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Roanoke Reflections
United Methodist Roanoke District July
2017 News
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Please welcome our newly-appointed Pastors who start in July
and s
ay farewell to Pastors who are moving or retiring!
Belview UMC
- welcomes
Walter "Bud" Pierce,
and says farewell to
Bobbie Henley
, who is moving to Trinity (D).
Blacksburg UMC
- welcomes
Ralph Rowley
(Senior Pastor), from Virginia Beach (ER) and
Jennifer Fletcher
(Associate), from West Brunswick (F) and says farewell to
Joe Carson
, who is moving to Christ (ES) and
Christina McLain
, who is moving to Shady Grove -Short Pump (Rd).
First UMC - Salem
- welcomes
Alan Combs
(Senior Pastor), from Front Royal -John Wesley (W), and says farewell to
Bass Mitchell
, who is moving to Manor Memorial (H).
Goodwin Memorial UMC
- welcomes
Charles DeHart
, from Wesley Memorial (Rn), and says farewell to
Greg Kropff
who is moving to Sherando (S).
Mount Elbert UMC
- welcomes
Daniel Purdom,
and says farewell to
Bobbie Henley
, who is moving to Trinity (D).
New Castle UMC
- welcomes
Charles Stacy
, from Trinity-Poquoson (YR), and says farewell to
Willie Guill
, who is retiring and will serve Brookneal (L).
Northview UMC
- welcomes
Douglas Sassar
, from Franklin Charge (D) and says farewell to
Joe Klotz
, who is retiring.
Saint Mark's UMC
- welcomes
Justin White
, from Pleasant Valley (Ar) and says farewell to
Rob Lough
, who is moving to Ebenezer (RR).
Thrasher Memorial UMC
- welcomes
Jesse Moffitt (Associate)
and says farewell to
Jaeyoung Song
, who is moving to Red Valley (D).
Three Oaks Fellowship UMC
- welcomes
Clyde DeLoach
and says farewell to
Marianne Bird
, who is returning to retirement.
Wesley Memorial UMC
- welcomes
Robert Baldwin
and says farewell to
Charles DeHart
, who is moving to Goodwin Memorial (Rn).
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of Peace
and bring glad tidings of good things. Romans 10:15
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A Message from our District Superintendent
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(L to R) - Rev. Kathleen Overby Webster, DS, Rev. Ray Sandifer, Bishop Sharma Lewis showing support in ministry
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Itineration Season
It felt as if my whole life in ministry stood there before me; women who had been part of my previous appointments were all gathered there at Ferrum College for the United Methodist Women's Day. They had walked with me as I celebrated the birth of our son and as I grieved my mother's death; they had challenged me to lead their church into new outreach, new staffing, into the community. I had been there with them at a husband's death, a child's marriage, in weekly Disciple Bible study, and as the church engaged its community in new ways. I recall fruitfulness and failure, high commitment and low energy, bold dreams and small steps, being "right" and recognizing I was "wrong".
I have the same sort of feeling each year at Annual Conference when during brief moments of "Hello! How are you?" I am once again in deep connection with those who mentored me and whom I have mentored, those who showed me how to be a leader, and those who graciously received my leadership, those who lifted me in prayer and those for whom I prayed, those who welcomed me in ministry and those to whom I said "farewell" as they journeyed to new places.
All of this is highlighted for me each summer in the itinerating season of ministry. Across the United Methodist connection some congregations and clergy say "goodbye" to one another (in sorrow or relief) and some congregations and clergy say "welcome" (in hope or in anxiety). Still other congregations and clergy begin another year together (already knowing each other's upcoming plans and shared history, strengths and weaknesses, abilities and needs).
I know that in some appointments, because of my experience, affinity, gifts, even willingness, I was well-equipped to serve. Other appointments have challenged me daily to grow in skill, ability, vision, and boldness.
So in any setting, no matter how settled we seem - whether comfortable or on edge - in a moment the Holy Spirit can stir, newcomers will arrive in our congregation or our community, and because of their presence, their gifts, their vision, or their need, we will be moved to new dreams, new vision, new outreach, new mission, and new action. Or it might be in the departure of someone, to glory or another community, whose absence reveals a redirected focus, emerging leadership, or renewed hope.
Ann Freeman Price's poem, Centering, from Alive Now speaks to us during this itinerating season:
stay with me God
for things are turning
and I need company
on this road
a shift is here
I didn't see it coming
my world is moving
and the self I had
a short time ago is
changed
steady me God
your presence
like an anchor
helps me hold fast
to you
Kathleen
In May, I:
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Worshipped with Southview UMC and Raleigh Court UMC (via live-stream while out of town)
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Took part in Peer Covenant Group
meeting
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Participated in the May Cabinet
- Participated in the District Committee on Superintendency meeting
- Enjoyed lunch with Bishop Lewis and friends at the Hermitage
- Attended Bishop Lewis' Roanoke District Chat and Chew
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Participated in funeral of Rev. Jim Angle
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Conducted "Meet Your Pastor" sessions with two Staff-Pastor Parish Committees
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Consulted with laity and clergy in person, by phone, and through email
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Enjoyed vacation time with family to celebrate our anniversary, birthdays, and graduations
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Sunday, June 25
- First day of Summer Camp at
Alta Mons
Wednesday,
June 28
- Moving Day for Clergy
Wednesday, June 28 - District Common Table, 10 am, St Paul UMC, Christiansburg
July 3-4 - District Office closed for Independence Day
Thursday, July 20 - Pastors Welcome Lunch at Natural Bridge
Tuesday, August 1 - District Stewards, 7 pm, Southview UMC, Roanoke
Saturday, August 26 - 60th Anniversary of Alta Mons
and District Cook Out, 11 am
Tuesday, August 29 - Clergy Summit, Windsor Hills UMC, Roanoke, 10 am
Sunday, November 19 - District Conference, Blacksburg UMC, Blacksburg, 3 pm
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Gail Paysour
, wife of
Rev. Doug Paysour
(Windsor Hills UMC), who is recovering from hip surgery.
Carolyn Via, wife of Rev. Bernard Via, retired, who is recovering from knee replacement surgery.
Herb Grant
, husband of Rev. Lynne Alley-Grant, Epicenter Ministries, who is recovering from a recent hospitalization.
Carole Click, former District Office Manager and bookkeeper, on the recent death of her husband, Gary.
Congratulations to Minoka Gunesekera
(Blacksburg UMC), who received her Masters of Divinity from Duke Divinity School this spring.
Congratulations to Casey Akers, a young adult from Mt Elbert UMC and a student at Shenandoah University, who is interning at the Virginia UMC Conference office in Richmond as part of the Calling 21 program.
Congratulations to Rev. Jaeyong Song (Thrasher Memorial UMC - Associate), who was ordained Elder at Annual Conference. (photo on right)
Congratulations to Jesse Moffitt who was licensed at Annual Conference, and will be appointed as the Associate for Thrasher Memorial UMC.
Please pray for churches and pastors who are experiencing transitions this year.
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The Spirit was Moving at Annual Conference!
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Annual Conference 2017
June 16-18, 2017
Hampton Roads Convention Center
Hampton, VA
The Virginia Conference worshiped, celebrated and prepared for "a new thing" at Annual Conference this past weekend in Hampton. Bishop Sharma Lewis announced our new vision, inspired by the Chat and Chews:
To be disciples of Christ who are lifelong learners,
who influence others to serve.
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| Susie Ross, Lawrence Memorial UMC, Coordinated Annual Conference Registration |
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District Superintendent and District Lay Leader working together
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| Ashton Huddleston, a youth from St. Marks UMC in Daleville gave the opening prayer |
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Rev Seungsoo Jun, Rev. Kathleen Overby Webster, and Rev. Rob Lough
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Delegates from Asbury UMC, Thrasher Memorial UMC and Northview UMC at the Laity Session |
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Holy Land Journey with Bishop Lewis
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Bishop Sharma D. Lewis invites you to join her on a 10 day
Holy Land Journey, Feb 26 - March 27, 2018, that will expand your knowledge of the Bible and this sacred land. A journey following in the footsteps of Jesus will change the way you read the Bible.
The all-inclusive cost is $3,398 from Richmond or $3,098 from DC. Click
HERE
for a brochure with the details.
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Laity Thoughts from "Chat and Chew" with Bishop Lewis
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| Bishop Lewis at the Laity Session of "Chat and Chew" in May |
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By Gary Morris, Associate District Lay Leader
Bishop Sharma Lewis has traveled throughout the Virginia Conference to all of our Districts with her "Chat and Chew" sessions. We had the opportunity on May 21 to be a part of this time with her. We had the opportunity to get to know Bishop Lewis through four questions put to us.
"What would you like to know about your new Bishop?
The Bishop shared that her "thing" was Jesus. Our former Bishop, Young Jin Cho, focused on prayer. Bishop Lewis stated a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is her top priority and teaching the word of God leads the way for that to happen. One of her statements really touched me; "taking Jesus out of the walls of the church building and into the community." She spoke on her calling and seeking to be a Bishop. She expressed the importance of taking care of yourself. She enjoys movies, working out at the gym, eating well, and she has a counselor. Taking care of mind, body and spirit is very important to her and she encouraged us to reflect on this and find our time of "caring for self."
"What do you desire in Leadership from your Bishop?"
was the next question put before us. The group expressed coming together in more situations like this Chat and Chew session. The Bishop plans to have a "Chat and Chew - Part 2" (scheduled for Saturday, January 6, 2018) with the focus on teaching and bringing districts together. She feels our clergy need support through accountability groups, small group gatherings and Holy conferencing.
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With youth from Calvary UMC, Salem |
We discussed social media and technology, and our UMC traditions and offering worship experiences of communion and Baptism as part of our traditions. Several people expressed interest in our conference assisting with programs for Young Adults; keeping them connected to the church as well as providing information about UMVIM teams, ASP, and other mission opportunities. As church members, how can we make church a daily routine for our church members was put before the Bishop. We also felt support for programs for singles, caregivers and those that don't fit "the Mold" are needed.
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| With Laity at dinner |
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"How might we reach more laity in the VAUMC to be involved in the Local Church/District
/Conference/General Church?"
The group's suggestions were: go outside the walls of the church, make sure all feel welcome, more small groups, and gatherings with other denominations in our communities. The Bishop challenges churches to simply ask and to creatively work at transferring leadership roles for the future. We need to remember that everyone has something to contribute, focus on spiritual gifts, discover people's passion and get them connected. We are stronger when we are connected together. Perhaps, we all need a good swift kick from the Holy Ghost!
"If you were the Bishop, what would you focus on?"
You could see wheels turning in heads both young and old. The first suggestion was received with applause: lead by example. Believe me, Bishop Lewis is already doing this. Her passion to lead this conference and make it relevant to folks today; her spark to light a fire in us to go out and meet people and be the light our world needs. Other suggestions were a strong support system for our clergy, to be creative in evangelizing, to set expectations for God's people, to work towards our churches working together to carry Christ into our community and not worry about who gets the credit!
As I reflect on this opportunity with Bishop Lewis, I urge all of us to be Disciples of Christ, we can't just sit in the pew on Sunday morning, we need to be in our community working and praying together. As John Wesley said, "Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can."
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District Budget & Apportionments Reviewed on Aug 1st
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The District Stewards Annual Meeting
is Tuesday, August 1 at 7 pm at
Southview UMC
(3539 Peters Creek Rd NW, Roanoke, 24019).
Stewards will review/adopt the 2017 District Budget and review/approve the distribution of the apportionments to the individual churches of the District. All church/charge District Stewards and Clergy should attend.
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Register Now for Alta Mons
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Its not too late to register for
Summer Camp! Our 2017 theme is "Driven by Love" and we're excited to celebrate 60 years of Alta Mons this summer. For information and registration check,
www.altamons.org/summer-camp . T
he dates for summer camp are:
Week 1:
June 25-30 Week 3: July 9-14
Week 2:
July 2-7 Week 4: July 16-21
Alta Mons will be celebrating our
60th Anniversary on
Saturday August 26.
Mark your calendars and plan on attending this great day of fellowship and fun at Alta Mons! We will share a pot luck lunch, bands, wagon rides, etc and our pool and high ropes course will be open! This event is free and open to the public.
Alta Mons will be holding a Family Square Dance the evening of
Saturday October 14
! We hope to see you there for a beautiful square dance in the Dining Hall!
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Campers at Stiles Falls. |
Remember, Alta Mons is open to the public every day from sunrise to sunset except during summer camp, June 25 to July 21. On these weekends, you may hike Saturday (all day) and Sunday until 2 PM. If you are planning to hike during late June or July, it is best to call the office before driving to Alta Mons to make sure we are open for hiking. Thanks so much for respecting this rule as we have lots of campers on property! We recently installed a new playground, so come check out our latest addition!
Meredith Simmons, Program Director
Alta Mons office 540-268-2409 or
www.altamons.org.
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COP Needs Supplies and Volunteers
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Community Outreach Program
--
(COP) would like to thank all the churches who have contributed to our meal program this 2016-17 school year. Thank you for providing hundreds of meals this year to not only our children, but their entire family as well (for those of you who serve on Mondays). It is the faith and love of Christ that you share in each meal, your smiling faces, and your kind attention to each child. Thank you for passing on the blessings of God's love to children who are struggling to succeed, but through your COP program, can now read with confidence and have a firm foundation.
If your church would like to cook meals once a month we have 4 available evenings.
1st, 2nd, 3rd Mondays (serving 60-70 people) and the 3rd
Wednesday of the month (serving 30-40). Please call 342-3103 if your church feels called to mission in this way.
Churches and groups who served meals this year and their coordinators:
Bonsack UMC - Donna P.
St. Mark's UMC - Erin H.
Cave Spring UMC - Carol P. & Shelby M.
Second Presbyterian - Susan L.
Central UMC - Bev. B.
South Roanoke UMC - Wayne V.
First UMC Salem - Mary Jane W
Southview UMC - Alda B.
Greene Memorial UMC - Carolyn B.
Windsor Hills UMC - Norma T.
Northview UMC - Jane L.
Woodlawn UMC- Gay L.
Raleigh Court UMC - Judy T. Rotary Club of the Roanoke Valley- Peter F.
Community Outreach Program (COP) is a United Methodist mission in Roanoke. For more information, check out www.communityoutreachroanoke.org or their Facebook page at Community Outreach Program of Roanoke.
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Learning for the Transformation of the World
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Mission Encounter 2017
Learning Together for the
Transformation of the World
July 28-29, 2017
Mission Encounter is a cooperative event sponsored by the
Virginia Conference Missional Ministries Board (formerly the Board of Global Ministry) and the
Virginia Conference United Methodist Women
. This event offers a wonderful opportunity for your whole congregation to come alive to mission, by participating in an exciting weekend mission education experience. There are classes for adults where men, women, clergy and laity alike come to learn and be involved in mission groups by choosing one class out of three choices- a spiritual growth study, geographical study or social issue.
Classes include:
Climate Justice
,
Living as a Covenant Community
, and
The Missionary Conferences of the UMC in the US
(Red Bird, Oklahoma, & Alaska).
Location: Bon Air United Methodist Church, 1645 Buford Rd., North Chesterfield, VA 23235
Registration: $99 - Class registration and 3 meals. Click HERE
to register online.
Contact: Betsy Hanmer
434-763-9241
for more information.
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UMW Encourages Summer Reading
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Good Summer Reading - UMW Reading Program
There are five categories of books: Leadership Development, Nurturing for Community, Social Action, Education for Mission and Spiritual Growth. These are written for men and women, children and youth. Some are in print, even large print, and others are also e-books. Barbara Mahany's SLOWING TIME is a favorite as she celebrates God and sacredness in nature, everyday life and seasonal religious rituals. Hattie Kauffman, the first Native American journalist, shares her life's story through her successful career with flashbacks to her childhood of extreme poverty and alcoholic parents in FALLING INTO PLACE. Brother Nathan, a Christian leader in Egypt, tells about his father's murder, his feelings of wanting revenge, and his faithful following of God's will for his life in LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR. One outstanding book to use with children is JOURNEY WITH J.W., John Wesley's ride through Methodist history. These are only a few from our 2017 list.
Pastors, Directors of Education, Mission Chairs, all UMW members and all who love to read good books please find the books at
www.unitedmethodistwomen.org
, the UMW Amazon store. Many books from years past such as
JUST MERCY
by Bryan Stevenson are available there also. Happy summer reading!
Many blessings
,
Phyllis Geoghegan,
District UMW President phyllisg9@verizon.net 382-1545
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Clergy & Laity invited to
School of Congregational Development in Atlanta
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At The Lord's Table August 17 - 20
The School of Congregational Development is a premier event for United Methodist leaders for equipping conference leaders, clergy, and laity to lead vital, dynamic, life-changing congregations. Sponsored by Discipleship Ministries, Global Ministries, and Path 1, this year's event is being hosted by the North Georgia Conference, Candler School of Theology, and Gammon Seminary, with some scholarships available. Featuring Thomas Kemper, Nadia Bolz-Weber, Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson, F. Doughlas Powe, Jr. and more. Click
for information.
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Jacob Armstrong Featured at 5 Talent Academy
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Registration is NOW OPEN for the October 19th 5 Talent Event,
"How to Structure Your Church for Evangelism"
featuring Jacob Armstrong.
Jacob will lead us in exploring key principles for evangelism in the local church including, crafting a vision that fits your mission field, rethinking worship and leadership development and structure. The event will be streamed to locations across the conference for your convenience. Gather a team from your church to take part in this event! Early Bird Pricing as well as Team Discounts are available. This will be hosted at Thrasher Memorial UMC in Vinton (for live-streaming). Visit http://vaumc.org/5talent
for more information and to register.
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Local Churches and Organizations Invite You ...
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Trip to Jonah in Lancaster, PA -- August 4-5 --
Raleigh Court UMC
invites you to see Jonah, enjoy an Amish dinner feast, take a ride on the Strasburg Railroad, visit the Mennonite Biblical Tabernacle Reproduction and shop in an Amish market. $240 per person, double occupancy. For info contact
rcumc.rcumc.org
or call 540-344-6011.
UMVIM Team to WVA -- St. Paul UMC Christiansburg is bound for White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia, to help with flood recovery July 9-15. They've got room for a few more folks. Cost is $155 which covers food, lodging, host fees, insurance, and a team t-shirt. If you're interested, please contact team leader Todd Fitch via e-mail (todd.fitch@comcast.net).
This Is My Country Concert, Sunday, July 2, 4 pm at Windsor Hills UMC.
Old Time Revival with Bishop Sharma Lewis, Sunday, July 9, 3- 6 pm, at Verona UMC, near Staunton, 406 Lee Highway, Verona, VA. Call 540-2348-7777 for information. Sponsored by the Older Adult Council of the VA UMC Conference.
Downriver Devotional - Wednesdays at Noon -- Greene Memorial UMC invites you to a devotional on the Roanoke River, under the sycamore tree on the Greenway at mile post 22.7 (at Smith Park for parking). Participants are also welcome to arrive by kayak or canoe, and start at Bridge St Landing at 11 am. Contact Greene Memorial at 344-6225 for information.
Harvest of Hope - Intergenerational Weekend - Nov 17-19 at Alta Mons. Participants glean crops every morning, donating produce to local food banks and soups kitchens, and learn about domestic and global hunger issues. Register at: http://endhunger.org/hoh/ |
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100% Conference and District 2017 Apportionments
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Conference and District
as of 5-31-17
Calvary - Christiansburg; Ebenezer,
Mount Elbert;
Mount Pleasant (Foothills Charge) and Three Oaks Fellowship.
District
Fairview; Locust Grove; Mount Tabor; Pierce Chapel (Foothills Charge); and
White Memorial
.
To learn more about apportionments, check out this article from the VA UMC Conference. The Virginia Conference Treasurer's office prepares a short newsletter,
Dollars and Sense
, each month with information important to the financial business of your church, including special offerings, tax information, etc.
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Local Churches are Hiring
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Job Opportunities
-- Several of our District Churches are currently advertising for staff positions: full-time and part-time.
Local church jobs are always posted on the District Website;
www.roanokeumc.org. Please check them out!
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4502 Starkey Road SW Suite 101
Roanoke, VA 24018-8538
Ph: 540-989-3335
Fax: 989-0672
Sharma D. Lewis
Area Bishop
Kathleen Overby Webster
District Superintendent
RoanokeDS@vaumc.org
Brenda Brooks
District Lay Leader
Judy Job & Gary Morris
Associate District Lay Leaders
Cynthia T. Martin
Office Manager/Bookkeeper
RoanokeDistrict@vaumc.org
Jan McCall Failes Office Assistant RoanokeOA@vaumc.org
Please submit newsletter
articles by the 1st of the month
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