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News from the Virginia Conference – Oct. 13, 2009

Watch Internet tonight to see 7 Virginians commissioned as United Methodist mission personnel
Seven individuals from the Virginia Conference including two young adults -- will be among 40 mission personnel who will be commissioned on Tuesday, Oct. 13, during the annual General Board of Global Ministries directors’ meeting in Stamford, Conn. For the first time, United Methodists around the connection will be able to participate in a virtual laying on of hands for these new missionaries because the service will be streamed live on the Internet. The service will begin at 7 p.m. (EST) Tuesday, Oct. 13, and can be followed at www.ummissionaries.org. Blessings and prayers, along with words of encouragement and other comments, can be posted via Twitter and Facebook. Click here for more information.

Oct. 15 is deadline to register for Oct. 23 autism workshop
There is still time to register for the Autism and Local Church workshop scheduled for Friday, Oct. 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Virginia United Methodist Center, Glen Allen. Sponsored by the Virginia Conference Commission on Disabilities, the workshop will describe the challenges of understanding autism, being in ministry with those with autism and their families, providing support, and advocating for positive changes in our churches and communities. The Conference Board of Ordained Ministry has granted .5 CEU for those who participate in this workshop. Registration deadline is Oct. 15. Click here to register online. You may also contact the Office of Leadership and Inclusivity at (804) 521-1153 or 1-800-768-6040, ext. 153, or by e-mail to marthastokes@vaumc.org

Order of Elder Retreat set for Oct. 25-27 at VUMAC
The Order of Elder Retreat will be Sunday evening, Oct. 25, through noon Tuesday, Oct. 27, at the Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center (VUMAC) in Blackstone. Order of Elder chairpersons have designed this retreat to offer elders a special opportunity to remember, strengthen, and respond to their vow of commitment to our Wesleyan heritage. Keynote presenter will be Bishop Will Willimon, episcopal leader of the Birmingham Area and author of numerous books and articles. Click here for more information or online registration.

Apply now for mission project to become Conference Advance Special
It is the time of year for mission projects within the Virginia Conference to apply for consideration to become a Conference Advance Special.  If there is a ministry that you think should be a Conference Advance Special, click here for an application. Applications must be submitted to The Mission and Global Justice Office no later than Dec. 14. Questions may be directed to the Mission and Global Justice office by e-mail to mission@vaumc.org or by calling (804) 521-1144 or toll-free 1-800-768-6040, ext. 144.

October edition of Conference Laity E-News now online
The October edition of the Virginia Conference Laity E-News can now be read on the Conference Web site. Click here. If you have trouble with the link, go to http://www.vaumc.org/, select “Ministries,” then “Laity,” followed by “Laity Newsletters.” The newsletter may be printed, copied, and shared with others in your church.

Bishop Kammerer to keynote 2010 Clergy Spouse Retreat March 4-6
Bishop Charlene P. Kammerer will be keynote speaker at the 2010 Clergy Spouse Retreat Thursday, March 4, through Saturday, March 6, 2010, at the Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center (VUMAC) in Blackstone. A variety of interest groups will also be offered. Dress is casual. Come for an opportunity to make new friends, renew friendships, relax and have fun. Registration information will be out in early January. The retreat planning committee is chaired by Margaret Sisson and is sponsored by the Clergy Family Enrichment Committee of the Board of Ordained Ministry.

Distribute Fair Trade Halloween candy this year
If you are looking for Fair Trade Halloween candy to distribute to kids at your door, visit https://www.globalexchangestore.org/SearchResults.asp?Cat=263.

Igniting Ministry Matching Grants revised to become Rethink Church Impact Community
Beginning Nov. 1, United Methodist Communications will launch Impact Community, a revised version of the Igniting Ministry Matching Grant program. Impact Community will partner with church clusters, districts and conferences to reach beyond their church buildings and actively engage with community volunteers to impact their neighborhoods and towns. Each grant awarded will fund a community outreach ministry event and assist with the promotion and advertising of the event. This new initiative is part of the Rethink Church 2010 strategy urging churches to move out into their communities, creating doors of entry to engage the unchurched. The online application process and criteria can be found at umcom.org/impactcommunity or e-mail impactcommunity@umcom.org

                     

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 online. 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
Click here for directions to the Center

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