News

March 07, 2019

Pastors became counselors after deadly tornado

(Sam Hodges for the UMNS) - Ash Wednesday gatherings at United Methodist churches in east Alabama became services of remembrance for 23 people killed in a massive tornado.  For sure, the United Methodist pastors of Lee County, ...

March 06, 2019

Post General Conference Meetings and Questions

In preparation for the post general conference meetings with Bishop Graves this week, we are announcing a dedicated gmail address where you can send your questions ahead of time. These questions will be given priority. We will ...

March 05, 2019

A Lenten Challenge from Bishop David Graves

Bishop David Graves has offered a Lenten challenge for the people of the Alabama-West Florida Conference and beyond. Click here or to see the video. We invite you to share this challenge with your local churches and on social ...

March 05, 2019

A Statement from Dr. Jeff Wilson and the Montgomery-Opelika District: Lee County Storm Damage

"The Montgomery-Opelika District suffered catastrophic damage on Sunday, March 3, 2019, as a result of violent storms and tornadoes. To date, 23 people have died and more than 50 people were injured. The response from the United ...

March 04, 2019

A Statement from Bishop David Graves Regarding Catastrophic Storms in Alabama

“I am deeply saddened as I continue to hear of the rising death toll in Lee County. Yesterday’s storms were catastrophic and will leave a permanent mark on areas of our conference. I want to express my deepest sympathy to the ...

March 03, 2019

March 3 Storm and Tornado Damage

The southern and eastern parts of Alabama have been in the line of significant storms and tornadoes today and the activity is not yet over. First responders are trying to gain access to several areas. According to Montgomery media...

February 26, 2019

General Conference Day Four: Plenary Session

A Video Message from Bishop Graves We invite you to watch a video message from Bishop David Graves related to the conclusion of General Conference. Click here to view. Click here to read transcript. You may also listen to this ...

February 26, 2019

A Statement from the Alabama-West Florida Conference

The 2019 special-called session of General Conference has adjourned. Eight hundred and sixty-four delegates from around the world convened in St. Louis, MO, from February 23-26, 2019. The delegates examined paragraphs in the ...

February 26, 2019

A Video Message from Bishop Graves: Conclusion of General Conference

We invite you to watch a video message from Bishop David Graves related to the conclusion of General Conference. Click here to view. Click here to read transcript. There are many resources available related to this special-called...

February 25, 2019

General Conference Day Three: Legislative Committee Work

"Many wondered if we could address all of the petitions in one legislative day but today we were able to accomplish that. The delegates are very focused on the petitions and the votes consistently exemplify that. Thus far, the ...

February 24, 2019

General Conference Day Two: Legislative Prioritization

"It’s a historical moment in our church and I wanted to be a part of that history. I also wanted to be here in support and prayer for those who make these difficult decisions.” -Rev. Jean Tippit, Discipleship Pastor at Christ UMC ...

February 24, 2019

AWF Clergy Make the Journey to St. Louis for Historic Conference

(Rev. Jeremy Steele for AWF Conference) - In addition to our delegates, bishop and some of the conference staff, several dedicated United Methodist leaders from our conference have made the long pilgrimage to Saint Louis joining ...

February 23, 2019

General Conference Day One: A Day of Prayer

“It was important for the United Methodist Church to come together and spend intentional time in prayer and fasting before we begin the legislative work. I, along with many other bishops and delegates, will be fasting during the ...

February 23, 2019

General Conference Begins with Prayer and Fasting

Today marked the beginning of a significant time in the life of the United Methodist Church. Bishops, media, observers, and a total of eight hundred and sixty-four delegates gathered in St. Louis at the America’s Center Convention...

February 19, 2019

United Methodists Meet in St. Louis for Worldwide Conference

St. Louis: Delegates and observers from around the world will gather at the Dome at America’s Center, February 24-26, 2019, for the Special Session of the United Methodist General Conference. The General Conference is the only ...

February 18, 2019

Resources for the Special-called Session of General Conference

A special session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church will take place February 23-26, 2019, in St. Louis, Missouri. The purpose will be to receive and act on a report from the Commission on a Way Forward based...

February 18, 2019

A Statement from the Alabama-West Florida Conference

Eight hundred and sixty-four delegates from around the world will convene in St. Louis, MO, on February 23-26, 2019, to attend the special-called session of General Conference. General Conference is the top policy-making body of ...

February 13, 2019

A Video Message from Bishop Graves: General Conference 2019

We invite you to watch a video message from Bishop David Graves related to the upcoming special-called General Conference. Click here to view. Click here to read transcript.  There are many resources available related to this ...

February 07, 2019

Century Church project gaining ground

(Kari Barlow for AWFUMC) - Century Church is several steps closer to finalizing the design of its innovative new campus at The Oaks in Pike Road.   In mid-December, church members, community residents and local officials joined ...

February 07, 2019

Rev. Walter Cash to retire as Director of Alabama Course of Study School after 24 years of service

“I am where I am in ministry because of persons who have taken an interest in me – helping me and mentoring me and providing a way for me to be the best pastor I can be,” the Reverend Walter Cash reflects. “Because so many have ...

February 01, 2019

Seminar on Racial and Economic Justice Educates Conference on Past and Present Issues

The AWF Board of Church and Society held a Seminar on Racial and Economic Justice to bring awareness to current and past injustices. The seminar welcomed Gabrielle Daniel, a Racial Justice Fellow with Equal Justice Initiative ...

January 31, 2019

Think about it ... social media exposes whatever is in your heart

(Bishop David Graves for The Montgomery Advertiser) - My seminary professor of preaching was Dr. Fred Craddock who said, “The longest journey any of us will ever make is from the head to the heart.” Think about that for a moment. ...

January 24, 2019

Florida churches raise over $1.5 million for Michael relief

(Florida Conference UMC) - Inspired by a matching funds challenge of $500,000 from First UMC Ormond Beach, Florida Conference churches raised over $1 million for Hurricane Michael relief for the Alabama West Florida Conference. A ...

January 22, 2019

Conference Staff off to busy start in 2019

(Kari C. Barlow for AWFUMC) - The Alabama-West Florida Conference staff is ushering in the new year with a renewed focus on its 2018-2020 priorities.   Those four areas—growing discipleship, cultivating exceptional talent, ...

January 18, 2019

2019 Annual Conference Pre-conference Briefing Dates Announced

The Alabama-West Florida Conference will hold seven pre-annual conference briefings for clergy and lay members to annual conference. These meetings will be under the direction of Rev. Ashley Davis, AWF Director of Connectional ...

January 17, 2019

Prayers for the AWF Conference Appointment Process

Friends, Currently the Cabinet, Pastors, Staff-Parish Relations Committees (SPRC), and churches are working on the upcoming appointment year, which spans from July 2019 to June 2020. To inform you of our process, but most ...

January 15, 2019

AWF Announces Hurricane Michael Recovery Leaders

  The Alabama-West Florida Conference is pleased to announce two new leaders for the Hurricane Michael long-term recovery efforts.   Rev. Chris Ackerman will serve as the Hurricane Michael Recovery Director and Tammy Tisher will ...

January 14, 2019

A Video Message: 2019 is off to a great start!

We invite you to watch and share a video message from Bishop David Graves, staff and cabinet about several exciting things happening in 2019. Click here to view. Click here to read the transcript. Closed captioning is now ...

January 10, 2019

Deaf Prayer Service Held for those impacted by Hurricane Michael

Woodlawn United Methodist Church in Panama City hosted a Deaf Prayer Service for members of the local Deaf Community impacted by Hurricane Michael on November 24, 2018. Reverend Mark Ehrlichmann, pastor of Center Ridge United ...

December 17, 2018

Competency, Camaraderie and Creativity

New Bishop’s Clergy Learning Cohort focuses on pastoral support   (Kari C. Barlow for AWFUMC) - Bishop David Graves, in partnership with the Academy for Congregational Excellence (ACE),  has launched a new initiative—the Clergy ...

December 10, 2018

Hurricane Michael Disaster Response, December 10, 2018

The Alabama-West Florida Conference continues to serve those in need along the panhandle of Florida after Hurricane Michael.  Conference leaders and UMCOR consultants have assisted those who setup temporary shelter at Forest Park ...

December 07, 2018

Save the Date: Post General Conference Regional Meetings

Please save the date for a post 2019 general conference regional meeting in your area. Bishop David Graves and AWF conference leadership are inviting all clergy and laity to join them for an overview of the called session and a ...

December 05, 2018

Upcoming Annual Conference Deadlines

Members and friends of the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church:   The Committee on Standing Rules has begun its work in preparation for the 2019 Annual Conference session, June 2-5, 2019, at Frazer ...

November 28, 2018

Fund Pledges Additional Resources For Hurricane Michael Relief

Hurricane Michael caused severe damage to Port St. Joe, Florida, a community with deep ties to the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 57% of structures, (homes and businesses with ...

November 28, 2018

Shelter from the Storm

First UMC Opelika offers Lynn Haven UMC Youth Group respite from hurricane recovery   (Kari Barlow for AWFUMC) - About two weeks after Hurricane Michael devastated Panama City and much of the surrounding area, Lynn Haven UMC ...

November 27, 2018

Hurricane Michael Disaster Response, November 27, 2018

Giving Tuesday is today! There are many worthwhile ministries to consider. We invite you to consider giving to the Alabama-West Florida Conference for the Hurricane Michael relief efforts. This money continues to be distributed to...

November 15, 2018

A Video Message from Bishop David Graves and Rev. Ashley Davis

We invite you to watch and share a video message from Bishop David Graves and Rev. Ashley Davis related to our Hurricane Michael recovery efforts. Click here to view. Click here to read the transcript. Closed captioning is now ...

November 12, 2018

Hurricane Michael Disaster Response, November 12, 2018

As we continue to assess the needs in the Marianna, Port St. Joe, Panama City and surrounding areas, we will need as many ERT teams as possible. Badged out-of-conference teams are invited to the panhandle area. All teams must plan...

November 07, 2018

Hurricane Michael Disaster Response, November 7, 2018

Thank you for your continued generosity and desire to help those in the panhandle of Florida. The response from the Alabama-West Florida Conference will be a long-term effort. It is extremely important to remind local churches and...

October 30, 2018

Hurricane Michael Disaster Response, October 30, 2018

Thank you for the tremendous outpouring of love and support you continue to provide to those in the panhandle. There are a few important updates related to the AWF relief efforts.  If you did not see the release yesterday, we now ...

October 29, 2018

AWF Conference Announces New Hurricane Michael Volunteer Portal

The Alabama-West Florida Conference is announcing a new online portal that will register Hurricane Michael volunteer teams. The new portal was established through the Planning Center software, which many medium- and large-sized ...

October 25, 2018

Hurricane Michael Disaster Response, October 25, 2018

Port St. Joe and FUMC Panama City are in need of the traditional UMCOR cleaning kits (flood buckets) that we frequently encourage churches to assemble. They have received several shipments but need more due to the severe storm ...

October 23, 2018

Hurricane Michael Disaster Response, October 23, 2018

We continue to assess the needs in the Marianna-Panama City District. As previously stated, our greatest needs are prayer and monetary donations. We are most grateful for the outpouring of love we have received.  In relation to ...

October 19, 2018

Hurricane Michael Disaster Response, October 19, 2018

We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to Bishop Ken Carter, the Florida Annual Conference and FUMC Ormond Beach for their incredible matching challenge to raise one million dollars. Click here for article.  The ...

October 19, 2018

York Named Hurricane Michael Response Director

The Alabama-West Florida Conference is pleased to announce that Rev. Shawn York has been assigned to be the Hurricane Michael Response Director. York currently serves as the executive pastor at Gulf Breeze UMC. He will continue to...

October 18, 2018

AWF Disaster Response to Hurricane Michael: A Glance One Week After the Storm

On October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael raged ashore making landfall in the Alabama-West Florida Conference. The catastrophic damage is far-reaching and the recovery process will be a long-term effort that the United Methodist ...

October 18, 2018

Gift will match up to $500,000 in Hurricane Michael donations

Sisters and Brothers in the Florida Conference, Thank you for your response thus far to the needs of our brothers and sisters in the United Methodist churches of the panhandle of Florida. Many of you began to receive offerings ...

October 17, 2018

Hurricane Michael Disaster Response, October 17, 2018

Many of you have expressed interest in how you can immediately help the survivors of Hurricane Michael. Prayer, monetary donations directly to the conference and supplies are ways you can help now. The United Methodist Church has ...

October 15, 2018

Hurricane Michael Disaster Response, October 15, 2018

You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to the conference newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe from Hurricane Michael updates, you may do so by following the unsubscribe link. Please carefully select your options...

October 11, 2018

Hurricane Michael Aftermath Update

10.30.18 Updated at 10:31am to include update on Parker UMC 10.22.18 Updated at 7:46am to include Williams Memorial status 10.19.18 Updated at 7:55pm to include status of Shady Grove UMC, Grand Ridge UMC and Altha UMC.  Updated ...
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