In 2018, the Leadership Team of the Alaska Conference voted unanimously to grant $5,000 from these funds to the Alaska Innocence Project, an Alaska-based non-profit corporation that provides legal, educational, and charitable services to identify and exonerate individuals who have been wrongfully convicted in the state of Alaska, and to provide educational opportunities that foster a culture that champions the defense of the innocent.
Your gifts on Peace with Justice Sunday enables The United Methodist Church to have a voice in advocating for peace and justice through a broad spectrum of global programs.
The Alaska Innocence Project's most famous case to date was the Fairbanks Four. In 1997, four native teens were falsely accused and convicted of a crime they did not commit. After 18 years of imprisonment, the Alaska Innocence Project working on their behalf helped to free these wrongly imprisoned men.
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| "Over a year, Marvin Roberts, Kevin Pease, George Frese and Eugene Vent were exonerated. They were released from the grips of the Alaska Department of Corrections and the charges against them were dismissed. After eighteen long years they were free, and for the first time ever rode together in a vehicle. This is an anniversary to truly celebrate for those four young men, their families and supporters and for justice in Alaska. Great to have you with us, guys." Courtesy Photo. |
The Alaska Innocence Project currently has four cases filed, and 90 cases in investigation and review. It is difficult work, but as Jesus declared in his reading from the scroll of Isaiah: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18-19 NRSV
Because of your generosity as Alaska United Methodists, we are able to partner with organizations like the Alaska Innocence Project to bring about Peace with Justice right here in Alaska. Thank you for your generous support of this year's Peace with Justice offering on May 27, 2018.
Peace with Justice Sunday is one of six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings of The United Methodist Church. Peace with Justice Sunday enables The United Methodist Church to have a voice in advocating for peace and justice through a broad spectrum of global programs.
Typically received on the First Sunday after Pentecost (May 27 of this year), these funds are split 50/50, with half going to General Board of Church and Society as grant funds, and the other half retained for Peace with Justice work in the Annual Conference.
Alaska Annual Conference newsletter
One of six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings of The United Methodist Church, Peace with Justice Sunday enables The United Methodist Church to have a voice in advocating for peace and justice through a broad spectrum of global programs. The special offering benefits peace with justice ministries in the annual conference and through the General Board of Church and Society.
When you give generously on Peace with Justice Sunday, you give The United Methodist Church a voice in advocating for global peace and justice. Give now.
