The 2024 Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference began on Sunday, June 16, 2024, with the laity and clergy executive sessions and continued through Tuesday, June 18.
Worship Services
Day two of the conference welcomed clergy and lay members and their guests to the Opening Worship Service in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church, Montgomery. This year’s theme was, “Revive Us Again” from Isaiah 43:18-19. Bishop Sharma Lewis, resident bishop of the Mississippi Episcopal area, was this year's guest bishop and preached a sermon titled, "Taking it to the Streets," based on Mark 16:15. She engaged attendees in call and response, encouraging us to move beyond our walls both physical and metaphorical to go and preach the Word. Bishop David Graves, presiding over his eighth annual conference, served communion to those in attendance.
The Service of Commissioning and Ordination was held Monday evening in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church of Montgomery. The congregation represented family members and special friends of those being commissioned and ordained. Prior to the start of the service, the cathedral choir of FUMC Montgomery presented worshipful music led by Dr. James Seay and accompanied by Dr. Josh Coble. The service included the commissioning of five provisional elders, the ordination of two elders in full connection and we received two associate members. Dr. Jeff Wilson, Southwest district superintendent and dean of the cabinet, preached a sermon title, "Partners in God's Grace" based on Philippians 1:3-9. He led the congregation in a spiritual exercise of considering our spiritual lineage. He reminded the body that we are all integral parts of the living creation of Christianity. Each person is a partner in the living story of our God.
Twenty-three clergy and clergy spouses who passed since the 2023 AWF Annual Conference session were remembered during the Service of Remembrance and Holy Communion. Dr. Debora Bishop led the congregation in the Call to Worship. The FUMC Montgomery Adult Ensemble set a tone of remembrance with the act of praise, "Hark, I Hear Harps Eternal." Bishop David Graves presided over communion for those in attendance. Rev. Sheila Bates, incoming Southwest district superintendent, read 2 Kings 2:1-14. Before the names of saints were read, the ensemble sang, "Surely the Lord is In This Place." Rev. Ashley Davis, director of connectional ministries and assistant to the bishop, read each name, which was followed by a chime. Rev. Amy Persons, senior pastor of Pt. Washington UMC, read Ezekiel 37 before preaching a sermon titled, "What I Found in the Valley" She honored the ministry and deep care each of the remembered poured into those around them. Her sermon was a beautiful exploration of how the valleys of life will lead us to a rich life in Christ. Kate Berry and Susan Cooper, ensemble sopranos, sang a stunning version of Pie Jesu from Requiem. Dr. Mike Pearson, West-Central district superintendent, and Dr. Sterling Boykin, incoming Southeast district superintendent, lighted a candle for each person we remembered today. The AWF Commission on Archives and History hosted surviving family members at a special luncheon at the conclusion of the service.
Recognitions and Special Moments
Bishop Graves took a moment to honor President Cam West, outgoing president of Huntingdon College and to welcome Dr. Anthony Leigh, incoming president. Bishop Graves expressed his gratitude to both in their leadership and service to United Methodist higher education. Dr. Levi Gardner surprised President West with the Francis Asbury Award on behalf of the AWF Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry.
Bishop Graves also honored the outgoing AWF chancellor, Bob Northcutt, and welcomed the incoming chancellor, Elizabeth Smithart, and incoming associate chancellor, Bill Bond. Smithart is a member of Union Springs UMC and Bond is a member of FUMC Pensacola.
Dr. Hunter Pugh of Brantley and Brunson's Chapel UMCs led the body in an emotional and special moment to honor Birmingham-Southern College, after its closure on May 31st. He eloquently honored the legacy of the college and the pivotal influence it has had in the lives of so many. All associated with the college were recognized. He led the body in a litany and prayer of thanksgiving for Birmingham-Southern College.
Eight local pastors receiving their license for the first time were introduced and recognized by Rev. Dr. Ralph Wooten and greeted by Bishop Graves and Mary Catherine Phillips during today's afternoon business session. Bishop Graves spoke several words of gratitude to this group and offered a blessing upon them. Thirteen clergy were recognized upon their retirement by Rev. Persons during Monday's order of the day. Together, these thirteen clergy have 304 years of service in our conference!
Highlights from the Monday afternoon business session included the connectional ministries video, starring Dr. Cory Smith of Auburn UMC and Rev. Angie Long, AWF treasurer. To say this was a moment of comic relief is an understatement! Click here to watch video. Mr. Frank Jenkins, AWF lay leader, presented the laity address. He also invited Debbie Bracewell, AWF United Women in Faith president, and Heather Howell, AWF director of lay servant ministries, to present on their respective ministry areas. The afternoon session concluded with the Teaming with Tanzania report from Rev. Eric Soard and the covenant renewal between the Alabama-West Florida Conference and the Tanzania Annual Conference and Wesley College. Dr. Anthony Leigh, incoming president of Huntingdon College and Episcopacy Committee member, gave the heartfelt report on behalf of the committee. He expressed deep appreciation for the service and sacrifice that Bishop Graves and Mrs. Graves have given our conference. Rev. Jean Tippit, Panhandle district superintendent and New Ministry Strategies director, presented this report. She celebrated the life changing work of the numerous new church starts and other expressions of ministry happening throughout the conference. Rev. Tippit offered bright hope for the future of United Methodism.
Bishop David Graves gave his Episcopal address on Tuesday morning. The theme of his address was "Doing Hard Better." He showed a video clip of Coach Kara Lawson, Duke University's women's basketball coach, explaining this idea. He also challenged the body to utilize hard and messy times as an opportunity to be the church and meet people along their desert roads much like Philip in Acts 8:26-40.
Rev. Chelsey Brown and Katy Wrona presented these two awards on behalf of the AWF COSROW. Lindsey Middleton, seminary student and member of Auburn UMC, is the recipient of the Jane Walker Scholarship Award. This award goes to a woman who affirms, represents, and advocates for women’s leadership in the church. The 2024 Alice Lee Award had two recipients this year. Dr. Debora Bishop, Southeast district superintendent and Pat Luna, a lay person from Pt. Washington UMC, were honored with this award. The award was established to help promote COSROW’s primary purpose of “challenging the church to a continuing commitment to the full and equal responsibility and participation of women in the total life and mission of the church, sharing fully in the power and in the policy making at all levels of the Church life.” Women who have been the recipients of the Alice Lee Award have not only demonstrated commitment to God and their church, but also have been bridge builders and barrier breakers for women through their leadership in the church and community.
The delegation presented their report from General Conference. Each member offered a reflection on their time in Charlotte. A word of thanksgiving was lifted for the clergy and lay persons who served and volunteered during General Conference. Lindsey Middleton, Jurisdictional Lay Delegate, said of the experience "we did not find ourselves in a position of uniformity, but we did embody unity in the midst of diversity."
Conference Business and Financial Reports
Rev. Angie Long, AWF treasurer, presented the equitable compensation report. The conference approved the minimum salary at $43,673 for all full-time clergy for 2025.
Sarah McWilliams, a member of the Standing Rules Committee, presented several standing rules changes related the reducing the number of districts from eight to four. Those changes were approved.
Rev. Emily Kincaid, pastor at Pensacola FUMC, is the chair of the AWF Trustees and presented on behalf of her committee. She reviewed the outcomes of General Conference as it pertains to the work of the trustees. Betty Stone, committee member, spoke about the work that is underway to update the conference safe sanctuaries policies. After discussion, the trustees report was approved.
The conference established a $3,664,811 million budget for mission and ministry for 2025. The 2025 budget is 38.45% lower than the previous year. The conference budget has been reduced significantly since 2019 with a reduction of 66%. Apportionments are calculated annually using individual church data. The calculation is based off the churches’ financial viability and membership. This explains why church apportionments may increase for some churches. CFA will continue to evaluate the financial positions and circumstances next year, however, there may or may not be another allocation made to adjust apportionments. In 2023, 363 churches paid 100% of their apportionments (this does include disaffiliated churches). Thank you for your faithful giving! The recommended district superintendent salary for 2025 is $130,568. The unqualified audit report will appear in the 2024 journal. After discussion, this report was approved by the voting body and presented by Mark Davidson, CFA chair.
In the Monday and Tuesday business sessions, two declaratory decisions related to paragraph 2549 were approved by the conference. One motion for a declaratory decision by the AWF cabinet was presented by Dr. Jeff Wilson and the second motion was presented by Dr. Geoffrey Lentz. These requests will be sent to the United Methodist Judicial Council for them to clarify how paragraph 2549 is used in several ways.
Special offerings were collected for New Ministry Strategies, Teaming with Tanzania and the Ministerial Education Fund.
The 2025 session of the AWF Annual Conference will be held June 8-10, 2025, at Pensacola First UMC.
Click here to access the bulletin insert. We invite you to use this in your upcoming worship services.
Full coverage of the 2024 session of Annual Conference may be found at www.awfumc.org/ac2024.
