When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
-Isaiah 43:2
Friends,
If you live within the Alabama-West Florida Conference you are aware of the record-setting rainfall we have received over the last few weeks. Our friends to the west in the Mississippi Conference are experiencing devastating flooding and the rain has not stopped.
As you know, we still depend on help from around the connection to sustain our disaster response efforts related to Hurricane Michael and Lee County tornado relief. We have been the beneficiary of countless gifts and donations that have directly impacted local relief and rebuilding. In the spirit of our strong United Methodist Connection, I am asking each congregation to collect a special offering for the flood relief efforts in the Mississippi Conference. The money will be sent to UMCOR as they are often the first line of relief after a natural disaster. You may mail checks to the conference office (designated for UMCOR Mississippi flooding) or give online through this link. At the moment, ERT teams are not being requested but will be notified if they are needed at a later date.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank you for the many ways you continue to financially support missional apportionment giving in this conference. Despite the projected forecasts, this conference finished its 2019 fiscal year stronger than anticipated with 370 churches giving 100% of their apportionments (63% of apportioned churches) and 47 churches gave more in 2019 than they did in 2018. Also, January of 2020 was one of the best starts recorded in our financial records since I have been your bishop. I am grateful for your continued commitment to this connection that allows us to demonstrate what it means to be United Methodists, especially in uncertain times.
Join me in prayer for the Mississippi Conference that with God’s help they may minister to those around them and fill unmet needs. I invite you to give generously to this offering and am grateful for each of you. May God bless you and your ministry.
In Christ,
Bishop David W. Graves
Resident Bishop
Alabama-West Florida Conference
Checks may be mailed to:
Alabama-West Florida Conference
Mississippi UMCOR Special Offering
4719 Woodmere Boulevard
Montgomery, AL 36106