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July 12, 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?
Baby boomers and Gen Xers are currently the most critical donor base for most congregations. According to Lewis Center for Church Leadership, these generations want proof that their gifts are making a difference. Read this article to learn four principles for measuring and reporting results. Learn more...
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- How can you be an influencer?
As more and more churches recognize the need for a strong digital presence, churches are asking for support in creating and strengthening their online ministry. In a new pod UMC.org Podcast, the Rev. Nicole Reilley is going to provides ideas and stories from her own experience in being a senior pastor at a traditionally-based church and the chief cheerleader or ringleader for pastoring a digital parish. Learn more...
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A church in Sterling, Illinois, is passing out free crosses to support the people of Ukraine. The Rev. Jim Miller says the people of East Jordan United Methodist Church want community members to plant crosses "because the people in Ukraine can’t." Kevin Deets, East Jordan's administrative council board chair and a woodworker, cuts the wood for the crosses and church members help assemble and paint them. Read story...
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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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Boundaries of new VAUMC districts outlined
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July 8--Following the vote of the Annual Conference on Friday, June 17, 2022, that set the number of districts to eight effective July 1, 2022, in keeping with Paragraph 415.4 of the 2016 UMC Book of Discipline, and in consultation with the Cabinet, the boundaries of the new districts shall be as follows, effective July 1, 2022:
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The exterior boundaries shall be the combined boundaries of their former constituent districts in their bi-district configurations (which were established July 1, 2021), with the dissolution of the interior boundary of the former paired districts, to form eight new districts as shown below both in table and map.
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These districts shall be served by the eight district superintendents as listed at the link. Learn more...
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New agreements between BSA and UMC churches now available
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July 8--After extensive discussions between the UMC BSA Leadership team, led by Bishop John Schol, and the Boy Scouts leadership team, there are new agreements for local churches to use with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Learn more...
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Team Jeremiah will host Q&A tonight, 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 needed to be submitted in advance so the team can organize questions by topic (The deadline to submit questions ended close of business time on July 11). Registration is still available at this link...
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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. The session will be recorded for later viewing.
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UMM to lead Love, Learn and Lead webinar about Common Table
The United Methodist Men (UMM) invite all to join the latest Love, Learn, and Lead webinar on Tuesday, July 19 at 6:30 p.m. on the Common Table with the Rev. Dr. Steven Summers, Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Connectional Ministries.
The Common Table for Church Vitality (“Common Table”) exists to resource mission and ministry to fulfill the conference mission and vision. As a diverse body of representatives, the Common Table coordinates with Boards and Agencies, assists in the disbursement of ministry and program grants, and oversees the personnel of the Annual Conference offices that are under its guidance. Come and learn how the Common Table helps United Methodist Men minister effectively.
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Join Zoom Meeting
Tuesday, July 19 at 6:30 PM EDT
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Meeting ID: 898 2460 7164
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+13017158592,,89824607164# US (Washington D.C)
+19292056099,,89824607164# US (New York)
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+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
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Webinar recordings from previous Love, Learn, and Lead webinars are posted on the conference website https://vaumc.org/UMM.
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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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Register now for Lay Servant Academy
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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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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. . 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 is now available for local church use. Watch video...
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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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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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General Church News
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Is The United Methodist Church really...?
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UM NEWS--Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, has received many questions from congregations wondering about the future of the denomination and whether they should consider disaffiliating from it. These have included recurrent questions that reflect misperceptions or misinformation that congregations are receiving as they discern their next steps. This is the first of a series of articles offering accurate responses to such misperceptions or misinformation. Learn more...
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Youngest United Women in Faith president elected
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'Ainse 'Isama'u is the youngest and first ever Pacific Islander national president of United Women in Faith. Read more about the newest national president in her profile by Paul Jeffrey, from the July/August issue of Response magazine. Read more...
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Navigating dementia: A guide for loved ones
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Loneliness, grief, anger, exhaustion and a longing for peace. United Methodist pastor and author Elizabeth Shulman says these emotions frequently surround families dealing with dementia. She offers steps for how caregivers, as well as members of the church community, can find and offer support for one another in the latest Get your Spirit in Shape podcast. Find podcast, resources and podcast transcript.
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Facebook Q&A for local churches planned
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United Methodist Communications has a question-and-answer session planned to help congregations grow through marketing and outreach. The session is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. U.S. Central time July 27 on Facebook.com/umcom. Communications experts will be on hand to answer questions throughout that timeframe.
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State of the Church report focuses on United Methodist identity
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UM NEWS--The 2021 State of the Church report is now available to view online. The report asks the question: “Who do we say we are?” and celebrates the life-changing, diverse and global nature of The United Methodist Church. View report...
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Healing through a Spirit-filled 'Window to Heaven'
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UM NEWS--The first idea for a mural at Dallas Indian United Methodist Church in Texas was to portray Jesus with Native American skin tone. It made sense, given the congregation is 94 percent Native American. It didn’t turn out that way. Something — artist Damon Neal and church pastor the Rev. JB Jackson say it’s the Holy Spirit — caused Neal to transform the mural into “A Window to Heaven,” replete with many of God’s creations integrated into the clouds. “I believe every stroke has been inspired by the Holy Spirit,” Jackson said. “Damon’s very highly spiritually sensitive to the leading and guiding of the Spirit.” Read more...
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Missionary strengthens lay leadership, church development in the East Congo Episcopal Area
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GLOBAL MINISTRIES--A missionary who discovered United Methodism through the Cameroon Mission Initiative uses experience gained in 17 years of lay leadership and church development to help strengthen these areas in the East Congo Episcopal Area. Read his story...
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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
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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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