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To submit news items, events, or corrections, email the conference Communications Office at [email protected].
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August 31, 2021
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How can you take part in learning, influencing, and serving this week?
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How can you be a lifelong learner?
Discipleship Ministries has announced the launch of a new course for local church leaders: Creating a Narrative Budget – The Story Behind the Numbers. The course is expected to open in early to mid-September. The course is written and hosted by the Rev. Dr. Ken Sloane, Director of Stewardship & Generosity, who will introduce the course and set up each of the sessions in videos. Ken will also serve as instructor for the course, interacting with participants through their responses to questions throughout the course, and answering questions that might arise. The course is offered to United Methodist leaders (clergy and laity) at no cost thanks to your church’s generous support of the World Service Fund. Click here for details
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- How can you be an influencer?
The Virginia Conference has shared a video addressing the COVID-19 vaccine and the myths and facts surrounding it. Hear from Bishop Lewis, a retired pediatrician, a Virginia Department of Health representative, and an HCA medical director about the history, safety and effectiveness of the current available vaccines. Stay tuned as more questions and concerns are addressed in coming weeks. View video
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Hearing the news of Hurricane Ida and devastation related to flooding is heartbreaking. United Methodists are called to pray for and with the victims of natural disasters. The Virginia Conference is waiting for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to issue any calls to collect or deploy teams. In the meantime, your church can prepare by doing the following.
1. Assemble cleaning kits
2. Take a special offering
3. Early Response Team (ERT) members, please make sure your credentials and contact information are up-to-date.
Serving Ministries will continue to monitor the situation and update churches of the Virginia Conference. Read more
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Virginia News
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Video addresses FAQs about COVID-19 vaccine concerns
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The Virginia Conference partnered with the Virginia Department of Health and HCA Virginia to answer frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. Watch and share video
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Prepare now for Dec. 3-5 Youth Retreat!
Youth Min Chat - Learn about the Virginia Conference upcoming Youth Retreat, theme, and how to register. Rebuilding plans for the Conference Council on Youth Ministries (CCYM) will also be shared. Join with others across the conference every second Wednesday of the month at 11:30 a.m. - Sign up here
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PRG webinar focuses on relaunching the small church, Sept. 1
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Small congregations are an essential part of the Virginia Annual Conference. They have a unique position to reach out to the community. Relaunching ministry for a small church may be different from churches located in other areas. Make sure to pre-register and join the Post-COVID Re-Entry Group (PRG) for this event. Learn More...
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UMMen Love, Learn, and Lead webinar will feature mission opportunities, Sept. 7
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Please plan to join the Virginia Conference United Methodist Men (UMMen) on Tuesday evening, September 7, 2021 from 6:30 PM EDT, for a Love, Learn, and Lead webinar on mission opportunities and a conversation with the Rev. Seungsoo “RJ” Jun, Associate Director of Serving for the Virginia Conference. Learn more...
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Invitation to UM Center Weekly Virtual Chapel Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
The Virginia United Methodist Center will resume its weekly public Zoom chapel service starting Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, at 10 a.m. Guests from around the conference will lead worship each week. Tune in to sing, pray, and study. The same Zoom link will be used each week. The Rev. Jessie Colwell, the director of the Center for Clergy Excellence, is leading the Sept. 1 service. Click here to view the Order of Worship (pdf) Updated information about chapel speakers will be shared on the conference website at https://vaumc.org/umcenterworship/ and on the Events tab.
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Meeting ID: 950 8909 4606
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,95089094606# US (Washington DC)
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Responding to Hurricane Ida, flooding in Tennessee
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Please remember that any work related to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) will start only after all the first responders leave the area. There will be more specific calls to help in the coming weeks and months. The Virginia Conference strongly advises against any self-deployment to these areas. The work of recovery will continue in the coming months and years, and Serving Ministries invite your church to be part of this long journey. Learn more
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Resources to help Afghan refugees
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As the world witnesses the humanitarian crisis occurring in Afghanistan, the Virginia Conference is providing the resources to help aid your understanding and ability to care for refugees. Read more...
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Resources to help Haiti in its effort to recover
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As the world witnesses the humanitarian crisis occurring in Haiti, after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that crippled an already vulnerable nation, the Virginia Conference is providing the following resources to help the church’s effort to assist the Haitian people. Learn more...
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Special and Sustaining Grant Applications for 2022
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Applications are now available for the 2022 Common Table Special Grants and Sustaining Grants for local churches and ministries. Forms may be found at https://vaumc.org/special-and-sustaining-grants/ The deadline to receive complete applications (must include all supporting documentation and be signed by the District Superintendent) is October 15, 2021. Questions may be directed to Bev Myers at [email protected]
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Study at Wesley YOUR way this Fall: Online, on Campus, or Hybrid
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It’s not too late to study at Wesley Theological Seminary this Fall! Classes start last week of August, and you can choose to study in person, online or in a blended class. Join Wesley for Hybrid Mondays or Weekends, and you can complete up to 6 credits with three on-campus sessions with coursework completed online. Find out more at https://www.wesleyseminary.edu/admissions/try-a-class-2/ or contact (202)885-8659/ [email protected]
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Wesley invites congregations to apply for The Source Collaborative
The Source Collaborative, a Wesley initiative funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc., seeks 10 UMC congregations who wish to thrive and grow in their community and context.
The Source Collaborative will help selected churches identify their own markers of thriving and empower them to create and implement a congregational change strategic plan with the help of a coach. Following a one-year community learning and self-assessment process, a grant and an additional year of coaching for implementation will be provided.
Application deadline is October 1, 2021. Click here to apply
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Today is deadline to submit funds for conference offering
As of August 16, the Virginia Conference has reached the $79,000 mark with $121,000 left to go to reach the overall goal of $200,000 for the 2021 conference offering.
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With every local church joining this effort toward the conference offering goal, the conference will have a bigger impact in addressing food insecurity in the Commonwealth and continuing global outreach through the Partnerships of Hope. You may use the Annual Conference video or share the online donation link. The VAUMC Treasurer’s Office will continue to receive offerings until August 31.
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General Church News
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Conference signals its plans post-separation
UMNS--In a nonbinding vote, the Northwest Texas Annual Conference indicated its hopes to join a new traditionalist denomination under a proposed plan of separation.
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The vote offers the first signal that an annual conference — a regional body consisting of multiple congregations — would leave The United Methodist Church, if permitted to do so.
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What is Critical Race Theory and What Christians Should Know?
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GCORR — Critical Race Theory (CRT) examines how laws in the United States have built and supported racial inequities. It is an ideological framework that names race as a social construct and asserts racialized inequities in society are fostered by historic and current systemic, institutional, and legal policies and practices. The General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) invites United Methodists to view this video to learn more about Critical Race Theory. Garlinda Burton speaks with guests, Dr. Karla McKanders, Dr. Cristian De La Rosa, and Dr. Miguel De La Torre. An Infographic is also available now. Learn more
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Despite Ebola lessons, COVID-19 challenges Africans
UMNS - Health officials across Africa are struggling to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, despite lessons learned in the fight against Ebola.
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As with the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, they are striving to overcome public skepticism and other barriers, but they are also wiser.
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“Our experience with Ebola has prepared us to handle the coronavirus pandemic,” said Dr. Francis Kateh, chief medical officer of Liberia and a United Methodist. Although government efforts to warn citizens are disputed by COVID-19 skeptics, he said, most people take lessons learned from Ebola as a warning. Read more
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One Last Word
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Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31)
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Please send any issues or concerns to [email protected]. If you have issues with the formatting trying to forward (especially in Outlook), you can use the following link. More...
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