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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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Servant Sister Scholarship Application Deadline is October 1
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- Season of Creation start September 1
- Hatching Faith Cohort Year 3 Registration now open
- Connect college students to campus ministries
- Prepare now for hurricane season
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Resources & Opportunities
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- Join Wonder Summit event in November
- Upcoming listening sessions address housing affordability
- Join workshop for children's ministries
- Lay Servant Academy Registration now open
- Ministry Toolbox Article: Supporting our College Students–at Home and Away
- Ministry Toolbox Article: New Hire Laws in Virginia
- Ministry Toolbox Article: VBS Is Over. Now What? Staying Connected with Families
- Ministry Toolbox Article: Why Now Is the Time to Plan Your Church Calendar
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News posts
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Servant Sister Scholarship Application Deadline is October 1
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Here is how the Servant Sister Scholarship impacted one recipient:
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“The Servant Sister Scholarship was such a gift. Not only did the application questions cause me to reflect on and feel closer to the myriad women who have walked alongside me in life, but the funds allowed me to complete very engaging classes for my ordination requirements. I am a healthcare chaplain and have just received the Board of Ordained Ministry's recommendation for provisional ordination as a deacon. The future is bright, and this scholarship made that possible.” Allison Koehler-Masavisut
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This scholarship fund was established in 2018 and continues to grow through the gifts of many who support the leadership of women in our VAUMC. All women who are answering a call to ministry and are enrolled in an accredited theological program can apply. During our Annual Conference in Harrisonburg, two of our past recipients began new chapters in their ministries. Megan Dietrick is licensed as a local pastor and Allison Koehler-Masavisut is a newly elected provisional member of the order of deacon.
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For further information, the Servant Sister Scholarship is found here on the VAUMC website. Please feel free to share the application information with women you know who would benefit from scholarship support. The link for the application process is found here. The next application deadline is July 1.
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Thank you to all who have donated the Servant Sister Scholarship Fund. Below is the QR code where you can designate a gift for the Servant Sister Scholarship through the United Methodist Foundation. Checks can also be made to The United Methodist Foundation with a notation for the Servant Sister Scholarship Fund.
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Caption: (Left to Right) Allison Koehler-Masavisut and Megan Dietrick
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Season of Creation starts September 1
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The Feast of Creation + Season of Creation in Christ starts September 1. It can be celebrated for four Sundays beginning September 6. Take a moment to explore the concept and the resources provided.
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This is a new Holy Day and Season for United Methodists. A Worship Series, Salt+Soil+Seawater has been created by the United Methodist National Creation Justice Movement for clergy and laity to use during the month of September, or at a time that fits the local church calendar.
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Themes sound strange? They are well explained in the accompanying Adult Participation Guide’s 5-6 week study.
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For example, Salt is featured in the 6-week Adult Participation study guide (pp. 29-30). Salt is present in creation with the formation of the seas. Animals with salt in their bodies emerged from the water and adapted to dry land., and the book of Leviticus 2:13 instructs worshipers to offer it as part of the temple sacrifice. In the New Testament salt is paired with Light (Matthew 5:13-16) you are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world) And keeping it in balance is part of our human health today.
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The children’s materials provide a script for Moments in Worship and extensions p.42-43.) There are Mission Project suggestions for Youth as well as opening and closing circle questions for youth groups. The Adult Participation Study, includes “Creation Justice Tips” which are published each month (https://umcreationjustice.org/tips/) for you to use and distribute.
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Hatching Faith Cohort Year 3 Registration now open
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"Before Hatching Faith, we were swimming upstream"
"It's different when children aren't performing in worship, but they are comfortable in worship"
"We are being more intentional now"
"When we try to make worship accessible for children, we engage adults more as well"
"She insists that she goes to church on Sunday mornings"
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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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Connect college students to campus ministries
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You can support VAUMC-supported campus ministries by letting our campus ministers and chaplains know that your churches' high school graduates are coming to their schools. Campus ministries are a home away from home for students, and you can help connect them even before they arrive on campus. Ever summer, campus ministers reach out to incoming students, welcome students at the beginning of the fall semester, and extend invitations to various ministries.
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The Book of Discipline (¶ 232) requires all pastors to submit names and contact information to the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry, and this form is the best way to submit that information.
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By sending this information, you can help students from your congregations feel loved and supported as they enter college or university this fall. Please take a moment to let us know they are coming!
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If you have a number of students, you can upload a spreadsheet at the bottom of the form after completing the form for one student, or simply email the spreadsheet to Dwayne Stinson at dwaynestinson@vaumc.org instead of completing the form.
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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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Resources & Opportunities
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Join Wonder Summit event in November
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SEJ Pastors, Youth & Children's Leaders, you are invited to The Wonder Summit! Come explore new possibilities for engaging children as full participants in the worshipping life of the church.
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Congregational leaders from across the Southeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church will gather at Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center on November 4–6, 2026, for The Wonder Summit — hosted by the Western North Carolina Conference's Cultivate Grant and Lake Junaluska.
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Through keynotes, interactive workshops, collaborative conversations, and hands-on experiences, participants will dig into theology, practical ideas, and contextual application — discovering approaches that invite people of every age to encounter God through worship that is meaningful, participatory, and experiential.
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Learn more and register: thewondersummit.org
Use coupon code SEJ for early bird pricing of just $155 per person — good through September 1.
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Upcoming listening sessions address housing affordability
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The Faith in Housing Act (HB1279/SB388) provides new opportunities for places of faith to make both community-centered and sustainable impact in the affordable housing sector, so Virginia Housing is inviting you to their upcoming Listening Sessions on the Faith in Housing Act. These conversations are designed to ensure that your perspectives, experiences, thoughts, and aspirations help guide their path forward.
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They will be hosting two separate listening sessions to ensure each group has the space to share insights most relevant to their work. The first session (10 a.m.- 12 p.m.) will be dedicated to faith leaders and will focus on how the Faith in Housing Act aligns with their mission, community needs, support needed, and approaches to property stewardship. The second session (1 p.m.- 3 p.m.) will convene government officials and housing developers and will provide an opportunity for us to hear about your partnerships, affordable housing projects, and support needed. Both sessions are designed for us to hear your thoughts to help us better understand your projects and to support meaningful collaboration moving forward.
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As these sessions will be held throughout the state, they ask that you express your interest by completing this form. Sessions will be held in:
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Roanoke--August 17, 2026
Northern--Virginia August 24, 2026
Hampton Roads--August 26, 2026
Richmond--August 27, 2026
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Join workshop for children's ministries
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Sponsored by VAUMC’s Children’s Ministry Council and the Three Notch’d District, join your colleagues at the Virginia Conference for a one-day workshop designed to help your congregation envision and execute truly innovative and transformative children’s ministries. Led by Ministry Incubators’ Kat Bair, the grant writer and project manager of our conference’s Hatching Faith Cohorts project, this highly interactive workshop will be built on design thinking, community development, and discipleship principles that are nationally tested and informed by Kat’s deep engagement with our specific context. You can expect table-based collaboration, innovative games and activities, deep theological reflection, actionable practical
tools, and a whole lot of fun! Register...
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- $35, includes lunch
- Need options on registration for dietary needs/restrictions
- August 15
- 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Discovery UMC, 13000 Gayton Rd., Richmond
- Questions? email chadbeck@vaumc.org
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Lay Servant Academy Registration now open
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Lay Servant Academy returns August 14–15, 2026 offering a variety of courses for those seeking to grow as disciples and leaders in the church.
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New this year: In addition to the Academy weekend, ONE course will begin at the start of August and an additional course will be offered outside of the weekend event.
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- Exploring a Culture of Care for a Caring Congregation
- Called to Preach
We look forward to welcoming both first-time and returning participants for another season of learning and spiritual growth. For any questions please contact Rev. Tianna Durbin--Director of LSA (TiannaD@arcolachurch.org) OR Richard Speirs--CLM, Director of Lay Servant Ministries (richard.speirs@yahoo.com)
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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: Supporting our College Students–at Home and Away
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College students live in transition–new housing each year, new courses each semester, breaks that bring them home or take them to new locations. Your congregation can invest in the lives of college students–those from your congregation and those at local colleges or universities, as an integral part of your ministry. These students often feel cut off from home, and you can help them feel connected to your congregation as a reminder of home or as a home away from home. August is here, and colleges and universities are gearing up for students to return. Now is the time to think about how your church can intentionally engage with the students in your community: those who grew up in your church, and those who’ve come to your area for college. Read more...
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Article: New Hire Laws in Virginia
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GUEST WRITER REV. THOMAS JAMES-- Is your church growing? Is your ministry preparing for a new hire? Make sure your SPRC or Personnel Committee leaders are up to date on the most recent changes to Virginia Employment Law, which now specifies prohibitions and requirements related to wage and salary expectations. The primary changes are:
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- Employers are now required to list the wage or salary range on all job postings.
- Employers may no longer ask a prospective hire their wage or salary history.
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Article: VBS Is Over. Now What? Staying Connected with Families
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The decorations are down. The volunteers are exhausted. The leftover snacks have been claimed. Vacation Bible School is over, and if your church is like most, everyone involved is ready for a long nap.
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But before the momentum fades completely, there is one more thing worth doing. In fact, it may be the most important thing: following up with the families who walked through your doors.
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Discipleship Ministries reminds us that VBS is far more than a fun week of songs and crafts. It creates growing relationships, allows children to make new friends, and strengthens the friendships they already have. For many children, it is also their first genuine encounter with faith and a church community. That is not a small thing, and it is worth following up on. Learn more...
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Article: Why Now Is the Time to Plan Your Church Calendar
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Somewhere between the last Vacation Bible School photo and the first "can you promote this" email of fall, most churches skip a step: looking at the whole year at once.
It is easy to plan one event at a time. It is harder, and more valuable, to step back and ask what the year as a whole should look like. Are you repeating the same things because they work, or because no one has questioned them? Is there something new you want to try, and if so, what has to come off the calendar to make room for it? This is the season to ask those questions, before the fall rush fills every open square on the calendar. Learn more...
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Upcoming Events
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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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Register now for Foundation Golf Classic
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The 6th Annual Foundation Golf Classic is on Monday, October 12, 2026. Since inception in 2021, this annual event has grown in popularity, so join in the fun and play for a worthy cause by marking your calendar now and recruiting your team! All proceeds from the Golf Classic will benefit Heart Havens, a ministry which operates eight group homes in Virginia, empowering adults with developmental disabilities to live and thrive in their community. Register now...
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- Location: Stonehenge Golf Club in Midlothian, outside of Richmond.
- A box lunch will be provided as well as an afternoon awards reception.
- Mulligans will be available for purchase the day of the tournament.
- Shotgun start at noon, followed by the awards reception at Stonehenge Golf Club in Midlothian, VA.
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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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