|
|
March 7, 2023
|
|
To submit news items, stories, or corrections, email the conference Communications Office at [email protected].
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virginia News
|
|
UMFS Giving Day for Mental Health is March 8
|
Join United Methodist Family Services tomorrow, March 8 for UMFS Giving Day for Mental Health. Every $25 you donate will provide another critical hour of mental health care and support for a child in need. Thanks to a matching gift, your generous donation will be matched to double your impact. Visit UMFS to learn more. Thank you for your support!
|
|
|
Submit nominations for Green Church Award
|
The Virginia Board of Church and Society are accepting nominations for the 2023 Virginia Annual Conference Green Church Award and Sustaining Green Church Award. Applications should be completed by May 14.
|
In 2009, the Virginia Annual Conference established the Green Church Initiative and called churches to "green" their ministries. To recognize the continuing work of creation care in the Virginia Annual Conference, the board is asking for nominations to receive the Green Church and Sustaining Green Church Award during the Virginia Annual Conference during June 15-17, 2023 session.
Recipients of these awards strive to affirm the importance of healing and defending God's creation in their mission as local congregations. They are engaged in this ministry in worship, learning and teaching, individual and congregational lifestyle and community, national, and global advocacy/involvement.
Send any questions to Brian Christoffersen at [email protected].
VAUMC Board of Church and Society Green Church Award Application
VAUMC Board of Church and Society Sustaining Green Church Award Application
|
|
|
UM Communications offers student scholarships
|
Did you know that United Methodist Communications offers a fellowship and scholarship for students pursuing religious communications in college? Encourage the students in your local church to apply by March 15. Learn more...
|
|
|
Audio Advocate shares more about "Struggle Bus"
|
Looking for content to listen to as you drive home, work out, or cook dinner? The Connectional Ministries office has several podcasts including the Audio Advocate that shares news and ministries. Listen on "The VAUMC Connection" now on Apple, Spotify or the conference website. The March Audio Advocate episode features an interview with the Rev. Amanda Garber, one of the co-founders of the Struggle Bus non-profit in the Harrisonburg area. Listen now on the conference website...
|
|
|
Register now for small and/or rural church communications webinar
|
Today is your last chance to register for the Small and/or Rural Church Communications Webinar on Wednesday, March 8, 9 a.m.-noon, on Zoom. This free webinar hosted by the conference Board of Communications will focus on the communication needs of small and/or rural churches that often face limited resources, budgets, technology, and staff but who want to reach their community and members in effective ways. Guest speakers will include Rev. Keon Huh, Jonathan Lemaster-Smith, and Jeremy Brown. Register...
|
|
|
Workshop on trauma available to congregations
|
Becoming a Trauma-Informed Congregation workshop, Friday, March 17, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. will explore how laity and clergy can attend to the presence of trauma in congregational life. Participants will define trauma and explore its impact on individuals and relationships. The workshop will also offer practical strategies for promoting healing in Christian community. Sponsored by the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care. $25 for in person or virtual attendance. Register today...
|
|
|
Sermons wanted to conference podcast
|
The VAUMC Connection is launching a new podcast! The Wednesday Wisdom: Sermons from Last Week! Did you give a sermon and want to give it a second life? VAUMC is looking for your sermons to post as podcasts each week. It will be a chance to bring the Word to the mid-week slump between Sundays, but also give a spotlight to the hard work VAUMC pastors put in for Sunday mornings! You can submit your sermons by filling out the form here or on the Digital Hub page on the VAUMC website!
|
|
|
Extension Clergy gathering to be held with Bishop Sue
|
Clergy in Extension Ministry appointments are invited ON May 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St Mark's UMC (Midlothian) for a time of worship, Q&A with Bishop Sue, ministry spotlights, conversation and connection with extension clergy colleagues, plenty of coffee, and a catered lunch. Contact Rev. Deborah Lewis with questions: [email protected] RSVP by April 17: https://forms.gle/eCy1rXQ38y9J5mQ79
|
|
|
Housing for June AC now open; childcare information shared
The 241st Session of the Virginia Annual Conference will be held in-person from Thursday, June 15 – Saturday, June 17, 2023, at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, Va. Hotel registration opened on Monday, March 6, 2023.
|
Annual Conference members will have 20 area hotels within the Annual Conference room block from which to choose. Members can expect a smooth reservation process; making hotel reservations online will allow attendees to see detailed information on the hotels, our conference rates, room types, amenities, and locations all in one place. Please do not call the hotels as hotel reservations will only be taken online and will not be accepted before March 6.
|
|
If you do not have easy access to the internet or a computer, you are encouraged to contact your pastor or your district office for assistance in making your hotel reservation.
|
|
Childcare will not be provided at the 2023 Annual Conference. There will be a designated Parents Room and Nursing Room onsite. These rooms will not be supervised by any staff. Any children in these rooms need to be supervised by parents or guardians.
|
|
|
Camera operators needed for June 2023 AC
|
The Annual Conference Tech Team is looking for volunteers to act as camera operators during the 241st Session of the Virginia Annual Conference. please share your interest, availability or questions to [email protected].
|
|
|
United Methodists continue partnership in Ukraine and Russia
|
Over the stark reality of the Russian/Ukrainian War, which started a year ago, congregations and individuals in the Virginia Annual Conference have been supportive of the United Methodist work in Eurasia since the reactivation of the work there in 1991. At that time, In Mission Together Partnerships were established with UM churches in Stavropol, Kyiv, and L’viv, and have lasted for almost 30 years. Learn more...
|
|
|
Join online chapel worship with students, seminarians on March 15
Students and seminarians across the VAUMC and beyond will lead the conference in exploring the Biblical theme of 'Sowing and Reaping' during Chapel worship on Wednesday, March 15 at 9: 30 a.m. Come and experience the next generation of leaders in the VAUMC:
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/97538302560
|
Meeting ID: 975 3830 2560
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,97538302560# US (Washington DC)
8558801246,,97538302560# US Toll-free
|
|
|
New 2023 Lenten resource: Role Play the Gospel now available
|
Are you looking for a new way to experience the Lenten Season? A new resource called Role Play the Gospel (or RPtheG) is a project created by a group of Virginia clergy, laity, and the conference Communications Office to help immerse yourself into the events of Holy Week. Build a character, read some Scripture, and turn on those imaginations! Download now...
|
|
|
Foundation for Evangelism Local Church Grant Cycle now open
|
The Foundation for Evangelism is now accepting applications for the 2023 Equipping the Local Church grant cycle. A total of $350,000 is available for grants of $5,000 or $10,000 to small and medium church congregations, or clusters of churches working together, in a Wesleyan-tradition denomination.
|
|
|
New webpage highlights VAUMC clergy books
|
A new webpage on the conference website will share books written by VAUMC clergy (books focusing on faith, UM mission, ministry, and polity) as a way to share with conference clergy and laity potential resources for individual and group study. Clergy can share their information by emailing [email protected]. Books listed on the webpage are not endorsed by the conference. Learn more...
|
|
|
|
|
General Church News
|
|
Mid-Term State of The United Methodist Church set for March 2
|
UM NEWS— Amid the vitriol about rising church disaffiliations, Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton called people who are staying United Methodist to change the conversation and reclaim God’s calling on the church. Heather Hahn reports on the bishop’s midterm State of the Church address. Read more...
|
|
|
Report sheds light on disaffiliating churches
|
UM NEWS— A new Lewis Center for Church Leadership report finds that churches disaffiliating from The United Methodist Church are overwhelmingly in the South and Southwest. Compared with remaining United Methodist churches, they also are more likely to have a male pastor and a majority white membership. Read more...
|
|
|
Church brings Christ to villagers' doorsteps
|
UM NEWS— In a drive to bring more people to Christ after the devastating COVID-19 pandemic caused a drop in membership, a three-day crusade in the Marange District in Zimbabwe brought the Gospel to villagers’ homes. Read more...
|
|
|
121 attend first new Houston area multigenerational church service
|
UM NEWS— A Texas barn houses a collection of classic cars, but it's no ordinary garage ... minus the cars, it's also home to a new faith community. Read more...
|
|
|
UMCOR responds to earthquakes in Turkey and Syria
|
UM NEWS— The death toll from an earthquake in Turkey and Syria has surpassed 40,000 according to the International Blue Crescent Relief and Development Foundation. The United Methodist Committee on Relief issued a solidarity grant to International Blue Crescent to help provide tents, heaters, blankets, warm clothes, food and first-aid kits to those who have been displaced. Read more...
|
|
|
One Last Word
|
The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
-Psalm 121:7 NRSV
|
|
|
|
|
|
Please send any issues or concerns to [email protected]. If you have issues with the formatting trying to forward (especially in Outlook), you can use the following link. More...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
