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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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VAUMC looks for Director of Intersectional Justice & Equity
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The Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church is hiring for a Director of Intersectional Justice and Equity. “As individuals and as an Annual Conference, we are called to be made perfect in love,” Rev. Amanda Miller Garber, Director of Missional and Community Engagement, said. “I believe this individual and this new position is a significant part of the journey toward becoming an Annual Conference that is more just, equitable, and more fully reflects the wonder of God’s love.” Learn more...
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Foundation Announces Staffing Changes
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The Virginia United Methodist Foundation (VAUMF) is pleased to announce two staffing changes in the office. The Rev. Chris Allen of Tampa, Fla., will start March 31, 2025, in the new role of Vice President of Lending and Investments.
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Courtney Howell is also promoted to Vice President of Operations.
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Conference Center makes changes to mailing address
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The Virginia Conference Center will be discontinuing its post office boxes and having mail sent and forwarded directly to the physical address (10330 Staples Mill Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060) effective immediately.
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If you need to direct mail to the conference center, please use the suite numbers below and make use of “ATTN” on your envelope to denote the individual or office to whom your correspondence should be directed.
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VA Annual Conference of the UMC – Suite 100
VA United Methodist Pensions, Inc. – Suite 260
VA United Methodist Foundation/VA United Methodist Development Co – Suite 300
Three Notch’d District of the UMC – Suite 250
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Featured Event: Annual Conference
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Save your Display Area space now
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Please complete the Display application in its entirety if you wish to have a display space at the Annual Conference in Roanoke, Virginia. If approved, after the registration deadline of May 1, you will receive additional information regarding set up times, take down times, and location of your station. Should you have any questions in the meantime, please email [email protected]. Learn more...
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Housing, Childcare registrations 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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Registration ends tonight! 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 institutions hear 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 injustice get to know others searching to figure out new ways to respond leave with practical ways to respond in your committees, and collaborations and community response.
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Extension Ministry Gathering postponed
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The Extension Ministry Gathering with Bishop Sue is postponed due to low numbers; this was originally planned for March 20, 2025. Stay tuned for more information.
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Celebrate Women's History Month by Donating to the Servant Sisters Scholarship Fund
All Virginia UMC congregations are called to support women in ministry, and in 2018 The Servant Sister Scholarship Fund was established to offer scholarships to women answering the call to ministry who are enrolled in an accredited theological program. The Servant Sister Scholarship Fund has a board of directors composed of clergy women, active and retired, ordained elders, deacons and licensed local pastors. The information for the Servant Sister Scholarship is found here on the VAUMC website. Please feel free to share the application information with women you know who would benefit from scholarship support. The link for the application process is found here.
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During the month of March, to celebrate Women’s History Month, we are inviting you to become part of supporting women enrolled in seminary through donating to the Servant Sister Scholarship Fund. Is there a clergy woman who has inspired your faith journey, someone you would like to honor, or to remember, with your donation? You can go to the United Methodist Foundation page here to designate your electronic donation. Checks can be made payable to the United Methodist Foundation with a notation for the Servant Sister Scholarship Fund.
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Join seminar on stewardship campaign model for small, mid-size churches
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The Rev. Burt Brooks, Director of Stewardship at The United Methodist Credit Union, is offering a seminar on Fall 2025 Annual Stewardship Campaign Model for Small and Mid-size Churches on March 11, 2025 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
This working seminar will give pastors, leaders, and staff of small and mid-size churches an easy-to-follow template for a November 2025 annual stewardship campaign. This is a hands-on session with worksheets and resources supplied upon registration.
Registration is free of charge to participants.
Learn more...
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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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VWU hosts series of events in honor of Women’s History Month
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In recognition of Women's History Month and International Women's Day, Virginia Wesleyan University will host a series of special events throughout the month of March. These activities are intended to raise awareness and celebrate the important contributions of women throughout history and in modern society. 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 UMCOR Sunday on March 30
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Individuals and congregations are encouraged to support The United Methodist Church’s collective relief work by giving to the UMCOR Sunday offering. Gifts given on UMCOR Sunday, March 30 this year, help strengthen the church’s global humanitarian response by underwriting the administrative costs of the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Learn More...
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Resources
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Celebrate Women's History Month
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March is Women’s History Month! Visit the Women of The UMC page for articles, videos, podcasts and other resources honoring the contributions of Methodist women throughout history. Check back throughout the month for new content. Learn more...
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Join Lent Photo-a-Day
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Do you generally give something up during Lent? Would you consider adding in a practice?
Lent, the season of the Christian Year that is typically observed as a time of simple living, prayer and fasting leading up to Easter, begins on tomorrow on Ash Wednesday (March 5, 2025).
Will you join this photo-a-day challenge and share with the community how you perceive each word of the day? No explanation needed. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words.
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In years past, The UMC has posted the day's word each day on social media. As you're posting each day, you may want to mention that your participating in this daily challenge and invite others to join in! Tag us teh UMC your Instagram, Facebook or TikTok with #LentPhotoADay
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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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