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Welcome to The Bridge, a weekly update of the Rappahannock River District of the United Methodist Church
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At the Intersection
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless in your judgement. Behold, I was born into iniquity, and I have been sinful since my mother conceived me.
Psalm 51:1-5
Welcome to Ash Wednesday and Happy Valentine’s Day. Some have heard that Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day only occur on the same day once every fifty years or so. I find the calendar sharing of Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day a very interesting pairing. The symbolism and meaning of these two days is an interesting teaching moment.
Ash Wednesday is our important Christian day that begins the 40 day Christian season of Lent, a season of confessing sin, a season of repenting, and a season of penitence. On Ash Wednesday the Christian community (as able) goes to worship and has the sign of the cross placed on our head for all the world to see. The sign of the cross tells the world that we have accepted and acknowledge being born into sin.
On the contrary, Valentine’s Day our nation celebrates love and many Americans pass along expressions of love to their loved ones. Some see Valentine’s Day as nothing more than a business world attempt by Hallmark to exploit and generate income. Many other Americans embrace Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to affirm love, compassion, and caring for one another.
During my seminary studies I was pushed to think through how God might be speaking through a variety of events. That seminary push takes me to the spiritual awareness that Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day fit together nicely. I believe everyone should engage in the honesty of confession and should embrace love, particularly the love Jesus gives to all God’s children. I think it’s wonderful that the Christian community has an opportunity on February 14
th
, 2018 to embrace the two significant concepts of acknowledging our imperfection and the stronger act of God sending to humanity love that overpowers human sin.
What a great opportunity given to us by the calendar! We have the opportunity to say to one another, “forgive me, God and forgive me, friends that I have sinned against; please receive a love that is pure and free from sin.” Psalms 51 provides great confessional language. I hope and pray that no one is so arrogant that they are too proud to pray the words of Psalm 51. I also pray that everyone can embrace the two acts of confession and expression of love. In that spirit I say to the Rappahannock River District, Welcome to Ash Wednesday & Happy Valentine’s Day!
Ted
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If you don't see an article below about Chat & Chew - please change your settings to view images. See instructions at the top of this email.
Chat & Chew
Registration Deadline is Monday, Feb. 19 at 12:00 noon
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"
SACRED SPACE
"
Rappahannock River District United Methodist Women
SPIRITUAL DAY APART
Trinity (King George) United Methodist Church
9425 King's Highway, King George, VA 22485
Rev. Emily Moore-Diamond
Chaplain, Mary Washington
Hospital
Saturday, March 10, 2018
Registration:
9:30 - 10:00 AM
*
Program:
10:00 AM - 1:30 PM
(
11:30 - 12:30) LUNCH**
*
Childcare provided if you request
by February 24
** Love offering collected for lunch
Please pre-register by February 24.
(See your local UMW President or call 804-633-5415)
BIO ~ Rev. Emily Moore-Diamond has been serving in ministry in the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church for over 25 years. Currently, she serves as a Chaplain at Mary Washington Hospital. Rev. Emily is the former pastor of Warsaw UMC and former president of the Rappahannock River District Clergy Association. She has also served churches in the Richmond, Harrisonburg, Danville, and Arlington Districts. She is married to Scott Diamond, and they live in Woodbridge. She enjoys writing, running, reading, and word games.
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See All the People: Intentional Disciple Making
March 24
th
10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Calling All Rappahannock River District Clergy
& 3 Laity from Each Church/Charge
This March 24
th
training day will teach us how to be more intentional in disciple making. We will cover:
- Investing in making & growing disciples: Bringing clarity to the ‘What’ ‘How’ and ‘Why’ of making disciples. Offering tools to bring the ‘Why’, ‘What’, and ‘How’ back to your ministry setting. Creating an intentional discipleship system (or pathway) - unique to your church’s context.
- Discipleship begins with relationships. Equipping your disciples with the right heart and motivation for disciple-making.
- Engaging Your Community: Listening, Learning, & Developing Strategies to reach the non-religious and nominally religious in your community
Our Leader for the Day: Rev Jeff Campbell serves as the Executive Director of Conference Relationships at Discipleship Ministries. He works to strengthen intentional disciple-making across the connection. Jeff served for 13 years as a senior pastor prior to coming to Discipleship Ministries.
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Your Disciple-Making Journey Starts Here
So . . . at Charge Conference Season you downloaded Developing an Intentional Discipleship System: A Guide for Congregations, or picked one up at your annual conference session.Perhaps you set it on your coffee table or by your reading chair with best intentions. Now weeks have gone by.
We have all been there; best intentions, busy lives . . .
With this e-mail, we lovingly remind you that:
- Some disciples in your setting are hungry for meaning in their lives.
- Some disciples in your setting are stagnant and not growing.
- Some disciples in your setting are doing good things but they have forgotten why and thus, have lost energy, passion, purpose.
- And, people all around your setting are no longer seen by your people (or anyone): these folks are hurting, lonely, seeking community, seeking something more.
The contents of this resource will not change the world or your community – you will . . . together with the disciples in your care, and by God’s grace.
So, grab a latte, a smoothie, or just a tall glass of water, find your kindle or ipad, spend some time in prayer, and then engage this resource.
Ponder this . . .
In the gospel according to Luke, Jesus is healing and teaching and seeing all the people, including “sinners” gathering around him. As he saw all the people and had compassion for them, the Pharisees and teachers of the law muttered, “this man welcomes sinners and eats with them” and then Jesus told a few parables.
The Lost Sheep
The Lost Coin
The Lost Son
In each, a lost soul is found, and rejoicing ensues.
Every community has them. Some might sit in your pews. One might walk through your door this weekend. And, most of us at some point in our life have felt lost. Who found you? Who picked you off and dusted you off? Who whispered in your ear – I have been searching for you? You are loved.
Developing an Intentional Discipleship System is where we begin. How do we see and care for all of the people? How do we introduce them to a Savior who can journey with them in powerful ways? How do new followers of Jesus grow in their understanding? How do existing disciples rekindle their love for Christ and get their groove back?
We know you get a lot of e-mails. So, we promise to just send you an email every other week full of useful info that will guide you through your effort to make disciples. And with each email we will include an example of congregations that currently #SeeAllThePeople.
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Fairfields UMC in Burgess is celebrating the 100th birthday of Frances Hurst on Sunday, February 18th at 9:30 am followed by a reception for friends and family. Frances (born Feb. 17, 1918) has been a life long member since 1927 when she joined the church on Oct. 16, 1927. Her love and care for Fairfields and all its members continues to be a shining example! She taught school for over 30 years in Northumberland County and many of her students give testimony to her wonderful teaching. Please join us to celebrate the life of this amazing servant of God. Call Rev. John Wright at the church office 804-453-3770 for more information.
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If you have any questions, please email Pastor Brenda Pusso or Lay Leader Bill Swarens by clicking buttons to the left.
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Next Youth Retreat Planning Meeting is Sunday, Feb. 18 at Hillcrest UMC at 2:00pm- Please join us!
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The Heartwood Center will be packing food bags for the Easter break on March 27th beginning at 9am at St. Matthias UMC
426 Deacon Road, Fredericksburg
. In addition to packers we will also need volunteers to deliver the bags to the Stafford County schools
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ASH WEDNESDAY at ST. MATTHIAS UMC
426 Deacon Road
Fredericksburg, VA 22405
(540) 373-8759
Wednesday, February 14
10:00 am
Meditation and Imposition of Ashes
Followed by UMW-Sponsored Speaker:
Lori Smith, Director, All God's Children Camp
for children of incarcerated parents
Potluck Lunch of Soups and Salads to follow
(All are welcome to join us; please call church office to reserve a place at the table.)
7:00 pm
Ash Wednesday worship service and Imposition of Ashes
Please join us at either service as we begin the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday worship
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Financial Peace University Offered
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With Dave Ramsey’s class Financial Peace University, you CAN take control of
your money and start planning for your future. If you’re interested in learning more
about the class, email Michelle Pinheiro at admin.assistant@tabumc.org! Because
we’re offering it at Tabernacle United Methodist church just for you starting
April 4, 2018 at 7 p.m. You may sign up and order you kit today by going to
on the link to Financial Peace University.
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Rappahannock River District
El Salvador (UMVIM) Mission Trip
July 2 – 6, 2018
We are excited to reconnect with our International Methodist Mission Partner – The Evangelical Methodist Church in El Salvador. In 2018, we’ll send a District team to continue our relationship-building and food distribution. Interested team members may have an opportunity to engage in some construction work as well.
Applications are available from the District Office, the District website, or by contacting Rev. Craig Muffley, Team Leader, at
craigmuffley@vaumc.org
.
Trip Cost
: Expected to be in the $750-$850 range, including airfare. $300 scholarships will be available to persons under 30 years of age.
Application and Deposit Deadline
: March 15
th
, 2018 - $250 deposit is due with your application. Make checks payable to “Rappahannock River District UMC”, memo: El Salvador Trip and mail to:
Eastland UMC - Rev. Craig Muffley
10718 Courthouse Road
Fredericksburg, VA 22407
Final payment will be due at the first team meeting – April 7. The application fee is non-refundable after airline tickets are bought.
Team Meetings
– are
mandatory
(or must be made up) – April 7
th
, May 5
th
, June 2
nd
(all first Saturdays) at a location to be determined, 9:30 am – 11:30 am.
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Part-time Organist/Pianist wanted for
Tappahannock Memorial United Methodist Church, Tappahannock, VA. This person will be responsible for providing music for two Sunday worship services, choir rehearsals and special worship services of the church. Salary negotiable. For more information, please contact the church office at
tappmethodist@gmail.com or 804-443-2278.
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Organist or pianist wanted for
Midland United Methodist Church.
This person will be responsible for providing music for the Sunday morning worship at 9:30. Could be a part-time or full time position. For more information please contact Faith Scott at
The
Heartwood Center is seeking a Youth Mission Camp Coordinator for 2018. The camp will be held July 16-20 and August 13-17, 12 noon to 8pm Monday through Friday. For a copy of the position description, please email Rev. Gayle Porias at
heartwoodcenterfredericksburg@gmail.com or visit
www.theheartwoodcenter.org. This position includes a paid stipend.
4.8.2018
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Upcoming District Meetings & Training:
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February 18
Youth Retreat Planning Meeting, Hillcrest, 2:00pm
February 20
Ordained Ministry, District Office
February 20
Church Location & Building, District Office, 7:00pm
February 24 Chat & Chew 2.0,
Ebenezer Stafford, 9:00am
RSVP Needed
(see above)
March 1
District Trustees, Hillcrest, 6:30pm
March 6
Full Clergy Meeting, Wright's Chapel, 9:30am
March 8
Church Location & Building, District Office, 7:00pm
March 10
UMW Spiritual Day Apart, Trinity KG
March 13
Ordained Ministry, District Office
March 14
Heartwood Board, New Hope, 7:00pm
March 24
Intentional Disciple Making Training, Wright's Chapel, 10:00am
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District Superintendent:
Rev. Dr. Theodore Smith
2018 District Co-Lay Leader:
2018 District Co-Lay Lay Leader:
Mailing Address: PO BOX 100, Ladysmith, VA 22501 Phone 804.448.8326 FAX 804.448.8328 Cell: 804.304.8566
Office Location: Inside Wright’s Chapel UMC at 8063 Ladysmith Road, Ruther Glen, VA (do not use for mail)
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