July 12, 2022

Conference News

AWF August Regional Laity Meetings with Bishop Graves

Join Bishop David Graves and leadership from the Alabama-West Florida Conference at a regional meeting in August. Bishop Graves will bring a message to the laity of the conference and answer any questions they might have. These events are specifically focused on laity to help them understand current denominational matters and to provide accurate information. All laity in AWF local churches are invited to attend a meeting that is convenient for their schedule. Clergy will have an opportunity to meet with the bishop while he is in the area at other scheduled meetings. An invitation to clergy will be sent from the district superintendent. Registration is not required for these meetings. We look forward to seeing you there!

Sunday, August 7th at 4pm, Dauphin Way UMC in Mobile
Sunday, August 21st at 4pm, First UMC Pensacola
Tuesday, August 23rd at 6pm, Dothan First UMC
Sunday, August 28th at 4pm, First UMC Montgomery

Save the Date: Tod Bolsinger Event

All clergy from the Alabama-West Florida and South Georgia Conferences are invited to join Bishop Graves for a virtual clergy time apart with speaker, Tod Bolsinger. Click the link to register via Zoom.

Around the Conference

Annual Conference Planning Team Seeks Input

If you attended the 2022 session of annual conference, we want your input! Please complete this brief survey so that we have important feedback as we begin to plan the 2023 session. Click here to complete survey. Thank you for your time!

AWF Cohort Initiative Receives Equipping the Local Church Grant From the Foundation For Evangelism

The Alabama-West Florida Conference Cohort Initiative is the recipient of a $10,000 Equipping the Local Church Grant from The Foundation for Evangelism. Chosen from over 100 applications, this initiative was one of 31 grant proposals chosen for the 2022 inaugural grant cycle which awarded $230,000 in grant funding to small and medium sized churches or multiple churches working together. Bill Kierce, AWF director of congregational development, was instrumental in securing this grant. “We are most grateful to the Foundation for Evangelism for acknowledging the need for cohorts in our conference,” Kierce said. More here.

Connectional News

Disaffiliation Information—Video and Podcast Explain Pension Withdrawal Liability Payment

(Wespath) - In a new video, Wespath's Martin Bauer and Dale Jones offer easy-to-understand answers to the complex, multi-layered questions related to pension plan funding and the withdrawal liability payment. Understanding the nuances of long-term pension funding is critical as some local churches and UMC clergy consider disaffiliation.
We encourage you to watch this video and share it with others in your conference. This 18-minute video addresses these and other questions:

Are the United Methodist clergy pension plans "fully funded"?
What does fully funded actually mean when it comes to pension liabilities?
How are long-term pension obligations calculated?
What is the difference between a fully funded plan on a funding basis compared to a market basis? How can the plans be fully funded on a funding basis but not fully funded on a market basis?
Why is a disaffiliating church required to make the withdrawal liability payment to the annual conference it is leaving?
Is the withdrawal liability payment an arbitrary or punitive obstacle to disaffiliation?

The video is here and posted to Wespath's disaffiliations webpage. A podcast version is also available.

Africa University celebrates 28th commencement

(UM News) - The academic achievements of 712 graduates from 18 African countries were recognized at Africa University's 28th commencement. The graduates were encouraged to imagine their place and role in creating Africa’s future. The AU communications team has the story. More here.

Photo essay: United Methodists stand with Ukraine

(UM News) — United Methodists in Eastern Europe have been welcoming Ukrainian refugees since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of their country. Be it providing short- or long-term shelter, daily necessities, help securing lost legal documents or finding schools or employment, churches are offering hope in a hurting world. UM News reporter Joey Butler and photographer Mike DuBose traveled to Eastern Europe in late May to share stories of United Methodists’ humanitarian ministry. View photo essay.

Resources

AWF Clergy Writes Fall Bible Study

(Cokesbury) - This fall, our Bible lessons follow the theme “Freedom.” Written by Rev. Robin Wilson, the lessons explore the concept of salvation and God’s gracious acts in redeeming us. They challenge we who have experienced God’s gracious salvation to work for freedom and justice on behalf of others. They acknowledge that as we do, we will encounter those whose beliefs and values are different from our own, so they encourage us in ways to remain faithful to our beliefs while we act as neighbors to others. More here.

Is the United Methodist Church Really......

Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, has received many questions from congregations wondering about the future of the denomination and whether they should consider disaffiliating from it. These have included recurrent questions that reflect misperceptions or misinformation that congregations are receiving as they discern their next steps. This is the first of a series of articles offering accurate responses to such misperceptions or misinformation. More here.

Christian Education Week curriculum available

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Lesson plans available from United Methodist Discipleship Ministries can help congregations learn about the impact of peacebuilders and how to become one themselves. The curriculum was released for use during Christian Education Week. Annual conferences set the date of Christian Education Week in their territories. Read press release. Download lesson plans.