Dear Clergy / Lay Member to Annual Conference,
The 2017 Annual Conference Session is almost upon us, and I want to draw your attention to a few additions to the materials you will want to view, download and/or print out before you arrive at Jekyll Island.
New documents:
Documents sent last week:
Please make note once again of the meal options and lunch shuttle transportation information below, some of which involve purchasing meal tickets before certain deadlines once you arrive at conference.
I am looking forward to our time together on Jekyll Island as we seek to be more "Alive Together in Christ"!
Dr. Jay Harris
Conference Secretary
jharris@sgaumc.com
Local Arrangements Information
Shuttle Service
There will be shuttle buses running along the main areas of Jekyll to transport delegates to various island restaurants Monday and Tuesday from 12:00 noon - 2:00pm. There are three designated routes, and drop off and pick up will be at the main entrance of the Convention Center. A more detailed map of the routes will be available at the information table. Volunteers will be available to assist with any questions you may have.
Click here to view the shuttle bus route.
Click here to view a list of restaurants on Jekyll.
Chick-fil-A at Jekyll Island UMC
Chick-fil-A boxed lunches will be available on Monday and Tuesday at Jekyll Island UMC. The church is a short drive away. For those not wanting to drive, a shuttle service will be provided to and from the church. Tickets will be available for $7 at the information table. The tickets must be purchased no later than 7:00pm Sunday for lunch on Monday, and tickets for Tuesday’s lunch should be purchased by 5:00pm on Monday. Included in the box are: one Chic-fil-A chicken sandwich or chicken nuggets with waffle chips, cookie, iced tea or water.
Monday Night BBQ
The Methodist Home for Children and Youth is sponsoring their annual BBQ on Monday, June 5, at 5:00pm at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. This is free and open to everyone.
Tuesday Night Beach Party
Come join the fun! On Tuesday evening, June 6, you are invited to a Beach Party at Great Dunes Beach from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Great Dunes is adjacent to the Convention Center. There will be fellowship, food and games galore, with live music provided by saxophone extraordinaire and Brunswick native Michael Hulett. Meal tickets will be available at the information table for $6 and must be purchased by 2:00 pm on Monday. Meal includes 2 hamburgers, 2 hot dogs, or 1 of each, with all the “makings;” bag of chips; cookie; and soft-drink. All are encouraged and welcome to attend. You don’t want to miss it!
Driving and Parking Directions
All conference business and worship services will be held at the Jekyll Island Convention Center (75 N. Beachview Drive). From U.S. Highway 17, you will turn onto Jekyll via the Jekyll Island Causeway. Once on the island you will stay straight on Ben Fortson Drive until you reach the roundabout. At the roundabout, you will veer right and then circle around to your left and take the third exit onto North Beachview Drive. The convention center will be on your right. The first right into the convention center’s parking lot, which is where the large lighted sign is located, is reserved for use by buses, vans, and handicap parking. Handicap parking will be clearly marked. All other vehicles should enter the parking lot using the next entrance. When approaching the convention center from the north, it is suggested that you enter the parking lot at the first entrance on your left. Golf carts will be on site to assist attendees in getting from their cars to the main doors of the convention center. This diagram illustrates the driving and parking areas around the convention center.
Entering onto the Island
In some of our previous venues, we have had parking costs connected to the area around the venue itself or to the hotels in the area. At Jekyll Island, there are no parking fees, but there is a fee to get onto the island. It is $6.00 per 24-hour period. For those who stay on Jekyll and don’t leave the island, it will be a one-time fee. Even if you come on the island each day in your own car, you can time your entrances to conceivably pay only twice, since the $6.00 fee is good for 24 hours.
Additional Information
Registration
The registration fee for all pastors and lay members to Annual Conference is $20. You will pay when you register at Annual Conference. Retired clergy not serving a church are exempt from this fee. As you enter the building from the main parking lot the registration area will be to your right. If you are retired clergy, whether serving an appointment or not, please go to the retiree registration table. For all other clergy and lay members to Annual Conference you will go to the main registration area, which are divided by district. While guests do not have to register or pay a fee, there will be an area where a guest nametag can be made.
Expenses / Per diem
Clergy and lay delegates who represent a local church shall have their expenses (including registration) paid by the local church (this includes retired clergy who are serving a church). Lay delegates who represent an organization and extension ministers shall have their expenses paid by the organization they represent. Retired clergy not under appointment and clergy on disability shall receive a per diem of $65 per day for each day attended. Lay members who do not represent a local church or conference organization shall receive a per diem on the same basis. Retired local pastors who are not serving a church do not retain their clergy status according to the Discipline, and so do not qualify for a per diem.
Live Streaming
Not able to be at annual conference? Watch all sessions live from your home or office, including all services of worship, Bible study sessions, and business sessions (www.sgaumc.org/aclivestreaming). Streaming will begin Sunday evening, June 4, with the opening worship service. Make sure to let others in your church know!
Social Media
Follow our various social media outlets throughout the event:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sgaumc
Twitter: www.twitter.com/sgaumc / #sgaumc
Instagram: sgaumc
Conference Website
Complete Annual Conference information can be found at www.sgaumc.org/annualconference. A daily wrap-up will be posted at the end of each day. The 2017-2018 appointment book will be available on Wednesday afternoon after adjournment. A bulletin insert will also be made available for you to use back in your local church to share the happenings of the Annual Conference Session.
Questions
For questions regarding the business of Annual Conference, please contact Dr. Jay Harris at jharris@sgaumc.com. For questions regarding local arrangements or any general questions, please contact Bill Allen at billallen4@comcast.net or Kelly Roberson at 912-270-6172 or kelly@sgaumc.com.
