To submit news items, stories, or corrections for inclusion in the newsletter, email the conference Communications Office at [email protected].
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In this week's edition of the Advocate, you will find:
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- Quick Links
- Resources
- Events
- Virginia News
- Denomination News
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Quick Links
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- Follow the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference beginning on Wednesday, July 10- Friday, July 12 on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram and through the livestream. The livestream begins at 9 a.m. EST on July 10.
- Summer 2024 Denominational Resources for Regionalization
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Resources
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Resources shared from around the denomination for clergy and lay leaders.
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Upcoming UMC Support webinar on social media
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At the beginning of the year, the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) shared a survey with their 20,000 newsletter subscribers asking what kind of content they need. Much of the feedback shared a need for social media best practices.
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Melissa Jackson, GCFA Marketing Manager, and Maia Cheatham, GCFA Marketing Coordinator, will offer a webinar on high-level first steps for churches wanting to start or grow their social media impact on Facebook and Instagram on Wednesday, July 17 at 2 p.m. EST. Register now...
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Exploring the Bible
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While summer often beckons us to travel and discover new places, Amplify Media invites all on a unique journey through the Bible — right from your home. Dive into its "Travel and Explore" playlist to virtually walk in the footsteps of Jesus, Paul, and other biblical figures. Learn more...
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Leading amidst Christian nationalism
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LEWIS CENTER FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP--The Rev. Lovett H. Weems Jr. outlines seven strategies for responding to Christian nationalism in measured and faithful ways. Church leaders should try to help congregants put their love of country in perspective as people of faith while not expressing judgment or devaluing the feelings of loss that often give rise to today’s iteration of Christian nationalism, he writes. Read more...
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Transforming weapons into tools: A blacksmith’s journey of hope and creativity
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The prophet Micah casts a hopeful vision of the future where nations will “beat their swords into iron plows, and their spears into pruning hooks.” (Micah 4:3) It seems that in God's planned future, we will have no need for weapons and guns. Organizations like Raw Tools, Inc, sponsor buy back and safe surrender events. A church in Tennessee hosted one of these events. And in the following video, we're able to see what happens after the guns are surrendered. Blacksmith Matt Clarady goes through the process of transforming a weapon into a tool of nurturing or a work of art. There's new life all over this story. Learn more...
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Overcoming giants: The compelling narrative of “Hellblade II”
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RETHINK CHURCH--As someone who spends a lot of time in virtual worlds, Rev. Nathan Webb, Checkpoint Church, often wonders how the stories and struggles of video game characters can reflect his own spiritual journey. In "Senua's Saga: Hellblade II," the protagonist Senua's intense battles and unwavering promises got him thinking: How do the commitments we make shape our path and resilience in life? Can our struggles, much like Senua's, lead us to a deeper understanding of purpose and hope? In this podcast, explore the parallels between the main character’s saga and our own spiritual quests. Learn more...
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Events
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Feeling a call to ministry?: Register for Candidacy Summit
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The Virginia Annual Conference’s Candidacy Summit will be held Friday-Saturday, July 26-27, at the Roslyn Retreat Center. The Candidacy Summit is for individuals exploring God’s call and a deeper understanding of the journey towards certified lay ministry, certified candidacy, licensing, and ordained ministry. The registration deadline is noon on Thursday, July 11, 2024. Registration and more details can be found online.
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Register now for Lay Servant Academy
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The Virginia Conference Lay Servant Academy August Training will be Friday & Saturday, August 16-17. (VIRTUAL ONLY!) Registration is now open. Courses include, the Basic Course, Children's Faith Formation, Spiritual Gifts, Social Principles, and more! All who are interested in leadership roles in the local church are encouraged to consider connecting with others and participating in training events. All courses satisfy requirements for various Lay Servant Ministry pathways. For questions, email Tianna Durbin, Director of Lay Servant Academy. Learn more...
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Save the Date: Youth Retreat
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Register now for the Called to Lead: VAUMC Fall 2024 Youth Retreat. The retreat is open to all youth (6th-12th grade).
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Event will be held November 22-24, 2024 at the Virginia Nazarene Retreat Center (1151 High School Road, Buckingham, Virginia). Cost is $150 per person (pre-order t-shirt offered for additional $10).
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Registration is for groups only. No individual registrations are allowed. You must be registered through your youth leader and church. The retreat will include time for worship, recreation, and sessions in a Leadership Track which each participant will choose. These tracks will offer hands-on learning experiences based on participants' interests and gifts; participants will leave with tools they can use as leaders in ministry in their local communities and churches. Learn more...
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Virginia News
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Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference starts July 10
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The Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference begins Wednesday, July 10 through Friday, July 12. Learn more on the official SEJ page.
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Access the schedule for the conference at the SEJ website. Bishop Sue will preside over the July 10 afternoon session at 2 p.m.
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Follow along on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram and through the livestream. The livestream begins at 9 a.m. EST on July 10.
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Community of support, advocacy to form for LGBTQ+ community in VAUMC
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Rev. Gennie Bowles, Prince of Peace UMC, is organizing a community of support and advocacy for members of the LGBTQ+ community in the Virginia Annual Conference.
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The tentative plan is to meet via Zoom once a month with a short time for business followed by small groups (clergy/laity) for a class meeting. This group will have a high level of confidentiality as there are many living and serving in contexts that are not affirming of the LGBTQ+ community. All members will be expected to abide by the covenant below.
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Please note, this group is NOT the Commission on Reconciliation and Truth Telling. "We affirm the work of the conference in seeking reconciliation moving forward, and this separate group exists solely for the safety and support of queer Methodists in Virginia," Bowles said. "I am looking forward to the work of this community and the relationships that it will foster."
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If you or someone you love is a VA Queer United Methodist, fill out this interest form.
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Connect students to campus ministries
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As high school seniors graduate this season, you can help connect those planning to attend college with a ministry home away from home. The Virginia Annual Conference supports 13 campus ministries and 4 United Methodist colleges/universities across Virginia. Our chaplains and campus ministers are excited to connect with students from your congregation as they head off to school.
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Please take a moment to provide us with contact information for every student who will be enrolled in a college or university this fall (Para. 232 and 256.3d in the Book of Discipline). Our VAUMC campus ministers and chaplains reach out to incoming students over the summer, and welcome freshmen as they arrive on campus in the fall. You can find the form to submit information here.
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Here's a video featuring our campus ministries, and more information about contacting our ministries is available here.
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Please contact Dwayne Stinson ([email protected]) if you have questions or would like to learn more about connecting with a campus ministry.
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Register now for Mission Encounter
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Mission Encounter is an opportunity to study current issues impacting society based on current social justice and mission-related topics. Participants grow in understanding the mission of the church in the current world context; conference events are open to all.
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Dates: July 26-28, 2024 (Friday-Sunday) Location: Good Shepherd UMC 9155 Hungary Rd, Henrico, VA 23294 and VA United Methodist Center 10330 Staples Mill Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060
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Plenary: Rev. Audrey Smith
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Class Leaders: Rev. Dr. JaeHaeng Choi (Korean) Rev. Brenda Laws (English) Rev. Evelyn Penn (English)
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The detailed schedule, curriculum description, and online event registration can be found here.
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VAUMC commits to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050
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On Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the annual meeting in Hampton Roads, the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church (VAUMC) took a significant step in the face of the urgent climate crisis. It pledged to Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions (N-ZGGE), setting a target date 2050. This action is a stark recognition of the pressing need to address the degradation of our environment and the harm to the most vulnerable caused by global warming. To avert the most severe impacts of climate change and safeguard a habitable planet, the United Nations, in the Paris Agreement, called for a 45% reduction in emissions by 2030 and a net zero by 2050. The resolution aligns the VAUMC with the 2024 General Conference, 12 Boards and Commissions, and Bishops with the UMC's previous commitments to Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
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The N-ZGGE pledge is not a mere statement but a powerful call to action. It signifies a commitment to responsible and just climate action and calls for a collaborative working group. This resolution invites all to join a working group to study this motion and develop an implementation plan. At a minimum, the working group will include representatives from the Common Table, the Creation Justice Team, the Conference Committee on Finance and Administration, Missional Ministries, Trustees, Commission on Ethnic Minority Concerns and Advocacy, Campus Ministries and Chaplains and United Women in Faith. Your participation and support are not just welcomed but crucial to this collective effort. Your support will be instrumental in our journey towards Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050.
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For more information and resources about climate change, we encourage you to visit the conference’s Climate Just Congregations webpage at Energy Justice | VAUMC. This page provides resources for your journey towards becoming a Climate Just Congregation. It includes information on becoming energy efficient and working towards climate justice and Net-Zero emissions by 2050. The page also offers support from key organizations, such as Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions, Just Energy 4 All | United Women in Faith, and Virginia Interfaith Power and Light, to help empower your congregations to advocate for clean, efficient, affordable, and just energy for all. Whether you are an individual or a congregation interested in learning more about creation care and how to get involved, we encourage you to explore this valuable resource. For any queries or to express your interest, please email [email protected]
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Denomination News
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2 new US bishops to be elected this week
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After two unexpected vacancies in U.S. bishop offices, the Western Jurisdiction now has plans to elect two new bishops when jurisdictional conferences meet this week throughout the country. The plan, brought forward by a little-known denominational committee, is slightly different than what came out of General Conference, and the denomination’s finance agency cautions that it could potentially lead to more bishops than General Conference authorized. Read more...
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Bishop Malone shares vision for future of The UMC
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Bishop Tracy S. Malone, the new president of the Council of Bishops, shares her hope and vision as she looks to the future of The United Methodist Church. Learn more...
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Conservative pastor focuses on common mission amid differences
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A lifelong United Methodist and career minister who describes himself as "conservative" discusses how, rather than focus on differences within the denomination, he concentrates on the common mission to make disciples, a space that supports The UMC’s “big tent” distinction. Read more...
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