Host Committee Welcome Letter

Dear Members of the 2009 Annual Conference,

On behalf of the Annual Conference Host Committee and the Athens-Elberton District, welcome to the 2009 North Georgia Annual Conference. Conference will open Tuesday, June 16, and conclude Thursday, June 18. It is an honor to host Conference at the Classic Center in Athens for the tenth time since 1999. All forms and conference information on housing, parking, the Classic Center, and mission opportunities are available in the Conference Handbook distributed at the District Pre-Conference Briefings for members and on the conference website: www.ngumc.org.

Members are responsible for making their own lodging reservations. For your convenience and safety, a list of area hotels is provided by the Athens Housing Convention and Visitors Bureau on the website. In order to receive the conference room rate, indicate that you will be attending the North Georgia Annual Conference. Please confirm reservations made last year and indicate the nights you will be staying to avoid problems, and please cancel any reservations that will not be used.  If you need assistance with housing, call the Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau at 706-357-4410 or 800-653-0603.

Free parking for the Conference requires the parking pass in the Handbook. Parking is available at the Classic Center Parking Deck, the Courthouse Parking Deck, and the University of Georgia North Campus Parking Deck on Jackson Street. During the day, church vans and buses will shuttle delegates to and from the University of Georgia North Campus Parking Deck, which is only three blocks below the Classic Center. Please carpool when possible. For parking vans and buses used to carpool contact Johnny Fowler at johnny_fowler(at)bellsouth.net. Emergency transportation is available through the Message and Information Center.

Members of the Annual Conference find that much of what makes our community an exciting place to visit is within walking distance of the Classic Center. A variety of restaurants are nearby as well as shopping in the downtown area and walking through the University campus. As in past years, breakfast and lunch will be available at the Classic Center. 

Information and registration details on Mission Opportunities at Annual Conference are in the Handbook and on the Conference website. The Third Annual 5K Run/Walk through the streets of Athens early on Wednesday morning will benefit The Hope for Africa Children’s Choir. Other opportunities include the Red Cross Blood Drive, Mobile Food Pantry, UMCOR Emergency Kits, and a 7,000 Step Prayer Walk.

May you enjoy your stay in Athens.

Johnny Fowler
Robin Lindsey                     Chuck Hodges             Dianne Ruff Morrison
District Superintendent,     Clergy Chairperson,     Lay Co-Chairpersons,
Athens-Elberton District     Host Committee           Host Committee