The Virginia Conference Scouting Ministry team was represented at the annual United Methodist Scouter Training at Philmont Training Center in Cinnamon, New Mexico, in July.
The Rev. Brian and Shannon Sixbey of the York River District, and Barbara and Gary Duerk of the Roanoke District, joined Conference Coordinator Bill Chaffin. The Rev. Pam Anderson, Richmond District, had to be quarantined due to international travel and could not physically attend but was in virtual attendance on many occasions.
The Duerks, Sixbeys, and Anderson were participants and Chaffin was on the conference faculty. The faculty represented United Methodist Scouters from around the United States. Additionally Gil Hanke, General Secretary of the Global Commission of United Methodist Men, and Steven Scheid, National Director of Scouting Ministries, were onsite, sharing their knowledge and passion for Youth Serving Programs.
“This has been the greatest attendance and interaction at this training in the years it has been held,” said Chaffin. “This year was also a celebration of the 100th year relationship between the United Methodist Church and the Boy Scouts of America since 2020 event was cancelled.”
Each attendee was intimately involved in many aspects of the weeklong conference focusing on many aspects of the interaction between the church and local Boy Scout programs.
The Virginia Conference was second only to the North Georgia Conference in number of attendees. Next year’s Conference is already set for the same week in July of 2022.