Location: Anchor Park United Methodist Church.
Theme: Love Boldly.
Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
- Matthew 22:37-39.
Inspired by this verse and John 13:34-35, “We are challenged to love God passionately and, like Jesus, embrace and include people of every age, nation, race, gender and walk of life.”
Officiating bishop: Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth
Guest speakers and memorable points or quotes by speakers:
The Rev. Scott Hughes of Discipleship Ministries led a pre-conference workshop on stewardship.
Bishop Lanette Plambeck, of the Dakotas Conference, spoke at closing worship as the 2028 delegation was sent forth into service. She also assisted clergy as they worked through some matters related to ministry together.
In addition, we had guests from our sibling conferences, Pacific Northwest and Oregon-Idaho.
Main actions enacted by the conference:
- We had a Wellness Event prior to Annual Conference. There was a mammogram van, blood draws, yoga for all abilities, dexa scans, a discussion of benefits, and an introduction to clinical pastoral education and mental health.
- Adopted the 2027 budget.
- Highlighted work of laity through several awards.
- Centered our campus ministries of Alaska Pacific University and University of Alaska.
- Elected our 2028 Delegation for General Conference.
Budget:
Approved budget amount for 2027: Apportioned budget of $509,040 with spending plan of $795,040.
Budget for 2026 (set at special called session in Oct 2025): Apportioned budget $509,040 with a spending plan of $712,359.
Delegates for General Conference and jurisdictional or regional conferences:
Lay delegates:
Primary GC Delegate- Tyler Watson
Alternate - Susan Williams
3rd - Chivi Capezio Crookes
4th - Tina Racy
Clergy:
Primary GC Delegate - Lisa Talbott
Alternate - Meghan Lambert
3rd - Won Jae Keum
4th - Murray Crookes
- 2 persons were commissioned for ministry.
Membership stands at 2,120, down 121 from the previous year.
Worship attendance stands at 1,024, up 73. Online worship stands at 256, down 128.
Church school attendance stands at 242, down 38.
Professions or reaffirmations of faith for 2025: 51, down 28 from 2024.
Adults and young adults in small groups for 2025: 449, up 53 from 2024.
Worshippers engaged in mission for 2025: 1,199, up 192 from 2024.