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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- Public Notice Board
- Resources
- Events
- Virginia News
- Denomination News
- Other VAUMC Communications
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Public Notice Board
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In the local church, clergy and laity may find that crowdsourcing within the connection is a wonderful way to find resources to help in ministry from learning about best practices for leasing property to curriculum for small groups.
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The conference Communications Office is trying something new to see where bridges can be built to strengthen organic connections between clergy and laity.
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So the Public Notice Board is born! Find the newest notices below. Share your question or find past queries at the conference website.
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Please send in questions you have that you would like to find answers to: [email protected]
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Looking for: Hymnals
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- Rev. Steven Carr, Galilee UMC, Sterling, ISO Large Print & Braille Print Hymnals. Learn more...
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Looking for: Aids for Stewardship Campaign
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I have been asked to work on putting together a program regarding wills and legacy giving opportunities as part of our stewardship campaign. I would be interested in learning what, if any, ideas or programs which would be helpful to us and our congregation in these types of matters you might have available or helpful in developing such a program. We would also be willing to make such a program available to the community at large.
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Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.
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Looking for: Tool to evaluate worship
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Anyone have a worship survey or questionnaire to evaluate worship?
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Looking for: Accounting software
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I am a member of Skipwith United Methodist Church. We are a small church and are currently using Quickbooks as our accounting software. I am interested in finding another software program that will be a true fund accounting software that can handle payroll, accounts payable, and provide financial statements.
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I am curious to know what other churches of our size are using.
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Looking for: Feedback on clergy support systems
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VAUMC clergy, where have you found a support system outside of your current ministry setting? Where are you connected with others for the purpose of friendship, as a social activity, as a creative outlet, and/ or a place where you are authentically “you”?
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Your insights will help put together a panel for a future Provisional Residency event. Send thoughts and ideas to [email protected].
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Free Giveaways
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Resources
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EcoPreacher online cohort begins in September 2024
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As our climate-changed and changing world continues to demand courage, imagination, and resourcefulness, congregations and their leaders have a unique opportunity to offer prophetic voices of possibility. With their skills and community connections, preachers are in a special position to offer spiritual guidance in the quest for understanding, connection, and resilience in a world in need of environmental healing and wholeness.
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Creation Justice Ministries has partnered with The BTS Center and Lexington Theological Seminary to offer a 10-month cohort of learning, companionship, and exploration that will begin in September 2024.
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This cohort will offer monthly sessions to help preachers understand climate change and other environmental justice issues more deeply as spiritual crises that require creative, faith-rooted action. Facilitated by Rev. Nicole Diroff of The BTS Center and Derrick Weston of Creation Justice Ministries, this cohort will offer an expansive opportunity for connection, creativity, and grounded responses to climate change through the art of preaching. Questions about the EcoPreacher Cohort? Contact Creation Justice Ministries' Theological Education and Training Coordinator Derrick Weston at [email protected]. Learn more...
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Resources
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Resources shared from around the denomination for clergy and lay leaders.
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Virginia African American Cultural Center Partnership Continues to Grow with Summer Course in Africana Studies
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Class includes community members learning alongside Virginia Wesleyan University students.
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When Linda Carrington was growing up, she received a highly-selective version of American history. Selective, in that a great deal of it was omitted, mostly history related to the struggle of her African American forebears. Now, she’s doing something to fill in those gaps, taking Introduction to Africana Studies (AFRS 111) this summer at Virginia Wesleyan University. “I felt in my heart that I should have known about all this,” says Linda. “The fact that I didn’t was such a shock.” Read story...
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Scholar puts spotlight on capitalism and Christ
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As a theologian who works in the tradition of liberation theology, Joerg Rieger of Vanderbilt Divinity School believes Christians need to be in the thick of political issues on the side of the poor and disadvantaged. He is interested in how the church can interact with unions, health care reformers, climate change activists and others to benefit less-wealthy people. Read story...
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Discussing Christian nationalism — carefully
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The Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington helped spur a new entry in the Courageous Conversations series. The Christian nationalist resource by Discipleship Ministries outlines a format to help promote civil discussion of the topic. Putting a government on par with God is idolatry, said Joerg Rieger, Cal Turner Chancellor’s Chair of Wesleyan Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School. Read article...
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Spiritual practices for busy lives
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On a new episode of the “Compass" podcast, Andrew Lang, a guiding voice in spiritual practices, shares transformative insights on integrating centering practices into daily life, overcoming the "dark night of the soul" and finding creative ways to connect with our spirituality. Listen to episode...
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More about the Revised Social Principles
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The 2024 General Conference adopted a thoroughly revised set of Social Principles, the result of listening and feedback across the whole of the church worldwide over a period of more than a decade. #AskTheUMC explains more about the revisions.
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Events
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VICPP "Congregations and Housing" Events
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VICPP is supporting congregations building affordable housing, both in policy and practice. In the legislature, VICPP is leading on a bill called “Faith in Housing for the Commonwealth” that would streamline the process for building housing on faith-owned land. “Congregations and Housing” events are coming soon to a community near you. Register now for a workshop, and stay tuned as more are scheduled.
Virginia Beach, October 15, 2024
Faith leaders REGISTER HERE (English)
Development partners REGISTER HERE
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Mission Rivers offers online Lay Servant class
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Mission Rivers District is offering the Lay Servant Advanced Class: Called to Preach online on Saturday, August 31; Saturday, September 7; and Saturday, September 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Cost is $15. Click here to learn more.
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Certificate Program for clergy ready for next ministry step
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Now half off the price for VAUMC clergy.
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Designed as an equivalent to an executive leadership program, the Lewis Center for Church Leadership Certificate Program delivers an online, cohort-based learning experience for pastors that combines self-study and interactive peer learning. Participants will learn strategic actionable insights that enhance their ability to be effective in their ministry settings. Guided by experienced faculty from Wesley Theological Seminary and the Lewis Center, this certificate program includes five courses over the course of a year that help pastors explore visioning, administration, stewardship, innovation, and building key partnerships. You can learn more in the attached flyer and by visiting here. Enrollment ends: August 30, 2024. Browse all courses...
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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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Virginia News
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Neal Wise to serve on UM Publishing House Board
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Neal Wise was elected to the Board of Directors of the United Methodist Publishing House (UMPH). Wise serves as the Annual Conference Planner and chair of the VAUMC Site Selection Committee.
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NOVA churches celebrate connectionalism
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Rev. Brian Johnson, Haymarket Church, and Rev. Drew Colby, Grace UMC, discuss how their friendship and deep sense of United Methodist connectionalism is at the heart of the shared work their churches have embarked on in the Northern Virginia District in a recent video. Watch video...
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The conference Communications Office will be sharing more stories celebrating connectionalism this fall. Share your story of connectionalism at [email protected].
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GraceInside Summer Campaign: "And The Winners Are..."
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Denomination News
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UMC bishops assign team to supervise Nigeria Episcopal Area
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August 2, 2024--The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church has assigned a leadership team to supervise the Nigeria Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church following the resignation of former Bishop John Wesley Yohanna. In consultation with the West Africa College of Bishops and the chair of the West Africa Committee on Episcopacy, the UMC bishops approved the assignment of Bishop John Schol, Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa and Bishop Patrick Streiff as the interim episcopal team to serve the Nigeria Episcopal Area through December 2024. Bishop Schol will serve as the lead bishop, and Bishop Nhiwatiwa will join Bishop Schol when he travels to Nigeria.
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Bishop David Yemba will serve in an advisory role. This team has more than 50 combined years of experience serving as bishops. They have served in Africa, Europe, and the United States and have significant experience in growing the mission and ministry of conferences, congregations, and lay and clergy leadership.
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COB President Bishop Tracy Smith Malone announced Bishop Yohanna’s resignation from The United Methodist Church and noted that the resignation was effective July 29, 2024. Former Bishop Yohanna’s term was scheduled to end at the close of this year when the West Africa Central Conference is scheduled to elect three new bishops, one of which is for Nigeria.
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Bishop Malone has urged bishops, church agencies and congregations to suspend financial support to Nigeria until new episcopal leadership and new mechanisms are in place.
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Bishop Malone said she was constantly praying for the people of Nigeria and noted the faith and hope that Nigerians have shown.
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“We praise God for the resiliency of faith and hope demonstrated among the United Methodist clergy and laity in Nigeria. The world-wide connection of The United Methodist Church continues to pray for the people of Nigeria and for the ministry and witness of The United Methodist Church in the Nigeria Episcopal Area. We stand in solidarity with the Church as we together continue to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world,” Bishop Malone said.
Bishop Malone also thanked the bishops who have faithfully been working on behalf of the Council with the United Methodists in Nigeria.
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On behalf of the Interim leadership team, Bishop Schol said: “I am humbled and honored to be serving in this capacity. I found the majority of the Nigerian people to want peace and conciliation as they honor Jesus Christ and advance the mission and ministry of The United Methodist Church. God has a great future for United Methodism in Nigeria.” Read Malone letter to United Methodists in Nigeria...
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Other VAUMC Communications
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