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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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NOTICE
In observance of the Christmas and New Year's holidays, all newsletters, including the Advocate and Top 5, will not be released after Dec. 20 until the New Year.
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Top Story
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Confronting hate: What do you wear?
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UM NEWS COMMENTARY--Engaging with a group of neo-Nazis showed how fear, the need for belonging and misinformation about Christianity had forged a dangerous bond. The neo-Nazis’ fear of others is driven in part by the belief that white people are targeted for extinction. Guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus helps us respond to hate appropriately and de-escalate tense situations. Read More...
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Resources
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2025 Revised Common Lectionary
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For churches and worship teams who follow the lectionary, 📖 this resource gathers all those readings for the calendar year 2025 into one handy two-page document for weekly and longer-term worship planning. Learn More...
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Learn more about GraceInside
As is the case for most incarcerated men and women, Christmas usually brought more pain and loneliness than joy for Marcus. He sat in a prison cell, far away from “HOME” – separated from his family and friends. He struggled with guilt over the bad choices he had made and the bad things he had done. Did even his wife and kids care about him anymore? Surely even God couldn’t forgive him. He felt alone and hopeless. But then he met Chaplain Dave, and soon everything in his life would change completely. Hear Marcus's story...
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GraceInside is a ministry that has 33 caring chaplains, serving in all 40 Virginia state prisons, ministering to 24,000 incarcerated men and women – people just like Marcus. This is a ministry that the VAUMC supports.
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This Christmas, would you reach out and help us offer love, grace and hope to those that Jesus listed as being among the forgotten – among “the least of these”? Donate now...
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UnDue Medical Debt campaign formally closes
Rev. Amanda Miller Garber, Missional & Community Engagement, gave a conference-wide video update on the UnDue Medical Debt Campaign.
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This giving campaign began with Annual Conference 2024 as one half of the Annual Conference offering to address the millions of dollars of medical debt impacting Virginians across the Commonwealth.
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VAUMC members are still highly encouraged to give but the campaign is now formally ending with the beginning of Advent and Christmas seasons in recognition of the many causes United Methodists may want to support as well.
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Together, the VAUMC raised $86,500 toward the campaign. Thank you, VAUMC, for your generosity in addressing this real issue facing some many Virginians.
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Learn about LEAD (HER): Empowering female clergy conference
A new conference for women in Pastoral Leadership is now available. Women face unique challenges and opportunities as leaders in the church. Join other women dedicated to addressing those challenges head-on while celebrating the invaluable gifts women bring to the table. Hear inspiring leaders share their stories, while equipping you for the complexities of leadership in the church today. Deepen your skills through practical breakout sessions on setting boundaries, navigating conflict, balancing competing values, and more. Discover a supportive network of fellow clergywomen and forge lasting friendships in a safe space marked by diversity and inclusivity.
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Tuesday, April 29, 2025 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 | 9:00 am – 11:45 am
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Resurrection UMC, Leawood, Kansas
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SEJ Disaster Academy register today
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The Southeastern Jurisdiction (SEJ) faced a challenging 2024, with numerous hurricanes, floods, fires, tornadoes, and other disasters affecting our communities. These events highlighted the critical need for preparedness, collaboration, and effective response strategies.
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We are excited to invite you to the 2025 SEJ Disaster Academy, taking place January 9–12, 2025, in Fruitland Park, Florida. This event will strengthen our network and equip us with the tools and training needed to meet future challenges head-on.
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The SEJ Disaster Academy offers resources and sessions for everyone in disaster recovery, whether you are a seasoned professional or new to this vital work. Sessions include:
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Foundations for Disaster Ministry
Cultural Sensitivity in Disaster Response
Connecting Neighbors
ERT 200 Courses
And many more!
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We understand that financial barriers can limit participation. Scholarships are available, so please indicate on the registration form if you need assistance. Additionally, there is an option to contribute to the scholarship fund if you’d like to help others attend.
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Register for UM Day
United Methodists advocate for neighbors by meeting with their representatives! We learn about issues that are facing people all across the commonwealth. We connect with each other, meeting friends old and new! We celebrate our United Methodist faith that values justice, advocacy, and compassion.
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Registration for UM Day closes on January 17, 2025
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- Early Bird Registrations valid through December 20, 2024 - $25
- Regular Registration closes on January 17, 2025 - $35
- Student Registration - $10
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If you have any questions about this event, please contact Heather Wray at [email protected].
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Join NoVa District Training Day on Jan. 11
The Northern Virginia District is excited to partner with the Mountain View, Three Notch'd, and Valley Ridge Districts to provide an incredible training opportunity for the Virginia Conference's laity and clergy. Training Day will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 8 different locations across the conference.
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Our own Bishop Sue is one of the keynote speakers as we explore the theme: Go! Make Disciples! Transform the World. She will be joined by Bishop Kenneth H. Carter, Jr. (Charlotte Episcopal Area) as well as Michael Beck (Director of Fresh Expressions for The United Methodist Church) to provide Keynote presentations designed to equip, encourage, and empower you for ministry.
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There are three ways to participate in Training Day: In Person, Satellite, and Virtual. Registration is OPEN and tickets are going fast. Be sure to get yours today! Learn more and register at https://2025.novatrainingday.com/
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Behind the work at Agriculture Center in Zambia
GLOBAL MINISTIRES--Temba Nkomozepi, from Zimbabwe, is an agriculturalist with Mujila Falls Agriculture Center in Kanyama, Zambia.
Working alongside staff at the Center, Temba ministers to children, youth and young adults through education, vocational training and farming practices. In this small community, the Center is providing hope and stability to future generations.
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Human Relations Day resources
On the Sunday before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, United Methodist congregations celebrate and take up a special offering for Human Relations Day to help bring Dr. King’s vision of a “beloved community” to life. We invite you to explore the complete set of ready-to-use resources designed to help your church celebrate Human Relations Day. These materials highlight how we give, why we give, and the impact of our connectional efforts.
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United Methodist Church welcomes two bishops from West Africa
COUNCIL OF BISHOPS--The Council of Bishops (COB) of The United Methodist Church is welcoming two new bishops who were elected on Saturday, December 7, 2024, during the West Africa Central Conference session held in Accra, Ghana.
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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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