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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 Stories
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Church constitutional amendments head to vote
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This year, United Methodist annual conference members will vote on amendments up for inclusion in the denomination’s constitution. The amendments deal with regionalization, church membership, racism and clergy-delegate elections. To be ratified, these amendments need the support of at least two-thirds of all annual conference voters around the globe. Learn more...
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February is Black History Month
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February is Black History Month—a time to celebrate and reflect on the historic contributions of African Americans to our society. The General Commission on Religion and Race has compiled a thoughtful list of ways non-Black congregations can respectfully incorporate Black History Month into their worship, outreach and witness.
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February is Heart Havens Month
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In the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church, February is Heart Havens Month, a time to share our message of empowerment for adults with disabilities. If you're interested in scheduling a speaker for your church or church group, please contact Heart Havens by using this form. Also, check out resources for planning .
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Featured Event
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Clergy Day Apart
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Hope is Here: A Day of Spiritual Renewal
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Shady Grove United Methodist (Mechanicsville)
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Do you feel overwhelmed and stressed by all the things? Does your heart break for those who are suffering due to injustice and oppression, in whatever forms they take? Are you concerned about the planet and those impacted by natural disasters? Do you need a reminder that hope is here?
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All clergy are invited to join us for a day of hope and spiritual renewal, engage in spiritual practices, and learn from Dr. Luther Smith. This unique event, coordinated by the Spiritual Formation team of the Board of Ordained Ministry, is a time for clergy to set aside all anxieties, stress, and concerns and to be present in the Hope of Jesus Christ. Learn More...
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Posts for this week
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Immigration resource shared with local churches
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The VAUMC shared an interim guidance on immigration enforcement issues document crafted by the Western North Carolina Conference (WNC) of The United Methodist Church as a resource for local churches in Virginia. The VAUMC leadership thanks our colleagues in Western North Carolina for their diligent efforts to create this . A few minor edits have been made to the original WNC document to reflect contextual realities in Virginia.
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Bishop Sue shares pastoral letter
Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson shared a pastoral letter with the VAUMC clergy and laity on January 30.
She said in part, "I imagine many of us today in the U.S. feel or know that members of our communities are experiencing great uncertainty, fear, anger, anxiety, and the sense of being overwhelmed in light of the many executive orders from President Trump and suggested next steps from the Trump Administration.
As United Methodists in the commonwealth of Virginia, we represent the political spectrum from Independent, to Republican, to Democrat. What we are first, however, is Christians.
Disciples of Jesus Christ. People changed by the Gospel. People seeking to reflect the light of Christ in all we say and do. In this transition time in the U.S. let us be sure that we see each other."
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Annual Conference 2025 information shared
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Rev. Dr. Jonathan Page, conference Director of Innovation & Creativity, shared a video preview with information about Annual Conference 2025 to be held at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, VA from June 11-14. Highlights from the video include: important dates, conference teachers and preachers, and more. Learn more...
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Korean, Spanish versions of Discipline halted
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UM NEWS--The United Methodist Publishing House has decided to discontinue Korean and Spanish translations of the Book of Discipline unless alternative funding and distribution methods can be found. Korean and Hispanic/Latino leaders are voicing concern about the decision and its potential impact, saying it undermines the denomination’s efforts to be a global church. The Publishing House is inviting proposals for alternative solutions by Feb. 28. Learn more...
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Change announced to Active Clergy Health Benefit
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Beginning January 1, 2026, the Virginia Conference will change how the Conference-sponsored health benefits for active clergy are funded. Currently, the majority of the funding for the active clergy health benefits comes from an apportionment. In 2026, the apportionment will be replaced by a flat amount that will be directly billed to churches for each health-plan eligible clergyperson. Local church leadership who have questions should first use the calculation tool below to assess what this change will mean for their own church. Any further questions may be directed to your District Superintendent. View video and calculation tool...
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Hatching Faith- January 2025 update
The Lilly Endowment Inc., through The Endowment’s Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative, awarded the Virginia Conference a $1.25 million grant in October 2024 to support a project called Hatching Faith. This project is a cohort-based model that invites and equips teams from local churches to experiment with ways to include children (grades 5 and under) more fully in congregational worship. The teams must include pastoral leadership, volunteer or paid children’s ministry leader(s), and at least one family with children, with the children as an integral part of each team.
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Each 12 month Hatching Faith Cohort will experience three phases:
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• In the Nesting phase, churches will assess their current culture, including their openness to experimentation, using the Innovation Culture Index created by the Center for Youth Ministry Training. Churches whose assessments indicate they are ready to begin the process will send teams to a training event where they will experience creative models for including children in worship, and learn from experts. Then, with the support of funding, monthly coaching, and quarterly cohort gatherings, the local church teams will begin to experiment in their local congregations.
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• In the Hatching phase, churches will identify the best results of their experimentation and begin to integrate them more fully into their congregational life.
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• In the Nurturing phase, churches will continue to develop and embed these practices into their congregational life.
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In addition to training coaching, each cohort will have the support of a part-time Hatching Faith Cohort Coordinator, whose position is funded by the grant. The conference is pleased to announce that Rev. Jennifer Dickison Coffey will serve as the first coordinator. Jennifer serves part-time on the Mountain View District as Connecting Ministries Coordinator, and will add this new role alongside her current district work. As the number of cohorts increases over the next few years, the conference plans to hire two additional Cohort Coordinators to ensure that each cohort receives full support.
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The goal is to include at least 100 churches in cohorts over the next 5 years. In 2025, with input from the Cabinet, a group of specific churches will be invited to begin the nesting phase, so that we can be attentive to including churches of all sizes, levels of diversity, and children’s ministry needs from across our conference. The first cohort provides us with an opportunity to more fully develop and hone the process so we are ready to open applications more broadly by fall of 2025 for churches that would like to join the second and third cohorts that kick off in 2026.
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“We are excited to be working with Jennifer to organize the first training and to get the process underway,” Dwayne Stinson, conference Director of Discipleship and Congregational Vitality said.
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Information about the application process for 2026 cohorts will be coming later in 2025. For more information, contact Hannah Bryn ([email protected]).
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Send in nominations for Harry Denman, One Matters awards
The Virginia Annual Conference is now accepting nominations for The Harry Denman Evangelism Award for Clergy, Laity and Youth.
The Harry Denman Evangelism Award recognizes a person whose life and ministry exemplifies the teaching of Christ and the Great Commission. Recipients of these awards, nominated by their local church and selected by the Annual Conference, live their call to “Offer Them Christ” daily as modeled by Dr. Harry Denman, founder of The Foundation for Evangelism that sponsors these awards.
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The Virginia Annual Conference Board of Discipleship is accepting applications for the “One Matters Discipleship Award.” This award will be given to a church with significant improvement of baptisms and professions of faith.
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Learn more about Clergy Group Spiritual Direction
As United Methodist clergy, we often ask others this question easily. But when was the last time someone asked you that question and you felt safe answering?
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- Do you long for a community where you can explore this question for yourself?
- Do you long to walk with others who are seeking a deeper awareness of God’s presence?
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We each desire to see and be seen, know and be known, and love and be loved. But how do we do this, especially in a divided world?
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Group Spiritual Direction can be that space. It offers a safe space to explore, notice, question, share, and listen in company with people who desire similar things. This opportunity is for clergy who would like to grow, engage, and listen deeply in a small group hosted by a Spiritual Director or Companion. Together, we will meet each person in their journey without attempting to fix, judge, or rescue one another. If you desire to deepen your Spiritual life in community, Group Spiritual Direction might be for you. During the next five to six months, Group Spiritual Direction will be offered to VAUMC clergy. Participating in a group requires a deep commitment to one’s spiritual journey and to the other participants. Participants agree to participate wholeheartedly in the group process through consistent attendance, prayerful listening, and holy response to others. To learn more about Group Spiritual Direction contact:
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Save the Date for VAUMC Climate Summit -Mar. 8
Stakeholders in VA Conference UMC, including conference boards & related agencies, districts & churches, to connect & learn why they are key to the VAUMC response to God’s call for Climate & Racial Justice, Sustainability in Climate Change, & The Net Zero by 2050 Resolution.
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Youth are encouraged to join (individually or as a youth group) and will have workshop sessions designed specifically for teens on the theme of faith + science and Creation Care.
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Theme: Thinking & Action: How we as the Virginia United Methodist Church rethinking our understanding & action around Climate change/justice & its intersection with racial justice.
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Support California in disaster relief
UMCOR is communicating with the California-Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church and preparing to support relief and recovery efforts once the fires have been contained. Right now, we encourage you to continue to pray, give, and stay connected as the conference assesses their immediate needs.
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Save the Date: Discernment Day
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Is God nudging you to do more? Do you think God is calling you, but you’re not sure how to answer?
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By virtue of our baptisms, we are all called by God in a myriad of ways – as laity serving in local churches, missionaries serving abroad, meeting the needs of the local community, to the set-apart ministry of the licensed and ordained and so much more.
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March 15, 2025 : Ebenezer UMC, Stafford
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Discernment Day is an opportunity for you to explore your sense of call with others who are discerning. Through prayer practices, age appropriate small groups, and topical discussion groups, you will be provided space to learn more, connect with others, and discern your next steps. Learn more...
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Send in applications for YSF grants
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The VAUMC Youth Council is now accepting applications for grants from The Youth Service Fund (YSF).
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YSF is the national United Methodist mission fund supported by youth. Through YSF, United Methodist teens raise money for other teens doing ministry in their churches and communities impacting poverty, illiteracy, absenteeism and social justice.
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A portion of the funds raised by the youth council each year remains with the conference to support ministry within churches of the annual conference.
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Grants of up to $1500 are available.
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The deadline to apply is March 3, and churches will hear by April 7. Ministries have one year to use the funds. Additional leadership development and training for the youth leading projects that receive grants will be available throughout the year. Learn more...
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Register for mentor training
There will be a mentor training for all current and new candidacy mentors and local pastor mentors on February 11, 2025 at 10 a.m. on Zoom. Register...
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If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Dr. Jason Stanley, the Director for Call & Candidacy, at [email protected].
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GBHEM scholarships available
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) scholarship application portal is open for United Methodist students seeking scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study at colleges, universities and seminaries in the United States. Potential scholarships awarded range from $500 to $1,200, on average. The deadline to complete the application is Monday, March 31, 2025. Email [email protected] for more information. Learn more...
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Resources for Leaders
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Resource on cultural humility
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GCORR--What is cultural humility? It's an ongoing process of self-reflection, respect, and openness to others' lived experiences. Explore this resource...
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Find the right Lenten study or devotional
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Lent is just around the corner, beginning with Ash Wednesday on March 5. Prepare for this sacred season with inspiring new studies and devotionals from Abingdon Press, Upper Room Books and other trusted publishers. Designed for individuals, small groups or entire congregations, these resources feature insights from leading pastors and theologians. Learn more...
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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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