From Your District Superintendent
Rev. Cathy Abbott
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Draw the Circle: Praying a Way Forward
 After reading Mark Batterson’s Draw the Circle, the Bi-District staff felt compelled to get a bit creative in how we would “do our part” for the prayer challenge for “A Way Forward” this week. We asked every church in the District to designate one day during which they would pray for the Commission on a Way Forward. But we wanted to do something ourselves that embodied our hopes and dreams for every church in the District, as well as for the denomination as a whole. What could it be? Casting about, we got an idea from a story Mark tells about Rodney “Gypsy” Smith, a powerful evangelist from the 19th century. Gypsy never had formal schooling, but rose to great heights: lecturing at Harvard, being invited to the White House (twice), traversing the Atlantic Ocean 45 times, and preaching the gospel with all his heart. It is said that he never preached without someone coming to faith. Of course, people flocked to Gypsy, wanting to know his “secret.” He told them:
Go home. Lock yourself in your room. Kneel down in the middle of the floor, and with a piece of chalk draw a circle around yourself. There, on your knees, pray fervently and brokenly that God would start a revival within that chalk circle. (Batterson, 9).
So, on Wednesday, four of us piled into a car and literally drove the boundaries of the District, praying as we went. We stopped at ...
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Celebrate the Increase and Martha Flanagan!
Each year the Alexandria District holds a "Celebrate the Increase" banquet to honor churches who have increased in professions of faith and/or average worship attendance.
 At this year's banquet, Retiring Alexandria District Secretary, Martha Flanagan, will be honored.
We know that many in Arlington have also worked with Martha over the years, and to that end there are a limited number of tickets available for purchase ($15) for persons from the Arlington District.
To purchase a ticket for the Celebrate the Increase/Farewell Martha Banquet, please use the purchase ticket button below.
Please note that the majority of the program for the evening will be focused on the Alexandria District's Celebrate the Increase churches.
To read a little bit more about Martha in her own words, please visit: novaumc.org/farewell-martha |
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Don't miss the Bi-District Youth Retreat at Camp Highroad: April 28-30
Don’t miss the annual Bi-District youth retreat! This year’s theme, “Faith through the Storm,” is from Hebrews 11:3. We will retreat Friday April 28-Sunday, April 30 at Camp Highroad in Middleburg, VA. Early Bird Registration will go until April 16. After that the price will increase. Be sure to register today! Learn More & Register
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Ministry Spotlight: Confirmation is Coming!
 As we approach Pentecost, many of our churches are preparing for Confirmation. Cathy Abbott received the following note of excitement about the upcoming confirmation at Great Falls UMC.
On June 4 – Pentecost Sunday, nine Confirmands will affirm their Christian faith and become full members of Great Falls United Methodist Church. This is an important milestone in the lives of these youth. It’s also an exciting ...
Do you have a Ministry Spotlight you'd like to share with us? If so, contact Kim Johnson (kimjohnson@vaumc.org). |
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One of our goals at the District is to come alongside and partner with churches to increase vitality and fruitfulness. Below are some articles that we hope your will find helpful and thought provoking as you think about the mission and ministry of your church.
Communications Resources:
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Don't forget the Bishop's Bible Reading Challenge. Let us know if you are taking the challenge to read the entire Bible this year!
Please note that the Bi-District Office follows the Virginia Conference calendar. Our office will close at Noon on Thursday, April 13 and will remain closed on Good Friday, April 14.
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Conference News:
Clergy: Update Your UMC Find-A-Church Profile to help people find you this Easter! (Call the District office if you need help!)
Also, don't forget to register for Minister's Convocation (May 8-10, 2017).
Feb. 26-Mar. 7, 2018: Holy Land Journey with Bishop Lewis
Join Bishop Sharma D. Lewis and the Virginia Conference of the UMC on the 10 day Holy Land Journey departing on February 26, 2018!
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 Do you follow the Bi-District on Facebook? As Cathy noted in her DS column above, this week your Bi-District Staff embarked upon a prayer journey throughout the District.
Check out our Facebook Photo Gallery of that adventure!
See that gallery and more by following our Facebook page. Follow us!
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