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TOP FIVE
for
[July 9, 2026]
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Stories of AC: Recognition of Rev. Dr. Youtha Hardman-Cromwell, Rev. Sam NeSmith
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Over the next few weeks, we will share Stories from the 2026 Annual Conference of moments we want to remember.
Rev. Dr. Youtha Hardman-Cromwell and Rev. Sam NeSmith were recognized during the Juneteenth Worship as individuals whose voices and lives have been integral in the work of justice and inclusion.
Hardman-Cromwell is a clergywoman in the Virginia Conference as well as a former professor and dean at Wesley Theological Seminary. She was one of the early organizers of Virginia’s Black Methodist for Church Renewal and has served on many boards and agencies including the Reconciling Ministries Network.
Rev. Sam NeSmith is a retired clergyperson in the Virginia Conference who also served as a district superintendent during his tenure. He was a Civil Rights pioneer and served as clergy during the era of the Central Jurisdiction. NeSmith also took part in missionary work and led mission trips from rural America to Haiti to Cambodia to Russia.
View the recognition during the Juneteenth Service...
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Disability Awareness Sunday is July 26
Rev. Timothy Barth, chair of VAUMC Commission on Disabilities, invites members around the Virginia Conference to observe Disability Awareness Sunday on July 26, 2026. This year's theme is "All Abilities, One Body" with a focus on neurodivergent individuals. This year, listen, learn and reflect on how your church's worship, teaching, communication styles, and expectations can create barriers to those with disabilities and see the opportunities to better invite inclusion. Watch video...
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Conversation on bivocational ministry
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What does bivocational ministry look like today?Hear from pastors serving in churches, schools, and workplaces as they share how God is calling leaders beyond the traditional walls of the church. Explore the challenges, opportunities, and impact of bivocational ministry in today's world. Watch video...
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"Clergy to Clergy" is a resourcing video and podcast series featuring honest conversations between VAUMC clergy covering topics from new appointments Finding Home in a New Appointment on to work-life balance Pastoring and Parenting.
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Quick Links to AC wrap-up
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Give to Annual Conference Offering
Please join us in celebrating the funds raised so far:
The AC Offering has raised $81,475.
An offering for the Black College Fund was taken during the Juneteenth Worship and raised $7,751.10.
This year’s Annual Conference Offering includes the MJ Kim Fund for Immigrant Clergy and the Virginia Conference Center for Belonging and Advocacy.
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Named for the Rev. Myung Johng “MJ” Kim, the first Asian-American pastor to be ordained elder in the Virginia Conference, the MJ Kim Fund will support the unique needs of our Virginia Conference immigrant clergy, especially as they face the challenges of and expenses related to navigating our nation’s immigration process so that they may serve our churches and their communities.
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The Center for Belonging and Advocacy is the newest ministry area of our Conference. Led by the Rev. Lan Davis Wilson, this new ministry area equips our congregations and our Conference develop and deploy resources and strategies to create a true culture of inclusion in Virginia and beyond. Give online...
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Donate by check
To give to the Annual Conference offering, you can make your check out to the Virginia United Methodist Conference with AC Offering in the memo line, and mail it to:
VA Annual Conference of the UMC
Attn: Conference Treasurer & Business Office
10330 Staples Mill Road, Suite 100
Glen Allen, VA 23060
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Subscribe to VAUMC communications
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Individuals can opt in to curated email subscriptions from VAUMC Communications.
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Offerings are:
• Obituaries (sent out as they are received by the Communications Office)
• Local Church events (sent out biweekly)
• Jobs (sent out biweekly)
• The Top Five (Every Thursday, this is a news wrap up to give clergy and laity the tops five news items going into the weekend
• Advocate newsletter (sent every Tuesday featuring Virginia UM and denominational news, grants, connection and educational opportunities)
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Public Notice Board
Have questions to crowd-source or looking for something? Find announcements or send in a posting to share conference-wide. Learn more...
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