June 25, 2020
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Welcome to the weekly update of the Rappahannock River District of the UMC 
Anniversary Reaction

Anniversary dates such as weddings, baptisms, the birth of a child or grandchild, and other celebrations, can reactivate positive thoughts and feelings from the events. On the other hand, anniversary dates such as traumatizing events can reactivate negative thoughts and feelings from the events. But what if one simultaneously experiences both positive and negative thoughts and feelings? Today, we want to explore that possibility by sharing two tragicomic stories of human frailty .

We have two sisters born in June (9 th and 23 rd ). For many years we celebrated their birthdays just like we celebrated our other siblings’ birthdays (calls, visitation, storytelling, eating, laughing, etc.). Thirty-five years ago, on June 9th, our father died of natural causes in my arms. He was buried two weeks later on June 23 rd . Since then, our lives and birthday traditions for our sisters were altered. The second story is that our mother died on Christmas morning (December 25, 2012), humming one of her favorite songs. Similarly, Christmas has never been the same for our family. The above two stories are difficult life situations for our family, but we are adapting each day.

There is empirical evidence indicating that experiencing positive and negative affects concurrently may be ideal in terms of coping with a difficult life situation. In other words, there is a possibility that we can be happy and sad at the same time. We can be afraid and exhilarated at the same time. We can be frustrated and hopeful. We can be timid but courageous enough to do something innovative. We can be disgusted but oddly fascinated. The bottom line is that when these things happen, we are simply perceiving the reality from two different perspectives, and we do have that capacity . In other words, we are employing certain mindfulness by replacing negative feelings with positive feelings.

Sometimes our family can trace the reason why we are feeling sad, irritable, and anxious in June and December. Other times our capacity is diminished and we feel less capable of tracing our feelings. However, we understand that the reasons are not signs of weakness; they are simply the tragicomic stories of human frailty . 
This conference year, we have experienced many personal and communal tragicomic stories of human frailty . We will spare you the pain of listing them here, hoping that you will take the initiative to research those stories and put them into context. As you recall those stories, prepare yourself cognitively for the anniversary reaction.   

The anniversary reaction will create some mixed emotions. So, if you feel afraid, know that you also can feel exhilarated – embrace your fears and elation. If you feel frustrated, strive to be hopeful because you have the capacity. If you feel timid, permit yourself to also be courageous and innovative. If you feel disgusted about the trend of events today, permit yourself to be fascinated and hopeful about the future. Remember that your perception of reality comes from two different perspectives and that you can employ them .

Our district and conference have the unique opportunity and responsibility this conference year to aspire to be the best we can be. Despite COVID-19 and the wave of demonstrations throughout the country, we encourage you not to lose sight of the missional objective of the church. Let us focus on nurturing and cultivating peace and unity by having authentic conversations. Let us maintain a prayerful and devotional presence in places of influence . Let us remain accountable.


Blessings to you!
Charles
From Bishop Lewis
Dear Virginia Annual Conference:
 
I am pleased to inform you that this past Sunday, June 21, we had a successful launch to Stage 2 of our in-person worship program.
 
Thank you to the many dedicated Healthy Church Teams that made this possible and the ongoing work of other teams as you assess when and how to best return to in-person worship. For some churches in the Commonwealth, the most faithful step is to wait before moving to in-person worship and to provide other ways to worship.
 
This past Sunday there were 235 churches in the Conference that had one or more in-person worship services, an increase of nearly 100 from the preceding week. At each church, committed Christian brothers and sisters worked with one another to enable in-person worship. And our hard-working District Superintendents are also working closely with pastors to implement these services.
 
We must continue to emphasize safety when deciding when and how to return to in-person worship and related activities. Thank you for your attention to these matters and for continuing to do the work to build God’s kingdom and make Disciples for Jesus Christ.
 
Peace and Blessings,
Bishop Sharma D. Lewis
Prayer Request
Please be in prayer for District Treasurer Pat McGuckin's new grandson Jacob. He is 3.5 months old and has been admitted to VCU hospital in Richmond with a mass in his ear. He also has a high white cell count, low platelets and hemoglobin, and facial paralysis due to the pressure on his facial nerves from the mass and swelling. The doctors are trying to figure out what is going on with his little body. Please pray for answers and healing.
Fake Emails
Many of our church members are receiving fake emails asking for gift cards, money, etc. The emails look like they're from the church pastor or staff - even have a vaumc in the email address but they are not the correct email address.

Don't be fooled. Your pastor will NEVER contact you via email or text to ask for donations.

Experts say that the crooks are counting on the fact the most churches aren't meeting in person and that people won't check with the pastor. They are targeting all districts.

Be vigilant!


District Churches Open for In-Person and Drive In Services. Please contact Church to register before attending:

In-Person Services:


Bluff Point UMC – Pastor Jack Bailey
2551 Bluff Point Road, Kilmarnock
Service at 11:00am

Carmel/Coles Point Charge – Pastor Bob Gochenour
          Carmel UMC
            5729 Sandy Point Road, Kinsale
           Service at 11:00am
           
           Coles Point UMC
           3944 Coles Point Road, Hague
           Service at 9:30am
           
Caroline Charge – Pastor Mark Lawrence
           Mount Vernon UMC
           21075 Frog Level Road, Ruther Glen
           Service at 9:00am
           
           Saint Paul’s UMC
           25187 Signboard Road, Ruther Glen
           Service at 11:00am
           
Edgewater UMC – Pastor Jon Davis
2152 North Tidwells Road, Montross
Service at 9:30am

Fairfields UMC  – Pastor John Wright
14741 Northumberland Highway, Burgess, VA 22432
Service at 9:30am

Grace Oak Grove– Pastor Michael Liskiewicz
1655 Claymont Road, Oak Grove
Service at 11:00am

Heathsville UMC – Pastor Becca Minor
39 Courthouse Road, Heathsville, VA 22473
Service at 10:00am

Hillcrest UMC - Pastor Justin Williams
2208 Lafayette Blvd. Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Service at 10:30am

Hopewell Caroline UMC – Pastor Lou Woolner 
12018 Guinea Drive, Woodford, VA 22580
Service at 10:00am

Irvington UMC – Pastor Jesse Blythe
26 King Carter Drive, Irvington, VA 22480
Service at 11:00am

Liberty UMC – Pastor Robb Almy
10513 Old Marsh Road, Bealeton
Service at 11:00am

Melrose UMC – Pastor Kathy Gochenour
Melrose Location 1317 Lewisetta Road, Lottsburg, VA 22511
Services at 8:00am at Lewisetta Chapel (Church Lane, Lewisetta, VA)
9:00am (Contemporary in Memorial Hall) 11:00am (Traditional in Sanctuary)

Mila-Wicomico Charge – Pastor Donna Blythe
           Mila UMC
            1690 Mila Road, Heathsville, VA 22473
           Service at 10:00am
           
           Wicomico UMC
             5060 Jessie Dupont Memorial Highway, Heathsville, VA 22473
           Service at 11:15am

Olivet UMC – Pastor Hae Rin Lawson
7676 Stubbs Bridge Road, Spotsylvania VA 22553
Service at 9:00am outside at the Pavilion

Rehoboth Northumberland UMC – Pastor Donna Blythe
126 Shiloh School Road, Kilmarnock, VA 22482
Service at 9:00am

Shiloh UMC – Pastor Jarvis Bailey
22410 Mattaponi Trail, Milford, VA 22514
Service at 9:30am

Tabernacle UMC * – Pastor Jim O’Quinn
7310 – A Old Plank Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407
Service at 10:00am *starts July 5

Wilderness Community UMC – Pastor Brad Phillips
10501 Plank Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22553
Service at 8:30am and 10:30am
 
Drive In Churches:

Andrew Chapel Stafford – Pastor Tom Swingle
COMMUNION Drive-In Service only*
1732 Brooke Road, Brooke
Service at 9:00am
*Starts July 5, 2020

Galilee UMC – Pastor Carl Perez
747 Hull Neck Road, Edwardsville, VA 22456
Service at 11:30am
Service is weather dependent because of flooding risk/check Facebook

McKendree UMC  – Pastor Betty Jo Sims
4347 Manfield Road
Aylett, VA
Service at 9:30am
If inclement weather, will have conference call worship

St. Matthias UMC – Pastor Bert Cloud
426 Deacon Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22405
Service at 9:00am
Apply for website grant from United Methodist Communications
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We will return to the office part-time starting July 6.

Until then, we are working from our homes. To reach Lynn call 804.304.8566. To reach DS Ledlum-Bates, please call 804.724.0202 or through our email addresses:

DS Ledlum-Bates-

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 804-462-7376 (Geri Vick, Worship committee chair) 
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
Feature Heading
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, visit the Virginia Conference website at  www.vaumc.org/jobs


Director of Music Ministry
Regester Chapel UMC is seeking applications for its Director of Music Ministry. The purpose of the Director of Music Ministry is to help musicians and our congregation grow as disciples of Jesus Christ through our worship and music. A Bachelor’s Degree in Music is preferred with previous experience and leadership in Music performance and direction. The candidate must have knowledge of and experience with traditional music and possess the leadership qualities to inspire and lead a Chancel Choir, musicians and the congregation. This is a part-time position. To apply, send a letter of interest and a copy of your current resume to Office@RegesterChapel.org. For more information, contact Barry Dillon, SPRC, Regester Chapel UMC, 85 Bells Hill Rd., Stafford, Virginia, 22554.

  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:

Lay Servant Director: Rev. Kevin Elmore kevinelmore@vaumc.org
Heartwood Director: Rev. Gayle Porias gayleporias@vaumc.org
Crossroads Minister: Rev. Mark Roscoe markroscoe@vaumc.org
Youth Coordinator: TJ Oliver, rrdyouth@vaumc.org
Office Manager: Lynn Manley rappahannockriverdistrict@vaumc.org
Cell 804.304.8566
Administrative Assistant Connie Devenport rappahannockriverdistrict@vaumc.org


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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