ALASKA
CONFERENCE // NEWS
PATHFINDERS MAKE HISTORY IN UTQIAGVIK
D
id you know Feb. 1 is National Baked Alaska Day? Instead of merely celebrating a sweet treat, the newly formed Utqiagvik Arctic Seventh-day Adventist Company, located in the northernmost town in the United States, made history. On this memorable day, the church Pathfinder club, the Arctic Foxes, had their first-ever induction ceremony, signaling the beginning of their first Pathfinder year. Last summer, right before the 2019 Oshkosh Pathfinder camporee in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, a Pathfinder group formed and held meetings and
about what it means to be a Pathfinder, inviting them to choose and join the “cloud of witnesses” Hebrews 12 speaks about and live as warriors of faith in their home and community. It was a moving moment to see each young person stand Utqiagvik’s Arctic Company’s first Pathfinders club, the Arctic Foxes, celebrate their first induction ceremony.
fundraisers, but they didn’t officially start a club. When February arrived, about 26 Pathfinder youth and staff, community children, and supporting church members gathered in the small church building to share in this special induction program. The
induction was led by director Posa Lalaga, who gave each of the eight Pathfinder youth and staff a distinct part in the ceremony. Toward the end of the service, pastor and area coordinator Celesta Babb shared a short message with the youth
WHERE ON EARTH? 2,000 MILES
66 DAYS
CLOUD CITY
Nearly 2,000 miles northwest of Seattle, Utqiagvik, Alaska, is home to the North Pacific Union’s northernmost Adventist church. Situated above the Arctic Circle on the Arctic Ocean, the village holds the distinction of being the northernmost settlement in the United States and the northernmost settlement on the North American mainland.
The sun sets on Nov. 18 or 19, and it remains below the horizon for about 66 days.
In addition to its low temperatures and polar night, Utqiagvik is one of the cloudiest places on Earth. Utqiagvik is completely overcast slightly more than 50% of the year. Peak cloudiness occurs in August and September when the ocean is ice-free. ANDREI TARANCHENKO
Arctic Foxes Pathfinders work on their baking honors.
in response to the appeal. The evening concluded with the song “Anywhere With Jesus,” after which pastor and area coordinator Zackery Babb closed the program with a prayer. Lalaga says, “We are all very excited about this Pathfinder year. Please keep our small group in prayer as we seek to reach and minister to the Native community of Utqiagvik and hopefully welcome some community youth into the club over the next couple of years.” Celesta Babb, Utqiagvik, Delta Junction and North Pole District pastor
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may/june 2020
