June 15, 2020/Volume 19, No. 10
Conference News
A Word from Bishop Graves: 24 Hours, 24 Days: Listen!!!!
(Bishop Graves) - In recent days following the tragic murder of yet another black male, George Floyd, there have been numerous statements written and reports of protests. Most of these were peaceful, yet some turned violent. Images of the officer’s knee suffocating the life from Mr. Floyd and the emotion that has followed leads to haunting cries that enough is enough. I am outraged at the actions I continue to see against people of color. During these times, it is our instinct to write or post on social media. Perhaps some of you have been asking when I would make a statement. Over the last few days and weeks, the stirring in my spirit has been to listen! I have listened to the feelings of anger, hurt, and pain of my brothers and sisters of color. Some of their anger lies with white people who continue to talk while they need to listen. I have listened to protestors who desperately beg for the generational trauma of persecution and killing to stop. To my dismay, I have listened to the theological rhetoric and the defensive posture of many. I have listened to those who are frustrated with those who abuse their positions of power. I have heard that we need to give space for forgiveness, acknowledge that racism is a sin, and that we need to acknowledge it when we hear it. I have listened to the lack of support for the black church here in Alabama-West Florida. I have listened to white clergy and laity who ask, “Bishop what can we do? I have so many questions and feel paralyzed to know how to appropriately act.” More here.
24 Days of Prayer Ongoing in AWF Conference
As a follow up to Bishop Graves call to prayer in resisting racism, the Alabama-West Florida Conference is praying together for 24 days. This time of prayer is featured on the AWF Facebook page with clergy and laity offering prayers. We invite you to participate in this time of reflection.
Alabama-West Florida Conference Seeks District Administrator
The northern districts of the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church are seeking a full-time District Administrator to be located in Montgomery, Alabama. The position includes providing support for superintendents, as well as for clergy and churches in the geographical area. More here.
Around the Conference
2020-2021 Clergy Appointment Book Released
The 2020-2021 clergy appointment book has been released. Appointment changes are indicated in yellow. Click here to access.
Teaming with Tanzania Impact Report
The relationships that were built in March of 2018 when Bishop Graves, as well as other lay and clergy members of the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference (AWFC), visited Tanzania has sprouted into a beautiful partnership. June of 2019 saw the signing of a partnership agreement by Bishop David Graves and Bishop Mande Muyombo signifying officially what was already happening through shared prayers, support, and ministry between the two conferences. 2019 has seen tremendous growth in this partnership as well as in the ministry happening in Tanzania, in part because of this partnership. More here.
Payroll Protection Plan Survey and Updates
In an effort to provide better support to the Alabama-West Florida local churches as well as to gauge our conference’s participation in the CARES Act benefits, we would like to collect the following information. Please complete the brief survey below or forward this to the most appropriate person at your church. Once we gather the responses, we will summarize the results for the conference and publish on the Fiscal page of the AWF Conference website. Per our fiscal office, changes are coming to the PPP forgiveness guidelines. They encourage borrowers to wait until after the new legislation is passed before filing for forgiveness. Click here to complete survey.
AWF Continues to Offer Online Giving Portal for Local Churches
The Alabama-West Florida Conference Fiscal Office is providing an online giving platform to local churches who do not have their own as a way for members to give to their churches during the COVID-19 period of isolation. Church members may access the giving form via this online link. Churches who wish to take advantage of this service should please complete an ACH/direct deposit form, print, sign and return to Suzanne Krejcar at suzanne@awfumc.org. The name, email and telephone number of the signer must be included and must be an established financial contact for the church. The fiscal office will contact the pastor as a secondary validation measure before any funds are sent. Once the ACH information is validated by the pastor, the funds will be transmitted electronically every second Tuesday to the local church along with an e-mail confirmation and donor file. This e-mail will be sent both to the financial contact and the pastor.
Connectional News
A Pastoral Letter to United Methodists of the Southeastern Jurisdiction
Brothers and Sisters:
As president of the Southeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops my heart rejoices over the bold, courageous, and compassionate offering of confession, lament, and call to action by our white brothers and sisters of the SEJ College and the gracious acceptance of this act of truth telling as we journey toward the Beloved Community. It is our belief that such actions enhance our work and witness to a hurting community seeking moral leadership in this time of racial upheaval. We see this statement as a reversal of the sentiments of the letter sent to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by a group of clergymen that caused him to write the eloquent and brutally honest “Letter From a Birmingham Jail.” More here.
Bishops call on church to act to end racism
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the aftermath of police killings of unarmed Black people, the bishops of The United Methodist Church today called on all United Methodists to act now by using their voices, pens, feet and hearts to end racism.
In a statement released by Council of Bishops President Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, the bishops are urging every United Methodist to reclaim their baptismal vows to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves. More here.
Resources
Music Leader Zoom Recording
The COVID-19 pandemic poses many challenges to our churches and leadership. Creativity in worship and the ability to adapt to ever-changing circumstances is essential for proclaiming the Gospel in our context today. Many of the tensions and challenges in worshipping in this season are resting on our music ministers and those who lead music in our churches. The Alabama-West Florida Conference hosted a panel of music leaders from various churches and diverse worship styles who shared expertise, as well as creative ideas, resources, struggles, and concerns for worshipping in the time of COVID-19. Click here for recording.
Connecting with Friends with Disabilities During Quarantine
(Berta Hurston) - Community Life UMC in Gulf Breeze, Florida, is an inclusive and accessible church and has a special ministry for persons with disabilities. Encircle Life includes a Sunday Bible Study class and also has held special dances and movie events. Members of the group are very active in church life by volunteering and being involved in local missions. More here.
AWF COVID-19 Resources
COVID-19, commonly known as the coronavirus, continues to impact the world. Each day more cases are reported and closings are announced. Click here for resources to help you and your congregation navigate this unprecedented time.
Events
Bishop David Graves, in conjunction with the Alabama-West Florida cabinet, encourages churches to continue to hold online, outdoor and drive-in worship services through June 30, 2020.
Blue Lake Camp Virtual 5K, summer
Game Changing Leadership: Forward Focus Framework, June 15
Game Changing Leadership: Forward Focus Framework, June 16
Live-Streaming Jesus: Preaching in Time of Pandemic, June 16
