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Three ecumenical bodies are coming together 4 PM, January 20, 2002 at the Abbott Loop Community Church to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Junior and to recognize and celebrate the inauguration of Churches Uniting In Christ which will have taken place in Memphis, Tennessee four hours prior.

Churches Uniting in Christ is not a new structure.  It is an officially sanctioned invitation to live with one another differently.  Christians in the pews know that they belong to one another because they all belong to the same Lord.  Churches Uniting in Christ is a framework for showing to the world what Christians truly are - the one body in Christ.

Each church participating in the inaugurating of  the new relationship to be called Churches Uniting in Church will retain its own identity and decision making structures, but the churches will pledge , before God, to draw closer in sacred things, including regular sharing of the Lord's Super (Eucharist) and common mission - especially a shared mission to combat racism in our local communities.  The churches will also commit themselves to undertake an intensive dialogue toward the day when our ministers are authorized to serve and lead worship, when needed or invited, in each of the communions.

Member churches of Churches Uniting in Christ are:  

The four ecumenical bodies are:  Alaska Christian Conference, Churches Uniting in Christ-Alaska, Anchorage Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, and Church of Anchorage.   This is the first time such a gathering will take place in Alaska and the communion representatives have said it will not be the last.  Being church together is a ongoing process and will of God.

Reverend David H. Blanchett, 
Alaska Coordination, International Council of Community Churches
Vice-President of the Alaska Christian Conference
 

 We are writing to you in light of the recent tragedy that has struck our Nation and all of our people.  As spiritual leaders, we understand the unique burdens that you bear in your office in these difficult times.  We want to express a concern, but we also wish to express our willingness to help.  Though we speak specifically for the Alaska Christian Conference, representing many denominations, we know that we speak broadly for religious leaders across our State.

 We note, in light of recent National events and more local concerns, that we must be particularly vigilant in protecting all of our citizens from “profiling.” Many have noted the unique dangers this crisis has for the fabric of our society.  We know that you join us in a concern that no one turn hurt in to hate and target anyone for discrimination or reprisals. 

Speaking for the concerns we have heard from many of our colleagues, we wish to work with you to avoid all violence and retaliation against innocent people.  We strongly urge you to speak and act as forcefully as possible to oppose acts of hate in the name of patriotism.  We offer our assistance and support for your efforts in this regard.  Please, where we can help, let us know.

 In World War II, the persecution of Japanese, German, and, here in Alaska, Native citizens is the only major blemish on the courageous sacrifice of so many of our citizens who gave all to defend us.  We must vigorously avoid providing anyone with the opportunity to dishonor the memory of those innocent victims who died September 11, 2001.  In this way, we not only give witness to our love for those who have died, we signal to the world that we will not let the Terrorists win.

We stand ready to assist you in rebuilding our life after this great National Tragedy.  Please know of our prayers for you.
 
 

In the wake of terrorism and tragic loss of lives on American soil today, the Alaska Conference of Churches ask all the people of Alaska to join us in prayer: 

Let us pray for those who have died and those who are grieving. 
Let us pray for those whose hearts are filled with hatred that they may be healed and that the
People of God, everywhere, may be instruments of peace. 
Let us pray for our President and the Leaders of our Nation, that they may be filled with Wisdom
to do what is right. 
Let us pray for our Military, that they may also be filled with Wisdom. 
Let us pray for the protection, peace, and safety of our Nation and every Language, People, and
Nation upon this Earth. 
May God have mercy upon us all! 

The Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald, President of the Alaska Conference of Churches 
The Rev. David Blanchett, Vice-President of the Alaska Conference of Churches

In Support of Alaska’s First Peoples, the Alaska Christian Conference Resolves That

WHEREAS:  The Alaska Christian Conference was the first statewide ecumenical body in Alaska which was organized in 1956 as the Alaska Association of Churches; and

WHEREAS:  This body grew in membership and energy, becoming in 1959 the Alaska Council of Churches; and 

WHEREAS:  The Council was reorganized as the Alaska Christian Conference in 1972; and

WHEREAS:  The Ecumenical Dialogue of the Alaska Christian Conference states: “Working with other organizations and energies to bring about statewide communication, implementing concerns for Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation, and developing regional dialogue exploring the potential for new models of Christian Unity”; and

WHEREAS:  Alaska Christian Conference is calling all churches, religious and spiritual communities and people of good will together to, in part, “Promote reconciliation among all Alaskans, a reconciliation that can only be based in Justice for Alaska Natives, recognizing their God given authority and their right to a subsistence priority in Alaska”;

NOW THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the delegates to the 2001 Biennial Assembly, meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, that we continue our historic support of justice for Alaska Natives and their right to a subsistence priority in Alaska; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska Christian Conference continue its support of the Alaska Federation of Natives in its efforts to promote justice for Alaska Natives, in part, by protecting their traditional hunting and fishing rights; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska Christian Conference encourage face-to-face meetings between the Alaska Federation of Natives and the National Council of Churches in order to create an alliance between these organizations to increase the understanding of the importance of subsistence hunting and fishing to the survival of Native cultures in Alaska; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that subsistence hunting and fishing of the Native Peoples of Alaska, a way of life and prayer, include: (1) the animals/fish giving themselves to the people as opposed to just killing/fishing of the animal/fish, (2) the distribution of the animal/fish among the hunter(s)/crew, (3) the disposal of the animal/fish of the hunt/gathering, (4) the celebration among the community because of the animal/fish feeding the community.

(See related resolutions adopted by earlier Biennial Assemblies)

Adopted this 10th day of March in the Year of Our Lord 2001.

_____________________________  _____________________________
Bishop Mark MacDonald, President  Phyllis Sullivan, Secretary Pro Tem