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 Friends in Christ,
When I hear the words 20/20, I immediately think about the television show that first aired on June 6, 1978. For forty-two years in over 500 episodes, they have broadcasted interviews with notable figures from news, politics, and entertainment.
I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I often thought the title was about the year 2020…and I wondered what would happen as this year came and went.
When I checked, what I found was the 20/20 title was meant to represent visual acuity (sharpness or keenness). The show is meant to help people see clearly the truth in areas of importance and interest.
So here we are about to begin 2020! Among the blessings and challenges that this year will offer, surely our Lord desires that we might have 20/20 vision.
What does 20/20 spiritual vision look like?
Perhaps it would be, “seeking first the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33). When we put God first in our lives, beginning and ending each day with intentional communication, our lives are changed from the inside out. As we are transformed by the holy power of our creator, we are vessels of transforming power for others.
Perhaps it is regularly heading the voice of Jesus saying, “Come to me, all of you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). As we regularly share our burdens with Jesus, we are restored and renewed to offer restoration and renewal for others.
Perhaps 20/20 vision is, “receiving power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). When we receive the power of the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to embody the fruits of the Spirit to produce fruit for the Kingdom of God.
What would it look like if each of us developed 20/20 spiritual acuity this year? I can only imagine what the power of God might do in and through us!
With our visual acuity, may we see the beauty and blessings of God all around us!
With our auditory acuity, may we hear the birds singing, the rush of the wind in the trees, words of grace spoken to others, and words of harm spoken that call us to speak for justice!
With our spiritual acuity, may we hunger for the depths of God’s presence. May we be open to receive the Holy Spirit daily. May the power of freedom, justice, love, grace, and mercy guide our thoughts, our words, and our deeds.
May 2020 be a year of grace as we continue to learn to receive forgiveness as we have forgiven others. Without grace, who could stand?
Whatever else 2020 might bring, I pray it will bring us closer to the heart of God so that we might grow in loving God and in loving our neighbors.
In the power of the One who still creates, redeems, and sustains,
sylvia
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Please Note Important Deadlines:
January 10 – Annual Preference Forms due at the District Office
January 10 - Table I (Lines 2a-7/Membership) due in EVC
January 15 - Table I due in EVC
January 17 – Deadline to submit 2019 Apportionments to Conference
January 31 – Tables II and III due in EVC
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It is with great joy that we announce the birth of DS Sylvia Meadows' fourth grandchild, Ryker Lillianna Palmore, born December 17th at 6:41 pm to JT and Lacey Palmore.
Congratulations
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A Message from your Director of Congregational Excellence
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You DO NOT Want to Miss This!
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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! Registration information will be available soon. Contact Andrew Book (andrewbook@vaumc.org) with any questions.
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Bishop Sharma Lewis Announcements
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Follow the Jame River District on Facebook for daily postings
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Bishop Lewis' Lenten devotional book available for preorder
Bishop Sharma Lewis stayed busy during her medical leave and wrote a book. She asks that readers, "Journey with me during Lent!" Journey to Transformation is available from preorder at
https://msb.press/transform
(Coupon Code: JOURNEY20)
Bishop Tracy S. Malone says, "Lewis invites the reader on a spiritual journey of surrender... to Scripture, to prayer and to meditation. Her reflections are original, sharing from her own life, faith and ministry experiences. Bishop Lewis calls us to a time of reflecting on our humanity, with our limitations and inconsistencies. Be blessed as you read."
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Laity Invited to Re-Connect with Bishop Lewis
Bishop Sharma D. Lewis
is inviting laity from around the conference for a time of connection following her return from medical leave. The event will be held February 8, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Woodlake UMC in Chesterfield. "It is my deep desire to reconnect with you in a personal and special way having been away from you for six months on medical leave,” Lewis said. The event is free and open to all laity. Lunch will be served.
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The A. Purnell Bailey Program
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Do you know a high school senior sensing a call to Christian ministry? Tell them about the A. Purnell Bailey Program for Ordained Ministry at Randolph-Macon College. Bailey Scholars receive half-tuition for two years, full tuition for two years, a weekly vocational discernment group, two internships, and more. Help make college a meaningful season of preparation for ministry and make it more affordable for those sensing a call to ministry. Deadline to apply for Fall 2020 awards is January 13, 2020.
https://www.rmc.edu/academics/pre-ministerial
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Register now for United Methodist Day - January 30, 2020
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It’s that time of year. . . .
Registration is now open for
United Methodist Day at the General Assembly
.
We have a
NEW LOCATION!
We will be closer to the State Capitol!
Join us at the
Pace Center
, one of our Wesley Foundation sites located on the Virginia Commonwealth University Campus. (700 W Franklin Street, Richmond, VA)
Please see our attached flyer or the conference calendar for more information at
www.vaumc.org/events
Register NOW to attend January 30, 2020!
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Become a Member of VA PAUMCS Today!
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Experience Your Conference Connection
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
9:30 am - 3:15 pm
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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Reimbursement for
Advocate
magazine subscriptions available
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If your subscription to the Virginia Advocate runs past 2019, you may contact the conference Communications Office to get a reimbursement or to donate your remaining balance to ongoing communications efforts or UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). Contact the Communications Office at 804-521-1110 or email
advocate@vaumc.org
.The expiration date can be found on the mailing label of the magazine.
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Safe Sanctuaries Workshop – January 27, 2020
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A new session of Beth Perry's
Creating Safe Spaces for Children and Youth Ministries
has been added to the BeADisciple.com website for 2020. If you are interested in finding out more about
Creating Safe Spaces for Children and Youth Ministries
, please go to the website below and sign up for this workshop. There is a cost for attending this online workshop, and you will be eligible to receive one CEU credit for participating. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity.
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Below are events happening for the District.
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Camp Willow Run District Youth Retreat
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Consider attending some of the upcoming events around the District!
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Volunteer Opportunity at All God's Children Camp:
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If you are looking for a place to serve and minister with a group of children ages 7-12, All God's Children Camp is the perfect space! I encourage you to get a group together and come join us for a week at camp with children who need to know that someone is for them. Camp life is so much fun and has so many opportunities for you to get to know your camper and grow in relationship with God and each other. We need mentors to make camp happen. So please consider joining us for a week of mission right here in the state of Virginia. Please contact Lori Smith at
lttlelori@gmail.com
or 571-245-9591 for more information. Dates for 2020 are June 14-19, July 26-31 and August 9-14.
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Baylake United Methodist Church
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On January 14
th
, 15
th
, and 16
th
, 2020, Baylake United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia, will offer the three-day course based on the book by Stephen R. Covey,
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
. The course is open to members and non-members alike.
In the book,
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
®, Stephen R. Covey presents a holistic, integrated, principle-centered approach for solving personal and professional problems. With penetrating insights and pointed anecdotes, he reveals a step-by-step pathway for living with fairness, integrity, service and human dignity. Come learn these universal principles in his three-day (24 hour) workshop designed to teach the content of his book. Covey’s purpose for writing is to invite readers to examine their faith and lives from a fresh perspective and consequently deepen their commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The cost of the workshop is $275 for each participant and includes a participant manual, 360-degree assessment, and lunch and snacks for the three days. The purpose of the class is to empower each person to be more effective at creating and being the person God wants them to be.
Full participation in the three-day schedule of 8 AM till 5 PM will result in earning 2.2 continuing education units.
Clark Dennis Cundiff, who is serving in his nineteenth year as a pastor with the United Methodist Church and who has a Masters in Human Resource Development and a Masters in Divinity and has facilitated this class over 35 times since 1994, will teach the class.
Please contact Clark Cundiff
clarkcundiff@vaumc.org
or call the church office at 757-464-2423 if you are interested in attending.
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Awards - Grants - Assistance
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Check back for future opportunities
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The Family of Shirley Butler (Rev. Henry Butler's wife)
The Family of Rev. C. Bailey Jones
The Family of Robert McMillion (Rev. Steve McMillion's father)
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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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