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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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Join SEJ effort in supporting California wildfire recovery
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This Lenten Season, you are invited to join a Southeastern Jurisdiction-wide (SEJ) initiative to support the Western Jurisdiction during the ongoing and future disaster recovery efforts from the California wildfires.
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Historically, the Western Jurisdiction has greatly supported the SEJ in our disaster recovery work.
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This is an opportunity for conferences in the SEJ to join together and show financial and missional care for our friends in the Western Jurisdiction who will be recovering from the wildfires for years to come.
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Giving is available online (please put "SEJ Giving Campaign" in the Memo text field) and through check donations.
To mail in a check, please make out the check to "SEJ Giving Campaign" and mail to:
10330 Staples Mill Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060
VA Annual Conference of the UMC – Suite 100
ATTN: Treasurer's Office
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Please email the Missional & Community Engagement Office for any questions at [email protected].
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Two churches join justice ministry organization
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Asbury UMC and Discovery UMC were recognized at the RISC Rally & Covenant Ceremony on March 3, 2025, as two of the newest RISC Members.
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RISC (Richmonders Involved in Strengthening Communities): is a justice ministry organization made up of 25+ congregations from around the Richmond area (as well as Henrico and Chesterfield) working together to solve critical community problems, including affordable housing, healthy homes and gun violence.
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VT Wesley students serve during spring break
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This week, the North Georgia Conference is hosting students from the Virginia Tech Wesley Foundation as they spend their spring break serving in the Augusta area following Hurricane Helene. The students are working multiple sites doing debris cleanup and recovery work with nearby Marvin UMC serving as their basecamp.
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Their visit is deeply meaningful to the Augusta community. Ryan Clark, a Virginia Tech senior from Augusta was among the 31 lives lost in the Virginia Tech Massacre in 2007. Remembered as a hero, Ryan’s legacy continues through the Ryan Clark Scholarship, established by his family.
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On Tuesday, Ryan Clark’s mother, Letitie Clark, visited with the students, offering encouragement and appreciation. She noted that being with them is a full circle moment. During his time at Virginia Tech, Ryan traveled to Louisiana to volunteer with Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts. Read more and view pictures from North Georgia Conference...
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VAUMC members learn their role in climate justice at Climate Summit
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The VAUMC Board of Church & Society hosted its first Climate Summit this past Saturday. Over 95 people from across the conference gathered at Randolph-Macon College to learn more about our unique role and opportunities in environmental justice as United Methodists.
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One of the most encouraging lessons from this event was the number of different stakeholders who perhaps thought they could not do anything in their role, learned that they absolutely have a role. They learned the importance of using a creation justice lens no matter what the role they serve. The keynote speaker and workshops were well received.
Another aspect of the Climate Summit that was very meaningful for participants was the World Café. The participants sat at tables and answered a series of questions, including “When you have heard these different definitions of environmental justice, and has it changed your thinking? What other voices need to be included?” As the Climate Summit wrap-up continues, follow-up steps and resources will be shared. One of the goals is to have regional and district training opportunities. Learn more…
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Upcoming Events
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Partner Church Joint Study on Prison Justice
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You are invited to a Partner Church Joint study on Prison Justice on Wednesday, March 26, and April 2, 5:30-7:15 p.m., at Reveille UMC (in the fellowship hall). On March 26, Rev. Rodney Hunter will talk about criminal justice reform and the impact mass incarceration has had on people of color. On April 2, Pastor Jay Scruggs will share his experience with the prison system, focusing on the impact prison ministry had on him and how the church can address the impact of mass incarceration and offer support.
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📅 Date: Wednesday, March 26 and April 2
⏰ Time: 5:30-7:15 p.m.
📍 Location: Reveille's Fellowship Hall
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Each evening will begin with dinner at 5:30, followed by the program at 6:15 pm. Learn more...
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Faithfully Embracing Autism featuring Alexandra Jackman
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This special event will feature Alexandra Jackman, a passionate advocate and public speaker, in a TED Talk-style conversation with Shannon White, a local adult with autism and a graduate of Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center. The discussion will be followed by a keynote presentation on how churches, communities, and workplaces can more faithfully embrace and honor individuals with autism.
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At the heart of Alexandra’s message is this powerful belief: people are worth it. As a church, we share that belief and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive community for everyone. This event will offer meaningful insights and practical ways we can continue that mission together.
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Event Details:
📅 Date: Saturday, April 5
⏰ Time: 8 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Calvary Stuarts Draft
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If you need assistance with registration, contact Robin Barge at [email protected] or 540-989-3335.
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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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Banquets, Housing, Childcare registrations now open
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Banquets, Housing, 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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Posts for the week
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Clergy asked to sign letter supporting bill focused on affordable housing
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The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy has been supporting a bill that allows localities to make it easier for congregations (and other property-tax exempt nonprofits) to build affordable housing. That bill, HB 2153, passed the state legislature and is awaiting action from Governor Youngkin.
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The organization is inviting clergy and other faith leaders to sign a letter asking for the Governor's support. The input of faith leaders ensures that Virginia supports congregations, localities, and people in need.
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Want more information? Check out our Faith & Housing FACT SHEET or watch the TESTIMONY RECORDING. The deadline to sign this letter is Sunday, March 16.
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Local church dementia ministry shared on local news
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The Joy Group of St. Mark's UMC in Midlothian was featured on NBC 12 as part of the station's Acts of Kindness series. This group provides space both for those with dementia and their caregivers in ways that are supportive and uplifting.
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AC members should register AC absence with conference secretary
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This is a reminder that in accordance with ¶602.8 of The 2020/2024 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, any clergy or lay member of the Annual Conference who will not be attending the Annual Conference on June 11-14, 2025, will need to report your absence to the Conference Secretary (not to the Bishop). This year we are using a google form to report these absences. This form can be found here.
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If you have questions, please send an email to Conference Secretary Claire Miller at [email protected].
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Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Grace and Peace,
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Rev. Claire B. Miller
Virginia Conference Secretary
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Celebrate Women's History Donate to the Servant Sisters Scholarship Fund
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There is a long history of women called to ministry throughout our United Methodist Church. March is women’s history month, the leadership gifts of Sojuourner Truth, Fanny Crosby and Anna Howard Shaw inspired by the Holy Spirit are honored and remembered. All three were refused preaching and ordination rights. Is there a United Methodist clergy woman who has inspired your faith?
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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. This month, the Servant Sister Scholarship Board invites you to become part of supporting women enrolled in seminary through donating to the Servant Sister Scholarship Fund. Would you please consider honoring or remembering someone who has inspired your faith with a donation? You can go to the United Methodist Foundation page here to designate your electronic donation, or scan the QR code below. Checks can be made payable to the United Methodist Foundation with a notation for the Servant Sister Scholarship Fund.
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For further information, 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. The next application deadline is July 1st.
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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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VWU and partners look at findings of urban heat in Portsmouth
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Virginia Wesleyan University, in collaboration with the Center for Sustainable Communities and other key partners, took a significant step forward today in the fight against extreme urban heat. Project leaders convened at New Bethel Baptist Church in Portsmouth to present findings from last summer’s heat mapping campaign and engage the community in developing strategies for heat mitigation.
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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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R-MC welcomes new president
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The Board of Trustees of Randolph-Macon College have unanimously elected Dr. Michael E. Hill as the 16th President of the college Hill is currently President of the Chautauqua Institution and will take the helm at Randolph-Macon in August 2025, succeeding Robert R. Lindgren who will retire after nearly 20 years as RMC’s leader. 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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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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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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