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January 10, 2023
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To submit news items, stories, or corrections, email the conference Communications Office at [email protected].
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Virginia News
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Join conference center Zoom worship tomorrow morning
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The Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church invites you to worship online tomorrow, Wednesday, January 11 via Zoom at 9:30 a.m. Rev. Brad Dulaney, pastor for Blacksburg UMC (VR), will preach "As He Is, So Are We," inspired by Isaiah 42:1-9 and Matthew 3:13-17, as we focus on the war in Ukraine. Let us pray for peace and learn ways we can be of help to the people of Ukraine. Musician is Aaron Miller, Interim Director of Music, Trinity UMC (TN) with worship leaders are Rev. J. Adam Sowder, pastor, and Rev. Hannah Bryn, associate pastor, Discovery UMC, (TN) Join worship...
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Charles Wesley visits local church charge
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The Mt. Crawford Charge, a rural 2-point charge (Mt. Crawford UMC and Mt. Sidney UMC) in the Shenandoah River District, welcomed Charles Wesley to a service in December 2022. Rev. Brett Isernhagen shares a birthday (December 18) with Wesley and during their church service, Rev. Wesley stopped into both churches for a 'routine hymnal inspection' and ended up sharing a little about his hymn "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus' with the folks here before leading the congregation in the hymn.
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Saturday is NoVa District Training Day
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Over the last 2.5 years, clergy and laity needed to learn how to be resilient and adapt to the messiness of constant change. As we realize that the mess is not going away, we now need tools to sustain us today and in the foreseeable future. The NoVa District is excited to welcome Kate Bowler and Tod Bolsinger as the NoVa District Training Day keynote speakers to give us context and perspective as clergy and laity navigate the challenges ahead. Plan to spend Saturday, January 14 with Kate and Tod live via webinar and then explore the 40+ additional prerecorded workshops. This virtual event is open to the entire Virginia Annual Conference. Learn more & register...
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Church food pantry featured on CBN News
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The Gathering at Scott Memorial United Methodist Church's food pantry was recently featured by CBN News. Watch video...
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Save the Date for Bishop Installation Service
Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson was assigned to the Virginia Conference at the 2022 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference (SEJ) on November 4, 2022 at Lake Junaluska, NC. Bishop Haupert-Johnson was elected to the episcopacy at the 2016 SEJ and has been serving over the North Georgia Conference. She will begin on January 1, 2023 in the Virginia Conference.
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Save the Date for an Installation Service for Bishop Haupert-Johnson on Saturday, February 11 at 10:30 a.m. at Woodlake UMC (15640 Hampton Park Dr, Chesterfield, VA 23832). More information will be forthcoming.
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New deacon devotion launches
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Need a spiritual boost? The VAUMC Connection podcast is launching a new podcast and the first episode is out NOW! Join the VAUMC Order of Deacons on Mondays of each week to center with a weekly 3-5 min. devotional including but not limited to lectionary scriptures, prayers, and positive messages. You can listen anywhere you can find podcasts or on the VAUMC Digital Hub.
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New webpage to highlight VAUMC clergy books
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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...
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UM Day is January 26
The Conference Legislative Network announced that UM Day at the General Assembly is happening on January 26, 2023 in Richmond.
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You can register here. For over 30 years at this yearly event, faithful Virginia United Methodists from across the Commonwealth have gathered in Richmond in January to advocate for their neighbors. During this event, participants will visit with their Senators to discuss issues that are relevant to the United Methodist faith with direction from the conference partners at Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy.
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General Church News
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UMC Bishops ask church court for clarification on 2024 Conference
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COUNCIL OF BISHOPS-- The Council of Bishops is asking the denomination’s top court for clarification on its recent decision regarding the General Conference scheduled for 2024. The Judicial Council previously ruled that no new delegate elections are required for the coming General Conference. The Council of Bishops asks what the ruling means for delegate vacancies and other developments that have happened since the 2020 General Conference’s postponement. Learn more...
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North Georgia hits pause on disaffiliations
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UM NEWS-- The largest United Methodist conference in the U.S. has put a hold on allowing congregations to disaffiliate from the denomination. In a statement, conference leaders said they arrived at the decision because so much misinformation was being spread that they couldn’t trust the validity of congregational votes. With the denomination’s disaffiliation law set to expire at the end of the year, the decision has been met with both celebration and consternation. Meanwhile, at least two conferences are already exploring other ways for handling church exits. Read more...
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A generational passion for justice
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UM NEWS-- A book by an Episcopal priest explores the life of his great-great-grandfather, a Methodist clergyman and abolitionist. The Rev. George Richardson was chaplain for a Black Army regiment during the Civil War. George Richardson’s adventures are balanced by the Rev. James Richardson’s account of his own journey leaving a journalism career to become an Episcopal priest. Read more...
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One Last Word
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God's will for us: Rejoice at all times. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
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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...
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