January 18, 2018
Welcome to The Bridge, a weekly update of the Rappahannock River District of the United Methodist Church 

INTENTIONAL DISCIPLE
MAKING TRAINING
March 24 th
10:00 am to 12:30 pm

Calling All Rappahannock River District Clergy
& 3 Laity from Each Church/Charge

This March 24 th training day will teach us how to be more intentional in disciple making. We will cover:
 
  • Investing in making & growing disciples: Bringing clarity to the ‘What’ ‘How’ and ‘Why’ of making disciples. Offering tools to bring the ‘Why’, ‘What’, and ‘How’ back to your ministry setting. Creating an intentional discipleship system (or pathway) - unique to your church’s context.
  • Discipleship begins with relationships. Equipping your disciples with the right heart and motivation for disciple-making.
  • Engaging Your Community: Listening, Learning, & Developing Strategies to reach the non-religious and nominally religious in your community


Our Leader for the Day: Rev Jeff Campbell serves as the Executive Director of Conference Relationships at Discipleship Ministries. He works to strengthen intentional disciple-making across the connection. Jeff served for 13 years as a senior pastor prior to coming to Discipleship Ministries.
Confirm Registration by email to [email protected]
Registration is now open!
Next Youth Retreat Planning Meeting is Sunday, Jan. 21 at New Hope UMC at 2:00pm- Please join us!
Charge from Bishop Lewis
Ready for the challenge?
 
Bishop Lewis has charged the conference to read the Bible all the way through 2018 chronologically. You can find the whole year's schedule at the link:  https://www.vaumc.org/pages/bishop-lewis/2018biblechallenge .
 
 
Two Positions Open:
Part-time Organist/Pianist wanted for Tappahannock Memorial United Methodist Church, Tappahannock, VA. This person will be responsible for providing music for two Sunday worship services, choir rehearsals and special worship services of the church. Salary negotiable. For more information, please contact the church office at [email protected] or 804-443-2278.
Organist or pianist wanted for Midland United Methodist Church. This person will be responsible for providing music for the Sunday morning worship at 9:30. Could be a part-time or full time position. For more information please contact Faith Scott at
Brain Builders
Want to make a difference in a child's life? Stafford Junction's Brain Builders is looking for people to volunteer in the after school programs at several Stafford County schools: Hartwood, Rocky Run, Falmouth, Ferry Farm, Kate Waller Barrett, Drew Middle, and Hampton Oaks. 
Brain Builders is held 2 days/week from 3:30pm-5:00pm (either Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday) at each school. Volunteers encourage students with their homework, math skills, and reading skills. A new program, Book Busters, has started at Rocky Run with a focus on reading. A meal is provided by various organizations in the community. The students have the opportunity for their minds, bodies and spirits to be fed. If you would like to find our more or would like to visit one of these programs, please call Lynn Hamilton at  540.368.0081  or email  [email protected] .
Barbers & Hair Stylists Needed
From Micah Ecumenical Ministries: Calling all stylists, barbers and people who proclaim some hair cutting skill. Micah’s soon to be ready hair studio is looking for you. With the community’s help we hope to have at least one haircut opportunity each week to keep our friends in need looking spiffy. Interested? Give us a call at  540.479.4116  or send Micah Ecumenical Ministries a Facebook message so we can follow up. 
‌
Untold Stories of a Search for Freedom
"Secret Codes, A Chatham Slave, and the Reverend Turner - Moments in Black History"
 
Friday, February 9, 2018
 
6:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
 
Downtown Historic Fredericksburg, VA
"Witness" three untold stories of  African Americans  during and after the Civil War as they searched for freedom and civil rights. Join in commemorating Black History Month by participating in a living history event presenting three different vignettes at three historic churches in downtown Fredericksburg .  These scenes from the lives of enslaved persons as well as new freedmen during the Civil War era will take place on Friday, February 9, from 6:00 P.M. to  9 :00 P.M.  
 


The tours will start at the  Fredericksburg United Methodist Church , at  308 Hanover Street .   Visitors may find parking behind the church in the church parking lot on Charlotte Street, as well as street parking. Please use the entrance on the Charlotte Street side of the church, which is where the tours will originate. 

The first tour will start promptly  at 6:05 P.M., with subsequent tours   departing every 20 minutes. Each tour will last approximately one hour and involves moderate walking.  The tour will end with the third vignette at Shiloh Baptist Church  (New Site)  followed by refreshments. A nominal donation of $5 per person is suggested and will be taken at the door.   Cash or check only, please. 

Friends of Wilderness Battlefield is coordinating this event with the help of the three host churches:   Fredericksburg United Methodist Church , Shiloh Baptist Church (New Site) and St. George's Episcopal Church. Also collaborating with the event are the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, the John J. Wright Educational and Cultural Center Museum, the 23 rd  United States Colored Troops, and the Women of the Civil War.
 
To reserve a spot for a tour, please sign up at our website,  www.fowb.org , where you may request which tour you would like to take. Time slots for tours are: 6:05, 6:25,6:45, 7:05, 7:25, and 7:45 P.M. Please note that  space is limited  with only 25 spaces per tour, so signing up early is advised!
 
 
 
For more information, contact Kim Harmon, at  [email protected]  or  217-299-1102 . 
 
 
Upcoming District Meetings & Training:


January 19 Lay Servant Committee, Warsaw UMC, 11:30am

January 20 SPPR Committee Training, Trinity King George UMC, 10:00am

January 20 UMW Local Officer Workshop, Andrew Chapel UMC, Stafford

January 21 Youth Retreat Planning Meeting, New Hope UMC, 2:00pm

January 22 District Board on Superintendency, Tappahannock Memorial, 7:00pm

January 23 Ordained Ministry, Wright's Chapel UMC

January 23 District Finance, Fredericksburg UMC, 7:00pm

January 24 Heartwood Board, New Hope, 7:00pm

January 25 Connectional Ministries, Wright's Chapel, 7:00pm

January 27 UMW Local Officer Workshop, Providence UMC, Montross

February 1 UM Day at General Assembly
  
District Superintendent: Rev. Dr. Theodore Smith
DS Email:   [email protected] Cell: 540.419.5131

2018 District Co-Lay Leader:
Debbie Dietrich      [email protected]

2018 District Co-Lay Lay Leader:
Terry Bain [email protected]

2018 District Associate Lay Leader: Jim Helm [email protected]
2018 District Lay Servant Ministry Director  Dottie Garrison [email protected]
Heartwood Director: Rev. Gayle Porias [email protected]
District Secretary: Lynn Manley [email protected]
Mailing Address: PO BOX 100, Ladysmith, VA 22501 Phone   804.448.8326     FAX        804.448.8328 Cell: 804.304.8566
Office Location: Inside Wright’s Chapel UMC at 8063 Ladysmith Road, Ruther Glen, VA (do not use for mail)