March 25, 2019/Volume 18, No. 4

Conference News

Bishop Announces District Cabinet Appointments

Bishop David Graves is pleased to announce two projected district cabinet appointments. Rev. Jean Tippit will serve as the Baypines District Superintendent and Dr. Ed Glaize will serve as the Dothan District Superintendent. Dr. Darren McClellan, current Baypines District Superintendent, and Rev. Sara Shaver, current Dothan District Superintendent, will receive appointments into a local church. The aforementioned appointments are effective July 1, 2019. Full release here.

Pierce Named Director of Lee County United Methodist Disaster Response

Rev. Lisa Pierce, current Director of Alabama Rural Ministry (ARM), has been named as the Lee County United Methodist Disaster Response Director. Pierce is an ordained deacon in the conference and has served as the ARM director since 2013. “This was an obvious selection,” stated Dr. Jeff Wilson, Montgomery-Opelika District Superintendent. “Lisa is a gifted individual who not only knows how to compassionately respond to people in need but also a leader who is a seasoned veteran in working with under-resourced communities and building strategic community partnerships.” She will continue to serve as the Director of ARM while also offering her gifts to the Lee County tornado survivors. More here.

United Methodist Church Continues Disaster Recovery Work in Lee County

While many people are preparing for Spring Break and the Lenten season, critical disaster relief work continues in Lee County. The afternoon of March 3, 2019, will forever be remembered as the day where lives were lost and, for those left standing, permanently changed. VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) reports that 199 homes were destroyed, 108 received major damage, and 251 incurred minor damage. In the midst of this devastation, The United Methodist Church continues to help lead the tornado relief work, which is primarily based out of the Montgomery-Opelika District and the Lee County churches. More here. Click here to see photos from Luke Lucas.

Around the Conference

Preparation Continues for 2019 Annual Conference

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 reservation system, which includes meal tickets, the laity banquet, childcare, youth page applications, table space and more, is now live. Click on the below links for more information. Bishop Tracy Smith Malone of the East Ohio Conference will be the guest preacher for the opening worship and the ordination and commissioning services. Dr. Dan Morris will deliver the sermon for the memorial service. Rev. Eric Soard, Dr. Geoffrey Lentz and Rev. Sara Shaver will preach at the three morning worship services. Jarvis Wilson and Keith Wilson will again provide music throughout the conference.
Pre-conference Briefing Information
Reservation System
Missional Offering
Hotel Information
Biometric Health Screening
UMCOR Kit Collection
Mass Choir Information

Bishop Leads Capacity Crowds in General Conference Regional Meetings

Over one thousand laity and clergy from around the Alabama-West Florida Conference gathered March 7-11 to hear a summary of the 2019 special-called General Conference. Three regional meetings were open to all United Methodists and two clergy meetings were held in Dothan and Mobile. The regional gatherings in Montgomery, Dothan and Mobile were a time of worship and reflection where attendees heard from Bishop David Graves, the delegation and conference staff. Full story and resources here.

Missional Summer Internship Available

(QuaW) - QuadW Missional Internship is an 8 week, paid, summer internship for college-age young adults, 18-24. A $2000 stipend, housing and most meals are included! We will have more than 100 interns serving on teams in twelve cities across the US in the summer of 2019.The QuadW Missional Internship is aimed at helping interns participate deeply in God's mission in a particular context and to be an experience that helps them to discern God's call on their lives. Interns live in Christian community and serve alongside local UM churches and other ministry partners, working to meet the needs of marginalized and at-risk populations in those communities. For more information or to apply for summer 2019 visit our website at www.quadwmi.org.

Pensacola United Methodist Community Ministries Awarded Grant

idgroup, a brand transformation firm in Pensacola, FL, officially announced that Pensacola United Methodist Community Ministries has been selected as idgroup's 2019 Brand on Us recipient! In their social media post they stated, "We are looking forward to working with this inspiring organization striving to meet needs of the homeless and under resourced individuals and families in our community." For more information about the Brand On Us initiative visit brandonus.com. Pictured above: Dr. Henry Roberts (Board President) and Robin Noble (Executive Director).

Connectional News

Church mobilizes to help cyclone survivors

(UMNS) — Cyclone Idai left a path of destruction in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi, killing at least 180 people and damaging United Methodist schools, churches, hospitals and homes. A team of communicators from Mozambique and Zimbabwe reports on The United Methodist Church’s efforts to aid survivors in the region. Read story.

United Methodists responding to Midwest floods

(UMNS) — Every square inch of Nebraska may be hit with flooding before the waters recede, said a disaster response coordinator for the Great Plains Conference. Some people have been rescued using a tractor scoop, and cowboys from a nearby rodeo helped a local rancher round up his cattle after his fence was destroyed. The church is responding in nearby states, too. Jim Patterson has the story. Read story.

UMCOR extends 'neighborliness' to all

(UMNS) - Jesus turns the definition of “neighbor” upside down in the story of the Good Samaritan, and the United Methodist Committee on Relief has answered God’s call to be a neighbor for nearly 80 years, writes Christie R. House. House reports about UMCOR’s long tradition of response, relief and recovery. Supporting UMCOR Sunday, March 31, gives UMCOR the capacity to respond where needed and when called, whatever the situation. Read story. Learn more about UMCOR Sunday.

Bergquist named acting top executive

(GBHME) - The board of directors for the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry announced plans to appoint the Rev. Greg Bergquist as the agency's acting top executive. Bergquist will take charge after the retirement of the Rev. Kim Cape, who recently shared her intention to retire in June as head of the agency. Bergquist currently leads the agency’s Division of Ordained Ministry. Read press release.

Resources

Guidebook offered for church financial management

(GBHEM) - A guidebook for managing church finances, aimed at pastors and lay leaders, is now available from the United Methodist Board of Higher Education Ministry. "Church Finances for Missional Leaders: Best Practices for Faithful Stewardship" was written by Bonnie Ives Marden. Read press release.

50 Ways to Improve Pastoral Transitions

(Lewis Center) - Pastors moving from one church to the next need to focus on how they can effectively conclude their ministry in the church they are leaving while paving the way for their successor, and on how they can get off to a good start in their next church. 50 Ways to Improve Pastoral Transitions offers tips on concluding ministry in one setting and beginning ministry in a new setting. Read now and download free.