“Look! I’m doing a new thing!”: New Life at Turnagain UMC

It’s definitely feeling like Easter here at Turnagain UMC in Anchorage, Alaska! The past few years have been tumultuous for United Methodists marked by denominational strife, shrinking numbers, and a global pandemic, all while striving to remain faithful disciples. But this Eastertide feels like a new beginning for us. We’re a small congregation with a big calling, and last year our Church Council made the bold decision to ask for a full-time pastoral appointment, after Pastor Bob Smith retired from many years of faithful part-time service. We knew that to meet our mission and ministry goals we needed the support of a full-time pastor. Well before it was announced that Pastor Nico Reijns would be sent to TUMC, we got to work reenergizing and reorganizing our committees and leadership, preparing the way for the work ahead.

With Pastor Nico joining us and supporting our dreams, vision, and priorities, we set out to launch TUMC’s first (and successful!) stewardship campaign in many years, creating fertile soil from which our ministries can spring. We’ve made improvements to the property to make it more welcoming to guests, community partners, and members. We’re strengthening lay leadership by inviting more people and diverse voices to the table, and making sure they’re equipped for the task. Alongside this structural work, we've also deepened our spiritual offerings.

For the first time in years we’ve had regular Christian formation opportunities including a study on the Social Principles, partnering with St. John UMC to offer confirmation for our youth, and piloting a new program, TUMC Foundations, to offer newcomers (and others interested) a refresher on our church. Foundations covers UMC history, polity, Wesleyan theology, and personal spiritual practices, plus an introduction to TUMC ministries and what it means to be Reconciling. Co-facilitated by me and Pastor Nico, Foundations invited a diverse cast of lay people to participate in the course design and instruction. I think the instructors got just as much out of the course as our participants did!  

Sometimes our efforts in ministry take generations to bloom and sometimes, if you’re lucky, you get to witness the harvest. The 2nd Sunday of Easter, this small church welcomed seven new members including one confirmed youth, and on the 4th Sunday of Easter we welcomed four new members. For us, that’s a major milestone. It’s a sign that growth and transformation are not just possible, they’re happening. Week after week, our Young Disciples time and Sunday School are bursting at the seams, we’re welcoming new people as our sanctuary is feeling fuller and fuller, and we’ve started monthly community engagement events. I’ve never been more hopeful for our future or more blessed to be a part of this resurrection story.

Tyler Watson

Lay Leader

Turnagain United Methodist Church

Some of our new members who joined TUMC on April 27, 2025