Alabama-West Florida Conference UMC

10/19/2026

As The United Methodist Church celebrates 70 years of full clergy rights for women, the Alabama-West Florida Conference Commission on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW) is inviting all clergy to participate in a special preaching initiative. In a recent letter, Dr. Kristen Curtis Wright, COSROW Co-Chair, shares her personal story of how hearing a woman preach for the first time helped her recognize God's call to ministry in her own life. COSROW is challenging every pastor in the conference to preach at least one sermon between now and Annual Conference in June that intentionally highlights the calling, leadership or ministry of women.

Churches are encouraged to invite a woman pastor to preach or explore the important roles women have played throughout Scripture and the history of the church. COSROW has funds available to assist with honorariums for guest preachers and can help connect congregations with women clergy in their districts.

Read full letter here:
awf-email.brtapp.com/files/tables/emails/4773791/fields/attachments/9c1e0da08cff4e52b5cca86a07219719/cosrowclergyletter.pdf

10/19/2026

We are incredibly grateful for the volunteers from across six annual conferences who have come together to help our churches and communities recover. From clearing debris and restoring access to properties to providing meals and hospitality, the hands and feet of Christ are hard at work!

But the need is still great, and YOU can help!

Volunteer: Teams are still needed for cleanup and recovery efforts. AWF volunteers do not have to be ERT certified to serve. Contact Amber White at 850-296-5310 to get involved.

Give: Financial gifts are also making a meaningful difference as families and communities begin the long road to recovery. Click the below link to give.
https://www.shelbygiving.com/App/Form/c49c2d51-6f6a-49c3-b871-2fbee7914faf

Thank you to everyone who has prayed, served, given and supported our neighbors during this difficult time. We are stronger together!

The Alabama-West Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church continues its recovery efforts following Hurricane Isaias, welcoming volunteers ...

10/16/2026

Yesterday, Bishop Jonathan Holston and Alabama-West Florida Conference leadership visited churches throughout the Panhandle District in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias.

From Shalimar and Fort Walton Beach to Navarre, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola, Cantonment and Pace, these visits are an opportunity to see firsthand the storm's impact, offer encouragement to pastors and congregations, pray together and better understand the needs of our churches and surrounding communities.

While the road to recovery will take time, we are reminded that we are stronger together through our United Methodist connection. We are especially grateful for the churches opening their doors to house volunteers, serve meals and support their neighbors during this difficult time.

As a reminder, the AWF Conference is welcoming volunteers through the month of October, as of now. Volunteers who reside within the AWF Conference do not have to be ERT badged to participate. Those without certification will be paired with trained ERT volunteers at job sites to ensure work is completed safely and effectively. Volunteers coming from outside of the annual conference are required to have a one-to-one ratio of ERT to non-ERT.

Individuals, churches and teams interested in serving should contact Amber White with Abide at 850-296-5310 to coordinate their involvement.

Please continue to pray for all those affected by Hurricane Isaias, our pastors and congregations, and the many volunteers working tirelessly to bring hope and healing to our communities.

10/15/2026

Several weeks ago, the AWFUMC and Huntingdon Archives Center celebrated 50 years of preserving, educating, and connecting generations. The Archives Center was established in 1976 following the passing of the Conference's Historian, Rev. Franklin Shackelford Moseley. The Archives Center is a joint enterprise between the Alabama West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church and Huntingdon College. The Archives Center houses the two depositories for the Conference and for Huntingdon College's Special Collections.

The celebration was open to everyone from both the conference and the college. Many community members attended the celebration such as Huntingdon Alumni, Ssudents, and staff, and conference clergy, local church archivists and historians, as well as members of the conference's Commission on Archives and History. The celebration featured a table display for the conference, the college, and the Archives Center along with provided refreshments and celebratory paper handouts. The Archives staff is very grateful for the visitors that came and celebrated 50 years of preserving the memory of the Alabama West-Florida Conference and Huntingdon College.

10/14/2026

AWF students and alumni of Candler School of Theology gathered to welcome and meet Dean Terrence (Kojo) Johnson, who began his leadership on August 1, 2026.

The gathering provided an opportunity to share stories of ministry, reflect on their Candler journeys and explore ways to remain connected to the school.

We are grateful for the strong relationship between Candler and the Alabama-West Florida Conference and for the many outstanding clergy and leaders who have been shaped by this partnership. We look forward to continuing this meaningful connection for years to come.

10/14/2026

In the wake of Hurricane Isaias, we are witnessing the strength of our United Methodist connection!

Rev. Chris Ackerman, AWF Disaster Response Coordinator, and his team immediately deployed to some of the hardest-hit areas to assess damage, provide assistance and coordinate recovery efforts.

Volunteers from throughout our United Methodist connection have answered the call, offering their time, resources and helping hands to churches and communities in need.

We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of prayers, generosity and support. While the road to recovery will take time, we are reminded that we are stronger together.

Thank you to everyone who is helping us put faith into action and share the love of Christ with our neighbors!

10/12/2026

Thank you to those who have already responded to our urgent call for help along the coast. Please keep the help coming!

Our Alabama-West Florida Conference churches and communities desperately need help following Hurricane Isaias!

We have an immediate need for volunteers who can assist with:
-Debris removal from church properties and yards
-Heavy equipment for large-scale cleanup
-Experienced chainsaw operators
-Roof tarping

You do NOT have to be UMCOR ERT trained to help! If you have the skills, equipment or willingness to serve, we need you NOW! We will pair you with a trained ERT.

To volunteer, contact Amber White at 850-296-5310.

Our churches are hurting, and together we can make a difference. Let's put our faith into action and bring hope to those in need!

10/11/2026

🚨 URGENT APPEAL: Hurricane Recovery Volunteers Needed! 🚨

Our Alabama-West Florida Conference churches and communities desperately need help following Hurricane Isaias!

We have an immediate need for volunteers who can assist with:
-Debris removal from church properties and yards
-Heavy equipment for large-scale cleanup
-Experienced chainsaw operators
-Roof tarping

You do NOT have to be UMCOR ERT trained to help! If you have the skills, equipment or willingness to serve, we need you NOW and will pair you with a certified ERT!

o volunteer, contact Amber White at 850-296-5310.

Our churches are hurting, and together we can make a difference. Let's put our faith into action and bring hope to those in need!

More details in the below link.

Our churches and communities desperately need your help! In the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias, several United Methodist churches and properties ...

10/10/2026

As recovery efforts begin across the Alabama-West Florida Conference, we are grateful to report that all clergy are safe and accounted for. Several of our churches and communities experienced storm damage, particularly in the Panhandle District.

Our Conference Disaster Response Team and district leadership are actively assessing damage, identifying needs and coordinating assistance. Please do not self-deploy, as volunteer efforts are already being organized.

We ask for continued prayers for those affected by the storm, especially those facing property damage and power outages. We are grateful for the many people working to care for our communities during this time.

Read more in the link below.

Hurricane Isaias made landfall within our conference yesterday as a Category 2 hurricane, bringing damaging winds, heavy rain and widespread power ...

10/09/2026

As Hurricane Isaias approaches our conference as a Category 3 storm, the Alabama-West Florida Conference continues to prioritize safety while preparing to respond to impacted communities.

Our Disaster Response Team is ready to mobilize as soon as conditions allow. Relief supplies are on standby, and a request for emergency funding through UMCOR is being submitted today to support immediate needs.

We ask our entire conference to join us in prayer for those in the storm's path, first responders and all who will assist in recovery efforts.

We are stronger together, and our United Methodist connection stands ready to serve.

Please stay safe and read the full update, including important damage reporting instructions, below.

The Alabama-West Florida Conference continues to closely monitor Hurricane Isaias, which has strengthened to a Category 3 storm. Landfall is expected ...