In my devotion this morning, I focused on Psalm 34. This Psalm is one of my favorite biblical passages. I may have said this to you before, and if I did, please pretend that you are reading this for the first time.
Each morning during my devotion, I do four things, using the acronym ACTS. First, I acknowledge the LORD. Second, I confess my sins. Third, I offer thanksgiving to the LORD. And fourth, I pray a prayer of supplication. For the past two years, I added two elements to my prayer. First, I pray that I may do something that glorifies the LORD. Second, I pray that in glorifying the LORD, may I be a blessing to someone. I do the latter two things because as a redeemed and delivered sinner, I owe my allegiance to the LORD in bringing others to salvation.
In Psalm 34, David expresses similar allegiance to the LORD as one who has experienced the LORD’s goodness. He, therefore, praises the LORD and invites his audience to do likewise. Friends, to know the LORD is not enough. To think about the LORD’s attributes and goodness is not enough. Knowing the LORD means one must acknowledge the LORD's presence and share it with others.
David extends the invitation to listen and rejoice; to lift the name of the LORD up high. I extend a similar invitation to you. Amid our challenges, let us not forget to call on the name of the LORD. Remember, David sought the LORD and found an answer. He was delivered. And so, he invites us to try the LORD who listens, saves, protects, and delivers. He summons us to take refuge in the LORD. Let us follow his example and bring our petitions to the LORD and listen, for the LORD hears us.
Through this scripture, David invites us to do good, seek peace, and pursue it. If you are in search of peace and feel broken, know that the LORD is close to the brokenhearted. The LORD saves crushed spirits. The LORD protects those that are vulnerable. Let today be your day of a new beginning. Speak into existence that you are redeemed. Speak into existence that you will have peace. Speak into existence that you are freed. Speak into existence that you are cleansed. Speak into existence that you are changed. Speak into existence that you are favored. Speak into existence that you are delivered.
I encourage each of us to act and speak in ways that allow others to appreciate the presence of the LORD. Let us bless the LORD. Let us praise and rejoice in the LORD so that the unchurched can see us and hopefully be delivered from the bondage of sin.
As we prepare to commemorate 911, let us pray for the peace of our nation, the Afghan people, our men and women, and their families, those who are separated from us by death, and for our global community. The LORD we serve delivers, and I am sure that we can count on that.
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Our District Conference will be Sunday, November 14 at 2:00 pm via ZOOM. More details to come!
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Nominations Committee Begins Work for 2022 |
Please be in prayer for members of the District Nominations Committee as they begin to fill the slate of District Positions for 2022. We've listed the members below.
If you're interested in serving on a District Committee or Position, please contact one of these folks or email Lynn at the District Office.
Charles Ledlum-Bates
Terry Bain
Dave Berry
Bert Cloud
Penny Kelly
Bob Pickett
Robb Almy
Sandra Hooks
Deb Myers
Peggy Clark
Audrey Lowery
Debbie Messick
Connie Devenport
Bryan McClain
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We are seeking nominations for District Lay Members to the 2022 Annual Conference (June 16 – 18, 2022 in Hampton).
We will accept nominations by email or mail. Since our District Conference will be virtual, we will vote on the ballot as a whole – not on individual nominees. We will put the first 19 eligible nominees received on the ballot. The next 7 eligible nominees received will be listed as alternates. Any additional nominations received after this first 26 and any nominated during our District Conference will be added to the alternate list.
Pastors and laity are urged to submit names for nomination to the District Office no later than November 1, 2021. If you are nominating someone else, please be sure to obtain your nominee’s permission prior to filling out this form.
The form should be emailed to rappahannockriverdistrict@vaumc.org or mailed to PO BOX 100, Ladysmith, VA 22501. Never mail anything to the street address.
Please note that to be elected as a District Lay Member, a person must have been a member of the United Methodist Church for the 2 years preceding their election and shall have been an active participant in the United Methodist Church for at least 4 years preceding their election. This requirement may be waived for nominees under 30 years of age (contact the DS for approval).
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Many of you have asked about Jacob McGuckin, grandson of District Treasurer Pat McGuckin. Here's the latest update:
Jacob started his maintenance chemo this summer and is tolerating it great. His external chemo port was removed and changed to an internal port (no more IV tubing hanging out of his body). His feeding tube is in the process of being downsized and removed. This means that Jacob was able to play in bath water for the first time that he can remember! Blood counts are now much better, and he is still in remission. We see God's presence every day and appreciate all of your prayers. Please keep the prayers coming.
Thank you so much!
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Rappahannock River District offering fall virtual Lay Servant Training |
The Rappahannock River District is pleased to offer another Virtual Lay Servant Training this fall. These classes will be held via Zoom and are open to all districts.
The classes will be held on consecutive Saturdays (September 18, 25, & October 2). The classes offered include:
- Basic (8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.)
- United Methodist Heritage (1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
- Called to Preach (8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.)
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Registration should be submitted no later than September 13, 2021. Learn more...
Lay Servant Training is a leadership development program for any and all laity in the UMC. It can help anyone who is interested in learning more in their pursuit of being a better leader and servant for Christ’s church. If you are a Lay Servant, you must attend the ENTIRE course in order to receive credit for certification or recertification. Recertification is required every three years for both Certified Lay Servants and Certified Lay Speakers.
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Westview Summer Camp Recap |
“I feel more closer to God...”
-Berke, 9, Hogan 3
Of all the thousands of words that our two boys used to describe their week at camp, those six were the sweetest to my ears. Thank you, Westview, for giving our children the most fun and memorable and meaningful week of summer camp. What a perfect ending to summer for our family...
This message from a parent made my heart glad, because it exemplifies what we strive for at Westview, to point people to Jesus! Not only were we able to have camp this summer, but we had many packed weeks, with kids eager to return to camp and friends that they have sorely missed. Despite all of the challenges, we had 1,084 campers come to Westview this summer. It was also a privilege to see hundreds of those campers enter into a relationship with Jesus, as well as many more deepen their faith in Christ! We have truly seen God show up in powerful ways over the past few months.
We knew 2021 would bring its challenges as well as successes, and I am proud to say that our leaders rose to the occasion and did an outstanding job keeping things running to a high standard this summer. Our campers had a wonderful experience, and childrens’ lives were changed forever because of their time here with us. One of our leaders even confided that despite the challenges, this was the best summer he’s ever had! We still face challenges ahead, and we need your prayers and support, but I am confident that God will be faithful to guide us through every hurdle as we continue to lead Westview into a bright future to bless many campers in the coming years.
In Christ,
--
Bobby Boyd
Director
Westview on the James
804.457.4210
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Love, Learn & Lead - UMMen Webinar |
Please plan to join the VA Conference UMMen on Tuesday evening, September 7, 2021 from 6:30 PM EDT, for a Love, Learn, and Lead webinar on mission opportunities and a conversation with the Rev. Seungsoo “RJ” Jun, Associate Director of Serving for the Virginia Conference.
The Serving Ministries office of the Virginia Conference focuses primarily on mission and justice opportunities. Please contact the Rev. Seungsoo “RJ” Jun at (804) 521-1137 or serving@vaumc.org with questions you may have about missions in the Virginia Conference prior to the webinar.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 898 2460 7164
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Meeting ID: 898 2460 7164
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The Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2021-2022 grant awards. Please visit https://vaumfoundation.org/about-us/grants/ for an application, guidelines for each type of grant and instructions on how to submit a completed application package. Deadline to submit an application is October 31, 2021. Questions? Email us at foundationgrants@vaumc.org.
804-521-1121
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Special and Sustaining Grant Applications for 2022 |
SPECIAL PROGRAM GRANTS are designed for programs outside of normal conference and local church funding processes. They are intended to provide funding for the first three years of innovative programs of tangible and caring outreach that is beyond a local church’s current financial resources.
SUSTAINING PROGRAM GRANTS are designed for programs outside of normal conference and local church funding processes. They are intended to provide funding for the sustaining of innovative programs of tangible and caring outreach that is beyond a local church’s current financial resources. They are for churches of all ethnic groups and should help the church requesting the funding to relate to the ethnic groups within its community.
The purpose of these grants is to encourage churches of all ethnic groups to move from an emphasis on self-care to an emphasis on reaching out to the local community in the name of Christ. In every ethnic group, vital and creative outreach ministries by United Methodist churches produce vital, self-sufficient, and growing local churches. Because it is important that outreach ministries have the support of the whole church, the church council or other appropriate body must approve the project prior to submission for a grant request.
These grants are for program expenses and not for building projects. Program expenses would include “consumables” necessary to facilitate a particular ministry and only under the most unusual of circumstances include salaries or compensation for workers or coordinators of the ministries beyond the local church.
Normally, a project will not be funded for more than three years. All local church programs should strive for self-sufficiency within the three-year period. Funding is paid in the month following each quarter and is contingent upon the receipt of satisfactory quarterly reports from the project. If a quarterly report is not received, the next payment cannot be made. Please note that no application will be considered without the District Superintendent’s approval and signature. Applications are available below. They are due in the Office of Connectional Ministries by November 1. Questions may be directed to Bev Myers at BevMyers@vaumc.org
Applications are due in the Office of Connectional Ministries by October 15, 2021.
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Click anywhere on flyer for more information on Bible Land Exploration Trip |
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Congregational Care Pastor |
Fredericksburg United Methodist Church is seeking a part-time, congregational care pastor to work as part of a team within our congregational care staff. This position is open to qualified candidates from a denominational background that can work within the Wesleyan theological tradition. This position has been previously filled by bi-vocational pastors, so a flexible schedule can be discussed. Job description available upon request. Candidates must send a cover letter and resume to: pastorgina@fumcva.org or contact the lead church pastor, Rev. Gina Anderson-Cloud at 540-373-9021, ext. 104.
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Eastland UMC in Fredericksburg is looking to hire a part time custodian starting immediately. Pay is $75/week. A job description is available from the Rev. Bob Gochenour at bobgochenour@vaumc.org.
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Regester Chapel UMC in Stafford is seeking a Director of Music Ministry. Please click here for a complete job description. |
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CONTACT INFORMATION
District Superintendent: Rev. Charles F. Ledlum-Bates, Ph.D.
2020 District Co-Lay Lay Leader:
2020 District Co-Lay Leader:
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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