January 2026


In this Issue:


  • From the DS
  • District News (New Year!, Year-End Stats, Committee Training, Coffee Hour, Clergy Lunches, UMM Meeting, District Training)
  • Resources & Links
  • Important Dates
  • Celebrations
  • VAUMC News
  • Ministry Partner Updates
  • Lay Servant News
  • RMN News
  • UMM
  • Camp Overlook

A Message from Rev. Dr. Kyungsuk Cho

Watch this month's video from our District Superintendent.

A video message from the DS.

New Year, New Calendar, New "Office"

A new year always brings fresh energy, and 2026 is no exception for the Shenandoah River District. While the district team has moved out of our physical office and into fully remote work, our commitment to being present has not changed. You will still see us on the road, in congregations, and around the district, connecting face to face and supporting the work God is doing in local ministry.


We are also excited to share the new VAUMC calendar, which brings together conference-wide events, local church happenings, and Shenandoah River District gatherings in one place. It is one more way to stay connected and see how God’s work is unfolding across our shared life. The calendar is filterable and searchable and offers a number of different views (Monthly, Weekly, Year, List, Tiles) and gives viewrs the ability to toggle calendars and events on and off.


In his message linked above, our District Superintendent reflects on what it means to stay connected in this season. He offers a simple but meaningful invitation for clergy to take a colleague out for coffee, build community, and continue the work of God’s kingdom together. As this new year begins, may it be filled with connection, collaboration, and God’s blessing on all that lies ahead in ministry.


It's time for Year-End Statistical Reporting!

Important Deadlines to remember when inputting your Year-End Statistics

 

Tables are open in Unity to input your financial numbers.

 

Table 1 Deadline - January 15, 2026

Tables 2 and 3 - January 31, 2026

 

Please contact the District Office if you have any questions! 540-433-2382

POSTPONED: Committee Orientation

We have postponed our Committee Orientation session. When we have updated details and information, we will be sure to let you know.

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 February. More details to come!


Clergy - Mark Your Calendars!


We will be offering a Valentine Luncheon (no agenda - just come and enjoy a meal and fellowship together) at the following regions:


February 2nd - Central Region

February 4th - Southern Region

February 9th - Eastern Region

February 11th - Northern Region


Details will be forthcoming soon! Mark Your Calendar!

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

Save the Date: April 25

Save the date! Shenandoah River District is offering a training day on 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. Details and registration info will be released soon. Don't forget to mark your calendar!


The Q Source

The Q Source is a publication from the Virginia Conference that aims to give members an easy digest of the work happening across the Conference.


You can find information from the Shenandoah River District on page 22.


For Clergy

  • Valentine lunches coming in February 2026! More to come.

Coffee On Us

Rev. Rachel Plemmons, Rev. Taeshin Kim and Rev. Tommy Stelzl enjoy time together on January 7th.


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 Taeshin, Tommy and Rachel!) 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! 


Find links and information from the Virginia Conference below.



SEJ Disaster Academy

The SEJ Disaster Academy will be held in Downtown Nashville at the Scaritt-Bennett facility and the Denman Building February 25-27


The REGISTRATION LINK is now open for the 2026 SEJ Disaster Academy. Please register for courses and lodging before noon on January 23, 2026.


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





The Shenandoah River District


Office Phone: 540-433-2382


Website: ShenandoahRiverDistrict.org



Facebook: https://www.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 20th of each month.