Alaska Provincial News
2007 Synod Highlights
By The Rev. Peter Green, APB President
Feb 23, 2007, 09:29

L.P. Moses John Sr. was elected to the Alaska Provincial Board as a Lay Pastor member (2010). Brother Timothy Samson was elected as a Lay Member of the APB (2010). L.P. Arthur Coolidge is re-elected as the Tundra Coast District PBE member (2010). Brother Carl W. Evon is elected as the Togiak District PBE member (2010). The Rev. Thomas Conrad is elected as the CNCM (Chukotka Native Christian Ministry) member (2010). Brother Robert (Manny) Konig is re-elected with Brother Kenneth Nicori and Sister Joanne Jackson elected to the Nunapitshinghak Committee (2010). With the resignation of the Rev. David Nanalook, Rev. Thomas Conrad is elected as the Moravian Board of World Mission Representative )BWM) to finish out the term - (2009). Brother Isaac Tuday is re-elected from the Togiak District with Brothers James Berlin Sr. of Tundra District and Andrew Kiunya from the West Coast District elected to the Provincial Finance Committee (2010).  General Bible Committee: The Rev. George Pasitnak representing Up-River District is re-elected and Brother Frank Cleveland is elected to represent the East Coast District (2010); Brothers Lloyd Andrew Sr. - Tundra District and Rev. Jones Anaver from the Togiak District are also elected (2009) to GBC. Brother Walter Larson is elected as a Moravian representative to the Alaska Christian College Board of Trustees for a cycle term of 2007-2010.

Reports and financial statements were heard from the President and APB, Provincial Treasurer, Moravian Book Store, Provincial Womens Fellowship, Alaska Christian College Representative, Nunapitsinghak Committee, Moravian Hospital Chaplain, Yup'ik Old Testament Translation Project, General Bible Conference Committee, Provincial Hymnal Committee, Alaska Moravian Theological and Seminary, and the Christian Education Department. The Provincial committee reports are requested by the administration to be submitted to the Provincial office at least one month prior to the annual Provincial Synod.

The 2007 proposed budget totaling $135,129.00 for Administration was presented and approved by the Synod delegates. The Theological and Seminary Program budget in the amount of $ 95,000.00 was presented and approved, as well as the C.E. Department proposed budget in the amount of $ 36,600.00.

The 2007 General Bible Conference will be held at the Bethel Moravian Church, May 3] - June 3, 2007 and the offerings are designated to the Seminary. June 3, 2007 to be designated as 550th Moravian Church Anniversary Sunday.

The Provincial Women Fellowship Singspiration will be held at Kipnuk, April 20-23, 2007. The topic is "Come Work In My Vineyard" and the theme verse is Matthew 20:1-4.

2007 Synod Resolutions Passed:

1. Healing Committee Resolution # 07-01: That Pastors, Youth workers, Sunday School teachers, Young People leaders and other Church workers get back ground check for sexual abuse; that during the upcoming Pastors and Elders conference, a State Child Advocate be invited to give presentation on State of Alaska protection laws, probation compliance procedures and hand out available child protection information; and that the Alaska Provincial Board explore availablity of general assistance coverage that may be provided for the Alaska Moravian Church for protection from any liabilities.

2. Evangelism and Outreach Committee Resolution # 07-01: That a Moravian First Nations Outreach be created to include Moravian Churches in Alaska and Labrador along with the Morongo Church in California; that APB select one representative to serve on a Steering Committee to define activities of MFNO which will build up the body of Christ and equip them to better protect our youth from social problems; that Board of World Mission assign one Board director and one staff person to participate on the Steering Committee and that BWM set aside funding in its 2007 budget to facilitate one meeting of the Steering Committee in 2007; and that the APB and Alaska Mission Society committee in setting its 2008 budget set aside necessary funding to insure its representative to participate on the Steering Committee of MFNO next year.

2007 Synod recommendations:

I. Pastors and Elders Committee Recommendation # 1: That the Alaska Provincial Board set up a 2nd Annual Inter-denominational workshop to include Catholic and Russian Orthodox Church leaders.

2. Pastors and Elders Committee. Recommendation # 2: That different ministry groups within our churches consult with Pastor and Elders before planning any special church activity.

3. Healing Committee Recommendation # 1: That 2002 Synod resolution # 1 and 2003 Synod resolution # 13 be affirmed; that both of the video presentation "Transformations I and II" be ordered by churches; and that counseling for young married couples be addressed.

4. Christian EducationIYouth Committee Recommendation # 1: That Alaska Moravian Youth Council Resolutions 04-04, 05-01, and 05-02 be affirmed.

5. Christian EducationNouth Committee Recommendation # 2: That the English version of the Passion Week Manual be available for non-Yup'iks or those with limited Yup'ik speaking; and that services be provided to fit within each congregation in the Alaska Province.

6. Finance and Stewardship Committee Recommendation # 1: That the Congregational treasurers mentor young people or Youth Group treasurers to help with treasurer record keeping system and to teach them to become faithful stewards of God's treasurers.

7. Evangelism and Outreach Committee Recommendation # 1: That each church and its leaders, District Pastors, and the Alaska Provincial Board make efforts to implement discipleship model to ensure growth in our evangelism and outreach to bring new people to Christ and disciple them according to the command that Jesus left us in Matthew 28:16-20.

8. General Synod Recommendation: That AMC gave financial lovegift or scholarship from the scholarship fund, to Moravian students attending Alaska Christian College in Soldotna and Moravian Seminary in Bethel.

Synod Directives:

That the Alaska Provincial Board appoints Land and Investments Committee; and that the Alaska Provincial Board, Alaska Missions Society, and the Board of World Mission (BWM) make an invitation to the Labrador and Morongo Churches to form a partnership called the Moravian First Nations Outreach.