Availability To Serve

The LORD’s messenger appeared to him and said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior!” (Judges 6:12 ff., CEB).

Last October, we launched the District Initiative (DI). The DI is a vision that captures a new and revitalized purpose to discover, develop and employ fervent partnership opportunities between laity and clergy that enrich our connection.

For the past six months, leaders of the Rappahannock River and York River Districts have come together to formulate plans to achieve the goal of creating the proposed new district. During this time, we had five Listening Posts to inform clergy and laity about the goal and objectives of the District Initiative (DI) and to solicit their feedback. We created an organizational chart to show the function and flow of the proposed new district. We also created sub-groups that included the Board of Missions, Board of Ordained Ministry, Finance, Trustees, Building and Location, and Committee on Superintendency (COS). The COS is responsible for discussing preliminary staffing matters. We also created a sub-group to explore a name for the proposed new district. Each sub-group has reported its findings. We will reconvene the larger workgroup shortly, incorporate the feedback in our work, and produce a final proposal for distribution.

The final proposal will represent a cross-section of both districts. These individuals have worked extremely hard. They have answered some challenging questions. Yet, other questions remain. But just as we have worked through challenges, we will not be deterred. We will discover a path forward. When we put our differences aside and explore ministry options together, we will prevail. Let us, therefore, exercise tolerance, civility, and patience. Let us contribute creative ideas and collaborate. That is the beauty of our connection when clergy and laity collaborate.

The DI is an effort to build on the foundation of these connections, partnerships, collaboration, creativity, and innovation. This effort will also expand our capacity to engage each other and reach our communities. Both clergy and laity have shown great resilience, and I believe that we can continue with a similar spirit. Our spirits connect with faith. And if our faith is anchored in an active relationship with the LORD, we will move forward in a shared ministry that transforms lives.

Any ministry that transforms should be a welcome gesture. "Let us be sold for the kingdom" (Lewis, 2022). God is looking for those who are available to just do the next thing! The next thing for us is the District Initiative (DI). The DI requires the availability of all clergy and laity. I am not calling upon us to be right in everything we do. I am calling us to be active participants and effective leaders (Eberhardt, 2022). Rather than being a critic of the DI, I invite you to support it. Your contribution is valuable. When there is an argument or disagreement within our family, we do not abandon our family. We do not speak evil about our family. We often express our feelings but rejoin our family. We are inviting everyone to be a part of this experience. Each of you is a gift to my leadership, our district, and our Conference. I envision us as a huge family tree of faith. Because we come from divergent backgrounds, persuasions, and professions, we make a talented and effective team that can accomplish the work of the DI. 

Blessings to you,

Charles

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

Guidelines and Applications for the 2022 RRD Scholarship Program are now available.  

The firm deadline for applications to be received in the district office is May 16, 2022 at 4:00pm.

The Rappahannock River District is pleased to announce our Spring Lay Servant

Training Classes. These classes will be held via ZOOM and are open to all districts.

The classes will be divided into 3 consecutive Saturdays (April 30, May 7, May 14) from 8:30 am - 12:00 pm.  

Classes include: 



• Basic: Lay Servant Ministries led by Mr. Bob Pickett
• Advanced: Spiritual Gifts led by Rev. Larry Jent
• Advanced: Purposeful Engagement: Reaching Boomers and Beyond led by Ms. Martha Stokes
• Advanced: Teaching Biblical Faith—Leading Small Group Bible Studies led by Rev. Nilse Furtado-Gilliam
• Advanced: Opening Ourselves to Grace led by Rev. Linda Ray

• The cost is $15 and the Registration Deadline is April 25, 2022  

Please click here for the registration form. You can register by mailing in the registration form with a check or clicking here to register and pay online.

Questions? Please contact our RRD Director of Lay Servant Ministries, Jenn Robinson O’Brien at 540.295.9912 or the Rappahannock River District Office at 804.448.8326.  

All God's Children Camp needs mentors!

All God's Children Camp is underway in planning and registering campers as we speak. Now we are looking for mentors to volunteer a week of their time. We need you to help make it possible for kids to come enjoy a week of camp and engage in all that camp life has to offer. Please consider joining us. This is a great way for groups such as Sunday School groups, Sr. High youth groups or other small groups to be in mission together. So grab a group of your friends and join us! For more information contact Lori Smith at lttlelori@gmail.com or 571-245-9591. Click the link below for more camp details and to register as a mentor.

www.vaumc.org/agcc/

Now Hiring at three District churches:

Tabernacle UMC in Fredericksburg, Virginia has an immediate need for a Child Care/Nursery Care worker to care for children in the church nursery on Sunday mornings and during special events. The Sunday morning hours are 9:15 am to 11:30 am. 

Interested persons must meet VA state and TUMC Child Protection Policy requirements.

For further information and full job description, please contact Pastor Ted Smith at TedSmith@vaumc.org.

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Dahlgren UMC (DUMC) has immediate need for an Nursery Attendant meeting or able to meet VA State and Church Child Protection Policy requirements for paid child care staff. 

 This is a permanent, part-time, hourly-wage position to care for young children, ages infant-to-Pre-K, placed in the nursery during church services and special events.

Details of requirements of the position are posted on the Church Web Site. 

Questions or expressions of interest can also be directed to the Church Office by phone: 540-663-2230 or email to office@dahlgrenumc.org. 

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White Stone UMC seeks Administrative Assistant:

White Stone UMC, White Stone, VA, is seeking a dynamic part-time self-starter for 20 hours a week with a flexible work schedule possible. Responsible for administration of church office providing clerical support to Pastor, staff, and membership. Computer skills required: Microsoft Office and databases. For application and job description visit https://whitestoneumc.org/employment-opportunity/

This position is also posted on the Virginia Conference website at www.vaumc.org/jobs

Fredericksburg UMC Presents Handel's Messiah

Rehearsals are ongoing, on Wednesday nights at FUMC, 7 PM for any interested singers (we’d love to have more). Contact Director – David Kirven music@fumcva.org

Spring Community Block Party

Spring Community Block Party on Saturday, April 2, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Regester Chapel United Methodist Church, 106 Regester Chapel Road, Stafford, VA 22554

Raindate will be Saturday, April 9, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Join us for food, fun, games, Stafford County Sheriff's Department K-9 demonstrations, a Stafford County Fire Department firetruck, petting zoo, model train display and so much more. We will also be offering pet blessings to anyone who brings their pet.