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To submit news items, stories, or corrections for inclusion in the newsletter, email the conference Communications Office at [email protected].
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Top Story
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Send in resolutions for Annual Conference 2025
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The Resolutions Committee invites conference boards and agencies, clergy and lay members of the annual conference, and local church laity to submit resolutions for the 2025 session.
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A vote of the 2023 session of the Virginia Annual Conference reinstated resolutions as part of the business which comes before the conference each year. The 2024 session approved the rules governing the submission, process, and debate of resolutions, and elected members to serve on the Resolutions Committee. The committee’s role is to shepherd resolutions through the process, ensuring that they meet the criteria outlined in the conference’s Standing Rules, that they go before appropriate boards and agencies, and that they are duly scheduled for debate in the agenda for the annual conference session.
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The deadline for submissions, in final form, is January 31, 2025. Learn more...
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An Update to AC 2024 Action
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At the Virginia Annual Conference 2024 in Hampton, Va. a motion was made and approved by the body of the Annual Conference for a Commission of Truth Telling and Reconciliation to be formed during 2024-2025 in order to listen to stories of harm and move in creative modes of reconciliation toward LGBTQ+ persons.
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In response to this Annual Conference action, Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson has designated the Rev. Mark Ogren, VAUMC retired elder, to lead this effort. The Rev. Dr. Gary Mason, Methodist minister and the Executive Director of Rethinking Conflict, will act as consultant to this effort.
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Church provides greater accessibility for older adults
DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES--Discover how one local church is making a big difference in their community, uplifting the spirits and lives of older adults through increased accessibility. 💒🌟
Learn More...
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Virginia Wesleyan, Shenandoah University among nation's top green colleges
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The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: 2025 Edition ranked the Top 50 Green Colleges, plus reported sustainability information from a total of 511 schools. From solar-powered dorms to clean energy career prep, find out the different ways campus life is going green. Two of VAUMC's affiliated institutions, Virginia Wesleyan University and Shenandoah University, were named. Learn more...
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"Voting While Christian" conversation focuses on community organizing
In the next conversation of the series of "Voting While Christian," Rev. Jo Ann Batteiger talks with representatives from RISC, Emily Small, RISC lead organizer, and Pastor Marvin Gilliam, co-president of RISC, to talk about community organizing.
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Church member lived his life helping others
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Harry Hopkins was the kind of person who was always reaching out to help someone. The longtime member of First United Methodist Church Orlando started volunteering two years ago with the Florida Conference’s emergency response team. He died last week while clearing debris from Hurricane Milton. Learn More...
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Is The UMC involved in politics?
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United Methodists have a long history of political involvement from the time of John Wesley to the present day. Now is a good time to remind ourselves of that heritage and what the church can and cannot do as elections approach. Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, looks at the denomination’s stances on political involvement. Learn More...
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Mission Opportunities
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How to help post-Hurricane Helene, Milton
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UMCOR Cleaning (Flood) Buckets
The second round of bucket collection at the VAUMC Conference Center will happen on Friday, November 1 at 12 p.m. Our districts will work to collect buckets from their designated drop off sites and bring them down to Glen Allen to be blessed, packed, and sent on their way to serve those most in need.
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Early Response Team Training
For those who have never been Early Response Team trained or if one's Early Response Team Certification has expired. The following training opportunities are being shared:
*Note: 1 CEU will be given to clergy who complete ERT training
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UMVIM Team Leader Training
This training is for long-term disaster recovery work, after Emergency Personnel and Early Response Teams have come in and done their triaging and stabilizing work. If you are interested in Early Response Team training, please contact Rev. Jo Ann Batteiger at [email protected].
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- Saturday, November 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Raleigh Court UMC (1706 Grandin Road SW, Roanoke, VA 24015).
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 Kip Robinson, Lead Trainer VAUMC, Rev. Jo Ann Batteiger, Assistant Director of Missional Engagement, along with support and shared lessons learned from other certified/experienced team leaders. 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, October 25, 2024. The link to register and pay online can be found here.
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Once you have registered, an online training manual will be provided via email; however, if you desire a printed copy, please print and bring it with you in whatever format you prefer. Additionally, please 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.
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Other VAUMC Communications Channels
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Public Notice Board
Clergy and laity can crowdsource for ideas and resources within the connection through the Public Notice Board. Find the newest notices and share your question or find past queries at the conference website.
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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