06/10/2026
What an incredible week at First United Methodist Church of Pensacola!
For the second year in a row, FUMC Pensacola was honored to host the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference, made possible by our amazing staff and more than 75 dedicated volunteers who welcomed and served guests from across our connection, including our most distinguished guests, Bishop Jonathan Holston and Mrs. Felecia Holston of the Alabama-Panhandle Episcopal Area and Bishop Mande Muyombo of the North Katanga Episcopal Area.
We were especially proud that our own Rev. Dr. Rick Branch became the first ordained deacon to preside at the Service of Holy Communion during an Annual Conference session. Our choir glorified God through outstanding musical leadership at both the pre-ordination concert and the ordination service.
Bill Bond serves as Associate Chancellor for the Conference and gave a thorough and encouraging legal update. Our Weekend Feeding Kids Ministry was one of 37 ministries to receive a $1000 grant toward their efforts! Lisa Bond shared an inspiring update on Teaming with Tanzania, celebrating the life-changing partnership between the Alabama-West Florida Conference and the Tanzania Annual Conference since 2017. Denise Van Atta coordinated our faithful team of pages, who served throughout the conference in countless ways.
Under the leadership of Eric Penley, our kitchen staff and volunteers prepared and served more than 1,000 delicious meals. Mici Kuba led our hospitality ministry with warmth and grace, ensuring every guest felt welcomed and loved. Kyle Hall, Kelsey Seager, and our communications volunteers provided beautiful worship materials, signage, audio-visual support, and livestreams that helped make the conference a success. Lacey Adair coordinated endless behind-the-scenes details for all aspects of the conference. Marty Cebula and our maintenance team worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure our facilities were clean, comfortable, cool, and ready for every worship service, meal, and business session throughout the week.
We are deeply grateful to be part of the Alabama-West Florida Conference and proud of the many First UMC members who shared their gifts in service to Christ and the Church. Thank you to every volunteer who helped make this week possible. Your hospitality reflected the love of Christ to our entire conference family and demonstrated the very best of First United Methodist Church.
To God be the glory!
More photos from this week can be found at awfumc.org/2026-photo-galleries.
