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Welcome to the weekly update of the Rappahannock River District of the UMC
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“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 NKJV). This verse implies that God’s Word provides light, direction, solace, correction, and hope, as the Psalmist’s efforts in God’s service continue. The above statement means that our actions are guided by the revelation of God’s wisdom and that we should pause at various moments in the day to recall God’s presence in our lives. The question is, where have we seen God lately in our lives?
My response to God’s call to the Ordained Ministry is a promise that I made several years ago. I promised to uphold my commitment to the call despite any circumstances. Each day I try to let my life reflect my call and the order that I see in God’s creation. As a result, I see God even amid chaos.
Chaos does not explain the challenging times I experienced after I completed seminary. I entered into another master’s program – clinical pastoral counseling. I wanted to prepare myself to better serve my church and community. During our graduation awards banquet, Dr. Thomas Rodgers read a poem entitled
For a New Beginning
. The poem was from John O’Donohue’s
To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings
.
As I reflect on my post clinical pastoral counseling days, I recall a review of O’Donohue’s book that invites each of us to
awaken to the timeless truths
and embrace the power we have to address contemporary dilemmas and ease us through periods of change. The sacrifices we make to address these changes are evidenced by our faith journey.
We must aspire to lead instead of reacting to the news of the day. Rather than pointing fingers and blaming others,
we must be resolute and purposeful
in our collective effort to minister together.
We must pause at various moments to recall God’s presence in our life
. Like the Psalmist, we must find wisdom for the journey ahead. We must also find hope in a world that seems hopeless.
O’Donohue writes:
In out-of-the-way places of the heart, where our thoughts never think to wander, this beginning has been quietly forming,
waiting until we were ready to emerge
. For a long time, it has watched our desire, feeling the emptiness growing inside us,
noticing how we willed ourselves on
, still unable to leave what we had outgrown.
This is our invitation to will ourselves on despite the frustration and growing stress. Let us disallow any element of emptiness to form in us.
This beginning
watched us play with the seduction of safety and the gray promises that sameness whispered,
hearing the waves of turmoil rise and relent wondered would we always live like this.
Then the delight, when our courage kindled, and out we stepped onto new ground,
our eyes young again with energy and dream, a path of plenitude opening before us.
Again, this statement encourages us not be seduced by the sameness of our conditions because we cannot afford to compromise our safety.
Though our destination is not yet clear we can trust the promise of this opening.
Let us
unfurl ourselves into the grace of beginning that is at one with our life’s desire.
Let us
awaken our spirit to adventure; Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk
; Soon we will be home in a new rhythm, for our souls sense the world that awaits us.
We are exploring new ideas each day. We are taking risks each day. Our rhythm changes because of the new things we explore each day. Even though our destination is not in sight, we can trust it because we will regain our rhythm. So, be encouraged and be a part of the solution;
be resolute
.
Blessings to You!
Charles
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Helping our District Churches
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The Committee for the Rappahannock
River
District Builder’s Club is pleased to announce our 9th call. This is for Galilee United Methodist Church located in Edwardsville, Virginia. The links below include a Pastor's Letter of Description, Finance Information Sheet, and pictures of work recently completed. The request is for funds to help with completion of renovations to the septic and sewer system for the existing facilities. The work included removal of trees, sidewalks, old septic and sewer and the installation of new septic, leach field, and sidewalks.
This Call is issued to anyone who would like to make a donation. The Call will close on September 15.
Galilee is one of our smallest churches to request assistance. We are asking that you support this Call by sending a check payable to: “
Rappahannock River
District Builder’s Club” to the district office at PO BOX 100, Ladysmith, VA 22501 before September 15
th
.
We currently have 138 members in our Builder’s Club. We would love to have additional members who help God’s Kingdom grow by supporting district churches. Become a member today by sending $ 10.00 or greater to the above address and tell a friend about the Builder’s Club. All donations are tax deductible.
Thank you for being a partner with Galilee U.M.C.
For more information on the Builder's Club and how we can help your church, please contact me.
Working in His Kingdom
Dave
David A. Kellison, President
Rappahannock River District Builder's Club
540.786.3930
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Mr. David Parr, Supervisor, of the Richmond County Board of Supervisors presents a proclamation to Mr. C.C. Burgess, Board Chair, and Mr. Tommy Lewis, Lay Leader in celebration of Oakland's 150th Anniversary this year.
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We extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Evelyn Roberts. Mrs. Roberts was the widow of Rev. William Thomas Roberts and lived on our district. She was a member of Ebenezer UMC.
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Micah is organized volunteers for a School Lunch Program food distribution in Fredericksburg City..
Volunteers duties include:
1. going to disclosed location,
2. receiving food that will be delivered by another driver
3. handing out food to kids in the neighborhood(s) for about 45 min to an hour.
4. Bringing any remaining food back to James Monroe High School.
For more information contact:
Rev. Chelsea A. Morse
Community Engagement Navigator
Micah Ecumenical Ministries
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All God's Children Camp Virtual 5k Fundraiser
:
Join us for a Virtual 5k fundraiser for All God's Children Camp. You can run/walk this race anytime on August 15 or any date and time that suits you! Don't forget to take a picture of yourself and share it on our All God's Children Camp Facebook page with the hashtag #agcc5k. We hope you will take this opportunity to support camp as we help break the cycle of incarceration. Click the link below to register:
https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/GlenAllen/AGCC5K
. If you have any questions you can email Lori Smith at
[email protected]
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Emmanuel UMC
Pianist:
Searching for a pianist for their 9:30 am service. The pianist would play hymns and lead the choir anthem.
There is no choir practice during the week.
All those who are interested in may contact us via
[email protected]
and 804-462-7376 (Geri Vick, Worship committee chair)
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Liberty UMC
Seeking a
Pianist/keyboardist
(Organ too if possible) to play at Sunday morning church service. Part time position for small vibrant church. Opportunity for growth in the position.
To find out more details, please call 540-439-0267 or message us through our facebook page:
Liberty UMC-Bealeton
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Ebenezer UMC,
Stafford, VA, is seeking a part-time
Assistant Property Manager
to assist the Property Manager in maintaining the church building and grounds to provide a clean, safe, and welcoming environment that supports Ebenezer’s strategic vision. The selected individual will complete routine tasks on Sunday morning prior to worship, such as Café set up and breakdown, sidewalks and parking lot clear of debris, vacuuming, windows, trash removal, bathrooms, etc. as needed; ensure facilities are in good working order for worship services; perform basic repairs and maintenance to the various areas of the church building to include, but not limited to, plumbing, carpentry, painting, and lighting. For details, visit the Virginia Conference website at
www.vaumc.org/jobs
Fredericksburg UMC Worship Leader
Fredericksburg UMC seeks a part-time, skilled worship leader for contemporary worship ministry. Quality vocal skills required, as well as knowledge of contemporary worship arts and streaming ministry.
Join a dynamic team to carry the message of Christ forward!
For a job description, contact our Music Director, David Kirven at:
[email protected].
Resume and video recording required.
Fredericksburg United Methodist Church
540-373-9021
Director of Music Ministry
Regester Chapel UMC
is seeking applications for its Director of Music Ministry. The purpose of the Director of Music Ministry is to help musicians and our congregation grow as disciples of Jesus Christ through our worship and music. A Bachelor’s Degree in Music is preferred with previous experience and leadership in Music performance and direction. The candidate must have knowledge of and experience with traditional music and possess the leadership qualities to inspire and lead a Chancel Choir, musicians and the congregation. This is a part-time position. To apply, send a letter of interest and a copy of your current resume to [email protected]. For more information, contact Barry Dillon, SPRC, Regester Chapel UMC, 85 Bells Hill Rd., Stafford, Virginia, 22554.
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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:
Cell 804.304.8566
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)
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