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Conference Journal

Reflections of a Running Reverend

Carlo is attending meetings in Nashville. He will be back in the office next week.

To catch-up on previous blog posts you may have missed, click here.

Have a great week!

Your Chance to Make a Difference
Pick.Click.Give. allows Alaskans to share their Permanent Fund Dividend with causes they care about. Please consider donating to AK Child & Family and Nome Community Center when you sign up for your PFD. They are both national mission institutions of the church. If you have already filed your application but have changed your mind and want to donate, it isn't too late! Visit the donation website to find out more!

FREE Webinars

Below you will find a list of webinars for church leaders offered in February by the GBOD Leadership Ministries division. These webinars are free of charge. You can register by going to www.gbod.org/webinars .

Thursday, February 5: The Committee - Hospitality

Tuesday, February 10: Boomers 'R Us: How to Minister with Baby Boomers

Tuesday, February 17: Creating and Nurturing an Intergenerational Ministry

Thursday, February 19: Children's Ministry in the New Church Start

Thursday, February 19: Covenant Discipleship Groups

Tuesday, February 24: Christian Community: Grounded in Faith

Thursday, February 26: Flipping the Classroom

75 Years with UMCOR - A Historical Timeline

Journey with UMCOR from its inception at General Conference in 1940 to the present day through the pages of New World Outlook magazine (January-February 2015 edition), the mission magazine of The United Methodist Church.

Download this resource now and celebrate with UMCOR as it marks its 75th Anniversary of being with those in crisis around the world.

Mission u Event Registration
The Alaska United Methodist Women are hosting their annual Mission u Events! The first event is in the Anchorage area and will be held THIS WEEKEND, February 6-7, at Hope Community Resources. The three featured courses are Spiritual Growth: How is it With Your Soul?, Social Justice Understanding: The Church and People with Disabilities, and the Youth Study: Making a New Picture Together - Welcoming Persons with Disabilities Into Our Lives. Download the informational brochure. You can register online now at http://ttclms.org/class_detail.php?z_classid=105681. Early registration has passed but you can still register. Don't miss out on these greatly anticipated events! You can view the Mission u blog at http://aumwmissionu.blogspot.com/. The other events across the state will be: February 20-21 in Juneau at the Tlingit-Haida Voc-Training Resource Center, and March 27-28 in Kenai at the Dena'ina Wellness Center.

2015 Walk for Warmth & 5th Anniversary 5K!

With support from individuals and teams, Walk for Warmth raises money that goes directly to keeping Anchorage residents housed and financially stable. This year the walk will take place on February 21st. Last year, over 60 households received rent and utility assistance - with your support, we can help even more families. Set your team fundraising goal to $500 - can you hit your goal and help prevent family homelessness?

Help spread the word about Walk for Warmth and invite your friends, families and co-workers to join your team. Or, challenge them to start their own team and see who can get the most team members and raise the most money!

This year, we hope individuals become Warm Hearted Warriors: Raise $500 or more and receive a swag bag with gifts from local businesses, thanking you for your support. We can't wait to see you on February 21st!

For more info go to the event website - https://www.classy.org/anchorage/events/walk-for-warmth/e38065.

Hospitality Ministry Opportunity
Each summer Ketchikan First United Methodist Church offers a ministry of hospitality by operating a hostel in its building. Manager(s) are needed from July 5 to August 31. Housing and a daily stipend of $40/day are provided. The hostel is closed from 9:00 am to 5:00 p.m. allowing the manager(s) an opportunity to explore and enjoy Ketchikan and the island. You may visit the hostel website at www.ketchikanhostel.com. For more information please contact Judy Shoup at 1jashoup@kpunet.net or call the United Methodist Church at 907-225-3780.

First UMC-Anchorage Offering Grants

The First United Methodist Church Foundation is accepting applications for 2015 grants to be used as educational benefits, scholarships, out-reach to the community and the world. Applications should be a concise request that includes the following: Requesting Organization or Person, Contact Name, Contact e-mail, Contact physical/mailing address, Type of grant requested (scholarship, capital improvement, out-reach, education) and Description of how the funds will be used in 2015 that is no more than 250 words. Submissions must be received by February 27, 2015 at the address below. Awards will be posted in March 2015. Those receiving grant awards will be required to submit a report how the funds were used, with documentation, by December 1, 2015. Send your request to:

FUMC Foundation - Grants

725 W 9th Ave

Anchorage, AK 99501

Upcoming Events

February

     1-4: Carlo at ADCM Meetings in Nashville
     8: Homer UMC Church Conference
     26: Carlo at Greater Northwest Cabinet meeting in Portland

March

2-4: GNW Younger Clergy Gathering - Carlo attending
4-5: Carlo in Seattle for Cabinet Meeting

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