Conference Vision: "to be disciples of Jesus Christ who are lifelong learners who influence others to serve." |
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Your monthly news & updates |
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This month's newsletter includes important dates, documents and events around the District. |
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A Message from your District Superintendent |
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Dear Friends,
“Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all day long we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loves us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39)
Will General Conference decisions separate us from the love of Christ? No
Will a pandemic be able to separate us from the love of Christ? No
Will racism be able to separate us from the love of Christ? No
Will protests and riots be able to separate us from the love of Christ? No
Will wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods be able to separate us from the love of Christ? No
Will leaders and rules separate us from the love of Christ? No
Will presidential elections be able to separate us from the love of Christ? No
So, are we trying to blame someone or something else for the state of things?
Am I blaming others for my attitude, my thoughts, my words? Am I seeking God’s grace for me and all others?
Am I using my days and energy for good or harm? Am I examining myself each day in God’s presence?
Are those around me blessed by my presence? Do I spill poison or peace into a space?
If everyone was saying and doing what I am saying and doing, would the church and the world be stronger or weaker?
If everyone was giving to God through their church the percent that I am giving, would the church flourish or fail?
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.” (Psalm 23: 1-3a)
Lord, restore our souls. Lord, remind us that nothing can separate us from your love. Lord, help our lives to be a witness that you are bigger and stronger than any of the challenges that we face. Help us to learn the lessons that you are trying to teach us, even as we continue to run from stepping into the pain, trusting in your promises. Lord, may we choose to live your love, so that the world may know your love in and through our lives. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers…sylvia
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Bishop Sharma Lewis Announcements |
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Bishop Lewis Daily Prayer Invitation |
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Bishop Sharma D. Lewis has issued an invitation to the Virginia Conference to join her at noon every day in praying a prayer she has provided. "Let us invoke the power of the Great Physician to do a mighty work in eradicating this disease all over the world," she writes.
Click here for the invitation and the prayer or see attached.
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Updated statement on online Communion during pandemic |
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September 2-- In a letter released from Bishop Lewis and the Cabinet, an update was shared concerning online Communion during the pandemic. "After considerable deliberation with a diversity of theological perspectives, Bishop Sharma Lewis and the Cabinet of the Virginia Conference offer an updated list of resources and new options for clergy to use within their mission context. In this new version of the work last done April 3, 2020, we now offer the clergy and the churches of the conference an option to develop online communion. If you have questions about this document and the options for communion, please do not hesitate to contact your district superintendent." Read more...
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A Message from your Director of Congregational Excellence |
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Re-Focus your Church on Ministry! |
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Kay Kotan is a nationally known speaker and leader who has helped many churches to reshape their committee set-up and church structure to streamline administration and make more space for ministry. Meetings are not ministry! Let's focus on ministry while making meetings fewer in number but larger in meaning. The Simplified, Accountable Structure Workshop is a deep dive into the why, what, and how to move into this model with both adaptive shifts to help us prioritize mission as well as technical shifts to help us implement the ministries we want to do! Whether you have already move to this model and need to hone your understanding for further implementation or whether you are considering the move, you will find this workshop well worth your investment of time. Topics covered are: who should and should not move into this model, setting up the organizational chart, leadership covenant, guiding principles, the leadership rhythm, and much more!
Kay will be joining us November 21st from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM via Zoom for a joint event with the Richmond District. Churches of all sizes would benefit from considering moving to a simplified, accountable structure, so please mark your calendars now and start recruiting a team from your church to join us. We would love to have the pastor and a few key lay leaders from many of our churches! We believe so strongly in this training that we are offering full scholarships to every church team. Registration is available at tiny.cc/SAStraining. Andrew Book, our Director of Congregational Excellence, is certified to coach churches in the implementation of the Simplified, Accountable Structure and will be available to help churches live into a new way of organizing and focusing on mission. Contact Andrew (andrewbook@vaumc.org) with any questions about either the event or coaching!
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District Seeking Lay Delegates to 2021 Annual Conference |
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The James River District has several openings for District Lay Delegates (including Youth) for the 2021 Annual Conference scheduled in Hampton, VA, on June 17-19, 2021. Nominees must be a member of the United Methodist Church for at least two years preceding their election. They shall have been an active participant in the United Methodist Church for at least four years preceding their election. (This requirement is waived for persons under 30). The James River District will reimburse its Lay Delegates for their Annual Conference expenses up to the amount set by the District Finance Committee. Please submit the attached application to JamesRiverDistrict@vaumc.org no later than October 7th. For further information, please contact Tish Borden at the District Office (804) 732-2538.
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Laity Sunday is scheduled for October 18, 2020, and concludes the quadrennial theme of “Therefore, Go!”
This year’s suggested sermon topic is “Pressing On: Known by Name” based on Exodus 33:12-23.
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The 2020 Lay Servant Academy will be held via Zoom on Saturday, November 14. Three courses are being offered: I Love to Tell the Story, Older Adult Ministries, and Online Worship. Registration may be found at https://na.eventscloud.com/lsa.
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The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (GCSRW) is hosting an online I AM HER Women's Leadership Summit October 8-10, 2020.
This conference is for clergy and lay women to "Coming together to be inspired, be empowered, and to be equipped to do the work both personally, professionally, and within the UMC." The keynote speaker is Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber. The cost is $39 and CEUs are available.
Please see the website below to register or for more details. I hope you will join me at this event! I'm excited! If I can help you in any way, please let me know!
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Virginia United Methodist Advocate archives now posted on Virginia Conference website
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The Virginia United Methodist Advocate, the official newsmagazine of the Virginia Conference, ceased publication in 2019.
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Please Help Our Neighbors! |
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Hurricane Laura struck as a Category 4 hurricane and is now dropping rain inland in places already damaged by multiple spring and summer storms. On its wide and lengthy projected path through the country toward the Northeast, the storm will continue to cause damage and exacerbate living conditions for many as we all contend with staying safe and healthy during the pandemic.
UMCOR-trained volunteers are already preparing to assist people in their community. Your help is needed to provide the tangible items necessary for relief work including personal protection equipment that our volunteers will need to stay healthy.
Please help.
Your gift, today, to U.S. Disaster Response will enable UMCOR to serve people impacted by the catastrophic wind, rain and fire events of this season. We need your help, today.
Please give.
GLOBAL MINISTRIES | UMCOR458 Ponce De Leon Ave, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Have questions? 800.862.4246
To give by check, please send checks payable to Advance GCFA to:
Global Ministries | UMCOR
GPO
P.O. BOX 9068
NEW YORK, NY 10087-9068
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Please check the District Calendar for updated information on postponed events, rescheduling, Pastoral meetings and more!
We will make it through this!
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We will have more events coming soon! |
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ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT POSITION
Hopewell UMC - Chesterfield, VA, is seeking an Administrative Assistant who will report directly to the Pastor. Proficiency in using multiple computer programs required and some accounting experience preferred. Work independently, be well organized, and able to multitask. Perform Financial Secretary duties as directed by the Finance Committee. Maintain schedules for both the Pastor and church activities. Must be able to handle correspondence and communicate well both orally and in writing. Answer the phone, greet visitors, and address the needs of our church family. You will find the full job description here: Administrative Assistant A resume or letter of application must be submitted to: howardgj64@hotmail.com, Attention: S.P.P.R. Committee Chair by 5 p.m. October 2, 2020.
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Awards - Grants - Assistance |
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Revs. Melody and DeWayne Duncan on the birth of their granddaughter, Xyla Dior Armstrong, born September 18, 2020
Tish and Jim Borden on the birth of their first grandchild, Benjamin Sioco Borden, born September 19, 2020.
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Bishop Sharma Lewis & Virginia Annual Conference
The Family of Mary Avery Elder, mother of Rev. Gibby Elder
Rev. Doug Gestwick
Rev. Rich Meiser
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Rev. Sylvia Shepard Meadows, James River District Superintendent
Keith Jordan & Gerry Fuss, Lay Leaders
Tish Borden, Administrative Assistant
Rev. Andrew Book, Director of Congregational Excellence
Ronnika Davis, Communications Coordinator
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