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TOP FIVE
for
[October 31, 2024]
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VAUMC called to prayer amidst presidential election
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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.
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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).
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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...
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This will be a space for prayer, rest, processing, and community during this election season.
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Soul Feast continues
on Nov. 4
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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.
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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.
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Start this initiative as a solo journey or join a companion for the journey starting this September.
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The second webinar will be held on Monday, Nov. 4 at 6:30 p.m.
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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.
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"Voting While Christian" conversation focuses on advocacy
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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."
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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.
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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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