December 19, 2016/Volume 15, No. 20

Conference News

Advent Greetings from Bishop and Mrs. Graves

Bishop and Mrs. David Graves would like to share an Advent message with the Alabama-West Florida Conference. Click here to view message or on the image below.

A Word from the Bishop: December 12, 2016

We invite you to hear a message from Bishop David Graves, Resident Bishop of the Alabama-West Florida Conference. Click on the image or here to view. Click here to read the written transcript. You may also listen to this message as an audio-only podcast by clicking here, by searching for "AWFUMC Podcasts" on iTunes or in your preferred podcast player. We invite you to subscribe to these podcasts.

Standing Rules Information and Deadline Announced

The Committee on Standing Rules has begun its work in preparation for the 2017 Annual Conference session, June 4-7, 2017, at Frazer Memorial UMC in Montgomery, AL. The committee will be reviewing proposed changes to the Conference Standing Rules. The current rules can be found on pp.16-29 of the 2016 Conference Journal; if you do not have a print copy of the Journal, you may view it on the conference website here. Please be aware of upcoming deadlines specified in our Standing Rules. Complete information here.

Rebuilt After Fire, Daleville Church Holds an Open House

(Dothan Eagle) - Rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm Sunday afternoon as Daleville First United Methodist Church held an open house at its new building. The previous structure on the corner of Daleville Avenue and Alabama Highway 134 was gutted by a suspicious fire on May 18, 2014. The case is still under investigation. The congregation held its first service in the new building on Nov. 27. The community was invited to an open house held a week later. Full story here.

Around the Conference

Simple Gifts: Prattville FUMC Blesses Seminary Students through Christmas Fundraiser

This classic poem by American Quaker poet John Greenleaf Whittier embodies the spirit of the United Methodist Women (UMW) of First United Methodist Church of Prattville, Ala. Each Christmas season since 2010 the women collectively produce and sell over 600 homemade cheeseballs to support seminarians. The proceeds from this annual sale are given in total to the Stegall Seminary Scholarship Foundation, which in six years has totaled gifts of over $23,000. The idea for the cheeseball fundraiser came from another local church, and inspired the UMW of Prattville FUMC to use such a project to fund gifts to missions. “We now sell four flavors of 10-ounce cheeseballs for $10 each: Hawaiian, Party, Blue, and Buffalo Chicken,” says Rita Brown, chair of the Cheeseball Committee since 2013. Full feature here.

Notes from the Fiscal Office: Connectional Giving and FLSA Update

(Frank Dunnewind) - We are halfway through Advent as I write this. While the end of the year is upon us, it’s not too late to share with you how we’re doing with apportioned connectional giving. The news is good! Through November our receipts exceed those received through November 2015 and are at the best level in several years. Thank you! Find your church’s connectional giving results as of November 30 at this link. Churches are listed alphabetically within your district. If something looks amiss, please contact Sharon Beasley at sharon@awfumc.org or by calling 888-873-3127. Full update here.

2017 AWFC Prayer and Resource Calendars

The 2017 AWFC Prayer and Resource Calendars are now available! For the second year, The Conference Town and Country Commission has published a resource designed to connect our churches and ministries together through prayer. It also has a listing of many conference resources available to your church. Featured pictures are from various conference ministries. Every church will be provided one free calendar that will be distributed through your district office. Additional copies are available for $5 each at www.awfumc.org/calendarreorder.

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.

Connectional News

Standing Up After Eastern Tennessee Fires

(UMNS) - Holston Conference leaders were grateful when the treasurer’s office announced the latest total of donations arriving for Sevier County wildfire relief: $31,485. The conference’s Annette Spence reports on how United Methodists are helping. Read story.

GBHEM Introduces a New Scholarship to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders

(GBHEM) - The Office of Loans and Scholarships at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) today announced the creation of a new scholarship that launches January 3, 2017, for students enrolled in United Methodist seminaries. The Excellence in Clergy Leadership Scholarship was created to help entering United Methodist clergy avoid excessive educational loan debt, minimize financial stress and build financial acumen. More here.

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.

Resources

ShareChurch Offers Sermon Series, Curriculum, Tips

(UMNS) — The Church of the Resurrection has developed a website to share resources aimed at helping renew local churches and expand ministries. The Kansas church is the U.S. United Methodist church with the highest attendance, with more than 20,000 members worshipping on four campuses. Resources include sermon series, curriculum for small groups and Sunday school classes, tips for preparing for mission trips and more. Read story.

UMCmarket: Shop, Save, AND Support This Holiday Season

(GCFA) - GCFA, along with our support partner Tribute, recently unveiled our new and improved www.umcmarket.org platform. We invite you to check out the newest platform for our most recent improvements to the user interface. At UMCmarket, United Methodist church members can shop, save, and support, all with the click of their mouse. More here.

Take the Advent and Christmas Quiz

(UMC.org) - So you think you know Advent? OK, is the season of Advent a fixed number of days like the 40 days of Lent or something else? Readers can test their knowledge of the season with this year’s quiz. Take quiz.