Dear Friends of the South Georgia Conference,
I look forward with great joy and anticipation to what lies ahead for the South Georgia Conference in this next season: a prayer emphasis in 2023, a more focused approach to clergy mental health, conversations around disrupting and dismantling racism, rolling out relevant resources for local churches, and plans for new congregations and fresh expressions across the conference. We have much to be excited about!
I do, however, acknowledge that this has been a challenging season for so many of us. Churches - made up of clergy and laity with whom we have deep relationships with - are making decisions to explore options outside of our United Methodist connection. Rev. Grace Guyton explained so aptly what many of us are feeling in her recent Advocate column,
“Grief and Loss.” She’s right, we don’t have any liturgy to turn to for these occasions or any rituals to acknowledge what we’ve lost.
I spent the month of September sharing my heart with people all across the South Georgia Conference. You know from these conversations that I will be a United Methodist bishop, and I pray each member, clergyperson, and church would choose to remain in the South Georgia Conference. During these conversations, I spent time answering a lot of questions. In order to share those questions and answers with more people, we have developed a
video as well as
written FAQs. We have also put together
a timeline for local churches around disaffiliation.
The Cabinet, Conference Staff, Conference Chancellor, Conference Trustees, and so many others have spent a lot of time putting out information to help local churches. We also have task force groups working on the future of the South Georgia Conference and on fresh expressions and exciting new ministry possibilities. I am thankful for all of these individuals and their work on our behalf.
Now as we move forward, I want you to know my commitment is focusing on the people and churches of the great South Georgia Conference and moving forward in this next season of ministry together.
God is at work in great ways, and I look forward to how we, together as the South Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church, can change our corner of the world.
In Christ,
Bishop David Graves
