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Welcome to The Bridge, a weekly update of the Rappahannock River District of the United Methodist Church
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For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
19
For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
Romans 7:18b - 19
Honesty and knowing one’s self is an amazing thing. Being able to name our personal troubling flaws and ask for help is a truly precious act of spiritual maturity. I recently spoke with a clergy friend who called for counsel saying, “I’ve been carrying around harmful emotional “baggage” for the last 20 years. These people hurt me emotionally, they planted a negative seed of self-doubt in me, and their painful words have caused me to question my capability for two decades. I know I should forgive them and let it go, but I can’t, I’m not ready. I hate how they made me feel.”
Have you ever been in this situation? I believe Paul was expressing this very sentiment in Romans 7. Paul was trying to help all of us benefit from his experience. Paul spoke with the voice of authority because he practiced what he taught; he confessed the thorn in his flesh that was never removed. Yet Paul continued in ministry doing his very best.
I told my clergy friend that I too could relate to the experience of being emotionally wounded and having to decide when I’d be ready to let go of the wounds I carried around as if in a piece of luggage. Who among us has not been on both sides of this situation? Who among us has not been the one inflicting the emotional wounds or been the one speaking with harsh words that hurt and sink deep?
Is two decades a long time to carry the hurt? The fact is that chronological time doesn’t apply when considering how long is long enough for an emotional hurt. What applies is the power of Christ to heal and our openness to being healed. God created us to be whole, healthy, loved and loving, because that’s who God is and we are made in God’s image. I told my friend that I was able to release my baggage of hurts because Jesus, bible study, prayer, and friends helped me realize it was time to let that bag of hurt(s) go. I also told my friend how that former emotional scar is now a motivating force for achieving healthy standards I set for myself. When the hurt tries to speak to my brain and heart in a negative way, I slay that demon with Christ’s voice which says, “I have not come to condemn, but to save.”
I share this for all those who have been at this place, those who are currently wrestling with this, and for those who will be at this place in the future.
Blessing Saints!
Pastor Ted
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 2 John 1:2
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Annual Conference Orientation:
The District will have Annual Conference Orientation
This Sunday, May 20 at 3:00pm at Wright's Chapel UMC
located at 8063 Ladysmith Road, Ruther Glen. The Orientation is geared toward District Delegates, but is open to any Church Annual Conference Member as well.
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Kits for Conference
As your church begins preparation for collecting items for kits, there is currently an appeal from UMCOR for Hygiene, School, and Cleaning Kits only.
Click here for the complete list of items and instructions on packing each kit
. Collection times will be from Thursday, June 14 from noon to 8 p.m. and on Friday, June 15 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For questions, contact the Kit Collection Coordinator, the Rev. David Magruder at Zion UMC in Seaford (York River District) at (757) 898-7417 or
davidmagruder@vaumc.org
. Money for the kits should be sent to Conference Treasurer, Virginia Conference UMC, PO Box 5605, Glen Allen, VA 23058. Checks should be made payable to Virginia Conference UMC.
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Annual Conference Offering
Bishop Lewis has announced the annual conference mission offering goal of $200,000 to focus on the following missional priority projects:
Cambodia: $50,000 - Church Growth and Development and Community Health & Agric. Development
Brazil: $25,000 - Shade and Fresh Water Ministry with Children
Mozambique: $25,000 - Lay Leadership Development
Native Americans: $10,000 - Support for Volunteers in Mission teams working with Native American Ministry and Tribal Youth
Cuba Recovery: $25,000 - Hurricane Recovery for Churches in Cuba
Haiti: $25,000 - Funds to support Volunteers in Mission teams to Haiti
Puerto Rico Recovery: $25,000 - Hurricane Recovery support for Puerto Rican churches
Moscow Seminary: $15,000 - Support for student scholarships
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Dear Lay Leaders and Certified Lay Servants,
We are pleased to announce we are kicking off the first laity cluster meetings in May and June. The purpose of the laity cluster meetings will be to bring together lay leaders and certified lay servants so that we can learn from one another, share ideas and resources, and partner together as we begin our journey toward intentional discipleship. Each meeting will open with introductions and devotions, followed by updates from your district lay leaders on various topics. There will be time for you to share with one another as well.
First Cluster Meeting:
Saturday, May 19, 2:30-4:00 pm, Heathsville UMC: All churches in the counties of Northumberland, Lancaster, Richmond, and Lower Westmoreland (all except Colonial Beach and Grace). Please let us know if you have coming so we have enough hand-outs.
Blessings,
Terry Bain Debbie Dietrich
804-761-1625 804-769-3730
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Dear Friends,
Now is the time to sing his praise!
Join us on the lawn for
Holy Thunder, a Contemporary Christian Music Festival
, Saturday, May 19, 2018 from 1 – 5 p.m., at Regester Chapel United Methodist Church, 85 Bells Hill Road, Stafford, VA.
Bring a friend and a chair as we lift our voices in worship with performances from eight local area church praise bands. Reverend Randall Snipes will deliver a message of salvation, that is sure to touch hearts and lift spirits. FREE admission, FREE refreshments and FREE face painting for kids!
Thank you, and we hope to see you there!
The Regester Chapel Family
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Wilderness Community Church
in Spotsylvania, VA is seeking a Director of Youth Ministry. Primary responsibilities are to coordinate along with a team of youth ministry volunteers Christ-centered ministries that serve Youth (6th to 12th grade). This is a part-time, salaried position. If interested, please send a cover letter and resume to
pastordenise@wildernesschurch.org
. For more information on the position,
wildernesschurch.org/job
opening.
Part-time Organist/Pianist wanted for
Tappahannock Memorial United Methodist Church
, Tappahannock, VA. This person will be responsible for providing music for two Sunday worship services, choir rehearsals and special worship services of the church. Salary negotiable. For more information, please contact the church office at
tappmethodist@gmail.com
or 804-443-2278.
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Grants For Youth Groups
If your church youth group is raising funds for
special projects or mission trips
,
The United Methodist Credit Union(TUMCU) wants to help. Each quarter TUMCU will be awarding a grant for up to
$500 to a United Methodist youth group within the conferences we serve
. Applications are currently being accepted for the Spring grant and the deadline to apply is May 31, 2018. Visit
www.tumcu.org
to apply.
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Crossroads Mission Center
is looking for volunteers who can help package and deliver food to the children of King William County who are participating in the Summer Food Program. The program provides “2-Day Bags” consisting of 4 meals for 2 days for 1 child. The bag contains 2 breakfast, lunch, snack and drink items. The program runs from
June 16 – August 25
. We need drivers (background check is required and will be provided) and packagers
. Training will be held on June 5, at 6:00, at Crossroads Mission Center
,
694K Sharon Road, King William, VA
. We are also looking for individual and corporate sponsors. If you or your organization would like to collect items needed for the bags, please visit our web site at
crossroadsmissioncenter.org
for a complete list of needed supplies. Monetary donations received will be used to purchase food and can be mailed to Crossroads Mission Center. If you have any questions, please call
804-769-2139
or email us at
crossroadsmissioncenter@gmail.com
.
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May District Meetings & Training:
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May 19
District Laity Meeting (Lay Leaders & Certified Lay Servants)
- Lower Region Churches, 2:30pm, Heathsville UMC
May 20
Youth Meeting, 2:00pm, Hillcrest UMC
May 20
Annual Conference Orientation, 3:00pm, Wright's Chapel UMC
May 30
Clergy Event: Clergy Farewell, 11:30am, Wright's Chapel UMC
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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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