In the story of the miraculous feeding of 5000 plus people, Jesus tells his disciples to “feed them.” This is his response when the disciples bring their concern to him about the lack of food and their insufficient resources. “Send them away Jesus, so they can get their own food.” Jesus doesn’t take their suggestion and instead directs the disciples to feed the people. “How can we?” they cry, “All we have is this meager amount of bread and fish!” Jesus takes their small, insufficient resources and multiplies them so that the people are fed and there is more left over.

In times like these we may feel our resources are insufficient and they are.

In faith we trust that the Lord will provide and people will be fed. During our planning for the summer food distribution, the Heartwood Center volunteers weren’t sure if we would be able to hold the distributions. In March, the pre-packaged lunches, breakfasts and snacks were not available in the quantities we needed. Visits to grocery stores brought views of empty shelves. On-line ordering yielded scant quantities of food. Like the disciples standing before Jesus with our few fish and five loaves, we weren’t sure if we would be able to provide food for the children in the Fauquier, Stafford, Spotsylvania and Caroline Counties.

We encouraged each other to pray in faith, watching and listening for direction. In three of the four counties, we have been able to hold food distributions this summer. We made new connections with other non-profit community groups and discovered the gaps in the summer feeding programs. The meager quantities of food that we were able to find multiplied into enough food to provide food for almost 200 children.

We are being asked to continue the distributions for children living in motels through the fall. If you would like to support this effort by providing food or monetary donations, please contact Rev. Gayle Porias at gayleporias@vaumc.org or 703.980.1029 to donate food or send monetary donations to The Heartwood Center, P.O. Box 187, Hartwood, VA 22471.

2020 Virginia Annual Conference will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2020, in a virtual format. Additional details regarding timing, agenda and procedures will be forthcoming. Thank you for your patience and understanding as the Planning Team continues to coordinate the many facets of conducting Annual Conference, especially in this unusual time.

For more information on the Annual Conference Offering, Kits for Conference, Appointments, and the Ordination Service, CLICK HERE.

On August 3, Bishop Lewis announced modest changes to the In-Person Worship Protocols and the Technical Assistance Manual (TAM) was updated.  All current information is available at www.vaumc.org/return.

A plan endorsed by your Healthy Church Team must be submitted to the District Office for review and approval by the District Superintendent two weeks prior to beginning. Reopening plans fit into four categories- EACH category needing a plan submitted and approved:

Bishop Lewis shared a two part video conversation with Dr. George Moxley, VCU Health, on the continuing work Virginia United Methodists must do to manage the effects of COVID-19. (Part one) and Part Two of the video interview.

Budgeting for 2021 can be more challenging than usual. The Virginia United Methodist Foundation team has put together resources to help local churches as they begin to look ahead. A recorded presentation, as well as templates, documents, and other helpful resource links, can be found at: https://vaumfoundation.org/budgeting-for-2021-resources/

White Stone UMC is having an ONLINE auction to fund building maintenance, youth camp and computer purchases. The auction will be August 17 - August 23.

To “join” the auction, go to:  http://bigredauctions.hibid.com .

Note that pictures won't be up until August 17. They aren't accepting any additional donations for this auction.

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. 

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 15^th.

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

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

For a job description, contact our Music Director, David Kirven at: davidkirven@fumcva.org. Resume and video recording required.