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
- One Last Word: Back to School
- Other VAUMC Communications
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Public Notice Board
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Clergy and laity can crowdsource for ideas and resources within the connection through the Public Notice Board. Find the newest notices below. Share your question or find past queries at the conference website.
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Also find free items for giveaway 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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Resources
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Resources shared from around the denomination for clergy and lay leaders.
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Back to School: Safer Sanctuaries
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Working to create safer sanctuaries is a practice of Christian hospitality and an opportunity for ministry with children, youth, and vulnerable adults in local churches, communities, and the Virginia Conference. Such efforts also provide additional reassurance that the Church is making every effort to care for all participants. As you go back to school and back to discipleship ministries, connect with your district Safer Sanctuaries trainers to inform your volunteers on ways to create Safer Sanctuaries. https://vaumc.org/safersanctuaries/
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Family prayers for school mornings
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Download a free prayer book for school mornings, featuring a prayer a day that physically and spiritually involves our kids and ourselves in starting our days right. Learn more...
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Christian nationalism different from patriotism
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There are all kinds of Courageous Conversations United Methodists should be having and this includes Christian nationalism. Christian nationalism should not be confused with patriotism. These kind of conversation should be discussed in an atmosphere that promotes listening to the underlying values of participants. Likewise, a learning environment should encourage participants to question their assumptions and see these issues from a biblical perspective informed by Christian tradition.
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In this resource, you can unpack the many tensions involved in this issue.
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- Where exactly is the line between patriotism and nationalism? When does allegiance to God conflict with allegiance to country?
- How should Christians discern God’s will, not just for their lives, but for nations and governmental policies?
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Updated United Methodist Social Principles
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The General Conference in Charlotte, NC adopted new Social Principles, which will officially take effect on January 1, 2025. Given the numerous requests for information and study materials on United Methodist Social Principles, Church and Society’s online content offers resources for immediate use with your congregation, Sunday school class, small group, or on your own. Learn more...
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Events
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UWF hosts Young Women's Event
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United Women in Faith (UWF) will host a Young Women's event at Camp Overlook September 20-21, 2024. Rev. AhnnaLise Stevens-Jennings, associate pastor of Braddock Street UMC, will be the retreat leader. This retreat will emphasize spiritual rest and is for ages 18-40. Learn more...
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UMVIM Team Leader Training on Sept. 14
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Join for the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) Team Leader Training on Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at VAUMC Conference Center in Glen Allen, Va.
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This training is for individuals who have attended at least one UMVIM trip and who are ready to take a deeper dive into servant leadership and leading UMVIM teams. This training will be led in collaboration with Tim Wells, VAUMC UMCIM Coordinator, Rev. Jo Ann Batteiger, Assistant Director of Missional Engagement, along with support and shared lessons learned from other certified/experienced team leaders.
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Check in will begin at 8:30 a.m. with light refreshments available, and the class will begin promptly at 9 a.m. with breaks in between. Registration for the class is $20, and lunch will be provided. The deadline to register is Friday, September 6, 2024. Sign up...
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Once you have registered, an online training manual will be provided via email, however, if you desire a printed copy, we ask that you print and bring it with you in whatever format you prefer. Additionally, we ask for you to bring a little team spirit and a servant’s heart!
For further questions, please contact Tim Wells via email at [email protected] or call 703-517-0183. We look forward to having you and serving alongside you!
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Virginia News
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Garber takes on CDT role
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The Church Development Team (CDT) is excited to welcome Rev. Amanda Miller Garber as the primary conference liaison in her role as Conference Director of Missional and Community Engagement. For those who've been around church planting in The United Methodist Church for some time, this is the position that has been known historically as the Congregational Developer.
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“Amanda brings her wonderful church planting experience to this role, as well as her passion for revitalizing churches as we ensure all people feel God's love through Christ's disciples to this role,” Rev. Stephanie Kimec Parker, CDT chair, said.
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In addition to Amanda's work with CDT, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Page will stay connected to CDT as well, serving to help CDT think strategically about church planting, revitalization, and community development efforts, as well as taking the lead on grants management within this team.
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The mission of the Church Development Team (CDT) is two-fold: to assist in creating New Faith Communities and to support the work of vitality in existing churches. This mission grew out of the All Things New Plan.
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Be on the lookout for email spoofing
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More than ever local churches may find their members at risk of failing for an email spoof. This is when a sender creates and sends an email message using a fake or fabricated email address. These senders pose as a person or organization requesting information or resources. VAUMC clergy and staff should take the time to verbally and in church communications make their members aware of their best practices, risks and what to look out for:
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- Always check what email address an email is from.
- Pastors, District Superintendents and staff, conference staff, and the Bishop will never ask via email for gift cards.
- Look out for misspellings, awkward spacing, or strange word choice in emails.
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VAUMC to visit Duke Seminary in September
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Representatives from the VAUMC will visit Duke Seminary on September 16. Please share in your contexts that seminary students who want to meet with representatives from Virginia can set up a time to do so using this link.
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Clergy invited to Day Apart with Bishop Sue
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Calling all clergy! Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson invites you to attend the Clergy Day Apart entitled "Dreaming Forward" on October 10, 2024, at Floris UMC in Herndon, Va. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There are in-person (full-day) and streaming options (half-day) to choose from.
Rev. Dr. Laceye Warner will kick the day off with worship, followed by an address from Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson. Next, we will hear a keynote from Dr. Joy Kreider, a neuroscientist and trauma consultant who will address the trauma that pastors face and how we can move forward from it together.
Provision Church will serve lunch, and the afternoon will be filled with workshops led by Rev. Dr. Laceye Warner, Dr. Joy Kreider, Rev. Dr. John Obeng, Rev. Cassandra Nunez from the Baltimore-Washington Conference, and Rev. Dr. Jason Stanley. The day will end with worship and the sacrament of Holy Communion. For more information and to register, visit this link.
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Denomination News
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UMC Bishop Wallace-Padgett elected as new president of World Methodist Council
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GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN – The new president of the World Methodist Council (WMC), an international organization that connects and represents over 80 Methodist, Wesleyan, and related Uniting and United Churches worldwide, is a bishop of The United Methodist Church: Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett.
Bishop Wallace-Padgett was elected as the new WMC president on Wednesday, (August 14, 2024) during the World Methodist Conference taking place in Gothenburg, Sweden. The Conference meets every five years. “I am honored to serve as president of the World Methodist Council for the next five years,” she said, noting that “the Council brings together over 80 communions within the Methodist, Wesleyan, and related Uniting and United Churches tradition during this time of increasing division in our world and the body of Christ.” Learn more...
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2 United Methodists receive Peace Awards
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Two United Methodists received World Methodist Peace Awards during a ceremony at the World Methodist Conference. Bishop Christian Alsted received recognition for his work in Ukraine, and deaconess Norma P. Dollaga for her work in the Philippines. Both delivered addresses on their peace work to a gathering of Christians who share their Wesleyan roots. Read more...
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Hollering for Change: The Rev. Dr. Aleze Fulbright
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Hollering for Change: The Rev. Dr. Aleze Fulbright is the first woman of color to be elected secretary of the United Methodist General Conference. The Rev. Dr. Tori Butler speaks with Fulbright about her new position in the latest installment of the “Hollering for Change” series. The Rev. Tori Butler is the senior pastor of Asbury Town Neck United Methodist Church in Severna Park, Maryland. Learn more...
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One Last Word
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Other VAUMC Communications
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