Shared Episcopal Task Group Meets to Begin Transition Work

On Thursday, March 14, 2024, representatives from Alabama-West Florida, North Alabama and the South Georgia Conferences met in Columbus, GA, to begin the necessary work of the shared Episcopal area. The group held an introductory Zoom session in February.
 
This work comes in response to the recent recommendation from the Southeastern Jurisdiction Committee on Episcopacy for a unified episcopal area, a change that calls for careful planning and preparation.
 
The group is facilitated by Rev. Rick Owen, a clergy person from North Alabama. Bishop David Graves, resident bishop of the Alabama-West Florida and South Georgia Conferences, and Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett, resident bishop of the North Alabama Conference, were also in attendance to offer feedback and guidance.
 
The day began with morning praise and prayer led by Dr. Jeff Wilson, district superintendent in the Alabama-West Florida Conference. His message was based on Genesis 1:1-3; focusing on new beginnings.
 
The team’s work concentrated on five main topics including office logistics, housing arrangements, travel, administrative support and cabinet structure. Team members chose which ideation group to offer their input and reported back to the group about the most important points around the focus areas. Priority was then suggested by each team member to guide the future work of the group and members offered their time to work on a specific area in the coming weeks.
 
“In addition to spending fellowship time with new and old friends, the day was a great success,” stated Rev. Rick Owen. “The room was overflowing with leadership from servants who deeply care about their conferences and the UMC. Each participant brough unique vantage points that enabled us to thoughtfully consider our best next steps.”
 
The day concluded with a poignant message from Rev. Doreen Smalls, district superintendent of the Northwest district in the South Georgia Conference. She stated, “We serve a God who knows all and sees all. He knows the beginning and end of our story and the in between.” Her message was based on Jeremiah 29. She continued, “God has not brought us this far to leave us.”
 
The goal for this work is to have a report ready in April in order to include any recommendations needing the vote of the annual conferences in each conference’s Book of Reports. Any vote at the three Annual Conferences would be contingent upon the official vote to set the episcopal areas during the Jurisdictional Conference in July. The Alabama West-Florida Conference meets June 16-18; the North Alabama Conference meets May 30-June 1; and the South Georgia Conference meets June 2-5.