Christmas Vacation

People have asked me how this experience of Christmas was in my new role. I have to say that it has been wonderful. Our entire family was together in Ohio and don't think we ever laughed so hard. My two sons-in-law are hilarious and fit right in with our ever-teasing family.




We spent alot of time with Kim's family and we visited two former churches. I was amazed at how many of the same people are still there after 30 years in one case.

My brother asked me to lead communion at his church which was cool. All in all it was a real vacation where I only checked my work email a few times. Thanks be to God for such holy retreat times.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Turnagain and Girdwood Chapel

Only two churches to share with you this week. But are they ever alive and vital!

Turnagain
Who says a gray-headed congregation has to act a certain way? Turnagain UMC even has a retired pastor, Dale Kelley, but are they ever alive! They are reclaiming their mission and purpose, changing and rearranging the building, and reaching out to their neighborhood with the Good News of Christ. They even have a new youth group with 15 teens and a new youth director, Drew Phoenix.

My apologies for not taking any pictures or video. I was too busy being inspired!

Girdwood Chapel
Two worship services, holy communion with a cantored liturgy, children everywhere, a mother bolting out of a pew holding a throwing up child, visual aids projected on the wall, holy excitement. This are some of my impressions with visiting Girdwood.
Here they are blessing each other in a benediction song.


They are hoping to be in their new building by spring. Water is hooked up thanks to a generous donation of labor from a contractor connected with the Turnagain church! This church is discovering new ways to be in mission in their community despite the building delays. Here is a clip of Girdwood saying hi.


Kim and I are flying to Ohio for Christmas. I hope you all find a few moments in your busy days to reflect on God coming to be with us.

Grace and peace,

Dave

Kenai Peninsula Churches

Soldotna
It was a joy to be back at my old church. It's been over ten years and I tried to be sensitive to those who have come to SUMC after I left, but it was hard not to take rabbit trails down memory lane! As with most of our churches I conducted a training for SPRC. Here is a picture of Richard Whetsell making his pastor's report.


Seward/Moose Pass
Pastor Peter had us playing a charge conference jeopardy game which was a blast!



Kenai
We had to postpone Kenai's conference due to weather until Saturday afternoon. Pastor Marti Slater is in her second year and tells me the Kenai church is the most welcoming church she has ever experienced! Way to go, Kenai!

Homer
Charles and Karen Martindell and I have been friends for over 25 years. They were appointed to the church I left to come to Soldotna in 1991. It was great to see their nearly finished building with sun room, fellowship, kitchen, and expanded sanctuary. Here is Charles in the new kitchen.
Charles gave me a part of their skit in worship which highlighted the ministries of the church. Here is Charles hamming it up.

Ninilchik
I am sorry to not spend more time with the saints at St. Peter the Fisherman. But my time there was rich. My first Alaska VIM trip was to Ninilchik in 1986 where we stayed with pioneers, Floyd and Marian Blossom. Pastor Julie Wasser is one of our two local pastors and works one quarter time providing full ministries for 35 people on Sunday mornings.

Northstar
I was impressed with the large turnout for this church on the north road in Nikiski. The area has been hit with the departure of oil and gas industry. I do believe however that Northstar has the largest youth ministry on the Kenai. There were four teens attending the charge conference!

I put 750 miles on my truck in 5 days. It was a rich experience and I can tell you that God is at work in wonderful ways on the Kenai Peninsula!

Grace and peace,
Dave

Chugiak Visit

Pastor Carlo Rapanut invited me to preach which I appreciate. I have discovered that this really helps connect me with the congregation. I also enjoyed offering an Advent sermon that fit with the worship pattern Carlo had mapped out for Advent. I much prefer this than me coming to deliver a message from the conference. So thanks to Carlo and the people of Chugiak. What a dynamic and growing church!

This is a clip showing their beautiful Advent wreath while the choir sings.



I'll have lots to share next week as I am spending the week visiting all our seven churches on the Kenai Peninsula.

Dave

Willow/Nome/St. John

Willow

It was quite cold when I left Willow at night after their charge conference. -18! But it was a warm experience to be with this thriving church. This is a picture of BJ Eldred showing me her vast collection of hand stitched stoles and banners.

Pastor Steve Eldred and Fran Lynch work well together as they address the spiritual and physical needs of Willow residents. We would do well to remember that in Willow like many of our churches that important ministries are extended to people who may never attend a worship service. They, too, are God's beloved children.

Nome

It was colder in Anchorage than in Nome. I couldn't even bring my new Arctic parka. I am doing some basic training with all SPRC's that includes duties of an SPRC and church conflict. The Nome SPRC was particularly engaged with this which was fun. Pastors David and Julie Elmore are leading this church into some new ministries such as Tuesday school and their Monday night worship.

Julie is showing me around the Nome Community Center office in this picture.

I attended a meeting of their board and learned much about their many vital ministries.






St. John

I think the reason I did not take any pictures during my visit to St. John was nervousness. It was a bit weird to see myself as their superintendent when I had served for ten years as their pastor. But it was great to see old friends and to celebrate the ministries of St. John. This is a major year of transition with the change of a senior pastor, youth pastor, and business manager. Pastor John Dodson has fallen in love with St. John and is leading this church forward.

Next up is Chugiak UMC.

Grace and peace,

Dave

Unalaska/Anchor Park/East/Korean

Anchor Park/East
Pastor Jon Disburg leads a game for the East/Anchor Park joint charge conference. Check out the video clip.

Both churches have a parish nurse ministry led by Cathy Feaster. They also have a prayer ministry where people leave prayer requests in the "wall" and take others home with them.





Unalaska
I spent three days in Unalaska with no flight delays. Being with the Wilcox family was a delight. This small church plays a huge role in this rugged and remote community. We simply cannot be there without the mission support of so many United Methodists. They have a thriving Kids Night Out program every Wednesday for 20-30 kids who don't get Christian Education.



Korean
Rev. Won Kie Kim is the superintendent of the Korean Mission in the Western Jurisdiction. Our Korean UMC has two superintendents. I told them he was number one and I was number two. I did manage to say hello and thank you in Korean thanks to my iphone. I also encouraged us to overcome the language barrier to be in community with the AUMC.

Palmer and Wasilla Visit

Palmer Fellowship - I had heard that finding the Palmer worship location was a challenge and it was. Armed with GPS and asking a man walking his dog I still had trouble finding it. But when I did there was music drawing me in as the band rehearsed.

Two things were striking about Palmer’s worship space: a beautifully decorated worship table and the excellent music group. I have to say that the addition of a soprano saxophone added tremendously to the music environment.

The Palmer Fellowship has struggled to hang on to their dream of becoming a UM Church. They receive excellent leadership from Pastors Robert and Tori Hicks. I encouraged them to participate in our UM connection and tell their story. I'd like to bring their band to one of our Anchorage gatherings.



Wasilla Christ First UMC. For children’s time they have a separate carpet in front for the kids to sit on. It gives them their special space and keeps them in one location for the message. Not everyone can reproduce this idea but their remodeled worship space drastically changes the worship experience for the better. Chairs instead of pews give them a flexibility for all kinds of ministries.



For years people lamented that this church was too far from town. Now the town has grown to the church! This church has a contagious spirit and has captured a vision. They feel they could become the second largest UM church in Alaska in five years! Wow. I tested this with the congregation and they enthusiastically embrace it. They have 13 acres and a new spacious parking lot and 100 in worship. What a joy to be with this vital and alive congregation.


Grace and peace,
Dave