December 14, 2017
Welcome to The Bridge News Section, a weekly update of the Rappahannock River District of the United Methodist Church! Local Church EVENTS are in separate email.
Life Long Learning, an Amazing Thing! Part 3

Let’s continue the journey in what we’ve learned and when we learned it. Now, let’s pick up where I left off from part 2 of the things I’ve learned and when I learned them.
 
I’ve learned that I am best rejuvenated and reenergized from time spent in solitude. I’m also glad I’ve learned that solitude is among the many wonderful spiritual disciplines.  As odd as it may sound coming from a person whose profession involves many public events, I am best fed spiritually through time away spent in quiet, in prayer, in silence, in the midst of a sea, at the foot of the ocean, and in quiet meditation. The public events in my life are generally wonderful, but my participation comes at the price of drained energy. In coming to terms with this aspect of how God created me, I’ve gained a better understanding of why Jesus was often said to have gone off to a quiet place to pray. In contrast, I also recognize that others are rejuvenated and fed through interaction with the community of faith. This is the whole introvert/extrovert thing. It’s not about what one likes, but about what each one needs to reenergize to function as God created us to function. I hope you’ve been able to discover how you are best fed so that you can accommodate this essential need.

I’ve come to understand that grace is a tremendous blessing and is something we all need to give more of and receive more of . I think many of us who are “go getters” are much too hard on ourselves. There's nothing wrong with high expectations, but we are human and need to cut ourselves some slack when we’ve truly done our best. I’m not proposing that grace is an appropriate response to underperforming, but I believe God recognized the difference between the intent of the heart and willful dereliction. Simply put, I’m happy to learn more about God’s gift of grace and more about giving and receiving grace.

I’ve learned that my spiritual growth is directly tied to my daily intake of spiritual food. It took some time for me to understand that my spirit has needs equal to my body having needs. It also took some time to see a direct correlation between my closeness to God and my intentional acts of spiritual discipline.  It is crystal clear to me now that weekly worship, daily prayer, bible reading and other spiritual disciplines are required , not optional, in the quest to sustain a close relationship with Jesus.

I thank God that there is great wisdom in the saying about not regretting choosing to spend more time with family over work. This was a lesson not easily learned. When Teresa and I were in our early years of ministry we often cancelled personal plans or would forgo days off, vacation, and other opportunities to spend time together believing we were indispensable. There were often occasions when we willingly relinquished to parishioners our Sabbath day, (Friday). We felt very awkward and uncomfortable telling folks we needed our Friday Sabbath as much as they needed their Sunday Sabbath. Now, after 31 years of ministry, we no longer feel awkward about declining to work on our day of rest. We are no longer reluctant to hold the Sabbath day as special and sacred. And we no longer forgo much needed vacations as if ministry can’t continue without us. 

Last, but not least, I’m grateful to have come to the learning and understanding that “it’s not about me”. This thing called life is not about the world revolving around my wants, desires, and wishes. It’s about how I live into God’s desire for my life and how I engage with others God has created. The phrase " less of me and more of Thee " makes sense to me now. Thankfully, I’m learning more deeply that It’s about God!

Let’s covenant to keep learning.


Ted
Pastor Ted
Registration is now open!
Job Opening
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.
Christmas Break Blessings
Sisters and Brothers,

Christmas blessings food packing and delivery will take place Monday December 18th 10am at St. Matthias UMC Deacon Road, Fredericksburg. Thanks to the generous donations of food items and money we are able to provide Christmas break food for 250 students at 8 Stafford County schools. These students have been identified by the school and other organizations that work with the them as being at risk for inadequate food resources during school breaks. We are in need of volunteers to deliver the food to two of the schools: Ferry Farms Elementary and Drew Middle School. If you are able to make either of these deliveries please contact me before December 18th. The packing usually is completed by 1130am. Grace and peace, Gayle.   heartwoodcenterfredericksburg@gmail.com or  540.788.9838.

Rev. Gayle Porias
Pastor Mount Horeb UMC
The Heartwood Center Director 
Rappahannock River District


Monetary Donations can be made payable to Heartwood Ministries and mailed to
PO BOX 187 Hartwood, VA 22471

Upcoming District Meetings & Training:
December 17 Youth Retreat Planning Team, Trinity KG, 2:00pm

December 19 Ordained Ministry, Wright's Chapel UMC

January 2 District Board of Missions, Tabernacle UMC, 7:00pm

January 4 D istrict Board on Superintendency, District Office, 7:00pm

January 9 Full Clergy Meeting, Wright's Chapel UMC, 9:30am

January 10 Church Treasurer 101 Training, Wright's Chapel UMC, 7:00pm

January 20 SPPR Committee Training, Trinity King George UMC, 10:00am

January 23 Ordained Ministry, Wright's Chapel UMC

January 23 District Finance, Fredericksburg UMC, 7:00pm

January 24 Heartwood Board, New Hope, 7:00pm

February 1 UM Day at General Assembly

  
District Superintendent: Rev. Dr. Theodore Smith
2018 District Co-Lay Leader:
Ms. Debbie Dietrich      debbiedietrich6@gmail.com
2018 District Co-Lay Lay Leader:
2018 District Associate Lay Leader: Jim Helm jhelm320@outlook.com
2018 District Lay Servant Ministry Director Dottie Garrison dottiegarrison@yahoo.com
Heartwood Director: Rev. Gayle Porias gayleporias@vaumc.org
District Secretary: Ms. Lynn Manley rappahannockriverdistrict@vaumc.org
Mailing Address: PO BOX 100, Ladysmith, VA 22501 Phone   804.448.8326     FAX        804.448.8328 
Office Location: Inside Wright’s Chapel UMC at 8063 Ladysmith Road, Ruther Glen, VA (do not use for mail)