Welcome from the Athens Elberton District

Dear Members of the 2011 Annual Conference,

Twelve times to Athens in thirteen years!  Wow!  Again, on behalf of the Athens-Elberton District and the host committee, welcome back!   You honor us!

Annual Conference will begin with the Laity Orientation and Clergy Executive Session at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 14, ending on Friday, the 17th   at 5:15 p.m.  All forms and information about the conference will be available on the conference website, www.ngumc.org or in this annual conference handbook

Remember, each member to the 2011 Annual Conference is responsible for his or her own lodging reservations.

  • A list of area hotels is on our website (see above).  Be sure to mention to the hotel you will be attending the North Georgia United Methodist Annual Conference.  They have special rates to offer.
  • If you made reservations last year, confirm them and verify the nights of stay.
  • PLEASE cancel any reservations you do not plan on using.
  • NOTE: No late checkouts will be available on Friday as hotels have guests arriving for weekend weddings and events.
  • If you need assistance, direct your questions to the Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau at 706-357-4410 or 1-800-653-0603. 

Plenty of parking is available, with shuttles to and from the UGA N. Campus parking deck (entrances on Thomas and Jackson Streets). 

Members of the Annual Conference will find a variety of restaurants and shopping within walking distance of the Classic Center.  As in past years, breakfast and lunch vendors will be available at the Classic Center.  All meal event reservations (i.e., Laity Luncheon; Retiree Luncheon; Order of Deacons; Extension Ministry; Local Pastor; and Clergy Luncheon) must be made on-line by June 6.  The actual tickets will be distributed along with the name badges during registration.

Due to the election of our delegates to general and jurisdictional conferences and the desire to hold down annual conference costs, we will not use annual conference time for a mission project as we have in previous years. 

Again, welcome.  May you feel blessed by having been here in the Classic City.

Gary L. Whetstone, Athens-Elberton District Superintendent

Chuck Hodges, Clergy Chairman Host Committee 

Leon Jourolmon, Athens-Elberton District Lay Leader

Dianne Morrison & Johnny Fowler, Lay Co-chairpersons Athens-Elberton District Host Committee