If you are unable to attend the meeting scheduled for your Cluster please attend another. South Georgia Advocate sharing our stories

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1 Northwest District OfficeThe United Methodist Church 1022 B - Second Avenue Columbus, Georgia Phone Edwin M.(Buddy) Cooper, Jr. District Superintendent James R. King, Jr., Bishop The District Superintendent and Ministers Day Apart How To Begin Again The Meeting Schedule Is As Follows: Cluster 7, April 11, Upatoi UMC Cluster 8, April 21, South Columbus UMC Cluster 1, April 25, Pierce Chapel UMC Cluster 2, April 26, Fort Valley UMC The Day s Schedule: 10:00-Gather 10:15-Devotional 10:30-11:15 How to Begin Again : Buddy Cooper 11:15-11:45-Communion 12:00 Lunch If you are unable to attend the meeting scheduled for your Cluster please attend another. South Georgia Advocate sharing our stories Northwest District Office P. O. Box 430 Columbus, GA B-Second Avenue Columbus, GA telephone D.S. cell telephone District Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Northwest District Conference April 24, :00-5:00 p.m. Americus First United Methodist Church Day Retreat Preaching to the No Problem Generation I Just Use Words and Words Don t Mean Anything April 15, :00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Sign In Begins at 9:45 a.m. Pastoral Institute Community Room Leader: Dr. Earl Nichols Director of the Turner Ministry Resources Center Senior Pastoral Counselor Lunch and cost of CEUs (4) will be provided by District Registration deadline, April 7 To register select Upcoming Events Please make lunch reservations, gailgrantham@aol.com All Northwest District Ministers are expected to attend LIVE, LAUGH, AND LET GO 2016 Georgia Pastor s School Epworth By The Sea July 18-21, 2016 Faculty: Dr. Anthony Hedley, Asbury Dr. Karen Scheib, Candler Humorist: Jamie Ragle Closing Service: Rev. Carolyn Moore Register on-line Northwest District Newsletter April 2016 Page 1

2 NEW CONFERENCE CENTER Dear Colleague, I m sure you know that our Conference is raising funds to build a home. We have been in rented offices ever since we first became an Episcopal Area back in Renting was fine when we were starting out. Now is the time to build a home for our Conference. We have already raised $1.4 million of the expected $2.2 million cost. We are now asking 5,000 South Georgians to donate $100 each to help us reach the final stage of fundraising. Already we have over 800 donations totaling $ I have made a donation. I encourage you to do so. Bishop James King and Dr. Hal Brady are leading our effort. To get 5,000 donations we will need to present the opportunity to many times that number. I urge you to let your members know about the campaign for 5,000 donations of $ each. You can insert the Bishop s into your church system. You can download a bulletin insert to put in Sunday s bulletin. You can show our video to groups in your church. You can link to the Donate Online button. You can find other information and downloadable stuff about the new Conference Center on the conference website. Please help us reach the over 100,000 persons called Methodist in South Georgia during early March. Yours faithfully, Edwin Buddy Cooper, Jr Northwest District Newsletter April 2016 Page 2

3 Dooly Campground 2016 Children s Camp June 22 25, 2016 For students who have completed 2 nd 5 th grade It s time for Children s Camp 2016 at the historic Dooly Campground! Camp will offer a variety of great activities: games and recreation, arts and crafts, swimming, music, and great times of worship and spiritual growth! We invite you to make some great memories at Children s Camp this summer! Registration: $85.00 PER CAMPER (REGISTER BEFORE MAY 15 TH ) $95.00 PER CAMPER (REGISTER AFTER MAY 15 TH ) Make checks payable to Americus District Youth Fund and return the attached application, medical release form, & fees no later than Friday June 10, 2016 to: Camp Dooly Registrar PO Box 147 Byromville, GA For more information please contact Rev. Josh joshbizzell@gmail.com Northwest District Newsletter April 2016 Page 3

4 Upcoming Events... Epworth By The Sea April 22-24, 2016-Weekend Getaway Retreat. Unquenchable Faith! A Bible Study led by Carol Kent. Theme scripture: Romans 12:11-12 Don t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don t quit in hard times. Details: ; May 16-19, 2016-Springtime By The Sea. Golden Memories in the Golden Isles. Take a look back at our island life by visiting the historic Hofwyt Broadfield Plantation, Jekyll Island National Historic District, tabby slave cabins, Fort Frederica and other sites on St. Simons Island. Learn about other historic moments in the Golden Isles in video and lecture. Enjoy time on the island is a part of the 50th Anniversary of the Arthur J. Moore Methodist Museum and Archives celebration. Details: or June 14-27, 2016-Grand Camp. Ocean Motion. An intergenerational camp for grandparents and their elementary age grandchildren. Go seining in the ocean and observe the living beach; attend a spartina show; get up close and personal with the march in a marsh mudpit. Enjoy a transit trawl; swim party and more. Details: ; Sexual Ethics In Ministry For Clergy April 26, 2016, 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Vineville UMC, Macon, GA This workshop is REQUIRED EVERY THREE YEARS for any person serving under appointment by the bishop (clergy, local pastors, extension ministers appointed lay speakers). Cost: $35.00 collected at the door - lunch included. Make check payable to the South Georgia Conference. For info, cpassistant@sgaumc.com, Deborah Wight-Knight, Conference Pastoral Counselor, Church Leader Training Opportunities There are leadership training resources available to help new leaders become acquainted with their roles: Guidelines that has a booklet for each church position can be purchased as one set or individually. SGC Leadership Training Archived Webinars. Visit to find archived webinars around the following topics presented by leaders in the South Georgia Conference: Local Church Treasurer 101-Derek McAleer; Lay Leader-Lois Duncan; PPRC/SPRC-Tommy Martin; Trustees-Warren Plowden; Finance-Jimmy Cason Job Descriptions: Discipleship Ministries also has local church officer job descriptions and other resources available for many UMC positions. Free Downloadable Book: Solve the Puzzle Of Copyrights Download CCS s Solve the Puzzle of Copyrights: Six Steps to Learning How to Do Music Right for free so you can learn at your own pace and identify where you are at greatest risk for possible infringements. Live Broadcast Your Worship Service Online - FREE People don t have to miss church due to illness or bad weather. With Google Hangouts video streaming is easy and your church probably already has what it takes to do it. New Safe Sanctuaries Video A new Safe Sanctuaries training video, produced by the Office of Connectional Ministries is available. This video explores the basics of Safe Sanctuaries and is presented by Allison Lindsey, Associate Director of Connectional Ministries. A handout of the PowerPoint with sections for notes can be downloaded. Northwest District Newsletter April 2016 Page 4

5 Open Door Community House Thanks for a great day! Thanks to all of our wonderful sponsors, donors and participants we had a wonderful day at Woodruff Park on Saturday, March 5th! There were about 500 runners, walkers and volunteers who spent the morning with us! Money is still coming in, so we are waiting to announce a new total, but as of March 5th we had already raised over $83,000. Check out our Facebook album "2016 OD Classic" to see photos from this year's event. We will also have a newsletter out soon with highlights from the day's events! It is not too late to donate to the Classic for this year! We also have shirts available in limited sizes for a $25 donation. Call for more information. Word and Spirit Devotional Guides Rev. Josh Bizzell, pastor of Byromville UMC and Drayton UMC and director of the Wesley Foundation at Georgia Southwestern State University and South Georgia Technical College, has created a weekly Word and Spirit Guide for use along with the lectionary texts. The Word and Spirit is designed to assist readers in their daily journey of discipleship to Jesus Christ. Word and Spirit Guides are posted weekly for use in guiding the disciple in prayer, meditation, and Scripture Reading. District Cares and Concerns Our sympathy to Kevin Clotfelter and family on the death of his mother, Sandra Clotfelter, on March 15, Please keep Kevin, Laurie and the family in your prayers. Please be in prayer for Andrew Barrett, son of Alan and Beth Barrett who was admitted Wednesday, March 23, to the UAB hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. Not only is he dealing with the Cystic Fibrosis issues, but also with the flu plus infection and inflammation in his lungs. Cleaning buckets Needed (UMNS) The United Methodist Committee on Relief depots in Louisiana and Alabama are running low on cleaning buckets, the Mississippi Conference reports. Cleaning buckets enable people to begin the overwhelming job of cleaning up after a flood or hurricane. Help Purchase Supplies If you prefer to donate toward the purchase of supplies instead of buying and shipping them, give online to Material Resources, UMCOR Advance # Sending Assembled Kits UMCOR Sager Brown Depot PO Box Sager Brown Road Baldwin, LA Contact For Help: Northwest District Newsletter April 2016 Page 5

6 Events in the South Georgia Conference The Link 3/21/2016 edition 60 Days of Prayer for General Conference begins March 31 The Upper Room has created resources for 60 Days of Prayer to help every local congregation pray with the delegates and church leaders for the 2016 General Conference. The 60 days of prayer begin March 31 and extends through May 29. The denomination s legislative assembly is May in Portland, Oregon. The prayer guide is available online, as a PDF download and a daily service. Prayer-bead kits with a commemorative medallion are also available. Get resources at 60daysofprayer.org. UMW Spiritual Growth Retreat April 1-3 The United Methodist Women of the South Georgia Conference will host their annual Spiritual Growth Retreat April 1-3 at Epworth By The Sea on St. Simons Island. Rev. Sharma Lewis, a native of Statesboro and the District Superintendent of the Atlanta Decatur Oxford District in the North Georgia Conference, will be the event speaker. Visit for more information and to download the brochure and registration form. The Methodist Children's Home Celebration Day April 2 The Methodist Home for Children and Youth's annual Celebration Day will be at the Macon campus on April 2 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Home is excited to announce that they will be a sanctioned event of The International Cherry Blossom Festival this year! All proceeds that day go towards fun experiences for the Home's children and youth, such as trips to the beach and recreational equipment. The event will feature a kids carnival, a Harvest Kidstown Show, a bake sale, BBQ plate sales, a silent and live auction, a Harvest Worship Concert, and much more! This event is open to the public with free general admission. Carnival tickets may be purchased the day of the event. Visit for more information. Native American Ministries Sunday April 10 On Native American Ministries Sunday, United Methodists cultivate and support urban missions with Native Americans and fund scholarships for Native American seminarians. Your annual conference retains 50 percent of the offering to strengthen and develop Native American ministries. However, if no Native American ministries exist in the conference, the entire offering is remitted to the General Council on Finance and Administration for Native American ministries in other areas. The remaining 50 percent of the offering expands mission work with the Native American Urban Initiative and provides scholarships for Native Americans attending United Methodist and other approved schools of theology. Is it easier to learn Native American traditions from a Native American or an Irish American? This is why the Native American Ministries Sunday offering is critical to continue the traditions and nurture the gifts of Native Americans. United Methodist Men's Spring Golf Tournament April 22 The UMM annual spring golf tournament will be held Friday, April 22. The registration form and rules can be found online at The UMM are currently looking for hole sponsors and players for this event to help fund missions projects for the UMM of South Georgia. United Methodist Men s Annual Retreat April The South Georgia United Methodist Men will gather for their annual Spring Retreat Friday, April 22, 2016, through Saturday, April 23, 2016, at Epworth By The Sea on St. Simons Island. Visit for more information and to download a brochure. Wesley Glen Ministries Annual Fish Fry April 30 Join Wesley Glen Ministries for their annual Fish Fry! Learn more at Northwest District Newsletter April 2016 Page 6

7 Magnolia Manor Sunday May 8 Magnolia Manor is a ministry of The United Methodist Church and serves older adults of all faiths throughout South Georgia. On this Special Sunday, South Georgia United Methodists are asked to take up a special offering to support this vital ministry. To learn more about Magnolia Manor visit General Conference May The 2016 General Conference will be held May 10-20, 2016, in Portland, Oregon. For more information, visit Local Pastors Licensing School May The 2016 session of the Local Pastors Licensing School will be held May on the Campus of Emory University. Local Pastors Licensing School is a crash course in being a pastor for those who want to be available for appointment to a church or charge as a licensed local pastor. Those who are licensed for pastoral ministry make a commitment to continue their education beyond Licensing School either through the 20 classes of the Basic Course of Study or through a Masters of Divinity degree from a United Methodist approved seminary. For more information, visit Camp Connect We hope you will join us at Epworth By The Sea this upcoming summer for some great fun! Days are filled with outdoor activities like the ropes course, boat rides, dock fishing, competitions, beach trips and pool time. Campers come together each evening for worship and sharing among friends. These environments, away from the typical daily distractions, help shape each camper so as to grow in his/her relationship with Christ. Come enjoy a week of learning, recreation, meeting new friends, and more fun than you can imagine! Online registration for Summer Camps is now available MID HIGH CAMPS Mid-High 1: June Mid-High 2: June For those entering 6th-9th grades Registration Fee: $300 ELEMENTARY CAMPS Elem. Camp 1: June 27-July 1 Elem. Camp 2: July Elem. Camp 3: July For those entering 4th-6th grades Registration Fee : $300 Office of Connectional Ministries P.O. Box St. Simons Island, GA Local: (912) Toll-free: (888) Camp Director: Suzanne Akins, Extension 107, uzanne@sgaumc.com Northwest District Newsletter April 2016 Page 7

8 Northwest District Newsletter April 2016 Page 8

9 SOUTH GEORGIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE APPOINTMENT MAKING SCHEDULE In November 2015, each District Superintendent will include this schedule in his/her District Newsletter or in other mailings to inform all Clergy and Pastor/Staff-Parish Relations Committee Chairs of the appointment process time-line for This communication will be transmitted on behalf of Bishop James R. King, Jr. 1. Report to the Bishop and Cabinet Form (to be completed by the Pastor and the PPRC) On Tuesday, January 5, 2016, the District Office will mail to each clergyperson a Report to the Bishop and Cabinet Form upon which information relative to the appointment process for will be recorded. Also, on Tuesday, January 5, 2016, the District Office will mail to each Pastor/Staff-Parish Relations Committee Chairperson a Report of the Pastor/Staff-Parish Relations Committee Form. This form solicits information from this Committee relative to the appointment of a Pastor for Both the Clergy and the Committees are to return their forms no later than Tuesday, February 2, Each party is to sign the other s form after it is completed prior to returning to the District Office. District Superintendents will be scheduling consultation conversations with all clergy and all Pastor- Parish Relations Committees. Conversations are desired with each clergy under appointment and each Pastor-Parish Relations Committee, regardless of whether a change in appointment is anticipated. 2. Cabinet Information Form (To be completed by all clergy appointed to a local church.) By Tuesday, January 05, 2016, the Cabinet Information Form will be available online on the Conference website ( within the Church or Extension Ministry Dashboard. Clergy Serving a Local Church Clergy serving local churches will access the form through their Church Dashboard, which was used during the Charge Conference season. Once you log in to your church dashboard, click on the link for cabinet information report. If you are serving a multiple church charge you can use your lead church s username and password to complete the report for all churches on the charge. Clergy should complete their reports by Tuesday, February 2, It is critically important for all clergy and SPR Committees to submit all their forms by the February 2, 2016 deadline. The Appointive Cabinet will be working with this information soon thereafter. Your assistance in submitting all information is appreciated. 3. Extension Ministers New this year, Extension Ministers will utilize the Extension Ministry Dashboard to complete their Compensation Form. The Narrative Form will also be available through the dashboard. Information on how to log in to the Extension Ministry Dashboard will be sent separately by the district. By November 20, 2015, the Extension Ministry Dashboard will be available online on the Conference website ( Extension ministers will complete their reports by December 15, Meeting Schedule The Appointive Cabinet will meet on Monday, February 22, 2016 (2:00 p.m.) through Wednesday, February 24, 2016, at Epworth by the Sea to begin the appointment-making process. The Cabinet will meet on these dates: Monday-Wednesday, February 22-24, 2016 Monday-Wednesday, February 29-March 2, 2016 Tuesday-Thursday, March 15-17, 2016 Tuesday-Thursday, March 29-31, 2016 Monday-Wednesday, April 4-6, 2016 Tuesday-Thursday, April 12-14, 2016 Tuesday, May 24, 2016 Northwest District Newsletter April 2016 Page 9

10 SOUTH GEORGIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE APPOINTMENT MAKING SCHEDULE District Superintendents will continue consultations with Pastors and Pastor/Staff Relations Committees following these meetings, as needed. 5. Projected Appointments Appointment making is an intensive process involving consultation, prayer, discernment, collaboration and more prayer. Clergy and laity at the local church level join Bishop King and the Appointive Cabinet in this complex work most intensely during the initial phase of consultation (see number 1 above). Ultimately, the Bishop and District Superintendents seek to prayerfully discern the anointed pastor for each appointment. Once a decision to make a change in pastoral appointment is made, the clergyperson and Pastor-Parish Chairperson are notified of the projected. Following time for the announcement to be made in the local church, the projected appointments will be posted on the Conference website4 ( These appointments are considered firm projections, still subject to change, until the Bishop finalizes them at the Annual Conference Session. 6. Orientation for Moving Pastors Bishop King and the Appointive Cabinet will host an orientation session for full-time moving clergy. Superintendents will release the date, location, and time for this event as information is firmed up Annual Conference Materials At the 2015 Annual Conference Session members voted that only those clergy and lay members to Annual Conference who choose to opt-in to receive conference AC materials will receive paper material. Therefore, all AC materials will be placed on the conference and district website to download and print or save to an electronic device. The Book of Recommendations will also be available to order at a minimal cost through lulu.com. All clergy for whom we have an address for will receive a notification when Annual Conference materials are available If an address was entered during Charge Conference season for the lay member to Annual Conference from your church that person will receive an as well. However, clergy are requested to check with the church s lay member to Annual Conference to make sure they receive all of the Annual Conference materials. Information will also be included in the district newsletter and conference communications. Please make note of these new procedures for Annual Conference materials. If printing out the materials, downloading them to an electronic devise or ordering from lulu.com presents a hardship please let your District Office know by April 1, Annual Conference Session The South Georgia Conference will meet June 8-11, 2016, in Tifton, during which Bishop King will fix these appointments for Moving Day will be Wednesday, June Moving Day (A New Process for Clergy and SPRC Committees) In an effort to encourage clergy to take a Sabbath break, the Bishop and Appointive Cabinet invite all clergy (especially those who are projected to move to a new appointment) to do the following: June 5, Preach in Local Churches as Scheduled (For Clergy on the Move List - This is your final preaching Sunday in your current appointment). June 12, Bishop and Appointive Cabinet declare this Sunday, Pulpit Supply Sunday. Clergy are encouraged to coordinate with SPRC Committees to have retired clergy or lay supply fill the pulpit to preach this week. All clergy are invited to participate in this Sabbath break but clergy on the projected move list are strongly encouraged to do so. ***June 15, Moving Day June 19, First Sunday in New Appointment Northwest District Newsletter April 2016 Page 10

11 Dear Lay and Clergy Members of the Annual Conference, Conference and Agency Leaders, I hope you are getting excited about our 2016 Annual Conference Session set for Wednesday, June 8, through Saturday, June 11, at the UGA Tifton Campus Center in Tifton, Ga. To keep you informed, we want to update you from time to time with the latest updates and reminders for Annual Conference. You have already been made aware of some of this year s highlights: Celebration of our 150th Session of the South Ga. Annual Conference Our Conference Theme: Testify and Multiply Night of Entertainment Honoring our Episcopal Family, the Kings A Retrospective of our 8 Years with Bishop King Here are some other highlights: Special Offering Announced: General Board of Global Ministries (which is moving to Atlanta) Mission Outreach emphases announced We re taking pictures for a new Clergy Pictorial Directory! Annual Conference Overview Webinar: Tuesday, May, at 7:00pm Guest Preacher and Teachers Announced: Wednesday: Rev. Dr. Winston Worrell, Director of World Methodist Evangelism Institute Thursday: Rev. Dr. Laceye Warner, Duke Divinity School, Associate Professor of the Practice of Evangelism & Methodist Studies Friday: Rev. Dr. Michael McQueen, Sr. Pastor, St. James UMC, Alpharetta Saturday Ordination: Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett, North Alabama Episcopal Area Below are some details that you will find helpful. Additional information can always be found on the conference website, Please note that the Book of Recommendations and Reports will be available for clergy and lay members on May 1. This annual publication will be able to be purchased through lulu.com as a professionally bound book, or downloaded as a PDF file for free from the conference website. An notification will be sent to all clergy and lay members when the publication is ready. Also, if there has been a change in the lay member(s) representing your charge, please login to your church dashboard, and make the change in the "My Church's Leaders" section. Additionally, please share the change with your district office. Thank you. Dr. Jay Harris, Conference Secretary Annual Conference Details Northwest District Newsletter April 2016 Page 11

12 Annual Conference Details Special Offering - General Board of Global Ministries The 2016 Annual Conference Special Offering will go to the General Board of Global Ministries for missions and ministry as a welcoming offering. Every congregation is encouraged to collect an offering prior to Annual Conference. It will then be presented during the Opening Worship service. Global Ministries has been located in New York City for 200 years and will be moving to Atlanta, Georgia in the Fall of The move to Atlanta - a catalyst for envisioning new ways to connect the church in mission - is a pivotal moment in the life of Global Ministries and the people with whom they serve. Material to help you promote the special offering, including a bulletin insert and video, can be found at Thursday Night Evening of Entertainment Honoring Bishop James and Mrs. Rose King featuring Buddy Greene in Concert On Thursday evening, June 9, we will have an Evening of Entertainment honoring Bishop James and Mrs. Rose King. Joining us in concert for the evening will be musician Buddy Greene. This free event is open to the surrounding community. All are encouraged and welcome to attend. Through touring with the Gaithers and appearing on their Homecoming video series, as well as continuing to write and record his unique brand of gospel music, Buddy has built a solid reputation as a singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and talented performer with a distinct southern flavor. His virtuosity on the harmonica has distinguished him as an instrumental force to be reckoned with. Buddy s songwriting has also gained him recognition, especially as the co-writer of the Christmas favorite, Mary, Did You Know? recorded by many of today s top recording artists. Buddy s outstanding performances have taken him from Macon, GA to Billy Graham crusades, music festivals, concert halls, churches, pickin parties of every kind, and even Carnegie Hall. Mission Outreach Emphasis Agencies within the bounds of our Annual Conference are changing lives. They are the hands and feet of Jesus Christ as they help to meet the most basic of needs. We are grateful for their work and want to show our gratitude. Each of the agencies listed below will have a collection box in the lobby. They have selected an item that will help them in their day-to-day operation. So choose one or choose several, and let s help fill up their boxes! Magnolia Manor: large print word search/crosswords, adult coloring books, crayons/colored pencils, Classic movie/tv show DVDs (Examples: Andy Griffith, Leave it to Beaver, Gunsmoke, etc.) Methodist Home: school supplies, hygiene items Open Door: travel size toiletries, white washcloths Vashti: $5 gift cards from McDonalds Wesley Community Centers: Baby Wipes Wesley Glen: Flushable Wipes, pocket Kleenex Annual Conference Overview Webinar Tuesday, May 3 at 7:00 p.m. The Annual Conference Session can be daunting for those attending for the very first time. What s the Book of Recommendations and how do I use it? How do I prepare? Will I have to vote on anything? What do I need to report back to my local church? If you have attended Annual Conference before, this year promises new highlights to celebrate ministries within South Georgia along with honoring Bishop King's legacy as he retires this year. This webinar, led by Dr. Jay Harris, Conference Secretary, will help you navigate the 2016 Annual Conference Session and assist you in making the most of your role as a delegate. To register for the free webinar and to view documents that will be used during our Annual Conference Session visit Clergy Directory Directory photographs for the new South Georgia Clergy Directory will be taken during the 2016 Annual Conference Session. Anyone serving under the appointment of the South Georgia Conference as well as retired clergy will be included in the directory. This includes all levels of lay, local, and ordained pastors. This year s directory will include a single picture of the clergy member. An additional photo of the clergy and their spouse may be taken optionally. Photos will be taken Wednesday from 10:00am - 5:00pm, Thursday from 8:00am 5:00pm and Friday from 8:00am 5:00pm. Look for the Lifetouch Booth at the UGA Tifton Conference Center. Northwest District Newsletter April 2016 Page 12

13 Meeting Details & Logistics Schedule The 2016 Conference Session will begin with the First Plenary Session on Wednesday afternoon, June 8. Conference will conclude with the Sending Forth Service on Saturday, June 11. Below is a tentative schedule of events. A more comprehensive and final schedule will be provided in the Spring of Wednesday, June 8, :00 AM Registration Begins 2:00 PM First Plenary Session 5:00 PM Dinner Break 7:00 PM Opening Worship Service Thursday, June 9, :00 AM Registration Reopens 8:30 AM Laity Session 8:30 AM Clergy Session in Ballroom 10:00 AM Plenary Session 12:00 PM Lunch Break 2:00 PM Memorial Service 5:00 PM Dinner Break 7:00 PM Evening of Entertainment Friday, June 10, :30 AM Plenary Session 11:00 AM Retiree Recognition 12:00 PM Lunch Break 2:00 PM Plenary Session 5:00 PM Dinner Break Free Night Saturday, June 11, :00 AM Ordination/Commissioning Service 10:30 AM Plenary Business Session 11:30 AM Fixing the Appointments/Sending Forth Service 12:00 PM Adjourn Venue All conference business and worship services will be held at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Ga. The conference center is located off of I-75 at Exit 64 at the intersection of U.S. Hwy 41 N. The physical address is 15 RDC Road / Tifton, GA A map with alternate routes to the Conference Center will be made available on the conference website. Registration The registration fee for all pastors and lay members to Annual Conference is $20. Retired clergy not serving a church are exempt from this fee. You will pay when you register at Annual Conference. Voting Rights Who s a delegate? Lay Members of the Annual Conference: Lay membership shall be composed of the Lay Members elected by their charges, at-large delegates of the district selected by their district superintendent, the Conference Lay Leader, Conference President of United Methodist Men, Conference President of United Methodist Women, Conference President of the Council on Youth Ministries, Lay Delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conference, Diaconal Ministers, Lay Staff of the Conference Office of Connectional Ministries, Lay Chairpersons of Conference Committees, Commissions, Councils, Teams or Boards, District Lay Leaders, District Presidents of United Methodist Men, District Presidents of United Methodist Women, District Presidents of United Methodist Youth, and one youth and one young adult by each District. Northwest District Newsletter April 2016 Page 13

14 Clergy members of the Annual Conference: Clergy delegates include Full Elders, Full Deacons, Associate Members, Provisional Deacons, Provisional Deacons, Full-time Local Pastors, Part-time Local Pastors, Retired Elders, Retired Deacons, Retired Associate Members, and Retired Provisional Members who retired before The Discipline does not allow Retired Local Pastors to be clergy delegates or vote ( 320.5); however, Retired Local Pastors who have been serving under appointment leading up to Annual Conference can serve as clergy delegates and vote. All clergy delegates and lay members of the Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM) may attend the Clergy Session, but only ordained clergy in full connection and lay members of the BOM may vote at the Clergy Session. Expenses / Per diem Clergy and lay delegates who represent a local church shall have their expenses (including registration) paid by the local church (this includes retired clergy who are serving a church). Lay delegates who represent an organization and Extension Ministers shall have their expenses paid by the organization they represent. Retired clergy not under appointment and clergy on disability shall receive a per diem of $65 per day for each day attended. Lay members who do not represent a local church or conference organization shall receive a per diem on the same basis. Retired local pastors who are not serving a church are not clergy according to the Discipline, and so do not qualify for a per diem. Childcare Childcare will be available for infants through elementary age students at Tifton First UMC Children s Building. Infant through pre-school childcare will be held for all worship services and business sessions. Elementary age childcare will be available for business sessions only. Pre-registration is REQUIRED by May 27 so we know how to plan for staffing, crafts, materials, snacks and lunch. For more information and to register visit or contact Allison Lindsey at allison@sgaumc.com. Banquets If you have a group that would like to plan a banquet or special event, contact Sissy Martin at Tifton First UMC, (church), (cell) or sissyrmartin@gmail.com. Banquets must be pre-paid by May 27. Displays Display spaces are available to groups and agencies related to the South Georgia Conference. Display space costs $50.The display policy as well as the registration form to reserve booth space can be found at Reservations for the space must be made prior to the conference. Hotels The following Tifton area hotels have rooms blocked for our conference. Please reserve your room now to ensure availability. Ask for the South Georgia United Methodist Church group rate when booking. Comfort Inn & Suites 320 South Virginia Ave Rate: Country Inn & Suites 310 South Virginia Ave Rate: Days Inn & Suites 1199 U.S. Highway 82 W Rate: Fairfield Inn & Suites 806 West 7th Street Rate: Hampton Inn & Suites 720 US Hwy 319 S Rate: Hilton Garden Inn 201 Boo Drive Rate: Holiday Inn Express 814 West 7th Street Rate: Microtel Inns & Suites 196 South Virginia Ave. Rate: Quality Inn 1104 King Rd Rate: Econo Lodge 1025 West 2nd St Rate: Super West 2nd Street Rate: Northwest District Newsletter April 2016 Page 14