March 22, 2022

Conference News

Conference Continues to Collect Special Offering for Ukraine

The Alabama-West Florida Conference continues to show our solidarity with Ukraine by collecting a special offering. UMCOR’s work in Ukraine is being funded with gifts to Advance #982450, International Disaster Response and Recovery. Grants for immediate relief have been given to United Methodist partners in Ukraine as well as neighboring nations—Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia—to support those who remain in Ukraine as well as those who have fled the violence. In addition, grants are being awarded to partners like ACT Alliance, a global faith-based coalition working in 120 countries around the world. These grants are providing humanitarian assistance in the form of food, water, clothing, shelter and other necessary supplies. Churches may give through this link or mail checks to the conference office (4719 Woodmere Boulevard, Montgomery, AL 36106, attn: fiscal office).

2022 Annual Conference Registration Live

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. Registration for all sessions is now live. Please click the below links to register.
Main session: June 12-15, 2022
Clergy session via Zoom: May 15, 2002, 4:00pm
Laity session via Zoom: May 15, 2022, 2:00pm

Around the Conference

AWF Clergy Invited to Georgia Pastor's School

The clergy of the Alabama-West Florida Conference have been invited to participate in the Georgia Pastor's School. The Georgia Pastor’s school “provides inspiration, education, fellowship, fun and relaxation” for active and retired clergy and their families. The 2022 session will be held on July 18-21 at Epworth by the Sea.This four-day event offers CEUs for clergy and has programing for children. There are partial scholarships for active clergy available as needed. Please contact Rev. Jenni Hendrix at jenni@awfumc.org for information regarding scholarships.

Team Florida Leads Conference Walking Challenge

There are 30 days left in the current walking challenge, so don’t forget to sync your device and make every step count towards your team total! Sign in below to take a look at your step data. Click here to review your step data. Team Florida is in the lead!

Huntingdon Leadership Academy Returns in June 2022

(HC) - Huntingdon College will offer the Huntingdon Leadership Academy in a live, in-person format this year. First presented in 2014, the Huntingdon Leadership Academy is a youth theological camp during which high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors discover what it means for God to have a calling on each of their lives. The camp moved to an online format in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID-19 but will return as a two-day/overnight camp on the Huntingdon College campus, June 24–25, 2022. The cost is $50 per participant and includes meals, lodging, and program materials. For more information, contact hla@hawks.huntingdon.edu.

Connectional News

Council of Bishops Discuss Values and Principles Around Disaffiliations

(COB) - The Bishops of The United Methodist Church in their March 15 called meeting discerned pathways for churches choosing disaffiliation and separation. The bishops have met two consecutive weeks to discern pathways forward in these changing times. The bishops affirmed by an overwhelming majority that paragraph 2553 in the Book of Discipline would be the primary paragraph used for disaffiliation and separation. It is understood that different contexts may require utilization of additional paragraphs in the current Book of Discipline namely paragraphs 2548.2 and 2549: and that they would employ the values and principles as outlined in paragraph 2553. In addition, the Council of Bishops affirmed by a strong majority that they would hold to a set of values and principles in all matters of disaffiliation and separation. Complete release here.

UMCOR Sunday is March 27

(UMCOR) - UMCOR Sunday is March 27, 2022, but we encourage you to celebrate on a day that works best for your church. Without your generosity, this ministry could not be achieved! You gave $1,921,619 last year towards ministries funded by the UMCOR Special Sunday offering. Giving allows us to make a difference in the lives of communities and individuals whose lives have been upset by storms, wars, fires, displacement and climate change. This offering underwrites UMCOR’s “costs of doing business,” allowing UMCOR to keep the promise that 100% of any gift to a specific UMCOR project will go toward that project, not administrative costs. Click here for pastor's kit.

Lake Junaluska Announces $1.1M Gift for Renovations to Former World Methodist Council Building

(Lake Junaluska) - Lake Junaluska recently announced plans for renovations to the former World Methodist Council building made possible by a $1.1 million gift by Anne and Mike Warren, longtime Lake Junaluska homeowners and supporters. The Warrens’ gift will allow Lake Junaluska to develop the historic building into a multipurpose gathering space. The organization’s executives are currently exploring ways to use the building, located adjacent to The Terrace Hotel, as a venue for ministry, reception, reunion, and other events. “We are deeply grateful to Anne and Mike for their generous gift,” said Lake Junaluska Executive Director Ken Howle. “The restoration of sacred spaces is a priority for Lake Junaluska, and it’s exciting to have the opportunity to reimagine and renovate the historic World Methodist Council building for all to enjoy.” More here.

How are United Methodists present in Ukraine?

(UMNS) - United Methodists have congregations and mission partners on the ground in Ukraine, offering hope, support and aid in every way they can. Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, has more on the history and state of Methodism in Ukraine and Russia. More here. Click here to give.

Resources

Resources for inviting people to Easter

(UMNS) - With Easter approaching on April 17, United Methodist Communications offers outreach resources to invite people to Easter worship and related events. See resources.

Cokesbury Catalogs Offerings

(Cokesbury) - Whether you're looking for the next book for your personal study or supplies for the sanctuary, you'll find it all in one of our Cokesbury e-catalogs. We've conveniently categorized them and gathered them all in one place to make it easy: click here to see all the latest e-catalogs now! Check back often, as we're always updating to ensure you have the freshest content.