2021 Alaska Annual Conference

Officiating bishop: Bishop Elaine Stanovsky

The 2021 Alaska Conference met online June 20-23.

Actions at the conference included:

  • two new rules to help local churches financially when their clergy are in need of maternity or paternity leave or assistance because of short-term disability.

  • A commitment to living into a “mission district” status, free of colonialism and committed to the work of anti-racism.

  • Opposition to nuclear armament and support for a nuclear-free Arctic.

  • Support for the creation of a cross-conference vitality commission to improve collaborative work to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

  • A resolution to support the submission of The Alaska Omnibus Proposal. 

The withdrawal of New Hope Methodist-Presbyterian Church from the denomination was accepted, and hope was expressed for a rich continuation of their ministry as a Presbyterian congregation.

The following lay and clergy delegates were selected for the General Conference in 2022.

  • Jo Anne Hayden, chair, lay delegate

  • The Rev. Jim Doepken, clergy delegate

  • Lonnie D. Brooks, first reserve lay delegate

  • The Rev. Dan Wilcox, first reserve clergy delegate

  • Fran Lynch, reserve lay delegate

  • The Rev. Lisa Talbott, reserve clergy delegate

  • Kelly Tazuko Marciales, reserve lay delegate

  • Bennie Grace Nabua, reserve clergy delegate 

Conference membership was 2,652, a decrease of 222 from last 2019. Worship attendance was 1,392, a decrease of 252. There were three professions or reaffirmations of faith, down 36. Church school attendance was 1,026, down 336.

There were 62 adults participating in small groups, a decrease of 20 from 2019. Worshippers engaged in mission totaled 1,168, down 340.