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Your weekly update from the Elizabeth River District View this email in your browser
July 9, 2019
Learn more about Fresh Expressions at free event: Don’t miss out on this opportunity to dig into a fresh expression for your church or community! Fresh Expressions Roundtables are being hosted around the conference. This FREE event is for any clergy or laity in the VA Annual Conference interested in pursuing a fresh expression.
Reserve your spot at www.vaumc.org/FreshX. Contact Mark Ogren, conference director of Congregational Excellence, at 804.521.1155 or MarkOgren@vaumc.org for questions.

The Charge Conference Orientation will be held on Tuesday, August 27 at 10 am at Heritage UMC (815 Baker Road, Virginia Beach). 

Who should attend? Clergy and those who prepare Charge Conference reports.
Update on The Learning Garden
The Board of Directors for Learning Garden Preschool and Daycare (previously Chesapeake Ave UMC) located in South Norfolk under the direction of the Board of Missions of ERD would like to give you an update from DS Wayne Snead's report at the last District Conference.
 
What has been Happening!     
  • New board of directors has been established and they are:  Bob Robinson, Dottie Thompson, Frank Holley, Tom Mercer, and Joann McClung
  • Board of directors met with present staff 
  • Completion of renovations in two classrooms (painted/new floors/windows) by Resurrection UMC and OakGrove UMC 
  • In process of completing requirements for state licensure for The Learning Garden 
  • Currently in the process of working on registration for upcoming fall enrollment.
 
How YOU (Women’s or Men’s group or Youth) can HELP! !  
 
  • Financial contributions are always welcome!
  • We need to establish a Social Media /internet presence, ie. Webpage, Facebook page, Instagram etc.
    • Can you HELP setup and maintain?
  • Renovations for three more classrooms/ bathroom and hallways this summer starting June 4th?
    •    Contact Dottie by texting  757-675-8958 if you are willing to help!
  • Power wash and clean playground equipment and move to front play area
  • Need a brick mason to repair and do maintenance on existing outside areas.
  • Need 3 potholes in the parking lot filled and lot resealed
  • Cleaning /disinfection of classroom toys before the fall
  • Outside work day for yard and landscaping etc.
 
If your Women’s or Men’s group would like a presentation on The Learning contact Pastor Bob Robinson @ 757-436-1682 from Messiah UMC…..
 
Your prayers are coveted on this exciting new endeavor under the ERD Board of Missions!!! 


The District United Methodist Women have a new website. Click here to visit the page. 
 Each week you are invited to pray for a church/ministry in the District. This week hold in prayer Epworth and pastor Sandi Plasters. 

2019: 

  • July 13, 8 am: United Methodist Men's Breakfast (St. Andrew's - VB)
  • August 3, 9 am: Shift 2.0: Intentional Discipleship (Baylake)
  • August 15, 2 pm: Fresh Expressions Roundtable (Ghent)
  • August 27, 10 am: Charge Conference Orientation (Heritage)
  • November 2: District Conference (TBD)
From the Episcopal Office:

Bishop Sharma D. Lewis was released from the hospital and is recovering at home. She will have home health and in-home physical therapy in the next couple of weeks, then outpatient PT. She's extremely thankful for all the prayers. 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
Share Your Voice – Participate in the Conference Communications Survey: The mission of the Conference Communications Office is to provide you with the Virginia Conference information you need, including conference news and events, updates from the Bishop, information on training opportunities, and local ministry stories.
Our goal is to provide you with the information you want to see through the communications channels that are most useful to you. We have created a short communications survey to get your feedback so we can learn how to serve you better. Please visit www.VAUMC.org/survey to take the survey, and please share this link with others in your congregation. The survey will remain open until July 31, 2019.
Wrap-up from AC 2019You can find a written report about Annual Conference 2019 and a summary video at the conference page which are perfect if preparing a local church report. To order a conference JournalDirectory of Ministry, or Flash Drive, follow this linkMore...
Renfro Trust Grants now available: The Renfro Trust Fund awards annual bricks-and-mortar grants to small rural United Methodist congregations in the Southeastern Jurisdiction. Renfro Trust Funds are available for an award with a deadline for application of August 12, 2019. The grants are available through the Conference Office of Justice and Missional Excellence. To apply go to the Virginia Conference website, click on the menu for Office of Justice and Missional Excellence then scroll down to Renfro Grants. You will find the application and guidelines for applying. Churches may complete the online application and mail it or complete it online and send it electronically. More...
Please make plans to join us for the 2019 UM Men’s Spiritual Advance at Baylake UMC in Virginia Beach on September 27-28
 
Our featured speaker is the Rev. Dr. Kevin Watson, author of The Class Meeting and teacher at our 2019 Virginia Annual Conference.  Our guest speakers will be Greg Arnold, who serves on the deployed staff of the General Commission on Methodist Men, and Odell Horne, representing the SE Jurisdiction UMM and speaking on YoungER men's ministry.  Our theme is Transforming Grace.
 
Special rates are available for pastors, early birds, spouses, and, if you attended last year, Bring One Get One (BOGO) for first-timers.  New this year, church sponsorships are targeted for churches who have never attended the event or those currently with no formal UMM organization.  Open to all churches, the challenge is to line up 12 men to come and receive both a discounted rate and a free event themed shirt.  We've also added a box lunch option on Saturday so you may have more fellowship on site with your brothers in Christ.
 
Please see 2019 Spiritual Advance details for more information on registration, including discounts, church sponsorships, hotels, and the VAUMM/Heart Havens Golf Tournament.

Grace, Mercy, and Peace, 
 
Andrew Kissell

Local Church News

Lucy Lind Hogan & Marcia McFee at Virginia Wesleyan
As part of VWU’s July Worship & Arts Conference, Dr. Lucy Lind Hogan, the Hugh Latimer Elderdice Professor of Preaching and Worship at Wesley Theological Seminary will offer 4 sessions on preaching on Tuesday, July 23:
  • “Stirring Our Imaginations: Preaching the Stories of Luke” (Preaching the fall lectionary where Jesus send us searching for lost sheep & coins.  Can we listen to shrewd stewards & persistent widows?)
  • “Stop, Look, and Listen: Don’t Just DO, Sit There!”  (Nurturing the preaching life)
  • “Pulpit, Podcast, Periscope”  (Explore forms & formats for preaching the Good News.  Where is God calling you to preach?)
  • “Keep Awake: Watching for the Unexpected” (Join angels, shepherds, and magi on the journey through Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany to preach in the most distracted season to the most distracted people.)
 
Dr. Marcia McFee, author, worship designer, preacher and artist, and faculty member at San Francisco Theological Seminary, will offer two days of engaging, interactive teaching to assist in your planning fresh experiences of the Gospel for each worship setting.  Wednesday, July 24 (Advent), and Thursday, July 25 (Lent)
  • (Wed) “The Advent Season; What’s Yearning to be Born?”  (Explore the history & theological/spiritual themes of the season to create transformative worship.)
  • “Discerning a Deeply Spiritual Journey for Advent”  (Choose an Advent theme to bring the Story alive for deep resonance with your congregation’s journey.)
  • “Design Elements for an Unforgettable Advent”  (A hands-on experience to create meaningful, memorable worship not matter your church’s size or budget.)
  • “Have your Own Advent Season without Running Ragged”  (Plan the fall calendar for more fun and less stress.)
  • (Thurs) – 4  sessions on the Lenten season which follow the format of the plan used on Wednesday.
 
In addition, Jeff Smith (Director, Salt & Light Ministries) will offer 4 sessions on church drama (the good kind!) on Tuesday, July 23:  “Telling the Old, Old Story in New, New Ways,” “Pop-Up Narratives,” “Scripture as Script: Word Heard!,” and “The God Rods.”
 
Amy Gray (Associate Director of the Henry Luce III Center for Arts &  Religion at Wesley Seminary) will offer two sessions on “Worshiping with the Big Screen” and two on “The Eternal and the Temporary: Creating for Worship.”  Friday, July 26
 
Continuing Education Units are offered.
 
A word from a past attendee:   “I came to the conference because I wanted to be reminded of the gifts, graces, and resources that are available via others for the planning and leadership of worship as a weekly discipline.  The leadership that the seminars provided was extraordinary, and the resources – print, persons, and perspective – were great, and I continue to return again and again to them in those moments when I need a bit of inspiration and fresh perspective . . .  I’m grateful for the continuing support VWU offers for the ‘real life’ needs of the clergy and worship planning/leadership community.”   
Rev. Dr. Jim Early
 
A full brochure & registration form for the conference can be downloaded at  
https://www.vwu.edu/academics/center-for-sacred-music/pdfs/summer-conference-2019.pdf?x=53432
 
Registration by the week or the day is offered, and you may elect to spread a full-week’s registration over several staff and/or volunteers.  Your choice!   Questions?? – call Sandi Billy at 455.3376, or email sbilly@vwu.edu.
The Gathering at Scott Memorial UMC is looking for a Facility Manager – Part-time to ensure that the facilities are cleaned and sanitized in a condition of operating excellence, cleanliness, and safety during Sunday morning worship as well as during the week.  For more information please contact office@gatheratscott.com
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 assisting the volunteer leaders of Strings orchestra, Handbells, and other music groups. Pay commensurate 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
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
Jolliff UMC in Chesapeake is seeking a 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.
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.
 
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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