Search

Affected by Disaffiliation? Find out how you can move forward in mission in South Georgia

2023 Annual Conference Agenda


The 2023 Annual Conference Session will begin with an Opening Worship Service on Sunday evening, June 4, at 6:30 p.m. Our goal is to conclude the conference by mid-late afternoon on Tuesday with the Sending Forth Service on Tuesday, June 6. 
 

Basic Timeline

June 4-6, 2023 Regular Session (see agenda below)

  • June 4 - Registration Opens, 3pm
  • June 4 - Opening Worship Service, 6:30pm
    (Bishop David Graves, preacher)
  • June 4 - Clergy Session & Laity Session, 7:45pm
  • June 5 - Retiree Recognition, morning business session
  • June 5 - Methodist Home Barbecue (Conference Center), 5pm
  • June 5 - Service of Ordination (Tifton First UMC), 7:00pm
    (Bishop Sharma Lewis, preacher)
  • June 6 - Memorial Service (Conference Center), 11am
    (Dr. Derek McAleer, preacher)
  • June 6 - Sending Forth Service, afternoon
    (Bishop David Graves, preacher)


2023 Annual Conference Working Agenda

*(Subject to Change)


Sunday, June 4, 2023

When They Prayed: When They Prayed like Naomi

When we pray blessings on others, God redeems, Ruth 1:8

3:00 PM    Registration Opens (closes at 6:15 PM Sunday evening)
 

3:30 PM    Service of Ordination Rehearsal (Tifton First United Methodist Church)
 

5:45 PM    Opening Worship Rehearsal (Conference Center, John Hunt Auditorium)
 

6:30 PM    OPENING WORSHIP SERVICE WITH HOLY COMMUNION
    (Conference Center, John Hunt Auditorium)

    Sermon: Bishop David Graves

    Special Offering: South Georgia church planting and revitalization
 

7:45 PM         
    CLERGY SESSION (Conference Center, Small Auditorium)

    LAITY SESSION (Conference Center, Hunt Auditorium)
 

Monday, June 5, 2023

When They Prayed: When They Prayed like Nehemiah

When we acknowledge our shortcomings, God rebuilds, Nehemiah 1:5
 

7:45 AM         Registration Opens
 

8:30 AM         MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE 

    (Conference Center, Hunt Auditorium)

    Sermon: Rev. Rebecca Duke-Barton
 

9:00 AM       CONFERENCE BUSINESS SESSION
    (Conference Center, Hunt Auditorium)

    Convene and Welcome 

    And Are We Yet Alive

    Prayer Moment

    Introductions (Bishop Graves)

    Courtesies (Laity Cabinet)

    Organizing Motions (Mrs. Meredyth Earnest)

        Setting the “bar”of the Conference

        Election of Secretarial Staff

        Adoption of the 2023 Conference Agenda

    First Ballot Taken for General and Jurisdictional Conference Delegation Vacancies

    Action on 2023 Consent Calendar (Mrs. Meredyth Earnest)

    Presentation: Proposed Standing Rules Changes (Rev. Dr. Ted Goshorn)

    Presentation: Committee on Resolutions (Rev. Doreen Smalls) 

    Conference Lay Leader Address (Mr. J. Knapp)

        Recognition of Fully Connectional and Evangelistically Fruitful Churches

    Prayer Moment

    Standing Break
 

11:20 AM    ORDER OF THE DAY: Golden Anniversary Awards/Retiree Recognition          
 

12:00 PM        Lunch Break
 

2:00 PM          CONFERENCE BUSINESS SESSION 

    (Conference Center, Hunt Auditorium)

    John Wesley Moment (Rev. Dave Hanson)

    Prayer Moment 

    Board of Ordained Ministry (Rev. Dr. Nita Crump)

         Introduction of Extension Clergy

                Receiving New Clergy

    Church Closings (Dr. Paula Lewis, Dean of the Cabinet)

    Conference Board of Trustees (Rev. Dr. Jimmy Asbell)
    Presentation: Committee on Nominations (Mrs. Meredyth Earnest)

    Update on Bishop’s Priorities: disrupting and dismantling racism, clergy mental health, 

        resourcing the local church for ministry, and church planting & revitalization 

    Prayer Moment
 

4:55 PM    ORDER OF THE DAY

    Invitation to complimentary BBQ dinner by The Methodist Home (Ms. Alison Evans)

    Conference Announcements and Recess
 

5:00 PM          Dinner Break     

    The Methodist Home BBQ 

    (Conference Center, Ballroom)
 

7:00 PM          ORDER OF THE DAY: Service of Ordination
    (Tifton First United Methodist Church, Sanctuary)

    Sermon: Bishop Sharma Lewis, Mississippi Episcopal Area

    Offering: South Georgia Conference Clergy Mental Health Fund

    Reception Honoring the 2023 South Georgia Conference Ordination Class

    (Tifton First United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall)
 

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

When They Prayed: When they prayed like Mary 

When we rejoice and give thanks, God reveals, Luke 1:46-56
 

8:30 AM         MORNING WORSHIP 

    (Conference Center, Hunt Auditorium)

    Sermon: Rev. Michael Culbreth
 

9:00 AM    CONFERENCE BUSINESS SESSION 

    (Conference Center, Hunt Auditorium)

    Prayer Moment

    Action on Nominations (Mrs. Meredyth Earnest)

    Action on Resolution (Rev. Doreen Smalls)

    Action on Standing Rules (Rev. Dr. Ted Goshorn)

    South Georgia: Moving Forward 

    Prayer Moment
 

10:45 AM    Standing Break
 

11:00 AM      ORDER OF THE DAY: Memorial Service
    (Conference Center, Hunt Auditorium)

    Sermon: Rev. Dr. Derek McAleer

    Offering: South Georgia Fund for Special Relief
 

12:00 PM        Conference Announcements and Lunch Break

    Visitation with families of those whom we have remembered is encouraged following the service
    (Conference Center, Atrium)
 

2:00 PM          CONFERENCE BUSINESS SESSION 

    (Conference Center, Hunt Auditorium)

    When They Prayed: When they prayed like Peter 

    When we pray boldly, God revives, Acts 9:40

    Prayer Moment

    John Wesley Moment (Rev. Dave Hanson)

    Pension and Health Benefits (Rev. Dr. Ben Martin)

    Equitable Compensation (Mrs. Suzanne Jones)

        Setting of Minimum Salary

    Council on Finance and Administration (Rev. Dr. Shane Green)

        2024 Conference Budget

        Statistician’s Report (Mrs. Suzanne Jones)

     Annual Conference Program Committee

        Invitation to the 2024 Annual Conference

    Prayer Moment

    Closing Motions and Announcement

    Standing Break
 

4:00 PM      ORDER OF THE DAY: Sending Forth Service 

    (Conference Center, Hunt Auditorium)

    Fixing of the 2023-2024 Appointments
 

4:30 PM    Adjournment Sine Die

    Meeting of the General and Jurisdictional Conference Delegation
    immediately following adjournment

    (Location Convention Center, TBA)

*Please note: This is the Working Agenda. It is subject to change. 

Stay in the know

Sign up for our newsletters

Contact

Conference Office

3040 Riverside Dr., Suite A-2 - Macon, GA 31210

PO Box 7227 - Macon, GA 31209

478-738-0048

Administrative Office

3040 Riverside Dr., Suite A-2 - Macon, GA 31210

PO Box 7227 - Macon, GA 31209

478-738-0048

Camping & Retreat Ministries

99 Arthur J. Moore Dr - St Simons Is., GA 31522

PO Box 20408 - St Simons Island, GA 31522

912-638-8626

Contact us

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.