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December 2024 * Volume 25, Issue 4
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Editor's Message by Jon Simons
Anticipation
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Do you remember as a child the anticipation and joy of Christmas? Did you wake up early and wait for Santa to deliver presents under the tree? Were you eager and ready for Christmas?
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Traditionally, the first weeks of Advent focus on the anticipation of Christ’s Second Coming. Will we be ready and anticipate Christ’s return?
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Daniel foresaw Christ’s coming:
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As I watched in the night visions,
I saw one like a son of man,
coming with the clouds of heaven.
And he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him. (Daniel 7:13)
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“But in those days, following that distress,
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’
At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.”
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Michelangelo’s
Last Judgment
Sistine Chapel, Rome
1536-1541
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In Acts, Luke describes Jesus’ ascension.
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When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11)
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Paul wrote the Thessalonians about the coming Day of the Lord.
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“Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night… Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2, 11)
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How do we as men of the Virginia Conference encourage each other and anticipate Christ’s coming both this Christmas and at the Day of the Lord? In October, the Cabinet of the Virginia Conference UMM approved objectives and goals for 2024 – 2026. I encourage you to pray for and join us in building each other up in the years ahead.
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1. Encourage Individual Spiritual Development
Promote and encourage the formation of small transformational groups for study, support, accountability, and fellowship.
2. Ministry partnership with Conference clergy and lay leader
Develop an ongoing prayer group which prays for our Bishop, Conference Lay Leader, and all clergy within the VA Conference.
3. Improve race relations
Promote awareness of the Healing Circles and other race related programs.
4. Engage with campus ministries and younger men
Identify campus ministries, their pastors, and Wesleyan groups within each district.
5. Embrace Scouting
Promote the value of scouting within each district of the Conference.
6. Advocate for environmental issues and creation care
Promote and support the Society of St. Andrew’s ministry. Promote avoidance of waste of any kind including gas, water, electricity, food, etc.
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Anticipation. Christmas is coming.
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Jon Simons
Editor, The BEACON
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Help Heart Havens This Christmas
Unexpected Costs at Post Oak
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This Giving Tuesday, December 3, get your holiday season started by giving back to individuals with a developmental disability. Together, we can overcome this challenge and strengthen our community.
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Heart Havens needs your support to cover unexpected costs at the Post Oak Virginia Beach home. An ongoing but intermittent leak turned into a deeper issue. After visits from several leak detector experts, the plumbing issue was found. Ultimately, two bathrooms had to be replumbed below the house's concrete foundation, the bathrooms retiled and damaged flooring replaced. This project was both unexpected and very costly - over $75,000. Without delay, this work was approved by Heart Havens because we believe that our residents, adults with a developmental disability, deserve to have a safe and comfortable home.
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Hearts Havens has a challenge to unlock a matching grant of $2,000 toward this need thanks to several generous sponsors.
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Please support Heart Havens on Giving Tuesday.
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Would you or your men’s fellowship sponsor a resident or Heart Havens home for Christmas? Heart Havens takes pride in providing a joyful holiday for all residents. There are people in Heart Havens homes who would not otherwise receive gifts. Your donation of $125 will sponsor a resident and $500 will sponsor a home. Donations allow the staff closest to the resident to shop for items they will love, giving joy to both our residents and staff.
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Please note "Resident Christmas Gifts" on your check, or donate online and select “Apply My Donation to – Resident Christmas Gifts.”
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Heart Havens
7501 Boulders View Dr, Suite 205
Richmond, VA 23225
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Find Your Why
National Gathering is July 30 - August 3, 2025
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New Men's Ministry App
Download the App for Christmas
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Words to Live By
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Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Born thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to thy glorious throne.
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Charles Wesley, 1744
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
United Methodist Hymnal, Copyright 1989, #196
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In continued efforts to fulfill the Virginia Conference goal of having Connectional Ministries become a greater resource to districts, laity and clergy, United Methodist Men are now partnered with Virginia UM clergy. Clergy, you are receiving the Beacon newsletter as part of your Virginia Conference connection.
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