Mission Rivers District Newsletter

IMPORTANT DATES IN JANUARY

JOINT PREFERENCE FORMS DUE NOW!


Please email your completed, signed form to lisajones@vaumc.org or mail it to the district office: Mission Rivers District, 6515 George Washington Memorial Highway, Suite 203, Yorktown, VA 23692

January 6, 2024

Saturday

January 13, 2024

8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Lunch will be provided.

Ebenezer United Methodist Church

161 Embrey Mill Rd, Stafford, VA 22554

Register


2023 Statistics


Table l is due by January 10th. Tables II & III are due by January 31st.

Tables open January 1st.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day January 15, 2024

The 2023 Mission Rivers District Conference was held virtually on Monday, December 4, 2023.

The following people were elected as Lay Members to Annual Conference:

George Allen

Kathy Dumas Angel

Annette Ashton

Denise Bane

Laura Barrett

Don Blagg

Gabriel Blankenbaker

Tony Clement

Mary Beth Bryant

Daniel Coates, Jr.

Susan Driggers

Blair Ellis

Mary Ella Fuquay

JM Gallier

Eva Garcia-Moreyra

Alexander Gilchrist

Horace Gilchrist

Laura Glaze

Zach Griggs

Sandy Harper

Warren Harper

Jim Helm

Janice Herzog

Allison Hickey

Rachel Hundley

Andy Hurst

Nancy Jagger

Peggy Jones

Brian Lamb

David Ledbetter

Carlos Liceaga

Larissa Luma

DC Merrill

Hope Merrill

Jeff Morfit

Teresa Morfit 

Terri Morgan

Judy Moughon

Carolyn Nelson

John Nelson

Lily Newton

Sarah Newton

Sue Oliveri

Trilla Ramage

Nancy Ransome

Maureen McKay Riley

Cheryl Roane

Bernard Robin

Julianne Rosas

Rebecca Runkles

Bill Sharp

Jeanette Sharp

Martha Sheffield

Cecelia Short

Suzanne Shrader

Karen Sloop

Loretta Sutton

William Sutton

Anna Tate

Addie Walker

John Whitmore

Mary Wildye

Kelsey Wilson

Kristina Wilson

Mary Wilson

Joyce Winston

Denise Workinger

Allison Xanthopoulos

District Lay Leadership:

Judy Craun, Lay Leader

Nancy Nancy Yarborough, Associate Lay Leader


Board of Directors Class of 2026:

David Ledbetter (New), Rev. Rebecca Minor (Renewed), Mary Wilson (Renewed).

Class of 2024 (Previously Approved): Rev. Ileana Rosario, Chair, Rev. Ed Walker, Rev. Chris Watson (appointed replacement).

Class of 2025 (Previously Approved): Art Sheffield, Rev. Ken Waclo, Nancy Yarborough.


Finance Committee

Rev. Donna Taylor, Chair

Rhona Alexander

Judy Craun

Pat McGuckin

Rev. Mark Miller

Mary Podlesny

Bill Sharp (New)

MRD Board Member Rev. Chris Watson

 

Lay Servant Ministries Committee

Jenn Robinson-O’Brien, Director

Kathy Angel (new)

Richard Barnes (new)

Judy Craun

Rev. Joshua Hagstrom (new)

Jim Helm

Sally McGrath

Stephanie Serrett

Richard Speirs (new)

Larry Towne

Rev. Don Williams

Rev. Justin Williams (new) 

 

Ministry of Inclusivity & Nominations Committee

Rev. Charles Ledlum-Bates, Chair

Rev. Esther Agbosu

Judy Craun

Rev. Ellis Crum (new)

Allison A. Hickey

Rev. Angie Hoen

Lisa Jones

Rev. Richard Lahey (new)

Julie Maciejewski

Rev. Mina Sumpter (new)

UWF President (Penny Kelly)

UMM President (Bob Pickett)

MRD Board Member Rev. Ken Waclo

 

Mission Committee

Trish Vaughan, Chair

Jim Helm

Michelle Hermsdorf

Rev. Dan Kim (new)

Sarah Martin (new)

Chris Merrill (new)

Rev. Evelyn Penn (new)

Rebecca Runkles

Robert Smith 

MRD Board Member David Ledbetter

 

Superintendency Committee

Rev. Robin BeMiller, Chair

Judy Craun

Warren R. Harper

Rev. Scott Duncan Hopkins

Robert Pickett

Jeanette Sharp

Rev. Mina Sumpter (new)

Donna M. Turley

MRD Board Member Rev. Ed Walker 

 

Trustees Committee

Rev. Justin Williams, Chair

Robert Burch

Rev. Jeffrey R. Harrison

Rev. Carl Perez

Nancy Ransome

Karen Snyder

Rev. Tom Tipton

Kristina Williams

Resa Wilson

MRD Board Member TBD

 

Youth Committee

Rebecca Runkles 

Help prepare students for higher education opportunities

Students who are members of a United Methodist Church can receive financial support for higher education. The General Board of Higher Education & Ministry (GBHEM) scholarship application opens December 15. Learn more...


The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) scholarship application opens January 1. Learn more...

Lay Servant Academy Training will take place February 23rd and 24th. 

This training will be virtual only. Registration will begin in early January! Included in the course list are: 

  • Virginia UMC Roots, Racism, and Discipleship Advanced Course
  • Basic Course
  • Children and Youth Discipleship–Ministry with Parents/Guardians
  • Spiritual Gifts
  • Called to Preach

Save the dates! Contact Tianna Durbin tiannad@arcolachurch.org, Director of Lay Servant Academy with questions!

Introducing: The United Methodist Heritage and Fresh Expressions Journey


Presented by Fresh Expressions United Methodist in partnership with Fresh Expressions Florida, The Fresh Expressions House of Study at United Theological Seminary introduces The United Methodist and Fresh Expressions Journey from September 1-13, 2024. The Teaching Guide will be Rev. Dr. Michael Adam Beck and the Teaching Bishop will be Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson.


On this journey, embark on a profound 12-night pilgrimage through the historic lands of England, immersing yourself in the rich tapestry of the extraordinary spiritual movements: the Methodist Movement and the Fresh Expressions Movement. Find detailed itinerary...


This transformative journey, tailored for both laity and clergy of The United Methodist Church, offers a deep exploration of these influential movements, equipping participants with wisdom and inspiration for present and future application in their faith journeys. Register now...


Please direct your questions to the travel agent, Kenya Ellis at asias4@aol.com or (352) 872-3451.

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


Join Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson and the VAUMC on a Educational Opportunities Tours Journeys of Paul Cruise from September 21- October 1, 2024 (9 nights abroad the Odyssey of the Seas, a round trip from Rome, Italy). Guest Speaker with be Rev. Magrey deVega. The $500 deposit is due at the time of registration. For questions, please contact Rev. Justin White at justinwhite@vaumc.org or 703-973-1606. To learn more and register...

Exploration 2024, Orlando, FL, February 16-18


You register, we’ll get you there!


Are you interested in exploring a call to ministry? The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) is hosting Exploration 2024 for young adults, ages 18-26, and you’re invited to go with the Virginia Conference!


The event creates sacred space for young adults to be in meaningful fellowship, passionate worship, theological reflection, and practical workshops as they discern whether God’s call on their life is to ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church and what faithful steps they can take in response.


Registration details with GBHEM can be found here: https://www.explorecalling.org/exploration/


GBHEM Scholarship application for $300 is attached.


The Board of Ordained Ministry is delighted to subsidize the cost of airfare for young adults who register for Expo as part of the VAUMC cohort.


To join the VAUMC cohort to Expo, contact CrystalSygeel@vaumc.org



Application Form

Register now for UM Day at General Assembly

Have you heard of UM Day at the General Assembly? It's a day when United Methodists come

together to do amazing things by advocating for neighbors by meeting with elected representatives.


During this event, participants learn about issues that are facing people all across the Commonwealth., connect with other United Methodists, and together celebrate our United Methodist faith that values justice, advocacy, and compassion.


If you've ever wanted to learn more about what happens at United Methodist Day at the General Assembly you should sign up for the preview this November 30 at 7 p.m. You can learn about the event before taking the plunge to join us on February 1.


Already know you want to join the event? Register for UM Day here...

Christmas Cantata


On Sunday, December 17th, the St. Matthias and New Hope Fredericksburg choirs performed in a Christmas Cantata at St. Matthias. After the performance there was a Christmas luncheon with the sister churches.

MISSION RIVERS GRANT SPOTLIGHT


On behalf of Fredericksburg UMC and the Children's Ministry department, I'd like to extend my sincerest thanks to the Mission Rivers District for their generous grant towards our Children's Mission fund. With the money that was granted, I was able to offer a program in October called Day of Service. Our kids participated in several mission projects throughout the day and the evening, all of which were funded with the grant money that was awarded to our program.


Jillian Murray, Director of Children's Ministries, Fredericksburg United Methodist Church


Sue Haupert-Johnson

Resident Bishop

Bishop@vaumc.org


Rev. Dr. Charles F. Ledlum-Bates

District Superintendent

MissionRiversDS@vaumc.org


Administrative Assistants:

Lisa Jones

LisaJones@vaumc.org

757.596.3476

Lynn Manley

LynnManley@vaumc.org

757.879.9472


District Directors of Connectional Ministries:

Rev. Dr. Clarence R. Brown

ClarenceBrown@vaumc.org


Rev. Dr. James "Jim" O'Quinn

JimOQuinn@vaumc.org



Mission Rivers District

6515 George Washington Memorial Highway, Suite 203

Yorktown, VA 23692-2182