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News from the Virginia Conference – March 30, 2012 

ScreeningOne offers reduced rates for background checks
The Virginia Conference has partnered with ScreeningOne to conduct volunteer and staff background checks for the conference and United Methodist churches in Virginia. Through this agreement, the conference has established a preferred product package that combines various criminal background searches for an industry-best pre-employment criminal history report. Churches can sign up for a ScreeningOne account with no paperwork and receive exclusive conference rates. There are no minimums and no sign-up fees. For details on the program and any questions, contact the company’s Virginia UMC representative, Paul Craddock, at 1-888-327-6511, ext. 109, or pcraddock@ScreeningOne.com.

April Advocate looks at issues for General Conference
The April issue of the Virginia United Methodist Advocate looks at key issues for upcoming General Conference, including the possible end of “guaranteed appointments” for elders and the many petitions that will deal with restructuring the church. When delegates come together in Tampa, Fla., April 24-May 4, they will also debate the worldwide nature of the church, a reduced budget and the usual sexual relationship issues. The Advocate is the official monthly news magazine of the Virginia Conference. 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.

Society of St. Andrew offers ‘Miracle’ VBS program
This year, the Society of St. Andrew (SoSA) introduces “It’s A Miracle!” Vacation Bible School (VBS) mission program. Each day of VBS, students will be introduced to one of Jesus’ miracles, from feeding the multitudes to cleansing the lepers. Included in the VBS packet are student sheets containing a short scripture story, facts about hunger and the SoSA ministry, “Go Green” statistics, mission adventure opportunities and a pencil activity. Packets also include song suggestions, craft ideas and snack choices for each day of VBS that compliment the “miracle of the day.” The complete VBS program is free. More …

Eastern Mennonite Seminary hires United Methodist professor
Eastern Mennonite Seminary (EMS) in Harrisonburg announced that it has hired Dr. David Evans to be assistant professor of history, mission, intercultural and interfaith studies. As a United Methodist with ties to the Mennonite church, Evans steps into an EMS community which includes dozens of United Methodist students. As he contributes to a newly formed partnership with Wesley Theological Seminary, in Washington, D.C., Evans will also help EMS fulfill the training requirements of The United Methodist Church. More …

Jiyeon Kim receives Special Seminary Scholarship
Jiyeon Kim, a third-year M.Div. student at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., and a certified candidate for ordained ministry in the Virginia Conference, is one of 450 young adult seminarians who received a Special Seminary Scholarship from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s Office of Loans and Scholarships. Kim said she came to the U.S. more than two years ago with a serious aspiration to be “an influential female leader of the world.” More …

Native American Ministries Sunday is April 22
Native American Ministries Sunday is just weeks away. Be sure to order your free offering resources for this April 22 offering now. It supports scholarships for Native Americans attending United Methodist schools of theology and ministries that reach out to Native Americans. More …

World Malaria Day is April 25
World Malaria Day is April 25. Use this new church bulletin insert to bring awareness to this day and what United Methodists are doing to combat this preventable but often deadly illness. United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) works in various countries around the globe to form comprehensive plans to combat malaria. You can donate to Imagine No Malaria, UMCOR Advance #3021190, by placing a contribution in the offering plate at a local United Methodist church; by sending a check to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068; by calling 1-800-554-8583, where credit card donations are accepted; or by giving online on the UMCOR website. And pray for those who are hungry, displaced, sick or in poverty because of these and other natural and human-made disasters, and for the workers who minister to them. More …

Register now to ‘Change the World’ May 19-20
Again this year, the church will come together to change the world. United Methodists will extend justice and compassion in their communities May 19-20. Click here to register. United Methodist Communications will chart your event on the rethinkchurch.org map. National advertising will draw thousands of visitors to the website. They will see your church on the map and know how to join your event. If you register for “Change the World” before April 16, you will receive a free lawn banner, sermon series bundle and T-shirt. Last year, more than 2,000 events were registered worldwide as part of 2011 “Change the World.” Projects ranged from developing and enhancing community gardens to fighting human trafficking. Think now about how your congregation will change the world. More …

Lectionary error found for June 17, 2012
Dean McIntyre, director of Music Resources and Leadership Ministries for the General Board of Discipleship, has issued a notice that there is an error in the official United Methodist Revised Common Lectionary as printed in the Book of Worship. Since it was printed in the Book of Worship, the error has found its way into numerous lectionary-based publications and resources. The error is on page 233 of the Book of Worship, Year B, the “Sunday between June 12 and June 18 inclusive.” The Psalm appointed for that day is listed as Psalm 20 or Psalm 72 (UMH 795). The correct citation should be Psalm 20 or Psalm 92 (UMH 811). That Sunday comes up this year on June 17, 2012.

UMVIM Team Leader training events announced
United Methodist Volunteers In Mission (UMVIM) Team Leader training will be held Saturday, April 21, at Farmville UMC, Farmville; Saturday, June 2, at Floris UMC, Herndon; and Saturday, Oct. 13, at Timberlake UMC, Lynchburg. Each training event starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required. More …

UMCOR Early Response Team training offered
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Early Response Team (ERT) certification training is scheduled for April 14 at Galilee UMC, Sterling, and Nov. 10 at Galilee UMC, Sterling. 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.

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 District (Timberlake UMC. Registration deadline is April 6); April 15 – Danville District (First UMC, Martinsville. Registration deadline is April 6); April 22 – Harrisonburg and Winchester Districts (Woodstock UMC, Harrisonburg. Registration deadline is April 13); May 12 – Alexandria and Arlington Districts (St. Matthew’s UMC, Annandale. Registration deadline is May 4); May 19 – Elizabeth River and Eastern Shore Districts (Community UMC, Virginia Beach, Registration deadline is May 11); Sept. 29 – Staunton District (Location TBA. Registration deadline is Sept. 21); Sept. 30 – York River District (Location TBA. Registration deadline is Sept. 21); Oct. 13 – Fredericksburg District (Tabernacle UMC. Registration deadline is Oct. 5); Oct. 20 – Farmville District (Location TBA. Registration deadline is Oct. 12); Jan. 13, 2013 – Richmond District (Location TBA. Registration deadline is Jan. 5). To register on the Virginia Conference website, go to “Events,” then click on the date. 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.

Spl@sh for Youth will be April 14 at Shenandoah University
University SpL@Sh for Youth will be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 14 at Shenandoah University in Winchester. The day-long retreat will include opening worship in the chapel, lunch, small groups, mission outing and closing worship. Theme is "Rummage Sale." Every 500 years the church has a major rummage sale to throw out that which needs to change and keep things that are most important. It is time for another rummage sale. Youths will spend the day dreaming of the church that we can become. Speaker is the Rev. Derrick Parson, Virginia Conference director of Ministries with Young People, and the Rev. Dr. Justin Allen, Dean of Spiritual Life and director of the Institute of Church Professions. Register by April 1. For more information or to register, visit www.su.edu/SpiritualLife or contact Spiritual Life at (540) 535-3546.

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. “Excellence for the Sake of the Child” will be the theme. MaryJane Pierce-Norton from the General Board of Discipleship will be keynote speaker and will highlight research regarding the best ways to nurture children for long-term results and involve the family in helpful ways. Deadline for registration is April 11. 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 …

Ecological pilgrimage for young adults to be May 21-25
“A Sojourn to Sacredness: A Theological Ecological Pilgrimage for Young Adults” will be May 21-25 on Virginia's Eastern Shore. Young adults age 18 - 35 years old will spend five days on the Eastern Shore and on the Chesapeake Bay as part of a theological, ecological pilgrimage to foster and develop relationship with God, each other and God's creation. Deadline to register is May 11. More …

Second year of Camp Loud and Clear set for July 13-15
Camp Loud and Clear will be held July 13-15 at Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center in Appomattox County. This is the second year for the camp which is specifically designed to meet the needs of children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing regardless of their degree of hearing loss or their chosen communication mode. Camp Loud and Clear is being supported by the Virginia Conference Commission on Disabilities, Longwood University, Radford University and the Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center. More …

Registration opens May 1 for ‘Helping Hands’ events
Registration begins May 1 for “Helping Hands,” a two-day mission experience for rising 4th- and 6th-graders, parents and adult leaders. The event, offered to all Virginia Conference churches, is offered twice: July 19-20 at Woodlake UMC in Midlothian and Aug. 6-7 at Williamsburg UMC. Click here for information about the July 19-20 event. Click here for information about the Aug. 6-7 event.

‘SERVE’ will help students explore call to ministry
Do you know of a high school student who may be interested in or has the potential for ministry? An event at Randolph-Macon College, Aug 5-7, will help students explore this calling. The event, “SERVE,” will have a work camp focus and include small groups, Bible study, recreation, special worship services and much more. Click here for more information, or call Margie Turbyfill at (804) 368-7276 or e-mail her at margieturbyfill@rmc.edu. The program is co-sponsored by the Bailey Pre-ministerial Program at Randolph-Macon College and the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry.

Religious leaders propose ‘Faithful Budget’ to Congress
United Methodist Bishop Neil Irons was among nine religious leaders who gathered in front of the United Methodist Building in Washington, D.C., on March 22 to unveil a “Faithful Budget” proposal for congressional consideration. Irons, executive secretary of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, was joined by some of the nation’s most prominent religious officials from the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith communities. The “Faithful Budget” is a set of comprehensive, compassionate priorities that protect the common good, value each individual and help lift the burden on the poor. The budget has been endorsed by 37 denominations and religious-based organizations, such as the National Council of Churches (USA) and Bread for the World. More …

UMCOR approves funds for 2011 disaster recovery
By prioritizing its work and further developing existing partnerships, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is “perfectly poised for what is yet ahead,” said the Rev. Cynthia Fierro Harvey, UMCOR’s top executive, during the March 21 board of directors meeting. Directors approved $2.1 million for recovery work in conferences affected by Hurricane Irene and other devastating weather events in 2011, along with id=mce_marker50,000 to rebuild homes in Haiti and $280,000 to help the Methodist Humanitarian Aid Team of the Methodist Church of Chile prepare for disasters. More …

Greenwaldt asked to remain GBOD head additional year
The Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, top executive of the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship, will remain in her position for an additional year to help provide stability and leadership during the period immediately following the 2012 General Conference. Greenwaldt’s term was to end this year. However, the agency’s board voted overwhelmingly to use a provision in the Book of Discipline which allows extension of service on an annual basis. More …

United Methodists adopting, using new technology
While most younger people in the church are immersed in new technology, many older members are also jumping on the bandwagon. That’s according to a new study conducted by United Methodist Communications that tracks how United Methodists are adopting and using new technology. More …

GBGM, UMCOR launch redesigned websites
After more than a year of research and planning, the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), part of Global Ministries, launched redesigned websites. The sites have been designed to be tools that help to tell The United Methodist Church’s story of mission and ministry and relief efforts around the world. Global Ministries’ website has a new address: umcmission.org; UMCOR remains umcor.org.

Ethnic groups add voices to calls for more inclusive church
The National Federation of Asian American United Methodists and Black Methodists for Church Renewal have joined with a 2012 General Conference coalition that supports all people regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation in The United Methodist Church. More …

GBOD offers free webinars for church leaders
The General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) offers free webinars for congregational leaders. Register at www.gbod.org/committee_resources for the following: April 12 at 7:30 p.m.: How Online Giving Can Raise Your Church’s Income; April 24 at 2:30 p.m.: Making A “Good” Move (For Pastors); and May 3 at 7:30 p.m.: Changing Pastors (For Congregational Leaders).

Former bishop Ed Paup loses battle with cancer
The Rev. Edward W. Paup, a former bishop of The United Methodist Church and top executive of the denomination’s mission agency, died March 21 after a long battle with a brain tumor. More …

Shenandoah University seeks Spiritual Life Coordinator
Shenandoah University, Winchester, invites applications and nominations for a Spiritual Life Coordinator who will support the Spiritual Life office. This position requires an individual who is energetic and passionate about working with and understanding college students as they explore, engage, and learn in spiritual, religious and intellectual events and outreach programs. Ideally, the position will begin May 21. For details, visit the Virginia Conference website 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 — 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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"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

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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
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