Mission Rivers District Newsletter

Undue Medical Debt Campaign

$25.00 - $500.00

Undue Medical Debt, formerly RIP Medical Debt, is an organization that purchases medical debt from insurance and other third party companies for pennies on the dollar. Undue Medical Debt empowers donors to abolish and erase medical debt for the most vulnerable persons in our communities. Every dollar that is donated erases around $100 worth of medical debt. There are no strings attached, taxes, or penalties for the recipients of medical debt forgiveness. We are working toward a conference-wide goal of eliminating $39 million of medical debt for the whole state of Virginia by the end of the calendar year.

For more information about Undue Medical Debt (formerly RIP Medical Debt), please visit: https://www.unduemedicaldebt.org/

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Find back-to-school resources

Summer will be over soon, which means children will be headed back to school. Help prepare students in your church/community for another school year with prayers, encouragement and celebrations. Find the right resources and plan your back-to-school outreach now. Learn more...

Certificate Program for clergy ready for next ministry step

Now half off the price for VAUMC clergy.

Designed as an equivalent to an executive leadership program, the Lewis Center for Church Leadership Certificate Program delivers an online, cohort-based learning experience for pastors that combines self-study and interactive peer learning. Participants will learn strategic actionable insights that enhance their ability to be effective in their ministry settings. Guided by experienced faculty from Wesley Theological Seminary and the Lewis Center, this certificate program includes five courses over the course of a year that help pastors explore visioning, administration, stewardship, innovation, and building key partnerships. You can learn more in the attached flyer and by visiting here. Enrollment ends: August 30, 2024. Browse all courses...

Register now for Lay Servant Academy

The Virginia Conference Lay Servant Academy August Training will be Friday & Saturday, August 16-17. (VIRTUAL ONLY!) Registration is now open. Courses include, the Basic Course, Children's Faith Formation, Spiritual Gifts, Social Principles, and more! All who are interested in leadership roles in the local church are encouraged to consider connecting with others and participating in training events. All courses satisfy requirements for various Lay Servant Ministry pathways. For questions, email Tianna Durbin, Director of Lay Servant Academy. Learn more...

Register now for the Called to Lead: VAUMC Fall 2024 Youth Retreat. The retreat is open to all youth (6th-12th grade).Event will be held November 22-24, 2024 at the Virginia Nazarene Retreat Center (1151 High School Road, Buckingham, Virginia). Cost is $150 per person (pre-order t-shirt offered for additional $10).Registration is for groups only. No individual registrations are allowed. You must be registered through your youth leader and church.

The retreat will include time for worship, recreation, and sessions in a Leadership Track which each participant will choose. These tracks will offer hands-on learning experiences based on participants' interests and gifts; participants will leave with tools they can use as leaders in ministry in their local communities and churches. Learn more..

We are getting ready for another school year at the Campus Christian Community (CCC) and could use your help! Please check out our wish list with items we need for the school year! Every gift helps us minister to and with students, faculty, a staff of the University of Mary Washington! Here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/XCIHK22VZSF1?ref_=wl_share

Contact Rev Elizabeth Snader at elizabethsnader@vaumc.org if you have any questions!

MRD Local Churches

Bethany UMC Reedville Mission Trip to Charleston

On July 14-19 the 6 person team traveled to Charleston, West Virginia to work with the Rebuilding Together ministry associated with Christ Church UMC. The team worked on 5 existing houses in the Charleston area to improve the safety and functionality of the houses. Pictured from left to right are Valynn Westfall, Rev. Dinah Bondzie, Tony Wilde, Ivor Van Heerden, Janet Sansalone, and Jay Lightfoot.

In spite of extremely hot temperatures but warm hospitality from the church and the home owners, the team members gave their all!! The members of Bethany UMC prayed for and were very proud of how God used this team to be a blessing. For more information regarding Bethany UMC mission opportunities in the future call the church at 804-453-3282