Mission Rivers District Newsletter

 November 2025

November 1

November 2

November 11

November 23

November 27

November 30

NOVEMBER 4TH

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

Sunday, November 9, 2025

3:00 PM

Shady Grove UMC

8209 Shady Grove Road

Mechanicsville, VA 23111

Local District Churches

Lower United Methodist Church – Hartfield Virginia

Administrative Assistant: Join our Ministry Team! Part time position providing assistance to the pastor, church leadership and church congregation. In person, telephone and email communication skills necessary with an understanding of maintaining confidentiality. Ability to produce written communications of various forms needed. Calendar management and report compilation skills requested. Knowledge of Microsoft Office required. Familiarity with Mail Chimp, Canva, Weebly and Meta social media applications a plus. Competitive salary, flexible schedule with occasional weekend tasks. Start date – December 1st.

To apply, please send your resume and a brief cover letter to Lower UMC - lumc@va.metrocast.net

All United Methodists are invited to attend a free presentation by attorney Mark R. Matney on “Estate Planning Strategies and Will Preparation.” The event will take place at First United Methodist Church, 10246 Warwick Boulevard, Newport News, VA 23601 on Saturday, November 15th at 9:00 a.m. A breakfast will be held at 8:30 a.m. with a limited number of reservations. The cost is $10 that may be paid at the door.

Mark has spent more than 20 years as an estate planning lawyer and eight years as a financial coach. He earned his law degree from William & Mary and his Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree from Evangel Theological Seminary. More recently, Mark taught two semesters as an adjunct professor at William & Mary Law School.

Call Jonathan Smith at 757-593-4061 by Tuesday, November 11th to reserve a seat. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.

Join United Methodists from across Virginia for a day of worship, learning, and advocacy!

Meet your legislators, connect with fellow clergy and laity, and put your faith into action as we advocate for policies that help care for our neighbors.

Registration Information:

Early Bird: $25 (through Dec. 12, 2025)

Regular: $40 (closes Jan. 18, 2026)

Students: $10

Registration closes January 18, 2026!

Don’t miss this opportunity to make your voice heard. Come pray, learn, and advocate with us in Richmond!

For more information, visit: vaumc.org/umday

Hosted by the Conference Legislative Network (CLN)

Bake & Pray: Clergy Gathering 2/9/26

Bake & Pray is a unique approach to bread baking that emphasizes the integration of

prayer into the process—viewing it as a liturgy rather than focusing solely on producing

a perfect loaf. Through this practice, participants are invited to deepen their faith, enrich

their prayer lives, and experience God’s beauty in the tangible and delicious gift of

bread. The day includes 30 minutes of sabbath time for reflection and rest, which can

be on your own or with colleagues. There are spaces within the church (Memorial UMC,

Charles City) to gather and to pray, and we are mere steps from the Capital Trail,

perfect for a walk. More information, including time, address, and what to bring, at the

link below.

All Mission Rivers District Clergy—actively appointed, on leave, serving in extension

settings, and retired—are invited and encouraged to join us! 

For questions, please

contact Rev. Deborah Lewis: deborahlewis@vaumc.org.

Let us know if you are planning to come (by 2/1):

Sue Haupert-Johnson

Resident Bishop

Bishop@vaumc.org

Rev. Lindsey B. Freeman

District Superintendent

MissionRiversDS@vaumc.org

Administrative Assistants:

Lisa Jones

LisaJones@vaumc.org

757.596.3476

Lynn Manley

LynnManley@vaumc.org

757.879.9472

Director of Clergy Support:

Rev. Deborah Lewis

deborahlewis@vaumc.org

District Director of Connectional Ministries:

Rev. Dr. Clarence R. Brown

ClarenceBrown@vaumc.org

District Youth Coordinator:

Chris Incze

ChrisIncze@vaumc.org

Lay Leader:

Judy Craun

JudyKCVA@gmail.com

Lay Servant Director:

Jenn Robinson-O'Brien

MRDlayservants@vaumc.org