South Georgia prepares for 2023 Annual Conference session
South Georgia United Methodists will gather June 4-6, 2023, at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Ga. to worship, fellowship, celebrate mission and ministry, and discuss the future of the South Georgia Conference.
Meeting under the theme, “When They Prayed,” attendees at the 2023 Annual Conference session will worship together, pray together, and see friends new and old.
This year’s Annual Conference session will be marked by daily worship services and prayer moments woven throughout the 3-day event.
Bishop David Graves, episcopal leader of the South Georgia Conference, will be the preacher for the Sunday evening Opening Worship Service beginning at 6:30 pm.
Rev. Rebecca Duke-Barton, pastor of Jesup First UMC, will preach during the Monday morning worship service, and Rev. Michael Culbreth, pastor of ConneXion Church in Savannah, will preach during the Tuesday morning worship service. Both services begin at 8:30 am.
On Monday, June 5 at 11:20 am, the conference will recognize those clergy who are retiring.
Three people will be ordained Monday evening, June 5 at 7 pm: Joseph Carter, Mark Miller, and Matthew Stout. Many South Georgians will recognize the conference’s Ordination service preacher, Bishop Sharma Lewis. Bishop Lewis has South Georgia roots, served as a pastor and district superintendent in the North Georgia Conference, and was elected to the episcopacy in 2016. She now serves as the resident bishop of the Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church.
On Tuesday, June 6 at 11 am, the conference will celebrate and honor the lives of South Georgia clergy and clergy spouses who have died during the past year. The Rev. Dr. Derek McAleer, retired South Georgia minister, will preach. All worship services will be live streamed.
A prayer team consisting of Rev. Teresa Edwards, associate pastor of Vineville UMC in Macon, Rev. Precious Hawkins, pastor of Asbury UMC in Savannah, and the Rev. Dr. Ted Goshorn, pastor of Mulberry St. UMC in Macon, will lead conference members in times of prayer.
During the 2023 Annual Conference session, South Georgia United Methodists will have the opportunity to support church planting and revitalization through the opening worship service’s special offering. Congregations are encouraged to send and present their offering during the opening worship service on June 4. Click here for additional information and promotional materials. Click here to give online.
Also this year, the South Georgia Conference will elect persons to fill vacancies in its delegation to the postponed 2020 General Conference (to be held in 2024) and the 2024 Jurisdictional Conference. Clergy and laity who have declared their interest in being a delegate have submitted a short interest form that can be read here.
For more detailed information and a daily agenda, visit www.sgaumc.org/annualconference.
Live Stream
Live Stream Link
Schedule
The 2023 Annual Conference Session will begin with an Opening Worship Service on Sunday evening, June 4, at 6:30 pm. Conference will conclude with the Sending Forth Service on Tuesday, June 6. Click here for a link to the agenda.
Social Media for the 2023 Annual Conference
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/sgaumc
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/sgaumc / #sgaumc
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/sgaumc