Mission Rivers District Newsletter September 2025 | | |
September 1
The office is closed!
| | | | September 15 - October 15 | | | |
Hello Clergy & Laity of the MR District,
I would like to thank all who made time to attend one of our four onboarding sessions earlier this month. You have no idea how helpful it was as I begin this role and enter into ministry with you. I wanted to share a few high-level reflections and insights:
- Multiple points of strength were identified in each conversation, including dynamic district staff, service/mission as a unifying identifier, a readiness to move into the future with hope.
- Prioritization for all clergy to prioritize holistic care: mind, body, and spirit.
- Transparency from district and conference communication
- Desire to move beyond "hurts and traumas" while still acknowledging that many communities still navigate them.
- Encouragement to convene groups/think tanks
- How might we be proactive vs. reactive
So, what now? These insights and findings will be shared with our District Board as well as staff to inform how we serve alongside the Mission Rivers congregations/communities. I hope that they will strengthen our vision and direction moving forward.
Again, many thanks, and what a joy it is to serve as your District Superintendent.
grace upon grace,
Lindsey
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Lindsey B. Freeman (District Syperintendent), Revs. Madison Long Ailinger (Williamsburg, Assoc.), Kori Robins (On loan to NC conference), Daniel Burch (On loan to KY conference), were participating in the Emerging Clergy Cohort that highlights clergy from across the connection under 40. Last week they were traveling the paths of the Wesleys and imagining what revival looks like in our church today.
Here they are at the place where John Wesley and George Whitfield conducted field preaching near Bristol.
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DS Installation Service with Bishop Sue
Sunday, September 14th, 3:00 PM
Susanna Wesley UmC, 3900 George Washington Memorial Hwy., Hayes, 23072
*Fall Charge Conferences October 12 - November 10
*Changes made to unity for reports for charge conferences:
1. The trustees report will include a question about whether local churches have termite coverage in their insurance policies. The trustees can knock this out with a simple call to their insurance carrier.
2. Cemeteries: churches will be asked basic logistical questions about cemeteries, such as if they have a cemetery, if they have a cemetery committee or a separate cemetery association, if they have a grid of available plots, the address of the cemetery, and who the local point person for the cemetery. This request comes from the business office.
3. Ministry Inventory: this will be a list of checkboxes churches need to complete to indicate ministries they currently have that help those in need; everything from clothes closets to food pantries, to backpack ministries, support groups, social justice/advocacy ministries, international missions, etc. They will also be asked where they make referrals in cases where people make requests for help for services that particular church does not provide. This request will help us create a database of missions for the entire conference.
2025 district Conference November 9
Details to follow.
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Mission Rivers Day of Prayer And Repentance For Our Nation
On Friday September 19, 2025 the Mission River’s District is encouraging all churches to
participate in a District Day of Prayer And Repentance for our nation. The idea is based on II
Chronicles 7:12-16 which asserts:
“I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices.
13 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land
or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble
themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from
heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my
ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 16 I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.
II Chronicles 7:12-16
We envision a day when all churches in our district will hold a special service of prayer and
repentance for the preservation of our democracy, the pursuit of justice and mercy for our
fractured and increasingly divided nation. Clusters may wish to do this as a coordinated effort. II
Chronicles teaches us that spiritual and cultural renewal begin with prayer and repentance, a
spiritual realignment of our souls with the Triune God of creation. Let’s dedicate a day to this
effort as an example to the conference and indeed the nation of the vital importance of realigning the activity of our souls with the will of God.
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MUSIC ACCOMPANIST
St. Matthias United Methodist Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia, is seeking a
motivated, energetic part-time piano accompanist to lead congregational singing.
We engage traditional and contemporary elements in blended in-person and
online Sunday worship services. The accompanist will work closely with the Pastor
and church members. This position is approximately 11 hours a week, with a
starting hourly pay of $20/hour. Interested candidates are asked to send your
resume to St. Matthias UMC, 426 Deacon Rd, Fredericksburg, VA 22405 or email
to office@stmtoday.com. A position description is available upon request.
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Hampton UMC Connectional Cookout!
The UMC pastors of Hampton have been meeting and talking about ways to help our churches. Our first fruits of these gatherings will be a Hampton UMC Cookout on Saturday, September 6, 11am-2pm. We’ll be in the courtyard pavilions by the playground area of Sandy Bottom park. Come as you are, and bring some food to share - hot dogs and hamburgers, along with plates and utensils, will be provided. Food will be served beginning at noon. Come, talk, eat, share, play, and dream together for the future! There is a sign up link so we can ensure we have enough supplies: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0548AFAC2CA0F8C25-58131416-connectional
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70th Anniversary
Join us for Eastland United Methodist Church's 70th anniversary held on Sunday, Sept 7, 20225. Worship with communion will be at 10:30 am with a luncheon immediately following in the Fellowship Hall. If you know any past members, family, and friends please invite them. RSVP to eastlandumc@gmail.com or call (540) 898-6430.
Eastland UMC
10718 Courthouse Road
Fredericksburg, VA 22407
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Benn's United Methodist Church
15107 Benns Church Blvd, Smithfield, VA 23430-2122
Benn's World Famous Chick-A-Que!
September 13th 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
THANK YOU for your support over the years - proceeds benefit Benn's missions and projects.
Cost~ $12
Menu~1/2 of a NC-style pit-cooked chicken, baked beans, cole slaw, and roll.
This event will be DRIVE THROUGH/PICK UP only.
Desserts will be available in the Drive Through Line - have your $2.00 ready!!
Don't miss it ~ get your tickets early!!
THIS EVENT IS USUALLY A SELL-OUT!
For tickets: Contact the church office at 757-357-3373. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 to 3:00.
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Dear friends, it is important to recognize that in our Churches throughout the Conference and various Denominations, women greatly outnumber men in attendance. This imbalance has resulted in women assuming numerous leadership positions within our communities. I want to express my appreciation for all the talented women who faithfully respond to God's call and lead our Churches. However, I must pose the question: where are the men? It is crucial for men to take initiative, support our women, and foster increased male participation in Church leadership. I invite you to join us for a men's breakfast at Regester Chapel United Methodist Church in Stafford, Virginia, featuring a special guest speaker, Mr. Milton Harding, founder of Agape Solutions.
Grace and peace,
Reverend Derrick Parson
20 September, 2025 8:30 AM
REGESTER CHAPEL
106 Regester Chapel Rd., Stafford, VA 22554
Milton Harding, founder of Agapai Solutions, LLC has spent over 20 plus years serving and caring for the body of Christ across many areas of ministry primarily "shepherding the flock". Milton, an ordained pastor, and former Chaplain with the Washington Commanders, believes strongly that teaching sound doctrine, discipleship, and strengthening believers in their walk with Christ is key to returning our homes, churches, communities, and nation back to God. Biblical discipleship for the body of Christ is the core of his ministry with a focus on pastors, churches, men, the marriage relationship, and the family unit. Milton is passionate about sharing the word of God in practical ways to effect change in the lives of all peoples regardless of denomination, ethnicity, social or economic lines. Milton is committed to edifying and strengthening the body of Christ while directing the hearts of believers to the love of God, through His word and His Holy Spirit!
All men (ages 5 to 105+) are welcome to join us and hear this great speaker.
Breakfast will be served. Please RSVP to ja601jb@gmail.com so we know how many eggs to cook.
We look forward to seeing you there.
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Central UMC Mathews
121 Church St.
Mathews, VA 23109
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PRAYER SHAWL RETREAT
WALLACE MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
6 Johnson Road, Hampton, VA 23664
September 27, 2025 10am-2pm
Join us at our next Prayer Shawl Retreat. This outreach ministry serves our local
communities and afar, providing a tangible, comforting reminder of God’s
Presence, as a gesture of compassion and love. Knitting and Crochet patterns and
supplies will be on hand. A complimentary lunch will be provided. Come make
shawls: make friends!
Please RSVP to: Pam Cutshaw (757) 871-8364 or Beth Weidlein (757) 880-0732
| First UMC Fox Hill will be celebrating Homecoming Weekend October 25 and 26. On the 25th, we will have a Tent Revival beginning at 3pm. Rev Kenny Newsomes, Rich Meisner, and several others will be bringing the blessed word. In case of inclement weather, we will move inside the sanctuary. On Sunday, October 26, we’ll celebrate homecoming with a combined 10am service, with Rev Newsome preaching, followed by a fellowship meal. For more details, contact Pastor Brian or check out our web address: www.firstumcfoxhill.org | | |
Benn's United Methodist Church
15107 Benns Church Blvd, Smithfield, VA 23430-2122
Pam Stagg United Women in Faith Annual Craft and Vendor Show, lunch from 11:00-1:00, and Bake Sale on Saturday, November 1st 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM.
Contact Jane at 757-334-3412 or email Jane23430@yahoo.com for vendor space information. Over 25 vendors INSIDE AND OUTSIDE!
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DISCERNMENT DAY
September 6, 2025 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Main Street UMC
212 E. Main Street, Bedford, VA 24523
Phone: (540) 586-8878
Is God nudging you to do more?
Do you think God is calling you, but you’re not sure how to answer?
By virtue of our baptisms, every Christian is called by God in a myriad of ways – as laity serving in local churches, missionaries serving abroad, meeting the needs of the local community, to the set-apart ministry of the licensed and ordained and so much more.
Discernment Day is an opportunity for you to explore your sense of call with others who are also discerning. Through prayer practices, age appropriate small groups, and topical discussion groups, you will be provided space to learn more, connect with others, and discover your next steps.
Registration
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Basic Church Finance for New Pastors
When: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
This 120-minute session will acquaint new pastors with the financial and accounting ministry of the local church. Upon completion, pastors should be better equipped to engage with the finance, trustee, and endowment committees. This is a hands-on session with worksheets and resources supplied upon registration.
The seminar is led by the Rev. Burt Brooks, Director of Stewardship at The United Methodist Credit Union and registration is free of charge to participants.
Register for Seminar
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Lend Your Lens: Volunteer Photographers Needed
Wesley Housing, a nonprofit affordable housing developer and proud partner of the Virginia United Methodist Conference, is seeking volunteer photographers to help tell the story of our work across Virginia.
We recently welcomed several new communities into our portfolio and are looking for local photographers—professional or skilled hobbyists—to capture refreshed exterior and interior images of properties in these local communities: Appomattox, Bedford, Blackstone, Farmville, Louisa, Lynchburg, Northampton, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Staunton, and Stephens City.
If you have a camera, a creative eye, and a heart for service, your photos can help Wesley Housing showcase the importance of affordable housing and the communities where our neighbors live and thrive.
Interested in volunteering your time and skills? Contact cstawick@whdc.org to learn more.
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Clergy Ethics
Friends,
The first of the quadrennial clergy ethics training will be on October 7, 2025, in Virginia Beach. The deadline to register for the October 7th session will be September 11. Please remind folks in your newsletters.
All the information, dates and locations through 2028 can be found online at: https://vaumc.org/ethicsvideos/
Rev. Dr. Jason Stanley
Director of Call & Candidacy
Virginia Annual Conference
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