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TOP FIVE
for
[October 24, 2024]
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VAUMC ERT aids in hurricane recovery efforts
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The first Early Response Team (ERT) from the Virginia Conference began their work this week in western North Carolina. The team leader of 6 team members ( 5 from Floris UMC and one person from Haymarket Church) are doing work that includes flooring work, working at a devastated UMC church, delivering essential supplies, and moving storm debris .
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The Rev. Gina Anderson-Cloud, lead pastor of Floris UMC, shared this reflection in part, "The resilience we've witnessed is truly remarkable, but the trauma is real and lasting. As media attention fades, there's a growing fear of being forgotten. These communities need our continued prayers and support. The road to recovery is long, but together, with Christ, we can make a difference. Every act of kindness, no matter how small, brings hope to those who need it most."
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The next ERT team is scheduled for work for November 11 and will have 8 members.
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Pace Center awarded EarthKeepers grant of $10,000 from UMCOR
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The Pace Center at VCU was awarded a EarthKeepers grant of $10,000 from UMCOR. This grant will support the Highland Support Project (HSP), an Advance Special #5007 of the Virginia Conference, on their endeavor called Revival Grounds: Healing Communities and Nature's Sanctuary through its Deep Ecology Education Program (DEEP).
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The proposed initiative will engage youth and young adults within the conference and will bridge class and ethnic divides through "rewilding projects" focused on ecological renewal. These projects provide hands-on experiences that nurture a sense of stewardship for God's creation. By promoting sustainable interactions with nature, this initiative will empower youth to contribute significantly to their communities' environmental health.
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VAUMC to visit Wesley Theological Seminary
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Representatives from the Virginia Conference will visit Wesley Theological Seminary on Tuesday, November 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 pm. Students can sign up to meet with the group using this link below. If you know a student at Wesley, please share this information with them. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Dr. Jason Stanley, the Director of Call and Candidacy, at [email protected].
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Upcoming webinar focuses on persons with dementia, caregivers
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Discipleship Ministries will be hosting a webinar on respite and other opportunities to support persons living with dementia and their caregivers.
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Open enrollment ends Oct. 31
Open Enrollment for 2025 Benefit Plan Elections is in its final week and will end on Thursday, October 31.
This 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. 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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