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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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- Buy lunch vouchers for Friday, June 19
- View AC Welcome Message from Bishop Sue
- Volunteers still needed for Annual Conference session
- Learn about 2026 AC Offering
- Watch AC Orientation webinar
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- Prepare now for hurricane season
- Q Source for Q1 2026 now available
- Following in the footsteps of Wesley
- 698 students graduate from Africa University
- United Methodists bolster ties in Canada
Resources & Opportunities
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- Ministry Toolbox Article : Microsoft Publisher is going away
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Annual Conference 2026
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Buy lunch vouchers for Friday, June 19
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Lunch vouchers (tickets) will be available onsite at Atlantic Union Bank Center (AUBC) Thursday and Friday morning at Annual Conference. The vouchers will be sold at the Concessions area on the concourse level of the AUBC from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday.
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View AC Welcome Message from Bishop Sue
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Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson welcomes the members and guests of the Virginia Annual Conference to the upcoming conference from June 17-20, 2026. View video...
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Volunteers still needed for Annual Conference session
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The Shenandoah River District is excited to welcome the Annual Conference in June. Many volunteers are needed in order to provide the best experience for Annual Conference members. Please consider picking up a volunteer shift or two. Volunteers can sign up HERE. A full list of volunteer opportunities and position descriptions can be found HERE.
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Learn about 2026 AC Offering
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This year’s Annual Conference Offering will be shared between 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:
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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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The AC offering will be taken up during the Opening Worship Service on
Wednesday.
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Watch AC Orientation webinar
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There was an orientation session for ALL persons attending the Annual Conference on Thursday, May 28, sharing information about the venue and the conference. View recording and slide deck...
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News posts
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Prepare now for hurricane season
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We have come to that time of year again as we enter hurricane season in the Southeast and East coast areas. This is a simple reminder that it is never too early to think about disaster preparedness. Complacency can set us in situations that we can never be prepared for. So take the next couple weeks to look at your property, trees that could pose a threat in high winds. Or other hazards. Make sure you have your household emergency kits, evacuation plans, emergency contacts and plans for vulnerable family members and pets in place. Church leaders this is a good opportunity to walk your church property and facility to make sure threats to the property are addressed now before high winds and rain pose a risk of damage. This is also a good time to review your church's disaster response plan. Do you have a plan to check on church members and Neighbors. Do you know as church ways that you can respond in caring, compassionate and merciful ways in the aftermath of a disaster?
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The best response is preparedness. So that you can be present and a sign of hope to your neighbors.
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Remember We are United Methodists. We are UMCOR, which means UMCOR is always present when a disaster occurs.
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If you have questions about Virginia Conference Disaster Ministries, or questions about training and preparedness. Please reach out to Rev. Brian Posey.
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Q Source for Q1 2026 now available
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The newest 'Q Source' newsletter is now available for Quarter 1 2026.
The 'Q Source' report aims to give Virginia Conference members an easy digest of the work that is happening across the Virginia Conference on a regular basis. The hope would be that conference clergy and laity could more readily have examples of how ministry is happening across the conference, point to “bright spots” in the VAUMC, and expect more regular updates from operational offices such as Treasurer's Office and VUMPI. Members can anticipate an update in this format every quarter. Feedback or questions are welcome by emailing VAUMC Director of Communications at MadelineWhite@vaumc.org.
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Following in the footsteps of Wesley
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Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson, members of the VAUMC, and the 2026 ordinands traveled on a Wesley Heritage Tour in May. Pictured here are Bishop Sue with the 2026 ordinands.
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698 students graduate from Africa University
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UM NEWS--Almost 700 students from 21 African countries graduated from Africa University in a ceremony that featured the first cohort of the online Global Campus and a record number of students with the highest academic honor. Read more...
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United Methodists bolster ties in Canada
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UM NEWS--The United Methodist Church and United Church of Canada have formed an interim covenant with the goal of full communion. Driving the move is increased migration to Canada. Read more...
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Resources & Opportunities
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Article: Microsoft Publisher is going away
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If Microsoft Publisher is part of your weekly routine for bulletins, newsletters, or other church publications, mark your calendar: Publisher is retiring on October 1, 2026. After that date, Microsoft 365 subscribers will no longer be able to open or edit Publisher files in Publisher, and it will be removed from Microsoft 365 subscriptions entirely. For many church offices, that deadline is closer than it feels.
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The good news is that you have time to make a thoughtful transition rather than a panicked one. The quieter weeks of summer are a perfect window to explore your options, experiment with a new tool, and get your templates rebuilt before fall programming kicks back into gear. Read more...
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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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Upcoming Events
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United Women in Faith: Mission u
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United Women in Faith is excited to invite you to this inspiring weekend to explore the various ways we see Emmanuel within and around biblical stories.
• How do we experience God in times of joy and in challenging times of anxiety, fear, or sadness?
• Can we experience God’s presence in community as we work for justice?
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What can it look like to walk with God as people who face adversity, issues of justice, and a heritage of relational and spiritual connections?
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This curriculum encourages participants to seek out and name the experiences of Emmanuel from biblical times to our present day as we look toward our future in faith. Learn more...
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Festival of Wisdom and Grace
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The Older Adult Council of the Virginia Conference invites you to the Festival of Wisdom and Grace, a Southeastern Jurisdiction gathering designed to encourage and equip leaders dedicated to Aging ministries. The Festival will feature engaging speakers, workshops, worship, and opportunities to fellowship and learn. Please see the poster and schedule for the full event details.
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Scholarships are available through the Program Ministries of Lake Junaluska. In addition, thanks to Pinnacle Living, the Relationship Partner of the VAUMC, participants from our conference may receive additional reimbursement to help offset participation costs.
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We encourage clergy, laity, and leaders of older adult ministries to prayerfully consider attending this enriching event.
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For more information on registration and scholarships, please contact the co-chair of the Council: Rev. Denise Childers (Northern Virginia District) at denisechilders@vaumc.org.
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UMM Spiritual Retreat returns
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The VA Conference UMM Spiritual Retreat is back and will be held on Friday, September 18 through Saturday, September 19 at Massanetta Springs Camp and Conference Center in Harrisonburg, VA. The theme is "B1, Inspire1 - Men of Faith, Sharing their Faith." Rev. Dr. Clarence Brown will be our keynote speaker. Topics include discipleship, mentoring, and prayer life. There will be breakout sessions, fellowship time, and gospel singing. All men of the VA Conference and beyond are invited. Check in begins at 3:00 PM on September 18 and the retreat concludes at 3:00 PM on September 19. All registrations include dinner, breakfast, and lunch: $150 registration with overnight lodging, $65 without overnight lodging. Looking forward to a great time of spiritual renewal and fellowship! UMM Spiritual Retreat Sign Up...
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One Last Word: There for each other
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Tom Rose, part of Biker's Church on the Mountain Ministry in Churchville, was severely injured in a motorcycle accident in the Midwest in May and was unable to travel home due to medical procedures for the over a month. He recently was escorted back in Virginia by a large contingent of bikers to welcome him home.
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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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