Conference Vision: "to be disciples of Jesus Christ who are lifelong learners who influence others to serve." |
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A Message from your
District Superintendent
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Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
First, I want to thank God for the holy privilege of serving with you as your district superintendent for these last three years. I could never have imagined that God would call and use me in such a way. Never could I have imagined some of the experiences and opportunities that these days, months, and years have offered. I thank God for the blessings and the challenges of this season of ministry, for growing in grace alongside you.
I give thanks for the gift of you and your churches. Each unique reflection of God’s love and grace expressed in and through you and your churches is such a gift. My words of gratitude might be expressed similarly to Paul’s words (I Corinthians: 1: 4-9):
“I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind-just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you-so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
I celebrate our relationships in Christ! I celebrate the witness of your lives to me and God’s people. I have watched your incredible faith and resilience in the midst of a number of significant challenges. I appreciate your faithfulness to your call! Thank you!
I especially want to thank Tish Borden, Andrew Book, and Ronnika Davis for keeping our office headed in the right direction…and putting up with me…which is no small thing. I also want to thank Audrey Smith and the team who has prayed and met regularly for over two years to give birth to The Gathering @ Washington Street. Thank you, God!
One of the hymns that we will sing at our worship service on June 3, is “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” What an amazing hymn of gratitude to God in all of the seasons of our lives. “All I have needed, thy hand hath provided; great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!” This is our witness. This is our story. It’s a story that doesn’t end here, but continues.
In continuing in the same appointment, in beginning a new chapter, in moving to a new appointment or district, in retiring or taking family leave, God’s faithfulness continues.
In the next several weeks, I will be turning my office over to Rev. Jay Carey, my colleague, my friend, my brother in Christ. He is the one that God has called and gifted for the next season. I’m excited and there is grief…but most of all there is grace and God’s faithfulness.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow…
Yours in Christ,
Sylvia
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News from your
Director of Congregational Excellence
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A Benediction
At the close of many of our worship gatherings, we offer words of benediction. “Benediction” literally means “a good word,” and these good words are usually words of blessing and sending forth. As I finish my three years as Director of Congregational Excellence for the James River District, I want to offer you some good words of blessing!
As you travel forth from the known into the unknown, from the understood into the unseen, and from the well-trod paths into the wild, may you know God is with you.
As you encounter endings and embrace new beginnings where the new seems unfamiliar and the lingering taste of the old makes your hearts ache for what has passed, may you know God is with you.
As you travel down the path that is life, whether the track seems well traveled or overgrown, may you listen for God’s voice saying, “this is the way, walk in it.” May you heed that voice because you know God is with you.
As our paths diverge, may faith, hope, and love sustain you. May you never step off the path God invites you to walk. May the joy of the Lord be your strength and may your confidence be rooted in our God who has promised never to leave or forsake you.
Whether God leads you down unknown paths into the wild or through well-worn ways, may the road rise up to greet you, may the wind be at your back, and the sun shine warmly on your face.
May it be so. Amen.
Rev. Andrew Book
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Updates from the Virginia Conference
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Annual Conference Information
may be found at this link:
Sylvia Meadows and Andrew Book have created an instructional video for our clergy and lay delegates:
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This year, the Virginia Annual Conference has taken a new vision regarding the collection and distribution of UMCOR kits and canned goods. The Conference Serving Ministries office is asking each district to connect with local ministries such as homeless shelters, food pantries, afterschool programs, etc., to determine needed items and to distribute these items throughout our local communities.
IMPORTANT! - If your church has made any donations to support local missions for Annual Conference, please complete this Google form to receive credit for your church and district:
Collection day will be Saturday, June 19, 2021 at the James River District Office (11605 S. Crater Rd, Petersburg 23805) from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Click on the links below for details:
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Worship service to recognize, offer prayer for those
who have passed due to COVID-19
In a pre-recorded prayer service organized by the Virginia Conference Order of Deacons, conference clergy and laity who passed in the last year due to COVID-19 will be recognized. The service will air at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, June 11, 2021 on the conference Facebook page. It will also be available on the conference YouTube page.
Please join in the service Friday or at another time to pray and remember these individuals.
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Save the Date: UMM Annual Meeting is June 26
Mark your calendars now for the online 2021 Annual Meeting on Saturday, June 26 at 9:00 a.m. Gil Hanke, general secretary of the General Commission on United Methodist Men, is the featured speaker. Hanke has served as the top staff executive of GCUMM since 2010 and recently announced his upcoming retirement.
The 2021 Annual Meeting will also include an update on men’s ministry in the Virginia Conference and plans for the upcoming year.
Meeting ID: 898 2460 7164
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Post-COVID Re-entry Group
Bishop Sharma D. Lewis announced a shift in the way the Annual Conference will address the current pandemic at a progress report webinar held on April 26. A new Post-COVID Re-entry Group (PRG) convened by the Rev. Seungsoo ‘RJ’ Jun will take over the duties of the existing COVID work groups (Back to In-Person Worship and Mission & Ministry) as of May 1, 2021. The new PRG will incorporate members of the current workgroups and will begin the proactive work of resourcing churches for ministry in the coming post-pandemic environment.
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Financial Update from Bishop Lewis
Dear Virginia Conference,
I am pleased to report that the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church (VAUMC), through several financial management actions taken in response to the pandemic and earlier, is financially stable.
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Rev. Sylvia Meadows' Service of Worship
and Ministry Celebration
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven"
Chester UMC, June 3, 2021
Click on the link to view the service:
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We love you, Sylvia! Great is thy faithfulness! |
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Come join us at Wood's UMC Farmer's Market |
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The Wood's Farmer's Market at 7200 Hickory Rd, S. Chesterfield, VA 23803, was established in 2010 and has a variety of vendors selling baked goods, handmade items, crafts, artwork, canned fruits and vegetables, jams and jellies, and produce on Saturdays from June through September from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.
If you have a craft, grow your own fruits or vegetables, or raise chickens; come join us! There is no charge to vendors. Please call (804) 590-9231 if you are interested in a booth.
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Churches and Pastors in transition
The Family of Rev. Dr. Paul A. Beighley, III
Rev. Doug Gestwick
Rev. Garland Hines
Rev. Theresa and Mike Swindell
Bishop Sharma Lewis and Cabinet
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Next Newsletter Deadline
June 20th, 2021
Send your news and pictures to
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Rev. Sylvia S. Meadows, James River District Superintendent
Gerry Fuss & Keith Jordan, Lay Leaders
Tish Borden, Administrative Assistant
Rev. Andrew Book, Director of Congregational Excellence
Audrey Smith, Petersburg Project Coordinator
Ronnika Davis, Communications Coordinator
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