August 30, 2022

Conference News

2023 Special Called Annual Conference Sessions

Bishop David Graves, episcopal leader of the Alabama-West Florida Conference, in accordance with ¶603.5 of the 2016 Book of Discipline, calls for two 2023 special sessions of the annual conference on Sunday, May 7, 2023, and Sunday, November 12, 2023. These meetings are in addition to the already-announced special session on Saturday, November 12, 2022. All special-called sessions will be held via Zoom. More here.

AWF August Regional Laity Meetings with Bishop Graves Continue

There is one more opportunity to join Bishop David Graves and leadership from the Alabama-West Florida Conference at the Demopolis regional meeting. 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. Registration is not required for these meetings. Join us tonight at 6pm at Demopolis First UMC.

Pension and Benefit Hosts Information Meetings

Open enrollment for 2023 health insurance will begin August 15-October 31, 2022. There are two health enrollment options; the BCBS PPO Plan and the BCBS HDHP Plan coupled with health saving account. Enrollment is required this year in order to continue health insurance coverage in 2023. There will be four meeting opportunities for eligible clergy to hear the options and enroll. There will also be an online enrollment option. Online enrollment instructions will be sent via a separate email. The meetings will be held at the following locations:
Wednesday, 9/7/2022,10am-1pm, Toulminville-Warren Street UMC (Mobile)
Thursday, 9/15/2022, 2pm-5pm, Trinity UMC (Prattville)
Tuesday, 9/20/2022, 9am – 12pm, Trinity UMC (Ft. Walton Beach)
Thursday, 9/29/2022, 9am – 12pm, Enterprise FUMC
Please click this link to register for your meeting location. Suzanne Krejcar and BeLinda Carnegie will be on site at each meeting to assist with enrollments.

Around the Conference

Charge Conference Forms

Charge Conference Forms are now available through your local church dashboard. All forms will again be completed completely online this year. Our conference staff and district superintendents have worked diligently to make the forms as clear, simple, and concise as possible. All completed forms will be due by October 7 (regardless of the date of your charge conference), and forms will not be accepted through mail. Click here for more. Questions should be directed to your regional administrative assistant.

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.

Sunset over Summer Camp 2022

(BLC) - As we move into our slower fall season, it is the perfect time to reflect on the Summer we just had! We enjoyed 9 weeks of worshipping God, s'mores, games, toast, and fellowship! As our first "official" summer back since the pandemic started, we were so excited to shake off the dust and get back to what we love- summer camp! And our community SHOWED UP! We had 2013 people at camp this summer! That's 329 MORE guests than 2019 (our last "normal" summer). What a blessing! We want to say THANK YOU to all the parents, volunteers, church staff, worship leaders, pastors, and campers for being a part of such a fabulous summer! We can't wait to begin planning for next year and to see what God has in store!

Connectional News

UMC bishops welcome Judicial Council’s clarification of church disaffiliation process

(COB) - The Council of Bishops expresses gratitude for the Judicial Council’s ruling that clarified that Paragraph 2548.2 of The Book of Discipline is not a process of church disaffiliation from The United Methodist Church but is rather a supplementary procedure for the purpose of deeding church property as permitted by other paragraphs of the Discipline in limited situations. In May this year, the bishops requested a declaratory decision from the Judicial Council on the meaning and application of Paragraph 2548.2. “We are grateful that the Judicial Council has provided the clarity we need concerning a disciplinary paragraph that was believed to be ambiguous and subject to possible misinterpretation,” COB President Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton said. “Our goal was to seek clear direction concerning the processes that can be best used to facilitate appropriate, orderly, and amicable disaffiliations even as we continue to pray and work for the unity of the church.” More here.

Grant applications being accepted

(C&S) — Applications are being accepted for three grant programs operated by United Methodist Church and Society. The deadline is Sept. 16 to apply for Ethnic Local Church, Human Relations Day and Peace with Justice grants, which range from $2,000 to $5,000. Applicants must be a United Methodist church, district, conference or other affiliated organization, or an ecumenical group or organization with a formal partnership with The United Methodist Church. Read press release. To apply.

Young People Needed for Church Study

(UMCOM) - Do you know a 15- to 22-year-old in The United Methodist Church? The United Methodist Communications Research Team is leading a study about youth in the church to explore their spiritual journeys, values, goals, desires and more. The study offers a $150 incentive for participation in a three-day online discussion board. Pastors and church leaders are encouraged to share the registration link and invite young people to join. Click here to register.

Resources

COSROW Resources for 50th Anniversary Celebration

(COSROW) - The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women was founded in 1972. Since then, we celebrate historic milestones that have contributed to the advancement of women. We also recognize that there is still a lot of work to be done. We encourage you to utilize the resources in this page to promote the advancement of women within your context for a more complete kingdom of God. Use these downloadable liturgical resources created for AC COSROW committees and other groups who support the advancement of women. More here.

Clergy Housing Allowance Explained

(GCFA) - A pastor’s housing allowance (sometimes called a parsonage allowance or a rental allowance) is excludable from gross income for income tax purposes. This article will help you understand and make the most of the housing allowance. If you received a new church assignment at this year’s Annual Conference session, now is a great time to evaluate your housing expenses so that you can work with the church to designate an accurate housing allowance.