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.

Conference Journal

Reflections of a Running Reverend

I will be on vacation during the holidays and will be back in the office on January 6th. For pressing matters that cannot wait until I return, please contact Rev. Bob Smith at 907-330-7770.

Year In Review from GBGM
In 2014, the General Board of Global Ministries responded to the move of the Spirit in many ways: United Methodist Local Elders in Mission answered God's call to serve in their countries of Cambodia and Vietnam; 64 missionaries, including 42 young adults, were either commissioned at their annual conference or abroad to serve around the world; the United Methodist Church responded bravely to the Ebola crisis sending its own missionaries to provide much-needed support, and hope emerged in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in the form of sturdier homes, thanks to UMCOR's reconstruction work there.

Watch the video to learn more of how Global Ministries compassionately responded to needs around the world and review some of the mission highlights that marked 2014.

Biggest Loser Challenge

First Samoan UMC & First UMC of Anchorage are challenging all the churches in the Alaska Conference!

FSUMC & FUMC are challenging each Alaska UM church in a weight loss competition from January - March. Each church will be responsible for running their own (as it is not feasible for us to fly all around Alaska to do weigh in). Here is an attachment of how FUMC is running their competition. The winning church will receive a certificate stating them as the "Biggest Loser" in the Alaska Conference! Weight loss is to be calculated by percentage, not only pounds loss! If you have any questions, feel free to email Jenn Miller at fumc@gci.net.

Apportionment Deadline
The Treasurer's office has set a date for the absolute last day to receive your apportionment money for 2014. Anything received after this date will not be credited to 2014. The date is January 12, 2015. Make sure you put your checks in the mail before then so they receive them on time!

Annual Youth Mission Immersion Registration Open

The annual P.L.U.M.E. Youth Mission Immersion weekend is coming up Friday-Saturday, January 16-17, 2015. It's open to youth 7-12th grade. They will gather on Friday evening and serve all day Saturday. This year, they are going to end after dinner on Saturday night. Information and Registration can be found at www.plumeyouthak.com. Any youth from across the state can attend!

Deaconess or Home Missioner
Deaconess Fran Lynch will be hosting a Mini Discernment Event on January 17th for those lay individuals thinking about becoming a Deaconess or Home Missioner. If you want to know more, please read the flyer and let Fran know!

Diana Butler Bass Learning Event
Diana Butler Bass will be in Alaska January 30-31, 2015. Her learning event will be held at St. John UMC and the FREE public lecture will be held at St. Mary's Episcopal Church. Here is the information sheet and registration form. Stay tuned for more details in the weeks to come. You can visit her website for more information about her.

Wesley Pilgrimage for 2015

The Wesley Pilgrimage is a wonderful opportunity to:

Immerse yourself in the Christ-centered leadership of John and Charles Wesley
Learn, pray, and explore places where the Wesley brothers lived and served
Reflect and make new friends in small groups
Make connections between the Wesleyan heritage and missional leadership for today

In addition, there are scholarships available to cover the $2,195 pilgrimage fee. Persons will still be responsible for their own airfare, but this is a huge opportunity! To find out more check out the flyer here.

Upcoming Events

December

26-Jan 5: Carlo on vacation
31: Office Closed half day - New Year's Eve

January

     1: Office Closed - New Year's Day
     7: UMC of Sitka Church Conference
     8: First UMC, Ketchikan Church Conference
     10: Aldersgate UMC Church Conference
     10: Douglas Community UMC Church Conference
     11: Northern Light United Church Conference
     13-18: Carlo in Seattle for Western Jurisdiction meetings
     18: Jewel Lake Parish Church Conference
     18: Anchor Park UMC Church Conference
     19: Office Closed - Martin Luther King Jr's Day
     23-25: United Methodist Women Midwinter Meeting @ Birchwood Camp
     25: Willow UMC Church Conference
     29-31: Winter Meetings and Diana Butler Bass Leadership Event

February

1-4: Carlo at ADCM Meetings in Nashville
8: Homer UMC Church Conference

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

www.alaskaumc.org

umc@gci.net