From Your District Superintendent
Rev. Jeff Mickle
 “3 The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
the floods have lifted up their voice;
the floods lift up their roaring.
4 More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters,
more majestic than the waves of the sea,
majestic on high is the Lord.”
— Psalm 93:3-4 (NRSV)
Holy Week begins with the shouts of “Hosanna!” which means “Save us,” shouted to Jesus as He enters Jerusalem as the long-expected Messiah on Palm Sunday. Holy Week ends with Easter Sunday, as the Church sings with joy, “Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleulia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heavens and earth reply, Alleluia!” (first verse of “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today,” by Charles Wesley, The United Methodist Hymnal 302).
Both the shouts of Hosanna and the songs of Hallelujah are full of what Psalm 93 calls “majesty.” But the majesty of the Lord may not be what is uppermost in our consciousness during these days of the COVID-19 pandemic. What has captivated our awareness these days is more likely to be what the Psalm describes as the “floods.” The floods of the psalm ...
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A Word of Advice
The CARES act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security act) has created an unusual opportunity for churches to receive support from the government so that those who are employed by the church do not lose their income. Low-interest loans, that can be completely forgiven if we follow the rules, are available to all churches who will apply. These loans can help relieve the worry from congregations about whether or not they will be able to pay their bills. Some of our congregations may not need this kind of help. But some will. I strongly urge the leaders of every congregation to investigate the provisions of the CARES act, especially the Paycheck Protection Plan, as it applies to non-profits including churches. If it can help you make it through, please apply. No charge conference approval is required. A vote of the Church Council can authorize this decision to move forward, and that vote can be taken by electronic means. Resources are available on our Bi-District website as well as on the Virginia Conference website.
Grace and Peace,
Jeff
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From Your District Lay Leader
John Meeuwissen
In last month’s article, I highlighted that the church today must diversify in order to be relevant in our current landscape, that is, a mixed ecology. Here in Northern Virginia, we are blessed to have numerous examples of this mixed ecology; however, this begs the basic question, “Are you up for being a leader in the church today?” In my just-completed work life as an instructor at Defense Acquisition University, we have these Job Support Tools to help learners in their critical thinking by guiding them through a series of questions, and hopefully, to better address their particular situation. So, let me offer the following questions … and call it a Ministry Support Tool.
- Where do you currently see your church in the ecosystem? What are the challenges you are facing as you consider your current place? We are often too quick to place some sort of value on one type of organization over another. Remember ...
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We've worked to compile COVID-19 Resources to help our churches.
Many of our churches are offering assistance and caring for both their congregations and their communities during this time of COVID-19. We are collecting those stories of hope and putting them on our website. Is your church going above and beyond to care for others in this time? Let us know! Email NoVaDistricts@vaumc.org.
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 The Million Mask Challenge
Information submitted by Kenn Speicher, Bi-District Disaster Response Coordinator; Arlington District Missions Coordinator
Join Us In Sewing Face Masks, Help keep Virginians safe.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, our frontline workers are in desperate need of protection supplies. And now, the Center for Disease Control recommends that everyone wear protective face masks when they go out in public. Homemade masks can’t replace medical and surgical masks, but they can serve an important role in slowing the spread of the disease and keeping us safe.
You can help! We’re reaching out to Arlington and Alexandria congregation members to sew protective masks. Many have already stepped up. Thank you! If you haven’t, join us. Whether you own a sewing machine or not, you can help slow ... READ MORE
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April 29 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. | Online Only
 As we find ourselves with more solitude and greater anxiety, finding space to be in the presence of God becomes even more important.
In her book, Here and Now, Amy traces ancient mindfulness practice throughout Christian history and offers step-by-step instructions for practicing mindfulness today. Amy will share with us practical ways to implement mindfulness in our daily lives.
This event is for those who desire to learn how to be present without judgment and deepen their spiritual life. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and practice mindfulness. This event costs $10/person. Register today!
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Breakthrough Prayer Workshop
Saturday, April 25 from 9:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
This will be an online workshop
 As we begin to imagine what we as a people and our communities will be like on the other side of this pandemic, breakthrough prayer is a powerful tool at your disposal. Imagine what might happen when a congregation unites to pray collectively and consistently for God to break through in new and miraculous ways.
Sue Nilson Kibbey, author of Flood Gates and most recently, Ultimate Reliance, will provide stories, practical examples, and ideas of how other United Methodist congregations across the country have done so with innovation and impact.
You can launch your congregation into the kind of churchwide breakthrough prayer initiative that fuels the atmosphere of possibility, and the entire focus begins to shift from inward to up-and-outward. It's easier than you think--and the results will make spiritual history right in your own community and beyond.
For a most effective outcome, we encourage church teams of four or five people to watch this workshop and then work together to implement breakthrough prayer for their church.
The Breakthrough Prayer Workshop is an event for NLI churches that is also open to all Bi-District clergy and laity. REGISTER
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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the June 2020 session of the Virginia Annual Conference has been postponed until September 18 -19, 2020. Meeting Max, the company managing the conference’s hotel reservation system, will make cancellations for all participants who reserved through the Annual Conference housing process.
More information at link: https://vaumc.org/pages/news/2020news/2020acpostponed
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Rising Hope Mission Church in Need of Support for Vulnerable Population
ALEXANDRIA, VA — As the uncertainty around COVID-19 continues, the demand for Rising Hope’s services grows daily. More families and neighbors need help and safety through this tumultuous time, yet food, volunteers, and donations are declining.
“We need your support now more than ever before. We are balancing the need to keep the staff safe and socially distanced with helping those in desperate need,” said Pastor Keary Kincannon.
More than 300 families depend on Rising Hope’s food pantry each week – that’s more than 200,000 meals provided each year. The church receives food donations from retail stores, area food banks, and organizational food drives. As people continue to buy groceries in larger quantities, these donations have dramatically declined and some grocers are suspending their donations. Other area food banks also are seeing comparable declines.
Rising Hope Needs:
- Food pantry donations (dried beans, canned food, other non-perishables)
- Paper bags to pre-bag groceries
- Volunteers to bag food (You will not come into contact with those coming for food).
- Volunteers to deliver food to shut ins. (You can leave at their door)
- Monetary donations. (Financial donations provide the most flexibility to meet increasing demands and helps to offset the decline we anticipate from current donors who have their own increased financial demands.)
Full Press Release & Article
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One Last Thing ...
It's Holy Week.
We know that this week is going to look and feel different this year. Know that your Pastors are working hard to help you experience Holy Week. We are grateful for all they have done and are doing to keep connected with their congregations. Remember: They've never done Holy Week virtually either--none of us have.
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