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News from the Virginia Conference – February 17, 2012

Bishop dedicates conference center solar panels
Virginia Conference staff and guests gathered Feb. 15 to dedicate the new solar panels that were recently installed on the roof of the United Methodist Center in Glen Allen. Bishop Charlene Kammerer offered a short prayer of dedication, asking God to bless “this source of new light for our conference center.” More...

Virginia team initiates denomination creation care program
More than 30 United Methodists from throughout the country and many more who participated via the Web recently discussed establishing a denomination-wide ministry of caring for God’s creation. The meeting at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Annandale was hosted by Caretakers of God’s Creation, a ministry of the Virginia Conference. More …

Register now for Feb. 23 5 Talent Academy event
Registration deadline has been extended until noon Monday, Feb. 20, for the upcoming 5 Talent Academy event on church planting and partnerships, to be held Feb. 23 at Ebenezer UMC in Stafford. Bishop Ricardo Pereira from Cuba will speak during the morning session, and the Rev. Mont Duncan, director of Congregational Development for the Florida Conference, will speak in the afternoon. The event will begin at 10 a.m. Cost is $25 per person. More …

Sunday, March 18, is One Great Hour of Sharing
One Great Hour of Sharing is Sunday, March 18. Be sure to order your free offering resources for this offering that supports the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) so that it may respond immediately and effectively to emergencies around the world. More …

Conference UMW plans mission trip to Mozambique
Virginia Conference United Methodist Women (UMW) is planning a Mission Trip to Mozambique for women only June 28-July 15. Trip leaders are inviting current UMW members and/or any women, laity or clergy, who are interested in meeting and working with the women of Mozambique at the orphanage or girls' school in Cambine and the widows at Massinga. Included will be a two-day side trip to Krueger National Park in South Africa on the way home. Cost will be $3200 to $3500. A firm commitment is needed by Feb. 29. For more information, contact Sue Boltz at (703) 768-7499 or sboltzmno@gmail.com, or Chris Cole at (540) 289-5128 or criscole@intelos.net.

UMCOR Early Response Team training offered
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Early Response Team (ERT) certification training is scheduled for Friday, March 2, and Saturday, March 3, at Rocky Mount UMC, Rocky Mount; April 14 at Galilee UMC, Northern Virginia; and Nov. 10 at Galilee UMC, Northern Virginia. Early Response Teams respond during the first phase of disaster relief, providing Christian presence. For more information and to register, contact Michele Michaelian, Virginia Conference UMCOR ERT Coordinator, at mlskcs@aol.com.

50th annual Clergy Spouses’ Retreat to be March 15-17
The 50th annual Virginia Conference Clergy Spouses’ Retreat will be held  March 15-17 at Blackstone Conference and Retreat Center in Blackstone. Theme will be “The Best of the Past Going Into the Future.” Keynote speaker will be Dr. Jennifer L. Braaten, president of Ferrum College. More …

Disciple University to be offered March 19-21
The Virginia Conference Board of Church and Society is sponsoring the first Disciple University, Advanced Training: Peace with Justice Academy March 19–21 at Oak Grove UMC in Chesapeake. Retreat leader will be the Rev. Wayne Lavender, director of the Foundation 4 Orphans and professor at the University of Human Development in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. Registration is $50 per person and includes materials and lunch and dinner Monday and Tuesday. Participants at this event for laity and clergy will earn 1.5 units of CEU. For more information, contact John Fair at (804) 931-3773 or john.fair@p2-planningforpeace.com or Glenn Rowley at (804) 521-1143 or 1-800-768-6040, ext. 143, or GlennRowley@vaumc.org. More …

Journey middle school weekend to be March 23-25
JOURNEY middle school weekend, a ministry of the Jeremiah Project, will be held March 23-25 at Rockbridge Alum Springs in Goshen. The weekend is specifically designed to encourage and challenge middle school students in their walk with Christ and to provide encouragement and training for adult leaders working with middle school students. Willow Creek Church's middle school pastor and author, Scott Rubin, will lead general sessions and adult leader training. Keith Elgin and his band will lead worship throughout the weekend. More …

Confirmation weekend to be March 23-25 at Westview on James
“Confirm Your Faith” confirmation weekend will be held at Westview on the James in Goochland March 23-25. Westview has made the transition to the "Credo" curriculum and this retreat is focused on exploring the deeper meaning behind our beliefs as United Methodists. Designed for middle school-aged confirmands, the weekend includes hands-on experiences for students to explore their faith, The United Methodist Church and a closer relationship with God. The Rev. Ashley Abarca-Mitchell of First UMC, Charlottesville, will be keynote speaker. Register by going to the Group Registration Form found at www.westviewonthejames.org. For questions, call the camp office at (804) 457-4210 or e-mail Cat Holbert at catholbert@gmail.com or wvretreats@hughes.net.

Wesleyan Studies focus on Good Friday, Easter, Pentecost
What does our Wesleyan tradition have to tell today's Church and disciples about the mysteries of Good Friday, Easter and Pentecost? On Monday, March 26, the Society for Wesleyan Studies will host Rev. Dr. Jason Vickers of United Theological Seminary who will help us consider “Resurrection and the Christian Life: The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Wesleys (and in Methodism today)” The event will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Duncan Memorial UMC in Ashland and is open to laity and clergy. More …

Training to help small churches meet Vital Congregation goals
District training events focused on helping small churches (averaging up to 150 in worship) achieve their Vital Congregation goals are scheduled for April 14 (Lynchburg), April 15 (Danville), April 22 (Harrisonburg/Winchester), May 12 (Alexandria/Arlington), May 19 (Elizabeth River/Eastern Shore), Sept. 29 (Staunton), Sept. 30 (York River), Oct. 13 (Fredericksburg), Oct. 20 (Farmville) and Jan. 13, 2013 (Richmond). For more information, contact your District office or the conference office of Inclusivity and Lay Leadership Excellence at 1-800-768-6040, ext. 153, or (804)-521-1153 or e-mail marthastokes@vaumc.org.

National PAUMCS conference to be April 12-15 in Richmond
The Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries (PAUMCS) will hold its national conference in Richmond April 12-15 at the Hilton Short Pump area. Registration deadline is March 15. Virginia Conference members can lend a hand to local PAUMCS leaders who will be hosting this event by volunteering with registration and hospitality. To volunteer, contact Susan Petrey at (804) 521-1124 or e-mail SusanPetrey@vaumc.org. Visit www.vaumc.org/PAUMCS for more information.

School for Children’s Ministries to be April 20-21
School for Children's Ministries will be April 20-21 at Blackstone Conference and Retreat Center. Workshops will include “Worship Together,” “Curriculum Conundrum,” “Community Connection,” “Buzz Words,” “Think Fast!” and “Five Cultural Threats to Your Kids’ Faith.” Cost is $70 per person (double room) or $90 per person (single room) and will cover all expenses including lodging, meals, and resources. More …

Older Adult retreat set for April 20-21
“ReFirement: A Creative Spark,” a retreat sponsored by the conference Older Adult Council, will be held April 20-21 at Blackstone Conference and Retreat Center. The retreat will focus on fostering the spark of creativity to enrich the lives of older adults and enhance the ministries of the church. A variety of workshop sessions including watercolor and acrylic painting, music, liturgical movement and knitting/crocheting as well as fellowship opportunities will be available. More …

Conference clergy urged to attend Festival of Homiletics
The Virginia Conference Order of Elders is encouraging all clergy across the conference to attend the Festival of Homiletics May 14-18 in Atlanta. More …

Ethnic groups offer ideas for vital church
Leaders of five groups that represent the denomination’s ethnic constituencies have some suggestions for increasing the number of vital United Methodist congregations. The Inter-Ethnic Strategy Development Group made the recommendations in its second statement regarding the Call to Action initiative and the proposed consolidation of nine of the denomination’s 13 general agencies under a 15-member board. More …

Richard Hays named Duke Divinity School dean
The Rev. Richard B. Hays has been appointed dean of Duke Divinity School, one of the 13 United Methodist seminaries. Hays, the George Washington Ivey Professor of New Testament, has been serving as dean on a two-year basis since 2010. More …

Western North Carolina Conference endorses Ken Carter for bishop
Members of the Western North Carolina Conference General and Jurisdictional Conferences delegation, with a unanimous vote, endorsed the Rev. Dr. Ken Carter as their episcopal nominee. Carter, who currently serves as the superintendent of the Waynesville District, has been a delegate to five Jurisdictional Conferences and three General Conferences and is the Chair of the Western North Carolina Conference delegation for both conferences in 2012. Carter will join nominees from other conferences under consideration for the episcopacy at this summer’s Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference July 18-20 at Lake Junaluska, N.C. At least five new bishops will be elected in the Southeastern Jurisdiction.

Lake Junaluska uses grant to become more energy efficient
Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center is undergoing a “green” transformation, thanks to a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The lake is using the $293,240 Energy Efficiency Grant, administered by the North Carolina Department of Commerce State Energy Office, to purchase new energy efficient heating and cooling units that will replace the old ones. More …

March 1 is deadline to apply for EYA Summer Internship
Deadline to apply for a 2012 Ethnic Young Adult (EYA) Summer Internship in Washington, D.C., is March 1. The EYA program is for persons, ages 18-22, who have an interest in exploring issues of public policy, social justice advocacy and social change. Sponsored by the General Board of Church & Society (GBCS), the summer internship is for young adults representing the five ethnic minority caucuses of The United Methodist Church: Native Americans, Pacific-Islanders, Hispanic/Latinos, African Americans and Asian Americans. More …

10-day Wesleyan Pilgrimage planned to England
The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry is joining the General Board of Discipleship in organizing a 10-day Wesleyan Pilgrimage in England for clergy and lay leaders. The pilgrimage is scheduled for Oct. 4-14. Discounts are available with early registration, and scholarships are available for 20 provisional elders and deacons. More …

Lake Junaluska hosts African-American Leadership Retreat
The Rev. Olu Brown and leadership from Impact United Methodist Church will headline the African-American Clergy and Laity Leadership Retreat at Lake Junaluska April 16-18. The retreat will offer clergy and laity participants insight into the success of one of the fastest growing African-American United Methodist Churches. Click here for more information or to register or call 1-800-222-4930. Early registration deadline is Feb. 29.

GBOD offers free webinar on planning small groups for adults
Small groups are one of the key drivers for vital congregations. Leaders of small groups and other settings for adult faith formation will find help in understanding characteristics of adults and in planning effectively through a free webinar offered by the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. “Adults are Different! Adult Experiences of Faith” provides help for teachers and leaders of adult groups in understanding some of the characteristics of adults that affect their participation and in planning more effectively for the members in their class or group. Register at www.gbod.org/adultseminars.

GBOD offers free webinars for church leaders
The General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) is offering free webinars for church leaders. Register for any of them at www.gbod.org/committee_resources. Webinars include: Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m.: Healthy Church Leaders – Key Factors; March 1 at 7:30 p.m.: S.M.A.R.T. Goals for 2012; March 6 at 2:30 p.m.: Innovative Leadership Project For DS’s; March 8 at 7:30 p.m.: Telling Our Mission Story: Put A Face On Your Apportionments; March 13 at 2:30 p.m.: Innovative Leadership Project for Congregations; March 29 at 7:30 p.m.: What Does a Lay Leader Do?

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 — now available in both print and digital formats. 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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