2023 Annual Conference Working Agenda

The Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church

Sunday, June 11 – Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Theme: “When They Prayed…”-  Acts 4:31

Location: The Mitchell Center, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama

Sunday, June 11

When they prayed… like Naomi

When we pray blessings on others, God redeems. Ruth 1:8

2:30 p.m.    Display Set Up

3:30 p.m.    Doors Open and Registration Opens

                     Registration will reopen for 30 minutes following Opening Worship

    Fellowship of Local Pastors Gathering – USA Wesley Foundation

4:00 p.m.         Choir Rehearsal – Mitchell Center Arena

6:00 p.m.     Opening Worship

Sermon: Bishop David Graves

Offering: New Ministry Initiatives

8:00 p.m.    Laity Session – Christ UMC Sanctuary

  Clergy Session – Mitchell Center Arena

8:30 p.m.    Registration Closes

Monday, June 12

When they prayed… like Nehemiah

When we acknowledge our shortcomings, God rebuilds. Nehemiah 1:5

7:45 a.m.    Registration Opens

8:30 a.m.    OPENING WORSHIP

                     Sermon: Rev. Richard Williams

                     Teller Meeting immediately following worship

9:15 a.m.   CONFERENCE BUSINESS SESSION 

Gathering Music – Jarvis Wilson and Rev. Darrin Isaac

Hymn – And Are We Yet Alive

Welcome from the Host District Superintendent – Rev. Dr. Mike Pearson

Prayer – Carolyn Davis, Locust Bluff UMC

Monitoring Explanation – Rev. Ashley Davis

Parliamentary Review Video

                Practice Vote

Opening Business and Organization of the Conference

Setting the “bar” of the Conference

             Election of secretarial staff

               Approval of the 2022 Conference Journal

                Adoption of the 2023 Conference Working Agenda

               Presentation of the 2023 Consent Agenda

Committee on Standing Rules (to lie on the table overnight) – Rev. Dr. Kathy Knight

                     Committee on Resolutions and Petitions (to lie on the table overnight) – Rev. Christina Shaver

                 Committee on Nominations – Rev. Ashley Davis

                 Break

11:00 a.m.  ORDER OF THE DAY – Memorial Service

                     Remembering those who passed since the 2022 Annual Conference Session

                     Sermon: Rev. Christina Shaver

12:00 p.m.  Memorial Luncheon

Lunch Break

   2:00 p.m.  CONFERENCE BUSINESS SESSION

Gathering Music – Jarvis Wilson and Rev. Darrin Isaac

Prayer – Bill Richardson, Montgomery First UMC

                     Episcopacy Committee – Rev. Dr. Cory Smith

                     Board of Ordained Ministry –  Rev. Emily Kincaid

Recognition of Commissioning and Ordination classes

Recognition of First-Time Licensed Local Pastors

Recognition of Licensed Local Pastors who completed Course of Study

Recognition of Clergy in Extension Ministries and Appointments Beyond the Local Church

 Recognition of Retiring Clergy

4:30 p.m.    ORDER OF THE DAY: Ordinands and Commissionees Depart for Pre-Service Preparations

                     Registration Closes

7:00 p.m.    Service of Ordination and Commissioning – Dauphin Way United Methodist Church  

Sermon: President J. Cameron West, Huntingdon College

                         Offering: Ministerial Education Fund

Tuesday, June 13

When they prayed… like Mary

When we rejoice and give thanks, God reveals. Luke 1:46-56

7:00 a.m.    Biometric Health Screenings Begin – Mitchell Center, Room 1106

7:45 a.m.    Registration Opens

8:30 a.m.    OPENING WORSHIP

                 Sermon: Rev. Emily Kincaid

Teller Meeting immediately following worship

9:15 a.m.    CONFERENCE BUSINESS SESSION

Gathering Music – Jarvis Wilson and Rev. Darrin Isaac

Opening Prayer – Randy Lovelady, Church Street UMC

                     Report of the Journal Committee

10:00 a.m.  ORDER OF THE DAY: Connectional Ministries Report (video)

                 Commission on the Status and Role of Women  – 

Rev. Kelli Hitchman-Craig and Rev. Chelsea Brown

                     Embrace Kids – Dr. Blake Horne

                     Grant Writing Update – Kristi McClellan

                     Blue Lake United Methodist Assembly

                 Tanzania Partnership

10:30 a.m.  Action on Standing Rules – Rev. Dr. Kathy Knight

Action on Resolutions and Petitions – Rev. Christina Shaver

12:00 p.m.  Conference Announcements and Lunch Break

                     Biometric Health Screenings Close

2:00 p.m.    CONFERENCE BUSINESS SESSION

Gathering Music – Jarvis Wilson and Rev. Darrin Isaac

Prayer – Linda Walker, Ivy Creek UMC

    Task Force on the Future Structure of the AWFUMC – Rev. Dr. Jeremy Pridgeon

Task Force on Church Planting and Revitalization – Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Lentz

Coalition for Disrupting and Dismantling Racism – Rev. Jackie Slaughter

Board of Pension and Health Benefits – Rev. Allison Posell, Chair

Action Item: Past Service Rate

Action Item: Funding Plan

                                     Action Item: Post-Retirement Medical Effect on Withdrawn Pastors

                        Board Trustees –Rev. Dr. Olivia Poole

Report of the Cabinet – Rev. Dr. Jeff Wilson

                                 Change in Charge Lines

                                 Property Resolutions

                     Where shall the 2024 Session be held?

5:00 p.m.    Dinner Break

7:00 p.m.    CONFERENCE BUSINESS SESSION

                     Gathering Music – Jarvis Wilson and Rev. Darrin Isaac

                     Prayer – Ricky Messick, Millbrook UMC

Wednesday, June 14

When they prayed… like Peter

When we pray boldly, God revives. Acts 9:40

8:30 a.m.     OPENING WORSHIP

Sermon: Rev. Dr. Nathan Attwood

                     Teller Meeting immediately following worship

9:15 a.m.     CONFERENCE BUSINESS SESSION

Gathering Music – Jarvis Wilson and Rev. Darrin Isaac

                     Prayer – Mattie Baker, Metropolitan UMC

Report of the Journal Committee

                     Equitable Compensation – Suzanne Jones

                                 Action Item: Setting of Minimum Salary

ORDER OF THE DAY: Council on Finance and Administration- George Mingledorff

                                 Action Item: 2024 Conference Budget

                                 Action Item: Setting of District Superintendent Salary

                     Announcement of Health Screening Drawing Winner – Rev. Allison Posell

Break

11:00 a.m.  ORDER OF THE DAY

Gathering Music – Jarvis Wilson and Rev. Darrin Isaac

Hymn –

Episcopal Remarks: Bishop David Graves

Fixing of the 2023-2024 Appointments

Sending Forth

                 Adjournment Sine Die

Following the conclusion of Annual Conference, the General Conference Delegation will meet in the John Counts Room.

2023 Committee on Nominations

Alabama-West Florida Conference, UMC

Boards and Officers under the Purview of the Conference Committee on Nominations

ARCHIVES AND HISTORY (Commission on)
Chairperson: Rev. Joe Reams (16)
Vice Chairperson: Brad Norris (16)
Recording/Financial Secretary: Anthony Leigh
Archivist: Sharon Tucker
Members
Rev. Joe Reams (16), Nell Gilmer (16), Brad Norris (16), Dr. Anthony Leigh (16), Dr. Elijah Pugh (20), Eric Kidwell (22), Ed Shirley (23)

CHURCH AND SOCIETY (Board of)-Q
Chairperson:
Vice Chairperson:
Members
Rev. Andy Gartman (16), Carolyn Carr (16), Gerry Stiffler (16), Rev. Rick Branch (17), Valerie Vergilio (18), Rev. P.K. Early (19), Laurel Akin (19), Brenda Alford (23), Joscelyn Cutchens (23)

COMMISSION ON THE STATUS AND ROLE OF WOMEN
Chairpersons: Rev. Chelsey Brown
Members
Michael Ard, Dawn Hare, Rev. Lynn Smilie Nesbitt, Julia Norton, Rev. Christina Shaver, Rev. Chelsey Brown, Janis Johnson, Rev. Kelli Hitchman-Craig, Katy Wrona (22), Rev. Kristin Wright (22), Rev. Ashlee Brown (22), Judy Burnham (22), Norma Lynch (23)

CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Board of)-Q

Chairperson:

Secretary:
Treasurer:
Members

Rev. Sara Shaver (19), Sydney Fitts (19), Rev. Dan Baughman (19), Rev. Sean Peters (22), Rev. Dr. Kitsy Dixon (22), Bill Ellwell (23), Chris McCain (23), Clara Ester (23), Nathan Attwood (23), Karen Siefert (23)

Ex-Officio-DCM, Director of New Ministries Strategies, Cabinet Rep-Rev. Dr. Mike Pearson

CORE (Connecting Our Resources and Empowerment) TEAM
At-Large Members:
Rev. David Morris (16), Rev. Elizabeth Hinton (21), Nathan Dickson (18), Cathy Givan (20), Cathy Thigpen (23), TBA (23), Rob Young (23)

DISCIPLESHIP (Board of)-Q
Chairperson:
Secretary:
Members
TBD, Division of Education (¶630.2)
TBD, Division of Evangelism (¶630.3)
Rev. Darrin Isaac (23), Division of Worship (¶630.4)
Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes (16), Division of Stewardship (¶630.5)
Elizabeth Whatley (18), Division of Spiritual Formation (¶630.6)
At-large: Bernadette Hackett (20), Judy Burnham (21), Jenny Medley (23), Jason Thrower (23), Woods Lisenby (23), Jan Pringle (23)

EPISCOPACY (¶637, 2016 Book of Discipline) (Committee on)
Chairperson: Alexis Tibbetts
Vice Chairperson: Secretary:
Elected Members
Gene Floore, Rev. Dr. Cory Smith (16), Alexis Tibbetts (16), Antonius Barnes (21), Rev. Dan Morris (16), Lori Roach (16), Marcie McNeal (18), Rev. Virginia Kagoro (20), Troy Cutchens (20), Dr. Bill Barrick (20), Rev. Richard Williams (21)

Bishop’s Appointments
Shirley Woodie (20), Dr. Anthony Leigh (20), Clara Ester (23)

EQUITABLE COMPENSATION (Committee on)-Q

Chairperson:

Members

Clergy:. Ryan Martin (18), Rev. Gail Baughman (19), Rev. Teresa Johnson (19), Rev. Geoffrey Kagoro (20)
Laity: John Barnett (13), Gloria McDonald (16), Kay Wingate (16), Steve Walker (21), Lois Jenkins (20)

ETHNIC LOCAL CHURCH CONCERNS-Q
Chairperson:
Members
Norman Tinsley (16), Division of Religion and Race (¶643)
Rev. Barbara Brewi (21), Division of Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns (¶642)
Jackie Slaughter, Division of Strengthening the Black Church (¶632)
TBA, Division of Native American Ministries (¶654)
Rev. Andres Doimeadios (16), Division of Hispanic-Latino Ministries (¶632)
TBA, Division of Asian Ministries (¶632)
At-Large Members
Dana Wallace (16), Rev. Pam Avery (22), Shadreck Kagoro (23)

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION (Council on)-Q
President:
Vice-President:
Secretary:
Clergy: Rev. Mark Lilly (16), Rev. Ashley Meyer (19), Rev. Dana Brady (22), Rev. Dr. David Saliba (23), Rev. Dr. Jay Cooper (23)
Laity: Jody Enfinger (14), James Arrington (16), Frances Parker (16), Frank Jenkins (20), Juliet Milam (21), Mark Davidson (21), John Dew (22), Dwight Potter (22)

GLOBAL MINISTRIES (Board of)-Q
Chairperson: Rev. Kathy Fisher
Members
Jennifer Myrick (16), Rev. Joel Smith (16), Rev. Michael Lawler (16), Rev. Kathy Fisher (16), Jeb Hunt (20), Tom Tucker (20), Rev. Rebecca Rutherford (20), Scott Hohn, (23), Harolyn Ezell (23)
Ex-Officio: Katy Wrona, Conference Secretary Global Ministries

HIGHER EDUCATION and CAMPUS MINISTRY (Board of)-Q
Chairperson: Rev. Levi Gardner
Treasurer: Kay Whaley
Members: Rev. Levi Gardner (16), Kay Whaley (16), Rob Thomas (16), Carol Nicholson Foster (16), Frank Moore (16), James Arrington (20), Judy Burnham (21), Rev. Scott Grantland (21), Rev. Diane Everett (21), Linda Green (22), Rev. Jack Hinnen (22), Kelli Hitchman-Craig (23), Dr. Joyce Coleman Johnson (23), TBA (23)

LAITY (Conference Board of)
Conference Lay Leader-
Lay Women: Barbara Boland, Katy Wrona
Lay Men: Frank Jenkins, David Bowen (22)
Young Adults: Sheldon Martin, Pat Bagby (22)
Youth: Nathaniel Sherbine (23), Caden Earnest (23)
Director of Lay Servant Ministry: Bob Kaye
Conference Scouting Coordinator: 

MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATION (nominated by Bishop, elected by AC)
Clergy Members: Rev. Dr. Cory Smith (19), Rev. Reba Wiley (16)), Rev. Danielle May (18), Bill Elwell (23)
Lay Members: Bob Colclough (16), Caroline Hinds (16), Lee McPherson (17)
Clergy Alternates: Rev. Pam Barnhardt (16), Rev. Dan Morris (19), Rev. John Woodrow (23)
Lay Alternates: Patti Bodenhamer (20), Roman Shaul (20), Vanessa Shoots (20), Frank Jenkins (23)

NOMINATIONS (Committee on)

At large members: Rev. Dr. Levi Gardner (20), Rev. Nathan Attwood (23), Dr. Joyce Coleman Johnson (22)

ORDAINED MINISTRY (Board of)

Jennifer Abt (2020),  Pam Avery (2023), Dave Barkalow (2012), Dan Baughman (2016), Jason Borders (2018), Sterling Boykin (2016), Brad Bradford (2023), Buchli (2016), Jeroy Carroll (2023), Celeste Eubanks (2016), Diane Everette (2021) Fisher (2012), Alan Gantzhorn (2021), Sarah Goolsby (2016), Julie Hare (2020), Janis Johnson (2020), Kathy Jorgensen (2012), Geoffrey Kagoro (2017), Emily Kincaid (2012),  Jennifer Lancaster (2023), Lentz (14), Darren McClellan (2023),Brian Miller (2012), David Morris (2020), Laura Parker (2020),  Amy Persons (2016), Michael Precht (2012), Hunter Pugh (2021), Melba Richardson (2020), Paula Roane (2016), Jackie Slaughter (2020), Lee Thigpen (2012), Jason Thrower (2020), Gillian Walters (2016), Steve Warren (2012), Robin Wilson (2023), Claire Windham (2020), Ralph Wooten (2012), Kristen Wright (2021), Richard Williams (2022)

PENSION AND HEALTH BENEFITS (Board of)-Q
Chairperson: Rev. Allison Posell
Vice Chairperson: Jim Hamilton
Secretary:
Term to Expire in 2024:
Clergy: Rev. Amy Persons (16), Rev. Steve Reneau, (16), Rev. Lucas Tribble (22)
Laity: Jim Hamilton (10), Carrie Porter (22), Sue McInnish (22)
Term to Expire in 2028:
Clergy: Rev. Allison Posell (20), Rev. Jim Sanders (23), Rev. Melanie Foust (23)
Laity: Natalie Bell (22), Bill Bond (22), Judy Brock (22), Barbara Brown (20), Luke Coley (23), Melissa Mikul (20), Bobby Trott (23), Jeff White (20), Greg Wise (23)

 

POLICIES AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE (CONFERENCE)
Chairperson: Andrea McCain
Members: Shirley Woodie, Donell Seager, Lynn Beshear, Andrea McCain, Denise McLeod, Andrew Baird

RESOLUTIONS and PETITIONS (Committee on)
Chairperson: Rev. Christina Shaver
Vice Chairperson: Bill Richardson
Secretary: Rev. Ashley Meyer
Members
Clergy: Rev. Christina Shaver (16), Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Lentz (16), Rev. Ashley Meyer (16), Rev. Dr. Hunter Pugh (23)
Laity: Bill Richardson (16), Christy Crow (16), Mable Lawrence (20), TBA

STANDING RULES (Committee on Standing Rules)
Chairperson: Rev. Dr. Kathy Knight
Vice Chairperson:
Secretary
At-Large Members: Rev. Lynn Smilie Nesbitt (16), Rev. Dr. Kathy Knight (16), Geneva Hogan (20), David Bowen (21), Rev. Micah Wright (23)

TOWN AND COUNTRY COMMISSION
Chairperson:
Members
Rev. Linda Smith (20), Rev. Victoria Scofield (20), Bill Doutsch (20), Gayle Thomas (20), Rev. Barbara Brewi (21), Rev. Mike Von Keyserling (23), Janet Wooten (23), Richard Lucas (23), Brian Dale (23)

TRUSTEES (¶2512, 2016 Book of Discipline) (Board of)
President:
Vice President: Christy Crow
Secretary:
Term Expiring 2024: Pat Luna, Kirke Adams (23), Rev. Bill Curtin (23)
Term Expiring 2025: Rev. Sterling Boykin (23), Christy Crow, John Daniel (21)
Term Expiring 2026: Rev. Emily Kincaid (21), Betty Stone, Gene Lammers (23)
Term Expiring 2027: Rev. Gillian Walters (23), Memphis Vaughn (23), Pam Percy (23)

This year's mission offering will go towards new church starts and United Methodist places of worship. Click here to read more about Bishop Graves' task force related to church planting and revitalization. 

CLICK HERE TO GIVE 

Click here to view the list of eligible clergy for election to the delegation. 

On March 20, 2023, The United Methodist Church’s top court (The Judicial Council) made a ruling that allows the election of new delegates to the postponed 2020 General Conference that will now take place in 2024. Decision 1472 states, “Annual conferences are permitted to hold elections to fill vacancies in the General Conference delegation due to death, resignations, or otherwise, up to the maximum number of allocated delegates, provided vacancies cannot be filled with reserve delegates.” 

As a result of this ruling, we will elect delegates to fill vacancies in the General Conference delegation at our June 2023 Annual Conference.

Click here to view the profiles for the lay nominees. 

Click here to view the voting order of lay nominees. Please note that there is a number for a write-in candidate. 

1. Enter vpoll.mobi into your web browser address bar.  

2. Enter the access code and click “join.” The next screen will be the login screen. 

Access Code: AWFUMC     Please note the access code is NOT case sensitive.

3. Enter your last name and voter ID located on the back of your name tag to login. 

4. Click the dropdown menu to select the correct polling session. Click “submit” to login. If voting is not yet active, you will see a holding screen. 

5. Once voting has begun, you will be able to select/enter your choice(s). Once you click “submit,” your ballot has been cast. 

No changes can be made to a ballot after submission.  

6. After casting your ballot, you will see a confirmation screen until the results are published. 

Click here to view the PDF version of the 2023 Book of Reports.

NOTE: Report 14 of the Conference Trustees Report has been updated. 

Click here for an explanation of Robert's Rules of Order and parliamentary procedure. 

Click here to view an explanatory video from Conference Parliamentarian, Dr. David Saliba. 

Based on AWF Standing Rule 13, our Conference Board of Laity has approved and presents the 2024 General and Jurisdictional Conferences Election Process for lay delegates.

Click here for a printable PDF of the Lay Profile Sheet. 

Click here to view the report of the cabinet.