Annual Conference 2023
The 241st session of the Virginia Annual Conference, to be held in Roanoke, VA, June 15-17, 2023, will be focused on the theme, United as One in Mission.
The theme is based on Acts 1:8b, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” NIV
Information, as it is released concerning the June session, will be available on this page.
Livestream for June 15 morning session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsMbPUHl-Vo
Livestream for June 15 afternoon session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_897_hzzmA
Livestream for June 16 morning session (& Service of Remembrance): https://youtube.com/live/HhY6SxKSD8Y
Livestream for June 16 afternoon session: https://youtube.com/live/wJ03nObtc24
Livestream for the June 17 morning session: https://youtu.be/x6mEn7aZ0ns
AC 2023 Summary Video
AC Displays
The purpose of a display is to promote and provide information on the ministry goal of an organization whose resources aid local churches and community ministry. View guidelines. Register for display space at this link by close of business on April 28. If you have any logistical questions, please contact Joanna Paysour at [email protected] If you have any administrative questions, please contact Connectional Ministries at [email protected].
AC Hotel Registration
The 241st Session of the Virginia Annual Conference will be held in-person from Thursday, June 15 – Saturday, June 17, 2023, at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, Va.
Annual Conference members will have 20 area hotels within the Annual Conference room block from which to choose. Members can expect a smooth reservation process; making hotel reservations online will allow attendees to see detailed information on the hotels, our conference rates, room types, amenities, and locations all in one place.
If you do not have easy access to the internet or a computer, you are encouraged to contact your pastor or your district office for assistance in making your hotel reservation.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call 804-521-1134.
Agenda
The Annual Conference Agenda (version June 2, 2023) is now available here.
Of note for your scheduling purposes:
• Sunday, June 11 at 3 p.m.: The Laity Session in 2023 will be an online Zoom event. More information will be forthcoming.
• Wednesday, June 14 at 2 p.m.: Clergy Session will be held in-person at the Performing Arts Theatre at the Berglund Center
• Thursday, June 15 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.: There will be an optional Laity “Heart-to-heart” Conversation with Conference Lay Leader Martha Stokes in the Berglund Center (location TBD).
• Thursday, June 15 at 10 a.m.: The Annual Conference session will be called to order.
Alternate Lay Member at Large Form
If there is a change to your district’s elected Lay Member at Large, please print out and complete the linked form then bring it to the Registration Help Desk at Annual Conference 2023 in the Berglund Special Events Center.
If there is an elected alternate for your church (or charge), please print out and complete the linked form and then bring them to the Registration Help Desk at Annual Conference 2023 in the Berglund Special Events Center.
Alternative Housing
Cottages
Blue Ridge Mountain Cottages | Places to Stay in Roanoke (visitroanokeva.com)
Bed & Breakfast
Bed And Breakfasts In Roanoke, VA | Places To Stay (visitroanokeva.com)
Cabins
Cabin Rentals in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains (visitroanokeva.com)
Camping
Roanoke Virginia Camping, Blue Ridge Mountain Cabins (visitroanokeva.com)
Banquet
Book of Reports
Childcare
Childcare will not be provided at the 2023 Annual Conference. There will be a designated Parents Room and Nursing Room onsite. These rooms will not be supervised by any staff. Any children in these rooms need to be supervised by parents or guardians.
Donate Blood with American Red Cross
Don’t forget that you can make an appointment ahead of time to donate blood for the Red Cross Blood Drive at AC 2023 on Thursday, June 15 and Friday, June 16. Please schedule your appointment at www.redcrossblood.org and search with sponsor code VAUMC23.
Food Truck Info
Countryman Jamaican Grill
CountrymanJamaicanGrill.com
Lazy Bulldog
lazybulldogfoodtruck.com
Saltys Lobster & Company
saltyslobsterco.com
5k Run/Walk
The VAUMC Being Together 5K Run/Walk will be held during the Annual Conference of the Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church (An annual gathering of United Methodists in the state of Virginia). The event will take place on June 17, 2023, in Roanoke, Va. The 5K will start in Wasena Park and run along the Greenway Trail next to the Roanoke River. A virtual option will also be offered for those who are unable to join us in person (virtual runs can be completed June 11-18).
#BeingTogether encourages members to be intentional in their well-being by attending to their spiritual, emotional, and physical health.
All proceeds of this event will be donated to our Annual Conference offering that supports leadership development across the world. Information on the specifics of our 2023 Annual Conference Offering will be posted as soon as it is made available to the race director.
Thanks to our sponsors (see below), registration fees will be donated directly to the Annual Conference Offering. If you or your organization is interested in being a race sponsor please reach out to RJ Jun in the Virginia Conference Office ([email protected]) for more information.
Registration Fee: $30 for in-person Run/Walk by May 31, 2023/ $25 for Virtual Run/Walk
All participants will receive a t-shirt and a medal
Registration will increase on June 1 to $35/$30 Register now: https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Roanoke/VAUMC5Krunwalk?fbclid=IwAR0L0yoFGl-clPIyhFZNoK7q1XWvW5biuQwlA0xwH6177R9bgAKp32uRxZs
5K Run/Walk: Saturday, June 18, 2022, 6:30 AM – Roanoke, Va – Wasena Park
Virtual Run/Walk: Any time during the week before the event (June 11-18, 2023), wherever you are.
Laity Session
The Laity Session took place Sunday, June 11, 2023 over Zoom and was recorded for later viewing. View at link.
Memorial Booklet
The Service of Remembrance took place on Friday, June 16, 2023. Learn more…
Motions
Motions can be made during the Annual Conference session. Find more information about motions when the 2023 Book of Reports is released. Motions cannot be submitted prior to being recognized by the bishop at the Annual Conference session. Access motion form.
Offering
You can give to the AC Offering online at: https://www.vaumcdonations.org/product/annual-conference-offering/10.
Mail in your offering to P.O. Box 5605 Glen Allen, VA 23058 (Memo: AC 2023 Offering)
The offering will be take on Saturday, June 17 following the morning Bible Study.
Official Packet
The AC 2023 Official Packet includes the Consent Agenda, Minute Questions 10, 11, 12, and 13, Proposed Changes to AC Budget and more. View packet.
Restaurants
Downtown Roanoke/Berglund Center
Restaurants in Roanoke, VA | Food Tour, Maps & Photos (visitroanokeva.com)
Valley View Mall
Restaurants in Roanoke, VA | Food Tour, Maps & Photos (visitroanokeva.com)
Pictures from AC
Pictures from the 2023 Annual Conference session can be found on the conference Flickr account.
Video Resources
Find all videos related to AC 2023 and video resources to prepare for the June session at the conference Youtube page. Videos can be watched as a series or individually. Access videos at the link
Volunteers
Volunteers are needed for the Annual Conference in-person at the Berglund Center, Roanoke in June. Assistance before, during and after (from June 13-17) is needed. Please prayerfully consider volunteering.
Volunteers will be contacted by their area coordinator and receive any necessary training or instructions.
Here are the links to the Sign Up Genius pages:
Hospitality Greeters: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0848ABAF2CA0FC1-ac2023
Platform: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0848ABAF2CA0FC1-ac20231
Registration: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0848ABAF2CA0FC1-ac20232
Ushers: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0848ABAF2CA0FC1-ac20233
Golf Carts and Parking Lot Attendants: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0848ABAF2CA0FC1-ac20236
Red Cross Blood Drive Hospitality Volunteers (not donors): https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0848ABAF2CA0FC1-ac20235
Rise Against Hunger Set-Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0848ABAF2CA0FC1-ac20234
UMCOR Kit Set Up/Loading: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0848abaf2ca0fc1-ac20237#
If you need assistance signing up, please contact Donna Desper at [email protected].