|
Mission Rivers District Newsletter | |
|
It's here!
Annual Conference
June 20 - 22, 2024
Hampton Roads Convention Center
1610 Coliseum Drive
Hampton, Virginia 23666
| |
|
June 2, 2024 2:00 PM
Benn's United Methodist Church, 14571 Benns Church Blvd, Smithfield, VA 23430,
June 2, 2024 6:00 PM
Hillcrest United Methodist Church, 2208 Lafayette Blvd, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
| |
We want to put our very best face forward! That will require many lay volunteers from throughout the district to help welcome everyone to Hampton.
There are several areas where volunteers will be needed. We are asking pastors to be in conversation with your laity and in prayer for them for discernment about their participation. Remember these ministry opportunities are for everyone, not just members to Annual Conference. Members are required to attend the business sessions which means that we have a great need for other laity to be involved as well.
We have created Volunteer Sign Up forms on SignUp Genius.
Please volunteer!
|
Take part in Lunch Labs
As Annual Conference 2024 draws near, the Office of Missional Engagement is thrilled to introduce something exciting and experimental– Lunch Labs! Lunch Labs are experiential learning opportunities that will equip and resource members and guests of the Annual Conference as they seek to connect with each other, their church, their community, and the world. Participants will engage with seasoned practitioners and hear their stories of joys, failures, and lessons learned. They’ll also have opportunities to dream, experiment and (hopefully) leave the labs feeling more inspired, equipped and encouraged to embody God’s love and hope in the world.
Topics include:
- The Heart of It All: United Methodist Theology of Mission 101
- Who is My Neighbor? Reimagining and Transforming Community
- Taste and See: A Lunch Church Fresh Expression
- Follow Thee More Nearly: Advocacy as a Foundation for Faithful Living
Registration is highly encouraged, but not required! If you’re ready to sign up and join us in the laboratory, please click here.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to The Office of Missional Engagement at missions@vaumc.org
Learn more...
|  | |
Kits for Conference Collection
Saturday, June 1:
Benn's UMC, 14571 Benn's Church Blvd., Smithfield, VA 23430 10:00 AM - 12:00 NOON
Carmel UMC, 5729 Sandy Point Rd., Kinsale, VA 22488 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Seaford Transfer, 143 Freedom Blvd, Yorktown, VA 23692 9:00 AM - 12:00 NOON
Susanna Wesley UMC, 3900 George Washington Mem. Hwy., Hayes, VA 23072 9:00 - 12:00 NOON
Monday, June 10:
Tabernacle UMC, 7310-A Old Plank Rd., Fredericksburg, VA 22407 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
**Please do not bring Kits to the 2024 Annual Conference at Hampton.**
Please note that the collection sites are receiving kits only. Any canned goods collected by your church should be donated directly to a local food pantry.
UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) is currently recommending the following kits to be assembled:
Menstrual Hygiene Kits - complete instructions may be found at: https://umcmission.org/umcor-menstrual-hygiene-kit/. Shipping cost: $2/kit.
Hygiene Kits - complete instructions may be found at: https://umcmission.org/umcor-hygiene-kit/ . Shipping cost: $2/kit covers shipping plus toothpaste.
Cleaning Kits - complete instructions may be found at: https://umcmission.org/umcor-cleaning-kit/ . Shipping cost: $3/kit covers shipping plus sponges.
Please note: If your church is collecting funds to pay for shipping costs, please write one check to VAUMC, Fund #5041, and mail to: Treasurer, VAUMC, PO Box 5606, Glen Allen, VA 23058.
**Do not leave cash or checks with your kits. Collections sites will not accept cash or checks.** Thank you in advance for giving to the "least of these"! 2024 Annual Conference Offering.
|
Access listing of AC Banquets
The current list of Banquets and Events for Annual Conference is now available online at the conference website. Find under "Banquets and Events." View listing...
|
Clergy, lay members need to report absence
Clergy and lay members are reminded that according to Book of Discipline ¶602.8 [1], any clergy or lay member of the Annual Conference who will not be attending the Annual Conference on June 20-22, 2024, will need to report their absence to the conference secretary (not the Bishop). Use the following Google form to report these absences. This form can be found here.
If you have further questions, please email at Secretary@vaumc.org or if you are giving a written letter, please address it to:
Rev. Joshua King
P.O. Box 487
Purcellville, VA 20134
Thank you for your attention to this.
Grace and Peace,
Joshua King
Virginia Conference Secretary
|
Information on Annual Conference offering
For our Annual Conference offering this year, we are excited to share that we will be supporting two important initiatives who are engaged in the work of mission and service in the world. Our first one is supporting the ongoing connectional work with our VAUMC Partnerships of Hope countries: Brazil, Mozambique, Cambodia, Haiti, Vietnam, and Native American Ministries. The other half of our offering will be given towards our conference-wide Undue Medical Debt Campaign(formerly RIP Medical Debt) to help eliminate medical debt in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is our hope that through this debt campaign, we are able to raise $390,000 that would help eliminate $39 million of medical debt that continues to hurt the most vulnerable in Virginia. This campaign will start with the Annual Conference offering and continue through the end of the calendar year.
To give to the Annual Conference offering, you can make your check out to the Virginia United Methodist Conference with AC Offering in the memo line, and mail it to:
Virginia United Methodist Conference Center, P.O. Box 5606, Glen Allen, VA 23058
Or, you can give online using this link: VAUMC Donations and then selecting “Annual Conference Offering”.
For more information about Partnerships of Hope, please visit: https://vaumc.org/partnerships-of-hope/
For more information about Undue Medical Debt (formerly RIP Medical Debt), please visit: https://www.unduemedicaldebt.org/
Thank you for your generosity in supporting these two initiatives!;
|  | |
The Virginia United Methodist Communications board is asking for video camera operators to help with the video recording of our the Annual Conference session from June 20,21 and 22. Operators will work in shifts throughout the conference beginning Thursday morning and concluding at noon on Saturday. Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!
Sign up form…
|
Clergy Reminder: New badges at Annual Conference registration
This year, permanent Photo ID for all UMC clergy who meet requirements (i.e. those who qualify for a "white" badge under the Standing Rules) will be reissued. This identification is designed to replace the paper badges issued at Annual Conference for those clergy as well as serve as a means of identification for clergy who need it (i.e. hospital entry, etc). This id will be issued to clergy members at registration at the June 2024 Annual Conference session, and clergy will then be responsible to keep track of their badge for future conference events.
| |
NEW ANNUAL CONFERENCE APP WILL BE AVAILABLE
Final arrangements for Annual Conference 2024 are taking shape. A new Annual Conference app (hosted by Cvent, for those interested in the tech angle) will launch this year. Using the app, elected Annual Conference members will be able to access all electronic resources (Book of Reports, Agenda, Banquet Schedule, etc) for the Annual Conference Session. In addition, if any legislation coming out of General Conference requires a numbered vote, the conference will use the built-in polling function on the app to record this. Hampton Convention Center has purportedly made great strides in making enterprise-level internet access available throughout the building, which will make possible the use of this new capability.
The crux of the above is that Annual Conference Membership will essentially require members to bring an internet-enabled device with them; in addition, it is absolutely required that we have a valid and unique email for every Annual Conference Member. The Annual Conference is currently researching the possibility of making a limited number of loaner devices available, so they may be able to handle some exceptions to the first requirement; however, the email address is mandatory - the app requires this as a login.
|  | |
Samaritan Program
The Samaritan Program is the benevolent program for Pinnacle Living residents who have been blessed with longevity and have outlived their financial resources, through no fault of their own.
You offer a sense of security and a feeling of peace each time you give to the Samaritan Program. The residents who depend upon your support have an average age of 96 years. Eighty percent of those receiving financial support are women.
At the Virginia Annual Conference last year, it was agreed that each church be encouraged to take an offering for the Samaritan Program between Mother’s Day (May 12th) and Father’s Day (June 16th). Will you be counted in the participating churches helping us meet the $469,684 need?
The top ten participating churches will be recognized as a Samaritan Award-winning church. You will receive an article honoring the congregation’s gift that can be included in your church newsletter and other communications. Also, the church’s district will be notified with an article for publication as well. The award-winning churches will be recognized in the 2025 Virginia Annual Conference Book of Reports in the Pinnacle Living report.
Resources to help promote The Samaritan Program can be found at www.PINNACLELIVING.ORG/SAMARITANPROGRAM. If you have any questions, please contact Charles Wickham, Director of Donor Development, at cwickham@pinnacleliving.org or 804-474-8724.
| |
New Annual Conference resources are now available.
Videos
Each week, video resources will be shared in anticipation of the 242nd Session of the Virginia Annual Conference.
These video resources will help clergy and lay members prepare for the business of Annual Conference. All members are asked to review these materials ahead of the June Annual Conference session.
New videos include:
Find the full listing of videos on the Annual Conference 2024 playlist of the conference YouTube.
Find other AC 2024 resources as they become available at the conference website.
| |
Mission Rivers District!
You're invited to an Ice Cream Social during Annual Conference!!
Please join us on Thursday, June 20th at Chestnut Memorial UMC, 1024 Harpersville Road, Newport News, 23601 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM.
Please RSVP so we have enough ice cream!!
Email Lisa at lisajones@vaumc.org or missionriversdistrict@vaumc.org
| |
Susan Beaumont is leading her Stepping Up to Staffing and Supervision workshop this August in a virtual session. This learning event would be helpful to clergy moving to churches with a larger staff than they are accustomed to. For more information, go to: https://susanbeaumont.com/events/ |  | |
Mission Encounter July 2024
Mission Encounter is an opportunity to study current issues impacting society based on current social justice and mission-related topics. Participants grow in understanding the mission of the church in the current world context; conference events are open to all.
Dates: July 26-28, 2024 (Friday-Sunday)
Location:
Good Shepherd UMC
9155 Hungary Rd, Henrico, VA 23294
and
VA United Methodist Center
10330 Staples Mill Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060
Plenary: Rev. Audrey Smith
Class Leaders:
Rev. Dr. JaeHaeng Choi (Korean)
Rev. Brenda Laws (English)
Rev. Evelyn Penn (English)
Please find the detailed schedule, curriculum description, and online event registration at https://vaumc.org/ME/
| Designed as an equivalent to an executive leadership program, the Lewis Center for Church Leadership Certificate Program delivers an online, cohort-based learning experience for pastors that combines self-study and interactive peer learning. Participants will learn strategic actionable insights that enhance their ability to be effective in their ministry settings. Guided by experienced faculty from Wesley Theological Seminary and the Lewis Center, this certificate program includes five courses over the course of a year that help pastors explore visioning, administration, stewardship, innovation, and building key partnerships. You can learn more in the attached flyer and by visiting here (click on the green “Lewis Center Church Leadership Certificate Program” logo). Enrollment Ends: August 30, 2024, so don't delay. |  |  | |
As high school seniors graduate this season, you can help connect those planning to attend college with a ministry home away from home. The Virginia Annual Conference supports 13 campus ministries and 4 United Methodist colleges/universities across Virginia. Our chaplains and campus ministers are excited to connect with students from your congregation as they head off to school.
Please take a moment to provide us with contact information for every student who will be enrolled in a college or university this fall (Para. 232 and 256.3d in the Book of Discipline). Our VAUMC campus ministers and chaplains reach out to incoming students over the summer, and welcome freshmen as they arrive on campus in the fall. You can find the form to submit information here.
Here's a video featuring our campus ministries, and more information about contacting our ministries here.
Please contact me if you have questions or would like to learn more about connecting with a campus ministry.
dwaynestinson@vaumc.org
|  |
- Nov. 22-24, 2024: Save the Date for VAUMC Youth Fall Retreat
| |
|
District Scholarship Applications Now Available
Higher Education has always been a hallmark of the United Methodist Church. The value of resources for continued learning and higher education is fundamental to United Methodism. In keeping with our tradition of supporting higher learning, the Mission Rivers District (MRD) of the United Methodist Church has created a Student Scholarship Program. The program is maintained and administered by the MRD and is not connected with any other United Methodist board, agency, or entity. Scholarships will be awarded to applicants who meet the program criteria as funding allows. Persons eligible to apply are those who are attending or who plan to attend a college or trade school, persons who are members of a United Methodist Church on the Mission Rivers District, and persons who are enrolled in a program that presents a degree or certification.
Click Links below for Guidelines and Application.
Applications may be emailed to Missionriversdistrict@vaumc.org with the subject line, “MRD Scholarship Workgroup” or may be mailed to MRD Scholarship Workgroup, PO BOX 400, Montpelier, VA 23192.
Deadline to return is July 10, 2024.
| |
|
WESLEY FOUNDATION AT WILLIAM & MARY
The Wesley Foundation has an Administrative Assistant job opening for just the right
person. This is a part-time (20 hours per week) position that provides administrative
support for the Director (campus minister), clerical support for the Wesley Board, and
general operational support for the Wesley House. If you – or- if you know of someone
who has a passion for campus ministry, please refer to the following site. It contains a
detailed job description and instruction on how to apply: https://wmwesley.org/meet-our-staff/
| I am looking to give away my late husband's Yamaha baby grand piano to a passionate instrument lover, so please let me know if you will take it or have someone who will care for it. Please contact ms.susanhartley@gmail.com | |
Free Office Furniture!
Our Hampton office is closing, and we have office furniture and more we would like to donate. Availability will be on a first-come, first-served; you move, you haul basis and must be picked up by 22 June. If your church is interested in any of the following items, please reach out for more information or to make arrangements for pickup.
· Multiple Single & Executive Desks
· Personal Wardrobe/Storage
· Storage Cabinets / Racks
· Lateral File Cabinet
· Desk Chairs
· Coat/Umbrella Stands
· Bookcases
· Refrigerator
· Microwave
· Various office supplies
· And more!
Contact:
Deb Fullhart
Astraeus Operations, LLC
303 Butler Farm RD, STE 107
Deborah.Fullhart@astraeusops.com
O: (757) 224-8384
M: (757) 329-6898
| | | | |
