Dave and Kim Beckett
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
St. John, Anchor Park/East, First Anchorage, and First Samoan
This was Pastor Peter Perry's first conference as senior pastor of St. John. St. John is a vital church in transition with new staff on board and more to come next year with the retirement of Rose McLean this summer. In this clip the staff share what God has been doing in and through St. John.
Later that same day was the Anchor Park/East joint church conference. Pastors Jon Disburg and Jenny Smith have formed a cohesive team intent on engaging their churches in mission with their community. In this video clip they share what God has been doing through the number of hours given by their members.
Last Sunday I worshipped with First UMC, Anchorage to say goodbye to Pastor Deb Lindsay-Hudgins. Deb is retiring and has accepted a position at Alaska Pacific University. In this clip Deb offers the benediction.
Leila joined me at First Samoan's conference. The most touching part was when the widow of their lay leader, Sioka Pogi, read his handwritten report to the conference. In this clip the congregation sings a benediction song.
I pray for all of our Alaska churches and their leaders. May you all be renewed and inspired by the presence of Christ this Christmas.
Merry Christmas!
Dave
Later that same day was the Anchor Park/East joint church conference. Pastors Jon Disburg and Jenny Smith have formed a cohesive team intent on engaging their churches in mission with their community. In this video clip they share what God has been doing through the number of hours given by their members.
Last Sunday I worshipped with First UMC, Anchorage to say goodbye to Pastor Deb Lindsay-Hudgins. Deb is retiring and has accepted a position at Alaska Pacific University. In this clip Deb offers the benediction.
Leila joined me at First Samoan's conference. The most touching part was when the widow of their lay leader, Sioka Pogi, read his handwritten report to the conference. In this clip the congregation sings a benediction song.
I pray for all of our Alaska churches and their leaders. May you all be renewed and inspired by the presence of Christ this Christmas.
Merry Christmas!
Dave
Monday, December 13, 2010
Northstar, Kenai, Soldotna, Seward and Moose Pass
I usually put about 700 miles on my truck travelling to all 7 Kenai Peninsula churches. I saw lots of stars, moose and even a coyote on this trip. I am so impressed with the youth ministry of Northstar UMC in Nikiski. I spoke with one teen who is sensing a call into ministry! Here is a clip of their youth praise band.
The big news at the Kenai church was their name change. From UMC of the New Covenant to Kenai UMC. The truth is that people in town had called them this for years. After the conference I had them celebrate this new name with this clip.
It is always good for my soul to return to Soldotna UMC where I pastored and lived for 7.5 years. I especially enjoyed my stay at the parsonage thanks to the hospitality of Richard and Karolann Whetsell. Here's a clip of the Soldotna choir after the conference.
Final stop was Seward for the joint conference with Moose Pass. Pastor Paul Caseman showed me the demolition of the old Wesley Rehab building owned by the Women's Division.
I'll wait to share about my time at St. John and Anchor Park and East until next Tuesday. As an annual conference we face several challenges but God still comes to bring hope, peace, joy, and love to the people of Alaska.
Grace and peace,
Dave
The big news at the Kenai church was their name change. From UMC of the New Covenant to Kenai UMC. The truth is that people in town had called them this for years. After the conference I had them celebrate this new name with this clip.
It is always good for my soul to return to Soldotna UMC where I pastored and lived for 7.5 years. I especially enjoyed my stay at the parsonage thanks to the hospitality of Richard and Karolann Whetsell. Here's a clip of the Soldotna choir after the conference.
Final stop was Seward for the joint conference with Moose Pass. Pastor Paul Caseman showed me the demolition of the old Wesley Rehab building owned by the Women's Division.
I'll wait to share about my time at St. John and Anchor Park and East until next Tuesday. As an annual conference we face several challenges but God still comes to bring hope, peace, joy, and love to the people of Alaska.
Grace and peace,
Dave
Monday, December 6, 2010
Palmer, Wasilla, Willow, Ninilchick, & Homer
Lots of church visits to share with you today. My time with Wasilla Christ First was inspiring. Strong, growing church with a clear vision for the future. Willow is always a fun church to visit. The Lush family are settled into the new parsonage. Social needs are great and the church is the hub for reaching out to others with the love of God.
Exciting things are happening at Palmer. One is a a new Saturday service designed around hockey families in the community. Here is a clip of the folks sharing what God has been doing in and through their ministries.
In order to go on a date with Kim on Saturday night I got up early to drive to Ninilchik (4 hr) to preach. What a gorgeous experience to stop in the mountains in the dark and gaze at the stars. Without the light pollution of Anchorage the heavens were astoundingly bright! What a wonderful time was had worshipping with the saints at St. Peter the Fisherman UMC. Here's a clip of opening worship with what I think may be the youngest acolyte in the conference! Her name is Devon.
On to Homer where we celebrated Pastor Charles Martindell's 53rd birthday. I felt badly for him having church conference on his birthday. There was much to celebrate with all that was happening in and through this church. Here's a clip of the birthday happenings.
That's all for now. Next up: Nikiski, Kenai, Soldotna, Seward, Moose Pass, St. John, Anchor Park, and East.
Grace and peace,
Dave
Exciting things are happening at Palmer. One is a a new Saturday service designed around hockey families in the community. Here is a clip of the folks sharing what God has been doing in and through their ministries.
In order to go on a date with Kim on Saturday night I got up early to drive to Ninilchik (4 hr) to preach. What a gorgeous experience to stop in the mountains in the dark and gaze at the stars. Without the light pollution of Anchorage the heavens were astoundingly bright! What a wonderful time was had worshipping with the saints at St. Peter the Fisherman UMC. Here's a clip of opening worship with what I think may be the youngest acolyte in the conference! Her name is Devon.
On to Homer where we celebrated Pastor Charles Martindell's 53rd birthday. I felt badly for him having church conference on his birthday. There was much to celebrate with all that was happening in and through this church. Here's a clip of the birthday happenings.
That's all for now. Next up: Nikiski, Kenai, Soldotna, Seward, Moose Pass, St. John, Anchor Park, and East.
Grace and peace,
Dave
Monday, November 29, 2010
Snowmachines, Skiing, & Anchorage Korean UMC
One thing I learned early on as a rookie Alaskan. I needed reasons to get outside in this amazing wilderness. Now I could have stuck with hiking or kayaking. But I am a man and am drawn to machines! Motorcycling in the summer and snowmachining in the winter. I think the reason I enjoy these sports is because they get me out of Anchorage.
Last Friday I took my son-in-law, Aaron Smith, to Turnagain Pass for his inaugural ride. Sun was shining and the snow was fresh. A wonderful time enjoying God's creation.
Saturday night was a bit of downhill skiing at Hilltop. First time for Kim since her Achilles tendon rupture two years ago. My first time on skiis for many years. And it was great fun and not a single fall.
Sunday was spent at Anchorage Korean UMC. All Korean UMC's in the Western Jurisdiction are supervised by Rev. Won Kie Kim, superintendent of the Korean Mission. Everything was in Korean: worship, SPRC, church conference. Rev. Kim translated some of it for me. Here is a clip of their opening worship.
I did encourage them to become connected with other Alaskan United Methodists.
Next stop: Wasilla, Willow, and Palmer!
Grace and peace,
Last Friday I took my son-in-law, Aaron Smith, to Turnagain Pass for his inaugural ride. Sun was shining and the snow was fresh. A wonderful time enjoying God's creation.
Saturday night was a bit of downhill skiing at Hilltop. First time for Kim since her Achilles tendon rupture two years ago. My first time on skiis for many years. And it was great fun and not a single fall.
Sunday was spent at Anchorage Korean UMC. All Korean UMC's in the Western Jurisdiction are supervised by Rev. Won Kie Kim, superintendent of the Korean Mission. Everything was in Korean: worship, SPRC, church conference. Rev. Kim translated some of it for me. Here is a clip of their opening worship.
I did encourage them to become connected with other Alaskan United Methodists.
Next stop: Wasilla, Willow, and Palmer!
Grace and peace,
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Chugiak and Girdwood
Sunday morning I stopped by my office on the way to Chugiak for church conference. I slipped into worship at East to hear our youngest pastor in the conference. Jenny Smith shared the second of a series dealing with technology and social media. I had a nostalgic moment when I realized that in 1984 I preached my first sermon in Alaska in that pulpit when John Shaffer was pastor of East. Jenny was with Kim that day as a two year old. Now that two year old had grown up, mostly in Alaska, nurtured by the saints of Soldotna UMC and St. John UMC. Here she was in that same pulpit. Pretty cool dad moment for me.
The saints at Chugiak are like the energizer bunny. They keep going and going! Pastor Carlo Rapanut has an effective ministry and is a pretty good preacher. They are still using a prayer response I stole and used in Soldotna and St. John years ago. With just over 200 members and around 170 in worship they are managing a building and mortgage payments the same size as St. John. Here is a video clip of part of Carlo's video pastor's report.
Then it was off to Girdwood. They had just recently got some heat in their new building. Ceiling drywall is being done this week. A VIM electrician is coming next week. They hope to be in the new space for Christmas. Girdwood Chapel is hurting right now. They have experienced two sudden deaths in their church and community. The church's ministry is vital to the town and Jim Doepken is the only full-time, resident pastor. I shared with them about the importance of apportioned giving and how other Alaska churches who are struggling with finances are giving so that churches like Girdwood can thrive.
Have a thankful Thanksgiving!
Dave
The saints at Chugiak are like the energizer bunny. They keep going and going! Pastor Carlo Rapanut has an effective ministry and is a pretty good preacher. They are still using a prayer response I stole and used in Soldotna and St. John years ago. With just over 200 members and around 170 in worship they are managing a building and mortgage payments the same size as St. John. Here is a video clip of part of Carlo's video pastor's report.
Then it was off to Girdwood. They had just recently got some heat in their new building. Ceiling drywall is being done this week. A VIM electrician is coming next week. They hope to be in the new space for Christmas. Girdwood Chapel is hurting right now. They have experienced two sudden deaths in their church and community. The church's ministry is vital to the town and Jim Doepken is the only full-time, resident pastor. I shared with them about the importance of apportioned giving and how other Alaska churches who are struggling with finances are giving so that churches like Girdwood can thrive.
Have a thankful Thanksgiving!
Dave
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Unalaska
It was an amazing weekend on the island visiting with the saints of Unalaska UMC and the Wilcox family. There was virtually no wind the entire time! Gorgeous white-capped mountains and calm seas. Here's a photo of the ballfield which is leased by the church to the city. Notice the parsonage with the green roof at the far end.
Turnover is very high at Unalaska with the fishing industry as the largest employer. Pastor Dan Wilcox arranged for a tour of the crab processing plant which was fascinating. Families move away quite often which creates many challenges for this small congregation. They depend on Advance funds from other churches and conference support to keep going. The Wilcox's are the only full time, resident pastoral family on the island. Unalaska is one of our new Mission Congregations. With this new designation we as an annual conference are saying that we want this ministry to be there and are willing to support it and help pay for it with our apportionment giving.
Among the many ministries Unalaska UMC has study groups, a new choir, Kids' Night Out, Internet cafe, Second Blessing, and more. They recently installed a high tech projector in the sanctuary and plan to show movies for families on the island. There is no movie theater at Unalaska.
Worship was sweet for me as I could gaze at the snow-capped mountains outside and watch the eagles diving and skimming the water. Here's a video clip.
Grace and peace,
Dave
Among the many ministries Unalaska UMC has study groups, a new choir, Kids' Night Out, Internet cafe, Second Blessing, and more. They recently installed a high tech projector in the sanctuary and plan to show movies for families on the island. There is no movie theater at Unalaska.
Worship was sweet for me as I could gaze at the snow-capped mountains outside and watch the eagles diving and skimming the water. Here's a video clip.
Grace and peace,
Dave
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