May 1, 2018/Volume 17, No. 8

Conference News

Krejcar Named as Alabama-West Florida Conference Treasurer and Director of Administration

The Alabama-West Florida Conference Council on Finance & Administration is pleased to announce the new Treasurer and Director of Administration. Suzanne Krejcar will begin her service to the conference on July 1, 2018. She is currently the Director of Finance at REHAU Automotive in Cullman, AL. Her experience is in financial operations and includes internal controls structure, result and cash flow reporting, budget forecasting and third party processes. Full release here.

Remember

(Bishop David Graves for the Montgomery Advertiser) - On April 26th the National Memorial for Peace and Justice opened to the public here in Montgomery, AL. The memorial consists of 805 engraved columns, a county-by-county listing of the names and dates of death of the victims of racially motivated lynchings in the United States. There have been over 4,400 names recorded and research continues with more to be memorialized. These are not just names, but real people who suffered at the hands of white antagonists. When I read of the atrocities inflicted on black people, and those who stood beside their black brothers and sisters, I can only read so much, put it down, and then later return to the heartbreaking stories. For me, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice moves, and perhaps forces us, to remember these acts of hate and violence. Full commentary here.

Around the Conference

Nest Builders: Lynn Haven UMC throws its arms around foster and adoptive families

(Kari Barlow for AWF Conference) - Lynn Haven United Methodist Church has launched a new ministry to support the men and women in its congregation who have stepped up to care for the most vulnerable children in Bay County and beyond. Nest Builders—the brainchild of Katie Fanning, director of missions at Lynn Haven UMC—targets foster and adoptive parents with the goal of surrounding these special families with hands-on love and encouragement. “We really wanted people to know they are not alone,” she says. “Parenting is unique when you’re parenting children from hard places. … Children who are coming into foster care, it’s so traumatic.” Complete feature here.

More 2018 Annual Conference Details Announced

Annual Conference 2018 will be held June 3-6 at Frazer Memorial UMC in Montgomery. Our theme is, “Imagine A Church That's the Hope of the World” based on Ephesians 1:18-19. The missional offering will go to Communities of Transformation, a ministry that was launched out of the Alabama-West Florida Conference in 2011. Bishop James Swanson will be our visiting bishop for the opening worship service and Julia Kuhn-Wallace will join us on Tuesday. Rev. June Jernigan will deliver the sermon for the Memorial Service. Rev. German Gomez, Rev. Sheila Bates and Rev. Olivia Poole will preach at the three morning worship services. New links have been added below and will provide you with more information. A comprehensive email with details can be found here.
Working Agenda
Reservations
Missional Offering Bulletin Insert and Video
Display Table Application
Youth Page Application
Childcare Reservations
Special Meal & Room Request
Hotel Information
Mass Choir
Nominate someone for an Annual Conference Award
Clergy and Lay Member Preparation
Laity Banquet
UMCOR Kit Collection (new for 2018, district kit content assignments)

Fountain of Love Offering Focuses On Mother’s Day

(MHA) - As we approach Mother’s Day, it is our hope that your church will celebrate mothers through the taking of a Mother’s Day Offering for the Fountain of Love. The Fountain of Love Fund provides financial assistance to older adults living in a Methodist Home retirement community who find that they can no longer pay for their entire care. Because of the support of the Alabama-West Florida Conference and its churches, no resident has ever been asked to leave a Methodist Home due to their inability to pay. Free offering materials, including a flyer with a special support letter from Bishop David Graves, are available for ordering now on our website. Though our emphasis is on Mother’s Day, offerings and speaker requests are honored throughout the year. It is through the Fountain of Love Fund that needy residents of a Methodist Homes are able to continue living in the place that they call “home.” More here.

Connectional News

UMC Bishops to act on three major issues at the Chicago meeting

(COB) - The Bishops of The United Methodist Church will meet in Chicago from April 29-May 4 to celebrate leadership through the passing of the gavel, certify constitutional amendments and finalize their recommendations to the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference. The April/May meeting of the Council of Bishops will also hear leadership reports regarding immigration, ecumenical relations, racism, disaster relief and other mission and ministry work around the global denomination. “As leaders of the church who are given the mandate to provide oversight to the global denomination, we take our responsibilities seriously and we are diligently working to provide leadership at this critical time in the life of The United Methodist Church,” outgoing COB President Bishop Bruce R. Ough said. More here.

UMC Bishops Mourn Former First Lady Barbara Bush

(COB) - The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church is mourning the death of former First Lady of the United States, Mrs. Barbara Bush. Mrs. Bush is the wife of the 41st President, George H. W. Bush, and mother of the 43rd President, George W. Bush. Mrs. Bush died April 17 and her memorial was Saturday, April 21, 2018. In a letter sent to President George H. W. Bush, COB President Bishop Bruce. R. Ough said the UMC bishops were praying that God’s comforting arms will encompass the Bush family. “So, today we ask God to shower you with immeasurable love that will sustain and comfort you as you celebrate the life of an amazing woman that transformed the lives of many and leaves a legacy that will continue to live in the hearts and minds of those who loved her most,” Bishop Ough said. The full letter sent to the Bush family can be read here.

Pages, Marshals Sought for Special GC2019

(UMNS) - Volunteers can apply online to serve as marshals or pages during the special 2019 General Conference. The top legislative assembly of The United Methodist Church will meet Feb. 23-26 in St. Louis, Missouri. About 150 volunteers are needed. The deadline to apply is July 31.Read press release. Apply online.

Local Church Resources

4 Traps for Clergy When Moving to a New Congregation

(Lewis Center) - In a recent conversation, a minister asked me what I thought were the major traps that most often snared ministers when they moved to a new congregation. Great question! Healthy churches and ministers pay attention to potential trouble spots and act in a proactive way to avoid getting derailed early in the new relationship. More here.

Books that make great gifts for moms, dads, and grads

(Umc.org) - For United Methodists seeking to find just the right book to give the moms, dads, and grads in their lives, our friends at the United Methodist Publishing House and Abingdon Press have some wonderful suggestions. More here.