The Alaska United Methodist Conference Report. Report by Rev. Jim Doepken.

The Alaska United Methodist Conference held it’s annual conference in Anchorage on June 5-7, 2009. There are 28 United Methodist Churches spread out over The Last Frontier, with ministries to several outlying areas. When we gather as a Conference, it is a family affair. We know each other. We share our various struggles and triumphs and we love coming together to celebrate the work of God when we gather.

This year’s conference was “Tweeted” on Twitter for the first time as we strive to open new doors to new people. In that spirit, here is a summary of our Annual Conference, condensed into “Tweets” of 140 characters or less. This was sent by Twitter before being submitted in its full form.

1. The theme for conference this year was "Turning the World Upside Down," from Acts 17:1-9. How do we offer the world our topsy-turvy gospel?
2. We started by welcoming our new laity and new clergy and our new bishop, Grant Hagiya. There is a spirit of newness in the conference.
3. We spent much of our time in a Visioning Process for the Conference. We broke up into small groups and shared our hopes and dreams.
4. All churches were challenged to get their "Welcoming Certification Award" as we strive to RETHINK CHURCH collectively as a conference.
5. As with many conferences around the UMC, the Alaska Conference faces financial struggles and is examining the cost of ministry in all areas.
6. We welcomed Shawn Bakker from GBGM, The Advance and Mission Personnel. The Advance makes ministry possible in some of our more remote areas.
7. Our two conference mission priorities for 2009-11: Global Clean Water initiatives AND support of Campus Ministries in our conference.
8. Financial news: We approved a plan for $2 million coming to the conference. Our budget for 2010 will see a 0.2% increase in apportionments.
9. Our incoming Conference Superintendent, Rev. David Beckett, stood on his head to show how we're turning things upside down in the AUMC.
10. Bishop Hagiya, in his address, wants everybody FED -- FEEDING people, ENGAGING people, and DISCIPLING emerging generations of leaders.
11. All 32 Constitutional Amendments from the 2008 General Conference passed when voted upon.

Membership stands at 3927, down 143 from the previous year. Worship attendance stands at 2300, down 115. Church school attendance stands at 952, down 12.