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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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Worldwide Regionalization & Ratification webinar
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Learn how regionalization impacts the U.S. church, the ratification process, and ways to advocate for the church’s future. Register for event...
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Featured Events
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Feb. 24: Zoom Prayer event for Ukraine
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Blacksburg UMC is hosting a Zoom prayer gathering prayer with followers, friends, and partners of the Ukraine UMC on February 24, the third anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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You can join at 12 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time/7 p.m. Kyiv Time). There is no registration required to attend. Join Prayer Gathering...
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April 5: UMVIM Team Leader Training Event
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There will be a United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) Team Leader Training on Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fairlington UMC, 3900 King St, Alexandria, VA 22302.
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This training is for individuals who have attended at least one UMVIM trip and who are ready to take a deeper dive into servant leadership and leading UMVIM teams. This training will be led in collaboration with Tim Wells, VAUMC UMVIM trainer, Allan Ballenger, VAUMC UMVIM trainer and Rev. Jo Ann Batteiger, Assistant Director of Missional Engagement.
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Check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m. with light refreshments available, and the class will begin promptly at 9 a.m. with breaks in between. Registration for the class is $20, and lunch will be provided. The deadline to register is Friday, March 28, 2025.
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Once you have registered, an online training manual is available. If you desire a printed copy, we ask that you print and bring it with you in whatever format you prefer.
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For further questions, please contact Tim Wells by email or phone, 703-517-0183.
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Annual Conference 2025 Housing, childcare registration now open
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Housing registration and childcare registration is now available for 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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EarthKeepers spring training now open
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Global Ministries EarthKeepers is a training and incubator program that provides a collaborative space for United Methodists to develop and grow environmental projects in their communities. Topics include eco-theology, antiracism, community organizing, and project planning. All participants plan a project during the training.
There is an online Spring Training: May 2-17, 2025. Deadline to apply is March 14, 2025. Details and Application are available...
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Learn about ongoing UMM initiatives
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Learn about the ongoing work and support from Virginia United Methodist Men in the most recent edition of their Beacon newsletter. Learn more...
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VWU hosts author and social justice advocate
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In honor of Black History Month, Virginia Wesleyan University’s Robert Nusbaum Center hosted acclaimed author and social justice advocate Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, who presented a thought-provoking lecture on his latest book, “White Poverty: How Exposing Myths About Race and Class Can Reconstruct American Democracy.” Learn more...
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CDT enters into session of listening, discernment
Members of the Virginia Conference Church Development Team (CDT) engaged in a time of holy conversation and decided to enter into a season of intentional listening and discernment at a meeting on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
Since 2008, CDT’s purpose has been rooted in a mandate known as “All Things New.” Clearly, many things have changed in our church and world since 2008; thus, CDT seeks to more fully understand its unique calling at this point in our VAUMC story. CDT believes that its next faithful step involves pausing and listening to persons throughout the VAUMC connection, persons in our communities and, most importantly, the Holy Spirit. This season of intentional listening and discernment will begin on April 1, 2025.
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CDT will accept New Faith Community, Leadership and Fresh Expressions grant applications through March 1, 2025.
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After March 1, 2025, CDT will not receive any new grant applications until this season of listening and discernment has been concluded. CDT will honor all preexisting grant and financial commitments as we engage in this season of listening and discernment.
While we are not sure what the Holy Spirit may reveal during this upcoming season, we trust that we will be called toward the holy task of supporting those who are passionate about creating new communities for new people, all for Jesus, and for the transformation of the world.
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If you have any questions about this season of listening and discernment, please contact Stephanie Kimec Parker, CDT Chairperson, or Amanda Miller Garber, the VAUMC Church Developer and Conference staff support for CDT.
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Save the Date for VAUMC Climate Summit -Mar. 8
You may not know this, VAUMC members, but you are essential through your words and actions in the Church's witness of Creation Care.
At the 2024 Virginia Annual Conference, the members passed the "Conference Net Zero by 2050 resolution."
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The VAUMC Board of Church & Society invites you to the VAUMC Climate Summit on Saturday, March 8, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Randolph-Macon College.
At this Summit,:learn why you are key in our VAUMC response to Creation and Racial Justice, and Sustainability as a church and as institutionshear from keynote speaker Michele Roberts, a scientist turned environmental justice activist who helps religious groups and people of color around the country defend the planet against environmental and racial injusticeget to know others searching to figure out new ways to respondleave with practical ways to respond in your committees, and collaborations and community response.
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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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Learn more about Clergy Group Spiritual Direction
Clergy of the Virginia United Methodist Annual Conference--How is it with your soul?
It is hard to be a giver and we are grateful for the many ways you share God’s love with your families, your congregations and communities. We wish to provide some love and support for you by offering a place where you can share deeply to remember and renew the Love of God that calls and guides you in your ministry.
To that end these spiritual directors are called to offer you a safe space for spiritual direction in a group format. Learn more...
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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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Resources for Leaders
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Reads for Black History Month
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Looking for meaningful reads for your church community? This Black History Month book list from General Commission on Religion & Race offers powerful stories and insights to guide faithful learning and action. View list...
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Lenten refreshers for your congregation
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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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UMCOR Sunday is March 20
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Celebrating UMCOR Sunday on March 20 Find liturgical resources, promotional images, pew cards and more on Resource UMC's pastor and leader kit page. UMCOR’s impact is global: from disaster relief to environmental sustainability, refugee assistance, and more. 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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