News

October 01, 2019

AWF Clergy Trained on Ways to Resist Racism

Racism. It’s a word many do not seek to learn more about. Whether it is how a person was raised, cultural influences or simply not having resources to properly ask the tough questions, these necessary conversations are not always ...

September 23, 2019

How You Can Celebrate Disability Awareness Sunday

In the Alabama-West Florida Conference, every year we designate a Sunday to celebrate the gifts and graces of persons with disabilities. Sunday, October 20, 2019 was the date selected for this year, but churches may choose to do ...

September 19, 2019

Phishing Scam Targets Congregations

We have heard from a number of Alabama-West Florida Conference clergy whose congregations have been the target of an e-mail scam. Church members have received fraudulent emails that appear to be from the pastor and ask for help ...

September 18, 2019

Local Church Turns Charge Conference Reports into Ministry Celebrations

Charge Conference season is in full force! Many pastors view this as a time of paperwork and a necessary meeting, but others have begun to see this as a time to celebrate ministry and the ways God is working in their local church....

September 18, 2019

Panama City Church Gives Generously to Hurricane Dorian Survivors

Lynn Haven UMC (LHUMC), located in the heart of the Hurricane Michael devastation, knows the pain and heartache of losing everything. On October 10, 2018, Michael was relentless with its power. Many members of Lynn Haven UMC lost ...

September 17, 2019

Potential AWF Called Annual Conference Session Announced for 2020

Under the leadership and direction of Bishop David Graves, the Alabama-West Florida Conference has announced a potential special called annual conference session related to General Conference 2020 legislation. This is in addition ...

September 16, 2019

Hurricane Michael Remembrance Resources Now Available

As previously announced, the Alabama-West Florida Conference is planning intentional time to remember the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael, which made landfall on October 10, 2018.  Multiple resources are now available to ...

September 10, 2019

Hurricane Dorian: How You Can Help

Although the impact on the United States from Hurricane Dorian was less than predicted, we know other areas were not as fortunate. Our prayers continue for our neighbors in the Bahamas and others impacted by the storm. Our ...

September 08, 2019

Preaching Event Equips Clergy for Upcoming Advent Season

Under the leadership of Dr. Sam Parkes and Rev. Jeremy Steele, clergy from around the Alabama-West Florida Conference gathered on Thursday, September 5, 2019, at Montgomery FUMC to collectively explore sermon preparation around ...

September 05, 2019

Oldest Conference Clergy Member Turns 100

(Kari Barlow for AWFUMC) - On a summer evening in Grove Hill, Alabama, in the early 1930s, a 12-year-old Ray Whatley answered the call to pastoral ministry and never looked back.   He and his younger brother, Billy, had walked ...

August 28, 2019

Alabama-West Florida Conference Task Force Reviews Initial Denominational Plans

The Alabama-West Florida Conference Discernment Task Force met on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, at Greenville FUMC. This group had its inaugural meeting on July 16, 2019.   Since the first gathering in July, several denominational ...

August 26, 2019

A Word from Bishop Graves

We invite you to watch a video message update from Bishop David Graves. Click here to view. Click here to read transcript.  You may also listen to this message as an audio-only podcast by clicking here, by searching for "AWFUMC ...

August 16, 2019

Fascinating Discussion Leads to General Conference 2020 Theme

General Conference organizers chose “…and know I am God” as the theme of the 2020 United Methodist General Conference, but not before discovering the Psalm’s words and even its verse numbers vary by translation depending on the ...

August 14, 2019

Alabama-West Florida Conference to Remember Hurricane Michael

October 10, 2018, changed the lives of thousands as well as the landscape of the beautiful states of Florida and Georgia. The Alabama-West Florida Conference is home to numerous churches that received significant damage in ...

August 08, 2019

Rovira Announces Retirement for Fall 2019

Ms. Marth Rovira, Coordinator of Hispanic and Latino Ministries, has announced her retirement, effective November 1, 2019. Rovira has faithfully served in this role for twelve years and has been a dedicated advocate for this ...

August 05, 2019

Longtime FUMC Port St. Joe Member Celebrates Home Restoration

Mrs. Mary Belin, 94 of Port St Joe. FL, is celebrating her home restoration after Hurricane Michael severely damaged the residence. She started working at age 14 so she could put herself through school and moved into this house ...

August 01, 2019

Resisting Racism Training Announced for AWF Clergy

It is oftentimes an eye-opening, embarrassing, and/or troubling moment when a person realizes they have offended someone with a racist comment or action. Situations like this are often the result of a lack of awareness. In an ...

July 16, 2019

Alabama-West Florida Conference Establishes Discernment Task Force

Under the direction of Bishop David W. Graves, a task force of conference leaders assembled on Thursday, July 11, 2019, at Aldersgate UMC in Montgomery, AL.   In its initial meeting on Thursday, the group began by establishing a ...

July 11, 2019

A Word from Bishop Graves and Rev. Chris Ackerman: Tropical Storm Barry and the 2019 Hurricane Season

To our friends, neighbors, and churches in the Alabama-West Florida Conference:   Based on the most recent forecasts from the National Weather Service, it appears that Tropical Storm/Hurricane Barry will eventually have some ...

July 08, 2019

General Conference 2020 Petition Submission Process Opens

Nashville, Tenn.: Petitions for consideration by the 2020 General Conference may be submitted to the Petitions Secretary now through September 18, 2019. According to church law, "Any organization, clergy member, or lay member of ...

June 18, 2019

Partners in Recovery: Disaster recovery partnerships form in wake of Hurricane Michael

(Kari C. Barlow for AWFUMC) - More than seven months after Hurricane Michael toppled countless trees around Grace United Methodist Church and peeled back the corners of its metal roof, the tiny church continues to struggle.   Most...

June 05, 2019

Annual Conference Day Four, June 5, 2019

In the News Full Recap, Bulletin Insert and video coming this Thursday! Stay tuned to www.awfumc.org/ac2019 for an informative bulletin insert and brief video. The insert is printer friendly and we encourage you to share it and ...

June 03, 2019

Annual Conference, Day Two, June 3, 2019

In the News Morning Worship: For the third year at annual conference, each day began 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 ...

June 02, 2019

Annual Conference Day One, June 2, 2019

In the News Opening Worship: A capacity crowd attended the Opening Worship Service of the 2019 Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference session, which was held Sunday evening, June 2, in the sanctuary of Frazer Memorial UMC in ...

May 30, 2019

Glaize Named New Director of Alabama Course of Study

Rev. Alecia C. Glaize has been named the new director for the Alabama Course of Study Extension School (ALCOS). This school is part of a network of regional, extension, and satellite schools designed to provide vital education to ...

May 16, 2019

Important Final Details and Guide to Annual Conference 2019

We are quickly approaching the 2019 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 ...

May 02, 2019

Hurricane Michael Update and Video Resource

Hello friends of the Alabama-West Florida Conference! We are excited to share some updates on the Hurricane Michael Recovery efforts in our conference. We have had many hurdles to jump while building our recovery program. One of ...

May 01, 2019

A Video Message from Bishop Graves

We invite you to watch a video message update from Bishop David Graves. Click here to view.  Click here to read transcript.   You may also listen to this message as an audio-only podcast by clicking here, by searching for "AWFUMC ...

April 30, 2019

UMCOR Awards $4.6 Million Grant to Alabama-West Florida Conference to Support Hurricane Michael Recovery Efforts

(UMCOR) - United Methodists in Alabama-West Florida are undertaking large-scale recovery programs for those affected by Hurricane Michael with assistance from the United Methodist Committee on Relief.   A $4.6 million UMCOR grant ...

April 26, 2019

A Response to the April 2019 Judicial Council Ruling

On April 26, 2019, the Judicial Council ruled that parts of the Traditional Plan passed at the 2019 General Conference were constitutional (other parts were previously ruled unconstitutional). The Judicial Council also ruled the ...

April 25, 2019

UMCOR Assists With 2018 Hurricane Recovery

(Linda Bloom with UMNS) - United Methodists in North Carolina and Alabama-West Florida are undertaking large-scale recovery programs for those affected by U.S. hurricanes in 2018, with assistance from the United Methodist ...

April 12, 2019

Potential Palm Sunday Severe Weather

For most of our conference, there is potential for severe weather on Palm Sunday. It is impossible to know the exact timing or areas of concern, but please be aware of this possibility.  As a clergy person or a leader in your ...

April 10, 2019

Lee County Aftermath: How You Can Help

(Rev. Lisa Pierce) - We appreciate your love, support, and prayers over the past five weeks. It has been a whirlwind, as you can imagine. Below you will find an update on the progress being made in Lee County.  We appreciate so ...

April 04, 2019

2019 Annual Conference Information

Annual Conference 2019 is quickly approaching! This year's theme is, "This We Proclaim." We are most appreciative to Dr. Larry Bryars and his staff at Frazer Memorial UMC in Montgomery, AL, for hosting us again this year as well ...

April 03, 2019

A New Era of Leadership: Tuskegee University and AWFUMC Celebrate Inauguration of First Woman President at Tuskegee University

(Audrey Rodgers) - On Saturday, March 16, 2019, Tuskegee University installed its first female president, Dr. Lily McNair. McNair’s inauguration was a grand celebration that honored the storied history of Tuskegee University, one ...

March 21, 2019

Pierce Named Director of Lee County United Methodist Disaster Response

Rev. Lisa Pierce, current Director of Alabama Rural Ministry (ARM), has been named as the Lee County United Methodist Disaster Response Director. Pierce is an ordained deacon in the conference and has served as the ARM director ...

March 17, 2019

Bishop Announces District Cabinet Appointments

Bishop David Graves is pleased to announce two projected district cabinet appointments. Rev. Jean Tippit will serve as the Baypines District Superintendent and Dr. Ed Glaize will serve as the Dothan District Superintendent. Dr. ...

March 13, 2019

United Methodist Church Continues Disaster Recovery Work in Lee County

While many people are preparing for Spring Break and the Lenten season, critical disaster relief work continues in Lee County. The afternoon of March 3, 2019, will forever be remembered as the day where lives were lost and, for ...

March 13, 2019

Bishop Leads Capacity Crowds in General Conference Regional Meetings

Over one thousand laity and clergy from around the Alabama-West Florida Conference gathered March 7-11 to hear a summary of the 2019 special-called General Conference. Three regional meetings were open to all United Methodists and...

March 12, 2019

2019 Annual Conference Missional Giving Recipient

The annual conference planning team, directed by Bishop David Graves, is pleased to announce that this year's missional giving recipient for the 2019 Annual Conference special offering is Teaming with Tanzania.   Many of you ...

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 ...
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