October 24, 2016/Volume 15, No. 17

Conference News

Hurricane Matthew Disaster Response

Hurricane Matthew has left several states with extensive damage. Each conference that has felt the impact is assessing and requesting various needs. Click here to find out specifics on how you can help post storm.

A Word from Bishop Graves: 2016 Missional Giving

We invite you to hear a word from Bishop David Graves about our progress with 2016 conference missional giving. Click here to watch video. Click here to read video transcript.

UMPH Names Jernigan to Board

(UMPH) – The Board of The United Methodist Publishing House (Cokesbury and Abingdon Press) met at its new Nashville headquarters building October 10-12 to organize for the 2017-2020 quadrennium. The Reverend Brian K. Milford was elected as the President & Publisher (CEO) and the new board began its work by selecting Justice Cornelia Clark as Chair, Reverend Thomas Salsgiver as Vice Chair, Reverend Sunyoung Lee as Secretary and Tammy Gaines as Treasurer. Rev. June Jernigan, Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Ministerial Services and member of FUMC Montgomery, Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference, will serve on the UMPH board as a member of the Finance and Operations Committee on the board’s Executive Committee. Full release here.

Around the Conference

Save the Date: Town Hall Meetings with Bishop Graves Announced

Bishop David Graves, Resident Bishop of the Alabama-West Florida Conference, will visit each district starting in January. He will meet with district leadership, clergy and laity over the course of the three-day period. More details, including location, are forthcoming. Below are the district dates:
January 8-10: Montgomery-Prattville District
January 22-24: Mobile District
January 29-31: Montgomery-Opelika District
February 12-14: Dothan District
February 26-28: Pensacola District
March 5-7: Marianna/Panama City District
March 26-28: Demopolis District
April 2-4: Baypines District

Guest Commentary: Dr. Jeff Wilson

In the summer of 1774, six months after the act of rebellion known as the Boston tea party, the British Parliament was dissolved and general elections were set to begin on October 5, 1774. In many ways, England was a divided nation. There was great disagreement, both moral and economic in nature, concerning the “American” problem. Closer to home, morale was low, and political radicalism was a growing threat in small pockets around the country. Many citizens saw the upcoming election as a potential turning point for their beloved England. Campaigning was fierce; tension was high. More here.

Missional Giving Year-end Deadline Information

The last day apportionment payments can be applied for the 2016 year is Monday, January 9, 2017. Payments must be received in the conference office by 3pm so they can be deposited before the close of business. Payments can also be deposited directly into the conference bank account at Regions Bank no later than 4pm on January 9, 2017. If a church wishes to do so, they need to call or e-mail the district offices of fiscal office staff so that they can provide you with the account information.

Huntingdon Honors Alumni for Achievement, Loyalty

Huntingdon College recently awarded several alumni for their achievement since graduation or loyalty to the College during the annual Alumni Awards Ceremony, Friday, October 7, at 5:00 p.m. in Ligon Chapel, Flowers Hall. Rev. Dave Barkalow, pastor of Ft. Walton Beach FUMC, was one of the honorees. Click here for full release.

Backpack Blessings Provides Weekend Meals for Ozark Children

(DothanFirst.com) - First United Methodist Church of Ozark is providing weekend meals for many children who do not know where their next meals will come from. More than 180 students at Lisenby Primary School are enrolled in the program. Click here for video.

Connectional News

Upcoming Clergy Benefits Academy Announced

Wespath Benefits & Investments has announced their upcoming Clergy Benefits Academy for all active clergy members of the United Methodist Church. The event is scheduled for February 6-8, 2017, in Pensacola, Florida. The Alabama-West Florida Conference Board of Pension & Health Benefits will not host the 2017 February Pre-retirement seminar so that the conference clergy members will be able to attend this event. Additional information on the event can be found on the Wespath website here. The Conference Board is encouraging all active members to attend.

Deacons: Bridging the Church and the World

(UMNS) - The Rev. Kimberly Lewis-Davis wears a police uniform more often than a pastor’s robes. The Rev. Barry Sharp was ordained by the church, but he works for the state. The Rev. Bruce Maxwell has served the same appointment nearly 25 years, pastoring a mostly itinerant flock. Sharp, Lewis-Davis and Maxwell are among the church’s 1,927 deacons, about 6 percent of its ordained U.S. clergy. While elders are called to lead congregations in ministry and mission, deacons are called to connect baptized Christians with their ministries in the world. Twenty years after the 1996 General Conference established the Order of Deacons, 44 percent of deacons report that their primary appointment is beyond the local church: They serve as teachers, lawyers, writers, church-growth consultants, nonprofit agency staff or any number of other professions. That’s a big change from 2000, when research showed 70 percent had their primary appointment to a church. Full feature here.

Resources

Advent Resources Now Available

In a local church and haven't yet selected an Advent study for 2016? Check out these updated resources! New to this year's list is "God is With Us" by our own Rev. Robin Wilson, senior pastor at Dauphin Way UMC, along with updated materials from Rethink Church. Click here for resources.

10 Things Great Preachers Do Differently

(Lewis Center) - The Rev. Charley Reeb, a United Methodist pastor in Florida, writes about the 10 things that distinguish great preachers from the simply good ones. The Lewis Center for Church Leadership shares his advice. Read commentary.

Got a Question? Ask the UMC

(UMC.org) — Ever wonder whether The United Methodist Church has an official Bible? Curious about the church’s global structure or certain phrases said each Sunday during service? Find answers to these questions and more with “Ask the UMC,” a new UMC.org feature inviting readers to submit questions about the denomination. Explore Ask the UMC.