The Alabama-West Florida Conference delegation gathered on Sunday, March 3-Tuesday, March 5 at FUMC Pensacola. Thanks to the outstanding hospitality of the host church, the delegation was able to experience fruitful meeting time and meaningful worship.
After a delegation dinner on Sunday evening, the retreat officially began on Monday with a service of word and table. Dr. Darren McClellan, senior pastor at Fairhope UMC, gave a challenging sermon titled, “My Hope and Prayer for General Conference." The sermon encouraged everyone to be actively listening to the Holy Spirit as the delegates do their work.
The delegation spent intentional time updating one another on General Conference logistics; committee legislation from the revised Advance Daily Christian Advocate (ADCA) and openly discussing how legislation could impact our conference and denomination. Before a midday break on Monday, the team was honored to participate in FUMC’s Serve the Hungry ministry.
During the retreat, the delegates created a resolution advocating for regionalization legislation and submitted it to the Committee on Resolutions for Annual Conference 2024. This legislation, if approved by General Conference and ratified by the annual conferences, would create a US Regional Conference, placing all regions of the worldwide church on equal footing and able to adapt to their unique missional contexts.
Tuesday offered continued organizational discussions, but the most powerful moment was a closing service of word and table. Dr. Rick Branch, church organist, accompanied the singing of “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing.” Each person had an opportunity to share an inspiring scripture and experience with one another. The worship time concluded with communion served by the Rev. Ashley Davis and Deaconess Clara Ester.
“During our three days together, I am amazed at how the Holy Spirit is working in this team,” stated the Rev. Emily Kincaid, head delegate. “We have met monthly on zoom, and this in-person retreat helped to solidify the relationships we have been building. There was a collaborative spirit among us. We share common goals to glorify Christ in our work and help make the United Methodist Church the church God is calling us to be. We are excited to imagine together what our church looks like in the coming years. I am incredibly proud of how these servants continue to give of their time and energy to do the work we have been elected to do.”
The delegation anticipates publishing more information about some of the most discussed pieces of legislation in the coming weeks that will include helpful facts, links and recommendations. The team will also be present at Bishop Graves’ post-general conference meetings in May and will present to the lay and clergy members at Annual Conference in June.
The United Methodist General Conference will gather April 23-May 4, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina. A total of 862 delegates will gather from around the world to discuss over 1,000 pieces of legislation. The Alabama-West Florida Conference will be represented by eight delegates, four clergy and four laity, and will have several jurisdictional delegates and reserves present as well.
For more information on the Alabama-West Florida Conference delegation visit
www.awfumc.org/2024gc.
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