(Montgomery, AL) - The Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church Board of Church & Society hosted a prayer breakfast on February 28 in the fellowship hall of River City Church (formerly Dexter Ave. United Methodist Church). Alabama Supreme Court Justices Lyn Stuart and Tom Parker, former Supreme Court Justice Sue Bell Cobb, Senator Bryan Taylor, Senator Trip Pittman and Representative Charles Newton gathered to pray for our state. Also attending were Senator Billy Beasley, Representation Randy Davis, Representative Jay Love, Representative Steve McMillan, Representative John Knight, Representative Harry Shiver and numerous area United Methodist pastors, United Methodist Women and lay persons.
Susan Hunt, Conference Director of Mission and Advocacy, welcomed the group. Dr. John Ed Mathison offered an opening prayer for our state and those serving it. Harry Hodges, Chair of the Alabama-West Florida Conference Board of Church and Society, also welcomed those in attendance.
Guest speaker, Bishop Paul L. Leeland, addressed the group and added his personal thanks for the hard work our state leaders give to the citizens of Alabama. He compared the challenging role of pastors and state officials and how both careers are often filled with numerous challenges. He encouraged them by saying, “The heart of a leader is one that prays for wisdom. Leaders that I know pray for wisdom and work hard for all people and see the needs of all people.”
Guests were provided with a specially prepared pamphlet offering Social Principles from the Book of Discipline addressing some of the issues facing lawmakers at the present time.
"The AWF prayer breakfast continues to be a wonderful time of fellowship and prayer between our United Methodist leaders and state officials. This is the third year to host this event and each year we've increased attendance and participation. I'm especially grateful to the United Methodist Women for their help in hosting the gathering as well as Rev. Tony McCullough and his fine staff and volunteers from River City Church,” said Harry Hodges. “It is my prayer that our elected officials will seek God's guidance in every decision they make and feel His peace leading them in such crucial work."
