Your monthly news & updates
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This month's newsletter includes important dates, documents and events around the District.
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A Message from your District Superintendent
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Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I would like to invite you to join me during this season of Lent in an intentional time of spiritual focus. These 6 weeks offer us a unique “wilderness” space to examine our lives in the light of Christ.
As we remember the temptations of Jesus, may we ponder where we are tempted to compromise the will of God in our own lives. Where are we missing the mark? Where are we falling short? How is the Lord calling you into a deeper relationship, to experience and embody the fullness of God?
Perhaps, we will feel led to give up something for Lent. This practice might be for something very superficial or range to something deep and profound. I can remember many, many years ago giving up soft drinks for Lent. I remember the temporary negative physical impact, but don’t think it really made a lasting impact beyond minor self-denial that ended on Easter Sunday.
If you choose to fast, I pray that your motivation and goals will go beyond weight loss to using the time and space to feast on God’s word, God’s will, God’s presence.
There may be some limited benefit to giving up something for a short time…only to go back to it after Easter. There can be deep and profound benefits to discerning a nudge to give up a negative attitude, an unhealthy relationship or being a part of conversations that demean others, or participating in social norms around you that harm others.
We are invited into the wilderness to examine our lives and we are invited to the cross. Again we face the reality that if we are to follow Jesus, we must die to ourselves. This ongoing lifetime process is a journey of grace.
Perhaps, this year will we will see things from a new perspective and begin in fresh and new ways to listen to the Lord and enter a more abundant life.
Please read these words with me:
“When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride… Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”
This says it all! May we read these words until they sink deep into the marrow of our souls. May we be willing and open vessels to die and rise with Christ.
I believe that the most important way that we can prepare for an uncertain future is to grow in the security of what is certain. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. There is nothing in all of creation that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. May we grow in that knowing together!
With a growing trust in God,
sylvia
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A Message from your Director of Congregational Excellence
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The communion table for our Service of Repentance. Each burning candle represents a confession made to the group to bring light to overcome the darkness. Each piece of broken pottery reminds us that the light shines in a broken world.
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“
God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.
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All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.
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But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” John 3:19-21
Recently, the ecumenical, inter-racial group who makes up our Petersburg Project team gathered for a service of confession and reconciliation. We wanted a time to focus on confessing our brokenness and to work towards racial healing as we move forward in seeking God’s desires for Petersburg. Jesus’ words about coming to the light by confessing our sins to intentionally expose them have amazing power. We each have a strong inner pull to hide away our broken and sinful places. We don’t want those parts of ourselves to be seen, and yet Jesus makes clear that we will refuse to go near to him if we are committed to hiding our sin. Jesus is the light! To follow him is to bring hidden things into the open so that truth may win out!
Each one of us has dark places in our lives, but abundant life is found when we shine light in those dark places. Confession shines light in the dark. It is the first step towards repentance and healing. No matter what the sinful places may be in your life, following Jesus means confession. Confession to God is powerful, but confession to one another takes our repentance to another level—a level which lets us walk closer to the light than ever before!
My prayer for you today is that you will take a few minutes right now to ask yourself, “what am I hiding in the dark corners of my life? What do I hope no one will ever know?” Then shine a light by confessing to someone you know and trust. May the light of Christ shine brightly in you!
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Re-Focus your Church on Ministry!
Kay Kotan
is a nationally known speaker and leader who has helped many churches to reshape their committee set-up and church structure to streamline administration and make more space for ministry.
Meetings are not ministry! Let's focus on ministry while making meetings fewer in number but larger in meaning. The
Simplified, Accountable Structure Workshop
is a deep dive into the why, what, and how to move into this model with both adaptive as well as technical shifts. Whether you have already move to this model and need to hone your understanding for further implementation or whether you are considering the move, you will find this workshop well worth your investment of time. Topics covered are: who should and should not move into this model, setting up the organizational chart, leadership covenant, guiding principles, the leadership rhythm, and much more!
Kay will be joining us
March 25
th
from
9:30-3:30
at
Chester UMC
for a joint event with the Richmond District. Churches of all sizes would benefit from considering moving to a simplified, accountable structure, so please mark your calendars now to join us. We would love to have the pastor and a few key lay leaders from many of our churches! We believe so strongly in this training that we are offering
full scholarships
(the event is $25 including lunch) to all clergy and up to two laity from each church! Registration is online at
https://conta.cc/2Vcdhdf
Contact Andrew Book (andrewbook@vaumc.org) with any questions.
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Bishop Sharma Lewis Announcements
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New District Superintendents
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Bishop Sharma D. Lewis is pleased to announce three new District Superintendent (DS) appointments effective July 1, 2020.
Please join Bishop Lewis in giving thanks for these servants and pray for all involved in these transitions.
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The Rev. James (Jay) H
.
Carey, currently serving as the lead pastor at Bethia UMC on the James River District
,
will be the new district superintendent of the Staunton District. He will replace the Rev. David J. Rochford who has served as the Staunton DS since 2013.
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The Rev. J. Douglas Forrester, currently serving as the lead pastor at Reveille UMC on the Richmond District
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will be the new district superintendent of the Roanoke District. He will replace the Rev. Kathleen Overby Webster who has served as the Roanoke DS since 2013.
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The Rev. Dr. Hyo J. Lee, currently serving as lead pastor at Sudley UMC on the Alexandria District
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will be the new district superintendent of the Richmond District. He will replace the Rev. Dr. Peter M. Moon who has served as the Richmond DS since 2015.
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The season of Lent is almost upon us. As you are well aware, Lent is traditionally a season for prayer, reflection, penitence, and fasting. When I was growing up, it wasn’t all that unusual to hear people asking this time of year “what are you giving up for Lent?” It might be something specific, like chocolate or soda, or it might be something more general, like meat. Sometimes as kids we would try to be clever and give up something like homework, although our parents never appreciated that particular expression of our religious devotion.
As Lent has been approaching, the Spirit has been drawing my spirit to the Old Testament passages selected by the Lectionary. On February 2, we had Micah 6, with that oh-so-famous verse: “He has told you, O mortal, what is good: and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” For February 9, the passage comes from Isaiah 58: “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?”
As we are preparing to enter a season of fasting, God is reminding us exactly what fast we should choose. And so I plan to issue a challenge to my congregation, and encourage you all to consider doing likewise: to make our Lenten fast the kind of fast that God chooses. In my own congregation, I will be asking them to monetize their fast; every dollar that they would have spent on chocolate, or soda, or whatever else they intend to abstain from, they’ll set aside. And on Easter Sunday, as we break our fasts and celebrate the Risen Lord, we’ll have a special collection where we take up all of that money which was set aside, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the homeless. For us, that will mean donating this Fast Offering to Pathways in Petersburg. For your congregation, you might choose a different recipient.
He has told you, o mortal, what is good, and this is the fast that I intend to choose. Will you join me?
Humbly Yours in Christ,
Joe Plemmons
Co-pastor, Trinity United Methodist Church (Petersburg)
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Nominations open for Conference Lay Leader
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Warren R. Harper will conclude service as Virginia Conference Lay Leader in June 2020. The search process for the next Conference Lay Leader is underway. The
Book of Discipline
of The United Methodist Church states that the Conference Lay Leader is “the elected leader of the conference laity” who has “responsibility for fostering awareness of the role of the laity both within the congregation and through their ministries in the home, workplace, community, and world in achieving the mission of the Church and enabling and supporting lay participation in the planning and decision-making processes of the annual conference, district, and local church in cooperation with the bishop, district superintendents, and pastors” (¶607, 2016
Book of Discipline
). The Conference Lay Leader shall be elected for a term of not less than four years by the annual conference as the annual conference may determine.
Interested persons should contact John Meeuwissen, Search Committee chair, with any questions at 7900 Bressingham Dr, Fairfax Station, VA 22039-3156;
john.meeuwissen@verizon.net
. Nominations profiles must be submitted by March 31, 2020.
The Search Committee seeks your prayers as they move through this process.
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Below are events happening for the District.
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Consider attending some of the upcoming events around the District!
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Administrative Assistant needed!
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Trinity UMC is looking for part time secretary. Hours of operation will be 2-3 days a week and individual must have administrative skills. Please contact Theresa Swindell (TheresaSwindell@vaumc.org) for more information.
Blessings,
Terri
TheresaSwindell@vaumc.org
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Volunteer Opportunity at All God's Children Camp: Camp Begins Soon!!
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All God's Children Camp is just
four
short months away and we need some MENTORS! Youth pastors, this is a
n excellen
t opportunity to send your
s
enior high youth on a mission together right here in Virginia! Churches, consider getting a group together and come mentor at camp!
June 14-16 at Camp Chanco we need 7 females and 12 males.
August 9-14 we need 8 females and 14 males.
Check out the link below and please consider mentoring with us this summer. Camp will not be possible without you!!! For more information contact Lori Smith at 571-245-9591 or
lttlelori@gmail.com
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“Stories of Connection” is a video series produced by the Virginia Conference to share stories about individuals and ministries that showcase our strong connections as people of faith in The United Methodist Church. To learn more about the Rev. Doug Gestwick and his health journey, “A Life-Saving Benefit,” click on this link:
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Church Office Safety Workshop Coming Soon!
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Experience Your Conference Connection
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
9:30 am - 3:15 pm
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Featuring:
Tami J. Wyrick
Vice President (Consultant) of Business Development for the Larkin Group
In today’s news, we hear constantly about church-related shootings, vandalism, and thefts. How do we as administrative church professionals maintain our personal and overall safety?
Tami J. Wyrick will help us learn the latest precautions and tips for maintaining a safe working environment in churches of various sizes and localities. She is a national expert on the subjects of crime prevention, workplace violence, stalking and safety training for women, threat and vulnerability assessments, safety, and worship.
Please join us for this timely event and learn how you can be safer at work and in the process make your church a safer place to worship.
Virginia United Methodist Conference Center
Glen Allen, Virginia
$24 for VA PAUMCS Members
$29 for Non-Members
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*** Please View Entire Message for all Grant Opportunities!! ***
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Awards - Grants - Assistance
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The Ann Douglas Scholarship is available through The United Methodist Women of High Street United Methodist Church in Franklin, Virginia. The scholarship, for $750.00, is awarded annually to the best-qualified candidate from the James River District.
Applicants must have completed at least one year of college, have a grade point average of 2.75 and be pursuing a career in the ministry, in the field of Religious Studies, or be ministers completing their requirements for the Virginia Conference
. To be eligible for the 2020-2021 school term, all applications must be received by March 31, 2020.
For further information or to request an application form, please contact Fran Waller at
fwaller25@gmail.com
.
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New District Superintendents and their families
James River District during the Lent Season
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Rev. Sylvia Shepard Meadows, James River District Superintendent
Keith Jordan & Gerry Fuss, Lay Leaders
Tish Borden, Administrative Assistant
Rev. Andrew Book, Director of Congregational Excellence
Ronnika Davis, Communications Coordinator
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