News

November 22, 2024

A Letter from Bishop Jonathan Holston Regarding Perdido Bay UMC

My friends, We frequently use the word “Connectionalism” to refer to that sometimes intangible, but more often very real something that identifies us as United Methodists. Connectionalism is a foundational element of what it means...

November 19, 2024

Holston Tours Districts in First Ninety Days

In the first three months of his Episcopal assignment, Bishop Jonathan Holston has certainly kept a full schedule. It will most likely be this way for the next few years being assigned two conferences but among the most important ...

November 07, 2024

Conference Trustees Respond to United Methodist Judicial Council Decision on Church Property and Disaffiliation

During its October 23-26, 2024 meeting, the Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church issued a ruling clarifying that Paragraph 2549 of The Book of Discipline cannot be used to authorize local church disaffiliations or ...

November 06, 2024

A Word from Bishop Holston: We can “be a blessing!” and take the next faithful steps together

“Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless - that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also ...

October 31, 2024

A Statement Regarding the Fall Judicial Council Decisions

The Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church met last week to review their Fall Docket and has released their decisions related to those agenda items. In the docket was a request for a declaratory decision by the ...

October 23, 2024

A Word from Bishop Holston: The Upcoming Election

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,   In less than two weeks each of us will have the opportunity to exercise our right as United States citizens to vote in the upcoming election. Just a simple word such as “election” invokes many ...

October 22, 2024

On-Boarding Helps Incoming Bishop Launch New Episcopal Assignment

The words “On-boarding” are familiar in the Alabama-West Florida Conference. This concept was widely launched into the United Methodist Church in 2016 when five newly elected bishops and one current bishop were assigned to their ...

October 21, 2024

Alabama Rural Ministry Invites You To Participate in "No More Shacks"

Dear AWF Conference friends, We are inviting you to join Alabama Rural Ministry (ARM) for our 17th annual "No More Shacks: Faces of Restoration," taking place from October 31 to November 4, in front of the Auburn Wesley ...

October 03, 2024

The Ark Ministers to Unhoused Community While Launching New Church

(Rev. Kelli Hitchman-Craig for AWF) - In what was formerly a United Methodist retreat center, The Ark is working to re-house and restore unhoused people in Panama City Beach, Florida. Beginning first as a coffee shop and ...

October 02, 2024

Alabama-West Florida Conference to Celebrate Laity Sunday

Laity Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday, October 20, 2024. In the United Methodist Church, Laity Sunday is a day that celebrates the Holy Spirit's empowerment of Christians' lives for ministry, regardless of age, in their homes,...

October 01, 2024

After Hurricanes Helene and Milton: AWF Responds and Five Ways You Can Help

The Alabama-West Florida Conference continues to help those who need it most after Hurricanes Helene and Milton and we need each church in the conference to participate in some way. First, Rev. Chris Ackerman, AWF Disaster ...

September 27, 2024

Alabama-West Florida Conference Spared Catastrophic Damage After Helene

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains ...

September 27, 2024

Friday, September 27th am Hurricane Helene Update

Rev. Chris Ackerman, AWF Director of Disaster Response, reports that overall, the Alabama-West Florida Conference was spared significant damage. The Port St. Joe area did receive some flooding but it is not catastrophic. Rev. ...

September 24, 2024

Alabama-West Florida Conference Welcomes Holston Family

(Montgomery, AL) – Bishop L. Jonathan Holston was officially welcomed as resident bishop of the Alabama-West Florida Conference on Sunday, September 22, 2024. Clergy, laity, and friends of the Alabama-West Florida Conference ...

September 24, 2024

Sacred Votes

(AWFUMC Office of Diversity and Justice Ministries) - As we approach this critical election season, the importance of civic and voter engagement cannot be overstated. The choices we make at the polls have the power to shape our ...

September 16, 2024

Family Promise and United Methodists: Working Together to End Homelessness in Escambia County

(Rev. Kelli Hitchman-Craig for AWF) - Homelessness and housing insecurity is a growing problem in Escambia County, Florida, and the surrounding areas. In fact, there are over 4,000 homeless children in Escambia County alone. An ...

September 10, 2024

A Message from Bishop Holston: Tropical Storm Francine

Brothers and sisters in the Alabama-West Florida Conference,   As most of you have heard, there is a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico. Francine is likely to turn into a hurricane today and make landfall in the Louisiana area ...

September 05, 2024

Guest Commentary: The Modern-day Challenges of Giving

(Dr. Mike Pearson) - It has been at least three or more years since I have written a newsletter article. I recently read a book about church finances that woke up something in me. In fact, I have been recommending this book to as ...

August 22, 2024

Communities of Transformation Launches New Site in Western PA UMC Conference

In 2010, under the direction of Bishop Paul Leland, the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference launched a task force focusing on a faith-based approach to serving families in need. From their work, Communities of Transformation ...

August 06, 2024

Cutchens to Serve on General Board of Church and Society

Joscelyne Cutchens, a lay member at First United Methodist Church, was recently named as a 2024-2028 quadrennial board member for the General Board of Church and Society. Church and Society lives out the calling to work toward ...

July 29, 2024

Panhandle New Church Start Brainstorms Niche Ministry

(New Ministry Strategies) - Safe Harbor United Methodist Church is a new church start in Niceville/Valparaiso, Florida. This community of faith emerged from the Emerald Coast Fellowship that used to meet at different venues but is...

July 11, 2024

Holston to Lead Alabama-West Florida and North Alabama Conferences

Bishop L. Jonathan Holston has been assigned as resident bishop to the newly named Alabama Panhandle Episcopal area. This new Episcopal area includes the former Alabama-West Florida and the Birmingham Episcopal areas. While this ...

July 11, 2024

Alabama-West Florida Conference Represented in SEJ Nominations Committee

Two of AWF’s General Conference delegates represented the Alabama-West Florida Conference as part of the SEJ Nominations Committee. Two people from each of the 15 conferences of the SEJ served on this committee. Our ...

July 05, 2024

Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference to gather July 10-12

The 2024 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference will meet July 10-12 at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center in Lake Junaluska, NC. The 2024 Conference theme is “Forward in Faith.” Like the worldwide legislative meeting ...

June 19, 2024

2024 Annual Conference: In Review

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 ...

June 18, 2024

Annual Conference Day Three, June 18, 2024

Morning business session: Day three of annual conference began with the collective voices of the conference in singing, "Go Make of All Disciples." Each business session has begun with a hymn and a prayer from a lay person in the ...

June 17, 2024

Annual Conference Day Two, June 17, 2024

The 2024 Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference began on Sunday, June 16, 2024, with the laity and clergy executive sessions.  Opening Worship: Day two of the conference welcomed clergy and lay members and their guests to the ...

June 13, 2024

Know Before You Go: 2024 AWF Annual Conference Information

The Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church will hold its 2024 Annual Conference session Sunday, June 16-Tuesday, June 18 at First United Methodist Church in Montgomery, AL. This year’s theme is, “Revive Us ...

June 12, 2024

Foundry UMC Celebrates First Anniversary

(New Ministry Strategies) - Foundry United Methodist Church just celebrated their One Year Celebration on May 19th. During the celebration, they shared testimonies and had a guest preacher from North Carolina, Rev. Brent Levy from...

June 11, 2024

Valedictory Credo on the Purpose of United Methodist Baccalaureate Higher Education from President Cam West

III Pentecost Colleagues, Friends, Family: As I prepare to step aside from a 21 year presidency at Huntingdon effective July 1, soon to serve as President Emeritus and for the next academic year as Senior Advisor for United ...

June 03, 2024

A Statement Regarding the May 31 Alabama Supreme Court Ruling

“We are grateful to the Alabama Supreme Court for affirming that the court does not have jurisdiction over this case and therefore, dismissing this case brought against the Alabama-West Florida Conference by 44 local United ...

May 30, 2024

Alabama-West Florida 2024 Annual Conference Information

The Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church will hold its 2024 Annual Conference session Sunday, June 16-Tuesday, June 18 at First United Methodist Church in Montgomery, AL. All services will be live ...

May 14, 2024

An Open Letter to the Churches of the AWF Conference for Disaster Relief Help

To the churches of the Alabama-West Florida United Methodist Conference,   What comes to mind when someone mentions the town of Selma, Alabama? If you have seen the movie of the same name, you will know that Selma was a hotbed in...

May 13, 2024

Grace UMC in Prattville Connects with Local YMCA Community

(New Ministry Strategies) Grace United Methodist Church in Prattville, AL, is a new church start that has been gathering for worship for over a year now. Currently, their services are held at the Grandview YMCA in Millbrook on ...

May 03, 2024

Bishop Summarizes 2024 General Conference in Video Message

Bishop David Graves, resident bishop of the Alabama-West Florida Conference, shares a recap of the past two weeks at General Conference. We invite you to share this message. Click here to view. 

May 01, 2024

A Letter from Bishop Graves Regarding the Removal of Restrictive Language

Friends in the Alabama-West Florida Conference,   Today was a historic day in the life of the United Methodist Church. The delegates of General Conference voted on many items; one being the removal of the ban on LGBTQ restrictive ...

April 30, 2024

AWF Post General Conference Clergy and Laity Meetings: Updated Dates

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 ...

April 29, 2024

Leading Ladies Represent Alabama-West Florida in Charlotte

(Rev. Kelli Hitchman-Craig) - In the past year if you read any news report, checked social media, or had any conversations with friends you most likely discussed the movie, Barbie, and/or Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour. It has been ...

April 25, 2024

Praying Our Way Through General Conference

(Rev. Kelli Hitchman-Craig) - As the first week of the 2024 General Conference nears its finish, the delegates, reserve delegates, volunteers, staff, and observers from the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference have felt your ...

April 25, 2024

Regionalization gets General Conference go-ahead

General Conference has now passed much of the legislation that aims to give The United Methodist Church’s different geographic regions equal standing in decision-making authority. In what outgoing Council of Bishops President ...

April 25, 2024

Reserve Delegates Serve as Key Part of Team

Reserve delegates are a critical component of any General Conference delegation. While they might not be in the spotlight like main delegates, many of them are behind the scenes supporting, researching, organizing and most ...

April 24, 2024

AWF Delegates Begin Legislative Committee Work, Kincaid Elected as Committee Secretary

Today begins the work of the legislative committees at General Conference. Much of this week’s work is centered around these committees and reviewing the 1,099 petitions that were submitted prior to 2020 and leading up to the ...

April 23, 2024

General Secretary Leads Central Conference Delegate Training

Dawn Wiggins Hare, General Secretary of the Commission on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW), wears many hats in the denomination and will certainly be among the busiest in the next two weeks. Hare was tasked with chairing the ...

April 22, 2024

Alabama-West Florida Conference Represented at 2024 General Conference through Volunteer Opportunities

With General Conference upon us, the United Methodists of Alabama-West Florida have taken a hands-on approach to participation in the upcoming conference. Not only does the annual conference have a brilliant delegation to ...

April 16, 2024

Pike Road UMC Offers Firm Foundation in United Methodist Tradition of Worship

(New Ministry Strategies) Pike Road UMC is a relatively young church plant in Pike Road, Alabama. Worship, as outlined in the United Methodist liturgy and its hymns, is at the heart of what they do. Their pastor, Rev. Dr. Lane ...

April 15, 2024

Fountain of Love Offering 2024 - Meet Rev. Leonard & Gayle Shults

“I picked her up on a street corner in Flint, Michigan,” Leonard laughs, a joke no doubt told innumerable times during their almost 66-year marriage. Leonard explained that he had just come home from a two-year stint in the Navy ...

March 26, 2024

A Statement Regarding the Closure of Birmingham-Southern College

"On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, an announcement was made by the Board of Trustees of Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) that the college will close at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year. Regretfully, possible sources of necessary ...

March 21, 2024

AWF Pastor Creates Abbreviated Disciple Bible Study

(Rev. Kelli Hitchman-Craig for AWF) - Disciple Bible Study first launched in 1987, and since then has educated over 3 million participants. Most often referred to as just “Disciple,” the resource was first developed by Bishop ...

March 20, 2024

Shared Episcopal Task Group Meets to Begin Transition Work

On Thursday, March 14, 2024, representatives from Alabama-West Florida, North Alabama and the South Georgia Conferences met in Columbus, GA, to begin the necessary work of the shared Episcopal area. The group held an introductory ...

March 18, 2024

Bishop Announces New Staff Appointment

Bishop David Graves, resident bishop of the Alabama-West Florida Conference, is pleased to announce that Dr. Jeff Wilson, current Southeast district superintendent and dean of the cabinet, will serve as the assistant to the bishop...
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