Colleagues and Friends,
The cabinet, pastors, staff-parish committees, and churches of the South Georgia Conference have been prayerfully working on the upcoming appointment year. Thank you for your prayers as we have done this work.
The cabinet, consisting of the three district superintendents, Dr. Jay Harris, and myself, have been working to make many appointments to be announced at our 2024 Annual Conference, scheduled for June 2-4.
What I have come to learn and have experienced is that the Holy Spirit is in this process. As unusual as it may seem, I have been so blessed by my appointment-making time. It is sacred work, and the South Georgia Conference has a Godly cabinet that makes our work deep and rich.
Our consultations began in February, and most of our phone calls, meetings, and projections took place in March. Last week, we met to review these projections and make any necessary adjustments. We will continue to work at filling part-time appointments and other situations that might arise as pastoral introductions are made.
At this time, I want to share some important dates with you:
April 8: Pastors and churches are free to publicly communicate the new appointment unless otherwise directed by the district superintendent.
May 9: Orientation for Moving Pastors - This two-hour-long Zoom orientation is scheduled for full-time moving clergy. Information is being sent to moving pastors directly.
May 26: Preach in Local Churches as Scheduled - For Clergy moving to a new appointment, this is encouraged to be your final preaching Sunday in your current appointment. Moving clergy should arrange with their SPRC to have retired clergy or lay servants to fill the pulpit for June 2 and 9.
June 9: Pulpit Supply Sunday – Clergy are encouraged to coordinate with their SPRC to have retired clergy or lay servants fill the pulpit to preach this Sunday. All clergy are invited to participate in this Sabbath break, but clergy on the projected move list are strongly encouraged.
June 12: Moving Day
June 16: First Sunday for newly appointed clergy
As you see, the appointment process is the most important work we do and one that I want to live into God’s will.
Thank you again for your prayers.
In Christ,
Bishop David Graves
Resident Bishop