22: GBGM Board Meeting in Atlanta - Carlo attending

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
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.
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Upcoming
Clergy Birthdays

September 22: Won Jea Keum
September 28: Darla Bradley

October 8: Andy Bartel
October 10: Luke Jones
October 18: Dan Wilcox


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.
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