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News from the Virginia Conference – Feb. 25, 2011
Giving guru says churches must get people excited about mission
Ted Hart, a self-described “coach” for nonprofit groups, told the audience at the latest 5 Talent Academy teaching event that people give to a church when they believe that church’s mission really matters. More …
March is Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month. Click here for bulletin covers and inserts from the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women Web site. You are invited to download, copy and distribute these educational worship pieces.
April 3 is One Great Hour of Sharing
One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is Sunday, April 3. The special OGHS offering supports United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). UMCOR receives no World Service funds or any other apportionment money. Gifts to OGHS cover all operating expenses for UMCOR, allowing 100% of every dollar given to specific UMCOR programs and relief efforts to be spent on that project — not on office administrative costs. UMCOR does not take anything from designated gifts to cover administrative costs because of the broad support of United Methodists through the One Great Hour of Sharing annual offering. UMCOR’s ability to respond and remain until the job is done is in direct proportion to the generosity of United Methodists during One Great Hour of Sharing. Click here or call 1-888-346-3862 to order OGHS offering resources.
Native American Ministries Sunday is May 8
Native American Ministries Sunday is only two months away. Be sure to order your free offering resources to promote the May 8 offering that supports Native American ministries and helps United Methodist Native American seminarians to become church leaders. More …
Start planning now for Change the World May 14-15
Local churches can start preparing now for Change the World 2011 on May 14-15. First, identify a project that makes a difference in the local or global community (or both). Then, register at www.rethinkchurch.org/changetheworld and download the free flyer. Third, invite your community to get involved. Free and discounted resources are available to all churches who register. Registered churches will receive free shipping and postage from product orders placed on Cokesbury.com through May 15. More …
March 5 ‘Night of Tennis’ will support All God’s Children Camp
A “Night of Tennis” to support All God’s Children Camp will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at Westwood Club, 6200 West Club Lane, Richmond. Cost is $25 per player. All proceeds go to the camp. To register or for more information, contact Casey Torrence, director of All God’s Children Camp, at (804) 521-1138 or 1-800-768-6040, ext. 138, or caseytorrence@vaumc.org.
Safe Sanctuaries training to be offered March 18
Basic Safe Sanctuaries Training will be offered at the Virginia United Methodist Conference Center, 10330 Staples Mill Road, Glen Allen, 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Friday, March 18. Those interested should e-mail Becky Tate at beckytate@vaumc.org. This training is free, but space is limited to 25 participants. Click here for more information on Safe Sanctuaries.
Virginia PAUMCS Spring Retreat to be March 20-21
Virginia chapter of the Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries (PAUMCS) will hold its Spring Retreat Sunday, March 20, through Monday, March 21, at Camp Overlook in Keezletown. The Rev. Marc Brown, conference director of Connectional Ministries, will lead training on All Things New for Church Secretaries. Registration deadline is March 5. Click here for brochure.
Middle School Confirmation Retreat set for March 25-27
On March 25-27, confirmands will have the opportunity to explore how Jesus lived his life and his effect upon people. Join keynote speaker Justin Hicks from River Road UMC, the Steve Kropp Band and the staff of Westview on the James, in Goochland County, for the Middle School Confirmation retreat, "Following Jesus." Deadline to register is March 12. Click here for brochure. For more information, call the camp office at (804) 457-4210 or e-mail Cat Holbert Rudys at wvretreats@hughes.net.
Christian Education Fellowship training event set for March 28-30
Dr. Rhonda VanDyke Colby, ordained elder in the Virginia Conference, is training leader and keynote speaker for the Virginia Christian Education Fellowship Professional Development training event March 28-30 at Camp Overlook in Keezletown. Theme of the training is “Living Abundantly in the Age of Scarcity.” Early bird registration of $150 is by Feb. 28. After Feb. 28, registration is $165. Deadline to register is March 14. More …
University SpL@Sh for youths will be April 2 at Shenandoah University
University SpL@Sh for youths, grades 6-12, will be 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at Shenandoah University in Winchester. Youths will participate in worship, small groups, concert by Stereoreel and a mission opportunity. The Rev. Drew Dyson, Wesley Theological Seminary professor, will lead a seminar on emerging trends in youth ministry today for adults. SpL@Sh is free of charge; groups are asked to bring donations of supplies for the homeless ministry, Teens Opposing Poverty, as an offering. More …
Pennel to lead Virginia Wesleyan seminar April 4-5
Virginia Wesleyan College's 2011 continuing education seminar, Leading the Congregation, will be April 4-5 on the Norfolk campus. Presenter will be Bishop Joe E. Pennel Jr., former episcopal leader of the Virginia Conference. Registration deadline is March 18. This seminar has been approved by the Virginia Conference for the awarding of one CEU for clergy. Click here for brochure. For more information, contact Judi Sands, office of College Advancement, (757) 455-3217, or e-mail jsands@vwc.edu.
Youth Ministry Academy to offer training on April 9
Everyone who works in youth ministry, whether paid or volunteer, will benefit from the Youth Ministry Academy day of training Saturday, April 9, at the Virginia United Methodist Center in Glen Allen. CEUs will be available. Participants are encouraged to bring a team of volunteers to attend this training together. More …
Virginia to host SEJ disaster response, UMVIM training April 11-14
The Virginia Conference Disaster Response Team is hosting this year’s Southeastern Jurisdiction (SEJ) Disaster / UMVIM Coordinators Conference April 11-14 at Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center (VUMAC) in Blackstone. Two tracks will be offered. The Training Track is for new Disaster Response coordinators and team members that would benefit from basic information about disaster response. The Leader Working Group Track is designed to give experienced Disaster Response coordinators and team members the opportunity to learn about case management, volunteer management, training, materials resource sharing and spiritual care on a leadership level. More …
Workshop on aging and ministry in 21st century set for April 30
“Exploring the Longevity Revolution – Aging and Ministry in the 21st Century” will be the topic Saturday, April 30, at Marsh Memorial UMC in Lynchburg as workshop participants explore aging and ministry in the 21st century with the Rev. Dr. Richard Gentzler Jr., director of the Center on Aging and Older Adult Ministries for the General Board of Discipleship. Registration deadline is April 18. Cost is $15 per person. Click here for additional information, or contact the Rev. Randy Harlow at (434) 239-2568 or marshmemumc@verizon.net.
Ordering of Ministry event to be held for clergy May 15-16
At the 2012 General Conference, changes to the Book of Discipline will likely be proposed that could significantly impact everyone who serves in appointed ministry in The United Methodist Church. Virginia Conference clergy have an opportunity to learn about proposed changes at an “Ordering of Ministry” event May 15-16 at the Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center (VUMAC) in Blackstone. Guest speakers will be Dr. Ken Carter Jr., chair of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Division of Ordained Ministry and member of the Study Commission on Ministry, and Dr. Mary Elizabeth Moore, dean, Boston University School of Theology. A .5 CEU is available. Registration deadline is May 6. More …
Young adults invited to spend 5 days relating to God, each other, earth
“Sojourn to Sacredness: A Theological Ecological Pilgrimage for Young Adults,” June 6-10, will include hiking the Appalachian Trail, canoeing on the Shenandoah River and renewing relationships with God, each other and the earth. Participants will learn low-impact and earth-friendly outdoor living skills, experience the beauty of God’s creation, learn about some of the problems creation is facing, and discuss ways the church can be part of the solution. Conversations on the pilgrimage will include scientists, environmentalists and theologians. Fee of $125 includes canoes, food, transportation to and from trail and river and camping fees. More …
Familiarization trip to Russia planned for July 10-25
The Russia Initiative groups of the Baltimore-Washington and Virginia conferences are sponsoring a familiarization trip to Russia July 10-July 25. For more information, contact Laura Whittle at whittle.la@gmail.com or (540) 742-8148.
Global church membership tops 12 million
While The United Methodist Church's U.S. membership has continued to shrink, its growth elsewhere in the world has put it over the 12 million-member mark for the first time, newly released statistics show. The church's membership in Africa, Europe and Asia grew from 3.5 million to 4.4 million in the five years ending in 2009, according to the denomination's General Council on Finance and Administration. More …
Overall giving to United Methodist Church increased in 2010
Despite a weak economy and high unemployment rates, in 2010 overall giving increased to the global United Methodist Church. Total giving to all denominational funds — including apportionments, churchwide Special Sundays and The Advance — was up $46.5 million (28%) from 2009. More …
UMW sends delegation to U.N. policymaking body
United Methodist Women is an active participant at the United Nation’s 55th annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), Feb. 22 to March 4 at the Church Center for the United Nations in New York City. Each year, thousands of women from around the world gather at the United Nations (U.N.) in New York City during CSW. CSW is the main policymaking body for gender equality and the advancement of women. The United Methodist Women’s 20-member delegation to the meeting includes 12 women from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. More …
Religious leaders speak out in Wisconsin
United Methodists and others in Wisconsin’s ecumenical community are urging Gov. Scott Walker to reconsider a proposal to eliminate most collective bargaining rights for public employees as part of the state’s budget cuts. Wisconsin Area United Methodist Bishop Linda Lee, Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki and Madison Rabbi Jonathan Biatch are among the religious leaders who have spoken out on the proposal, which has drawn protesters to Madison for the past two weeks. United Methodist pastors were among more than 50 interfaith leaders signing a statement affirming the right for workers “to form associations to improve their conditions at work.” Click here to read Bishop Lee’s letter
Agency names Young Adult Ministry director
The Rev. Daniel J. “DJ” del Rosario has been named director of Young Adult Ministry Discernment and Enlistment in the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s Division of Ordained Ministry, effective July 5. He will assist with leadership formation and clergy vocational discernment.
Upper Room and BeADisciple.com offer Lenten studies
The Upper Room and BeADisciple.com will offer two online study opportunities during the Lenten season. With United Methodist Men, the Upper Room will host an online small-group experience through BeADisciple.com called "A Spiritual Journey for Men." The eight-week study, which begins March 14, is for men who want to move forward in their spiritual lives by participating in an online covenant community. The Upper Room through BeADisciple.com also will offer the online study "The Awkward Season: A Lent Retreat," beginning March 9. To enroll for "A Spiritual Journey," visit http://beadisciple.com/workshops.html#Journey. To enroll in "The Awkward Season," visit http://beadisciple.com/workshops.html#LentRetreat.
SoSA offers Lenten daily devotions
Society of St. Andrew (SoSA) is offering a daily devotional booklet, “We’ve a Story to Tell,” for Lent. Materials are free, but participants are asked to consider a gift to the organization. A donation of $1 a day during the season of Lent would enable SoSA to salvage more than 2,000 servings of produce. Last year’s devotions program was responsible for providing more than 2 million servings of food to families in need in the United States. More …
Rural Ministry Conference set for March 6-8
The United Methodist Church is among the supporters of the 30th Annual Rural Ministry Conference March 6-8 at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. Registration deadline is March 1. More …
Ecumenical Advocacy Days will be March 25-28 in D.C.
“Development, Security & Economic Justice: What’s Gender Got to Do with It?” is the theme of the ninth annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days, March 25-28 in Washington, D.C. The weekend is sponsored by the ecumenical Christian community, including The United Methodist General Board of Church & Society and the Women’s Division of the General Board of Global Ministries. More …
‘Funding Your Ministry’ conference to be March 26
The Lewis Center for Church Leadership will offer a conference on attracting funding to support ministry March 26 at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. Registration deadline is March 15. More …
African-American Clergy Leadership Retreat to be April 4-6
The 2011 African-American Clergy Leadership Retreat, “Bringing it All Together: Organizing Your Church for Successful Ministry,” will be April 4-6 at Lake Junaluska, N.C. For more information or to register, visit www.lakejunaluska.com/african-american-clergy, or call (828) 454-6656.
SEJ Clergywomen’s Consultation is April 4-7 in Atlanta
The Southeastern Jurisdiction Clergywomen’s Consultation will be held April 4-7 at the Emory Conference Center and Hotel, Atlanta. Click here for more information and to register.
Seminar on cross-racial, cross-cultural appointments to be May 16-18
The General Commission on Religion and Race and the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry are co-sponsoring “Facing the Future: Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural Appointments in a Global Church” May 16-18 at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel in Los Angeles. More …
Brown, Briggs, Merry to lead seminar at Lake Junaluska Aug. 7-9
“Fishing on the Right Side of the Boat” will be presented at Lake Junaluska Aug. 7-9 by the Rev. Marc Brown, Virginia Conference director of Connectional Ministries; Kathy Merry, retired senior operations executive; and the Rev. John Briggs, clergy member of the Virginia Conference. Spiritual disciplines of Christian transformational leadership that are both biblically based and organizationally effective will be the focus of this workshop that is appropriate for annual conference, district, and local church leaders who seek to move their congregations from maintenance to mission. Click here for brochure.
For in-depth news and features about United Methodist mission and ministry, subscribe to the Virginia United Methodist Advocate, the Virginia Conference’s award-winning monthly newsmagazine. Click here to subscribe. Or call Peggy Cribbs at 1-800-768-6040, ext. 110, or (804) 521-1110. Or e-mail Advocate@vaumc.org.
 
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