UMC Valley Ridge District News November 16, 2023

Valley Ridge District

Virginia Conference

United Methodist Church

Newsletter

November 16, 2023

At our best, we are the spirit-filled, resilient, connected, missional, faithful, diverse, deeply rooted, committed, disciple-making, Jesus-seeking, generous, justice-seeking, world-changing people of God called The United Methodist Church.

Valley Ridge District Day, November 18, 2023

Beginning at 9:30 AM at First UMC, 125 W. Main Street in Salem, the Valley Ridge District will hold a morning of charge conferences, district conference, learning, and fellowship. Please keep all attending in your prayers, as we meet in person for the first time as the Valley Ridge District.

What to know if you are planning to attend:

We will collect socks, gloves, hand warmers, and the district conference offering to bless the ministries at Embrace, a Valley Ridge District mission hub.
Remember to bring your church's required charge conference paperwork. CLICK HERE for details.
Traffic is expected to be congested throughout roadways in the Valley Ridge District. Make your travel plans accordingly.
Those needing close parking to the church should plan to enter on Cameron Street (Portico entrance). Others can enter at Main Street, Academy Street, or the playground entrance on Taylor Avenue. Volunteers will be available to assist you. If parking lots are full, on-street parking is permitted.

Valley Ridge District United Women in Faith will hold an Advent Program on Saturday, December 2 at 10 AM at Christ UMC, 1512 Churchville Ave in Staunton. All are welcome.

The speaker will be Rev. Madison Long Ailinger. Rev. Ailinger is an alumnus of the Wesley Foundation at Virginia Tech, a

graduate of Duke Divinity School, and serves as pastor of Christ UMC in Staunton.

The Valley Ridge District Board of Church Location and Building (DBCLB) has undertaken the responsibilities of strategically examining the missional needs of our local churches, ministries, and communities and extending opportunities for churches and ministries to request grants. Applications are being accepted for the DBCLB's second grant cycle for 2023. Grant applications will be received through November 30, 2023. CLICK HERE to get the application in PDF format. An electronic fillable version of the application is available upon request.

The Valley Ridge District offers local churches micro-grants for communications and marketing efforts during the 2023 Advent/Christmas season. These grants can be used to promote your church's upcoming events this season through social media ads, banners, yard signs, mailings, or other ways your church communicates with its congregation and community. The deadline to complete this application found HERE is November 30, 2023.

Seeing all the activities and events planned in our local churches and communities is exciting. This is a hope-filled time of connection and outreach. We have dedicated a NEW webpage to all these events and activities and welcome your contributions. Click the link below to find out how to share your event and to see upcoming activities near you.

Event webpage link

Save the Date for Youth Retreat 2024

Wesley at Virginia Tech is excited to announce that our Annual Valley Ridge District Youth Retreat will be held at Wesley (on the Virginia Tech Campus) from Friday, February 9 - to Sunday, February 11! This year's theme is “Construction Zone: A Work in Progress”! This weekend will be filled with fun games, worship, small groups, and wonderful fellowship with youth from across the District. We hope you will save this date on your calendars. More information about costs, schedules, and more will be coming soon!

Be Blessed, Bret Gresham, Wesley at VT Campus Minister

[email protected]

The Virginia Conference Treasurer's Office provides a monthly newsletter, Dollar and Sense, to support our local churches' work. Find the latest issue HERE.

UM Day at the General Assembly is February 1, 2024 in Richmond You can register here.

Faithful United Methodists from across Virginia have gathered in Richmond for over 30 years to advocate for their neighbors. Individuals arrange visits with their Senators to discuss issues that are relevant to the UM faith with direction from partners at the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy and other advocacy groups. If you are interested in putting your faith into action, register today. Learn more about the event you can sign up for the Preview Meeting on November 30 at 7 PM Learn more.

Hermitage, Roanoke Community Guild

Hermitage Roanoke Community Guild is sponsoring a “brick” drive for a Reflection Garden at Hermitage Roanoke (the only Virginia Conference United Methodist residence for senior adults west of Richmond) to help celebrate 60 years of faithful service to our community. Anyone who would like to recognize a family member or friend—‘in honor’ or “in memory” is encouraged to purchase a brick. CLICK HERE for the informational flyer.