Here's the March news for you!

Mission Rivers District Newsletter

Dates to Remember in March

March 1st

March 10th

March 17th

March 19th

March 24th

March 28th

March 29th

March 31, 2024

Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson visited our district Sunday, February 11th and Monday, February 12th. The weather was gloomy but the people of the district welcomed her with warmth and enthusiasm.

Laity Session Tappahannock Memorial UMC, Tappahannock

Laity Session Crooks Memorial UMC, Yorktown

Clergy Session Williamsburg UMC, Williamsburg

All district clergy were invited to a lunch meeting with the Bishop on Monday, As the Bishop said at the beginning of her remarks, she stayed until the last question was answered and the last comment was made.

Clergy Session photographs can be found here:

Clergy Lunch with Bishop Sue

Pastoral Leadership Group (PLG)

Our PLG group meets monthly beginning in February. The first hour provides an opportunity for a group discussion on a reading assignment about Bowen Family Systems Theory. After a brief lunch break, a group member presents a case from their family or congregation for feedback from the group. Our book this year is “Becoming Your Best” by Dr. Ronald Richardson. Please contact Becky Glass at [email protected] if you have questions or would like to sign up.

Clergy Connections

Each month, PPCC hosts a time of coffee and fellowship for our partner pastors as well as local clergy who are interested in learning more about PPCC. We typically meet on the third Tuesday of each month from 8:30 – 9:30 am in person or on Zoom. Please mark your calendar for our spring dates: March 19, April 16, and May 21.We’d love for you to join us!

CLERGY CONNECTIONS ZOOM

Partner Churches

PPCC welcomes Wesley United Methodist Church, Hampton as a new partner congregation! If you would like more information about our Partner Congregation program or would like to become a partner in 2024, please use the link or visit our website to learn more.

Annual Conference Hotel Reservation System Opened February 19

The 242nd Session of the Virginia Annual Conference will be held Thursday, June 20 – Saturday, June 22, 2024 at the HAMPTON ROADS CONVENTION CENTER in Hampton, Virginia.

Hotel registration opened on Monday, February 19th, 2024 at 8:00 A.M.

Annual Conference members will have 16 area hotels within the Annual Conference Room block from which to choose. The reservation process will allow attendees to see detailed information on the hotels, our conference room rates, room types, amenities, and locations all in one place. Conference rates are guaranteed through Friday, May 17.

Please do not call the hotels as hotel reservations will only be taken online. Hotel reservations will not be accepted before February 19th.

Hotel Reservations can be made here.

If you do not have easy access to the internet or a computer, you should contact your pastor or your District office for assistance in making your hotel reservation.

Youth members staying with the youth cohort will be housed at Christopher Newport University. The Office of Discipleship and Congregational Vitality will communicate directly with youth regarding their housing sign ups.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. For additional Annual Conference information, go to the Virginia Conference website.

For more information about Childcare, click the link here

Childcare at Annual Conference will be available for children (16 months-rising 5th grade) at First UMC, 10246 Warwick Boulevard, Newport News, VA 23601. Registration is open from February 19-May 1.

Annual Conference members,

Click the button below for a broad overview agenda for this year's Annual Conference session. Some highlights of this year's conference include:

A pre-conference gathering to celebrate Juneteenth and consider the ongoing pursuit of intersectional justice in the Virginia Annual Conference.
Clergy Session and Laity Session will take place at 8:30am on Thursday.
Annual Conference will be called to order with opening worship at 10:30am on Thursday.
The memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Friday.
A Service of Recognition and Call will be held at 9:30am on Saturday.
Business sessions throughout Annual Conference will include space for teaching from leaders throughout the United Methodist connection.
Evenings are open, allowing for space to make connections and find rest.

We are looking forward to a great Annual Conference session in June!

View Agenda

The Annual Conference will host a display center for any boards, agencies, committees, or vendors who would like to participate.

To sign up, please use the link here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-DTBy4UYmUw7lSpIHeZ7uvfZsqYTIFBPwLC8FSv_2I--VqQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

General Conference News

Before Conference Conversations

Help North Carolina Welcome the World

United Methodists from all over the world are traveling to attend General Conference in Charlotte, NC from April 23-May 3, 2024. Psalm 46:10 sets the theme for this important gathering: “…and know that I am God.” In all we do, God guides our every decision. The gathering is expected to attract about 5,500-7,500 people. You are invited to serve as part of our Welcome Team during General Conference and offer gracious hospitality to our guests. Learn more...

General Conference April 2024 will take place in Charlotte North Carolina April 23 to May 3. If you are considering or being asked about ways to volunteer for General Conference, please consider supporting the Love Thy Neighbor Coalition (LYNC).

LYNC is a coalition of 15 UMC affiliated ethnic and social justice caucuses working for a grace filled and inclusive denomination. At the last several General Conferences, LYNC has organized witness, worship, legislative support, monitors, advocacy and other volunteer opportunities.

There are two ways you can support LYNC:

1) VOLUNTEER: There are options to volunteer in person if you plan to attend some or all of General Conference, (OR) to volunteer virtually. You can indicate your interest by filling in the volunteer interest form on the LYNC website.

2) DONATE: LYNC is raising funds to support its General Conference work. Your donation to LYNC will support their organizing efforts.

Consider sharing information about LYNC in your church bulletin or newsletter.

Other options you or your congregation can take to support General Conference include: prayers for General Conference delegates; hosting listening sessions to watch portions of the General Conference livestream; or sending supportive notes to General Conference delegates.

Here are some helpful links for information about General Conference:

ADCA (Advance Daily Christian Advocate) - Volumes 1 and 2 are the legislation submitted for 2020. Volume 3 is the legislation submitted for 2024
Beginners Guide to General Conference
UMC website about General Conference

Mark Elder, Annual Conference Member & General Conference Delegate

Learn More

All God's Children Camp

We are gearing up for 2024 and we are so excited about our 3 weeks of All God's Children Camp. Camper applications are coming in and it is starting to fill up! We need at least 30 females and 30 males (10 females and 10 males for each week) to help mentor this summer. I really hope you'll be able to join us for one of the weeks and get to know some pretty amazing campers. So grab a friend or two and come spend the week with us!

June 9-14 at Westview on the James

June 16-21 at Camp Chanco on the James

August 11-16 at Camp Chanco on the James

Mentor Application

Junior Mentor Application

Extension Clergy Gathering with Bishop Sue: March 12, 9am-3pm at Williamsburg UMC (Williamsburg). Join us for a time of worship, a talk with Bishop Sue, a prayer walk through Colonial Williamsburg and William & Mary, ministry spotlights, conversation and connection with extension clergy colleagues, plenty of coffee, and lunch. Clear your calendar and get yourself there, and the rest will be taken care of. We hope this will be a relaxing and rejuvenating day of connection. Questions, contact Deborah Lewis: [email protected]

Join the Journeys of Paul Cruise: Sept. 21- Oct. 1, 2024

Space is limited, please register now! Join Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson and the VAUMC on an Educational Opportunities Tour —Journeys of Paul Cruise — from September 21- October 1, 2024 (9 nights abroad on the Odyssey of the Seas, a round trip from Rome, Italy). The guest Speaker will be Rev. Magrey deVega. For questions, please contact Rev. Justin White at [email protected] or 703-973-1606. To learn more and register...

Local Churches

Bay Aging Presentation

March 12

The United Women in Faith of Lower United Methodist Church invites the community to join us for a special presentation by La’Norsha Holden, Health Coach and Options Counselor from Bay Aging. This presentation is not just for women – everyone is invited to join us at 10:30 in the Fellowship Hall at 120 Lower Church Road, Hartfield. Ms. Holden’s presentation will be about 25 minutes, focusing on services and programs offered by Bay Aging followed by a question-and-answer session. This special program is being sponsored by the Martha Sarah Circle of United Women in Faith and we appreciate Ms. Holden coming from Montross, VA to be with us.

We are searching for 2-3 Peery Handbell Tables to purchase or have donated to our church music ministry. The tables we are looking for are 6 feet in length with 4 inch muslin covered foam attached. We are also looking for the music stands that work with these particular tables. If you have any of these tables/stands you are not using and would like to sell or donate them, please contact Randy Joyner, Music Director of Bellamy UMC. You may leave a message at (804) 694-5142. Thank You.