2018 North Alabama Annual Conference to be June 3-5 in Huntsville

The North Alabama Annual Conference will gather on June 3-5, 2018, at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville under the theme of “Singing God’s Song in Harmony. The focus of this year's gathering will be will be the Conference priority of Ethnic Ministries. This year’s Annual Conference special offering is designated to continue and expand the work of the Ethnic Ministries Team by funding ministry opportunities to strengthen and create healthier ethnic minority local churches by way of leadership recruitment, internships and young adult ministries.

Bishop Sharma D. Lewis, resident bishop of the Richmond episcopal area (Virginia Annual Conference), and Dr. Kevin M. Watson, Assistant Professor of Wesleyan and Methodist Studies at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, are the guest speakers.

Bishop Lewis became the first African-American woman to be elected bishop in the Southeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church in 2016. Prior to her episcopal assignment, she held a distinguished record of service in the North Georgia Conference. She will preach the Opening Worship Celebration and Sending Forth Service. She will also be the speaker for the Laity Luncheon on Monday.

Dr. Watson's research interests focus on Christian formation and discipleship from a Wesleyan perspective. He is the author of three books: Pursuing Social Holiness: The Band Meeting in Wesley’s Thought and Popular Methodist Practice (Oxford, 2014); The Class Meeting: Reclaiming a Forgotten (and Essential) Small Group Experience (Seedbed, 2014); and A Blueprint for Discipleship: Wesley’s General Rules as a Model for Christian Living (Discipleship Resources, 2009). He is the co-author of The Band Meeting: Rediscovering Relational Discipleship in Transformational Community (Seedbed, 2017). He is currently working on a history of the development and fragmentation of American Methodism as a theological tradition. He will lead teaching sessions on Monday and Tuesday mornings.
 

Make Reservations by May 15

Online Reservations will be open until May 15, 2018. Participants should make reservations in order to purchase meal tickets, register a child or grandchild for Kids’ Camp or childcare, purchase Annual Conference T-shirts and request special accommodations for disabilities. Go to www.umcna.org/ac18reservations.

Several hotels are offering special rates during Annual Conference 2018. They are now taking reservations from Annual Conference participants. The reservation cut-off date for hotels is also May 15. For more information go to www.umcna.org/ac18hotels.
 

PreConference books are in the mail

Annual Conference members and reserve members are now receiving information in the form of a PreConference Book / Journal vol. I.

• Those who chose the "less paper" option received an email on Monday, April 16, 2018, with a .pdf file of their PreConference Journal. In addition, "less paper" voting members will receive an envelope via the U.S. Postal Service that includes their nametag and Registration Card.
   
• All other members, reserve members and invited guests will receive a printed book via the U.S. Postal Service starting this weekend. For members, this mailing also includes their nametag and Registration Card.

New this year: District Check-In

All members should bring their PreConference Book, nametag and Registration Card to Annual Conference with them. Nametags serve as member voting credentials. Members officially register their attendance by signing and turning in the Registration Card included with their nametag.

This year registration on Sunday afternoon will work differently than in previous years. On Sunday, clergy and lay members can turn in their registration card at the District Check-In tables in the North Hall First Floor Corridor. Each person's District is noted on his or her nametag. District Staff will be at the tables to collect the cards so everyone will see a familiar friendly face during check-in.

• District Check-In is open Sunday, 2-8 p.m.
• Clergy and lay members should turn in their registration card at the table labeled for their District.
• For other registration needs, go to Registration Services also in the North Hall First Floor Corridor.
   

PreConference Meetings

In addition to reading the PreConference Book, members are encouraged to attend their District's PreConference Meeting to help prepare for Annual Conference. These meetings will be either Sunday, April 29 or Sunday May 6. The schedule of PreConference Meetings is below.

The Annual Conference schedule includes times of worship, learning, business and fellowship gatherings throughout the three days. Visitors are welcome at Annual Conference.

Find more information and updates about the 2018 North Alabama Annual Conference at www.umcna.org/ac2018.