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 You can view Gordon’s service by clicking here 

Dr. Gordon L. Pullar, age 78, of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away on April 18, 2022, after a long illness.
His loving family was by his side.

Gordon was born in 1944, in Bellingham, Washington to Gordon R. Pullar and Olga Rossing. He attended Bellingham High School (class of ’62) and Western Washington State College (now WWU), earning a BA in Sociology and Anthropology in 1973. After many years working as a machine operator at the Georgia-Pacific paper mill, Gordon embarked on a life-changing journey to connect with his Sugpiaq Alaska Native identity and culture. He earned an MPA in Tribal Administration from the University of Washington in 1983 and moved to Kodiak, Alaska at the urging of his maternal uncle Karl Armstrong, Jr. In Alaska, Gordon began his involvement with tribal self-determination, artifact repatriation and cultural revitalization efforts that would extend over four decades and leave a lasting impact and legacy. He served six years as President and CEO of the Kodiak Area Native Association, completed a PhD in 1997 in Organizational and International Studies, and worked for the University of Alaska at Fairbanks for over 20 years, retiring in 2014 as an Associate Professor Emeritus of Rural Development. In all of Gordon’s many accomplishments, perhaps his greatest professional fulfillment came from mentoring students, who often kept in touch with him as they embarked on their own careers.

Gordon was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He is survived by his wife Flossie, son Greg (Janice) of Bellingham, WA, daughter Tracy (Craig) of Vallejo, CA, son Gordon, Jr. (Diana) of Anchorage, grandson Gordon, III of Anchorage, stepdaughter Chris (Jody) and step-grandchildren Jesse and Sarah of Anchorage, Skylar and Teryn of Colorado Springs, and brother Robert LaPlante of Arlington, WA.
Gordon often referred to Flossie as his “beautiful bride.” They married in 2014 and their time together was very special to him. As a father, he enjoyed spending time with his three adult children and traveled with them to Mexico in 2009 and Hawaii in 2012. He was overjoyed in 2017 when his grandson Gordy, III was born and was a doting grandfather (Aapa). Gordon loved to travel and was able to enjoy a final international trip to Iceland, France and Italy with Flossie and friends in 2019.
A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. on May 5th at the First Presbyterian Church of Anchorage; 616 W 10th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to one of the following organizations in memory of Gordon Pullar: Alutiiq Museum, 215 Mission Road, 1st Floor, Kodiak, AK 99615, alutiiqmuseum.org/give/donations; or Koniag Educational Foundation, 4141 B St., Suite 201, Anchorage, AK 99503, https:kef.networkforgood.com/projects/68300-supporting-the-next-generation.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on our castle adventure!!

Click the link below to watch our VBS video that we shared with the families on Friday.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AC4qzxzlwlrMxAWsQHW8Cql_jVJpxLSp/view?usp=sharing

MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

Supporting Afghan Refugees  – Bicycles Needed!

FPC is partnering with Catholic Social Services RAIS (Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services)

to provide support for the Afghan refugees as requests arise.  RAIS is currently looking for bicycles to give to the children and parents at an event that is being planned for April 27. Providence Hospital will also be present to distribute helmets and teach about bicycle safety.  Donated bikes can be dropped off at the RAIS Welcome Center (4135 San Roberto Ave) on Tuesday, April 26 or Wednesday, April 27 from 8 am – 4 pm.   The following are welcome: tricycles for toddlers, kids bikes, adult bikes and bike locks.   Please do not bring any bikes that need to be repaired as the children will not be able to fix the bikes.

Supporting Families transitioning to permanent housing

First Presbyterian continues to support families who are without permanent housing by partnering with NeighborWorks and providing support to one of the families that is currently living in a hotel with the hope of getting into permanent housing within 90 days.  We currently are supporting a mother and her two daughters; ages 13 and 14.    We deliver a hot meal every Thursday and often a weekly gift basket with items the family could use. When the family gets permanent housing we will have an opportunity to help the family by donating furniture and household items for their home.  Please contact Danna Larson (dllsitka@gmail.com) if you have furniture or household items to donate or would like to provide a meal.  Donations for the gift basket can be left in the designated basket at the church.

Food Bank of Alaska and F.I.S.H.

We continue to accept donations of non-perishable food items for the Food Bank of Alaska and F.I.S.H. (Fellowship in Serving Humanity).  We provide 60 pounds of pasta each month to F.I.S.H. as well as empty egg cartons, plastic grocery bags and paper grocery bags.  The youth have begun volunteering at F.I.S.H. regularly to support this ministry.  

Matthew 25 Initiatives As a Matthew 25 congregation we are called to actively engage in the world around us, so our faith becomes alive as we act boldly and compassionately to serve people who are hungry, oppressed, imprisoned or poor.  Thank you for the many ways you have given generously and written cards to support our Matthew 25 Initiatives. This fall the mission committee is planning a series of gatherings to address systemic racism.  We plan to use a video series created by Native Movement (www.nativemovement.org) called “Untangling Colonialism – Building a Decolonizing Framework”.   We will offer a variety of small groups settings to view the videos and engage in discussion.   Watch for more details about this learning opportunity in August.  

SUPPORT OUR DEACON MINISTRY

The Deacon’s regularly deliver Goodie Bags to those in our congregation who are homebound or enjoy having visits from our church community.  We will be delivering about 20 bags during the week of April 10-15 for Easter.  If you or your family would like to help deliver a bag and spend about 30 minutes visiting with one of our members please contact George Ellis (907 382-8776), deacon moderator, or Danna Larson for more details.   

Wednesday, March 2nd

Dear Friends,

Today we begin the season of Lent; the 46 days from Ash Wednesday until Easter.  Lent has traditionally been a time for prayer, fasting, and giving but it can also be a time to take on a spiritual practice that helps you grow in your faith.   We at FPC will be having our Ash Wednesday remembrance this Sunday (March 6) instead of doing a worship service tonight at the church.  I hope many of you will come and be a part of our Lent experiences.

There are many ways to honor Lent.  Check out the following faith formation resources and the deacon and mission opportunities.  We know you won’t be able to do everything!  Pick out what works for you or your family.  Sometimes doing less is better!   

You will also find written copies of these resources at the church.  Contact Danna Larson if you need help with any of the resources.

ADULT AND YOUTH DEVOTIONALS

When Did We See You? –  A Matthew 25 Lenten Experience

This adult Lent devotional supports our work as a Matthew 25 congregation.  Use this devotional to pause and ponder what it means to live for Jesus.  Besides focusing on one of the “I was..” statements each week it includes a weekly spiritual practice, a soup recipe, and videos of Matthew 25 congregations living out their faith.  You can pick up a hard copy at the church, download it on the PC USA webpage at: https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/today/2022lent/, or read below.

Youth Lent Devotions

Check out d365.org.  The theme for Lent is “Journey to the Cross.”  These short on-line devotions provide an opportunity for you to pause, listen, think, pray, and go.   Many adults also use this resource! Below is today’s devotion.

Faithful Families:  Lent + Easter Reflections

You may want to use this devotional booklet for Lent if you are not using the resources in the Lent Family Take Home Bag.. This book contains one meditation and one faith practice per week for your family to focus on.  The reflections begin on Ash Wednesday and continue through Pentecost.  It works for families of all ages!

FAMILY FAITH FORMATION 

Faithful Families for Lent, Easter & Resurrection

This book is full of simple ways to experience the season of Lent.  FPC is sharing this book with our families as a resource you can use for many years to help you develop meaningful faith practices during Lent. 

Lent Family Take Home Bag

Pick up a Lent Bag from the church if one was not delivered to your home. This bag includes resources to help your family grow in one’s faith during Lent.

Growing in God’s Love: Last Things – Family Faith Formation Zoom Gathering

This is the resource we will be using for our Family Faith Formation Fellowship which meets on Sundays via zoom from 10:30-10:45 am.   It is in the Lent Family Take Home Bag.  

Join us on Sundays via zoom. Contact Danna for the link.

Color the Alleluia Butterfly!

Spend some time during Lent coloring a butterfly.  You will find one in your Lent Family Take Home Bag and and at the Lenten table at the church. Bring your colored butterfly to the church on Palm Sunday (April 10) and we will use it to decorate for Easter Sunday! Send a message to the front desk. We’ll email you a Butterfly to print out.

ADULT EDUCATION OFFERING: PAUSES FOR LENT

Join others on Sundays at 9:30 in fellowship hall. Using the book  “Pauses for Lent,” participants will focus on a single word each day during Lent. The book includes a brief devotional and a prayer.  The class will spend time sharing how the words have helped us grow in one’s faith and become closer to God.  Books are available in the church office for a donation of $9.00.

SAVE THE DATE –  INTERGENERATIONAL HOLY WEEK EVENT 

All are invited to join us at First Presbyterian Church on Sunday, April 10 at 1 pm for a Holy Week Experience. This family friendly event will provide opportunities for all of us to be together (either outside or inside depending on COVID) and participate in activities centered around the events of Holy Week.  More details to follow.

If you have questions about any of the items in this email, please feel free to contact:

Margaret Young (CE Chair): mblabey@gmail.com

Danna Larson (Director of Faith Formation)

                dllsitka@gmail.com or 907 538-7313

I leave you with this Lent Prayer from jesuitresource.org:

       Invite Us Deeper

Almighty and ever living God,

you invite us deeper into your world, your people,  your Lent.

May this time be one of outward focus;

seeking you in those we often ignore.

Help us live a Lent focused on freedom, generosity, and encounter.

Give us hearts hungry to serve you

and those who need what we have to give.

AMEN.

Blessings to each of you this Lenten Season,

Danna Larson