South Georgia Annual Conference
Wednesday, June 6

The morning opened with the singing of a hymn and a Bible Study presented by Rev. Hugo Magallanes, Director of Hispanic Ministry for the South Georgia Conference.

During a brief business session this morning, the conference:

•  heard the result of the eleventh ballot: Rev. Cindy Autry was elected to the Jurisdictional Conference clergy delegation and Mrs. Flo Martin was elected to the Jurisdictional Conference lay delegation. The twelfth ballot was taken.

Day of Service

Conference members scattered across the Savannah community for a Day of Service Tuesday morning. Projects ranged from making school bags for UMCOR to baking cookies for policeman, fireman and soldiers, from participating in a virtual prayer walk to picking up trash at the beach, from sorting items in a thrift shop to boxing salvaged produce for the hungry, from sewing turbans for cancer patients to yard work and painting at a home for single mothers. The Day of Service was a way members were able to be a witness of faith in Jesus Christ by serving through word and deed. It is our prayer and intention that we made a positive impact on the community as we live out God's vision that every soul and circumstance be redeemed. The Savannah Local Arrangements Committee coordinated this Day of Service.

Business Session 

During the business session today, the conference:
•  heard the result of the twelfth ballot: Dr. Edwin “Buddy” Cooper was elected to the Jurisdictional Conference clergy delegation and Mrs. Gloria Morgan was elected as an alternate lay delegate. The thirteenth ballot was taken.

•  approved a policy that brings the way clergy compensation is paid into compliance with IRS standards.

•  approved a resolution to reopen the discussion on parsonages by asking that the Conference Committee on Parsonages be reconvened.

•  approved a resolution regarding the opposition to the expansion of alcohol use and abuse.

•  received a check for clergy pensions in the amount of $ 10,254.67 from the United Methodist Publishing House. Bill Hatcher presented the check to Bishop Watson. For the fifth year in a row, members voted to give this money to the Central Conferences Pension Initiative.

•  took the fourteenth ballot. There was no election on the thirteenth ballot.

•  highlighted four ethnic local churches and their ministries with children and youth in their community in a Vision Moment.  Reports were offered by South Columbus , Woodbine Cooperative Parish, Savannah Korean, and Vision of Jesus.

•  heard the reports for the Board of Pensions and Health Benefits. Each report was presented for adoption and approved.

•  heard the result of the fourteenth ballot: Dr. Hugh Davis was elected to the Jurisdictional Conference clergy delegation and Mr. Matt Martin and Mr. Robert Anderson were elected as alternate lay delegates. This concluded the balloting process for the laity delegation. The fifteenth ballot was taken.

•  passed two resolutions recognizing the Dublin District and Statesboro District for paying 100% of their apportionments and askings.

•  Approved a motion that the Council on Finance and Administration study the apportionment formula.

•  heard the result of the fifteenth ballot: Rev. Don Adams was elected to the Jurisdictional Conference clergy delegation. The sixteenth ballot was taken.  

Evening Worship Service

The Conference was led in worship by the Boys Choirs of Mitchell County and Tallahassee under the direction of Mr. Earle Lee.