Note: There will not be a newsletter week of October 15
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Welcome to The Bridge News Section, a weekly update of the Rappahannock River District of the United Methodist Church
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“Stagnant or Transformed?”
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Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
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Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
ROMANS 12:1&2
Can water be stagnant and flowing at the same time? If so, I’ve never seen it.
Can the human body (as a whole) be in motion and completely stagnant at the same time? I know I’ve never been able to be in motion and completely still at the same time.
What about our worship attendance, church membership, disciple making, and professions of faith; can they be stagnant and demonstrate dynamic transformation at the same time? I can tell you that most congregations are either shrinking in worship attendance or increasing in worship attendance, but rarely are they in a long term plateau. However, many congregations first hit a plateau and then decline into a painful closure.
Many congregations fit the google definitions of stagnant:
stag·nant,ˈstaɡnənt/ adjective
(of a body of water or the atmosphere of a confined space) having no current or flow and often having an unpleasant smell as a consequence. "a stagnant ditch" synonyms: still, motionless, static, stationary, standing, dead, slack; More: foul, stale, putrid, smelly, "stagnant water"
synonyms: inactive, sluggish, slow-moving, lethargic, static, flat, depressed, declining, moribund, dying, dead, dormant.”
When I began as the District Superintendent of this area I repeatedly said, “it is not God’s desire to have churches die and close!! Now, seven and a half years later I still feel adamant that God wants your church to be transformed, vibrant, and to transform and pour spiritual vibrancy into others. I believe every Rappahannock River congregation that has embraced the resources of Discipleship Ministries has heard the call to vitality and are finding encouragement, help, and are beginning to see a way of living into being “transformed by the renewing.”
The energy at our March 2018 Discipleship Ministries gathering was exciting. The attendance at the September 2018 clergy meeting was outstanding. The attendance and energy at the King George hosted Disciple Making Fair was awesome. Almost fifty people attended the District October Lay Servant Academy, with more than twenty-five folks blessed by the Discipleship Making class. Now we are preparing for our November clergy meeting in which we’ll have Rev. Dr. Cynthia Wilson lead a morning training in Worship Arts.
Anyone who has looked into or participated in our Discipleship Making events has discovered that the resources for transformation are now at our fingertips. Anyone who has missed every Disciple Making event can get all the resources by simply logging on to disciplemaking.org.
Friends, I am deeply grateful and encouraged that the churches, laity, and clergy of the Rappahannock River District are visibly showing that we are being TRANSFORMED! Our next steps in the transformation and Discipleship Making partnership are the final approval of our partnership and the scheduling of more events/training/resourcing. Keep up the great spiritual determination to be transformed!
Pastor Ted
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I want to make you aware of a recent change of appointments on our district.
Pastor Betty Jo Sims has been serving the Mizpah church and the McKendree church, but has transitioned to serve McKendree exclusively.
We have appointed Pastor Ellis Gayle to serve the Mizpah congregation in addition to the Shepherd's congregation. This change was effective October 1, 2018.
Blessings,
Ted
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District Celebrations
are three regional events that will combine conducting district conference business, charge conference business, and a significantly greater amount of time to worship, praise, fellowship, and celebration of all God has done through our district from 2011 to 2018.
At each location we will experience a gathering featuring the most special worship and praise event possible. The event will be from 2:30pm - 4:30pm.The two business portions (district and charge conference) will occur early in the event followed by praise and celebration.
The dates and locations are:
October 21
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– Fredericksburg/Stafford Region held at Ebenezer Stafford
October 28
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– Southern Region held at Wright’s Chapel UMC
November 4
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– Northern Neck Region held at Andrew Chapel Westmoreland UMC
We are asking attendees to bring donations for Heartwood Mission Center, Crossroads Mission Center and Healthy Harvest Food Bank.
October 21 Event: Heartwood Mission Center
October 28 Event: Crossroads Mission Center
November 4 Event: Healthy Harvest Food Bank
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October 21
Hands on Ministry
The Heartwood Center
Heartwood Center Needs:
- Mac & Cheese individual cups
- Chef Boyardee Microwavable cups
- Tuna and/or Chicken Salad Box Kit
- Rice a Roni Microwavable cups
- Cereal single serving boxes
- Pop Tarts
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October 28 : Hands on Ministry
Crossroads Mission Center
Crossroads Mission Center Needs:
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- Individual Oatmeal packets or cups
- Individual servings of cereal (small boxes)
- Fruit Cups
- Small boxes of raisins
- Granola bars
- Mac and Cheese Individual serving cups
- Spaghetti/Meatballs, Beefaroni, Ravioli Individual serving cups
- 100% Fruit juice boxes – Individual servings
- Capri Sun juice packets
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November 4 Hands on Ministry
Healthy Harvest Food Bank
Healthy Harvest Needs:
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- Small to go peanut butter packs
- Tuna –small pop top lids
- Pork & beans–small pop top lids
- Ravioli/spaghetti–pop top lids
- Ramen noodles packages
- Small single serve mac & cheese
- Chips in small bags
- Pudding cups
- Jello cups
- Cookies – individually wrapped
- Fruit snacks
- Cracker packages
- Raisin packages
- Apple sauce or fruit cups
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Rappahannock River District United Methodist Women
Harvest Prayer Breakfast
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast – 9 a.m. (Each unit bring two of your favorite breakfast dish. If you have our district cookbook, you are encouraged to use one of those recipes.)
Program: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Guest Speaker: Rev. Penny D. Cory
Kilmarnock UMC
89 East Church Street
Kilmarnock, VA 22482
Offering: United Methodist Women Mission Giving
Note: Please bring one or more healthy children’s snack items such as juice boxes, snack bags, fruit cups, etc. Donations will be given to The Haven (the domestic violence shelter in Warsaw).
There will be collection points available for stamps, flip tops, and ink cartridges.
There is no charge for this event, but
pre-registration is requested by October 20th
to facilitate planning and preparation. Child care will be available
ONLY if requested by October 20
t
h
. Questions? Contact J.M. Gallier via email at
jmcg5580@va.metrocast.net
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Youth Embracing Service (YES!)
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Youth Embracing Service (YES!)
The Heartwood Center is organizing and sponsoring a monthly day of service and team building during the school year for Middle School and High School students.
Every third Saturday of the month a service project, team building activities, recreation, Bible study and lunch will be scheduled. The first event will be Saturday, October 20
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10am-3pm at 64 Hartwood Church Road, Fredericksburg 22471 (
behind the Hartwood Fire Station
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Future dates: November 17, December 15, January 19, February 16, March 16, April 20, May 18.
Rev. Gayle Porias
Pastor Mount Horeb UMC
The Heartwood Center Director
Rappahannock River District
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Builder's Club Call #6 Announced
The Rappahannock River District Builder’s Club Committee has approved our sixth Builder’s Club Call. We are pleased to announce that this call is for Eastland United Methodist Church. The request is for construction of a 2,872 square foot detached addition. This project includes a fellowship hall, handicapped ramp, kitchen and bathroom. Project plans and a letter from Eastland UMC Pastor Craig Muffley are linked below for your review.
Construction has already begun with a completion date of November 30, 2018.
Financial Information:
Estimated Cost of Project $ 680,000
Cost paid on construction $ 86,000
Debt upon completion $ 551,000
(Church Mortgage, Members’ Pledges)
Your support will help Eastland UMC to reach more people within the surrounding communities. We are asking that you support this call by mailing a check payable to “Rappahannock River District Builder’s Club” to:
Rappahannock River District Builder’s Club
PO BOX 100
Ladysmith, VA 22501
Donations are tax deductible and must be received by November 15, 2018.
Help God’s kingdom grow by supporting the Rappahannock River Builder’s Club today.
Working in His Kingdom,
Dave
David A. Kellison, President
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District Youth Council Meetings
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We are getting together at Hillcrest UMC (
2208 LaFayette Blvd, Fredericksburg)
at 2:00pm on the following dates:
October 28
We will be studying the Leadership Qualities of Nehemiah and everyone is invited! Come Join Us!
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District Youth Retreat 2019
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PIANO OR ORGAN ACCOMPANIST - DAHLGREN UMC
Dahlgren UMC, Dahlgren, is seeking applications for a piano or organ accompanist for weekly choir rehearsals and 11AM Sunday services. Requirements: Skilled at playing the piano or organ; Ability to sight read music; Experience accompanying choral groups; Team player who strives for excellence with grace. Normal Hours. Sunday Worship Service (11:00 am to noon); Choir Rehearsal (typically 1 hour weekly). Compensation negotiable. For more information contact the office of Dahlgren UMC at (540) 663-2230 -
office@dahlgrenumc.org
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Children and Youth Ministry Coordinator
Rehoboth United Methodist Church – Beaverdam, VA
At Rehoboth we are investing in our children and youth. We are looking for someone who is interested in teaching children and youth about the love of God.
This is a great part time-flexible schedule role for a faithful disciple to have an impact on children and their families. Our goal is to work with someone who can improve and build upon our existing children’s and youth ministries.
Schedule:
Part time, flexible hours. Sundays required. Participation in the full life of the church.
- At home flexible preparation and planning time for events and curriculum preparation
- Flexible schedule for stay at home parents, teachers or other professionals who have experience working with Children.
For more information
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Please note that Lynn will be out of the office October 12 - 20.
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Upcoming Events & Meetings:
October 10 Connectional Ministries, Wright's Chapel, 7:00pm
October 11 Location & Building, District Office, 7:00pm
October 18 District Finance Committee, Fredericksburg UMC, 7:00pm
October 21 Fall Celebration for Fredericksburg/Stafford Region, Ebenezer Stafford, 2:30pm
October 28 Fall Celebration for Southern Region, Wright's Chapel, 2:30pm
November 4 Fall Celebration for Northern Neck Region, Heathsville, 2:30pm
November 7 Full Clergy Association Meeting, Wright's Chapel
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CONTACT INFORMATION
District Superintendent:
Rev. Dr. Theodore Smith
2018 District Co-Lay Leader:
2018 District Co-Lay Lay Leader:
Mailing Address: PO BOX 100, Ladysmith, VA 22501 Phone 804.448.8326 FAX 804.448.8328 Cell: 804.304.8566
Office Location: Inside Wright’s Chapel UMC at 8063 Ladysmith Road, Ruther Glen, VA (do not use for mail)
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