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February 22, 2022

Conference News

Bishop Announces AWF Staff Changes and Cabinet Update

Bishop David Graves, resident bishop of the Alabama-West Florida Conference, has announced two conference staff changes and an update to the cabinet. Rev. Ashley Davis, current director of connectional ministries and conference secretary, will be appointed as the new assistant to the bishop. She will also continue her duties as conference secretary. Rev. Davis is a life-long United Methodist and is a native of Luverne, AL. She completed her undergraduate degree from Auburn University and is a graduate of Candler School of Theology. She was ordained an elder in 2011. More here

2022 Annual Conference Information

The Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church will hold its 2022 Annual Conference session Sunday, June 12-Wednesday, June 15 at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome on the campus of Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL. The Service of Commissioning and Ordination will be held at First United Methodist Church, Montgomery. This year’s theme is, “In this Season” from Ecclesiastes 3:1 with each day having a specific focus and missional giving recipient. More here

Church court clarifies disaffiliation rules 

(UMNS) - On Wednesday, February 9, the Judicial Council, the United Methodist Church’s top court, released six decisions dealing with a new church law that allows congregations to leave with property if they meet certain conditions. Because of the pandemic, the Judicial Council has been meeting online and releasing decisions as they are completed. The council ruled on decision 1421 related to the Alabama-West Florida Conference. Click here for article.

Around the Conference

AWF COSROW Event to Celebrate International Women's Day

The AWF COSROW will host a zoom event on Wednesday, March 8, 2022, from 11am-12pm. This event is organized by Rev. Chelsey Brown and Rev. Sheila Bates who serve as co-chairs of the AWF COSROW Leadership Team. 
The speaker lineup is as follows:
Dawn Wiggins Hare – general secretary of GCSRW
Rev. Sarah Smoot – North Alabama Conference COSROW chair
Rev. Jean Tippit – AWF district superintendent
Rev. Dr. Kitsy Dixon – associate pastor, Spanish Fort UMC
ALL are welcome. Click here to register

AWF Conference Receives Tornado Recovery UMCOR Grants

We are excited to announce that the Alabama-West Florida Conference has received two grants from UMCOR for tornado relief in rural areas of Hale, Perry, Bibb, and Chilton Counties of West Alabama. One was a solidarity grant in the amount of $10,000 from tornado damage in early February. The other was a $582,900 grant for the purpose of building five homes. In addition to these grants the conference hopes to to fundraise to build another 10-15 homes. We celebrate this connectional gift that will enable us to continue to minister those who need it most.

AWF Calendar Highlights Black Leadership Moments

We continue to celebrate black history month and have a great calendar that highlights significant moments to honor black leaders in the Alabama-West Florida Conference. You will learn something each day. Click here for pdf

AWF Training Workshops to Strengthen the Work of the Local Church

(AWF Cabinet) - The cabinet of the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference is excited to announce 13 training workshops planned to strengthen the clergy and lay leadership of our local churches. These one-hour workshops will be held via zoom throughout the months of February and March for anyone who is interested. Registration is required and can be done by clicking the links in the article here

Resources

Project funding for churches available through UMC FCU

(UMFCU) - The United Methodist Connectional FCU has a special loan rate available for churches. Unsecured loans for less than $50,000 can be provided for three- and five-year terms. A number of United Methodist churches and agencies have used these loans for repairing or replacing pews, HVAC systems, audio/visual equipment, and more. Rates as low as 3.5%. For details, contact Jonathan Curtis at jonathanc@unitedmethodistcu.com.
 

50 Ways to Multiply Your Church’s Leadership Capacity

(Lewis Center) - How can you best support and affirm existing leaders? Help new leaders in your church get started? More effectively invite people to be leaders? Make meetings matter? Learn the answers to these questions and more by clicking here

Celebrating Black church music

(UMNS) - A four-part video series keyed to Black History Month offers a survey of Africana contributions to the music life of the church. Retired Bishop Ernest Lyght and the Rev. Cynthia Wilson host “Lift Every Voice: A Celebration of Song from the Black Church Experience!” and also do some singing. Click here for more.

Discipleship Ministries Releases Lenten Resources

(DM) - The season of Lent is essential for those who truly seek to be disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Because a part of what we learn in this time of self-examination is that we are what might be most in need of transformation. We might find that what might need to grow in faith and discipleship is the church and that the transformation of the world begins with building bridges and gathering up rather than with condemnation. We hope you’ll join in with churches around the world as we seek to be gathered up in Jesus. More here

Events

Gammon Theological Seminary, "Navigating Next," now -February 25

COSROW International Women's Day Event, March 8

2022 AWF Bishop's Confirmation Retreat, March 11-13

Wesley Heirs Spring 2022 Retreat, March 15

Wespath Mental Health Seminars, March 10 and 24

Lake Junaluska Marriage Retreat, March 18-20

The Christian Writers Conference at Blue Lake, April 6-9

Licensing School 2022, April 22-23

 

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