South Georgia Annual Conference
June 3-7, 2007, Savannah

Meeting under the theme “By All Means,” South Georgia United Methodists focused on tangible evangelism during their 2007 Annual Conference at the Savannah Civic Center in Savannah , GA June 3-7. 

“A major priority for every Christian is to share faith with others so all can experience the benefits of salvation,” said Bishop B. Michael Watson, resident Bishop of the South Georgia area. “This year's theme encourages us to follow Paul's example by prayerfully reaching out to people in ways that will instantly bring a connection so our faith in Christ can be authentically shared.”

The conference celebrated the 300th birthday of Charles Wesley in an uplifting opening worship service. During the service Bishop Watson challenged conference members with two questions: “ Are we willing to be the means God can use in our day? Are we willing to use all of the means at our disposal to make disciples of Jesus Christ to save souls and transform the world?”

Hundreds of members took this challenge and, for the second year in a row, scattered across the Savannah community Wednesday morning to be witnesses of faith in Jesus Christ. This Day of Service was a very specific way for members to “by all means” reach out by engaging in various service projects that meaningfully served their neighbors. 

Delegates were elected to the 2008 General and Jurisdictional Conferences. Lay delegates elected to General Conference include: Charlene Black (chair), Sylvania; Bill Hatcher, Statesboro; Roy Blackwood, Statesboro; Sunshine Bird, Rincon; Taylor Phillips, Macon; Steve Rumford, Macon. Clergy delegates: Hal Brady, Columbus; Joseph Roberson, Columbus; Bob Moon, Macon; Mike McAfee, Albany; Brad Brady, Macon; Robert Beckum, Americus.

Elected to the 2008 Jurisdictional Conference are: Miriam Hagan, Statesboro; Gloria Gilmore, Savannah; Mark Shelnutt, Columbus; Richard Shinhoster, Savannah; Lee Bush, Bainbridge; Flo Martin, Warner Robins . Clergy delegates: Cindy Autry, Columbus; Buddy Cooper, Columbus; Hugh Davis, Thomasville; Don Adams, Valdosta; Ramon Hernandez, Thomasville; Jimmy Cason, Statesboro.

Alternates are: Laity – Gloria Morgan, Dublin ; Matthew Martin, Warner Robins ; Robert Anderson, Columbus . Clergy – Marcia Cochran, Waycross ; Beverly Flowers, Savannah ; Ronnie Wills, Cordele.

In other actions, members:

•  Took a special offering for the East Africa Initiative in the amount of $65,570. Offering was also taken for the Fund for Special Relief ($2,582.16) and the Ministerial Education Fund ($2,871.33).

•  Adopted a conference and district Safe Sanctuaries policy.

•  Approved the recommendations by the District Study Task Force, including shifting the funding for districts to permit drawing new district lines.

•  Approved a motion to empower the Bishop and Cabinet to form a committee to engage in dialogue with the North Georgia Annual Conference to study conference lines.

•  Voted to move the Conference Pastoral Counselor to a full time position.

•  Heard powerful messages from Bishop Lindsey Davis in the Ordination Service, Dr. Don Kea in the Memorial Service and Rev. Hugo Magallanes in the morning Bible studies.

•  Affirmed the ministry of New and Revitalized Congregational Development within the bounds of the South Georgia Conference.

•  Were led in an evening worship service by the Mitchell County and Tallahassee Boys' Choirs.

•  Approved a policy that brings the way clergy expenses are paid into compliance with IRS standards.

•  Recognized Dr. Sandi Hortman, the first Deaconess consecrated from the South Georgia Conference within the last forty-four years.

•  Approved three resolutions, one calling for inclusiveness in the selection of General and Jurisdictional Delegates; one reopening the discussion on parsonages; and one opposing the expansion of alcohol use and abuse.

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

•  Received $ 10,254.67 from the Publishing House and voted to give this money to be utilized for clergy pensions in the central conferences for the fifth year in a row. 

•  Approved a budget of $11,505,287.

Ten people were commissioned, and eight were ordained as full elders.  Sixteen pastors retired, and seven were recognized for achieving their 50th anniversary in ministry. 

Membership stands 136,805, down 1,017 from the previous year. Worship attendance stands at 52,958, down 75. Church school attendance stands at 27,802, down 1,107.