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Conference News


GNW Shared Annual Conference canceled for 2020, fall gatherings anticipated to deal with essential items

Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky, in consultation with members of the Greater Northwest Area COVID-19 Crisis Management Team and District Superintendents, has made the difficult decision to cancel June’s Shared Annual Conference session in Puyallup, Wash.

Read the entire letter from Bishop Stanovsky


Wednesday Webinar: Engaging vulnerable communities during the COVID-19 crisis

During this pandemic, we know our churches are eager to reach out in love, respect and dignity to vulnerable members of our communities to offer God’s grace and support in tangible ways.
 
We’ll discuss how this engagement happens in safe and appropriate manners and we’ll celebrate some of the work our local churches are already doing. This discussion is geared toward learning some best practices for our churches as we move forward in these uncertain times.
 
Like each webinar before, we’ll include a few panelists along with Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky, to talk about how the work of community engagement has allowed them to recognize signs of life and resurrection as we are physically distant from one another, but connected in the spirit of Christ.
 
Please register for Wednesday’s webinar here (8 am AKDT, 9 am PDT, 10 am MDT). Participants are also encouraged to submit a question during registration that might be included in the discussion.

Register for webinar


Last Call: GNW offer of subsidized ZOOM license for local churches to end April 27

On March 12, the three conferences of the Greater Northwest Area began to offer access to a Zoom Business hosting license at a heavily subsidized rate of $50. Access to that offer is concluding on Monday, April 27.
 
Nearly 200 local churches in the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Conferences have signed up since this offer began. They are using Zoom to continue to meet to complete essential work, engage in Bible studies and worship, and to offer other fellowship opportunities during this time of isolation.
 
Click for ZOOM Info


Greatings from your United Methodist Federal Credit Union!

We are accepting applications from existing UMFCU church/organization members for the Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program loans.  To learn more go to https://umfcu.org/business-account  Any inquiries regarding this loan program or recent submissions can be directed to this designated email address:  sbainfo@umfcu.org  Due to the high demand for this program UMFCU will be serving existing members first.  Any church is welcome to join the credit union at this time; however, we cannot guarantee PPP funding will still be available.


National News


Earth Day virtual worship service set April 22

The United Methodist Board of Church and Society will hold a virtual worship service on April 22 in observance of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Inspired by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous words on the "fierce urgency of now," the worship service will explore the call to be stewards of creation.

Learn more or register


Advice from a veteran of pandemics

As a baby, Lucille Ellson survived the devastating 1918 influenza pandemic. The 102-year-old United Methodist offers words of advice and comfort for those anxious about the global spread of the coronavirus. Crystal Caviness reports.
Read story


Free Webinar: Plan your churches COVID-19 recovery ministry now

Your community will recover from the COVID-19 virus. We are helping with the medical recovery now through social distancing. While the epidemic will continue to capture the headlines, the work of emotional and financial healing necessitates long-term recovery planning that can start now. On Thursday, April 23, 6:30 pm CDT join Ken Sloane, Director of Stewardship & Generosity, as he welcomes Clayton Smith, author of the book “Growing Through Disaster,” for exciting ways your church can begin the work of disaster recovery.

Register Now!


Standing in the pulpit - online

Pastors sharing messages of hope with their congregations during social distancing usually find themselves staring into laptop or smartphone cameras. While this might be challenging, online worship can be engaging and meaningful! Find out how by exploring 10 tips for online worship leaders.


Support Native American ministries

The Yankton Sioux Tribe on the White Swan Reservation in South Dakota was still recovering from flooding when the coronavirus pandemic was declared. The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference helped the tribe purchase food and supplies to distribute during the crisis. The support was made possible through giving on Native American Ministries Sunday. This year, the United Methodist Special Sunday will be celebrated on April 26. During this time of social distancing, churches can encourage members to give online or choose a different date to celebrate.

Read the story
Download resources


Protecting women from violence during pandemic

In many countries, the rise of domestic abuse is being called "a new COVID-19 crisis" as movement restrictions aimed to stop the spread of the coronavirus are making violence in homes more frequent, more severe and more dangerous. Supporters of Thursdays in Black, the global campaign for a world free from rape and violence, are calling on everyone to protect women from this threat.

Read story


Why is the Easter season 50 days long?

Easter for Christians is more than a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. The season of Easter, or Eastertide, begins at sunset on the eve of Easter and ends on Pentecost, the day the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church is celebrated. Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, has more on the Easter season.

Read the story
Read more Ask The UMC


Understanding virtual worship attendance reporting

As churches explore more digital ministry options, the UMC's General Council on Finance & Administration has developed some guidance on reporting and counting the number of viewers of your online worship and Bible study attendance.

Read More


DisAbility Ministries offers resources for online worship

The DisAbility Ministries Committee of the UMC has developed resources to help congregations be inclusive of people with disabilities as they switch to meeting online and doing things differently. 
 
Accessible COVID-19 Resources.docx
Access to worship actions.docx
Advocacy actions with references.docx
Outreach resource sheet.docx
Resources for Praying without Words.docx


Conference Calendar


May

2: Leadership Team meeting
5: Cinco de Mayo
7: GNW Cabinet meeting - Carlo attending via Zoom
10: Mother's Day

 
 
Alaska United Methodist Conference
1660 Patterson Street, Anchorage, AK 99504
907-333-5050 ~ alaskaumc.org