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February 4, 2019/Volume 18, No. 2

Conference News

Florida churches raise over $1.5 million for Michael relief

(Florida Conference UMC) - Inspired by a matching funds challenge of $500,000 from First UMC Ormond Beach, Florida Conference churches raised over $1 million for Hurricane Michael relief for the Alabama-West Florida Conference. A total of $1,533,096 was donated to their recovery. Bishop David Graves of the Alabama-West Florida Conference said the money will ease suffering so many continue to endure after the hurricane. “I extend my deepest gratitude to each person who made financial donations on our behalf,” he said. “Please know how much I appreciate each of you. You have shown what it is to be not only be United Methodists, but also the hands and feet of Christ.” “First United is honored to be on mission together with you in helping our neighbors in the Panhandle discover hope,” Pastor Scott Smith of FUMC Ormond Beach said. “When we come together and unite in a common effort, great things happen for the Kingdom.”

Initial 2019 Annual Conference Details Announced

Annual Conference 2019 will be held June 2-5 at Frazer Memorial UMC in Montgomery. Our theme is, “This We Proclaim” based on 1 John 1:1. The missional offering will go to Teaming with Tanzania, which was established to develop a long-term partnership between the Alabama-West Florida Conference and the United Methodist Church of Tanzania. Click on the below links for more information. 
Pre-conference Briefing Information
Hotel Information
Biometric Health Screening
Resolutions Submission Deadline
Laity Delegate Information for GC 2020
Laity Delegate Profile Form for GC 2020
Submit entries for the Book of Reports to Sarah McWilliams
UMCOR Kit Collection

Seminar on Racial and Economic Justice Educates Conference on Past and Present Issues

The AWF Board of Church and Society held a Seminar on Racial and Economic Justice to bring awareness to current and past injustices. The seminar welcomed Gabrielle Daniel, a Racial Justice Fellow with Equal Justice Initiative (EJI); Evan Milligan, an EJI Law Fellow; and Rev. John Brooks, Director of Multicultural Ministries in the AWF Conference. Daniels and Milligan shared a presentation focusing on the historical legacy of racial and economic injustice in our nation and state and encouraged and empowered attendees to use their voice and work towards trust, equity, and justice within our communities today. Rev. Brooks spoke about actions that the UMC and the AWF conference are doing to begin to work toward justice in these areas. Sixty-five people were in attendance the event at Frazer Memorial UMC on Monday, January 28, 2019, and over 200 people watched by live stream. An additional 400 people have viewed the seminar online. The recording will be available soon to view. More here

General Conference 2019 Information Available

The Council of Bishops has called a Special Session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church to be held February 23-26, 2019, in St. Louis, Missouri. The purpose will be to receive and act on a report from the Commission on a Way Forward based on the recommendations of the Council of Bishops. A dedicated page on the conference Website will be frequently updated as information is available. Click here for more

Around the Conference

Think about it ... social media exposes whatever is in your heart

(Bishop David Graves for The Montgomery Advertiser) - My seminary professor of preaching was Dr. Fred Craddock who said, “The longest journey any of us will ever make is from the head to the heart.” Think about that for a moment. Often what we communicate comes more from our head and from emotions that leave the heart far behind. It is no secret we live in a world dominated by social media. Social media has many good qualities and I’ve seen first-hand positive action come from it. There are countless stories of inspiration, families and friends that are reunited after many years, upcoming events that are well worth our time, and precious pictures that warm our hearts. Yet, we’ve also witnessed the dark side of social media that tears people down, hurts them, and leaves a trail of woundedness. People of all ages feel they are never worthy enough comparing themselves to people they’ve never met. We see the division it creates in politics, personal relationships, and even in our churches. Think about it. More here

Tanzania Donation for Hurricane Michael Signifies UMC Partnership

A gathering of Tanzania Annual Conference leadership and the Mwanza District churches collected $100 at a joint worship service for hurricane relief efforts. Although the conference has received donations over a million dollars, this donation might be one of the most special ones as it signifies a partnership between AWFUMC and the people of Tanzania. Bishop Graves, Susan Hunt, Jeb Hunt and other conference leaders have been vital in establishing this relationship. Pictured above: Masudi Mbombozi, Lumala UMC lay leader, praying over the offering. Photo courtesy of Eric Soard

Save the Date: Post General Conference Regional Meetings

Please save the date for a post 2019 general conference regional meeting in your area. Bishop David Graves and AWF conference leadership are inviting all clergy and laity to join them for an overview of the called session and a question and answer time. The dates and locations are below.
Thursday, March 7, 2019, at Montgomery FUMC
Saturday, March 9, 2019, at Covenant UMC in Dothan, AL
Sunday, March 10 2019, at Christ UMC in Mobile, AL
There will also be a clergy gathering on Monday, March 11, 2019, at Christ UMC in Mobile, AL, from 10am-2pm. All clergy are invited. If you plan to attend this clergy gathering, please register here

2019 Annual Conference Pre-conference Briefing Dates Announced 

The Alabama-West Florida Conference will hold seven pre-annual conference briefings for clergy and lay members to annual conference. These meetings will be under the direction of Rev. Ashley Davis, AWF Director of Connectional Ministries and Conference Secretary. Rev. Davis will review the highlights of the agenda, discuss 2020 General Conference delegate voting procedures and answer any questions related to annual conference. Each briefing will last no more than 90 minutes. If you are a clergy or lay member to annual conference, please plan to attend. If a reserve delegate is attending for you, please make sure they are aware of this briefing. You may attend any briefing that works with your schedule. Click here for more

Resources

Lenten Resources now available 

Ash Wednesday is weeks away. Still need a Lenten Resource? We have an updated list for 2019 and several selections have an immediate download option. Click here for more

50 Ways to Increase Worship Attendance

(Lewis Center) - Vital worship strengthens other areas of ministry by inspiring faith, building community, and connecting people to the congregation’s mission. Because worship is at the center of congregational life, strong attendance is more than a number. It is a vital sign. More here

Scholarships available for ecumenical training

The Council of Bishops is offering up to six partial scholarships for young adults and seminary students participating in the 2019 United Methodist Ecumenical and Interreligious Training in the U.S. The training will be April 1-4 in conjunction with the National Workshop on Christian Unity. To obtain a scholarship application, email the Rev. Jean Hawxhurst at jhawxhurst@umc-cob.org. More here

Events

Preaching like Wesleyans, February 5

Confident Parenting Conference, February 8-9

Alabama-West Florida United Methodist Women Annual Day, February 15-16

UMVIM Mission Team Leader Training, February 16

Early Response Team (ERT) Training, February 16

UMVIM Mission Team Leader Training, February 16

Means of Grace | Day Apart for Spiritual Formation (7th Session), February 16

Boy Scout Ski Retreat, February 22-24

ERT Re-certification and Assessment Training, February 23

Early Response Team (ERT) Training, February 23

Early Response Team (ERT) Training, March 2

General Conference 2019 Overview Meeting, March 7

Bishop's Confirmation Retreat, March 8-10

General Conference 2019 Overview Meeting, March 9

Marriage Enrichment Retreat, March 10-12

General Conference 2019 Overview Meeting, March 10

Post General Conference Clergy Gathering, March 11

2019 Legislative Prayer Breakfast, March 14

Pensacola District Lay Servant Ministries Training, March 16

Guided Personal Retreat, March 18-20

Game Changing Generosity - Webinar, March 21

Pensacola District Lay Servant Ministries Training, March 23

Blue Lake Christian Writers Retreat, March 27-30

Early Response Team (ERT) Training, March 30

Demopolis District Annual Conference Briefing, March 31

 

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