Dear Lay and Clergy Members of the Annual Conference,
After much preparation, the 2022 Annual Conference Session is less than one week away! We will gather June 5-8 at the The Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade Center. This email covers several important matters, including: 1) reminder about documents and device you need to review and/or bring with you, 2) parking and shuttle transportation, and 3) registration.
I do want to bring to your attention that there is another group also using the Trade Center on Sunday, June 5. They have rented the areas we are not using, and their hour-long event begins at 4:30 pm. We are told they will be out of the building by 6 pm. There is still adequate parking and valet parking for our members, but the traffic may be heavier between 4:00 /4:30 pm and and again from 5:30 / 6:00 pm. We hope by making you aware of this now you may plan your arrival time accordingly. Registration will be open on Sunday from 3 pm - 6:45 pm, as well as beginning again at 7:45 am on Monday morning.
As a reminder, there are a few conference events that will take place at St. Luke UMC, which is located just a few blocks from the Convention Center. Both the Service of Ordination with Commissioning (7 pm Monday) and the Memorial Service (2 pm Monday) will be in the church’s sanctuary. The Methodist Home for Children and Youth is sponsoring their annual BBQ dinner on Monday, June 6, at 5 pm in St. Luke's Large Dining Hall. This event is free and open to everyone. The address for St. Luke UMC is: 1104 Second Avenue, Columbus, GA 31901.
I encourage you to visit www.sgaumc.org/annualconference and explore all the links before you arrive in Columbus. So much helpful information has been posted and I am continually grateful for the ministry of countless volunteers and staff that are working tirelessly to prepare for your arrival and time in Columbus. I know you will join me in sharing a word of appreciation with them as they serve you in the days to come.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you in just a few days!
Grace and peace,
Meredyth Earnest
SGA Conference Secretary
***************************
To Bring With You: Documents & Device
Documents: All of the documents you need for the conference session may 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:
Device: We will utilize electronic voting during our conference. Members are requested to bring a smart device (smartphone, tablet, etc.) in order to vote during the conference session. If you do not have your own device or cannot borrow one, you may share a device with a fellow conference member.
Parking and Shuttle Service
- Free valet parking will be available at the Trade Center for any member who would like to take advantage of this service. Please note that valet parking will not begin until 4:30 pm on Sunday afternoon. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings valet service will begin at 7:30 am.
- 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 to and from the Trade Center to St. Luke UMC as needed (the shuttles will be St. Luke vehicles and easily identifiable).
- Shuttles will also be running up and down Broad Street on Monday & Tuesday during the lunch breaks from 11 am to 2 pm and will stop and give rides to people who would like them. You can simply “wave down” a shuttle and be picked up and dropped off at the restaurant of your choice or the Trade Center or St. Luke.
Registration
Registration is from 3 pm - 6:45 pm on Sunday. Registration will reopen at 7:45 am Monday morning. Upon arrival in Columbus, members must visit the registration area, which will be located right inside the main entrance doors, to receive voting credentials and name badge, mark attendance, verify contact information, and receive any additional instructions or information. Any member wishing to participate in the business of the conference session must be registered and wearing a visible name badge at all times to be seated within the established voting bar of the conference.
The registration fee for all clergy and lay members of the Annual Conference is $20 per person. Retired clergy not serving a church and clergy on medical leave are exempt from this fee. The registration desk accepts cash, checks (made out to the South Georgia Conference), and credit cards (with $1 additional convenience fee added by the provider).
Additional Information
- Pre-Service Concert on Monday Evening: A pre-service concert will begin at 6:30 pm, prior to the Service of Ordination with Commissioning on Monday evening in the sanctuary of St. Luke UMC. Please come enjoy this offering of spectacular music.
- Water Bottle Fillers and Stations: Bring your own refillable bottle to stay hydrated during the sessions. There are three water bottle fillers located in the convention center. One is located in the display area. A second is located upstairs across the hall from the room where the Clergy Session (Part 2) is being held. A third filler is located near where the clergy photo directory photos will be taken. In addition, there is a coin-operated drink vending machine in the lobby area. Also note: there will not be a coffee option onsite.
- Seersucker Tuesday: Wearing a seersucker outfit seems to be a tradition at Annual Conference! For those of you joining in this “unofficial day” we hear that Tuesday has been declared as “Seersucker Tuesday.”
- Modern Rules of Order: The South Georgia Conference uses The Modern Rules of Order to govern its procedures. Please refer to page 13 in your Book of Recommendations for a guide to parliamentary procedures.
- Covid Safety Protocols - Extension of the Bar Available: We have established a room for voting members only that will serve as an extension of the bar. This room will be equipped with socially-distanced seating (no tables), and the wearing of masks will be enforced for all within. Read more about this here.
Conference Timeline and Agenda - June 5-8
- June 5 - Registration Opens, 3pm
- June 5 - Opening Worship Service, 7pm
- June 6 - Clergy Session Part 2 & Laity Session, 8:30am
- June 6 - Methodist Home Barbecue (St. Luke UMC), 5pm
- June 6 - Service of Ordination with Commissioning (St. Luke UMC), 7pm
- June 7 - Memorial Service (St. Luke UMC), 2pm
Click here for a working agenda of the 2022 conference session.
Business Related Items
Missional Giving Opportunities
Local Arrangement Details
