Virginia United Methodist Church
Slideshow image
Office / Staff / Clergy DirectoryAdministrative ServicesMinistriesMultimediaResourcesRelated Organizations
   

News from the Virginia Conference – August 19, 2011

Angie Williams to leave conference staff
Angie Williams, conference director of Children, Youth, Young Adult and Higher Education Ministries, announced Tuesday that she will be leaving her conference position, effective Sept. 9, in order to take a newly created position with UMFS (United Methodist Family Services) to oversee volunteer development. More …

Conference seeks Director of Ministries with Young People
The Personnel Committee of The Common Table is now accepting applications for the position of Director of Ministries with Young People. Click here for the complete job description. To apply, send a cover letter, resume and three references, in Word file or PDF, to MarcBrown@vaumc.org. Applications will be received through Sept. 13. Selected interviews will be held on Sept. 28.

Three young Virginians commissioned as US-2 missionaries
Three young adults from the Virginia Conference are among 26 individuals between the ages of 20 and 30 commissioned as US-2 missionaries by the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries in New York City on Aug. 18. Stephanie Kimec from Saint Mark’s UMC in Midlothian was commissioned and assigned to the Immigration Task Force, Cal-Pac Conference, and Echo Park Shalom Ministry in Los Angeles. Zachary Ferguson from First UMC, Martinsville, was commissioned and assigned to the Workers interfaith Network in Memphis, Tenn. Christopher Alan Steppe from St. Stephen's United Methodist Church in Fairfax was commissioned and assigned to the Nome Community Center in Nome, Alaska, in the Alaska Missionary Conference. More …

Area United Methodists to be featured in TV documentary on gleaning
Virginia Conference United Methodists will be featured in a television documentary showing volunteers gleaning fields on a farm in Winchester. The volunteers were participating in the Society of St. Andrew’s program to hand pick crops that would otherwise be left in the fields to rot, or be plowed under after harvest. The food is sent to area food pantries, soup kitchens, older adults’ homes and other agencies feeding people in need. The documentary, called “A Piece of Bread: Food, Earth, and the Future,” was commissioned by The National Council of Churches and is slated to run on ABC network affiliates in late November. The ABC network will distribute the documentary to all of its affiliate stations on Nov. 20. Local stations will decide if and when to air the hour-long show. Call your local ABC affiliate to learn if the show will air. More …

General, Jurisdictional Conference information to be offered Sept. 28, Oct. 8
Did you ever wonder what exactly happens at The United Methodist Church’s General Conference and Jurisdictional Conference? Information sessions led by members of the 2012 General and Jurisdictional Conference Virginia delegation will be held 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 28, at Wellspring United Methodist Church in Williamsburg, and on Saturday, Oct. 8, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Charlottesville. The same program will be presented at each location. The two-hour session will include a General Conference overview, detailed information on day-to-day schedules and plenary sessions of General Conference, practical considerations for attendees, detailed information on the legislative committee process, a presentation called “elections and other surprises,” an overview of Jurisdictional Conference, and some suggestions on being a visitor at General Conference in Tampa and Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference at Lake Junaluska. These programs are open to all conference clergy and church members. Wellspring UMC is located at 4871 Longhill Road in Williamsburg. Aldersgate UMC is located at 1500 Rio Road East in Charlottesville. For more information, contact the Rev. Susan Garrett at RevSGarrett@gmail.com or Neill Caldwell at NeillCaldwell@vaumc.org.

Hispanic Heritage Month begins Sept. 15
Hispanic Heritage month kicks off Sept. 15. Click here for resources including videos that can be used as sermon illustrations, study material for Sunday schools or neighborhood Bible studies, and informational pieces to help start a new understanding of immigration.

Oct. 2 is World Communion Sunday
World Communion Sunday is Oct. 2. Your participation in this Special Sunday offering is vital to developing United Methodist leaders in the United States and around the world. Your gifts provide scholarships for graduate and undergraduate students who might not be able to pursue higher education without your support. World Communion Sunday provides for three ministries: World Communion Scholarships, Ethnic Scholarship Program and Ethnic In-Service Training Program. More …

Online Advocate premiers with September issue
Beginning Sept. 1, the Virginia United Methodist Advocate monthly newsmagazine will be made available online to those with paid subscriptions. For $20 a year, you can receive a printed copy of the magazine each month plus full online access. Those who just want to read the digital version of the magazine can purchase an ‘online only’ subscription for $10 a year. The ‘print only’ subscription will remain just $15 per year. To subscribe to the Advocate – print version, digital version or both – call (804) 521-1110 or 1-800-768-6040, ext. 110; e-mail Advocate@vaumc.org; or click here.

September Advocate considers 10th anniversary of 9/11 terror
The September issue of the award-winning Virginia United Methodist Advocate monthly newsmagazine considers the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and where we now stand as a church and a nation. Thoughtful essays examine what we’ve learned in 10 years, our need to forgive, our relationship with Muslims and John Wesley’s view of a multi-faith society. In addition, the issue includes articles about “Healthy Monday,” the new “Vital Congregations” Web site, the next 5 Talent Academy teaching event, the Bishop’s called convocation on immigration and UMCOR’s response to the food crisis in the Horn of Africa. To subscribe to the Advocate – print version, digital version or both – call (804) 521-1110 or 1-800-768-6040, ext. 110; e-mail Advocate@vaumc.org; or click here.

Board of Ordained Ministry offers information session Sept. 12
The Virginia Conference Board of Ordained Ministry is offering an information session for laity and clergy who are interested in learning more about the board's examination process. The session will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, at the Conference Center in Glen Allen. RSVP to KristenHart@vaumc.org.

Training scheduled for volunteers to teach Disciple in prisons
The Virginia Conference has partnered with the Holston Conference to establish Disciple Bible Outreach Ministries (DBOM) of Virginia, an affiliate ministry of DBOM National, Inc. DBOM recruits, trains and equips local church volunteers for ministry in prisons, jails and youth development centers. All DBOM prison volunteers must be trained and certified for this ministry. The first two trainings for Virginia will be Saturday, Sept. 17, and Sunday, Sept. 18, at the Virginia Conference Center in Glen Allen. Click here for more information or to register, or contact Gene Mims at gene.mims@comcast.net or (804) 733-8632.

Kid’s Work Camp to be Sept. 30-Oct. 2 at Westview on James
Kid's Work Camp at Westview on the James in Goochland will be Sept. 30-Oct. 2. This weekend camp for 2nd- through 6th- graders focuses on outreach and mission opportunities designed just for kids and their leaders. Some projects occur on-site, but most groups will head out into the Goochland area to assist with home repair, yard work, visits to the elderly and more. Campers will worship together, play together and work together. For more information and registration form, go to www.westviewonthejames.org.

ARMS retreat set for Oct. 5-6 at VUMAC
Association of Retired Ministers and Spouses (ARMS) will hold a two-day retreat Oct. 5-6 at Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center (VUMAC) in Blackstone. Theme is “Celebrating Retirement Together.” Speakers will include the Rev. Dr. David McAllister-Wilson, president of Wesley Theological Seminary, and Susan Jean, attorney specializing in elder law and estate planning. Registration deadline is Sept. 29. A mailing will be going out to all retired pastors. For more information, contact Bob and Nancy Parsons at dminbp@aol.com or Barbara and Gerould Ward at revsbandg@comcast.net.  

Clergywomen invited to join Clergywomen’s Collective
All Virginia Conference women clergy are invited to be part of the Clergywomen's Collective. Its purpose is to encourage collegiality and empower women of every background, as they serve God through The United Methodist Church. The collective will gather at the Virginia United Methodist Center in Glen Allen from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11; Jan. 11, 2012; April 12, 2012; and July 10, 2012. For more information, contact ReNe'e R. Teague at reneerichey@ateague.com, (540) 659-2461, or (804) 357-4435.

‘After Hours’ weekend camp to be Oct. 28-30 at Westview on James
Westview on the James in Goochland County is offering “After Hours,” a weekend camp for 7th- through 10th-graders, Oct. 28-30. Youths will explore the light and life of Jesus in worship and Bible study and will choose from a variety of camp activities to help create their schedules for the weekend. Cost is $95 per person. This weekend is designed for individuals or groups. Call the camp office at (804) 457-4210 or e-mail Cat Holbert at catholbert@gmail.com for more information.

It’s not too late to get ready to walk or run ‘The Good Race’
Clergy and laity are invited to join other United Methodists in “The Good Race,” a day of participation and celebration that includes walking or running the Richmond 8K, half-marathon, or marathon, on Saturday, Nov. 12. Most training programs take 16 weeks of preparation, so it is not too late to start. Contact Allie Rosner (arosner@williamsburgumc.org) or Steve Jones (richmondds@vaumc.org) to join the group. Remember: this is not a competition – these are clergy and laity who want to encourage one another in exercise and wellness.

Study of Ministry Commission to propose major changes to General Conference
Doing away with security of appointment, further streamlining the candidacy process and allowing ordination when educational requirements are completed are among the major changes proposed by the Study of Ministry Commission. Members of the Commission, who have prepared legislation for the 2012 General Conference, outlined their proposals to the directors of the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry during their August meeting. More …

Clergy fear Alabama law imperils ministry
Some United Methodist clergy fear that after Sept. 1 the most ordinary acts of ministry in Alabama could violate state law. More …

Enrollment open for online Disciple Bible Study groups
Groups are beginning to take shape for the third year of Disciple Online, the online form of Disciple Bible Study. Enrollment is now open at www.BeADisciple.com/discipleonlinecourses for individuals who wish to participate in Disciple I, Disciple II, and Disciple III in an online format with others from all over. Participants follow the format of Disciple. They study the Bible on their own during the week then meet with their group members through the Internet with special software at a set day and time to review the week’s study. Churches may wish to host a Disciple Online course intended just for church members. Any trained or experienced Disciple Bible Study facilitator may be qualified as a Disciple Online facilitator in How to Become a Disciple Online Facilitator. More …

First Parish Project applications now being accepted
Applications are being taken for the Nov. 11-18 program of the First Parish Project, a support project for beginning clergy funded by the Lilly Endowment and by Hinton Rural Life Center, a mission agency of the Southeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church. First Parish Project is a continuing education program aimed at developing and sustaining effective pastoral leadership in the small membership churches that average 100 or less at the principal weekly worship service. The program is open to clergy of all denominations.

Campus minister sought for George Mason University
United College Ministries in Northern Virginia (UCMNVA) is seeking a full-time campus minister to serve George Mason University in Fairfax. UCMNV is an ecumenical partnership of the United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Church of Christ, Christian Church Disciples of Christ and Episcopal Church. Responsibilities will include student outreach, developing and directing the ministry and fund development. Theological education required, ordination and previous experience preferred. Salary commensurate with experience. Position available January 2012. Applications should be submitted by Oct. 1. Interested persons should contact ucmnv@aol.com for an application questionnaire – do not send resumes.

Richmond Cokesbury store seeks sales associate
The Cokesbury store located in the West End of Richmond is looking for a full-time sales associate that will be able to provide excellent customer service on the sales floor and on the phone; perform shipping and receiving functions; and assist with opening and closing procedures. For details, visit the Virginia Conference Web site at www.vaumc.org/jobs and scroll down to "Other."

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.

 

My Account         Contact Webmaster         Privacy         About Us         Login/Logout    |          Español

"We envision faith communities where all God's people are welcomed at table, nurtured and transformed to be Christ to others in the world."
— Virginia Conference Vision Statement

The Cross and Flame is a registered trademark, and the use is supervised by the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) of The United Methodist Church. Permission to use the Cross and Flame must be obtained from the GCFA, Attn: Legal Department, PO Box 340029, Nashville, TN 37203-0029; phone 615-369-2334; fax 615-369-2330.

Virginia United Methodist Center
Mailing Address: PO Box 5606, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5606
Physical Address: 10330 Staples Mill Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060
1-800-768-6040 or (804) 521-1100
Click here for directions to the Center

Header images courtesy VDOT.