April 2, 2024

Conference News

Shared Episcopal Task Group Meets to Begin Transition Work

On Thursday, March 14, 2024, representatives from Alabama-West Florida, North Alabama and the South Georgia Conferences met in Columbus, GA, to begin the necessary work of the shared Episcopal area. The group held an introductory Zoom session in February. This work comes in response to the recent recommendation from the Southeastern Jurisdiction Committee on Episcopacy for a unified episcopal area, a change that calls for careful planning and preparation. The group is facilitated by Rev. Rick Owen, a clergy person from North Alabama. Bishop David Graves, resident bishop of the Alabama-West Florida and South Georgia Conferences, and Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett, resident bishop of the North Alabama Conference, were also in attendance to offer feedback and guidance. More here.

A Statement Regarding the Closure of Birmingham-Southern College

(Bishop David Graves) - On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, an announcement was made by the Board of Trustees of Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) that the college will close at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year. Regretfully, possible sources of necessary funding were not available and therefore left the college with uncertainty that could not be overcome. BSC has been a highly regarded institution of learning since 1856 and will be deeply missed in the community and state but more specifically the United Methodist Church. Many of our gifted clergy and laity completed their undergraduate work at BSC and heard a call into ministry on “The Hilltop.” This is a difficult time for all who love BSC and our prayers are with the current students, faculty, alumni and friends of the college. May the best of BSC shine forth in those who will always call BSC home.

Alabama-West Florida 2024 Annual Conference Registration Now Live

The Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church will hold its 2024 Annual Conference session Sunday, June 16-Tuesday, June 18 at First United Methodist Church, Montgomery. The conference will not meet on Wednesday, June 19. This year’s theme is, “Revive Us Again” from Isaiah 43:18-19. To see the working agenda, click here. Note that opening worship will begin at 8:30am on Monday, June 17. The clergy and laity sessions will be held in person on Sunday, June 16. Registration on Sunday, June 16 will be located in two separate places: clergy will register in the fellowship hall area and laity will register in the narthex of the sanctuary. Click here to register.

Around the Conference

AWF Pastor Creates Abbreviated Disciple Bible Study

(Rev. Kelli Hitchman-Craig for AWF) - Disciple Bible Study first launched in 1987, and since then has educated over 3 million participants. Most often referred to as just “Disciple,” the resource was first developed by Bishop Richard Wilke and his wife, Julia Wilke. Not only has Disciple equipped over 3 million Christians around the world, it has become a core teaching and commonality among United Methodists everywhere, uniting us in our love for Scripture and desire to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The Disciple Bible Study library has grown over the years to include youth curriculum, teacher support, and even a fast-tracked version of the study! In 2023, the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference identified four priorities for their “Revive Us Again” initiative. Those priorities include new congregations, healthy clergy and healthy congregations, renewed commitment to open itineracy for female clergy and clergy of color, and a renewed passion for small group discipleship. Because of its legacy of impactful and life-changing disciple-making, the Alabama-West Florida Conference knew immediately what we would use to revitalize our intentional discipleship and small groups across the connection—Disciple Bible Studies. More here.

AWF Lay Servant Ministries Certifies Two People

Lay Servant Ministries is a lay leadership program that helps to train and equip laity in the call to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. This can be through preaching, teaching, leading, caring and serving. Mike Hanson and Caitlyn Cummings both completed the basic course and their advanced course requirement in order to become a Certified Lay Servant and will continue their course of study in the Certified Lay Speaker track. They both call the Southeast District home. Mike is a member of Summerville UMC in Phenix City, AL, and Caitlyn in a member at FUMC Ozark. "Our Lay Servant Ministries is a wonderful way to receive training in mission and ministry in both the church and community. I am excited to see more people becoming involved in such an important ministry," stated Heather Howell, director. A Certified Lay Minister acts as part of a ministry team with the support and supervision of a clergyperson. They often conduct worship services, lead small groups, establish outreach ministries, preach the Word, care for the congregation and more. For more information about Lay Servant Ministries, visit www.awfumc.org/lsm or contact Director of Lay Servant Ministries Heather Howell hhowellclc@gmail.com.

Registration Live for Post General Conference Briefings

Bishop David Graves, along with the Alabama-West Florida Conference Cabinet and Conference Leadership, has announced dates for post-General Conference clergy lunch gatherings as well as a webinar for laity. The post-General Conference clergy lunch gatherings will be held on the four dates. These gatherings will be a time for Bishop Graves to visit with clergy, offer pastoral support, and provide General Conference and Jurisdictional updates. Registration is now open for these post-conference gatherings. Visit www.awfumc.org/gcbriefings for more information and registration.

Save the Date! AWF and Montgomery FUMC Beach Retreat

The AWF Conference and Montgomery FUMC Youth Team invite your youth groups to a beach retreat on July 7-10, 2024. Mark your calendars and more information is forthcoming.

Blue Lake Camp Hiring Summer Staff

Blue Lake Camp is Hiring for Summer 2024 staff. Beginning at the end of May employees can expect 30-40 hours per week throughout the summer months. Please note that these positions are part-time and hourly. Scheduled hours depend on department, position, and availability. Click here for more.

Resources

General Conference Guide available

The new Guide to the Postponed 2020 General Conference is now available for download at umcgc.org. This UM News resource is packed with information on how General Conference works, its history and major legislative issues, along with background on The United Methodist Church. For those attending the April 23-May 3 event, the guide also includes information on the host city, Charlotte, North Carolina, and the convention center. Click here for guide.

The Practical Guide to AI for Local Churches

There is so much information circulating right now about AI that you may not be sure what to use and how to find it. Whether you’re not sure where to start or you feel like you’ve been wasting time with ineffective AI tools, MyCom contributor and author Jeremy Steele will guide us through an hour of what we need for practical use in and for our churches. A lot of AI stuff in the church world focuses on uses that 90% of churches won’t be able to utilize. This is not that webinar. You won’t learn how to create a video with 100% AI tools, but you will learn how to use AI to help you innovate, market, and reclaim time you never knew you could have back. Register here.