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Welcome to the weekly update of the Rappahannock River District of the UMC
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Post Easter
Dear colleagues and friends,
Easter has come and gone, but the lived experiences of this year’s Easter will never be forgotten. For many of you, Easter was filled with mixed emotions. While some were separated from families by social distancing, others were separated by death. However, many of you were separated by the lack of gathering at your places of worship. These kinds of separation cause grief. As we now enter into post-Easter, let us keep in mind what we learned–that it was a health condition that kept us away from gathering, and as you know there are some things we cannot do anything about.
Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971) is credited for what we have come to know as the Serenity Prayer. The prayer states
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; Wisdom to know the difference. For many of us, the prayer ends here. But this is not the end of the prayer. Niebuhr continues:
Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right If I surrender to His Will; So that I may be reasonably happy in this life; And supremely happy with Him Forever and ever in the next. Amen.
We suspect that each of us has a desire to be reasonably and supremely happy. We are not talking about temporary happiness but one that is eternal. That happiness, however, has to begin here on earth. To accomplish the above goal, we have the opportunity to contribute to and embody that happiness.
Reading Niebuhy's prayer in its entirety should help us to understand life a little better, and not take ourselves so seriously. After all the stress related to Easter, take some time to relax and spend some quality time with those around you.
Tomorrow is not promised. So, live in this present moment. That being said, I want to leave you on a lighter note with a video, as you enjoy the company of those you love. This video is entitled
Family Lockdown Boogie. Spend some time boogieing with family and release the stress. I hope you enjoy it while practicing social distancing. Please let us know how it goes.
Blessings to you!
Charles
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Several of our churches have recently been targeted by scammers. They send emails and
now texts
supposedly from the pastors to church members asking for money or gift cards. Please note that your pastors will never contact you this way to ask for donations.
Thanks!
Lynn
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The 2020 Lay Servant Academy
scheduled July 17-19
at Randolph-Macon College
has been cancelled.
Decisions about rescheduling for another date
will be made as soon as possible.
Your patience and flexibility at this time
is greatly appreciated.
Should you wish to be added to an email group for future updates
about the Lay Servant Academy,
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Annual Conference Date Change
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June Session of Virginia Annual Conference postponed until September
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the June 2020 session of the Virginia Annual Conference has been postponed until September 18 -19, 2020. Information regarding the location of the September 2020 Annual Conference is forthcoming.
Meeting Max, the company managing the conference’s hotel reservation system,
will make cancellations for all participants who reserved through the Annual Conference housing process
. If you do not receive your email confirmation of this cancellation by 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, please call Bev Myers at 804-521-1134 or email
achousing@vaumc.org
.
The Annual Conference session postponement will not impact the clergy appointment process. The Bishop and the Appointive Cabinet still anticipate a summer move date. Any announcement about a change in the move date will be forthcoming.
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Conference Center Online Chapel services return
Though the conference center remains closed until further notice, weekly Wednesday services have started back. You can find the services starting at 9 a.m. on the
conference Facebook
.
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Services, Bible Studies, Kids Storytimes, Hymn Sings, etc. available online for everyone
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Many of our district churches are streaming more than services - there are Bible Studies, Kid's Sunday School Lessons, Evening Musical Concerts, etc. -
and they are open to anyone from any church who would like to join in. The easiest way to stay informed is to follow multiples churches on Facebook. You can also follow the District's Facebook Page at The Rappahannock River District of the United Methodist Church - we try to post as many as we can.
For a list of Churches who are streaming services, please click
here. If your church is offering services but isn't listed, your pastor simply needs to send the link to Madeline White at the conference office.
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Please note that the District Office is closed at this time. We are working from our homes. To reach Lynn call 804.304.8566. To reach DS Ledlum-Bates, please call 804.724.0202 or through our email addresses:
DS Ledlum-Bates-
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Join Bishop Lewis for a Daily Prayer Time
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Join Bishop Lewis at noon each day in prayer
The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (NIV) Prayer is essential to sustain our faith and Jesus Christ modeled a life of prayer.... I am very blessed to lead an annual conference that believes in the power of the petitioned prayer!
Please join me at 12 noon every day and pray this
PRAYER
. Let us invoke the power of the Great Physician to do a mighty work in eradicating this disease all over the world.
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Resources:
·
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is updating information daily at
https://www.cdc.gov/
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Emmanuel UMC
Pianist:
Searching for a pianist for their 9:30 am service. The pianist would play hymns and lead the choir anthem.
There is no choir practice during the week.
All those who are interested in may contact us via
beumcva@gmail.com
and 804-462-7376 (Geri Vick, Worship committee chair)
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Kilmarnock UMC
Seeking an Organist/Choir Director, to share their faith through music to the glory of
God. We are looking for a musician with organ and piano skills who also has
experience conducting a 15-20 person adult choir. We have two traditional
worship services on Sunday morning and Choir Practice on Wednesday
evenings. This person would be responsible for planning and selecting choir
call 804-435-1797.
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Liberty UMC
Seeking a
Pianist/keyboardist
(Organ too if possible) to play at Sunday morning church service. Part time position for small vibrant church. Opportunity for growth in the position.
To find out more details, please call 540-439-0267 or message us through our facebook page:
Liberty UMC-Bealeton
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Ebenezer UMC,
Stafford, VA, is seeking a part-time
Assistant Property Manager
to assist the Property Manager in maintaining the church building and grounds to provide a clean, safe, and welcoming environment that supports Ebenezer’s strategic vision. The selected individual will complete routine tasks on Sunday morning prior to worship, such as Café set up and breakdown, sidewalks and parking lot clear of debris, vacuuming, windows, trash removal, bathrooms, etc. as needed; ensure facilities are in good working order for worship services; perform basic repairs and maintenance to the various areas of the church building to include, but not limited to, plumbing, carpentry, painting, and lighting. For details, visit the Virginia Conference website at
www.vaumc.org/jobs
Director of Music Ministries (DOMM)
Hillcrest United Methodist Church
located in Fredericksburg, VA, is searching for an enthusiastic individual with a Christian background to fill the position of our retiring Director of 28 years. The candidate should have excellent organ and piano skills and experience in leading a choir. This is a part time position; the expected commitment is up to 12 hours per week (1.5 hours of weekly rehearsal with choir, 2 hours weekly Sunday service, and additional time for planning, communications, and worship preparations). The Director should be able to work closely with the Pastor to coordinate music for a smooth, orderly, and meaningful worship service.
Competitive salary. Send Cover letter, Resume, and references to Hillcrest UMC – Attn. Kevin Northridge, S/PPR Committee, 2208 Lafayette Blvd., Fredericksburg, VA 22401 or email:
kmn0209@gmail.com
.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
District Superintendent:
Rev.
Charles F. Ledlum-Bates
, Ph.D.
DS Cell: 804.724.0202
2020 District Co-Lay Lay Leader:
2020 District Co-Lay Leader:
Cell 804.304.8566
Mailing Address: PO BOX 100, Ladysmith, VA 22501 Phone 804.448.8326
Office Location: Inside Wright’s Chapel UMC at 8063 Ladysmith Road, Ruther Glen, VA (do not use for mail)
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