|
|
To submit news items, stories, or corrections for inclusion in the newsletter, email the conference Communications Office at [email protected].
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top Story
|
VAUMC called to prayer amidst presidential election
|
In preparation for election day, Bishop Sue, the Cabinet, and all the conference leadership invite the VAUMC clergy and laity into a rhythm and posture of prayer now through election day on Tuesday, November 5.
|
Together, each day, at 8 a.m., noon, 6 p.m., and 10 p.m., we will pray the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (found below).
|
All are also invited to join Bishop Sue and Conference Lay Leader Martha Stokes for a 30-minute Vespers Service of Prayer at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6. Register now...
|
This will be a space for prayer, rest, processing, and community during this election season.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Soul Feast continues on Nov. 4
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. The webinars will be available with Korean and Spanish subtitles for later viewing.
|
Start this initiative as a solo journey or join a companion for the journey starting this September.
|
|
The second webinar will be held on Monday, Nov. 4 at 6:30 p.m.
|
|
"Voting While Christian" conversation focuses on advocacy
Advocacy and justice are central to our life of faith as United Methodists and as Christians whether or not it is an election year. As we continue to prepare for the upcoming election and beyond, VAUMC's Assistant Director of Missional and Community Engagement, Rev. Jo Ann Batteiger sat down for a conversation with Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook, Co-Executive Director of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy and Rev. Katie Gooch, Director of the Pace Center Campus Ministry at VCU and co-chair of VAUMC's Conference Legislative Network to do a deeper dive into the historical role of advocacy through the lens of faith, and consider what the next faithful step that individuals and faith communities can take to fully live into their calling as justice-centered people. This is the next conversation of the series of "Voting While Christian."
|
|
|
|
|
|
An Update to AC 2024 Action
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Global Ministries, Higher Ed focus on hope amid change
The joint board meeting of United Methodist Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry was jam-packed with changes coming as the two agencies look to combine efforts and become more efficient.
Learn More...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topics for Training
|
Conference staff are available on a number of topics by district or local church request.
|
|
Send in resolutions for Annual Conference 2025
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
The deadline for submissions, in final form, is January 31, 2025. Learn more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Why do we observe All Saints Day?
|
Observed every year on November 1, All Saints Day is a time when we pause to reflect on our history, remember the people who have influenced our faith and consider how we might strive to become a saint ourselves. Share this 60-second video and other resources in worship and on social media to help your congregation discover the meaning of and traditions about this sacred day in the Christian calendar.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mission Opportunities
|
How to help post-Hurricane Helene, Milton
|
|
|
|
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. 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.
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
Other VAUMC Communications Channels
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Please send in questions you have that you would like to find answers to: [email protected].
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
