Image

March 9, 2020/Volume 19, No. 4

Conference News

Emory’s Board of Trustees elects new members

(Emory University) - The Emory University Board of Trustees has elected three new members: Andrew W. (Drew) Evans of Atlanta, executive vice president and chief financial officer, Southern Company; Bishop David W. Graves of the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church; and Bishop L. Jonathan Holston of the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. More here

AWF Disaster Response Director Releases Information about COVID-19

(Rev. Chris Ackerman) - By now, most of you are aware of COVID-19, commonly known as the coronavirus. At this time there is no need to panic as the threat remains low. We do have a responsibility to be prepared in the event that the threat level changes. Now would be a good time for your churches and congregations to review and or create preparedness plans. Here you will find an example of a church preparedness plan created by FUMC Port St Joe. Many pastors have already used this as a template and adjusted it to fit their congregations. We have also included several links that could be helpful, including resource from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) as well as the Florida and Alabama State Health Departments. Remember that good hygiene practices such as hand washing are your best defense against germs. You will also find a germ prevention flyer that can be posted in your church should you choose to use it. More here

Alabama Rural Ministry Remembers Lee County Tornado Devastation

(ARM) - As we approach the one-year mark of the tornadoes that struck Lee County, the memorial and remembrance, we have some updated reports on where we stand in the recovery process. Several hundred people self-recovered giving testimony to communities that were prepared and had safety nets in place. As we call and check in with families, this is what we continue hearing and are encouraged. Currently, this is what Alabama Rural Ministry (ARM) with the Alabama West Florida Conference (AWF) of the United Methodist Church and in partnership with MEND are working upon. More here

Around the Conference

2020 Annual Conference Logo and Theme Announced

The 2020 session of the Alabama-West Florida Conference will be held June 7-9, 2020, at Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church. Our theme is, "Come to the Table" based on Luke 24:35. Click the below links for more information. The reservation system is now live in addition to other helpful forms. Visit www.awfumc.org/ac2020 for details. 

Annual Conference Reservations
Working Agenda
Biometric Health Screening (NEW FORMAT THIS YEAR)
Exhibit Space
Childcare Reservations
Volunteer
Youth Page Application
Hotel Information
Standing Rules Deadline
UMCOR Collection Kits 
Nominate someone for an Annual Conference award

Eric Soard Itinerates Around AWF Conference

Eric Soard, missionary to Tanzania through the General Board of Global Ministries, will be visiting churches in Alabama-West Florida in March 2020. He will share the latest updates of the ministry in Tanzania and talk about how your church can participate. Click here for the schedule of district-wide events. All are welcome.

AWFC Pastor to Serve as UMCH Director of Development and Church Relations

(UMCH) - Rev. Angie Long, Sr. Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Greenville, Alabama has accepted a position as Director of Development and Church Relations for the United Methodist Children’s Home (UMCH) effective May 4, 2020. “We consider it a blessing for the children of Alabama that Angie is transitioning her ministry to the United Methodist Children’s Home. Angie possesses an abundance of gifts and graces that will serve our children well as she tells the UMCH story to churches and donors all over central and south Alabama,” said Dr. K. Blake Horne, President & CEO of UMCH. More here

Stegall inducted into UA College of Education Hall of Fame

(SSSEF) - On February 15, 2020, Dr. Karl K. Stegall was inducted into the University of Alabama (UA) College of Education Hall of Fame. Stegall serves as the volunteer president of  the Stegall Seminary Scholarship Endowment Foundation. Upon receiving the honor, Stegall remarked, “There are many individuals who are more deserving, but none could be more appreciative. Whatever measure of success that I might have achieved in life, I stand on the shoulders of my family members, teachers, and friends.” More here

Connectional News

Public health awareness planned for General Conference

(Commission on the General Conference) - The Executive Committee of the Commission on the General Conference is monitoring developments in the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and will collaborate with public health authorities regarding any recommended health and safety precautions that should be taken to reduce exposure or transmission of illness when the 2020 General Conference meets in Minneapolis, Minn. May 5-15, 2020. The Executive Committee is staying on top of any recommendations from the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding travel and planning large events. They will be connecting with the Minnesota Department of Health for additional guidance and working with the Minneapolis Convention Center in planning for the event. More here

Tennessee tornadoes take lives, damage churches

Three area United Methodist churches — East End and Braden Memorial in East Nashville and Dodson Chapel in Hermitage — were heavily damaged by tornadoes that swept parts of Tennessee early on March 3. The nighttime twisters also claimed at least 24 lives, particularly in Putnam County, about 80 miles from Nashville. More than 150 of those injured were taken to hospitals in the Nashville area, according to CNN. More here

Resources

UMCOR Sunday Resources

United Methodists will celebrate UMCOR Sunday on March 22, 2020. Eighty years ago, World War II was raging. Millions of people, displaced from their homes, sought refuge and hope. The church responded by creating the Methodist Committee on Overseas Relief (MCOR) and supporting MCOR through an annual offering called “One Great Hour of Sharing.” Click here for resources

Summer Mission and Employment Opportunities for Youth and Young Adults

To be successful, many of our AWF ministries need help from youth and young adults. There are various opportunities throughout the year to serve in mission while growing closer to Christ. Below are several opportunities that we encourage you to share with youth and young adults in your local church. Click here for details on the below three opportunities

-LeadUp Training Opportunity for High School Students Sponsored by Alabama Rural Ministry
-QuadW Missional Residency Opportunity for Montgomery Area Young Adults
-Blue Lake Camps Summer Staff

6 Silver Linings in the Clouds of Doom and Gloom

(Lewis Center) - Do you feel barraged by the discouraging trends and challenging circumstances defining church life today? Aging clergy. Denominational struggles. Decreasing average worship attendance. Worrisome giving trends. The rise of the Nones. I’ve spilt a lot of ink alerting church leaders to these troubling trends and others. But recently I’ve started taking note of some silver linings hidden within these clouds of doom and gloom. These rays of hope don’t negate the overarching trends that still warrant our attention. But they may offer some positive clues for moving forward or at least a modest dose of optimism to buoy us as we navigate choppy waters. More here

Events  

Wesley Heirs Spring Gathering, March 10-11

Bishop's Confirmation Retreat 2020, March 13-15

Predatory Lending Seminar, March 17

Blue Lake Christian Writers Retreat, March 25-28

Inspirit Retreat, April 16-18

UMW 2020 Southeastern Jurisdiction Quadrennial Meeting, April 17-19

2020 Southeast Church Network (SECN) Conference, April 19-22

UMW Southeastern Jurisdiction Quadrennial Meeting, April 17-19

Soul Collage: Welcoming the Stranger Within, April 22-24

2020 AWF Licensing School, April 26-May 3

General Conference 2020, May 5-15

Springtime By The Sea, May 18-21

 

Want more?

Contact us

4719 Woodmere Boulevard
Montgomery, AL 36106
Phone: 334.356.8014
Toll free: 888-873-3127
Email Us
Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.