| |
To subscribe to the e-Advocate and have it delivered to your e-mail address, free of charge, please send your name, address, and e-mail address to BrendaCapen@vaumc.org Please indicate in the subject "Subscribe to e-Advocate."
Click here to sign up for RSS feed of e-Advocate.
To view a previous issue of the Virginia Conference e-Advocate, click on the date below:
June 14, 2013
June 6, 2013
May 31, 2013
May 23, 2013
May 17, 2013
May 10, 2013
April 30, 2013
April 19, 2013
April 12, 2013
April 5, 2013
March 28, 2013
March 22, 2013
March 15, 2013
March 7, 2013
Feb. 28, 2013
Feb. 21, 2013
Feb. 14, 2013
Feb. 7, 2013
Jan. 30, 2013
Jan. 25, 2013
Jan. 17, 2013
Jan. 10, 2013
Dec. 20, 2012
Dec. 14, 2012
Dec. 7, 2012
Nov. 28, 2012
Nov. 16, 2012
Nov. 12, 2012
Nov. 2, 2012
Nov. 1, 2012
Oct. 26, 2012
Oct. 12, 2012
Oct. 8, 2012
Sept. 28, 2012
Sept. 20, 2012
Sept. 13, 2012
Sept. 7, 2012
Aug. 30, 2012
Aug. 23, 2012
Aug. 17, 2012
Aug. 9, 2012
Aug. 2, 2012
July 27, 2012
July 11, 2012
June 29, 2012
June 21, 2012
June 15, 2012
June 8, 2012 - Special Annual Conference edition
May 25, 2012
May 18, 2012
May 11, 2012
April 20, 2012
April 13, 2012
April 5, 2012
March 30, 2012
March 21, 2012
March 13, 2012
March 5, 2012
Feb. 27, 2012
Feb. 17, 2012
Feb. 10, 2012
Jan. 27, 2012
Jan. 19, 2012
Jan. 13, 2012
Jan. 6, 2012
Dec. 16, 2011
Dec. 9, 2011
Dec. 1, 2011
Nov. 18, 2011
Nov. 11, 2011
Nov. 4, 2011
Oct. 28, 2011
Oct. 14, 2011
Oct. 7, 2011
Sept. 29, 2011
Sept. 23, 2011
Sept. 15, 2011
Sept. 9, 2011
Sept. 2, 2011
Aug. 26, 2011
Aug. 19, 2011
Aug. 11, 2011
Aug. 4, 2011
July 28, 2011
July 21, 2011
July 15, 2011
July 8, 2011
June 29, 2011
June 20, 2011
June 14, 2011
June 9, 2011
June 3, 2011 - Special Annual Conference Edition
May 27, 2011
May 20, 2011
May 11, 2011
May 6, 2011
April 26, 2011
April 18, 2011
April 8, 2011
March 31, 2011
March 25, 2011
March 17, 2011
March 9, 2011
March 2, 2011
Feb. 25, 2011
Feb. 17, 2011
Feb. 10, 2011
Feb. 3, 2011
Jan. 28, 2011
Jan. 20, 2011
Jan. 12, 2011
Jan. 6, 2011
Dec. 23, 2010
Dec. 15, 2010
Dec. 10, 2010
Dec. 2, 2010
Nov. 18, 2010
Nov. 11, 2010
Nov. 4, 2010
Oct. 28, 2010
Oct. 14, 2010
Oct. 7, 2010
Sept. 30, 2010
Sept. 24, 2010
Sept. 17, 2010
Sept. 10, 2010
Sept. 2, 2010
Aug. 26, 2010
Aug. 18, 2010
Aug. 11, 2010
Aug. 5, 2010
July 28, 2010
July 21, 2010
July 14, 2010
July 8, 2010
June 29, 2010
June 23, 2010
June 17, 2010
June 11, 2010
June 3, 2010
May 25, 2010
May 20, 2010
May 6, 2010
April 28, 2010
April 22, 2010
April 15, 2010
April 1, 2010
March 24, 2010
March 18, 2010
March 10, 2010
March 4, 2010
February 25, 2010
February 18, 2010
February 10, 2010
February 3, 2010
January 27, 2010
January 20, 2010
January 13, 2010
January 7, 2010
December 16, 2009
December 8, 2009
November 17, 2009
November 10, 2009
November 4, 2009
October 27, 2009
October 20, 2009
October 13, 2009
October 6, 2009
September 30, 2009
September 21, 2009
September 14, 2009
September 8, 2009
August 31, 2009
August 24, 2009
August 19, 2009
| | | 
News from the Virginia Conference – April 5, 2012
Christ is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia!
Which came first: Easter or the eggs?
Even the most seasoned Easter worshippers may have questions about traditions such as decorated eggs, lilies and Peter Cottontail. More …
Bishop forms Vital Congregations Response Team
Bishop Charlene Kammerer appointed the following persons as members of the Bishop’s Vital Congregations Response Team that is developing recommendations for a conference response to the Vital Congregations plan: Bishop Kammerer, Shirley Cauffman, Kathy Merry (consultant), Larry Davies (chair), Brenda Biler, Lydia Rodriguez, Brandon Robbins, Martha Stokes, Mark Ogren and Marc Brown. On May 16, this team will present a report to the Extended Cabinet, Common Table, Board of Laity, and conference directors and chairs of the Council on Finance and Administration, Ordained Ministry, Church Development, Global Ministries and Discipleship.
Common Table evaluation begun
A Common Table Evaluation Task Force is being formed to evaluate the purpose and vision of Common Table and whether or not the body is equipped to deal with the current reality of the Virginia Conference. Membership representation and the structure of Common Table will be reviewed as part of this process. Any decisions on how to proceed with developing recommendations will be made in the fall after our new bishop has been briefed on the findings of the evaluation. A report and recommendations will be made to Common Table in January 2013. Task force members are: Brenda Biler, Janet Bracey, Clarence Brown, Jim Hudson, Gary Miller, Carl Moravitz, Kathleen Overby-Webster and Susie Wolf.
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 …
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.
Christian Educators Fellowship retreat set for April 19-20
“Vital Congregations, What's Needed for the People of Today” is theme of the 2012 Christian Educators Fellowship (CEF) retreat to be at Blackstone Conference and Retreat Center April 19-20 immediately preceding the School for Children's Ministries (April 20-21). Presenter will be Mary Jane Pierce Norton, associate eneral secretary for Leadership Ministries at the General Board Of Discipleship (GBOD). Registration deadline is April 12. More …
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 …
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 …
Mission Encounter set for July 27-29, July 30-Aug. 2
Virginia Conference Mission Encounter 2012 (formerly called School of Christian Mission) is an opportunity for men, women, youths and children to learn about being partners in God’s global mission and to grow spirituality through study and worship. Click here for information about the weekend session July 27-29. Click here to learn about the week-long session July 30-Aug. 2. Both will be at Blackstone Conference and Retreat Center.
‘Night in a Box’ to help homeless Aug. 10
Would you sleep in a cardboard box for one night to help the homeless? Teens Opposing Poverty is hosting "Night in a Box" the night of Friday, Aug. 10, at Admiral Richard E. Byrd Middle School off of Route 522 south of Winchester. “Night in a Box” will raise awareness of the challenges homeless people face every day and will raise funds to help the homeless and poor of the Northern Shenandoah Valley and other areas in Virginia. The event is open to individuals, families and groups of all ages. In addition to sleeping in a box, there will be a street fair with musicians and other artists, a KidZone, a build-a-box contest and other fun activities. Participants will learn about life on the streets from former homeless people. Those who don't want to sleep in a box can attend for the evening activities only. Early bird registration by June 1. For more information, call toll free 1-866-955-6260 or go to www.nightinabox.org.
‘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.
Debate grapples with restructuring proposals
The Rev. Kim Cape, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry; Jay Brim, Southwest Texas Conference lay leader, and the Rev. Tim McClendon, Columbia (S.C.) district superintendent and episcopal candidate, joined in a three-hour debate March 31 on restructuring proposals before General Conference 2012. More …
Missionaries address restructuring proposals
The United Methodist Missionary Association released a statement April 1 on “Call to Action,” the proposed denominational restructuring plan, echoing the need to “retain and respect the creative tension between the global and the local …” voiced recently by Thomas Kemper, head of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. More …
Alabama clergy launch TV ad opposing immigration law
A group of Alabama clergy, including United Methodists, have unveiled a TV commercial opposing Alabama's immigration law. More …
Registration open for summer courses at Wesley Seminary
Registration is now open for Summer-term courses at Wesley Theological Seminary. Earn CEUs or complete ordination requirements in one- and two-week intensive sessions that begin May 21. Courses available include “Songs of Zion,” “The Life and Writings of Martin Luther King Jr.,” “Visual Theology for the Church,” “Sacramental Theology” and “United Methodist Studies in UM History, Doctrine and Polity.” Some are taught online. Click here for more information and to register or call Sara Sheppard (202) 885-8688.
Wesley Seminary offers UM certification classes
United Methodist Certification for church professionals and laity is now being offered through Wesley Theological Seminary in Christian Education, Evangelism and Youth Ministry. Certification requires three core courses in Bible, Theology and United Methodist Studies plus two or three additional courses in a particular interest. UM Certification is a program sponsored by the GBHEM and run in partnership with UM seminaries. For more information go to http://www.gbhem.org. Click here to see UM Certification courses offered at Wesley this summer.
Video urges discussion of how to include young people
Watch the video "A New Generation of Church Leaders: Training & Nurturing Young People," and then have a discussion in your church about what it means to truly include young people. This fourth film in the five-part series, Dreaming of Vital Congregations, produced by the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD), is also available to download with a free study guide at www.GBOD.org/Dreaming. Be a part of the growing number of church lay and clergy members to watch and comment on this series, and watch for future releases. 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).
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.
 
|