Mission Rivers District Newsletter | | |
June 13, 2025
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Susanna Wesley UMC
3900 George Washington Memorial Highway
Hayes, VA 23072
Hot dogs, s'mores, popcorn and FUN!
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Greetings,
Rev. Dr. Charles Ledlum-Bates and his wife, Vickie, are about to embark on an additional step in their journey as they move from the Mission Rivers District. Rev. Dr. Ledlum-Bates has served the last six years of his ministry here as the Mission Rivers District Superintendent. He and his family now take a new path on their journey which includes retirement. Before they set out on their new course, we would like to give them a service of celebration appropriate for what they have contributed to the Mission Rivers District over the last six years.
You are invited to participate in this celebration which will take place on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Wright’s Chapel United Methodist Church, 8063 Ladysmith Road, Ruther Glen, Virginia at 2:00.
In preparation for this celebration we are making two requests of our churches.
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We would like to receive letters from friends, parishioners and co-workers that express appreciation for Charles and Vickie. These will be collected and given to Charles at the reception. You may send the email to the District Office at missionriversdistrict@vaumc.org or mail to the District Office.
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In addition, we would like to honor Charles’s ministry by giving a special gift to “The Bates Foundation”. These gifts may be collected at each local church either sent online at www.thebatesfoundation.org or sent to the District Office.
All letters and gifts not sent online may be mailed to:
Mission Rivers District
6515 George Washington Memorial Highway, Suite 203
Yorktown, VA 23692-2182
Please ensure that any gift or card is received no later than Monday, June 16, 2025.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Robin BeMiller
Superintendency Committee, Chair
Judy Craun
District Lay Leader
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District Scholarship Applications Now Available
Higher Education has always been a hallmark of the United Methodist Church. The value of resources for continued learning and higher education is fundamental to United Methodism. In keeping with our tradition of supporting higher learning, the Mission Rivers District (MRD) of the United Methodist Church has created a Student Scholarship Program. The program is maintained and administered by the MRD and is not connected with any other United Methodist board, agency, or entity. Scholarships will be awarded to applicants who meet the program criteria as funding allows. Persons eligible to apply are those who are attending or who plan to attend a college or trade school, persons who are members of a United Methodist Church on the Mission Rivers District, and persons who are enrolled in a program that presents a degree or certification.
Click Links below for Guidelines and Application.
Applications may be emailed to Missionriversdistrict@vaumc.org with the subject line, “MRD Scholarship Workgroup” or may be mailed to MRD Scholarship Workgroup, PO BOX 400, Montpelier, VA 23192.
Deadline to return is July 10, 2025.
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The Berglund Center
Roanoke, VA
June 11-14, 2025.
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This year for Annual Conference, Cleaning kits, a.k.a., flood buckets, UMCOR Cleaning Kit - Global Ministries, Hygiene kits (UMCOR Hygiene Kit - Global Ministries) and Feminine hygiene kits (UMCOR Menstrual Hygiene Kit - Global Ministries) will be collected and stored until pickup for delivery to Mission Central in Mechanicsburg, PA.
The kits have to be dropped off by June 7. We have several sites around the district. Please note the dates and times.
YORKTOWN
Seaford Transfer, 143 Freedom Blvd, Yorktown
757-898-8019
Monday through Friday 9 am until 4 pm before June 6
On June 7 – 10 am until 2 pm
HAYES
Susanna Wesley United Methodist Church
3900 George Washington Hwy, Hayes
804-642-7551 Call for drop-off time info
SMITHFIELD
Benn’s United Methodist Church, 14571 Benns Church Blvd, Smithfield
757-357-3373
Church Office hours - Tuesday- Friday, 9:00-3:00 for drop off before June 7th.
On June 7th from 10:00-12:00
KINSALE (Northern Neck)
5729 Sandy Point Road, Kinsale
Contact Mark Lawrence at 540-903-3568 to arrange a drop-off.
FREDERICKSBURG
Tabernacle United Methodist Church, 7310-A Old Plank Road, Fredericksburg
540-786-6162
Monday through Thursday from 1pm to 4pm, and Saturday from 10 to 12pm. Call to notify.
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Please join us on Thursday, June 12 from 6:00pm - 7:30pm at Bonsack United Methodist Church, 4493 Bonsack Road NE, Roanoke, VA 24012.
An RSVP is not necessary, but it would be helpful if you are coming.
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Mentors Needed for All God's Children Camp
June 15-20
Urgent need: All God's Children Camp is still in need of 10 female and 7 male mentors for the week of June 15-20 at Camp Chanco on the James. Please consider joining us this summer and help change the lives of some amazing kids! So bring some friends and join us for a wonderful week of camp and the great outdoors! Please contact Lori Smith at agcc@vaumc.org for more information or visit the website at https://vaumc.org/agcc/
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Laity Boot Camp will unite laity across connection
Laity Boot Camp, building on the success of SCD 2024 (SEE//CREATE//DISCIPLE) will be held in Chicago from October 23-25, 2025, to unite church leaders from across the globe for a meaningful time of learning, worship, and renewed inspiration. Laity Boot Camp 2025 promises to be more than just another conference; it is a two-day event aimed at rekindling your passion for making a positive impact in your local church and community. This gathering will provide you with practical ministry tools to enhance your faith journey and foster connections with fellow leaders. Join us for this enriching experience and take the next step in your ministry! Learn more...
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Peace with Justice is June 15
Peace With Justice (PWJ) Sunday is coming up on June 15. All United Methodist congregations are encouraged to take part.
This Special Sunday & Offering arrives at a critical moment. As war, violence, persecution, and terror continue to plague our world, government programs for peacemaking and reducing violence are being eliminated. Christ calls us to be peacemakers. Our Social Principles call us to seek justice and serve as reconcilers of conflict. PWJ Sunday is a way for United Methodists to take action.
PWJ Sunday is one of the Special Sundays that are set aside each year to deepen the connection between the local church and ministries on a global scale. Individuals and congregations are encouraged to support the UMC’s collective efforts through an offering. UM churches traditionally observe PWJ Sunday on the first Sunday after Pentecost.
- 50% of the funds raised on PWJ Sunday stay within our Annual Conference to enhance and support local social justice ministries.
- The other 50% supports national and international peacemaking ministries and grants, encompassing issues such as Israel-Palestine, gun violence prevention, immigration, peace in Korea, nuclear abolition, and protecting social support programs.
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Learn more about PWJ Sunday, including ways congregations and individuals can donate
- The Pastor and Leader Kit is here...
For more information, contact Kenn Speicher (PWJ Coordinator) or Jaydee Hanson (BCS Co-Chair).
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Fredericksburg United Methodist Church is a mission driven church seeking to hire an Audio Visual and Sound Technician who desires an exciting and collaborative work setting. This person will seek to produce top quality worship experiences both in house and online. This includes the best music mix to support worship (in person and on line) and video for for both traditional and contemporary worship services. In addition, this person will recruit, train, and oversee volunteers who will then work together as teams. Ultimately, these teams will run the equipment, while this person oversees and supervises the production. To apply go to: https://fumcva.org/about-forms/now-hiring/
Fredericksburg United Methodist Church is a mission driven church seeking to hire a collaborative Contemporary worship leader who will oversee all aspects of contemporary worship, recruit volunteer musicians to support worship and develop worship teams, select and organize music, and oversee function and repair of church owned instruments. This is a part-time position requiring 15 hours per week, with some flexibility at the busiest times of the church year at significant Holy days. To apply go to: https://fumcva.org/about-forms/now-hiring/
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