News

Friends,  It is hard to believe the news coverage coming out of Texas and the ongoing catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Harvey. My heart breaks as the stories continue to be reported about how lives are changing as a result of ...

(Kari Barlow for the AWF Conference) - A new 19-member Bishop’s Response Team now stands ready to support congregations across the Alabama-West Florida Conference in times of crisis.     Bishop David Graves, along with his cabinet...

Witness and Invitation from the Southeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, August 17, 2017  "The things, good Lord, that we pray for, give us grace to labor for." - Thomas More, UMH, 408 Serving ...

A message from Bishop David Graves regarding Charlottesville (posted on social media on 8/13/17) As I read social media posts from around the Alabama-West Florida Conference, I am so thankful that many are joining together in ...

(Montgomery, Ala.) – Imagination. The ability to imagine the future often fuels creativity, drive, and determination. On Thursday, August 10, 2017, the Stegall Seminary Scholarship Endowment Foundation asked supporters during its ...

The Commission on a Way Forward has released a status report to the Council of Bishops and the entire United Methodist Church, updating the church and the leaders on the faithful work of the Commission after four meetings. The ...

(Kari Barlow for the Alabama-West Florida Conference) - The ceremony on June 29 was simple, but for Pastor Andres Doimeadios, the small gathering marked the start of something huge. It was the day the Pensacola District Board of ...

"Where do I click?" "I can't find the forms." "Can the conference office help me with this?" These are common questions the staff of the Alabama-West Florida Conference hears often. As a result of feedback from clergy and laity, a...

The United Methodist Inner City Mission (UMICM) is proud to announce that they are a recipient of a $90,000 grant from the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention. The $90,000 grant is for two years of program ...

We invite you to watch a video message from Bishop David Graves, Resident Bishop of the Alabama-West Florida Conference. Click here to view. Click here to read the written transcript.  You may also listen to this message as an ...

As we prepare for the July 4th remembrance holiday, there is a great debate going on in our country around health care. It seems that we have been in a standoff around this issue for many years. In my opinion, the spiral began ...

Alabama Chief Justice Lyn Stuart makes church family a top priority   (Kari C. Barlow for the Alabama-West Florida Conference) - Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Lyn Stuart loves the view from her office window, which overlooks...

For 150 years, the people called Methodists have connected people to God and people to people through Jesus Christ in Milton, Florida! A celebration of this ministry and mission of First United Methodist Church was held on ...

As the Chair of the Alabama-West Florida UMC Conference Safe Sanctuaries Committee and a former juvenile judge, I am reaching out to you because of your position of leadership at your United Methodist Church. As a member of the ...

To the clergy and laity of the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference: I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the spirit-led, inspirational, incredible, and over-the-top annual conference that we shared ...

The 2017 Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference was held June 4-7 in Montgomery, AL, with the theme, "Imagine: By Faith It Can Happen." Bishop David Graves, presiding over his first annual conference session since becoming the ...

In the News Full Recap and Bulletin Insert coming this Thursday! Stay tuned to www.awfumc.org/ac2017 for an informative bulletin insert. It is printer friendly and we encourage you to share it with your local congregation this ...

In the News Morning Worship: Day three of annual conference began with morning worship and Holy Communion. Rev. Amanda Messer, a deacon at Ashland Place UMC, offered the greeting and prepared the table for communion. Rev. Sung Kuk...

In the News Morning Worship: An addition to the agenda this year is to begin each day with morning worship. Bishop David Graves made this addition so that the conference session would start with a sense of Holy time and carry that...

In the News Opening Worship: A capacity crowd attended the Opening Worship Service of the 2017 Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference session, which was held Sunday evening, June 4, in the sanctuary of Frazer Memorial UMC in ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church is asking U.S. President Donald Trump to reconsider his decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Accord.  In a statement released today,...

(Bishop Graves for The Montgomery Advertiser) - This will be the theme of the Alabama-West Florida Conference when we gather in Montgomery on June 4-7, for our annual gathering. Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church will host ...

We are quickly approaching the 2017 session of the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference. We are excited to see many of you soon. Click here to access a working agenda. Copies of the final agenda will be distributed at the doors...

Bishop David Graves announces that Rev. Dan Pezet has accepted an appointment outside of the Alabama-West Florida Conference. Pezet has served as Director of Congregational Vitality since 2014. In that appointment he designed and ...

The Judicial Council, the highest judicial body in the United Methodist Church, has released its decision regarding the election, consecration, and assignment of Karen Oliveto as a bishop in the United Methodist Church. If you ...

Washington, D.C.: The Council of Bishops (COB) has called a Special Session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church (UMC) to be held February 23-26, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. In announcing the call, COB ...

We invite you to hear a message from Bishop David Graves, Resident Bishop of the Alabama-West Florida Conference. Click here to view. Click here to read the written transcript.  You may also listen to this message as an audio-only...

To the People of the Alabama-West Florida Conference: Greetings! As we live in the glow of Easter, the Gospel of Matthew concludes with Jesus reminding us, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and...

(Jenn Lusher) - The “Place at the Table” gathering was held on April 8th at Evergreen UMC. It was a great time of worship, food and fellowship between our ethnic churches and leaders around the conference. Our desire was to begin ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Council of Bishops President Bishop Bruce Ough has called on all United Methodists to pray unceasingly, intentionally and earnestly for the unity of the church as the Judicial Council ponders its decision on the...

The Alabama-West Florida Conference, under the leadership of Bishop David Graves, is pleased to announce the naming of Jennifer (Jenn) Lusher as Director of Leadership Strategies. Her priority will be to help align the resources ...

Five years ago, it all started with a little bit of vision and whole lot of passion. The Respite Ministry at Montgomery FUMC celebrated their successes at a banquet luncheon on Thursday, April 6, 2017. But that banquet was really ...

The Alabama-West Florida Cabinet is concluding its third round of appointment making today. Below you will find reminders of dates pertaining to pastoral moves and public announcements about appointments.  Beginning April 17, ...

In the year 2017, it has become increasingly difficult for churches to find new members. Schedules are overbooked, people are distracted and time seems to be a premium. To offset these challenges, a movement called “Fresh ...

Annual Conference 2017 is quickly approaching! This year's theme is, "Imagine: By Faith It Can Happen." We are most appreciative to Dr. Larry Bryars and his staff at Frazer Memorial UMC in Montgomery, AL, for hosting us again this...

Bishop David W. Graves is pleased to announce two projected district appointments. As previously announced, Dr. Debora Bishop will become a superintendent effective July 1, 2017. She will be appointed to the Mobile District. Dr. ...

Many in the church are anticipating the upcoming Judicial Council ruling on the Western Jurisdiction’s recent election of a married lesbian bishop, Bishop Karen Oliveto. Some are hopeful the Judicial Council will rule the election...

We invite you to hear an important video message from Bishop David Graves about our next steps and the upcoming United Methodist Judicial Council ruling. Click here to watch video. Click here to read written transcript and to ...

Bishop David Graves and the Alabama-West Florida Conference are pleased to announce the addition of Mrs. Kristi McClellan as a contract grant writer. Her priority will be assisting the local mission agencies that are currently ...

Friends, As another week has passed and the weekend is dawning, for me, it is filled with traveling this Saturday morning to Santa Rosa Beach and Good News United Methodist Church to participate and share in the Service of ...

Montgomery, Ala.—Huntingdon College is accepting registrations for the 2017 Huntingdon Leadership Academy, established in 2015 to assist high school juniors and seniors in discerning God’s call on their lives. Supported by a gift ...

(Montgomery, AL) - Bishop David W. Graves announces that Dr. Debora Bishop has been projected as a District Superintendent to the Alabama-West Florida Conference cabinet, effective July 1, 2017.  Currently serving as pastor of ...

(Dothan, AL) - Over 250 clergy from the Alabama-West Florida Conference gathered today at Dothan FUMC. In years past this event has been held in Montgomery, AL. This event was held at a more central location in the conference to ...

(Montgomery, AL) - The Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church Board of Church & Society hosted a prayer breakfast on February 16, 2017, at the Alabama State House in downtown Montgomery. State Treasurer ...

Springfield UMC, in the Marianna-Panama City District, suffered an extensive fire and the sanctuary is a total loss. We are thankful that there are no injuries. Flames were reported shortly before 9pm on Sunday, February 26.  Dr....

To All AWF Health Plan Participants:  Would you like to win a FREE Fitbit? The Alabama-West Florida Conference Board of Pension & Health Benefits is kicking off a friendly health competition called Thrive!!  Here is how you can ...

Greetings to the wonderful people of the Alabama-West Florida Conference: I have been blessed by my times in the Town Hall/District visits in four of our districts and look forward to my time in the other four districts over the ...

Bishop David Graves 4719 Woodmere Blvd. Montgomery, AL 36106   Dear David:    I have just received the incredibly generous gift of $5000 for disaster recovery here in South Georgia. This is overwhelming to me! It has been 25 years...

(UMNS) - General Conference delegates had their say last year. Now, it’s up to annual conference voters to determine whether five amendments will become part of The United Methodist Church’s constitution. In the coming months, the...

A local church staff can “make it or break it” based on how well they connect with one another. That is why knowing each other's strengths can offer a glimpse into how we are most productive. How do you prefer to receive ...