Charge Conference Dates

SAVE these dates!

Eastern Location – (Loudoun & Fauquier Counties)

Saturday, October 24th - 10:00 a.m

Round Hill United Methodist Church, 11 West Loudoun Street, Round Hill, VA 20142

Central Location – (Page, Shenandoah & Warren Counties)

Sunday, October 25th - 3:00 p.m.

Manor Memorial United Methodist Church, 9320 North Congress Street, New Market, Va 22844

Southern Location – (Augusta, Rockingham & the City of Harrisonburg)

Saturday, November 21st - 10:00 a.m.

Vision of Hope United Methodist Church, 1723 Port Republic Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Northern Location – (Clarke & Frederick Counties and the City of Winchester)

Sunday, November 22nd - 3:00 p.m.

Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, 210 E. Main Street, Berryville, VA 22611

For details about Charge Conference, including the orientation recording and paperwork instructions, please contact Debbie.

Local Licensed Pastors - don’t forget to bring your license to be signed by the District Superintendent to Charge Conference!

District Conference

District Conference will take place on Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Manor Memorial UMC (9320 North Congress Street

New Market, VA 22844.)

If you are interested in serving as an At-Large Member to Annual Conference, please FILL OUT THIS FORM. Elected Annual Conference District At-Large Members will represent the Shenandoah River District at all Annual Conferences, including in-person on June 16-19, 2027, in Harrisonburg, VA.

Lay Leadership Orientation

Saturday, December 12 at 10:00 a.m. | Online

Whether you’re stepping into a new role or sharpening the one you have, join us for Lay Leadership Orientation. We will offer orientation for the following roles: SPPRC, Finance, Trustees, Lay Leader, Nominations (Lay Leadership)

Save the Date: Nickerson Coaching

January 23 and 24, 2027

Mark your calendar for Nickerson Coaching, with a focus on small membership churches, outreach, and cooperation. Two events will be offered, one in the North and one in the South. Venues will be announced soon.

Lay Servant News

Happy October, everyone!

This month is a busy time in the church, especially with Charge Conference upon us. A huge thank-you to our committee members, Pastor Lori Valentine-Martinez and Pastor Deb Washer, for putting together and presenting a Lunch & Learn on How to Complete a Lay Servant Report during our most recent Fall Lay Servant Ministries Training Day.

On September 26, 2026, we gathered at Strasburg UMC for a wonderful day of learning and fellowship. Our morning began with a delicious breakfast prepared by the men’s group. We certainly enjoyed it and want to thank all the men who worked so hard to prepare breakfast for us!

Our District Lay Leader, James Robinson, opened the day with prayer. We were then blessed to have Jason Stanley from the Virginia Conference as our keynote speaker. Jason shared a powerful message about ... READ MORE

• Do No Harm Registration - Register for this important training on healthy boundaries and safe ministry practices. REGISTER

• Congregations of Call - Interested in helping raise up the next generation of clergy? Learn how your church can become a Congregation of Call. LEARN MORE

• FX Rural Church Gathering - Join this Fresh Expressions gathering focused on rural church ministry. LEARN MORE & REGISTER
  
• Financial Webinar - The Foundation is focused on providing training to our VAUMC churches to help them develop greater financial stability. Here are two upcoming webinars to support that ministry effort:
• Nov. 3 -- How to Choose an Online Giving Platform for Your Needs, 11 a.m. to noon

• October 11: Miracle Sunday
• October 24-25: Charge Conferences (East & Central)
• October 26: Poetry for Preachers (CLERGY)
• November 3: How to Choose an Online Giving Platform for Your Needs Webinar
• November 6-8: Conference Youth Retreat
• November 21-22: Charge Conferences (North & South)
• December 5: District Conference

Charge Conferences begin October 24. See dates/times HERE and on the list above.

Find links and information from the Virginia Conference below.

VAUMC News

Find links and information from the Virginia Conference and the UMC below:

• 2026 Conference Grants cycle now open
• Apply to Youth Service Fund missional grant
• Register now for Hatching Faith Oct. 13 Information Session
• AI & Ministry Survey: What We Heard From You
• Clergy Payroll Information
• Accountable Reimbursement Information

Ministry Toolbox Articles

Practical articles to help you in ministry.

• Simple Ways to Say Thank You for Pastor Appreciation Month
• Nominations 101
• How to evaluate worship and church events
• RetirePath Virginia: A Retirement Requirement

Hatching Faith

The Hatching Faith Cohort program is designed to help churches more fully engage and include children in worship and prayer. Registration is open now for Cohorts 4 & 5, which will run simultaneously, joining together in a Kick-off Event in Spring 2027. The registration link as well as FAQs, cohort timeline, and contact information, can be found at vaumc.org/hatchingfaith.  

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

UWF News

You’re invited to the 54th Annual Meeting of the Virginia Conference United Women in Faith, October 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Shady Grove UMC in Mechanicsville. Jana Jones, United Women in Faith National President, will be our keynote speaker. Please pre-register at vauwf.org. ... READ MORE

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 

Kim- Availability varies weekly

Staff members' calendars are linked to their names above. Click the name to schedule an appointment.

The Shenandoah River District

Office Phone: 540-433-2382

Our Mailing Address: PO Box 1995

Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Website: ShenandoahRiverDistrict.org



Facebook: facebook.com/ShenandoahRiverDistrict


District Staff


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

Rev. Tommy Stelzl - Developer of Congregational Innovation -

Tommy Stelzl@vaumc.org

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

Kim Johnson - VAUMC Director of Resourcing, SRD Communications - kimjohnson@vaumc.org 

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

Click here to complete the form.

If you would like to include an article in this newsletter, please email Debbie Creech, District Administrator, at DebbieCreech@vaumc.org by the 25th of each month.