If you don't get to the yellow block with "END", your browser has shortened this email. Please click where it tells you to in order to see the entire newsletter.
|
|
Welcome to the weekly update of the Rappahannock River District of the UMC
|
|
Corrected Link to DS article - some folks had trouble with the link to the article the DS mentioned. We have repaired it. If you still have trouble, please go to www.Johndobbs.com and look on the right side for the article about Pastoral Crash.
|
|
Protect Yourself at All Times
|
What do you do when you see something is about to happen? You brace yourself, right! But what do you do when you do not see that thing coming? You have little to no choice of surviving the impact and that is when it hurts the most.
“Protect yourself at all times” are the final and familiar words we hear from the referee in a boxing match. I am not a boxer nor am I a violent person, but I love the gamesmanship and strategies employed by the boxers. Right after the bell rings, the boxers touch gloves and the game begins. For those who follow the sport, they know that
there are boxers and there are fighters.
A boxer is a tactician in the ring. He or she uses a combination of jabs, cross, uppercut, body shots, and hooks. One of my favorite boxing tacticians was the great Mohammad Ali. One of his famous strategies was boxing off the ropes. Opponents often thought that when he was on the ropes they stood a better chance of connecting punches and eventually winning the fight. But it was Ali’s way of absorbing their punches, enticing them to get closer. Boxing off the ropes was also a strategy Ali employed to conserve his energy. He wore his opponents down, and then before they could see the punch, they were on the canvas.
The opponents were carried away and did not protect themselves at all times.
Contrary to Ali, Mike Tyson was a knock out artist. Many of his opponents fell on the canvas with one punch. He was more of a fighter than he was a boxer. Unlike Ali, Tyson was not concerned about entertaining the crowd; he was concerned about winning. When asked “what can you tell me about the knockout?,” many of Tyson’s opponents said, “we did not see the punch coming.” Perhaps the opponents that lasted more than one round in the ring with Tyson were
attentive to the threat standing before them; they persevered to the next round of the fight. Although many of Ali and Tyson’s opponents eventually lost their matches, for a few rounds they were attentive to the superior threat standing before them.
As clergy, we have been attentive to the threat of COVID-19 and that is why we are gradually moving on to the next round (stage). But we are facing a formidable opponent (COVID-19) that requires you to
protect yourself at all times. We cannot get complacent and lower our guard because we made it to the next round (stage). The fight is not over until the bell rings and the referee announces the winner. Moving to the next round (stage) is not sufficient for the journey; we need to fight to the end of the match. In so doing, we need to be mindful because there is a threat still standing before us – the threat of caring for ourselves amidst COVID-19. Winning this fight will require us to employ the Conventional guard, the Peek-a-boo guard, the Philly-shell guard, and the Cross guard.
The four guards mentioned above are essential in any boxing match. Boxers often specialize in one or more of these guards. We believe that it is important to learn each of them because each is utilized depending on the opponent and the stage of the match. We are at a crucial stage in our fight against COVID-19. To help us further prepare for the rest of the match and post COVID-19, we want to introduce an article to you
https://johndobbs.com/the-coming-pastoral-crash/ that addresses a specific threat. At your leisure, please read the article because it speaks to the reality we find ourselves in as clergy. Many of you are working longer than usual, and as a result, your souls are spiritually hungry and need to be fed. And so laity, this is where you can help your clergy, by being supportive. We encourage you to help your clergy live into this reality so that we can have a healthier and sustainable ministry together.
Blessings to you!
Charles
|
|
|
Bishop Announces District Moves
|
Lyle Morton (FE) was projected to Regester Chapel coming from St. Paul and West End (Rn)
Kang Uk Lee (FE) was projected to Wilderness from Little Fork Circuit (C)
Rebecca Minor (FE) was projected to Tappahannock Memorial from Heathsville
Robert Almy (FE) was projected to Trinity-King George from Liberty
Terry Eum (FL) was projected to Warsaw from Brandermill Associate (Rd)
Jack Bailey (FL) was projected to Hopewell (Caroline County) from Bluff Point and Asbury
Ilgha Monga Ilunga (OE) was projected to Heathsville from the North Katanga Annual Conference
Lynn Barbour (SY) was projected to Bowling Green
Steve Hundley (RE) was projected to Mizpah and Shepherds
Brant Hays (RE) was projected to Asbury and Bluff Point
Chelsea Morse (PL) was projected to Fredericksburg as Associate Pastor for Micah Engagement and Community Care.
|
|
|
|
|
District bids fond farewell to our Moving Clergy
|
Moving off our District:
Sung Il Yoo
Daniel Burch
Carol Seeley
Extension
(Military Mobilization):
Ned Alderman
Retirement:
Lou Woolner
Loretta Benninghove
|
|
|
|
|
UMCOR is receiving urgent requests from ministry partners throughout the U.S. and around the world. Sadly, an overwhelming number of these requests are to meet the need for food.
Partners who operate or directly support food pantries are asking for help as the global fight against COVID-19 is inflating the price of food, especially in places where food insecurity was already a major public health issue - even here in the U.S.
1 in 5 children are “food insecure” in the U.S. according to
an April 2020 survey by the Brookings Institution:
Our partners abroad are struggling with food insecurity as well. Soaring food prices are compounding regional shortages of food in communities that were already vulnerable.
100% of your gift to the UMCOR COVID-19 Fund will be used to meet the basic needs of people who are hoping for your response.
Please give, today.
|
|
|
|
|
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-
|
|
|
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)
|
|
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
|
|
|
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
.
Director of Music Ministry
Regester Chapel UMC
is seeking applications for its Director of Music Ministry. The purpose of the Director of Music Ministry is to help musicians and our congregation grow as disciples of Jesus Christ through our worship and music. A Bachelor’s Degree in Music is preferred with previous experience and leadership in Music performance and direction. The candidate must have knowledge of and experience with traditional music and possess the leadership qualities to inspire and lead a Chancel Choir, musicians and the congregation. This is a part-time position. To apply, send a letter of interest and a copy of your current resume to Office@RegesterChapel.org. For more information, contact Barry Dillon, SPRC, Regester Chapel UMC, 85 Bells Hill Rd., Stafford, Virginia, 22554.
|
|
|
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)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
