Following the vote of the Annual Conference on Friday, June 17, 2022, that set the number of districts to eight effective July 1, 2022, in keeping with Paragraph 415.4 of the 2016 UMC Book of Discipline, and in consultation with the Cabinet, the boundaries of the new districts shall be as follows, effective July 1, 2022:
The exterior boundaries shall be the combined boundaries of their former constituent districts in their bi-district configurations (which were established July 1, 2021), with the dissolution of the interior boundary of the former paired districts, to form eight new districts as shown below both in table and map.
These districts shall be served by the eight district superintendents as listed below.
| New District Name | Former Bi-Districts | District Superintendent |
| Coastal Virginia | Elizabeth River & Eastern Shore | The Rev. Dr. Cecelia Brooks |
| Living Waters | Farmville & James River | The Rev. Jay Carey |
| Mission Rivers | Rappahannock River & York River | The Rev. Dr. Charles Ledlum-Bates |
| Mountain View | Danville & Lynchburg | The Rev. Denise Bates |
| Northern Virginia | Alexandria & Arlington | The Rev. Dr. Sarah Calvert |
| Shenandoah River | Harrisonburg & Winchester | The Rev. Dr. Victor Gomez |
| Three Notch’d | Charlottesville & Richmond | The Rev. Dr. Hyo Lee |
| Valley Ridge | Roanoke & Staunton | The Rev. Doug Forrester |
Each of the eight new districts has begun its implementations; which, by agreement, will be completed in all districts by January 1, 2023. As with the District Initiative work to date, the implementation in each district is proceeding within the context of each district.
There will be Called District Conferences this summer in each district to set the organizing in motion. Design is continuing in each district focused not only on structure but especially on the missional Kingdom work of each district. The District Initiative has never been a “one fits all” but is contextual for each district. Each district has the agency to organize itself for the ministry God is calling them to, supporting churches and community through the work of the laity and clergy in partnership. The Rev. Denise Bates, dean of the Cabinet said, “We need the participation and passion that God’s people bring to this work. We want to continually and creatively be responsive to the needs of communities, churches, laity, and clergy, so we can share the Love of Christ in real and tangible ways, even in the midst of challenges.”
Contact your district office and find out how you can be part of what God is doing in the Virginia Conference.
