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Welcome to The Bridge, a weekly update of the Rappahannock River District of the UMC
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Christian Friends!
Don't You Dare Miss History's Greatest Spiritual Event!!
It's fast approaching; it's awesome, it's here now, it's Holy Week!
Holy Week is the week leading up to the most important Christian event in the life & journey of Jesus the Christ. Holy Week is the last week of Jesus' life, transitioning from worldly praise, to betrayal, to condemnation, to crucifixion, and the ultimate defeat of sin bringing to humanity salvation through resurrection.
Holy Week's public praise of Jesus begins on Palm Sunday, and as the week progresses includes momentous events on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. Christians worldwide will pause their normal daily schedule during Holy Week to give Jesus well deserved time and attention.
Friends, 2000 years ago and still today, evil and sin are using every deception known to humanity to separate us from God the Father, Jesus his only Son, the Holy Spirit, and divide us from one another.
Paul spoke profound truth and wasn't kidding when he said, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12
Do you want an explanation for why people do bad (or horrible) things to one another? The answer is sin. We were born into sin but we don't have to remain its captive. Do you want an explanation for racism, sexism, homophobia, injustice, spousal abuse, child abuse, human trafficking, or a whole host of other human-on-human destruction? Again, no one escapes the condition of being born into sin.
Then came Jesus! He came to save us from sin, releasing the amazing side effects of love, grace, forgiveness, and other spiritual tools to deal with the monster we know as sin.
So, Christian Friends!
Don't You Dare Miss History's Greatest Spiritual Event called Holy Week!
Pastor Ted
Pastor Ted
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Walking the Journey Together
with Bishop Pete Weaver
Eastertide District Days
'Jesus was talking to us on the road'
(Luke 24:32)
Bishop Pete Weaver is inviting clergy and laity of the Virginia Conference to join him in district gatherings in May and early June.
"Jesus most often journeyed in the company of others," said Weaver. "Even in our context, we can learn from each other and practice our Christian love for each other by journeying together. I am inviting you to join me in a district gathering in May and early June so we may have conversation 'on the road' together."
He explained, "We will share in Communion, seek to care for one another, and look at the meaning of the Judicial Council decisions and their implications as your Bishop and Cabinet seek to follow the Book of Discipline which governs our church."
Our District is joining with the Richmond District for a Bi-District time of conversation with Bishop Weaver. on
Saturday, May 11 from 2:00pm - 3:30pm at Wright's Chapel UMC in Ladysmith
(8064 Ladysmith Road, Ruther Glen). This will replace the Chat & Chew 3.0 and will be for clergy
and
laity.
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Lay Servant Training Offered
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Lay Servant Training can help anyone who is interested in learning more in their pursuit of being a better leader and servant for Christ’s church. These classes can be used as tools in discerning God’s call for your personal walk and ministry.
We are pleased to announce that Lay Servant Training will be offered on May 3 & 4 at Warsaw UMC.
Classes Offered include:
The Basic Course
Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts
Policy in the UM Church
Leading Worship
NOTE: The Intentional Discipleship Class has been removed from course list because of low registration. The other classes are still open to registrants.
If you have any questions, please contact Lay Servant Ministries Director Dottie Garrison at
703.403.8953 or dottiegarrison@yahoo.com
We hope you can join us!
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Youth Embracing Service
kNOw Hunger Event
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On April 27th Youth Embracing Service will be meeting at Ebenezer UMC to participate in the kNOw Hunger event. We will not be meeting Saturday April 20th. Here is the link to register as a volunteer:
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El Salvador
UMVIM District Mission Trip
August 3-10, 2019
We are excited to reconnect with our International Methodist Mission Partner—The Evangelical Methodist Church in El Salvador. In 2019, we’ll send a District team to continue our relationship-building, food distribution and VBS.
Applications are available by clicking the buttons below or contacting the District Office.
Trip Cost:
Expected to be in the $750-$850 range, including airfare. $300 scholarships will be available to persons under 30 years of age.
Application and Deposit Deadline:
April 30
th
, 2019 - $250 deposit is due with your application. Make checks payable to “Rappahannock River District UMC”, memo: El Salvador Trip and mail to:
Rappahannock River District Office
PO Box 100
Ladysmith, VA 22501
Final payment will be due at the second team meeting – June 8. No refunds after the airline tickets are purchased.
Team Meetings
are
mandatory
(or must be made up) – May 11
th
, June 8
th
, July 13
th
(all second Saturdays) at a location to be determined, 9:30 am – 11:30 am
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Emmanuel UMC at Morattico is seeking a pianist/choir director. For more information, please contact
taewonkang@vaumc.org
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Please join Zion UMC at their
Easter Sunrise Service
which will be held on Sunday, April 21 at 6:45am at the
Merchants Square Pavilion in the Spotsylvania Courthouse area
. Please contact Carolyn at 540.538.0034 for more information.
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Bringing All God’s People together
to Worship, Connect and Serve.
You are cordially invited to Holy Week and Easter Celebration.
We will celebrate
Cantata Sunday
on April 14 at 10:00 a.m. Our Chancel Choir and Orchestra will present
“One Day”
arranged by Russell Mauldin. Please note that we’ll have only one combined Sunday morning service, while having adult Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. There will be no RC Kids or youth Sunday school. A potluck fellowship will follow in the Youth Center.
Holy Week Midday Services
April 15 through April 19, from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. Lunch will be provided following the service. This year, we will have guest preachers for each service.
Monday – Rev. Robin BeMiller, Salem UMC & Falmouth UMC
Tuesday – Rev. Beth Glass, Morrisville UMC
Wednesday – Rev. M. J. Kim, Pastor Emeritus of Regester Chapel
Thursday – Rev. Paul Toelke, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
Friday – Rev. Thomas Swingle, Andrew Chapel UMC
Maundy Thursday Taize Service
April 18, 7:30 p.m. This will be a meaningful service with Holy Communion, contemplative music, and prayers. This year, the Ebenezer UMC Congregation will join with us in this special service.
Good Friday Tenebrae Service
April 19, 7:30 p.m. at Ebenezer UMC. We will join with the Ebenezer Congregation for this special service at their church, located at 161 Embrey Mill Rd, Stafford, VA 22554.
Easter Celebration
On April 21
we will have Easter Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m. Breakfast will be provided following the service. We will celebrate the Traditional Service at 9:00 a.m. and the Contemporary Service at 11:15 a.m. There will be Easter Egg Hunt for children at 10:15 a.m., while no Sunday School meets on this Sunday.
Come, let’s celebrate the power and joy of resurrection together!
Regester Chapel United Methodist Church
85 Bells Hill Road,
Stafford, VA 22554
(540) 659-2642
www.regesterchapel.org
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Annual Conference Orientation
Annual Conference information.
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May 2 District Finance, FUMC
May 3 -4 Lay Servant Training, Warsaw UMC
May 9 Church Location & Building
May 11 Bi-District Conversation with Bishop Weaver, Wright's Chapel 2:00pm
May 19 Annual Conference Orientation, Wright's Chapel 3:00pm
May 28 District Superintendency, TMUMC, 7:00pm
May 29 Clergy Farewell Luncheon (for clergy and families)
May 30 Connectional Ministries, Wright's Chapel
Save the Date: Sunday, June 30 DS Farewell/DS Welcome, Wright's Chapel, 3 pm Everyone is invited!
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CONTACT INFORMATION
District Superintendent:
Rev. Dr. Theodore Smith
2019 District Co-Lay Lay Leader:
2019 District Co-Lay Leader:
Cell: 804.304.8566
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)
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