District Newsletter

June 24, 2022

From our DS...


What Is Next

 

 

We approved the District Initiative (DI) at this year’s Annual Conference (AC) after several months of hard work. And now, you may be wondering what is next. But before we discuss our immediate next steps, we want to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to each of you for your prayers and support leading up to, during, and after the AC. We could not have done it successfully without you. We proved that when we are united, we can overcome any challenge. 

 

Our challenge this year as host of the 240th Session of the Annual Conference was dealing with the apprehension of being in-person since the 2019 AC. Consequently, we struggled to recruit volunteers. But as faith would have it, you answered the call. And later, we began to receive support from across the Conference. That is what happens when we lead – others follow. Thanks for leading. Thanks for your prayers and support of our shared ministry. 

 

Special thanks to the Local Annual Conference Planning Team, the laity, and the clergy. Each of you played a vital role. We would be remiss if we did not thank Lisa Jones. There is a 'first' to everything, and this year was Lisa’s first Annual Conference as the district administrator. We are thankful for your work ethic, Lisa. You made us proud.

 

We are proud to be in partnership with each lay and clergy person. As we move forward as the Mission Rivers District, we will outline our immediate next steps by the end of next week. We will meet with the Committee on Superintendency (COS) early next week. Following that meeting, we will announce a District Transitional Team (DTT) to oversee the smooth transition from the Rappahannock and York River Districts to the Mission Rivers District. We have six months for this transition. We will be methodical in our approach. The DTT will vary in age, ethnicity, gender, and experience. We will provide a framework for their work.  

 

Our work is not over. We need each other for the support of our continued work. While many of you supported the DI from the onset, many others publicly vowed to ensure its demise before it was even born. To those persons, we need you too. The Annual Conference has spoken. We hope you will join the ranks and let us work to glorify God’s kingdom and edify each other as one large family of faith.    

 

Blessings to you!

 

Charles

COLLECTING STUDENT NAMES FOR CAMPUS MINISTRIES



Campus Ministries across the Virginia Conference and the United Methodist Connection shape leaders of our church, cultivate clergy, and impact not just their college campuses but entire communities. Connect your graduating youth and college students to transformative ministry for the Kingdom that creates lifelong learners who influence others to serve today by completing our campus ministry form: https://bit.ly/vacampusministries22 You may also visit this page: https://vaumc.org/newstudents/  or email learning@vaumc.org.


Get to know more about our campus ministries in Virginia here: https://vaumc.org/campus-ministers-and-chaplains/ .


Please submit student names and information by July 15.


Lay Servant Academy Summer Training Event Coming Soon! Save the dates for our summer training event to be held on August 5 & 6 at the Virginia Conference Center in Glen Allen, VA. This will be a hybrid event, both in-person and online training to meet your needs. Registration will open at the end of June. Laity and Clergy are both encouraged to attend! Contact Tianna Durbin at tiannad@arcolachurch.org with any questions.




Fredericksburg UMC is recruiting for the following positions:

 

Organist/Accompanist for our traditional services

Finance Administrator

 

Both positions are part-time. 

 

For job descriptions or position information, please contact the lead pastor, Rev. Gina Anderson-Cloud at pastorgina@fumcva.org.



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Dahlgren UMC (DUMC) has an immediate need for a Nursery Attendant meeting or able to meet VA State and Church Child Protection Policy requirements for paid child care staff. 


 This is a permanent, part-time, hourly-wage position to care for young children, ages infant-to-Pre-K, placed in the nursery during church services and special events.


Details of the requirements of the position are posted on the Church Web Site. 


Questions or expressions of interest can also be directed to the Church Office by phone: 540-663-2230 or email to office@dahlgrenumc.org


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CONTACT INFORMATION


WWW.RAPPAHANNOCKRIVERDISTRICT.ORG


District Superintendent: Rev. Charles F. Ledlum-Bates, Ph.D.

DS Email:  rappahannockriverds@vaumc.org


District Director of Connectional Ministry: Rev. James G. O’Quinn, DMin  

DCM Email: jimoquinn@vaumc.org

 

2022 District Co-Lay Leaders:

David Berry david.w.berry1@gmail.com

Judy Craun judykcva@gmail.com


Lay Servant Director: Ms. Jennifer Robinson O'Brien 

fxbcryptkeeper@gmail.com


Youth Coordinator: TJ Oliver, rrdyouth@vaumc.org


Office Manager: Lynn Manley

 rappahannockriverdistrict@vaumc.org


Administrative Assistant Connie Devenport 

conniedevenport@vaumc.org


Check out all UMM News at Beacon Newsletter & Notices | VAUMC


Check out all UMW News at https://www.vaumw.com/



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)