As previously announced on May 5, 2020, the Alabama-West Florida Conference has made significant budget cuts that have led to the restructuring of staff. All staff transitions are complete as of today, September 1, 2020. To further assist our local churches in understanding the staff resources available, the following changes have occurred.
Episcopal Office and Office of Ministerial Services
-Erika Glawson will serve as the Executive Administrative Assistant to the Episcopal Office. She will resource Bishop David Graves and Rev. June Jernigan, as well as the AWF Board of Ordained Ministry.
Office of Communications
-Conference audio visual and design needs will be outsourced out as needed.
Office of Congregational Development
-Rev. Bill Kierce, AWF Director of Congregational Development, will serve as the staff liaison to the AWF Town & Country Commission.
Office of Connectional Ministries
-Rev. Ashley Davis, AWF Director of Connectional Ministries, will oversee the work of mission and outreach.
-Celeste Eubanks, AWF Director of Leadership Strategies, will manage multicultural ministries and will serve as the staff liaison to the AWF Committee on the Status and Role of Women and the AWF Board of Church and Society.
-Should you need to visit the conference office in person, please make an appointment with the relevant staff member prior to your visit.
District Changes
-The two regional offices have been established and are fully operational. The southern region includes the Baypines, Marianna-Panama City, Mobile and Pensacola districts and is resourced by Kim Doss, district administrator. The southern region office is located in the former Mobile district office. The northern region will include Demopolis, Dothan, Montgomery-Opelika and Montgomery-Prattville districts and is resourced by Charlene Moncrief, district administrator. The northern region office is located in the former Montgomery districts office.
-The current Montgomery-Opelika district superintendent will also serve the Montgomery-Prattville district, while other district superintendents will share supervision roles.
- The eight district Websites are merging into a presence on www.awfumc.org.
“While reducing staff is always difficult work, I am grateful for the professionalism exemplified by our current staff and those who are exploring new opportunities,” stated Bishop David Graves. “Many of our former employees have found life-giving opportunities or have decided not to pursue job opportunities at this time. Each ministry area has embraced creative ways to continue to resource our conference. Since announcing these changes in May, I have been overwhelmed at the leadership shown by this conference. I want to thank Celeste Eubanks for her role in transitioning our district offices to regional offices and handling that tedious work with compassion and attention to detail. We covet your prayers and ask for grace and patience as we move forward with less resources. You will find that our current team demonstrates the best of our United Methodist denomination and I am proud to walk alongside them.”
A complete conference staff listing may be found here. District information may be found here.