News from the Mobile District

This Week's News............................................................ May 17, 2018

Table of Contents:
Click here to find the current AWF NewsCONNECTION!
Special Alabama Primary Voting and Poll Information
More 2018 Annual Conference Details Announced
Christ UMC's Annual Farmers Market
New Hope UMC's Annual Chicken Dinner
Southeastern Jurisdiction Meeting of Lay Servant Ministries District and Conference Directors
Raise the Roof Expanding Service Opportunities
Taking The Next Steps
Job/Ministry Opportunities
District Events
Church Events
Conference Events

Click here to find the current AWF NewsCONNECTION!

Special Alabama Primary Voting and Poll Information

The 2018 Annual Conference session, June 3-6, 2018, falls during the Alabama Primary Elections. Election day is Tuesday, June 5, 2018. This is important for you to know for two reasons. First, if you are a member of the annual conference, spouse or visitor from the state of Alabama, we strongly encourage you to request an absentee ballot. More details about the absentee voting process, including deadlines, can be found in this document beginning on page nine. Complete voter information can be found here. This does not affect Florida voters as their primary is later this summer. Complete information here.

More 2018 Annual Conference Details Announced

We are quickly approaching the 2018 session of the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference. We are excited to see many of you soon. Click here to access a working agenda. Copies of the final agenda will be distributed at the doors of Wesley Hall prior to Monday's first business session.

The reservation system closes on May 21, 2018, at 2:00pm. After this date and time, the reservation system will be closed so that we can accurately report head counts to our host churches. Click here to make a reservation.

The 2018 Guide to Annual Conference has been published. It contains the bulletins for the Opening Worship Service and Memorial Service and overviews of the morning worship services. We continue to strive to be good stewards of our resources. Therefore, printed bulletins will not be produced for these services (family attending the Memorial Service will receive keepsake copies). The 2018 Book of Reports is available online. Hard copies will be available at the registration tables during annual conference.

The clergy session and laity session will be held Sunday evening following opening worship (please note the start time for opening worship). Clergy will report to Wesley Hall and laity may remain in the sanctuary. Registration will close during opening worship but will briefly reopen prior to these sessions to accommodate those who are not able to register prior to opening worship. It will close promptly at 8pm Sunday evening. Clergy need to have their name badge visible to enter the executive session.

This year's 2018 Annual Conference session falls during the Alabama Primary Elections. Election day is Tuesday, June 5, 2018. This is important for you to know for absentee balloting purposes and Frazer Memorial UMC is a polling location. Click here for more details.

Each morning (Monday-Wednesday) will begin with worship in Wesley Hall at 8:30am. Holy Communion will be served on Tuesday and Wednesday. Please plan to join your fellow clergy and laity for a special time of worship and reflection. This was a very meaningful part of last year's annual conference.

At the beginning of the Tuesday session in Wesley Hall, we are asking all clergy to find their local church lay members and sit with them by district. There will be a screen visual and pages to assist you in finding your district. If you are projected to receive a new appointment, please find your new church lay members. This will be important for our morning session with Julia Kuhn Wallace. Please note district sections have been reversed from last year.

Christ UMC's Annual Farmers Market

New Hope UMC's Annual Chicken Dinner

Southeastern Jurisdiction Meeting of Lay Servant Ministries District and Conference Directors

The 2018 annual meeting of the Southeastern Jurisdiction Association of Annual Conference and District Directors of Lay Servant Ministries will be held July 12-14, 2018, at First United Methodist Church, Montgomery, Alabama.

This event is open to ALL Lay Servants, Lay Speakers, Lay Ministers, and those that want to start in the program. There will be Basic and Advanced Courses offered during this three day event. We will also have a business meeting, and our worship will feature preaching by Bishop David Graves, resident Bishop of the Alabama-West Florida Conference.

Click here to register or Click here to find more information.

Raise the Roof Expanding Service Opportunities

Raise the Roof is expanding opportunities for adults to serve in the Mobile area. Registration is open to serve one or more days, June 19-23 and June 26-30. Raise the Roof Project is a construction ministry for the Oakdale area of Mobile. Email Jan at info@raisetheroofproject.org for more information.

Taking The Next Steps

Taking the Next Steps is a non-profit offering a free service that helps individuals and families make better decisions leading to financial stability. Click here to find more information.