Bishop Kammerer to join Candler faculty after retirement
After her retirement from the active episcopacy in the fall of 2012, Bishop Charlene Kammerer will join the faculty of Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, Atlanta. She will serve as bishop-in-residence from January 2013 to 2016. As bishop-in-residence, Kammerer will teach, mentor students and act as a key resource for spiritual formation. More ... .
ANNUAL CONFERENCE ORIENTATION for clergy and lay members attending conference will be held Saturday, June 4th, 9:00-10:30 a.m., Lower UMC. If there is any change in your lay member who will be attending, please contact the district office immediately.
UPDATE ON JAPAN
Relief needs in Japan and elsewhere related to the March 11 earthquake and tsunami is the focus of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), which is in contact with partners in the region, according to Melissa Crutchfield, UMCOR executive for international disaster response.
The Rev. Cynthia Fierro Harvey, UMCOR’s top executive, urged prayers for those affected by the disaster. “Once again, in the wake of disaster and in the face of widespread need, we rely on the ever-expansive generosity of United Methodists and all people of goodwill to help us respond to those whose lives have suddenly been turned upside down,” she said. More ...
Donations can be made to Pacific Emergency, UMCOR Advance #3021317.
Bishop names three new superintendents
Howard |
Bishop Charlene Kammerer has announced members of her Cabinet for 2011-2012, which will include three new faces, a reduction from 18 to 16 districts, and new names and new boundaries for several districts.
Smith |
The Rev. Janine Howard will be Danville District superintendent. The Rev. Ted Smith will become superintendent of the new Fredericksburg District. The Rev. Bob Parks will become Farmville District superintendent.
Parks |
The Rev. John Vest, currently Portsmouth District superintendent, will become James River District superintendent. The Rev. Joseph D. Carson, current Rappahannock District superintendent, will become York River District superintendent.The Rev. Brad Phillips will remain superintendent of the area which is currently called the Norfolk District but will be renamed the Elizabeth River District. More ...
VA Annual Conference, June 15-19, The Civic Center, Roanoke, VA
The Conference Offering—Goal of $200,000.00
¨ Mozambique-Leadership Development/Living Well Society - 50,000.00
¨ Brazil - Shade and Fresh Water/John Wesley Medical Boat - $50,000.00
¨ Agape Christian Children’s Community Center, Inc., Eastern Shore - $50,000.00
¨ Shalom Zone:Grace Ministries, Roanoke - $50,000.00
KITS FOR CONFERENCE — The 2011 Virginia Conference kit collection is being conducted to replenish the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) supply. UMCOR’s Sager Brown Depot reports there is a need for all types of kits. Local churches are encouraged to collect items for any of the following most requested UMCOR kits and bring them to Annual Conference for delivery:
Health Kits, (NOTE: DO NOT INCLUDE TOOTHPASTE! UMCOR Sager Brown is now purchasing toothpaste in bulk to be added to health kits before shipping to ensure that the product does not expire before they are sent), School Kits, Baby/Layette Kits, Birthing Kits.
IMPORTANT Packing Instructions: All items included in kits must be NEW items. All emergency kits are carefully planned to make them usable in the greatest number of situations. Since strict rules often govern product entry into international countries, it is important that kits contain only the requested items — nothing more.
Monetary donations include: $1 per kit for processing and shipping; $1 for UMCOR to purchase toothpaste for health kits. If you prefer UMCOR to provide kits for you, include: $12 for UMCOR to provide a health kit; $11 for UMCOR to provide a school kit; $35 for UMCOR to provide a baby/layette kit; $8 for UMCOR to provide a birthing kit. IF your church has already collected other kits not mentioned here they will be accepted.
**NEW INSTRUCTIONS** SEND ALL monetary donations on one check, payable to “Virginia Conference UMC,” earmarked for “Kits” and mail to: Treasurer, Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church, P O Box 5605, Glen Allen, VA 23058. Do not place checks inside the boxes. Your checks will be accepted any time prior to Annual Conference. Please make every effort to send your checks no later than August 31st. CHECKS WILL NOT BE ACCPETED AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
** Kits may be brought to the Roanoke Civic Center and dropped off at the far end of Parking lot A, near the intersection of Williamson Road and Orange Ave. Collection hours are: Wednesday, 3PM - 7:30PM, Thursday, 7:30AM. - 7:30PM, Friday, 7:30AM – 2PM.
Questions regarding kit contents should go to the conference Mission Office at 1-800-768-6040, ext. 144, or (804) 521-1144, and by e-mail at <Mission(at)vaumc.org>
Virginia Wesleyan College's 2011 CEU seminar
Virginia Wesleyan College's 2011 CEU seminar, Leading the Congregation, takes place on April 4-5, 2011. The presenter is Bishop Joe E. Pennel, Jr. Please contact Judi Sands at Virginia Wesleyan College for registration and cost information. Registration deadline is March 18. Her contact info: Judi Sands, Office of College Advancement, 757-455-3217 or email jsands@vwc.edu
FIVE TALENT ACADEMY
Giving guru says churches must get people excited about mission
Ted Hart, a self-described “coach” for non-profit groups, told the audience at the latest 5 Talent Academy gathering that people give to a church when they believe that church’s mission really matters. More ...
'All Things New' capital campaign
shifts into new phase
A new phase of the capital campaign for “All Things New” began Feb. 1, 2011, when each church in the conference was sent a letter from Bishop Charlene Kammerer and a DVD about new faith communities being established throughout Virginia. Click here to view videos on the DVD.
All Things New is a core strategy to help the Virginia Conference live into its vision of having “faith communities where all God’s people are welcomed at table, nurtured and transformed to be Christ to others in the world.”
Click here to view "All Things New" introduction video (2008)
Click here to view Bishop Charlene Kammerer's introduction of "All Things New" (2008)
Click here to view video of four Virginia Conference churches experiencing "All Things New" (2008)
View All Things New PowerPoint in English and Spanish Click here
View All Things New PowerPoint in English only Click here
All Things New is:
• A proclamation of faith in the abundance of God’s grace through Jesus Christ
• A reclaiming of our United Methodist heritage as a missionary movement of God’s Holy Spirit
• A vision for spiritual renewal through an invitation for all churches to be fruitful and to multiply
• Our conference’s response to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) and to the teachings from the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-29)
• An outline of what must be done to shift from a culture of maintenance to one of mission and fruitfulness
Click here to view videos (2011) about five of the new faith communities started as part of "All Things New" and a video invitation from Bishop Charlene Kammerer to all the churches in the Virginia Conference.