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News from the Virginia Conference - May 17, 2013
Annual Conference to be live streamed on website, Facebook
Live streaming of the 2013 Virginia Annual Conference will be available, beginning at 1 p.m. Friday, June 21, from the Virginia Conference website and from the Virginia Conference Facebook Fan page. The live streaming will show all sessions of the three-day conference, including worship at 11:15 a.m. Sunday, June 23, when Bishop Young Jin Cho will preach. Local churches may show the live video of the Annual Conference worship service during their Sunday morning worship services and participate by following the liturgy for the service that will soon be available to download from the conference website at www.vaumc.org/ac2013.
Free child care to be offered during Annual Conference
Wesley United Methodist Church will host free child care during Annual Conference this year, thanks to the generosity of the York River District. Child care will be available for children ages 0-11 on Friday, June 21, 12 noon-5:30 p.m.; Saturday, June 22, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and 7-10 p.m.; and Sunday, June 23, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Wesley UMC will offer a mini-VBS experience using Cokesbury’s Everywhere Fun Fair VBS. To register children for child care, fill out a child care request form and e-mail it to Becky Tate at BeckyTate@vaumc.org. For questions about child care at Annual Conference, contact the Rev. Beth Anderson at revbethanderson@gmail.com. Click here to download a pdf version of the child care request form. Click here to download a Word document child care request form.
Gala Laity Luncheon to be held Saturday, June 22
The Conference Board of Laity is hosting a Gala Laity Luncheon: An Invitation to Fellowship at the Hampton Roads Convention Center at 12 p.m. Saturday, June 22. Cost is $22 per person. Tickets are available from all District Lay Leaders. Deadline for purchase is June 12. No tickets will be available for sale at conference, and tickets must be presented at the door. Table fellowship is the focus of this year’s luncheon. There is no guest speaker. Theme of the conference, Lord Teach Us to Pray, will guide us in purposeful creation of a living prayer that will be used during our Sunday gathering.
Cambodia missionary to speak at luncheon June 22
The Virginia Conference Board of Global Ministries and Board of Church and Society combined luncheon will be held at noon Saturday, June 22, at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. Speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Romeo L. "Romy" del Rosario, General Board of Global Ministries missionary serving as country director of the United Methodist Mission in Cambodia. Cost of the luncheon is $12. Click here to register with a credit card or send a check for $12, payable to "Virginia Conference UMC," to Virginia Annual Conference, Justice and Missional Excellence, P.O. Box 5606, Glen Allen, VA 23058. Write "Mission & Justice Luncheon 2013" on memo line of check. Reservations must be made by June 14. If you have questions, contact Terri Biggins at (804) 521-1144 or terribiggins@vaumc.org.
Missionary couple to be commissioned during Annual Conference
The Rev. Nancy Robinson and her husband, Clifford M. "Kip" Robinson, will be commissioned as General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) missionaries during the Saturday, June 22, morning session of this year's Annual Conference. The Robinsons, who will serve as missionaries in Sierra Leone, are among 10 men and women who recently completed three weeks of intensive training in spiritual formation, cross-cultural awareness, team building and conflict resolution and are being sent into missionary service. GBGM usually commissions United Methodist missionaries as a group. This year, however, they will be commissioned individually at annual conferences with a GBGM representative participating. More ...
Accessible transportation to be offered during Annual Conference
The Hampton Convention and Visitor Bureau will coordinate accessible transportation as needed for individuals between host hotels and the Hampton Roads Convention Center during Annual Conference. Wheelchair lift transportation/vans will be available by advanced reservation only with visitor services staff at the Information Desk at the Convention Center. The transportation will depart from the Grand Lobby Entrance at the Convention Center and operate Friday, June 21, 6-7:30 p.m. and 9-10 p.m.; Saturday, June 22, 7:15–9:15 a.m., 12–2 p.m., 5–7 p.m. and 9–10 p.m.; Sunday, June 23, 7:30–9 a.m. and 12–1 p.m. For more information, contact Martha Stokes, conference director of Inclusivity and Lay Leadership Excellence, at (804) 521-1154; 1-800-768-6040, ext. 154; or marthastokes@vaumc.org.
Photos to be taken at Annual Conference for new pictorial directory
This year the Virginia Conference will produce a new Pictorial Directory of the Virginia Conference Ministry featuring photos of all clergy (active and retired), local pastors, diaconal ministers, certified professionals, those serving as pastoral supply, retired bishops and conference staff. Lifetouch will have a booth in the exhibit hall at Annual Conference from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, June 21, and Saturday, June 22, to take photos. All clergy, local pastors, diaconal ministers, certified professionals, those serving as pastoral supply, retired bishops and conference staff attending Annual Conference are asked to go to the booth during those times to have your photo taken. No reservations are needed. Three photographers will be available, so there should not be long waits. For more information, contact Linda Rhodes, director of Communications, at LindaRhodes@vaumc.org, (804) 521-1111 or 1-800-768-6040, ext. 111.
May issue of Advocate reports on ethnic new church starts
The May issue of the Virginia United Methodist Advocate examines new ethnic minority churches in the conference. Over the past five years, the Virginia Conference has been very successful in establishing new faith communities that serve primarily ethnic minority congregations. Several of those faith communities tell their stories about how they got off the ground and are growing. The Advocate is the official monthly magazine of the Virginia Conference. To subscribe to the Advocate – print, digital or both – call (804) 521-1110 or 1-800-768-6040, ext. 110; e-mail Advocate@vaumc.org; or go to www.vaumc.org/advocate.
Young Virginia missionary writes about ministry with immigrants
Stephanie Kimec, a member of St. Mark’s UMC in Midlothian, has been working as a US-2 missionary in the California-Pacific Conference and serves as a justice disciple for immigrant welcoming congregations. She writes about how ministry with immigrants to the United States relates to John Wesley’s goal for personal and social holiness. Her commentary appeared in the Whittier (Calif.) Daily News. Read commentary
UMFS head urges making children's mental health a priority
Greg Peters, president and chief executive officer of United Methodist Family Services (UMFS), reminds us that many children do not get the mental health care they need. “Last December was a wake-up call for America when one mentally ill young adult entered Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., and took the lives of 26 individuals. Sadly, these lives could have been saved if Adam Lanza had gotten the mental help he needed as a child,” Peters wrote in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. More ...
Richmond United Methodist helps arrange Boston suspect's burial
A United Methodist woman from Richmond said she was acting out of Christian compassion in helping to arrange the burial of Tamerlan Tsarnaev, a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings. “Jesus tells us to love our enemies, not hate them after they’re dead,” said Martha Mullen. “That’s why I kind of got this ball rolling.” More ...
May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
The month of May is designated in The United Methodist Church as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. It would be especially appropriate at this time to celebrate the contributions of Asian and Pacific Americans. Click here for worship resources offered by the General Board of Discipleship.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Just as Jesus healed people struggling with mental, emotional and physical ailments, United Methodists reach out to their sisters and brothers who seek healing. Click here to read stories of individuals and congregations tackling the challenges of mental health through a variety of ministries, and to find resources for ministering to persons with mental illness and their families and ideas for creating caring environments within your faith community.
May 26 is Peace with Justice Sunday
Peace with Justice Sunday is May 26. Now is the time to order free offering resources to promote this offering that supports programs that advocate for peace and justice. The Virginia Conference keeps 50% of the offering receipts to support local efforts. The other half is used to support Peace with Justice ministries in the U.S and globally. These funds are distributed by the General Board of Church and Society. In 2012, the General Board of Church and Society awarded grants totaling $60,000 to 22 Peace with Justice ministries around the world. We will celebrate true peace with justice when all people have access to adequate jobs, housing, education, food, health care, income support and clean water. Your gifts to Peace with Justice Sunday help bring us all closer to this goal. Offering inserts, a poster, worship resources, stories and a video are available to download or order at UMCgiving.org/PWJS.
Conference on Aging to be June 4 at Lynchburg College
Lynchburg District Older Adult Ministries is co-sponsor of the Lynchburg College Beard Center Conference on Aging to be held June 4 in Schewel Hall on the college campus in Lynchburg. Theme is “Aging Well in Mind Body and Spirit.” Keynotes will include “The changing face of health care and aging services: Recent changes and how they will Impact older adults and those supporting them” by Jim Rothrock, commissioner, Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitation Services, and David Adams, senior vice president and chief strategy officer, Centra Health. Click here for more information.
Mission events for children to be held this summer
“Helping Hands” is a two-day mission experience for rising 4th - to 6th-graders, parents and adult leaders. It will be held on three dates at three different locations: July 18-19 at Woodlake UMC in Midlothian (click here for more information); July 29-30 at Springfield UMC in Springfield (click here for more information); and July 29-30 at Fairview UMC in Danville (click here for more information). Kids can learn about mission opportunities and the importance of being a caring Christian.
'Launch' offers teens chance to explore call to ministry
The office of Spiritual Life at Shenandoah University and the Virginia Conference Board of Ordained Ministry invite high school-aged students to explore their call to ministry while discovering their spiritual gifts from God. “Launch 2013” is open to high school sophomores, juniors and seniors and will be Sunday through Tuesday, July 21 to 23, on the Shenandoah University campus in Winchester. Cost is $75 per student and includes food, lodging, tubing on the Shenandoah River and transportation during the camp. Application deadline is June 7. Students will be notified by June 14 if they are selected. Selection is based on essay answers and age. The $75 fee is due by June 28; interested students should ask their pastors if their churches can help with the cost. Click here for more information and to apply. Or, contact the office of Spiritual Life at Shenandoah University at spirituallife@su.edu or (540) 535-3546. The Facebook group for "Launch" is https://www.facebook.com/groups/378563475594424/.
Mission Encounter to be July 26-28, 29-31
Mission Encounter 2013 - Learning Together for the Transformation of the World will be July 26-28 (weekend session) and July 29-31 (weekday session) at Blackstone Conference and Retreat Center. Geographic study this year is "The Roma of Europe"; spiritual growth study is "Living Sacramentally, Walking Justly;" and the mission study is "Poverty." Classes for youths and children will be offered at the weekend session only. Click here to register for the weekday session. Click here to register for the weekend session.
'Connexions' is retreat for high school-age children of clergy
"Connexions," a new initiative for high school-age children of clergy, is designed to give teens the opportunity to connect with others who share their understanding of family life. Participants will live on the Shenandoah University campus in Winchester, Friday through Sunday, July 26 to 28, and will spend time canoeing along the Shenandoah River. Application deadline is Friday, June 7. Selection is based on answers to questions in the application, and preference will be given to rising high school seniors. Those who are selected to attend "Connexions" will receive e-mail confirmation by June 14. Cost is $80 and is due by June 28. For more information and to apply, contact the Office of Spiritual Life at Shenandoah University at spirituallife@su.edu or (540) 535-3546.
UMCOR urgently needs more relief supplies
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the denomination’s disaster response agency, has urgent need for relief supplies. UMCOR Sager Brown in Baldwin, La., and UMCOR West in Salt Lake City, Utah, are running very low in their inventories of layette, sewing and bedding kits particularly, but other relief supplies are needed as well. Click here to learn how to assemble kits. Click here for church bulletin inserts.
UMCOR responds to Texas tornadoes
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has sent emergency funds to the Central Texas Conference to assist with immediate relief needs after some 40 homes in north central Texas were damaged May 15 when storms swept across several counties. At least six people died, and 14 were missing. More ...
Young people hope to 'Change the World'
When United Methodists worldwide hit the streets, the road or, in some cases, the air, May 18-19 during "Change the World" weekend, many young people will be along for the ride. More ...
Chuck Knows Church: The Usher
Do you sit in the same seat each Sunday? If so, why do you need an usher? What's their role? Chuck loses his cool while explaining the role of an usher on this his twenty-eighth show. "Chuck Knows Church" is a weekly online series that explains the meaning behind some of the objects, symbols, terms and rituals in church. Episodes can be downloaded for free at www.ChuckKnowsChurch.com and used in worship, youth groups, fellowship groups, confirmation classes, worship teams, new member classes and late-night snack viewing. Chuck is on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. "Chuck Knows Church" is produced for all people by The General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) of The United Methodist Church. More ...
Chuck Knows Church: Pentecost
Seen any symbols of fire around your sanctuary? Do you know what's the second most important day of the Christian year? Chuck messes with candles again and explains Pentecost on his twenty-ninth show. "Chuck Knows Church" is a weekly online series that explains the meaning behind some of the objects, symbols, terms and rituals in church. It is produced by The General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) of The United Methodist Church. More ...
Urge Representative to co-sponsor background checks on gun sales
The United Methodist General Board of Church & Society is asking United Methodists to urge their members of Congress to sign on as co-sponsors of HR 1565, “National Commission on Mass Violence Act of 2013.” The bill, introduced by Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., is intended to protect Second Amendment rights, ensure that all individuals who should be prohibited from buying a firearm are listed in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and provide a responsible and consistent background check process. More ...
Learn how new Facebook news feed affects your church
United Methodist Communications offers a slideshow that includes eight tips for making the most of Facebook’s new visually rich news feed as a communications and evangelism tool. Click here to see slideshow
UMW offers downloadable resource on immigration
A new resource from United Methodist Women on immigration includes Bible studies, worship, programs, hymns and prayers, church policy, articles and resources on controversial issues, a resource list, action ideas and articles linking immigration to other UMW social action priorities. Download a page or the full book
United Methodist Reporter operations closing
Saying it has found no viable plan to reverse financial losses of recent months, UMR Communications announced it will cease operations May 31. The board voted May 16 to close the ministry during a tearful meeting at the nonprofit’s Dallas office. UMR Communications publishes the United Methodist Reporter and provides printing and communication services to churches and other nonprofits. More ...
GBCS seeks director of Women's and Children's Advocacy
The General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) seeks to fill the position of Director and Organizer for Women’s and Children’s Advocacy. This position oversees the work of the Louise and Hugh Moore Population Project (LHMPP), which advocates for the health and safety of women and children around the globe. More ...
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 magazine — now available in both print and digital formats. Click here to subscribe. Or call the Communications office at 1-800-768-6040, ext. 110, or (804) 521-1110. Or e-mail Advocate@vaumc.org. For information about the Virginia Conference and resources for ministry, visit the Virginia Conference website at www.vaumc.org
 
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