December 2025

In this Issue:

From the DS
District News (District Conference Recap, Office Inventory, Committee Orientations, Save the date!)
Resources & Links
Important Dates
Celebrations
VAUMC News
Ministry Partner Updates
Lay Servant News
UWF News
RMN News

Download the District Newsletter in PDF Format

A Message from Rev. Dr. Kyungsuk Cho

Watch this month's video from our District Superintendent.

District Conference Recap

Approximately 70 people attended the 4th Annual Shenandoah River District Conference, held on Saturday, November 8th at Camp Overlook’s Glovier Chapel. This year’s Conference focused on Campus Ministry within the District. Rev. Dr. Victor Gómez, UMC Chaplain at Shenandoah University; Rev. Alexis Owens, pastor of RISE; and Rev. Monica Reynolds, Chaplain at Randolph-Macon Academy, each shared about the ministries they lead in their respective settings.

At-large members to the 2026 Annual Conference were elected, and Joshua Foster, the 2025 Youth At-Large Member, spoke about his experience serving at Annual Conference. After the business session concluded, the Service of Communion was held for all present.

To end the day on a joyful note, attendees enjoyed birthday cake in celebration of DS Cho’s birthday. LEARN MORE & SEE PHOTOS

Committee Orientation: Jan. 31

Calling all church leaders! The Shenandoah River District is providing an online training course for all incoming officers or existing leaders who would like assistance navigating the functions of SPRC, Trustees, Finance, Administrative Council, Lay Leader, Single Board/SAS; and the role each person plays in these positions.

No fee is required. Please sign up using the registration portal HERE to receive the Zoom invite.

Please reach out to the District Office with any questions!

Save the Date: April 25

Save the date! Shenandoah River District is offering a training day on April 25, 2026. Offered at Bridgewater UMC and Macedonia UMC, we will learn from Tim Ward and his keynote presentation and offer breakout groups for other ministries. Details and registration info will be released soon. Don't forget to mark your calendar!

Sharing Events in Ways That Truly Connect

For years, many churches sent every event to the district and hoped people would travel across the region to attend. Our areas are simply too large now, and the most effective outreach really happens much closer to home.

The good news is that local communities are full of places where people already look for information. With a bit of consistent effort, you can share your events where neighbors are most likely to notice and respond.

Find a list of places to share your events and a simple, practical first step that you can take this week to prepare to share your Christmas events HERE.

Where To Share -- Connecting With Your Community

"Side Porch" - A Resource for Clergy

Feeling drained, dry, or discouraged? Tired of being tired or going through the motions? Have you lost your drive, feel like there is never enough time to take time for yourself, or lost sight of some of the passion that led you into ministry in the first place? LEARN MORE

Side Porch Inc.

December 1-2: UWF Lunches at Camp Overlook
December 23-Jan1: District Office Closed
December 31: Toms Brook office closes permanently
January 29: UM Day at the General Assembly
January 31: Committee Orientation (Zoom)
March 2: UMM Dinner
April 25: District Training

For Clergy

Valentine lunches coming in 2026! More to come.
Joint Pastor Preference forms are due by Jan 1, 2026!

Full Calendar

Charge Conferences

Approximately 100 people attended their Charge Conferences at Woodstock United Methodist Church on Sunday, November 16th.

On Sunday, November 9th, 125 people attended their Charge Conferences at Dayton

United Methodist Church’s Fellowship Hall.

Coffee On Us

Our first Coffee On Us meeting. Rev. Dr. Victor Gómez and Rev. Taeshin Kim met at Shenandoah University to discuss partnerships in ministry with college students.

As we sunset Partners in Ministry, the District has launched a new initiative to bring folks together across the Shenandoah River District. We have set aside the remaining balance of the PIM budget for supporting new (and existing) relationships between clergy and laity. So, in the coming weeks, please call up a new friend and go out for coffee together. Our hope is that you discuss new ways of doing ministry in your community together. Simply take a selfie (just like Taeshin and Victor!) with you and the person you had coffee with and send us a picture of the receipt. We will gladly reimburse you for both coffees!

Find links and information from the Virginia Conference below.

Support neighbors now with food insecurity

The Virginia Annual Conference and the Virginia United Methodist Foundation have partnered on the Emergency Food Response Fund.

This fund is designed to bridge the gap for neighbors facing increased food insecurity during the government shutdown.

Through your generosity, we can make sure every neighbor has access to daily bread and that our United Methodist connection continues to be a channel of hope and care in this critical time. LEARN MORE & GIVE

Emergency Food Response Fund

Find the latest news and information from our Ministry Partners using the links below!

Shenandoah River District Office

78 Brook Creek Road

Toms Brook, VA 22660

540-433-2382 District Office

Phone Number

Website: ShenandoahRiverDistrict.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShenandoahRiverDistrict

Do you have any changes, error, additions to the District Website?

Click here to complete the form:

Rev. Dr. Kyungsuk Cho - District Superintendent - ShenandoahRiverDS@vaumc.org

Rev. Dr. Andy Brock - Developer for Clergy Formation - AndyBrock@vaumc.org

Rev. Tommy Stelzl - Developer of Congregational Innovation - Tommy Stelzl@vaumc.org

Mrs. Debbie Creech - District Administrator - DebbieCreech@vaumc.org

If you would like to include an article in this newsletter, please email Debbie Creech, District Administrator, at DebbieCreech@vaumc.org by the 20th of each month.