February 2026 | In This Issue:
- From the DS
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District News
Office on the Move, Training Day Registration is OPEN!, Medical Equipment, Cultivating Generous Congregations, Lay Servant Training, Coffee Talk
- Resources & Links
- Important Dates
- Celebrations
- VAUMC News
- Ministry Partner Updates
Lay Servant News, RMN News, UMM
UWF, Camp Overlook
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A Message from Rev. Dr. Kyungsuk Cho
Watch this month's video from our District Superintendent.
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Office On The Move
We continue to offer our services to the churches in our district. Please note the days of the week our staff are available to serve you in your area:
Kyungsuk - Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday
Tommy - Monday - Friday
Debbie - Monday through Thursday
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Register for Training Day!
Shenandoah River District is offering a training day on Saturday, 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.
This event costs $20/person and lunch is provided.
Register Today!
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Do you or someone you know need medical equipment?
We have had a medical equipment closet in our community since 2015, which depends solely on donations. We now have a large number of wheelchairs, transport chairs, shower chairs, bedside commodes, and hospital beds, and are in fact feeling like we are bursting at the seams in the space that we now have. We would love to have these items go to be used by someone who needs them. There is no charge for them.
We are at 8335 North Valley Pike, Rockingham in the Mt Tabor UMC and can be reached at our phone #540-404-1159. You are welcome to come by during our open hours, Mondays 5-7 PM and Thursdays 9-11 AM
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You're Invited: Cultivating Generous Congregations Event
The Mountain View District is hosting a comprehensive stewardship training workshop for congregational teams (pastor + 1 - 4 laity). This workshop is Presented by the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving/Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and will be facilitated by Meredith McNabb and Lana Miller.
WHEN: Saturday, March 7, 9 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Main Street UMC, 212 E Main St, Bedford VA
COST: $25.00/person
Click HERE for more information. Click HERE for the event schedule. Click HERE to register. Deadline to register: Feb 27, 2026
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Lay Servant Training
Springtime also brings the month of our Lay Servant Training Day. I'm excited, along with the Lay Servant Committee, to see you on March 14th, 2026, at Otterbein UMC in Harrisonburg, VA, at 9 AM.
Classes:
- Basic
- Leading Prayer
- Life Together in the United Methodist Connection (United Methodist Polity)
- Becoming a Church Where Young People Thrive
READ MORE from Raini Newman about this event.
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Coffee Hour with Lan Wilson
Rev. Lan Wilson began his role in July 2025 as the Director of Belonging and Advocacy for the Virginia Annual Conference. He is touring all eight districts to share who he is, what his office is all about, and learn what's going on in your part of the state (with regards to life, socioeconomics, culture, justice, ministry). He will be asking how the annual conference can resource/support you.
Lan will be in the Shenandoah River District in March. More details to come!
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Clergy Valentine Lunches
The Shenandoah River District Staff spent time with our clergy this month at a series of Valentine lunches. We met at four locations across the district to visit with and celebrate the incredible work our pastors do.
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Coffee On Us
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 these pastors!) 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!
| | Revs. Laurice Jones-Wilks and Costella Forney recently met together and enjoyed their coffee time at Starbucks in Harrisonburg. | | |
Margie Hernandez, Director of Latino Ministry at Braddock Street UMC recently met with pastor Sean Devolites from First UMC and Pastor Jack Lee from Market Street UMC and Greenwood UMC.
They gathered to discuss collaboration in ministry with Building Bridges at Braddock and Just Neighbors Immigration Clinics
| | Rev.Tommy Stelzl enjoys Coffee on Us with Revs. Alexis Owens and Lori Valentine Martinquez | | |
Find links and information from the Virginia Conference below.
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2026 Awards Nominations
We are currently receiving nominations for two conference awards that celebrate faithful, creative, and life-giving discipleship happening in our churches and communities: The Wesley Flame Award and The One Matters Award. These awards honor both clergy and lay people of all ages, as well as congregations that are helping new life take root.
Many of the most powerful stories of ministry happen quietly. We do not want them to go unnoticed. NOMINATION FORM
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Find the latest news and information from our Ministry Partners using the links below!
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UMM Dinner Meeting & Rally
The United Methodist Men of Manor Memorial UMC in New Market invite all men of the district to a Dinner Meeting and Rally on March 2, 2026 at Manor Memorial. A meal, which will be served at 6:30 PM, will be provided to all who attend at no charge. A free will offering to benefit Camp Overlook will be available.
LEARN MORE & REGISTER
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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. |
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