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Fresh Expressions Vision Day
May 2, 2019, 9:30 am t0 3:30 pm
Great Bridge UMC
We've still got space for you and your team!
"Most of us are deployed to serve existing congregations, many of which are in decline. However, fresh expressions give us a vehicle to break down the wall of the gated community. They provide a mechanism to transform a walled city into a missional outpost. A fresh expression forces a congregation to look outside itself. It breaks us open and reconfigures our soul in such a way that it touches our community again." - Rev. Michael Beck, United Methodist Elder, Fresh Expressions US Trainer
What is a Vision Day?
Fresh Expressions Vision Day is a one-day interactive training that can catalyze your church to:
· See opportunity in a new mission field
· Hear how fresh expressions are renewing churches
· Discover how fresh expressions of church develop and grow
· Consider what a fresh expression might look like in your context
· Discover your role in releasing these new missions
Come find out more about being the mission-shaped church.
Clergy who attend will receive a 0.5 CEU.
Click here to register.
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Register Here
The challenge all of us face as church leaders: You have people attending each week for the first time but it’s difficult to get them to return to church for a second time. And if we don’t get them to come back, they are never going to become fully developing followers of Jesus.
In fact, this is such a challenge, that the average church only keeps 1 out of every 20 people. That means that if you have an average of one new person attend your church each week, you might grow by 2-3 people a year (and that’s if you don’t lose anyone!).
The challenge is big. But there is a way to overcome it: assimilation.
On Wednesday, May 8, from 9AM-1230PM at Lynnhaven UMC, you can learn how to help people move from being first-time guests to fully-engaged members of your church.
In this seminar, you will learn…
· The one word you should NEVER use to welcome new people to your church
· How to identify the holes in your welcome experience and prevent first-time guests from falling through the cracks
· Two principles you can implement THIS WEEK to jump-start your system — and see faster results!
· Four key areas of creating an impactful first-time guest experience
· The most effective, proven tool for collecting information from first-time guests — and the three-step process you must follow to deliver it
· Breakdown of an impactful membership class, including format needs and sample documents
· The one method you can start TOMORROW and see dramatic improvements to your Assimilation rate (it’s easier than you think!)
· How you can continue to build your Assimilation system month-after-month yet in the shortest time possible
· …and much more!
The cost is only $39 for a pastor and 3 staff/key volunteers!
Register Here
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The District will hold an Annual Conference Orientation on Saturday, May 18 at 9 am at Centenary UMC (3312 Cedar Lane, Portsmouth 23703). This is ideal for church lay delegates and district at-large delegates to attend to learn more about what will happen during the Conference.
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Clergy and laity from the Elizabeth River and Eastern Shore Districts are invited to an Evening with Bishop Peter Weaver on Sunday, May 19, from 4 - 6 pm at Baylake United Methodist. A letter from Bishop Weaver is below.
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Click here to download a PDF of Bishop Weaver's letter.
The Judicial Council in the United Methodist Church is like the Supreme Court. The Council met April 23-25, 2019 in Evanston, Illinois. Bishop Peter Weaver has issued a letter in response to the United Methodist Church’s Judicial Council’s rulings pertaining to the 2019 General Conference. Please click here to view the pdf copy of his letter.
Click here to RSVP.
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Each week you are invited to pray for a church/ministry in the District. This week hold in prayer Community (Virginia Beach) and clergy Matt Meisenhelter and Brian Boettcher.
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2019:
- May 2, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm: Fresh Expressions Vision Day (Great Bridge) Click here to register.
- May 8, 9 am - 12:30 pm: Assimilation Seminar (Lynnhaven UMC) Click here to register.
- May 18, 9 - 10:30 am: Annual Conference Orientation (Centenary)
- May 19, 4 - 6 pm: Eastertide District Day with Bishop Peter Weaver (Baylake) Click here to RSVP.
- May 22: Clergy Farewell Lunch (TBD)
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From the Episcopal Office:
Bishop Lewis is out of the hospital and rehabilitation center. She is recovering at home. She would like to thank again the Virginia Conference and the Connection for the enormous expressions of love through emails, texts, cards, and flowers.
Please continue to keep her in your prayers.
Cards and well wishes may be sent to:
Bishop Sharma D. Lewis
c/o Terri Biggins
PO Box 5606
Glen Allen, VA 23058-5606
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The conference office will no longer have it's toll-free number (800)768-6040. It was convenient back when long distance calls were more expensive. The target effective date is Friday, April 19th. The current number local number (804) 521-1100 will remain the same.
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Notice: Annual Conference 2019 information: You can find all current information about Annual Conference 2019 on the Virginia Conference website at www.vaumc.org/AC2019. As new information is shared, it will be updated at the same link.
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It’s TIME … to get your KITS on!
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is currently focusing efforts on Cleaning Kits (aka Flood Buckets), Hygiene Kits, and School Kits. There is a list and assembly instructions for each kit as well as the Kits for Conference logo to assist you with promoting your efforts.
Collection of the kits at Annual Conference:
Wednesday, June 19 from 4 - 8 p.m.
Thursday, June 20 from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday, June 21 from 8 a.m.—5 p.m.
Contact Kit Collection Coordinator, the Rev. Morris Fleischer (Newport-Mt. Olivet UMC/Roanoke District), at (540) 544-7183 or morrisfleischer@vaumc.org with any questions.
Keep watching the AC website vaumc.org/AC2019 for a volunteer sign-up page.
Instead of assembling a kit, you may prefer to make a financial contribution to enable UMCOR to purchase relief kits. The costs for the kits are $75 for each cleaning kit; $12 for each health kit; and $11 for each school kit.
Whether you are contributing or assembling, UMCOR asks for $1 per kit ($3.00 for cleaning buckets) to cover processing and shipping and $1 for toothpaste for each health kit. Please do NOT bring checks to the Annual Conference. All checks (for processing and shipping, for toothpaste, and in lieu of providing kits)should be made payable to “Virginia Conference UMC,” earmarked “for kits” and mailed to: Treasurer, Va Conference of The United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 5605, Glen Allen, VA, 23058 any time prior to Annual Conference and no later than August 31.
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To All Active Clergy:
Please note that according to the 2016 Book of Discipline, requests from clergy to be excused from attending the Annual Conference should be sent to the conference secretary and not the office of the Bishop. I can be contacted at the email address below.
Susan Reaves
Conference Secretary
susanreaves@vaumc.org
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Worship team needs images for Annual Conference 2019
The Worship Planning Team for Annual Conference is looking for images and videos of the street, specifically the sign, where you live. The team wants to collect images from all over the Virginia Conference that show the diversity of location and context: rural, urban, mountain, beach, and everything in between. The team is drawing inspirations from Jesus' words in Matthew 28:19-20, "Therefore go and make disciples..." and Jesus' words in Luke 14:23, "Go out to the highways and byways..." To help share this in your churches, a bulletin insert, two flyers, a worship slide, and two social media images can be found at the Annual Conference 2019 page at www.vaumc.org/AC2019. Please send all images and videos digitally to the following email address: acsigns@vaumc.org. All images and videos must be received no later than May 1. Contact the Rev. Sarah Payne for any questions at sarahpayne@vaumc.org.
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4 Cans 4 Conference - We 'Can' Make a Difference!
As annual conference members gather in Roanoke this June, the plan is to bless that community with five tons of non-perishable foods for the Roanoke Rescue Mission.
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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.
For more information contact Herb Brynildsen at herbbrynildsen@vaumc.org
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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. Due to safety concerns, we cannot accommodate walk-ins or children over the age of 12. Please provide any meals or snacks for your children during their stay. No meals or snacks will be provided by the church during these times. Use this link: https://www.etouches.com/2019acchildcare
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Located prominently near the main entrance to Virginia Wesleyan University, the Susan S. Goode Fine & Performing Arts Center is a 23,000 square-foot facility featuring an impressive glass-enclosed lobby, 300-seat theater, and plaza for outdoor programming. The first phase of a new arts complex, the building is named for VWU trustee and well-known patron of the arts Susan S. Goode.
The Virginia Wesleyan University Concert Series
Grand Opening Season of the Susan S. Goode Fine & Performing Arts Center
April 1 through May 12, 2019
(unless otherwise noted, tickets may be purchased at www.showtix4u.com
May 3 (7:30p)
The Jimmy Green Quartet - CANCELLED
May 8 (6:30p)
Sonatas & Stories
WHRO-90.3-FM and WHRV 89.5 FM present an evening of classical music, poetry, and storytelling with hosts Wayla Chambo and Barry Graham. (Free)
May 12 (4pm)
Pioneering Voices: Celebrating Women Composers
The Virginia Chorale, Charles Woodward-artistic director, celebrates its 35thanniversary with a tribute to women composers and the premier of its anniversary composition competition winner. (purchase tickets atwww.virginiachorale.org, $25/$10-students)
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The Center for Sacred Music at VWU hosts the annual Sacred Music Summer Conference: A Worship & Arts Event July 22-27 on the campus at 5817 Wesleyan Drive, VB, steeped in the Wesley tradition of ‘training minds and warming hearts.’ The week includes more than 45 workshop sessions led by 22 guest clinicians on topics such as preaching, ‘art’ on the big screen, choral artistry, handbells, children’s music, drama in church (the good kind), Orff, choral composition, creative worship planning, drumming, and oodles of choral anthem reading sessions. Evening events include worship, a hymn festival, and a choral concert.
For further details, including a list of fascinating workshop sessions & outstanding clinicians, see www.vwu.edu/csmsummer. For information on the evening events, to which all are welcome, see www.vwu.edu/csmevening.
Join us for a day or the full-week! CEUs for clergy are available: 1 per day, and the conference can also be taken for academic credit for those working toward a degree program or seeking teacher recertification.
A full-week registration can be split among various staff or volunteers within a church. At the last conference, St. Andrew’s-VB won the prize with 11 volunteers and staff in attendance, splitting several full-time registrations. Any takers on beating that record??
Kind words from Rev. Jeffrey Witt after his participation:
“This was one of the best continuing education events I have attended in my 30 years of ministry. It's opening worship was inspiring; the exposure to new musical pieces was enlightening and supportive of our efforts at St. Andrew’s to bring refreshing and great musical offerings weekly. The courses were not only informative but were spiritually and personally rejuvenating. I needed some rebalancing and this conference offered me the time, relationships and information I needed to do just that. I left the week a better Worship leader, pastor, father, and husband, and continue to recommend this event to anyone who ministers through Worship.”
If you’d like further details, or to have a brochure mailed to you, email sbilly@vwu.edu or call Sandi Billy at 757.455.3376.
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Pianist/Choir DIRECTOR [Resurrection UMC] is seeking a salaried, part-time Pianist/Choir Director. Our church is a small - sized multi-ethnic/ multicultural church in Chesapeake VA. This is a 6-8 hour per week position. Our Sunday church is a mixed traditional/contemporary service. In addition to Sunday duties, Other duties include, but are not limited to, coordinating and conducting choir rehearsals on Thursday evenings and Sunday morning, be available for special services and events as needed, as well as coordinating and assisting the Strings orchestra, Handbells, Ukulele ensemble, and other music groups. Pay commensurates based on skill level and experience.
| Please contact E. Gonzales at gonzalesemb@gmail.com for more details. Resumes can be mailed to Resurrection UMC, ATTN: Eleanor Gonzales , Chair Staff-Parish Relations Committee at 1322 Centerville Turnpike N Chesapeake, Virginia 23320 |
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Portlock UMC, in the wonderfully diverse borough of Chesapeake, VA known as Historic South Norfolk, has two positions available:
Out of the Box Musician (part-time) who is willing and interested in creatively and courageously exploring the edges of the Wesleyan Christian worship experience while also blending more traditional styles and elements.
Child Care Worker for our Sunday morning worship services.
For details, visit the Virginia Conference website at www.vaumc.org/jobs
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Jolliff UMC, Chesapeake, has two positions available:
Church Accompanist for its 11 a.m. traditional worship service. In addition to Sunday duties, the accompanist would play for choir rehearsals on Wednesday evenings at 7: 15 p.m., as well as be available for special services as needed.
Director of Youth Ministries to grow and develop its current youth program for grades 6 - 12. We are seeking a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ with a passion for discipleship and creative learning. The ideal applicant will have a deep knowledge of Scripture and the ability to communicate scriptural truth and practical application to our youth, as well as serve as a spiritual mentor and relatable presence for youth on their faith journeys.
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CHILD CARE DIRECTOR [Deep Creek UMC] is looking to hire a qualified Day Care Director to manage our day-to-day operations and establish and sustain a positive learning environment for children. You will oversee the coordination of education programs that comply with local and federal regulations, ensure that facilities are maintained, manage and support a complement of daycare staff, and manage the center's financial affairs. Those interested should contact Rev. Mike Plasters at pastor@deepcreekumc.org.
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ADULT MINISTRIES DIRECTOR [Lynnhaven UMC] is seeking an Adult Ministries Director. Our church is a mid-sized church in Virginia Beach, VA. This is a 20 hour per week position. Pay is commensurate based on skill level and experience. Duties include, but are not limited to, coordinating small groups system, organizing and coordinating volunteer ministry services, assist with hospitality and mission services, and assist other church staff when needed.
Please contact Bob Sterling at 5sterlings@cox.net for more details. Resumes can be mailed to Lynnhaven UMC, ATTN: Bob Sterling, Chair Staff-Parish Relations Committee, 1033 Little Neck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 or emailed to 5sterlings@cox.net.
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The deadline for submissions to the e-Newsletter is every Thursday at 5pm. Email your information about your events and special programming to Jason Stanley at jasonstanley@vaumc.org. (Flyers in PDF or JPEG are preferred.)
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