We are pleased to announce several different training opportunities for this spring! We will offer in-person training as well as online training. There are 4 training events coming up:
Online One-Night Course: Lay Leader Training
Thursday, April 13
Online Mondays - Lay Servant: Leading Worship
April 10, April 17, and April 24
Note Registration for this class closes on April 2
Online Saturdays - Lay Servant: Basic+, Leading Public Prayer, Called to Preach
April 22, April 29, and May 13
In-Person Training:
Lay Servant: Basic, Spiritual Gifts, Simple Accountability Structure
Saturday, April 29 at St. Luke's Yorktown 8:00am - 5:00pm
Registration Details Coming Next Week
Click the appropriate button below for more information and/or to register for the class of your choice!
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2023 Mission Trip
El Salvador (UMVIM) Mission Trip
We are excited to reconnect with our International Methodist Mission Partner—The Evangelical Methodist Church in El Salvador. In 2023, we’ll send a District team to continue our relationship-building and team specific mission project. Project will be determined by team and cost will be determined by project, flight costs and grant monies available.
If you are interested in learning more about this exciting mission opportunity, contact either Nancy Yarborough (nancyjane0405@aol.com) or Rev. Robin BeMiller (robinbemiller@vaumc.org), Team Co-Organizers.
Project: Determined by team ranging from construction of church or school, VBS, or food distribution
Trip Cost: TBD (previous year trips averaged $750 with scholarship monies available)
Trip Dates: July 23—July 29, 2023.
Age of Participants: 10-15 with parent, through adult
Team Expectations: Attend Team Organizing/Bonding Gatherings (via zoom), Actively participate in preparing for the trip, and most of all a Servants Heart. We hope that 6-10 of our district laity or clergy will be excited about this opportunity.
Here is a video from Brian Dubberly, the Mission Team Coordinator for El Salvador.
https://www.salvadoranmissionprojects.com/
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Videos share resources for 2023 AC members
Working in tandem, the Conference Lay Leader Martha Stokes and the conference Communications Office are creating video resources for Annual Conference members prior to the 2023 Annual Conference session. Four videos have know been released. Conference Secretary Rev. Joshua King shares information about motions and more in his video. In her videos, Martha share responsibilities for lay members and reporting back to local churches.
Watch the videos...
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All God's Children Camp Needs Your Help!
All God's Children Camp begins in just three short months and we need your help to make it possible! Camper applications are coming in and we need you to help mentor them! So grab a group from your church and come join me and a bunch of amazing kids this summer! Check the website below for more details or email Lori Smith at agcc@vaumc.org or lttlelori@gmail.com.
https://vaumc.org/agcc/
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Opt-in for physical copy of 2023 Book of Reports; learn more about AC 2023
The 241st Session of the Virginia Annual Conference will be held in-person from Thursday, June 15 – Saturday, June 17, 2023, at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, Va. Hotel registration opened on Monday, March 6, 2023.
The Book of Reports will be available online in early May. You can request a physical copy until April 28 to be delivered by mid-May. Fill out this form to get a physical copy. Limited printed copies will be available at the June AC in Roanoke for purchase.
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2023 Mission Opportunities on conference website | |
Mission Opportunities provided throughout the Annual Conference allow the churches to maximize the impact in transforming the world through the connectional system. Each year, Virginia Conference offers Mission Opportunities for the over 1,000 churches to ‘Unite in Mission’ as we serve our Lord together. Below you will find information on how we, serving together, can become a ‘blessing to this world’ (Gen 12:3).
Learn more...
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Church seeks projector
Ebenezer Oldhams is seeking a projector for their sanctuary. If anyone has upgraded and has one they are willing to donate or sell, please contact Cindy Flickinger at
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Submit nominations for Green Church Award
The Virginia Board of Church and Society are accepting nominations for the 2023 Virginia Annual Conference Green Church Award and Sustaining Green Church Award. Applications should be completed by May 14.
In 2009, the Virginia Annual Conference established the Green Church Initiative and called churches to "green" their ministries. To recognize the continuing work of creation care in the Virginia Annual Conference, the board is asking for nominations to receive the Green Church and Sustaining Green Church Award during the Virginia Annual Conference during June 15-17, 2023 session.
Recipients of these awards strive to affirm the importance of healing and defending God's creation in their mission as local congregations. They are engaged in this ministry in worship, learning and teaching, individual and congregational lifestyle and community, national, and global advocacy/involvement.
Send any questions to Brian Christoffersen at redceltic2010@gmail.com.
VAUMC Board of Church and Society Green Church Award Application
VAUMC Board of Church and Society Sustaining Green Church Award Application
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Support Mississippi following tornadoes
UM News - Recently communities in Mississippi were devastated by tornadoes, leaving over 20 dead, dozens injured, and more missing. Let us all come together in prayer for the victims, their families, and first responders working tirelessly to help those affected. UMCOR is communicating with the conference and processing a solidarity grant for emergency relief. All are reminded NOT to self-deploy as conditions may be dangerous. Instead, contact your CDRC for information on any response your conference will participate in. To offer support for this and other disasters throughout the US, donate to:
UMCOR's U.S. Disaster Response and Recovery Advance here...
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Maundy Thursday Mass Invitation
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On April 6, Maundy Thursday, at 6 pm, the public is invited to the premier performance of "By His Grace" , a mass composed by Carina Bly Sprouse, to be held at Bethany UMC, 454 Main St. Reedville. The following churches will have choir members performing together - Bethany, St. Mary's, Fairfields, Afton, Coles Point, and All Saints Church (Richmond). The service will include Communion followed by a covered dish dinner.
Carina grew up in Stuttgart, Germany, where she received her musical training starting at the age of 6. She began her church musician career at the age of 14 and was a young talent performer for the Stuttgart Musical Hall. As a string bass player, she was a member of the Stuttgart Symphonic Wind Orchestra (under the conduction of her father Dr. Leon Bly) Her grandfather was Musin Bly and taught music at Northumberland High School in the 1960's. Carina moved to the USA in 2000 and taught piano at the former Arts Building in Kilmarnock. She has been music director at Bethany for the past 23 years.
She began composing "By His Grace" about 10 years ago and slowly added sections to it. There was never an opportunity presented to perform it until this year. We are so privileged to have such a gifted artist in Northumberland County. Please email the pastor, Rev. Derek Tomek at derektomac@vaumc.org if you have any questions regarding the service.
This article was written by Barbara Hays, Music Director at Fairfields and Afton UMC. She will be assisting in the performance.
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The Mission Rivers District
Virginia Conference
The United Methodist Church
6515 George Washington Memorial
Highway, Suite 203
Yorktown, VA 23692
(757) 596-3476 Telephone
(757) 591-2866 Fax
Website: missionriversdistrict.org
Office Hours: Monday—Thursday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The Rev. Charles F. Ledlum-Bates
District Superintendent
MRDS@vaumc.org
Lisa Jones
Administrative Assistant
LisaJones@vaumc.org
757.596.3476
Lynn Manley
Administrative Assistant
LynnManley@vaumc.org
757.879.9472
Rev. Dr. Clarence R. Brown, Jr.
District Director of Connectional Ministry
ClarenceBrown@vaumc.org
757.477.4474
Rev. Dr. James “Jim” O’Quinn
District Director of Connectional Ministry
JimOQuinn@vaumc.org
757.879.0309
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