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July 5, 2022
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To submit news items, events, or corrections, email the conference Communications Office at [email protected].
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Upcoming Events
- July 12 - Team Jeremiah Q&A
- August 5 & 6 - Lay Servant Academy Hybrid event- Registration open now.
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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?
Is your cup empty? Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership staff writes that many church leaders feel drained by the demands of ministry in these challenging times. She says it’s important to recognize when you need help and outlines strategies to replenish your leadership capacity. Learn more...
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- How can you be an influencer?
Join a new virtual mini-series engaging United Methodists to advocate on current social issues on Zoom and Facebook Live. The General Board of Church and Society invites you to participate in a virtual mini-series to teach and equip United Methodists to respond to matters of social injustice in the church and community. The first event in the series will begin on July 6, 2022, at 3 p.m. ET. The topic will be Voting Rights. Register here to join the conversation!
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United Methodists continue to scramble to provide aid to war-displaced people in Ukraine and surrounding countries. One recent challenge: Finding new housing for displaced people in western Ukraine who had been using a school as shelter. Learn more recent updates...
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Virginia News
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Submit questions now: Team Jeremiah will host Q&A on July 12
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You are invited to a conference-wide Q&A session on topics including General Conference and disaffiliation from the denomination on Tuesday, July 12 at 7 p.m. Due to time constraints during the 2022 Annual Conference session, the Team Jeremiah Q&A session was not held. Bishop Lewis announced that the Q&A would be rescheduled within the next 30 days.
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The July 12 Q&A session will be held through Zoom webinar. All questions need to be submitted in advance so the team can organize questions by topic. Questions will be accepted through this Google form until close of business on July 11. The Q&A panel will include the Rev. Denise Bates, the Rev. Tom Berlin, Mrs. Martha Stokes, the Rev. Dr. Victor Gomez, Mr. David Dommisse, and Mr. John Fuller.
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Winchester non-profit featured in Washington Post
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WASHINGTON POST--The Congregational Community Action Project (CCAP) and several other local organizations are celebrating the opening of “The Friendly Neighborhood Freedge.”
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The "freedge" — a combination of the words “free” and “fridge” — is an outdoor refrigerator filled with donated food that is located on the Our Health campus. The freedge is open 24 hours a day, and those who are struggling financially can take whatever they need to feed themselves and their families.
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CCAP Executive Director Andrea Cosans said she read an Associated Press article about a freedge in another community and thought to herself, “Cool idea. No way CCAP can do it. Two or three weeks later, a gentleman benefactor came and said, ‘I’ll give you $10,000 to do this.’” The contribution came from Winchester resident John Copenhaver and his wife Marsha through the John D. Copenhaver and Marsha A. Childs Justice Fund, which was established through the Community Foundation of the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Copenhaver is a retired elder in the Virginia Conference. Read more...
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Register now for Lay Servant Academy
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Watch Mission Encounter Opening Worship
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Mission Encounter is a joint effort between VAUMC United Women in Faith and Serving Ministries, inviting members to be involved in the mission of God. For participants, Mission Encounter is an opportunity to study current issues impacting society based on current social justice and mission-related topics. Participants grow in understanding the mission of the church in the current world context; conference events are open to all. Registration is now closed but you are invited to watch the opening worship. Watch service...
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Connect your student graduates with college campus ministries
Campus Ministries across the Virginia Conference and The United Methodist Church connection shape leaders of our church, cultivate clergy, and impact not just their college campuses but entire communities. Connect your graduating youth and college students to transformative ministry for the Kingdom that creates lifelong learners who influence others to serve today by completing the campus ministry form or by emailing [email protected]. Please submit student names and information by July 15.
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You attended AC 2022: What's next?
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Lay members to Annual Conference may be wondering how best to report on the annual session to their local churches. An overview Annual Conference report is now available. As well, individual session wrap-ups can be found here.
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The conference Flickr has pictures from throughout the event. Additional pictures will continue to be added throughout this week. Find pictures...
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The livestream of the event can be viewed at the conference Vimeo page. Find more...
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A wrap-up video of the event will be shared by the Communications Office soon.
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Wesley Seminary offering scholarships to VA ministry candidates
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If you or someone you know is considering seminary, Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. is offering scholarships designated for entering Master's level students who are candidates for ministry in the Virginia Conference, particularly those entering in Fall 2022, Spring 2023 or Fall 2023. Learn more...
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Register for Festival of Wisdom & Grace at Lake Junaluska
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Lake Junaluska is once again hosting the Festival of Wisdom & Grace at Lake Junaluska from Monday, August 1 to Thursday, August 4. This annual conference features worship, workshops, recreation, learning, entertainment and fellowship. This year, explore how to find "Rest, Renewal, and Delight." Keynote speaker is Matthew Sleeth, MD, executive director of Blessed Earth, who will talk about ways to maintain mental health, and Bishop Ken Carder, author of "Ministry with the Forgotten: Dementia Through a Spiritual Lens," will be the festival preacher. On the schedule are outstanding workshops, lakeside devotions, learning circles, and a concert with Emmy-nominated Marty Goetz, whose acoustical/classical arrangements have been described as "scriptures beautifully set to music." Register today...
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Candidacy Summit Registration is now live
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The Candidacy Summit is for considering or admitted candidates for ministry in the Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church (VAUMC). The Summit provides opportunities for vocational discernment, connection with others who are exploring God's call in their lives, and deeper understanding about the VAUMC journey towards certified, licensed and ordained ministry. You must be a high school graduate, and 18-years of age, to participate. The event begins on Friday, July 29 and activities run into the early evening. The Summit concludes mid-day on Saturday, July 30. Registration is $75 for this in-person event. Questions may be directed to Associate Director for Call and Candidacy Crystal R. Sygeel, [email protected] or 804-521-1141. Learn more...
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General Church News
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Farming ministry helps women prepare for retirement
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UM NEWS--Members of Harare’s Inner City Circuit United Methodist Church visited the church-related Agriculture Research Trust farm for training. The ministry focuses on life skills, while encouraging, educating and empowering women to help their families survive. Church leaders hope the training encourages women to start thinking about retirement earlier. Read more...
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Learning from Fresh Expressions movement
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LEWIS CENTER FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP--What can we learn from the Fresh Expression movement’s novel approach to reaching people unlikely to attend church on Sunday mornings? In this podcast, Luke Edwards discusses a process of listening and relationship building that can lead to deepening discipleship and the formation of new, nontraditional worshipping communities. Listen...
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Church responds after mass death of migrants
UM NEWS--United Methodists are responding with lament and renewed calls for action after the deaths of at least 51 migrants found in an abandoned tractor-trailer in Texas’ sweltering heat. The United Methodist Church has long had a commitment to care for immigrants and work toward humane immigration policies.
Bishop Robert Schnase, whose area includes San Antonio, is among the church leaders urging United Methodists to continue to work for justice. Read more...
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Join the denomination in sharing why you are #BeUMC
#BeUMC honors the core values that connect the people of The United Methodist Church (The UMC). This grassroots campaign, built upon powerful stories of congregations and people living their faith, celebrates what draws us to The UMC and what we aspire to be.
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The UMC is founded on a Wesleyan theology of grace, anchored in Scripture, and based in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the continuing movement of the Holy Spirit.
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The full story of The UMC reflects all of our interwoven experiences. Consider our common roots and your answer to the question, “Why am I United Methodist?” Then, post a video, photo or written testimony on your preferred social media platform – don’t forget to use the hashtag #BeUMC. Download the campaign guide...
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One Last Word: Fall in love
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"It's been said that the appointment process in The United Methodist Church is like an arranged marriage: the pastor and the congregation are matched with the hopes that they will fall in love with each other. As new appointments begins and as old appointments are renewed, fall in love with each other, my friends. Fall in love with each other."
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Bishop Karen Oliveto, Mountain Sky Episcopal Area
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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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