District Newsletter

May 19, 2022

With the further postponement of the General Conference session to 2024, Virginia Conference clergy and lay members have questions. What does this mean for the mission of the church and my local church? What does this mean for ongoing questions concerning the full inclusion of persons who are LGBTQ+ in the church? What is “disaffiliation”?


You are invited to a conference-wide presentation of current information on topics including General Conference and disaffiliation from the denomination on Tuesday, May 31 at 7 p.m.


This Zoom webinar will feature members of Team Jeremiah: the Rev. Denise Bates, the Rev. Tom Berlin, Mrs. Martha Stokes, the Rev. Derrick Parson, and the Rev. Kyungsuk Cho.


Questions will be accepted following the presentation through Zoom chat. The presentation will be recorded for later viewing as well.


Register for the meeting at this link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_O9sAlY6RQ42f9EeXh2p0EA


Similar presentations have been offered at the district level this spring by members of Team Jeremiah, a group created by Bishop Sharma D. Lewis in the fall of 2021. The group’s purpose is to develop and implement proactive strategies for the Virginia Annual Conference to help address the uncertainties surrounding the General Conference session.


You can read more about Team Jeremiah in the 2022 Book of Reports now available on the conference website or visit https://vaumc.org/teamjeremiah/.


For questions about this event, please email communications@vaumc.org


Annual Conference Orientation Meeting Moved


Please note that the date for the Annual Conference Orientation Zoom meeting has been moved again - to June 1, 2022.  Church and District Lay Members to Annual Conference should have received a notice with a link to register for the meeting. If not, please click here to contact Lynn.

We need your help! 


Hosting the Annual Conference requires a large number of volunteers, and the York River district is in need of our support. You don't have to be a Lay Member to come volunteer for a little while.  It's a great way to visit the Annual Conference, see old friends and make new ones!


The Rev. Charles Ledlum-Bates, district superintendent, is asking pastors and laity in leadership positions to solicit volunteers from congregations to help the annual conference sessions run smoothly.


Lisa Jones, the York River District Administrator, has put together a Sign-up Genius to help facilitate the process. The Sign-up Genius will also help volunteers see where to share their gifts.  

 

Here are the links to the Sign Up Genius pages:


Registration    https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B054CAFA923A5F94-2022

Ushers             https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B054CAFA923A5F94-20221

Platform          https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B054CAFA923A5F94-20222

 

And the most fun one of all!   Driving a Golf Cart to help people get to and from their cars!  

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b054cafa923a5f94-acgolf


Questions may be directed to Lisa at YorkRiverDistrict@vaumc.org

We are excited to announce that the Annual Conference Cans and Kits collection will continue this year! We are thankful for this opportunity of serving together.


The collections will all take place before Conference.  Lay Members will NOT take those items to Conference;


Cans, Local Food and Community Items: Your local church will specify dates and needed items for local ministries. 


Kit Collection: The emphasis is on Cleaning and Hygiene kits this year.  We will have 3 drop off sites across the district.


UMCOR Cleaning and Hygiene Kits Drop-Off Locations:


  • North Part of District

          Trinity UMC, 9280 Old Dumfries Rd, Catlett

        Collection: Saturday, June 11, 10 AM - 12 Noon; any day by appointment

  • Central Part of District

           Fredericksburg UMC, 308 Hanover Street, Fredericksburg

Collection: Kits and Diapers (Size 3 - 6) from June 1st thru 12th,    Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm/Sundays 11:00 am - 12:00 PM


  • South Part of District

           McKendree UMC, 4347 Manfield Road, Manquin

ollection: June 11 from 10-Noon or contact Rev. Betty Jo Sims: 804-839-2769; email: BettyJoSims@vaumc.org


Instructions to pack UMCOR Kits



For additional information such as transportation/toothpaste cost donations or sending funds instead of kits, please visit these sites:


www.vaumc.org/collecting    


www.vaumc.org/acmission 


Thank you for supporting this ministry.

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All God's Children Camp is happening and we need your help! We still need 8 more mentors for each week of camp:

June 19-June 24 Camp Chanco on the James (Richmond area)

July 24-July 29 Occohannock on the Bay (Eastern Shore)August 14-August 19 Camp Chanco on the James (Richmond area)

Come join us for a week of camp with some amazing kids! Without you, camp will not be possible! PM me for more details or check out the website at https://vaumc.org/agcc/


AFTON UMW MEMORIAL DAY BAKE SALE

ALLISON’S ACE HARDWARE

Saturday, May 28th from 9 AM ‘til 12:00 Noon


Afton United Methodist Women will hold a bake sale at Allison’s Ace Hardware, Rt. 360 in Lottsburg, on Saturday, May 29th, from 9:00 AM ‘til 12:00 noon. All funds raised will benefit the missions of the Afton UMW. The group supports numerous local missions, such as The Haven, along with many other worthwhile causes. 


There will be an abundance and variety of delicious breads, cakes, pies, cobblers, cookies, cupcakes, and other concoctions to treat all your family. Plan to get there early to secure your favorite treats. Please mark your calendars and plan to stop by Allison’s on the 28th to pick up all your favorite goodies for Memorial Day Observations. This is a great opportunity to Exercise your Green Thumb at Allison’s and Satisfy your Taste Buds at Afton UMW’s baked goods sale out front! 


United Methodist Mens' Breakfast


Please Register for this very Important meeting and Breakfast. Please share this with your congregations and UMM Fellowships.

  • Event Name: VA Conference United Methodist Men's Breakfast
  • Date/Time: June 17, 2022, 7:00 AM
  • Location: Bethany United Methodist Church, 1509 Todd’s Lane, Hampton VA 23666
  • Registration: Email David Collins, djcoll@icloud.com, 757-434-9393
  • Cost: $14.00 Suggested Donation
  • Payment: Cash or Check At The Door





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 an immediate need for a 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 the 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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CONTACT INFORMATION


WWW.RAPPAHANNOCKRIVERDISTRICT.ORG


District Superintendent: Rev. Charles F. Ledlum-Bates, Ph.D.

DS Email:  rappahannockriverds@vaumc.org


District Director of Connectional Ministry: Rev. James G. O’Quinn, DMin  

DCM Email: jimoquinn@vaumc.org

 

2022 District Co-Lay Leaders:

David Berry david.w.berry1@gmail.com

Judy Craun judykcva@gmail.com


Lay Servant Director: Ms. Jennifer Robinson O'Brien 

fxbcryptkeeper@gmail.com


Youth Coordinator: TJ Oliver, rrdyouth@vaumc.org


Office Manager: Lynn Manley

 rappahannockriverdistrict@vaumc.org


Administrative Assistant Connie Devenport 

conniedevenport@vaumc.org


Check out all UMM News at Beacon Newsletter & Notices | VAUMC


Check out all UMW News at https://www.vaumw.com/



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)