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Mission Rivers District Newsletter | | Special October Dates to Remember | | It's official! DS Lindsey Baynham Freeman is installed. | | |
(L-R): Bishop Sue, Rev. Dan Kim, Tony Clement, David Ledbetter, Rev. Brian Johnson, Rev. Ryan LaRock, DS Lindsey, Jenn Robinson O'Brien, Judy Craun, Donna Turley. Rev. Emilee Ogden, Warren Harper.
Not pictured: Rev. Kristie Askew, Rev. Dr. Donna Taylor, Rev. Kevin Elmore, Rev. Robin BeMiller and host pastor Rev. Patti Money.
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Bishop Sue
conducted the Installation service for the new DS.
| | Tom Baynham, Brenda Baynham, DS Lindsey Baynham Freeman, Matthew Freeman. | | The Virginia United Methodist Foundation's Grants Season Is Now Open | |
Don't miss this opportunity for your ministry!
The Foundation's 2025-26 grants season is now officially open, and you can begin the application process by following this link.
This new online platform streamlines the process, saving you time and energy.
- Create an account by entering your email and adding a password.
- On your dashboard, you'll see the Foundation grants as an opportunity. Click the icon to start your application.
- Two of our three grant categories require approval by your DS (under the section entitled "District Superintendent Approval").
- You'll use the "Collaborate" button in the top right-hand corner to invite the DS to view and approve your application (see screenshot)
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- The platform will send an email to your DS, asking them to view and sign your proposal if they approve.
- You'll be able to see within your application whether the DS has signed.
- Then you can proceed with finalizing and submitting your application.
NOTE: THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS OCTOBER 31st!
Please let us know if you have any questions by emailing: foundationgrants@vaumc.org.
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The Virginia United Methodist Conference Historical Society would like to invite the members and clergy of your districts to join them at their fall meeting for a program led by Dr. Lacey Warner of Duke Divinity School.
Her presentation at 11 am on October 4 will be:
“An ‘Extraordinary’ Woman: Dorothy Ripley of Mecklenburg County.”
Everyone is cordially invited to attend (no reservation needed).
Prof. Warner's book Saving Women is the authoritative study of early American Women in evangelism. Dorothy Ripley was the foremost preacher of that era.
Following Prof. Warner's presentation, lunch will be available for $14 each (payable at the door). Reservations for lunch can be sent to BarbaraLewis@vaumc.org by October 1.
The meeting, program and lunch will be held at
Boydton United Methodist Church
25 Bank Street
Boydton, VA 23917
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Pet Blessing
Saturday, October 4th, 2025
Beginning 11:00am
Rain date: October 18
- Come get your fur babies blessed!
- Any living creature that is part of your family. (Must be well behaved to participate in the group blessing.)
- Drive-through blessings will be provided for sensitive or excitable pets.
- All reptile pets must be in carriers.
- Please invite your friends and neighbors.
We will also be collecting pet food to support the nonprofit Peninsula Pet Pantry that support low income families and seniors. Please bring cans or bags of cat/dog food with you. There is also a need for cat litter. We will also have a box in the church breeze way by the office entrance where you can drop off any donations.
Grace United Methodist Church
1209 Country Club Rd Newport News, VA 23606
graceumcnn.com
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Wesley United Methodist Church
2510 N. Armistead Ave.
Hampton, VA 23666
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Wesley's Pumpkin Patch will be open from 5-31 October. Come on out, enjoy
the patch, and select pumpkins with family and friends!
Friday, 10 October
7:00 PM - Harmony House in the Fellowship Hall - Pizza and a Movie Night!
Saturday, 11 October
11:00 AM - Blessing of the Animals at Wesley's Picnic Shelter
Friday, 17 October
6:00 PM-7:00PM - S'mores Night! Come out to the Pumpkin Patch to enjoy
making and eating s'mores and fellowshipping at the Patch.
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Saturday, October 25, 2025 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Benn's United Methodist Church
14571 Benn's Church Blvd.
Smithfield, VA 23430
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Family and Community Fall Festival for all ages ~ invite a friend!
Join us for crafts, hay ride, games, cake walk, snacks, fellowship, and fun!
Call 757-357-3373 for more information.
| | First UMC Fox Hill will be celebrating Homecoming Weekend October 25 and 26. On the 25th, we will have a Tent Revival beginning at 3pm. Rev Kenny Newsomes, Rich Meisner, and several others will be bringing the blessed word. In case of inclement weather, we will move inside the sanctuary. On Sunday, October 26, we’ll celebrate homecoming with a combined 10am service, with Rev Newsome preaching, followed by a fellowship meal. For more details, contact Pastor Brian or check out our web address: www.firstumcfoxhill.org | |
Find support, fellowship and hope among others experiencing grief. Join co-facilitators Debra Boyce, LPC, and Rev. Meghan Roth Clayton, graduate student intern, for a short-term grief support group. On Wednesdays, October 29; November 5, 12, 19 and 26; and December 3 and 10, we will meet at Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center in the conference room from 5-6:30pm. The group will use the Alan Wolfelt book Understanding Your Grief and its accompanying journal. When you register, select your registration based on if you will purchase your own copies or want PPCC to secure your materials. Please note the November 26 meeting will be a special 2-hour session (5-7pm) to develop coping tools for the holiday season. All are welcome. If you have any questions, please reach out to PPCC at office@peninsulapastoral.org or 757-873-2273.
Link to sign up: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/otherevents/event/griefsupport2025/
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We are busting at the seams, literally. The number of children has us knocking out walls to accommodate them. Our mission work touches every corner of Gloucester and much of the world. Bellamy UMC, is a vital, mission-minded congregation located in Gloucester, VA and we seek a skilled and dedicated Church Accompanist to passionately enhance our Sunday morning worship experiences. The accompanist will provide musical accompaniment for two worship services, as well as accompanying the Choir, soloists and small ensembles as needed.
Qualifications: Proficiency in piano and/or organ, ability to sight-read and accompany vocalists confidently. Experience in church music is preferred but not required. If you are passionate about music and eager to contribute to a vital, growing, and welcoming faith community, we’d love to consider you for our team.
More information about this opportunity is available by contacting Randy Joyner, Director of Music at music@bellamyumc.org.
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