The following is a roundup of upcoming events, presentations and opportunities to engage Alaska’s culture for the common good.
MAT-SU RESIDENTS TO PRAY FOR MAYOR
The annual Mat-Su Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast honors elected officials with the support of local pastors and other leaders. The next prayer breakfast takes place Nov. 23 at Sunrise Grill in Palmer. Prayers will be offered at 7:30 a.m. and the program begins at 8 a.m. Alaska’s Commissioner of Administration Kelly Tshibaka will be the featured speaker. Her husband, Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Education Niki Tshibaka, will also be attending. The Tshibakas are both ordained ministers who planted a church in the Washington, D.C.
HOMELESS SHELTER NEEDS DONATIONS
The Brother Francis Shelter in Anchorage needs donations of socks (new or gently used), clothing and hand warmers. Donations can be dropped off at Brother Francis Shelter, 1021 E 3rd Avenue.
FREE THANKSGIVING MEALS IN ANCHORAGE
The annual Thanksgiving Blessings will be held Nov. 25 at St. Patrick Church on Muldoon Road in Anchorage. Last year the all-day outreach provided more than 1,400 families with food to make a Thanksgiving meal. Canned goods can be dropped off at St. Patrick Church. Donations can be made to the Food Bank of Alaska and designated for St. Patrick’s. Go to foodbankofalaska.org to donate. Click on “Give Now” at the top of the page or “Donate” at the bottom. After filling out the “Type of donation” section, check the box for “Thanksgiving Blessing” and then fill in “Saint Patrick’s” in the box.
FREE THANKSGIVING DINNERS IN MAT-SU
Frontline Mission, a nonprofit Christian outreach in Wasilla, will hold its annual Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Curtis D Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla. Last year the outreach provided 1500 Thanksgiving meals, along with boxes of clothing and gifts to Valley residents in need.
The humanitarian agency partners with organizations, churches, businesses and individuals to provide emergency relief food to the homeless, and otherwise less fortunate. At Frontline Mission, families in need are able to receive a free box of groceries each Thursday from 10:30 a.m. -12:45 p.m. Hot meals are served on Wednesdays at 6 pm, as well as on Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Additionally, the outreach distributes free clothing each Thursday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and it provides free showers and laundry services on Thursday from 10:30-12:45 p.m. For more information, call (907) 357-8600 or visit them online. https://www.frontlinemission.org/?fbclid=IwAR1cgcQPO2-3mU2Jh9krc3U1Ki2z6nEbyPN0G8xmgayJGW6SCnrdwqXGQaQ
‘OUR FATHER’ PRAYER IS ANSWER TO IDENTITY CRISIS
In a culture consumed by a crisis of identity, it is necessary to remember the words of the one prayer Jesus gave to the world – “The Our Father.” On Tuesday, Dec. 10, Deacon Kevin Klump, of St. Michael Church in Palmer, will deliver a presentation in Anchorage that looks at a prayer which reveals the source of mankind’s supernatural dignity — that they are made sharers in the Divine sonship of Jesus himself. The talk will look at why “no prayer is more pleasing to God; no prayer more powerful against temptation; no prayer more ready to raise up the sinner.” Hosted by the Anchorage chapter of Catholics United for the Faith, the event is free and open to the public. It will take place Tuesday, Dec. 10, in the upper room banquet hall at Gallo’s Mexican Restaurant in Anchorage (8615 Old Seward Hwy.). The talk begins at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. for those who wish to order food and drinks. The evening will include a 45-minute presentation, followed by a question and answer session until 8:30 p.m.
FOSTERING ‘REASONABLE FAITH’
Reasonable Faith Anchorage is a group that wishes to interact with, challenge, and grow together in the knowledge of God and defend the Christian worldview. Inspired by the idea that all Christians should be ready to give an intelligent reason for their faith, the group seeks to study the Christian faith, and at times other worldviews, through the lenses of science, philosophy, biology and history.
Reasonable Faith meets in Anchorage on the second Thursday of each month, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm., at Coffee and Communitas (12100 Old Seward Highway). All who seek out the truth, specifically the truth of Christianity, are invited to join in the collegial and cordial academic discussions. This includes Christians, agnostics, atheists, and those of other religions. For more information, visit the group’s Facebook Page or send an email to chris.gonzales@reasonablefaith.org.
ABORTION OUTREACH OFFERS HEALING
Project Rachel is a confidential support group for post-abortive women and others who have been impacted by abortion. This ministry of the Archdiocese of Anchorage is open to all faith backgrounds and is free and open to the public. For more information, call the group’s confidential phone line at 297-7781 or toll-free (866) 434-3344.
