January 14, 2021
Welcome to the weekly update of the Rappahannock River District of the UMC 
Join Bishop Lewis, the Virginia Conference Cabinet, and the Connectional Ministries office staff in a time of prayer for our nation and our leaders on January 20, 2021, as President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are inaugurated.
 
The event, “Inaugural Prayer and Healing Service,” will start at 9 a.m. with the Rev. Sylvia Meadows, James River District superintendent, and members of the Connectional Ministries staff in a time of centering.
 
Join the event at this link: https://vimeo.com/500180032
 
Heart Havens Month is February
Heart Havens Month (February) will soon be here! We can't wait to celebrate with you. The Virginia Conference has designated February as Heart Havens Month, one of six special offerings throughout the year. There are seven Heart Havens homes across the Conference, where men and women with a developmental disability are empowered to be full members of the body of Christ, and active participants in their communities.

The theme for Heart Havens Month this year is "A Different Perspective." Heart Havens' goal is 100 monthly Heart Havens donors.

Online donations can be made here https://heart-havens.networkforgood.com/ and donors can choose monthly under the frequency drop down menu or click here to learn other ways to give. https://hearthavens.org/media/1462/recurring-giving-flyer-form-2021.pdf

Please view and share our annual Heart Havens Month video by clicking here: https://youtu.be/4cEfx0XyavQ

Additional Heart Havens month resources are also available for download here: http://www.hearthavens.org/resources/worship-resources/

If you would like a virtual speaker for Sunday morning worship or a UMM/UMW or other small group meeting, please contact Jennifer Boyden at 804-506-8667 or Jennifer.boyden@hearthavens.org

You can also find Heart Havens month posts on social media – sharing will help us spread our message of empowerment. Thank you for your continued support of Heart Havens!
United Methodist Day at the General Assembly 2021
John Wesley encouraged members of the early Methodist movement to be life-long learners and to do no harm. As United Methodists today, we continue to learn new things and build up our communities, protecting the most vulnerable whenever possible.
This year, United Methodists will learn to expand United Methodist Day so that we are not advocating just one day but learning and working many days to protect the vulnerable of our state and nation. United Methodist Day at the General Assembly will look a little different this year. Some changes are required by the safety protocols employed by the state due to Covid-19. Other changes are so that we can best use and share the resources we have. We want you to have the best experience possible and be best equipped to continue the work throughout the year.
No parking issues, No long walks in the COLD, NO getting up before dawn for a long drive! We are going VIRTUAL (mostly)! 

January 18th, 2021 12:00 PM  through  January 22nd, 2021 5:00 PM

We will begin by sharing various resources including videos, book and movie suggestions, websites, and other resources during early January. We are partnering with the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) and their “Day for All People 2021 Advocacy Week” for a week of workshops, services opportunities, prayer vigils, and so much more! Join us on Monday morning, Martin Luther King Day, for time with the Virginia United Methodist Conference Bishop Sharma Lewis as the Guest Speaker, and then spend part of the afternoon in service. Tuesday through Thursday will include workshops, meeting with your State Senators and Delegates, and more. Tuesday will feature Governor Northam as the Guest Speaker. Friday, January 22, is United Methodist Day at the General Assembly.  We are planning opportunities for sharing and reflection, an opportunity to take part in a Prayer Vigil (both in person and virtual opportunities), and more. 

Register Now!
To streamline registration and make sure you have access to all the resources and opportunities, please register at: www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org/get-involved/2021dfap/
 Cost: $10 through Dec. 31, 2020
           $5 Student Pricing
           $20 beginning January 1, 2021
Scholarships are available for those who cannot pay.
  CONTACT INFORMATION

District Superintendent: Rev. Charles F. Ledlum-Bates, Ph.D.
DS Cell: 804.724.0202

2020 District Co-Lay Lay Leader:

2020 District Co-Lay Leader:

Lay Servant Director: Rev. Kevin Elmore kevinelmore@vaumc.org
Heartwood Director: Rev. Gayle Porias gayleporias@vaumc.org
Crossroads Minister: Rev. Mark Roscoe markroscoe@vaumc.org
Youth Coordinator: TJ Oliver, rrdyouth@vaumc.org
Office Manager: Lynn Manley rappahannockriverdistrict@vaumc.org
Cell 804.304.8566
Administrative Assistant Connie Devenport conniedevenport@vaumc.org


Mailing Address: PO BOX 100, Ladysmith, VA 22501 Phone   804.448.8326
Office Location: Inside Wright’s Chapel UMC at 8063 Ladysmith Road, Ruther Glen, VA (do not use for mail)