5 Ways to Prepare for Annual Conference 2015 (Whether You'll Be There or Not)
With just one week until Annual Conference 2015, there are several things you should do to prepare (whether you will be in Athens or are following from home)!
1. Read your Handbook
You'll find the agenda, maps, parking pass, information for conference members, and reports in the handbook. Take the time to read it - cover to cover - to prepare. Annual Conference members should have received their handbook at their District Pre-Conference Briefing, but it can also be downloaded as a PDF at ngumc.org/ac2015.
View Handbook
2. Collect the Special Annual Conference Offering at Your Church
Hold a special offering (sometimes called The Bishop's Appeal) for Imagine No Malaria this Sunday. Then, your church should issue one check marked "Fund 1500" to be placed in the offering plate at the worship service on Wednesday, June 17, by the lay member from your church. (If you're the lay member, be sure to bring the check.) It is an amazing witness to see what a difference North Georgia United Methodists can make when we work together! Many lives will be saved thanks to this special offering.
3. Prayerfully Consider Who You Will Vote For to Represent North Georgia at General and Jurisdictional Conference
Members of the North Georgia Conference will elect delegates to the 2016 General and Jurisdictional Conferences. Laity should read the Lay Candidate Bios included in the Conference Handbook and consider who you will vote for, noting their candidate number. Clergy should use the Clergy Candidate List to prepare in advance those candidates you wish to vote for as delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conference.
Election Info
4. Watch the Video for the Opening Hymn
"We Are God's People" from the hymnal The Faith We Sing will be sung several times over the four-day conference. Watch this intro video to
Watch Video
5. Pray for the North Georgia Annual Conference
Take time to pray for the members of the North Georgia Annual Conference, for the eradication of malaria, for the many lives made better by our United Methodist agencies, for the ministries of our churches, and that with God's help we make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Bonus
Two more great things to consider doing by June 16:Register for the Annual Conference 5K
You can register as a runner/walker or as Phantom Runner for the 5K. All proceeds go to Imagine No Malaria. Register at http://www.ngumc.org/imaginenomalaria5K.
UMCOR Health Kits
United Methodist Women will collect pre-assembled Health Kits at Conference, an item much-needed by UMCOR at this time. Find assembly instructions at https://www.umcor.org/UMCOR/Relief-Supplies/Relief-Supply-Kits/Health.