Dear Clergy / Lay Member to Annual Conference,
After much preparation, the 2019 Annual Conference Session is just a few days away. Three important matters in this email concern: 1) reminder about documents you need to review and/or bring with you, 2) viewing delegation interest forms, and 3) parking and shuttle transportation.
Documents
All of the documents you need for conference can be found at www.sgaumc.org/acdocs. These include all of the recommendations, resolutions, and reports in the Book of Recommendations and Reports (BOR) plus the documents that did not make the publishing deadline for the BOR. In addition to the BOR, you will need the following documents as we conduct our business:
Additional Recommendations
Revised Reports
- 2020 Revised Budget: The Conference Council on Finance and Administration has prepared a revised budget for 2020 (replacing pgs. 56 - 59 in the Book of Recommendations and Reports).
- 2020 Comprehensive Benefit Funding Plan Summary: The Conference Board of Pensions received their approved Comprehensive Benefits Funding Plan for 2020 from Wespath (replacing pgs. 34 - 37 in the Book of Recommendations and Reports).
- Resolution for Discontinuing Local Churches: The Board of Trustees has updated recommendation #2 in their report (replacing pgs. 23 - 24 in the Book of Recommendations and Reports).
Additional Reports
Delegation Interest Forms
This year we will elect those who will serve as clergy and lay members of our conference's delegation to General and Jurisdictional Conferences. These individuals are servants who are elected to represent our annual conference in meetings and gatherings beyond the boundaries of the conference. Those elected will represent us for the coming four years (2020-2024). Both lay persons and clergy who are interested in serving as a member of the delegation have had the opportunity to declare their interest. You are invited to read the interest forms to learn more about these individuals. There will also be a meet and greet following the laity session and clergy session on Sunday evening where you can ask questions of candidates.
Parking and Shuttle Service
- Free valet parking will be available at the Trade Center for anyone who would like to take advantage of this service.
- There will be reserved (and marked) handicapped parking on the top level of the Trade Center garage.
- Along with the parking at the Trade Center garage, additional parking is located at the city parking garage located at 9th Street and Front Street (directly across from the Art Museum).
- There will be shuttles running from the Trade Center to St. Luke and back as needed (the shuttles will be St. Luke vans and easily identifiable).
- Shuttles will also be running up and down Broad Street on Monday & Tuesday during the lunch breaks and will stop and give rides to people who would like them. You can simply “wave down” a van and be picked up and dropped off at the restaurant of your choice or the Trade Center or St. Luke.
- Shuttle service from the outlying hotels will be provided by the hotels. You can make those arrangements by informing the concierge at your hotel.
As a reminder, there are a few events that will take place at St. Luke UMC, which is just a few blocks away from the Convention Center. Both the Memorial Service (2:00 pm Monday) and the Ordination/Commissioning Service (7:30 pm Monday) will be in the Sanctuary. The Methodist Home for Children and Youth is sponsoring their annual BBQ on Monday, June 3, at 5:45 pm in St. Luke's Large Dining Hall. This is free and open to everyone.
I can’t stress enough about going to www.sgaumc.org/annualconference and exploring all the links. So much helpful information has been posted.
We look forward to seeing you in a few days!
Dr. Nita Crump
Conference Secretary
nitac@sgaumc.com
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Advocate - Annual Conference related articles
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Meeting Details & Logistics
Venue
The 2019 Annual Conference Session will take place at The Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade Center (801 Front Avenue Columbus, GA 31901). All Sunday night activities as well as all business sessions will be held at the Convention Center. The Memorial Service and Ordination/Commissioning Service will be held at St. Luke UMC (1104 2nd Ave).
Schedule
The 2019 Annual Conference Session will begin with an Opening Worship Service on Sunday evening, June 2, at 6:30 pm. Conference will conclude with the Sending Forth Service on Wednesday, June 5. Click here to download a detailed agenda.
Sunday, June 2, 2019
2:30 PM Registration Opens
6:30 PM Opening Worship Service
7:45 PM Laity Orientation & Clergy Session
8:45 PM Meet & greet hosted by Laity/Clergy for Candidates for GC2020 Delegation
Monday, June 3, 2019
8:30 AM Business Session
11:00 AM Golden Anniversary/Retiree Recognition
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Gathering of Family & Friends of Deceased Servants,
St. Luke UMC
2:00 PM Memorial Service, St. Luke UMC
3:30 PM Business Session
5:45 PM Methodist Home Barbecue, St. Luke UMC
7:30 PM Ordination/Commissioning Service, St. Luke UMC
8:45 PM Ordination/Commissioning Reception, St. Luke UMC
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
8:30 AM Business Session (Clergy Voting for Delegates)
12:00 PM Lunch
2:00 PM Business Session (Laity Voting for Delegates)
5:45 PM Dinner Break
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
8:30 AM Business Session
11:45 AM Fixing the Appointments/Sending Forth
12:45 PM Adjournment
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Additional Information
Live Streaming
Let others from your church know that all services of worship, Bible study sessions, and business sessions (www.sgaumc.org/aclivestreaming) will be live streamed beginning Sunday evening, June 2, with the opening worship service.
Social Media
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 2019-2020 appointment book will be available on Wednesday afternoon after adjournment. A bulletin insert will also be made available later in the week 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. Nita Crump at nitac@sgaumc.com. For questions regarding local arrangements or any general questions, please contact Kelly Roberson at 912-270-6172 or kelly@sgaumc.com.
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