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To submit news items, stories, or corrections for inclusion in the newsletter, email the conference Communications Office at Communications@vaumc.org.
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Table of Contents
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- Combs welcomed at Installation Service
- Apply to Youth Service Fund missional grant
- Support Wesley Housing this November
- Register now for Hatching Faith Oct. 13 Information Session
- 2026 Conference Grants cycle now open
- Open enrollment for Benefit Plans begins Oct. 5
- Results from AC AI & Ministry survey shared
- Learn more about Miracle Sunday
- Register now for Hatching Faith Cohort Year 3
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Resources & Opportunities
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- Webinar: Motivate end-of-year giving
- Learn more about Clergy Payroll
- Clergy opportunity: Six week cohort for renewal
- Learn about clergy finances through webinar series
- Article about required estimated quarterly tax payments
- Article about taking advantage of the clergy housing exclusion benefit
- Article about deductible ministerial expenses
- 'Do No Harm' event from Nov. 12-14
- Ministry Toolbox Article: Pastor Appreciation Month: Simple Ways to Say Thank You
- Ministry Toolbox Article: RetirePath Virginia: A Retirement Requirement
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News posts
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Combs welcomed at Installation Service
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Rev. Alan Combs was officially welcomed as Superintendent of the Valley Ridge District at Trinity UMC on October 4.
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Apply to Youth Service Fund missional grant
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The Youth Service Fund is a denominational missional grant fund that supports youth in mission in five areas: Faith Sharing and Outreach, Leadership Development, Scholarships for education/training, service, mission, or other ministries, ministry with at-risk youth, or agricultural or vocational development. These grants support local church youth from the Virginia conference in ministries that they lead, which also benefit youth, with funds raised by youth. The application for grants for 2027 is open now through February 1, 2027. Award decisions will come by March 1. To apply use this form. For more information, see the website: https://vaumc.org/youth-service-fund/.
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Support Wesley Housing this November
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For more than 50 years, Wesley Housing has been helping families build stronger, more stable lives by providing access to safe, affordable housing. Today, Wesley Housing provides affordable rental homes to more than 5,300 residents throughout Virginia and Washington, DC. But Wesley Housing goes beyond providing roofs overhead. Through educational, enrichment, and supportive programs, Wesley Housing helps residents gain stability, pursue opportunities, and build brighter futures for themselves and their families. Consider giving today and helping Wesley Housing “build up” our community and the lives of our low-income neighbors. For more information, please visit www.wesleyhousing.org/donate.
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Register now for Hatching Faith Oct. 13 Information Session
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The registration for Cohort 4 and Cohort 5 opened August 3, 2026 and closes February 14, 2027. Cohorts 4 and 5 will run simultaneously, joining together in a Kick-Off event in Spring 2027. The registration link as well as FAQs, cohort timeline, and contact information can be found at vaumc.org/hatchingfaith.
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Churches who commit to Hatching Faith Cohorts receive $2,500 or more in micro-grants to support their ministry.
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2026 Conference Grants cycle now open
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The Virginia Annual Conference Grantmaking Cooperative is accepting applications from October 1 through November 16, 2026. This year, the Cooperative is looking to fund initiatives across the Virginia Annual Conference that live out our connectional and missional calling, with the goal of large-scale community transformation.
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The Cooperative is looking for strong applications will show that the initiative to be:
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- coordinated among multiple United Methodist congregations and ministry expressions
- has defined, measurable impact in one or more communities
- promotes Wesleyan theology, ecclesiology, and praxis
- has buy-in from partner congregations and ministries
- is a new or renewed opportunity for partnership and community impact
Please note: grant funds may not be used for brick-and-mortar or overhead costs.
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What you'll need:
Plan to prepare the following:
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- a cover letter,
- executive summary,
- statement of need,
- detailed objective and strategy,
- plan of evaluation,
- and proposed budget.
If this project has operated in previous years, please include financial reports.
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2. New users: create an account for your organization. Returning users: log in with your existing credentials.
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3. Complete the application. Your progress saves, so you can come back and finish later.
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4. Submit by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Monday, November 16, 2026. This is a firm deadline; the portal will not accept late submissions.
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Open enrollment for Benefit Plans begins Oct. 5
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Open Enrollment for 2027 Benefit Plan Elections will begin on Monday, October 5 and end on Friday, October 30. Open Enrollment is the annual period when all benefits eligible Virginia Conference clergy and lay employees can enroll in or make changes to their benefit plan elections for 2027. As a reminder, health plan eligibility is available to full-time active clergy serving at churches and certain approved extension ministries and full-time lay employees of churches serving as plan sponsors. The Health Plan Administrator can be reached directly at 804-521-1131 or staceyanthony@vaumc.org.
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During the open enrollment period, the system will be accessible at unity.vaumc.org. Details including 2027 contribution rates and instructions on using Unity Web to log in and enroll/change your benefits or dependents are posted on the Virginia Conference website at vaumc.org.
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Results from AC AI & Ministry survey shared
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Thank you to everyone who responded to the AI & Ministry Survey at Annual Conference this year. This report summarizes what the Virginia Annual Conference AI Task Force learned from those responses, both the excitement and the concerns. The task force has already begun using these results to shape its work and act on what clergy and laity across the conference raised. Learn more...
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Learn more about Miracle Sunday
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You are invited to participate in the global initiative to strengthen theological education worldwide as The Endowment for Theological Education in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines, initiated by the Council of Bishops, is launching the “Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously – Miracle Sunday” Initiative in 2026. The Virginia's Conference campaign started September 6 and concludes with Miracle Sunday on October 11.
This year, 30,000 United Methodist congregations are invited into a God-led, Holy Spirit-empowered emphasis to Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, and Lead Courageously. Each congregation is asked to extend the vision of the church through study and the receipt of a special offering to provide for a permanent endowment to help support 500 students annually prepare for pastoral ministry across Africa, Europe, and the Philippines.
The initiative, approved by the Council of Bishops, the Connectional Table, and the General Council on Finance and Administration, calls The United Methodist Church into a season of worship, learning, and generosity. Learn more...
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Resources & Opportunities
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Webinar: How to Choose an Online Giving Platform for Your Needs
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Choosing an online giving platform can feel overwhelming. With dozens of options available, church leaders often struggle to evaluate processing fees, user experience, reporting capabilities, and the features that matter most for their ministry.
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Join the Foundation for this practical webinar featuring Erica Allen and Weston Williams of Horizons Stewardship. Together, we’ll explore what leaders should consider when evaluating online giving platforms, how to ask the right questions, and ways to align your technology choices with a culture of generosity. This session is ideal for church leaders seeking greater clarity and confidence in selecting a platform that serves both their congregation and their mission.
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The webinar will be held on Tuesday, November 3, from 11 a.m. to noon. It’s free, and space is limited, so register now to secure your spot! Register now...
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Learn more about Clergy Payroll
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In June, the Annual Conference body voted to accept CFA’s Proposal to the Virginia Conference as presented in the Book of Reports on page 79. (Find some of the history behind this proposal here.)
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Beginning January 1, 2027, clergy payroll shall be administered through one of three options:
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(A) Clergy payroll may continue to be managed by a paid professional staff member of the local church.
(B) Clergy payroll may continue to be managed through an outside payroll vendor selected and funded by the local church.
(C) Clergy payroll may be administered by the Virginia Conference Clergy Payroll managed by the Treasurer’s Office at no additional cost to the local church.
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Ministers: Get Your Tax Planning Done Before Your Upcoming Charge Conference!—Required Estimated Quarterly Tax Payments (or Voluntary Withholding Arrangement)
GUEST WRITER: Rev. Bill Davidson, IRS Enrolled Agent-- As Charge Conference season approaches, ministers and staff-parish relations committees need to plan now for clergy compensation to comply with the tax requirements and take advantage of all the tax benefits available to ministers (the topics of this series of articles):
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- Required estimated quarterly tax payments or voluntary withholding agreement
- The clergy housing allowance benefit
- Deductible ministerial expenses
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Ministers: Get Your Tax Planning Done Before Your Upcoming Charge Conference!—The Housing Allowance Exclusion Benefit
GUEST WRITER: Rev. Bill Davidson, IRS Enrolled Agent-- As Charge Conference season approaches, ministers and staff-parish relations committees need to plan now for clergy compensation to comply with the tax requirements and take advantage of all the tax benefits available to ministers (the topics of this series of articles):
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- Required estimated quarterly tax payments or voluntary withholding agreement
- The clergy housing allowance benefit
- Deductible ministerial expenses
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Ministers: Get Your Tax Planning Done Before Your Upcoming Charge Conference!—Deductible Ministerial Expenses
GUEST WRITER: Rev. Bill Davidson, IRS Enrolled Agent-- As Charge Conference season approaches, ministers and staff-parish relations committees need to plan now for clergy compensation to comply with the tax requirements and take advantage of all the tax benefits available to ministers (the topics of this series of articles):
• Required estimated quarterly tax payments or voluntary withholding agreement.
• The clergy housing allowance exclusion benefit
• Deductible ministerial expenses
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'Do No Harm' event from Nov. 12-14
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This November, GCSRW invites the whole connection to Do No Harm — a virtual conference equipping individuals and the Church to prevent sexual harm and foster trauma-informed care. For the first time since its inception in 2006, the gathering is fully online. Thursday and Friday offer professional development for those who lead prevention, response, and training; Saturday is a public witness for everyone, centered on truth-telling, healing, and solidarity, offered on a sliding scale. Ashley Judd and Rachael Denhollander headline. November 12–14, 2026. Register at https://gcsrw.org/do-no-harm/.
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The Annual Conference staff is committed to partnering with local churches as they make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Beginning in March, a new resourcing article will be included in each weekly Advocate e-newsletter. Ministry Toolbox: Resources for Churches is designed to provide practical tools, ideas, and encouragement to support the shared work of ministry. Each edition will offer concise, actionable insights that can be put to use in congregational life right away. Articles will be written by the Conference Directors of Communications and Resourcing, along with guest contributors from across the conference. At times, we will also highlight trusted tools and resources from the wider church and beyond.
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Article: Simple Ways to Say Thank You for Pastor Appreciation Month
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Every October, churches across the connection pause to say thank you to the clergy who walk alongside them week in and week out. October is observed as Pastor Appreciation Month (also called Clergy Appreciation Month), with the second Sunday of the month set aside as Pastor Appreciation Day. The observance has been marked as a worldwide recognition time since 1992, with roots that go back to Paul’s instruction to give “double honor” to the elders who managed the affairs of the church. It’s a good moment to pause and say thank you. But it’s also a good reminder that appreciation shouldn’t be confined to one month a year. Read more...
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Article: RetirePath Virginia: A Retirement Requirement
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A newer law in the Commonwealth of Virginia says employers must provide a retirement withholding option for all employees. If you do not have a retirement plan, you must enroll in RetirePath Virginia. Churches are not exempt from this policy. Read more...
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Upcoming Events
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UMVIM Team Leader training on Oct. 24
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Join for the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) Team Leader Training on Saturday, October 24, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tabernacle United Methodist Church, 7310-A Old Plank Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407. This training is for individuals who have attended at least one UMVIM trip and who are ready to take a deeper dive into servant leadership and leading UMVIM teams. This training will be led in collaboration with Tim Wells, VAUMC UMVIM trainer and Allan Ballenger, Team Leader for recent Western North Carolina UMVIM Teams. Check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m. with light refreshments available, and the class will begin promptly at 9 a.m. with breaks in between. Lunch/snacks will be provided. The deadline to register is Friday, October 16, 2026.
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Once you have registered, an online training manual is available at https://umvim.org/handbook . If you desire a printed copy, we ask that you print and bring it with you in whatever format you prefer.
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Additionally, we ask for you to bring a little team spirit and a servant’s heart!
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For further questions, please contact Tim Wells, cyacard@comcast.net, 703-517-0183. We look forward to having you and serving alongside you!
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Save the Date: 2027 SEJ Disaster Academy
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- February 17-21, 2027
- Fairhope, Alabama
- Hosted by North Alabama Conference and Alabama-West Florida Conference in partnership with UMCOR
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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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