North Alabama United Methodist Conference: Difference between revisions
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The '''North Alabama Conference''' is the connection of the approximately | The '''North Alabama Conference''' is the connection of the approximately 408 United Methodist churches within the geographical area from the middle of Alabama north to the Tennessee state line. | ||
The [[United Methodist Center]] is located at 898 [[Arkadelphia Road]] on the campus of [[Birmingham-Southern College]]. | The [[United Methodist Center]] is located at 898 [[Arkadelphia Road]] on the campus of [[Birmingham-Southern College]]. | ||
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==History of Formation== | ==History of Formation== | ||
The North Alabama Conference was created in 1870 when the congregations of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (MECS) in Alabama were reorganized into two annual conferences: Alabama and North Alabama. | The North Alabama Conference was created in 1870 when the congregations of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (MECS) in Alabama were reorganized into two annual conferences: [[Alabama Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South|Alabama]] and North Alabama. | ||
When three Methodist denominations reunited to form the Methodist Church in 1939, the North Alabama Conference continued. Birmingham-area congregations in the Methodist Protestant Church and the [[Alabama Methodist Episcopal Conference|Alabama Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church]] were incorporated into the North Alabama Conference. These congregations were all white-majority. The African American congregations of the MEC had been segregated into the [[Central Alabama Conference Methodist Church|Central Alabama Conference]] and remained a separate conference until after the formation of the United Methodist Church in [[1968]]. | When three Methodist denominations reunited to form the Methodist Church in 1939, the North Alabama Conference continued. Birmingham-area congregations in the Methodist Protestant Church and the [[Alabama Methodist Episcopal Conference|Alabama Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church]] were incorporated into the North Alabama Conference. These congregations were all white-majority. The African American congregations of the MEC had been segregated into the [[Central Alabama Conference Methodist Church|Central Alabama Conference]] and remained a separate conference until after the formation of the United Methodist Church in [[1968]]. | ||
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==Disaffiliation of Congregations== | ==Disaffiliation of Congregations== | ||
Debates over human sexuality have threatened to divide the United Methodist Church for many years. The 2019 Special General Conference of the United Methodist Church created a means by which congregations disaffiliate with the denomination under more favorable than usual conditions. On December 10, 2022, the annual conference met at the [[Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex]] and approved the disaffiliation of 198 congregations. Most congregations are expected to join more conservative Wesleyan denominations such as the [[Global Methodist Church]] or the [[Free Methodist Church]]. Some will remain independent. | Debates over human sexuality have threatened to divide the United Methodist Church for many years. The 2019 Special General Conference of the United Methodist Church created a means by which congregations disaffiliate with the denomination under more favorable than usual conditions. On December 10, 2022, the annual conference met at the [[Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex]] and approved the disaffiliation of 198 congregations. Most congregations are expected to join more conservative Wesleyan denominations such as the [[Global Methodist Church]] or the [[Free Methodist Church]]. Some will remain independent. | ||
On May 11, 2023, the conference approved the disaffiliation of an additional 132 congregations. This brought the number of churches remaining in the conference to 308. | |||
==Bishops== | ==Bishops== | ||
* [[Costen J. Harrell]], 1944-1948 | |||
* [[Clare Purcell]], 1948-1952 | |||
* [[Kenneth Goodson]], 1964-1972 | * [[Kenneth Goodson]], 1964-1972 | ||
* [[Robert Fanin]] -2004 | * [[J. Lloyd Knox]], 1984-1992 | ||
* [[Robert Fanin]] 1992-2004 | |||
* [[Will Willimon]], 2004-2012 | * [[Will Willimon]], 2004-2012 | ||
* [[Debra Wallace- | * [[Debra Wallace-Padgett]], 2012 - present | ||
==External | ==External Sites== | ||
* [https://www.umcna.org/about North Alabama Conference] website | * [https://www.umcna.org/about North Alabama Conference] website | ||
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Alabama_annual_conference North Alabama annual conference] on ''Wikipedia'' | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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* Garrison, Greg (November 22, 2022) "United Methodist split update: Clearbranch votes to go; Trinity Homewood stays" {{BN}} | * Garrison, Greg (November 22, 2022) "United Methodist split update: Clearbranch votes to go; Trinity Homewood stays" {{BN}} | ||
* Garrison, Greg (December 10, 2022) "United Methodist split: 198 churches leave North Alabama Conference" {{BN}} | * Garrison, Greg (December 10, 2022) "United Methodist split: 198 churches leave North Alabama Conference" {{BN}} | ||
* Garrison, Greg (April 28, 2023) "United Methodists ‘crushed’ after being left behind by disaffiliating churches." {{AL}} | |||
* Garrison, Greg (April 11, 2023) "Another 132 North Alabama United Methodist churches disaffiliate: Trussville, Helena, Gardendale." {{AL}} | |||
[[Category:Methodist | [[Category:North Alabama United Methodist Conference|*]] | ||
[[Category:1870 establishments]] | [[Category:1870 establishments]] | ||
Latest revision as of 07:45, 26 December 2023
The North Alabama Conference is the connection of the approximately 408 United Methodist churches within the geographical area from the middle of Alabama north to the Tennessee state line. The United Methodist Center is located at 898 Arkadelphia Road on the campus of Birmingham-Southern College.
An annual conference is the basic organizational body in The United Methodist Church. A bishop presides over an annual conference. The annual conference is organized in smaller groups of churches called districts. The North Alabama Conference is made up of eight districts.
United Methodist pastors are itinerate within an annual conference area, which means they are either reappointed to the same church or to a different church every year. As a result they move from church to church during their ministry career.
The conference operates Camp Sumatanga in Gallant.
History of Formation
The North Alabama Conference was created in 1870 when the congregations of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (MECS) in Alabama were reorganized into two annual conferences: Alabama and North Alabama.
When three Methodist denominations reunited to form the Methodist Church in 1939, the North Alabama Conference continued. Birmingham-area congregations in the Methodist Protestant Church and the Alabama Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church were incorporated into the North Alabama Conference. These congregations were all white-majority. The African American congregations of the MEC had been segregated into the Central Alabama Conference and remained a separate conference until after the formation of the United Methodist Church in 1968.
When the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church united to form the United Methodist Church in 1968, the segregation of African Americans into central conferences ended. These African American congregations in Birmingham became part of the North Alabama Conference.
Disaffiliation of Congregations
Debates over human sexuality have threatened to divide the United Methodist Church for many years. The 2019 Special General Conference of the United Methodist Church created a means by which congregations disaffiliate with the denomination under more favorable than usual conditions. On December 10, 2022, the annual conference met at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex and approved the disaffiliation of 198 congregations. Most congregations are expected to join more conservative Wesleyan denominations such as the Global Methodist Church or the Free Methodist Church. Some will remain independent.
On May 11, 2023, the conference approved the disaffiliation of an additional 132 congregations. This brought the number of churches remaining in the conference to 308.
Bishops
- Costen J. Harrell, 1944-1948
- Clare Purcell, 1948-1952
- Kenneth Goodson, 1964-1972
- J. Lloyd Knox, 1984-1992
- Robert Fanin 1992-2004
- Will Willimon, 2004-2012
- Debra Wallace-Padgett, 2012 - present
External Sites
- North Alabama Conference website
- North Alabama annual conference on Wikipedia
References
- Godhold, Albert and John H. Ness Jr. (2021) Table of United Methodist Annual Conferences, 1796-2021 Madison, NJ: General Conference on Archives and History The United Methodist Church
- Garrison, Greg (November 22, 2022) "United Methodist split update: Clearbranch votes to go; Trinity Homewood stays" The Birmingham News
- Garrison, Greg (December 10, 2022) "United Methodist split: 198 churches leave North Alabama Conference" The Birmingham News
- Garrison, Greg (April 28, 2023) "United Methodists ‘crushed’ after being left behind by disaffiliating churches." AL.com
- Garrison, Greg (April 11, 2023) "Another 132 North Alabama United Methodist churches disaffiliate: Trussville, Helena, Gardendale." AL.com