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Welcome to the weekly update of the Rappahannock River District of the UMC |
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Charge Conference was upon us. In preparation for the journey, we used August for preparation. During our preparation, we considered three things. First, we considered our physical health. Physically, we are well, except for lower back pains, which can be mitigated by more frequent exercise at home.
The second consideration was our vehicle health inspection. Even though driving was not a factor to consider this year because of COVID-19 and in-person safety measures, oil and air filter change, tire rotation, and other vehicle health inspections were necessary.
The third element was spiritual health. Practicing the spiritual discipline served as an introspective path to wholeness for us. Being away from the office in August helped us to self-examine our work, our spirituality, and our relationship with others and with God. Serving in the Cabinet for a year and working through an unprecedented season of social unrest and COVID-19 demanded time of rest, personal devotion, and reflection.
During one of our devotions, we reflected on one of Paul’s letters to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 13). This scripture is one of the most remarkable texts Paul ever wrote. It is a passage that perhaps speaks to the most important core value of the Christian faith, love.
Love is a universal spiritual gift. Paul implies that we see indistinctly, but then we will see face-to-face (v. 12). This spiritual concept is difficult to grasp. In other words, our knowledge and awareness are hopelessly limited on this earth. We need to acknowledge this truth by opening our hearts and minds, which is truly a lifelong challenge. However, until we learn the ways of God by reflecting on the meaning of love, we run the risk of alienating ourselves from each other and God.
Alienation is not an act of God (John 3:16). According to scriptures, God is reconciliatory (1 John 2:2; Ephesians 1:11). The two scriptures remind us that every believer can show Agape love because Agape love is a spiritual gift, and spiritual gifts are those gifts given by the Holy Spirit of God for the accomplishment of God’s purpose in the world and the edification of the church, the body of Christ.
Therefore, there are two important things to consider concerning spiritual gifts. First, every believer has spiritual gifts (1Corinthians 12:7; 1 Peter 4:10). Second, the gifts belong to God and are given to every believer to use for the glory of God (1 Peter 4:11).
To conclude, we want to encourage every believer to work through each of the characteristics of love (1 Corinthians 13). Work in sequence, one day at a time, and perhaps we will begin to show Agape love as believers.
Also, please join us in extending sincere condolences to Lynn for the home going of her mother. Her mother gave them an excellent family life, a life that is characteristic of a believer who showed Agape love to everyone who crossed her path.
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE INFORMATION
Public viewing of Annual Conference
Book of Reports
Click here to download a pdf of the Book of Reports
Collecting Cans for Conference can't be done virtually and feed people. So if you aren't already collecting cans for your local food bank or pantry, do so as your Conference collection (four cans or bags or boxes or car loads -- remember pop tops, fruit, soup, veggies and any nonperishable boxes). Take a picture of your food collection and post it on the VA Conference Facebook page and then take it to your local food pantry or bank. Thank you for your faithfulness to this project. We will do it again next year in Hampton.
KITS FOR CONFERENCE
Kits for Conference: Annual Conference is virtual this year, so there won’t be an 18-wheeler truck to load all the kits in.
If you prefer to make a financial contribution to enable UMCOR to purchase relief kits, you can contribute $75 for each cleaning kit; $12 for each health kit; and $11 for each school kit. Additionally, UMCOR asks for $1 per kit ($3 for cleaning buckets) to cover processing and shipping and $1 for toothpaste for each health kit. Please do NOT bring checks to Annual Conference. All checks (for processing and shipping, for toothpaste, and in lieu of providing kits) should be made payable to “Virginia Conference UMC,” earmarked for “kits” and mailed to Treasurer, Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 5605, Glen Allen, VA, 23058 any time prior to Annual Conference.
Annual Conference Mission Offering 2020
The Annual Conference Mission Offering will be taken during one-day virtual Annual Conference on September 19, 2020. Checks may be made payable to “Virginia Conference of the UMC” or “VAUMC” with Conference Offering in the memo line.
The recipients of the 2020 offering represent a mixture of long term mission partnership commitments as well as new mission opportunities:
50 Percent Food Ministries within the Virginia Conference
50 Percent Partnerships of Hope
Please be generous in your support of the Annual Conference Mission Offering as we continue to show our strong support for God’s mission here in Virginia and around the world.
The information is also posted and will be updated on the conference website at www.vaumc.org/ac2020
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Thank you for your prayers |
Thank you for your recent prayers for my family. Mom passed away peacefully on September 9 with her family around her. She will be missed greatly but I know she is rejoicing in Heaven. I will be out of the office the rest of this week as we go to Alabama for her funeral. Prayers for safe travel as we drive toward the hurricane would be welcome.
My daughter Alaina's breast cancer surgery is scheduled for September 23. I'll be in the office on Monday, September 21 and then in Pennsylvania the rest of the week. We'll know after the tests come back whether radiation will be enough or if chemo is necessary. The bone scans and other tests have all come back clear so it hasn't come from elsewhere in her body! Thank you for your continued prayers!
Lynn
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It is time to stop the violence of domestic abuse! |
The General Commission of United Methodist Men and the YWCA Nashville and Middle Tennessee developed the AMEND Together Program to address this issue. Men come meet and participate in a training event sponsored by the Rappahannock River District UMM that will present the AMEND Together training.
Objectives of this training include:
- Raise awareness about the prevalence of violence against women
- Uncover subtle ways our society reinforces sexism and objectification
- Connect the dots between harmful jokes and violent acts
- Unpack the difference between healthy and unhealthy masculinity
- Empower attendees with situational examples and strategies to step up and speak out against negative cultural norms
- Challenge attendees to help create a community that respects and values women and girls
The training will consist of eight Zoom Meetings beginning September 22, 2020. Zoom meeting info will published before each meeting.
You will need a Participant Workbook that can be sent to you by contacting Bob Pickett at Email: bob.pickett1@verizon.net or Phone: 540-834-3068. There is a voluntary $10 fee for the book, you will be accommodated if you can’t.
For further information contact Bob Pickett
Phone: 540-834-3068 (You may have to leave a message, but I will get back to you as soon as possible.)
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Charge Conferences Start Soon! |
Our District Charge Conferences will be starting next week! If you are having a Zoom conference, your church will have the meeting ID and Password for you. Passwords are required to join the meeting. You can join by phone or by Zoom.
Deadlines:
Zoom Conferences - Voting Summary Sheet and Nominations list are due in the district office 3 days before your charge conference. All other signed documents are due in the office within 7 days after your conference. Please review the checklist at the end of the EVC instructions sent to each pastor to see what has to be printed and mailed in.
In Person Conferences - Voting Summay Sheet, Nominations list, Clergy Compensation Documents and other forms due at the start of your conference. Please review the checklist at the end of the EVC instructions sent to each pastor to see what has to be printed.
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Updates on Prayer Requests |
Here's the latest on baby Jacob McGuckin:
Jacob’s been struggling this Chemo cycle. He’s had ongoing Mucositis we thought was getting better but it’s spread to his throat and G.I. track now. He’s struggling to eat which is compromising his nutrition. He is on strong pain meds but is still having breakthrough pain. Jacob turned 6 months old 2 days ago. That’s 3 months in the hospital, half of his life thus far. He hasn’t been well enough to dress up and take pictures for his half birthday yet. Once he is able we will post. Please continue to pray for him!! He needs lots of prayers to get over this hurdle!! Thank you all!!
Pat McGuckin
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District Conference will be Saturday, November 14. Time and Location and/or Zoom Details will be announced soon. |
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Can you help one of our District Churches ?
Call ends this week.
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The Committee for the Rappahannock River District Builder’s Club is pleased to announce our 9th call. This is for Galilee United Methodist Church located in Edwardsville, Virginia. The links below include a Pastor's Letter of Description, Finance Information Sheet, and pictures of work recently completed. The request is for funds to help with completion of renovations to the septic and sewer system for the existing facilities. The work included removal of trees, sidewalks, old septic and sewer and the installation of new septic, leach field, and sidewalks.
This Call is issued to anyone who would like to make a donation. The Call will close on Friday, September 18. (date extended since Lynn is out of town).
Galilee is one of our smallest churches to request assistance. We are asking that you support this Call by sending a check payable to: “Rappahannock River District Builder’s Club” to the district office at PO BOX 100, Ladysmith, VA 22501 before September 15th.
We currently have 138 members in our Builder’s Club. We would love to have additional members who help God’s Kingdom grow by supporting district churches. Become a member today by sending $ 10.00 or greater to the above address and tell a friend about the Builder’s Club. All donations are tax deductible.
Thank you for being a partner with Galilee U.M.C.
For more information on the Builder's Club and how we can help your church, please contact me.
Working in His Kingdom
Dave
David A. Kellison, President
Rappahannock River District Builder's Club
540.786.3930
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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 804-514-1830 (David Henley)
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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
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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, please visit the conference website jobs listing here
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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)
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