Mission Rivers District March Newsletter | |
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Transfiguration Sunday
March 2
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World Day of Prayer
March 7
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Daylight-Savings Time
March 9
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St. Patrick's Day
March 17
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The Kilmarnock United Methodist Men marked their 50 year anniversary spaghetti dinner fundraiser by reopening the event in our fellowship hall on January 23, 2025. UMM President , Jim Bennett, said one of our objectives has been to offer an affordable dinner to the community, as well an opportunity to enjoy the fellowship of others. Carry-outs were available and also appreciated during Covid.
The women of the church made all the desserts and served the dinners to our guests . They also
delivered meals to those who couldn’t attend.
The spaghetti dinner also gives the community an opportunity to see what KUMC is all about. The KUMM report all proceeds are returned to non-profit organizations in Lancaster and Northumberland counties.
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Come to Lower UMC at 120 Lower Church Road, Hartfield (Middlesex County) for a delicious pancake dinner, free of charge. | |
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Lower United Methodist Church
120 Lower Church Road
Hartfield, VA 23071
Tickets available at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased at lowerumc.org, The Table restaurant in Deltaville, or by calling the church office at 804-766-6250. Lower UMC is located at 120 Lower Church Road, Hartfield in Middlesex County.
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Wesley United Methodist Church
2510 N Armistead Avenue H
Hampton, VA 23666
Tuesdays and Thursdays in March
9:30-10:30 – Chair Yoga in the Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, March 4
5:30-6:30 PM – Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Fund Raiser – Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, March 5
7:00 PM – Ash Wednesday Service
Monday, March 10
1:00-6:00 PM – Red Cross Blood Drive, Fellowship Hall
Wednesdays, March 12, 19, 26, & April 2, 9
12:00 PM – Noon Lent Devotions in the Sanctuary followed by soup in the Fellowship Hall
Friday, March 14
7:00 PM – Harmony House Coffee House – Ed Pettersen performing – Fellowship Hall
Friday, March 28
7:00 PM – Tidewater Friends of Acoustic Music (TFAM) – Harpist Abby Palmer performing – Fellowship Hall
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Phoebus United Methodist Church
300 East Mellon Street
Phoebus, VA 23663
Phoebus UMC has over a dozen grey choir robes, in excellent condition, that the choir doesn't wear, that they are giving away. For more information, please contact Joanne Neal jneal18@cox.net or 757.719.4582. The sizes are as follow:
6 small
8 medium
2 large
1 extra-large
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Remembering and missing those who can't be at church with us for whatever reason. Members of the Congregational Care Team of Colonial Beach UMC donated baked items, small gifts, and a prayer card - putting together Valentine's care packages for our homebound, shut-ins, and those recently recovering from illness. Volunteers hand delivered the packages the week of Valentine's Day. | |
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PRAYER SHAWL RETREAT
WALLACE MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
6 Johnson Road, Hampton, VA 23664
March 22, 2025 10am-2pm
Join us at our next Prayer Shawl Retreat. This outreach ministry serves our local
communities and afar, providing a tangible, comforting reminder of God’s
Presence, as a gesture of compassion and love. Bring a lunch, dessert will be
provided. Knitting and Crochet patterns and supplies will be on hand. Come
make shawls: make friends!
Contact Persons: Pam Cutshaw (757) 871-8364 or Beth Weidlein (757) 880-0732
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On Monday, February 17, Bethany UMC in Reedville held a successful fund raiser for the Mission Team's plan to travel to Western North Carolina June 1-7, 2025. If you are interested in participating, please contact Jay Lightfoot at Jaylightfoot65@gmail.com.
If you would like to donate to the trip, please send a check to BUMC, 454 Main Street, PO Box 77, Reedville, VA. 22539 and put "Mission Team" in the subject line. We also solicit your prayers for the team, their journey and mission. Thank you in advance.
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Tuesday, 4 MAR Panera Bread, 1760 Carl D Silver Pkwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Tuesday, 11 MAR Dunkin Donuts, 5231 James Madison Pkwy, King George, VA 22485
Wednesday, 26 MAR Egg-spresso Café, 149 Main St, Warsaw, VA 22572
Tuesday, 1 Apr Panera Bread, 2155 Coliseum Drive Hampton, VA 23666
Tuesday, 8 APR Sweet Tooth Café, 6566 Main Street, Gloucester, VA, 23061
The Spring sessions start at 9:00 AM.
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At Crooks Memorial UMC, we have been collaborating with Firm Foundation Romania (FFR), a mission organization dedicated to caring for and educating underprivileged children. The president of FFR, Sarah Vienna, is also a professional singer who has previously played a lead role in our church drama productions and shared her ministry with us on multiple occasions.
I recently learned that Sarah Vienna will be visiting the Virginia area and is interested in connecting with churches that might be open to partnering with her and her ministry during her visit. I would love to share this opportunity with the district churches.
Here are the links to the mission organization and Sarah Vienna’s personal website for reference:
Rev. B. Sung
Pastor of Crooks Memorial UMC
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Youth Leader Training Event
Saturday, March 8, 2025
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Leading with Compassion: Tools for Youth Ministry and Mental Health Advocacy
We are excited to welcome folks from Fuller Youth Institute as well as local mental health professionals for a day of training for Youth Leaders.

The goal for this event is to help youth leaders understand today’s youth ministry terrains and feel equipped to create environments for young people to develop faith beyond youth group and to focus on how we can journey with young people through the mental health challenges they face. This event is designed for anyone who works with teenagers--whether you serve in a staff role or volunteer teach Sunday School or with Youth Ministry, you are welcome to participate and enhance your ministry skills!
Leading with Compassion will take place on Saturday, March 8 at Church of the Good Shepherd UMC (2351 Hunter Mill Rd, Vienna, VA 22181) beginning at 9:00 a.m.
This event costs $25/person. Lunch is included. This is an in-person event and it will not be recorded.
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VAUMC Climate Summit: Hope in Action for Creation Justice
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Clergy Day Of Spiritual Renewal: “Hope is Here”
March 12, 2025
9:30 AM-4:30 PM, Shady Grove UMC (Mechanicsville)
Do you feel overwhelmed and stressed by all the things? Does your heart break for those who are suffering due to injustice and oppression, in whatever forms they take? Are you concerned about the planet and those impacted by natural disasters? Do you need a reminder that hope is here?
All clergy are invited to join us for a day of hope and spiritual renewal, engage in spiritual practices, and learn from Dr. Luther Smith. This unique event, coordinated by the Spiritual Formation team of the Board of Ordained Ministry, is a time for clergy to set aside all anxieties, stress, and concerns and to be present in the Hope of Jesus Christ.
Register today: https://form.jotform.com/250204290993153
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DISCOVER MORE AT DISCERNMENT DAY
Is God nudging you to do more? Do you think God is calling you, but you’re not sure how to answer? By virtue of our baptisms, every Christian is called by God in a myriad of ways – as laity serving in local churches, missionaries serving abroad, meeting the needs of the local community, to the set-apart ministry of the licensed and ordained and so much more. Discernment Day is an opportunity for you to explore your sense of call with others who are also discerning. Through prayer practices, age-appropriate small groups, and topical discussion groups, you will be provided space to learn more, connect with others, and discover your next steps.
Discernment Day is March 15, 2025 at Ebenezer UMC in Stafford. It is for anyone high school age and older who feels God's call on their lives. This is a free event!

Get more information here. Ready to register? Click here.
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NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR HARRY DENMAN AND ONE MATTERS AWARDS
We are excited to invite you to consider nominating individuals or churches for two awards that honor outstanding commitment to the teachings of Christ and the Great Commission.
The Harry Denman Evangelism Award is presented to individuals—whether clergy, laity, or youth—whose lives and ministries exemplify the love and teachings of Christ. Do you know someone whose discipleship reflects these qualities?
The One Matters Discipleship Award recognizes churches that have shown significant growth in baptisms and professions of faith, understanding that each "one" represents a life transformed by God's grace. Does this sound like a church you know?
For more information on both awards and how to submit a nomination, please visit the link below.
Thank you for helping us share and celebrate the discipleship stories of individuals and churches.
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MENTOR AT ALL GOD'S CHILDREN CAMP
It’s that time of year again! All God's Children Camp will be offering two weeks of camp this summer (June 15-20 and August 10-15) and we need you to make it happen! We are looking for compassionate and enthusiastic mentors, who are 17 years or older, to join us this year as we serve the incarcerated community and their families.
AGCC is a place to share God's love, spread kindness and to hear the words “I Am Somebody!” So grab some friends and come be a part of this wonderful opportunity to serve your community and help break the cycle of incarceration.
And for our pastors: Participating as a mentor at All God's Children Camp qualifies for Continuing Education (CU) credits!
For more information, email Lori Smith at agcc@vaumc.org or check out our website www.vaumc.org/agcc
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