April 22, 2021
Renewal Leave

According to paragraph 420 of the 2016 Book of Discipline, I have requested and received a three-month Renewal Leave. Considering the formative question that the District Alignment Team (DAT) has set before our Conference, how can districts most effectively order themselves for the adaptive challenges of the 21st century?” I find it prudent to take this time away from ministry to have some introspection on how to effectively lead two districts beginning July 1, 2021.

During this time, I intend to “make space” for God to bring renewal. In so doing, I intend to focus on three areas of health. They are physical, emotional, and spiritual health. These three specific areas do not work in isolation of each other; they are mutually connected.    
 
I intend to take the first two months of my Renewal Leave beginning May 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021. However, I will return for Annual Conference on June 18th and 19th, 2021. I will then resume my Renewal Leave on June 20, 2021, and return to the office on July 1, 2021, to begin the Conference Year.

The third month of my Renewal Leave is August 2021. I intend to travel to Liberia and return to the office on September 1, 2021. While in Liberia, I will be conducting a Trauma Healing Seminar. After several years of civil war in Liberia, trauma is still prevalent among the population. As a trained counselor, therapist, and psychologist, I want to “pay it forward” as a native of Liberia. Thus, I will be returning to train religious and community leaders on “The Role of Religious and Community Leaders in Addressing the Challenges of Trauma in the Liberian Society.” While I am away in May and June, DS Mickle and DS Calvert will be on call for the Rappahannock River District (RRD) respectively. In August, DS Kim will be on call for York River and RRD. Please email or call the district office before reaching out to the DS's on call. We want to ensure the continuity of our work and maintain a semblance of our uniqueness during this time.

The rhythm of the Conference, the Nation, and our Global Communities are disturbed and traumatized by many human-made tragedies and other tragedies by no fault of our own. For example, we witnessed the January 6th insurrection. There is continued social unrest and killings of ethnic minorities. COVID-19 continues to be a challenge. Food shortages across the globe are contributing to starvation. The strained humanitarian conditions across the globe are noteworthy. Conflicts and famine are contributing to deaths. And the threat to peace and stability is more prevalent. Not to mention the postponement of the General Conference and the uncertainties of the United Methodist Church. Each of the above events breaks my heart. And so I am entering my renewal leave with lament.

However, no matter what comes at us, we have the capacity to deal with it. It is what we find within us to weather the storm that matters. Character and perseverance are two elements we often find when things come at us. So, I encourage us to exercise these virtues. Many people feel tired and neglected. Some are worried and need moral and emotional support. Others are crying and lamenting the innocent death of loved ones at the hands of those who are supposed to protect them. Some are praying for their loved ones to return home safely from work. Some are mourning the death of loved ones due to COVID-19. Others are celebrating accomplishments.

I celebrate with all those who celebrate. But I also lament with those who lament. I will be seeking restoration for the journey (Lamentations 5:21). I will be seeking a clean heart and a steadfast spirit (Psalm 51:10). I will be seeking true knowledge (Colossians 3:10). I will have each of you in my heart (Galatians 5;14; Psalm 93:4; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; Proverbs 4:23; 1 John 4:7). Please know that we serve a God that blesses us. Each of us is a relevant part of our Rappahannock River District community. Let us embrace the challenges that are before us. Each day is a gift. Let us share the gift of ourselves with family and friends that surround us. Thanks for your support of our shared ministry.

Blessings to you!
Charles
What is ministry going to look like as we move out of the pandemic?

Join a live webinar event hosted by the Back to In-person Worship Work Group (led by the Rev. Alex Joyner) and Mission and Ministries Work Group (led by the Rev. Doug Forrester) on Monday, April 26, 2021 at 7 p.m. to learn more.

Bishop Lewis and members of the work groups will offer a progress report and announce some new developments. Clergy, Healthy Church Team (HCT) members, and lay members of the Virginia Conference are invited to join this event.

The event will be streamed live on the VAUMC Facebook page (www.facebook.com/vaumconf) on Monday, April 26, at 7 p.m.
 
Annual Conference members are invited to participate in a short survey before the webinar starts. Survey link: https://forms.gle/c6TGCeikjNrW8My58.
 
The In-person Worship Work Group and Mission & Ministries Work Group thank you for your commitment to continuing to be a church together!
How You can Help!
Although All God's Children Camp will be canceled this summer, we will be reaching out and ministering with our camp families by sending resources and care packages. If you would like to get involved check out the list below.  
 
Care Package List: All packages are due by June 1
Jump rope
Hand size nerf ball of your choice
Sidewalk chalk
Crayons
Activity paper/construction paper
Kids puzzle book/workbook/coloring books
Individual size snacks of your choice-no chocolate candy or peanuts 
$25.00 grocery gift card
 
You or a group of people can put together one or more care packages for our All God's Children Camp campers. You may also send monetary donations to the address below to help support this ministry. If you live in the Richmond area, contact Lori Smith at lttlelori@gmail.com to make arrangements for delivery. If you live outside the Richmond area, please mail care packages to:
 
Virginia United Methodist Conference Center
All God's Children Camp
10330 Staples Mill Rd.
Glen Allen, VA 23060
Attention Church History Contacts
The Conference Archives is looking for anyone who has had experience in setting up a History room or Archives for their church. Please contact Stephanie Davis, Conference Archivist, so that your expertise can be used to help churches that are just beginning the process of organizing their records and setting up a History room. 
If you can help, contact Stephanie Davis, VAUMC Archives, stephaniedavis@vaumc.org
804-521-1132
Upcoming Meetings
 (via Zoom)

April 28 - Connectional Ministries Mtg.
April 29 - District Finance Meeting

IMPORTANT CHANGE - "KITS FOR CONFERENCE" Effort  
I
The pandemic has affected the operations of the United Methodist Committee on Relief, UMCOR. UMCOR hasn’t been able to process new kits or to ship their existing kits overseas as usual. So UMCOR is asking that conferences NOT make hygiene, school, or cleaning kits this year. 
Churches and UMWs are being asked to devote their kit-making energies to ministries and non-profits in their local communities. Do you have a feeding ministry or a ministry to the homeless in your community? Perhaps your local public school system would appreciate the same sort of “kits” that your church has traditionally made. NO KITS will be accepted as part of this year’s (virtual) Annual Conference. Questions may be addressed to Rev. David Magruder at davidmagruder@vaumc.org.
Get Involved at the Conference Level!
The Conference Nominations Team is tasked with finding those who are interested in serving on conference boards and agencies. If you are interested in serving, please complete a Nomination Profile form (see red button below for link to conference page). You'll find the nomination profile form to complete and descriptions of each committee's work.

Vacancies:

1. Common Table, 1 lay
2. Board of Church and Society, 1 clergy
3. Board of Discipleship, 1 lay
4. Youth Council, 1 person, clergy or lay
5. Older Adult Council, 1 person, clergy or lay
6. Communications, 2 lay
7. Disabilities, 1 clergy, 1 lay
8. Equitable Comp, 1 clergy
9. CEMCA, 1 lay 
10. CFA, 1 laywoman
11. Trustees, 1 clergy


If you'd like to be considered for a vacancy, please complete a nomination profile form and return to rappahannockriverdistrict@vaumc.org or mail to PO BOX 100, Ladysmith, VA 22501. (They have extended the deadline indicated on the website.) If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Conference Leadership & Development Team Representative, Rev. Bert Cloud at bertcloud@vaumc.org.

Thank you!

Upcoming Deadlines
Clergy Evaluations Due June 1
Parsonage Reviews Due May 3
Scholarship Applications Due May 17
Virtual Lay Servant Training
The Rappahannock River District is pleased to offer another virtual training session this May!

We will offer the following classes on ZOOM:

Basic 
UM Polity 
Leading Worship

The classes will be held via Zoom on May 1,8, and 15 from 8:30am - 12:00pm noon. You must attend all 3 sessions to receive credit for the class. The classes are open to all districts.

Please see the attached flyer with more information. If you have any questions, please contact our Director of Lay Servant Ministries, Pastor Kevin Elmore at kevinelmore@vaumc.org.
Job Opening
Regester Chapel UMC in Stafford is seeking a Director of Music Ministry. Please click here for a complete job description.
District Scholarship Applications Now Available
 
In keeping with our tradition of supporting higher learning, the Rappahannock River District (RRD) of the United Methodist Church has created a Student Scholarship Program. The program is maintained and administered by the RRD and is not connected with any other United Methodist board, agency, or entity. Please see the guidelines & intructions and applications below.
Deadline is May 17, 2021.
 
  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 conniedevenport@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)