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TOP FIVE
for
[October 10, 2024]
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VAUMC response post-Milton and Helene
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We have joined you in watching Hurricane Milton unfold in the wake of the devastation from Hurricane Helene. We continue to pray for those who have been impacted, for emergency personnel and search and rescue teams, and for all those who are on the ground helping to ensure safety of affected communities. We are connecting with friends across the connection about how we can best respond to these events. We want to share a few updates about our VAUMC response in this time. Click the link to learn more about Cleaning (Flood) Bucket collection, giving to UMCOR, disaster relief training, and the reminder to NOT self-deploy at this time. Learn more...
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Resources ahead of presidential election
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As the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election draws nearer, the VAUMC will share resources with the conference on topics ranging from how to have hard conversations to the impact on community organizing and advocacy in light of the current social and political climate, a climate that local churches and individuals must navigate as people of faith.
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In this conversation, Dr. James C. Howell, Senior Pastor of Myers Park UMC in Charlotte, N.C., talks with Rev. Dr. Jonathan Page, VAUMC DCM for Innovation & Creativity, on the things Christians can be unified on and considering the soul of The United States.
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New church building consecrated in NOVA
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New Life International at St. Andrews UMC celebrated the consecration of new church building in Alexandria, Va.
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In a joyous and spiritually uplifting ceremony, New Life International at St. Andrews UMC officially consecrated its new church building. The event was a testament to the faith, dedication, and perseverance of the congregation, who have worked tirelessly to make their vision of a new worship space a reality.
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Re-watch Soul Feast webinar
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Bishop Sue and Martha Stokes, conference lay leader, invite the Virginia Conference to explore spiritual disciplines from September 2024 to June 2025. The book, Soul Feast, by Marjorie J. Thompson will help guide this initiative with a different spiritual practice focus each month. On the first Monday of each month, there will be a live webinar to discuss the next spiritual discipline and suggested resources will also be shared.
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Re-watch the first webinar and Read Chapter 2 of the book in anticipation of the next webinar on Monday, Oct. 7.
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Open enrollment begins Oct. 7
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Open Enrollment for 2025 Benefit Plan Elections will begin on Monday, October 7 and end on Thursday, October 31.
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Open Enrollment is the annual period when all benefits eligible Virginia Conference clergy and lay employees can enroll in or make changes to their benefit plan elections for 2025. As a reminder, health plan eligibility is available to full-time active clergy serving at churches and certain approved ministries and full-time lay employees of churches serving as plan sponsors.
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The Health Plan Administrator can be reached directly at 804-521-1131 or [email protected].
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Subscribe to VAUMC communications
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Individuals can opt in to curated email subscriptions from VAUMC Communications.
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Offerings are:
• Obituaries (sent out as they are received by the Communications Office)
• Local Church events (sent out biweekly)
• Jobs (sent out biweekly)
• The Top Five (Every Thursday, this is a news wrap up to give clergy and laity the tops five news items going into the weekend
• Advocate newsletter (sent every Tuesday featuring Virginia UM and denominational news, grants, connection and educational opportunities)
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Public Notice Board
Have questions to crowd-source or looking for something? Find announcements or send in a posting to share conference-wide. Learn more...
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