Hands holding seedlings

 

Ḵunéix̱ Hídi Northern Light United Church coordinates church activities and ministries through the Church Council, elected committees, and ad hoc committees. The congregation elects Council and committee members annually. Council and committee meetings are open to everyone.

Church Council

The Church Council is made up of 12 elected members and the Pastor. The Council is responsible for conducting the administrative and financial business of the Church, establishing and implementing policies, and serving as the legal trustees of the church nonprofit organization. Our Church Council is the equivalent of a church session in the Presbyterian denomination and a board of trustees in the United Methodist denomination. The Council usually meets on the second Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m.

  • Jim Alter, Class of 2024
  • Susan Bus, Class of 2024
  • Sherrie Myers, Class of 2024
  • Maxine Richert, Class of 2024, Moderator
  • Laura Doogan, Class of 2025
  • Margaret MacKinnon, Class of 2025, Treasurer of KHNLUC
  • Linda McCargar, Class of 2025
  • Margaret Pugh, Class of 2025
  • Mary Becker, Class of 2026
  • Monica Buettel, Class of 2026
  • Karen Glass, Class of 2026
  • Marianne Mills, Class of 2026
  • Rev. Dr. Charles Ensminger, Pastor

 

Staff Parish Relations (SPRC)

The SPRC serves as the personnel committee and acts as a liaison between the congregation and the church staff. SPRC is responsible for managing and evaluating the performance of church clergy, in partnership with the Alaska Methodist Conference and Presbytery of the Northwest Coast. The SPRC usually meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m.

  • Pattie Adkisson, Class of 2024
  • Jeffrey Hartman, Class of 2024
  • Mary Borthwick, Class of 2025
  • Judith Morley, Class of 2025
  • Nico Bus, Class of 2026
  • Freda Westman, Class of 2026
  • Jean Ann Alter, Methodist Conference Commissioner
  • Maxine Richert, Presbyterian Commissioner
  • Rev. Dr. Charles Ensminger

 

Deacons

The Deacons minister to people in need who may be sick, friendless, or lost, both within the church membership and in the community. The Deacons are responsible for preparing the table and elements for Communion. The Deacons also provide support for celebrations and memorials at the Church. They usually meet on the fourth Sunday of the month after the worship service.

  • Carol Barril, Class of 2024
  • Karen Lipson, Class of 2024
  • Melody Millard, Class of 2024
  • Bruce Morley, Class of 2025
  • Anne Standerwick, Class of 2025
  • Elizabeth Wheeler, Class of 2025
  • Geoff Alter, Class of 2026
  • Hazel LeCount, Class of 2026
  • Peggy Metcalf, Class of 2026

 

Committee on Property Management (CPM)

The CPM is responsible for the regular maintenance of the church buildings and grounds, as well as developing the budget for building and ground maintenance and major capital needs. The CPM usually meets on the third Thursday of the month at 5 p.m.

  • Jane Ginter, Class of 2024
  • John Pivar, Class of 2024
  • Duff Mitchell, Class of 2025
  • Patsy Wright, Class of 2025
  • Karen Dillon, Class of 2026
  • Mike Story, Class of 2026

 

Social Justice and Service Committee (SJSC)

The SJSC oversees the Church’s ministries to promote social justice and equity, community service, and congregational engagement in the work of the Church. Current areas of focus include addressing food insecurity/hunger in Juneau, refugee support, prison ministry and supporting people returning to the community from incarceration. The SJSC usually meets the third Thursday of the month at noon.

  • Margaret Katzeek, Class of 2024
  • George Partlow, Class of 2024, Co-Chair
  • Sophia Pugh, Class of 2024
  • Kathleen Jensen, 2025
  • KJ Metcalf, Class of 2025, Co-Chair
  • Marion Gotschall, Class of 2026
  • Linda Miller, Class of 2026

 

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is led by the Church Treasurer and is composed of two elected representatives from the congregation and representatives from the Council and elected committees. It usually meets on the second Monday before the Council meeting.

  • Margaret MacKinnon, Treasuer

Native Ministries Committee

The Native Ministries Committee’s mission is to celebrate and share the ministry, healing, unity, diversity, music, and languages of Alaska’s First Peoples. Its membership is composed of Alaska Native church members and anyone else interested in the mission and activities of the committee. The Church supports the committee with designated financial resources directed by the Native Ministries Committee., and is also eligible to receive budgeted funds from NLUC. The mission of the Native Ministries Committee is “celebrating and sharing the ministry, healing, unity, diversity, music, and languages of Alaska’s First People.

  • Barbara Searls, Chair

 

Healing Task Force Members

The Healing Task Force is an ad hoc group established in 2021 to monitor and ensure the Church’s progress fulfilling the commitments made by the congregation as part of reparations for the racist closure of Memorial Presbyterian Church in Juneau. The Healing Task Force meets the fourth Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m.

  • Myra Munson, Co-Chair
  • Talia Eames
  • Madeline Germain
  • Jane Ginter
  • Kelly Henriksen
  • Marianne Mills
  • George Partlow
  • Maxine Richert

 

Community of Christian Women (CCW)

The CCW is open to anyone interested in participating, The CCW focus in on philanthropy and fellowship. CCW members organize and host an annual holiday bazaar to raise funds which are distributed to charitable causes in Juneau and Alaska. The CCW meets as needed (meetings are posted on the church Calendar).

  • Carol Barril, Co-president
  • Patsy Wright, Secretary
  • Karen Dillon, Treasurer

 

Endowment and Investment Committee

The Endowment and Investment Committee was established to provide expert advice and guidance to the Finance Committee and Church Council in the management of the Church’s financial resources.

  • Alan Akiyama, Class of 2025
  • Margaret MacKinnon, Treasurer
  • Rev. Dr. Charles Ensminger

 

Nominating Committee 2023

The Nominating Committee is elected by the congregation annually. It meets as needed to identify candidates for service on elected committees.

  • Jean Ann Alter
  • Jane Ginter
  • George Partlow
  • Barbara Searls
  • Andi Story
  • Rev. Dr. Charles Ensminger

 

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee is responsible for maintaining the church rolls and the church directory, as well as helping to welcome new members and participants in church life. The Membership Committee meets as needed.

  • Jane Ginter, Membership Secretary
  • Nico Bus
  • Marianne Mills
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