The Next Unexpected Journey
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What if the answer to loss is to take another step into the unknown?
I was blessed this week to attend a retreat with our Eastern Shore clergy at Camp Occohannock on the Bay. Judy Worthington, Virginia Greer, and Mikang Kim led us in a day of reflection on the movements in the biblical book of Ruth. Ruth is a very human book that allows us to see the journey of two women—the Moabite Ruth and her Israelite mother-in-law Naomi—as they navigate through grief, loss, and insecurity.
It’s an old familiar story, but I heard it in a new way this time in light of the insecurity so many of us feel in our churches and in the nation at large. I was impressed by the risk that Ruth, in particular, took as she left behind her homeland and made the commitment to follow Naomi back to her God and her people. I wonder if I am that courageous.
The natural instinct in times of loss is to hold on to what we have left. But what if God’s path is to take another step in trusting God for the future? What if we don’t shrink back but move into new relationships and new journeys?
Where is God calling you to go next? What new thing does God have in store? What blessings await you and your church on the road to the future?
Stand firm,
Alex
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Clergy were spirit-filled, grace-filled at their Retreat at Occohannock on the Bay Camp and Retreat Center on Monday! Thanks to leaders: Mikang Kim, Virginia Leigh Greer, Judy Worthington, Brenda Laws, Alex Joyner. Photos by Mikang Kim (FB)
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Resources available for recent Judicial Council decision
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In a desire to facilitate good communication and information around the recent Judicial Council decision regarding the 2019 Special Session of General Conference, the Virginia Conference delegation and Cabinet have constructed a PowerPoint presentation to be made available to clergy and laity in the conference. The presentation also has explanatory notes to assist. These resources are designed to work in conjunction with Bishop Pete Weaver's recent letter and the coming bi-district presentations. Please feel free to download the resources from the conference website as necessary or use the attached links and/or files.
PowerPoint Presentation (pptx)
Explanatory notes (Word)
Explanatory notes (pdf)
Information about General Conference 2019 may be found on the conference website athttps://www.vaumc.org/GC2019
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Save the date for Annual Conference Orientation!
Tuesday, June 4, 2019, 6:30-7:30 pm, Oyster Room at the Onley Town Center (25020 Shore Parkway, Onley). Orientation in preparation for the 2019 Annual Conference Session in Roanoke. All clergy, AC lay members and interested United Methodists are invited.
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AC: Kits, 4 Cans, Offering, Street Photos.....
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 UMCOR KITS: The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is currently focusing efforts on Cleaning Kits (aka Flood Buckets), Hygiene Kits, and School Kits. Click on the kit name to see PDFs for specific item listing and assembly instructions. (Please read instructions carefully as there are a few changes.)
PHOTOS/VIDEOS NEEDED: The AC worship team is asking local church members for images and videos of the street, specifically the sign, where you live. The team wants to collect images from all over the conference that show the diversity of location and context: rural, urban, mountain, beach, and everything in between. It is the team's hope to give practical significance to Jesus' words in Matthew 28:19-20, "Therefore go and make disciples..." in terms of Jesus's words in Luke 14:23, "Go out to the highways and byways..."
4 CANS 4 CONFERENCE: The plan is to bless that community with five tons of non-perishable foods for the Roanoke Rescue Mission. Suggested items: 1 can of meat, 1 can of vegetables and/or fruit, 1 can of soup and/or stew, 1 can that may be opened with a pop-top, Boxes of nonperishables such as pasta, rice, beans, cereals are also welcome. Please do not bring home-canned items, out of date cans, glass jars, damaged cans, fresh fruits/veggies, or already-opened or partially used supplies. Click here to sign up to volunteer. For details, contact Herb Brynsildsen at HerbBrynildsen@vaumc.org Click here to download a flyer (pdf)
OFFERING: Churches can begin now receiving the offering for AC. This year's goal is $150,000 and recipients will be:
Africa University Student Scholarships -- $40,000
Cambodia Pastors Leadership Training -- $40,000
Mozambique Lay Leadership Training -- $20,000
Brazil “Shade and Fresh Water” children’s program -- $20,000
Just Neighbors Matching Funds Grant for Immigrant Legal Counsel in four districts -- $30,000 (Eastern Shore is one of the 4 districts)
CHILDCARE: Childcare at Annual Conference will be provided for children ages 0-12 years old at South Roanoke UMC, 2330 Jefferson Street, SE, Roanoke, VA 24014. Registration is now open if you wish to register your child(ren). The deadline for registrations is May 31. For more information, contact Rev. Mikang Kim at mikangkim@vaumc.org
Find these and more at https://www.vaumc.org/AC2019
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Week 2 -St. John's Youth Basketball League
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St. John’s Youth Basketball League week two results ages 5-8: Monday night the Tar Heels defeated the Cardinals in a low scoring game 11 to 6. The Tar Heels are the only undefeated team in the YBL 5-8. In the final game on Monday night the Wildcats defeated the Warriors by a score of 14 to 5. This week player of the week for the YBL 5-8 was Jayden Henderson. Netiese Copes was the defensive player of week for the YBL 5-8.
Record: Tar Heels 2-0; Wildcats 1-1; Cardinals 1-1; Warriors 0-2
St. John’s Youth Basketball League week two results ages 9-12
The Lakers won a thrilling overtime game defeating the Knights by 2 points. With 1 second in regulation Jayden Henderson was fouled shooting a 3 pointer trying to tie the game. Jayden went to the free throw line and calmly hit 3 consecutive free throws to send the game into overtime. Kyle Shockley’s game high 16 points was too offense for the Knights. Great game by both teams. In the final game of the night the Lakers lost by 3 points to the Bulls. The Bulls Tylek Smith with 10 points was high scorer for that game. Smith was aided by Jayla Handy’s 5 points and tremendous board work. In the YBL 9-12 Kyle Shockley was the player of the week and Jayla Handy was the defensive player of the week. Great job!!!
Record: Knights 1-1; Lakers 1-2; Bulls 2-1
Thank you coaches and fans… hope to see YOU next Monday and Thursday. Great games and good food!!! --Pastor Gary Miller
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Virginia Interfaith Center shares resources in light of recent violence, hatred
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The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy in Richmond is sharing resources in light of the recent violence on different worshippers of differing faith in recent weeks. Chabad Synagogue in Poway, California, was the site of an attack on the last day of Passover. On Easter Sunday, more than 300 were killed in bombings at Catholic churches in Sri Lanka. Last month, 50 people were murdered in a mass shooting at a mosque in New Zealand. In Louisiana, three African American churches were set on fire. This recent synagogue shooting occurred six months to the day of the killing of 11 worshipers at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. More…
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New shelter helps expectant mothers
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 A new state-of-the-art shelter at Old Mutare Mission Hospital is a blessing for expectant mothers. The Waiting Mothers’ Shelter allows pregnant women from Makoni, Nyanga and Mutare Districts to comfortably await the birth of their child without the risk of traveling long distances after labor begins.The 60-bed shelter and outpatient department at the hospital were completed with a $350,000 grant from the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. More…
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Friday, May 3, 7:30 pm, Orchestra of the Eastern Shore at Historic Cokesbury Church, Onancock. Dr. Paul Kim, Director, "Tour of Europe" with music by Boyce Mozart and Bizet. Jonathan Spence, Guest Violinist. This concert and reception take place the evening before the Easter Shore of Virginia's 2019 House and Garden Tour in Onancock on Sat. May 4th.
Saturday, May 4, 11 am - 1 pm, Market Street UMC in Onancock will serve an Eat-in Lunch. So if you're in town for the Garden Tour or even if you're not part of the Tour, check out their: BBQ. chicken, potato salad, pea salad, dessert, beverage for just $10. For more information, contact the church office at 787-4783.
Saturday May 4, 8 am, Andrew Chapel UMC is having their Spring Sale. Baked goods, chicken salad, macaroni salad, furniture, household items, clothing for the family. The church is locate at 15151 Cashville Rd., Onancock.
Saturday, May 11, 10 am - 1 pm, Capeville UMC will host its annual Bake and Bloom with many plants, flowers and home baked items for sale. Also available will be baked potatoes with numerous toppings from which to select. Several local vendors will be present with honey, wreaths, etc. For more information call 757-331-1325. The church is located at 4410 Capeville Dr., Capeville.
Saturday, May 11 from 8 AM til noon, Onley UMC, 25642 E. Main Street, Onley will hold its Spring Sale. Come early for homemade baked goods, chicken salad, and frozen casseroles. There will also be an indoor yard with household items and collectibles.
July 22-26, 2019, from 9 AM - 12 PM, Vacation Bible School: Northampton Community Churches Working Together present “ROAR”, at Lower Northampton Baptist Church. It’s a free event for ages 3-12 and it’s sponsored by Capeville UMC, Cheriton UMC, Eastville Baptist, Ebenezer AME, Lower Northampton Baptist, and Trinity UMC. Stay tuned for updates on the Lower Shore Community Vacation Bible School (VBS) Facebook page! If needed, we will provide childcare until 5 PM for $10 a day (maximum of 20 in childcare). Call or text 757-678-3324 for more information.
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DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES: "The Shoreline" is a weekly newsletter. Submit brief articles to Connie Owens at easternshoredistrict@vaumc.org by Wednesday 9 am.
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