Back to In-Person Worship Workgroup Report
Click here to download a pdf copy Dear Virginia Conference, Grace and peace to you in the strong name of our Lord Jesus Christ. In light of Governor Northam’s announcement on May 4, 2020 that Virginia may be moving to Phase 1 of reopening as early as May 15, 2020, I...
Invitation to conference-wide day of prayer, May 7
A prayer group at Trinity UMC in Richmond, has been gathering to meditate on Scripture and pray for the life of the world in the early mornings. During the coronavirus pandemic, this group extends an invitation to all to participate in the conference-wide day of...
CFA prioritizes 2020 apportionments
The Council on Finance and Administration (CFA) recognizes the impact that the pandemic ishaving on local churches in the Virginia Conference. After meeting over the last week, CFA isresponding by prioritizing the apportionments for 2020 in an effort to relieve the...
Tentative General Conference dates publicized
Special Session of General Conference 2019, St. Louis, MO After the pandemic-caused postponement, the new prospective dates for The United Methodist Church’s General Conference are Aug. 31-Sept. 10, 2021. The Council of Bishops disclosed the proposed dates, including...
Common Table makes structural, financial, staff changes
Beginning in 2018 and with a more intensive focus in the fall of 2019, the Common Table sought structural, financial, and human resource alignment to fulfill the conference vision adopted in June 2017. It is a living vision of mission and ministry; “to be disciples...
Donation Website
The Virginia Conference Treasurer’s Office is pleased to announce the launch of a donation website. The Virginia Conference recognizes this is a period of hardship for many and in an effort to assist and facilitate giving for those churches that may not be able...
United Methodist Publishing House Grants Temporary Permission for UM Book of Worship Content
Nashville, March, 2020 – The outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States and the resulting cancellation of group gatherings has led many United Methodist churches to plan online virtual worship experiences. To assure that local churches have the resources they need, the...
‘Stay the Course’ Message from Bishop Lewis
Stay the Course, Stay Strong: Serving God While Social Distancing Dear Virginia Conference, I hope you and your families had a very blessed Easter celebration. Let us remember that our hope as believers is in Jesus Christ.Though our Easter services looked quite...
2020 Clergy Move Date is June 30
After review, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, Bishop Sharma Lewis and the Appointive Cabinet have adjusted the “Clergy Move Date” from June 24 to June 30. The first Sunday in the new appointment will be July 5, 2020.Many factors were involved in making...
In Easter Message, Bishops urge Christians not to despair in midst of global pandemic
April 9, 2020 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - President of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church Bishop Kenneth H. Carter has urged Christians to rely on the power of Easter to overcome the forces of death, division, darkness, and despair in the midst of the...
Conference Treasurer’s Office providing CARES Act Help Desk
April 4, 2020 -- The conference Treasurer’s Office is staffing a “help desk” this week to assist churches with applying for loans under the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) created by the CARES Act. This loan program contains a loan forgiveness clause to enable...
Bishop, Cabinet, Clergy Excellence Office release information about communion
Bishop Lewis, the Cabinet, and The Center for Clergy Excellence released information about communion during the current pandemic, April 3. In a letter they wrote, "In this extraordinary season of suspended corporate worship, clergy are challenged to examine how to...
Do No Harm: A Message from Bishop Lewis
Click here to download a pdf copy of this message I remember when I was growing up in Statesboro, Ga., there was a colloquial saying commonly used by kids being bullied. We would say, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” A defense...
Bishop Lewis: March 26 COVID-19 update
March 26, 2020 -- This worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has forced both secular and faith communities to change the way we go about our work as we focus on the safety and well-being of individuals inside and outside of our communities. On March 23, 2020, Governor Northam...
Online giving solutions for churches offered through VANCO
Local churches have options to have their congregations give to the church’s offering online. The conference Treasurer’s Office presents a special option available to churches through VANCO. Local Church Online Giving VANCO has a special offer forchurches , waiving...
Recap of Virginia Conference COVID-19 (coronavirus) precautions
From Bishop Lewis: March 15, 2020 As we remain nimble in the face of COVID-19 with precautions implemented starting last week against its spread, I want to thank our clergy and local church staff across the Commonwealth who found creative and loving ways...
COVID-19 response – Precautions related to preschools, food pantries, weddings, and funerals in the Virginia Conference
Click here to download a pdf copy of the following message. March 13, 2020 -- Bishop Lewis directs that all preschools be closed for the next two weeks. We will re-evaluate whether it is prudent to begin in-person worship for March 29, 2020 and whether it is prudent...
VUMPI Update Regarding COVID-19 Screening
Due to rapidly escalating concerns associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19), Virginia United Methodist Pensions, Inc. (VUMPI) has directed Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield to waive all health plan member costs for the COVID-19 diagnostic test. Accordingly, any...
All Virginia Conference churches are to cancel worship, March 15, March 22
March 13, 2002 -- A letter from Bishop Sharma D. LewisClick here to download a pdf copy of the bishop's letter. Dear Virginia Conference,In monitoring the COVID-19 situation and the state of emergency announced by Governor Northam yesterday, all Virginia...
Conference Center shares precautions pertaining to COVID-19 (coronavirus)
As Bishop Lewis and conference leaders continue to monitor the COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation, certain precautions will take effect in the conference center building to ensure the well-being and health of the staff and guests to the building. Starting Monday, March...
Sunday Advocate, March 15, 2020
Lessons from a leadership pioneer Mary Parker Follett (1868-1933) was a pioneer and, perhaps more importantly, her ideas were and continue to be groundbreaking. She was taken seriously as a writer, lecturer, and thinker long before this was common for a woman. She...
Sunday Advocate, March 8, 2020
What does religious freedom mean today? Given the strong foundation of religious liberty built by those who established our nation and the history of painful challenges to that liberty, where do we look now? What are we as leaders to do to ensure religious freedom and...
Coronavirus Updates from the Virginia Conference
May 18, 2020: As the churches of the Virginia Conference shift their focus to the three-stage reopening of in-person worship, you can find the most up-to-date information involving the conference and the ongoing response to COVID-19 at www.vaumc.org/return. Frequently...
District Listening Sessions about Protocol of Grace and Reconciliation Through Separation
A diverse group of representatives from United Methodist advocacy groups with contrasting views and bishops from around the world has collaborated on a proposed agreement for the separation of The United Methodist Church (UMC) that has the unanimous support of all the...
Retired bishops find new roles in local congregation
By Forrest WhiteThere’s a great guy named Pete at Williamsburg United Methodist Church. Teaches Sunday school. Helps out with worship now and then. Plays in the church orchestra. Serves in the church’s ministry with persons who are homeless. Delivers flowers to...
Bishop Lewis urges people to be ‘non-anxious presence’ in midst of coronavirus concerns
Greetings to you, Virginia Conference, in the midst of this time of self-examination and reflection, during this Lenten Season. As you are aware, anxiety is high worldwide as governments and private individuals seek to understand more about the coronavirus. As people...
Coronavirus: What to know, how to help
With new cases being diagnosed seemingly every hour, the question of “How concerned should I be about Coronavirus?” is being asked by many around the world. The first cases of Coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, were diagnosed in China in December 2019. Since...
Virginia delegation adopts motion in support of Protocol
The Virginia Annual Conference delegation to the 2020 General and Jurisdictional Conferences and alternates adopted a motion in support of the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation as well as the Christmas Covenant on February 15, 2020. The motion...
Bishop Lewis announces appointment of three district superintendents
Bishop Sharma D. Lewis is pleased to announce three new District Superintendent (DS) appointments effective July 1, 2020. Please join Bishop Lewis in giving thanks for these servants and pray for all involved in these transitions. The Rev. James (Jay) H. Carey,...
Scouting marks 100th anniversary with denomination
By Forrest WhiteSeventeen years have passed since Andrew Spotts rose to the rank of Eagle Scout – the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America – as a member of Troop 799 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Richmond. Time, he said, has deepened his...