Effective at 5:00 pm, Saturday, January 9th, the church building will be closed until further notice. The office will be closed, worship and other services will return to virtual only, and small groups will not be permitted to meet on church property. We hope you will continue to join us on Facebook or YouTube for online Sunday services, 9am traditional and 11:15am modern.
The Healthy Church Team came to this decision because of quickly rising Covid-19 positivity rates and instances of noncompliance to our social distancing protocols.
Several families in our church have been or are currently affected by COVID-19. Please keep these families in your prayers.
CUMC SWEAT Team food drive
The Community UMC SWEAT team is ready to kick off 2021 with a huge food drive. We need your help to make this possible! Please look through your pantry or grab a few items while grocery shopping and place them on your porch January 23rd at 12pm. Please use the link below to sign up so we don’t miss your house. We plan to drive all over Virginia Beach. Thank you for all your support in 2020 we hope it continues in 2021. https://cumcvb.org/home/porch-pick-up
Missions
CUMC Missions committee studies area poverty in Virtual Poverty Simulation
Community United Methodist Church is a member of the Interfaith Alliance at the Beach organization which provides us with pertinent information and support for people in the Virginia Beach and surrounding cities in the area. I attend their monthly meetings which are now on Zoom that keeps us connected which is especially important at this time.
The meeting this month was a Virtual Poverty Simulation that was created by Urban Ministries for Durham, but they are working on creating a version for the Hampton Roads area. We worked in small groups with a leader and participated in a game format that simulated the decision-making process for what it takes for a family of four to live. This simulation was created before our pandemic situation, so we had to add that scenario as added stress. The simulation was presented for a team of three participants to make decisions that related to real life. First, we had to decide on what job to take based on our skills, work hours, location and salary; where would we live and what could we afford; daily costs to care for the family, etc. Of course, obstacles came up such as an automobile accident, an unexpected illness, loss of job, or even making the decision to have a pet medically treated or put to sleep. Even though it was a game, it was stressful! This is life…more stressful now than ever.
Something to consider:
1 in 3 families in Hampton Roads live paycheck to paycheck
More than half use 30% of their income for rent.
1 in 10 adults have no health insurance because they cannot afford it.
17% of the children live below the poverty level.
A child does not want the stigma of receiving a free or reduced lunch, but the average cost per day in our area ranges from $1.80-3.70.
I believe that this is enough information for us to realize that poverty is all around us, increasing more by the day as we deal with this pandemic. Please keep these people in your prayers and help to support our missions at CUMC as we move forward into 2021.
Thank you all for your generous spirit, Mary McConathy Anna Crowder, Mission Coordinator
Information from the VB Schools Office of Family and Community Engagement
VB Schools Office of Family and Community Engagement has created a newsletter, called F.A.C.E. Time, that we are sharing with partners and volunteers as well as our staff.
This month F.A.C.E Time features a partner spotlight, student volunteer opportunities, a moment of inspiration, VB Care Connect updates and school news in addition to our usual partner shout-outs and VBEF news.
After successfully completing our CUMC racism study on "White Fragility" or defensiveness, we will embark on a race relations video series along with discussion in the New Year. We will use the new Conference curriculum on Race Relations which may be found at https://vaumc.org/racerelationsvideos/. Three videos are currently out and ultimately there will be a dozen or so. Each video will be 10-20 minutes followed by a group discussion. Please let me, or Ralph Volk (ralphv3@aol.com), know if you are interested in participating. The Zoom Forum will be on Thursdays at 7 pm for 1 1/2 hours for 14 weeks beginning Feb 4th. Contact Ralph or Andrew for Zoom ID if you plan to participate. Many of us have meetings on Thursdays at least once a month. You may still watch the videos when you miss a Thursday, and will just miss out on the discussion. Andrew Kissell (andrew.kissell@aecom.com).
Find out more, or register, at https://promisekeepers.org/
New roof needed on children’s wing
The children’s wing of our building is in need of a new roof. We would like to begin this work in the spring and need your help. The current estimate is close to $180,000. You can give online at Cumcvb.org and designate your gift to the “roof fund,” or you can send in a check with that designated on the memo line. Please prayerfully consider donating to this most important cause.
"It's All About Lay Servants!" Lay servant training event
Virtual Training Event
James River District
Saturday Feb 27, 2021 8:30am-3PM (half hour for lunch break)
Check-in: Sat 8:00-8:30 AM
BASIC COURSE ONLY
There is no cost for this virtual (ZOOM) training! Registration Deadline is Feb 14, 2021. Class limit will be 40 Students.
ONLINE registration only at https://conta.cc/3nzBq8U
Please purchase the books and read them prior to your arrival. Books can be purchased at Cokesbury.com or Amazon.com web sites.
BASIC Course – Instructor: Richard Speirs. This course is the foundation for all other Learning and Leading courses. In this course you are encouraged to discover and employ personal spiritual gifts as God intended. Participants are invited to consider the importance of exercising servant leadership, developing future leaders, remaining rooted in consistent spiritual practices, and being part of a group that holds members accountable in their discipleship. This course offers guidelines for best practices as a church leader and in mission and ministry in the community and in daily life. Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course: ISBN: DR626 • 978-0-88177- 626-3. Books may be purchased at Cokesbury.com
This course will assist person in discerning God’s call for your personal walk and ministry. You MUST attend the entire course and complete the PRE and POST class assignments to receive full create toward Certification or Re-Certification as Certified Lay Servant or Certified Lay
Speaker. Pre and Post assignment are to full fill the Book of Discipline requirement for 10 hours of instruction requirement.
MUST DO - PRE-class assignment: Each person MUST read the book and complete a 1-2 page (no more than two) paper reflecting on your personal call to serve God. Pre-class assignment must be emailed to Richard Speirs (Richard.speirs@yahoo.com).
Post assignment will be assigned at the close of the instruction.
CONTACT for more information: Richard Speirs (804)836-3916 richard.speirs@yahoo.com
Need a mask?
Support UMW missions by buying a mask.
Go to https://www.facebook.com/CUMCVBUMW/photos/3433955436696066 - to see masks available. $5 for 3-pleat, $7 for beak-style. We are also now accepting Square for credit/debit! Contact Julie Kissell (2sing4you@gmail.com or 757-404-1783) to purchase. 100% of donations made for masks will go to UMW missions.
Upper Rooms
Upper Rooms for January and February will be available outside the tower doors. The box is clear with a blue lid.
Meals on Wheels Update
King’s Grant Presbyterian Church on Little Neck Road is now the new location for Meals on Wheels. Volunteers need to know that the new pickup time is 10:30 AM. They have been extremely accommodating and even provide an office. Chef by Design prepares the meals and they presently serve 140 people. Volunteers are always needed so if you are interested, contact Lou Schroeder at 757-495-1809.
Missions & Service Update
JCOC needs your help
The volunteer Coordinator at JCOC, Krishna Loya, put a request on Charity Tracker that they need underwear and toiletries for the homeless. Since there are various sizes needed, they would greatly appreciate a monetary donation in order to fill individual needs. You may do that using their web site (jcoc.org) or mailing a check to the JCOC, 1053 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23451.
To make a donation online go to jcoc.org and find Donation Information: select the amount you want to give, then select one time or recurring donation, and finally on the drop-down menu find Toiletries and Underwear. Your money will be put to good use!
Thank you for helping to serve those in need. Mary McConathy, Missions & Service
Current CUMC Contact information
To help keep everyone safe, the church is now working with minimal staff, uncertain office hours, and limited operations. If you have a need during this time, please note the following contact info: Pastor Matt: 703-819-0687 Minister Jannette: 757-633-1843 Leadership Team Rep. Liz Griffin: 757-621-9795
If you need to reach the leadership team, please email them at leadership@cumcvb.org
