Dear Lay and Clergy Members of the Annual Conference, Conference and Agency Leaders,
 
Planning for Annual Conference is in the final stages. We are excited about our gathering in Columbus June 2 – 5 and look forward to seeing you there. In the coming weeks you will receive additional Annual Conference related information that includes the Book of Recommendations, parking & shuttle directions and pre-conference informational videos. There are, however, a few things I want to make you aware of now:
 
Hotel Room Block Closes May 2
Valley Hospitality in Columbus has gone above and beyond to facilitate our stay, including arranging blocks of rooms in various hotels. All hotels that have blocks of rooms for us come with a complimentary breakfast. Please note that the blocks of rooms will close on Thursday, May 2. After this you may still book at these hotels but the discounted rate and the complimentary breakfast at the full service hotels will be unavailable. If you have not yet made your room reservations, please do so by May 2. Click here to view hotels with availability.
 
Pre-conference Briefings
In my last email I indicated that we would be holding pre-conference briefings in each district. In consultation with the District Superintendents, we have decided instead to produce a series of informational videos, to be released mid-May, that we hope will help you in your preparation for the Annual Conference Session.
 
Patches of Prayer
I hope you have enjoyed using the “Patches of Prayer” book as a guide to prayer in the weeks between now and our Annual Conference session. The guide, divided into three, four-week sessions, is a weekly resource to enhance your prayer time as we move towards annual conference. If you have not download the book you can download it by clicking here.
 
Special Offering: Moscow United Methodist Theological Seminary
Bishop Bryan has announced that our 2019 Annual Conference Special Offering will benefit the Moscow United Methodist Theological Seminary. A person who seeks to become a pastor in Russia, or anywhere in all of Eurasia, faces a huge uphill struggle. Answering the call of God to pastoral ministry often means stepping outside the cultural norm in a community that has been agnostic. Answering the call of God to pastoral ministry often means a large decline in earnings and a large sacrifice to attend the seminary. Your offering will help provide the means for students to attend the seminary and will help the seminary continue to be instrumental in helping revive Methodism in Russia. Congregations are encouraged to send and present their offering during the opening worship service on June 2. Click here for additional and information and promotional materials.
 
Mission Emphasis
As in years past, we will have a mission emphasis to support several South Georgia agencies that do amazing ministry on a daily basis. They are the hands and feet of Jesus Christ as they help to meet the most basic of needs. Each of the agencies listed will have a collection box in the lobby of the Convention Center. They have selected items that will help them in their day-to-day operation. Click here for more information on the items needed to fill the mission bins.
 
Thank you for being generous with both the special offering and the mission emphasis. These are tangible ways we can be Alive Together in the World!
 
Blessings,

Dr. Nita Crump, Conference Secretary