VALLEY RIDGE DISTRICT

VIRGINIA CONFERENCE

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Newsletter

February 1, 2025

IN THIS ISSUE

Black History Month

Lent Communication Grants

Called District Conference

Immigration Resources

Lay Servant Ministry Training

Safe Sanctuaries Training Last Call

Faith in Troubled Times Seminar

NRV Potato Drop

Discernment Day

Heart Havens

Disaster Relief

UMM and UMW Newsletters

Local Church Events

Job Openings

Upcoming Important Dates

Black History Month celebrates the significant and remarkable contributions African Americans have made to American history. You might celebrate by educating yourself on black history or the African American movements that are a part of our Methodist story. You might also support local African American businesses or participate in local advocacy opportunities. Many of our local African American churches are offering celebrations, services, and special programs. Find more suggestions of ways to celebrate at the link below from the General Commission on Religion and Race of the United Methodist Church.

LENT AND EASTER COMMUNICATIONS MICRO GRANTS

The Valley Ridge District Leadership Board has made micro-grants available for local churches to connect to their congregations and communities during the 2025 Lenten and Easter seasons.

The deadline to apply is February 24. Find the application here.

CALLED DISTRICT CONFERENCE FEBRUARY 10, 2025 AT 7:00 PM BY ZOOM

Following the election of Lay Members at the District Conference on November 9, additional persons have expressed interested in serving at Annual Conference. Rev. Doug Forrester, District Superintendent, has scheduled a Called District Conference for the purpose of electing At-Large Lay Members to Annual Conference for the Valley Ridge District. The Conference will be held on Monday, February 10, 2025 at 7:00 pm by Zoom. These members will serve in Roanoke, June 12-14, and any special called Annual Conferences in 2024. We now have only a few spots remaining. If you wish to serve, fill out the nomination form at the link below.

To register for the District Conference and receive the meeting link, use the registration link below.

Members of the District Conference are: 

All ordained and commissioned clergy, licensed local pastors, lay supply pastors, certified lay ministers, diaconal ministers, deaconesses and home missioners related to the Valley Ridge District. From each charge/church in the Valley Ridge District: Lay Leader, Council Chair (or equivalent), Church school superintendent, UMW/UWF president, UM Men president, District steward, Lay member(s) of Annual Conference, and at-large members to District Conference. District Officers from the Valley Ridge District: District Trustees, District Treasurer, District Lay Leader and Associate Lay Leaders, District UMW/UWF president, District UM Men president, District Youth Council representative, District Coordinators of Children, Youth, Young adult, and Family Ministries, representative youth members and young adult members.

Those elected at District Conference:

Emma Anderson, Pennie Anderson, Nathaniel Bishop, Brenda Brooks, Sandra Bullington, Sam Coates, Laura Cox, Thomas Davis, Donna Desper, Stephanie Dickenson, Jan Failes, Claire Forrester, Ellen Forrester, Tracy Forrester, Phyllis Geoghegan, Jackson Gallimore, Gayle Graves, Kristina Elaine (Laney) Greer, David Grimm, Ann Klotz, Cindy Martin, Susan Martin, Jake Paysour, Edward Pickett, Morris Reece, Hannah Doty Rochford, Rhonda Rogers, Nancy Sasser, E. Lily Segovia, Ann Swank, Amy Terry, Robert Segovia Valentine, Helen Watson, Roger Watson, and Linda White.

If you have any questions or need registration assistance please email either Robin Barge@vaumc.org or DonnaDesper@vaumc.org.

IMMIGRATION GUIDANCE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT

The VAUMC has made available guidance for clergy and churches in relation to changes in enforcement policy and to help you prepare for any encounters your church may have with immigration enforcement.

This information is available on the vaumc webpage here.

Additionally, Bishop Sue has written a letter of support and encouragement to clergy and laity of the VAUMC. You can read the letter here. You are invited to share the letter with your congregations and reflect on Bishop Sue's words.

LAY SERVANT MINISTRY TRAINING:

Get Registered!

Have you registered for the February 22 Lay Servant Training at Genesis UMC in Roanoke? The training will be 8:30am-4:30pm. Each course requires 2-4 hours of advanced reading. The cost of the training is $15, which includes snacks and lunch. The fee can be paid in advance of February 22 by check mailed to Valley Ridge District Office (402 Second St. SW Roanoke, VA 24011) OR on the day of the training with EXACT CASH ONLY. Please complete the registration below to confirm your spot in the training day. For registration questions: contact Rev. Robin Barge at robinbarge@vaumc.org or 540-989-3335. For questions about the training: contact Rev. Dr. Dale White at dalewhite@vaumc.org. Course descriptions at registration link.

Flier and registration below!

SAFER SANCTUARIES TRAINING

Last Call for Registration

The Valley Ridge District Training will take place on Saturday, February 8, from 10:00 AM to noon at Main Street United Methodist Church in Waynesboro. This session provides an essential opportunity for anyone who missed the mandatory Safer Sanctuaries training held in the spring of 2024.

Each church in the Valley Ridge District is required to complete the updated Culture of Vigilance Safer Sanctuaries training.

Register at the link below

FAITH IN TROUBLED TIMES

Faith in Troubled Times: Powerful Prayer That Avails Much. A Workshop hosted by Main Street UMC in Waynesboro and sponsored by the Valley Ridge District. Held at Main Street UMC on March 8 from 8:30 am to 1 pm. Keynote Speaker: Amanda Held Opelt, Author, Singer, Songwriter, and Speaker. Read Amanda's recent post here. See registration for topics and descriptions.

ANOTHER POTATO DROP!

The NRV Glean Team will be hosting its next Potato Drop Friday & Saturday (2/14 & 15) in the parking lot of the Montgomery County Christmas Store in downtown Christiansburg. Help is needed to help re-bag potatoes from 50 lb. to 10 lb. and 5 lb. bags. These potatoes will then be distributed to various feeding ministries throughout the NRV including the 512 Food Pantry at the Giles County Christian Service Mission. Volunteers can sign up here.

DISCOVER MORE AT DISCERNMENT DAY

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.

Discernment Day is March 15, 2025 at Ebenezer UMC in Stafford. It is for anyone high school age and older who feels God's call on their lives. This is a free event!

Get more information here. Ready to register? Click here.

FEBRUARY IS HEART HAVENS MONTH

February is Heart Havens Month in the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. The theme for Heart Havens Month this year is "Impact." Donate to Heart Havens here. Help your church celebrate this important ministry. Use this contact form to schedule Heart Havens to speak to your group. Thank you for your continued support of Heart Havens!

SUPPORT CALIFORNIA IN DISASTER RELIEF

UMCOR is communicating with the California-Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church and preparing to support relief and recovery efforts once the fires have been contained. Right now, we encourage you to continue to pray, give, and stay connected as the conference assesses its immediate needs. Links below will guide you to giving opportunities.

Give to California-Pacific Conference fire recovery fund

Give to UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response and Recovery

UWF AND UMM NEWSLETTERS

Click here to read the latest edition of the UWF newsletter.

Click here to read the latest edition of the UMM newsletter.

Share your ministry event through this QR code or by clicking this link.

Find job openings with our local churches and ministry partners, on our website HERE.

UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES

February 8 Safer Sanctuaries Training

February 22 Lay Servant Ministry Training

February 24 Grant Applications Due

March 5 Ash Wednesday: Lent Begins

March 8 Faith in Troubled Times Seminar