A Response from Bishop Graves Regarding Southeastern Jurisdictional Episcopal Areas

January 10, 2024

Dear Friends of the South Georgia Conference,

On Monday, January 8, 2024, the Southeastern Jurisdiction (SEJ) Committee on Episcopacy announced a recommendation for new episcopal areas to take effect September 1, 2024. That letter may be found here. Let me extend a word of thanks to this committee for their dedication and leadership, especially to the Rev. Doreen Smalls and Mr. Richard Shinhoster, the heads of our South Georgia delegation. 
 
In this letter you will see that the Alabama-West Florida, North Alabama, and South Georgia Conferences will be served by one bishop. While this does bring change for each of these conferences, there is great opportunity in this next step. All three conference delegations have been in conversation with one another about this possibility, and these collaborative efforts will continue. 
 
Each conference has grieved the loss of clergy and churches over the past several years. What remains is a body of committed United Methodists with many commonalities. These three conferences are similar in size (clergy and churches), are geographically in close proximity, and share similar visions for ministry. The result of this decision will be a strong United Methodist presence in this region. 
 
My hope is that many people will be involved in conversations around this new collaboration. It is essential for clergy and laity to have a voice in this process. 
 
This recommendation must still be voted on by the SEJ delegates, who will meet July 10-12, 2024, at Lake Junaluska, NC. Also, at that meeting bishops will be assigned by the SEJ Committee on Episcopacy to the areas that are approved by the delegates. 
 
Join me in prayer as we continue to make Kingdom work a priority in these conferences and in our denomination. Let us continue to positively change our corner of the world. 

In Christ, 

Bishop David Graves

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Clergy: Please join me at one of the upcoming pre-General Conference lunch gatherings (Jan. 30 in Columbus, Feb. 1 in Tifton, and March 5 in Richmond Hill). I will be available to answer questions you may have at that time, and then you can share information with your local church leadership.