(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 prayers. Since the conclusion of the 2019 Special Called General Conference, United Methodists everywhere have been praying leading up to this occasion. Between the calls, texts, cards, e-mails, and daily devotions shared with the Alabama-West Florida delegates, the delegation has felt your heartfelt and sincere care! Perhaps more than anything else, though, they have felt your prayers.
Three times now, the sign-up list to pray for General Conference has been filled completely! There are more than 45 United Methodists from Alabama-West Florida praying for the delegates, staff, and events of this conference. The staff of the General Conference has also provided materials for individuals to hold prayer vigils available
digitally. Prayers from Alabama-West Florida and around the world have surrounded this conference and have been profoundly felt.
Jurisdictional clergy delegate, Dr. Darren McClellan, shared his prayers for this General Conference saying, “I like to think that all who will gather as United Methodists for General Conference are ready for the Spirit to do something new in us, with us, and even in spite of us when necessary. Thus, my prayer for these days is the same that was offered in Ephesians 3:20-21. “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever, Amen.”
Rev. Ashley Davis, Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Connectional Ministries, shared about how she uses her time as a reserve delegate to surround the conference in prayer. She said, “I feel connected to the laity and clergy of our conference as I sit here in Charlotte, North Carolina. We are all working together to follow the guidance of the Spirit and lead our church forward.” Rev. Davis expressed her gratitude for the continued prayers surrounding the delegation by reflecting, “I love that so many people in our annual conference are signing up to pray for General Conference and for our delegation. I am hopeful about our United Methodist Church if we will continue to be still and know that God is leading us and guiding us.”
The General Conference will continue until May 3, and you are invited to continue to hold our Alabama-West Florida representatives as well as the larger United Methodist Church in your prayers. You may still
sign up to pray through this link.
Photo courtesy of Rev. Richard Williams
