Friends in the Alabama-West Florida Conference,
I bring greetings to you from General Conference in Charlotte, NC. You might have heard me say in a video our office of communications published on Monday that the spirit of this conference is unlike anything I have seen at a General Conference. The Holy Spirit is indeed in this place.
Often at the conclusion of General Conference those in our local churches need assistance in clarifying “what just happened.” As leaders of our AWF congregations, I want to help each of you understand the actions and implications of General Conference.
Previously I had scheduled four in-person clergy meetings and one lay Zoom during May. Because information travels so rapidly via social media, live stream and news outlets, I want to empower you to have the most accurate and up-to-date resources as soon as possible. News does not wait on our schedules.
Therefore, I am scheduling two Zoom meetings for Tuesday, May 7. One meeting will be for clergy only at 10am and one for laity at 6pm. Clergy who cannot attend the 10am meeting may attend the evening laity Zoom. During these meetings you will hear from our delegation, office of communications and me on how best to understand the actions of General Conference and communicate to your local churches. We are canceling the four in-person clergy meetings in May and the lay Zoom meeting on May 20th. However, after participating in the May 7th Zoom there will be an opportunity for clergy to register for a one-on-one consultation with a delegate if you need further information and assistance in helping communicate to your local church.
Click here for clergy only Zoom
Click here for laity Zoom
We also wish to use our time together on Zoom wisely. At the conclusion of General Conference, an online form will go live on our Website under Quick Links where you may submit your questions about General Conference outcomes. We will organize these into similar categories and address them at the Zoom meetings. It will not be live until General Conference adjourns.
I always enjoy gathering with our clergy and laity colleagues in person but in order to empower you with the information you need, I know you will understand this format change.
Let me also say how proud I am of your delegation. They are serving with a deep commitment and are spending countless hours serving this conference. You will enjoy hearing from them on the Zoom meetings. Their passion for the Lord and the United Methodist Church is contagious.
Thank you for allowing us to adapt these meetings so that you are prepared to lead your congregations after General Conference. Continue to pray for all of us in Charlotte as we seek God’s will for this conference and our denomination.
In Christ,
Bishop David W. Graves
Resident Bishop
Alabama-West Florida Conference