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