Community UMC continues to provide in-person and online worship opportunities. Tune in for online services at our Facebook and YouTube pages:
Traditional Sunday Worship at 9:00 AM (Online and in-person) Modern Worship at 11:15 AM (On-line only)
Your financial gifts also matter. You can give online cumcvb.org
Pastor Jim's after Easter message
We may celebrate Easter on a particular day, but our Risen Lord continues to fill our hearts and lives with the power of the resurrection.
I want to thank all of the staff, volunteer servants who helped get things in order for us to be able to have our wonderful Celebration of the Resurrection last Sunday. We had 33 persons in attendance at our SONrise Service on Easter! We are still counting how many were at our 11AM Outdoor Celebration Service…but we know there were over 70 vehicles that carried people to the services! And we had 12 children discover and learn about Jesus’ resurrection at the Children’s Easter Celebration.
I hope you are looking forward to the chance to worship this Sunday, April 11th at 9AM In-Person Traditional Service if you are comfortable coming to worship. We of course well be live-streaming that service as well as the 11:15AM Modern Worship Service. We will continue with the In-Person Traditional Service on the 18th and then on the 25th we will add an In-Person Modern Service at 11:15AM.
COVID has certainly isolated us from one another and I am looking forward to seeing some of you who I have only met through an iPad.
Some of you may have recently begun to connect with Community UMC, others may have had a child. Some of you might be wondering how you can formalize your relationship with the church through membership. Others may desire baptism, for yourself or a child. Yet others, have been wondering how you can make a commitment to follow the Rebel Jesus I have been sharing about the past several weeks. Please just reach out to me and we can talk…in-person, over the phone or zoom.
May God continue to bless and watch over all of you!
In the Power of Christ’s Resurrection!
Pastor Jim
Scenes of our outside service of Easter at Community
Welcome Larry Sarosdy, new Facilities Manager
CUMC is pleased to welcome Larry Sarosdy to the staff as our new Facilities Manager! Larry lives right around the corner from the church grounds, and has lived in the neighborhood for over 30 years. For most of his life, Larry has been putting his well-rounded skill set to use in his own home, countless projects for family and friends, and has even volunteered at CUMC in the past with various landscaping projects. Professionally, he has served as Executive Director for several non-profits, and more recently owned and operated a successful landscape design company. He looks forward to keeping our facilities beautiful and functional for years to come. Please welcome him in the coming weeks as he gets settled in and begins his new role with us.
Virtual Town Hall April 18th
The Leadership Team will be holding a virtual town hall via zoom at 1pm on Sunday, April 18th. Because of our meeting format, all questions must be submitted to leadership@cumcvb.org prior to the town hall. You must register in advance to be admitted. Register by clicking the link below and filling out your information. You will receive a confirmation email once you have submitted. Please remember that SPRC staffing issues are confidential and that those questions, while important, are unable to be answered.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Welcome back; key fobs active again
CUMC member's access fobs have been reactivated. The fobs will permit entrance at the tower door and the back door by the Chapel. If you experience any issues with your fob not working or would like to sign up for a fob please contact Melissa Snow at cumc@cumcvb.org or 757-495-1021.
Easter at Community
This year's Easter party was smaller than usual, but perhaps the most significant and important one ever. Our activities were safe and a celebration of the resurrection!
We began celebrating by baptizing the ducks, we planted new life - sunflower seeds; which will feed the birds this summer, also celebrating the transforming power of the resurrection by making butterflies, Christ's victory over death with "stained glass" crosses and remembering Jesus was the Lamb of God. And we maintained our tradition of egg art; how many times do kids get to throw paint without getting into trouble? And last, but never least, an egg hunt in the courtyard!
To paraphrase Philippians 4:13: We can do all things through him who strengthens us." In the coming weeks and months, we will all need to lean in on this passage and work together to rebuild.
When attending in person, sign Health Acknowledgement
People no longer need to “register” in advance of services …but they must agree to the 4 questions on the poster attached.
Race Relations Study group
“If white people aren’t educating other white people about being anti-racist they’re not doing anything of much merit”- Ike Holder, playwright
CUMC continues our series on racism using Conference, GCORR and other videos every week on Tuesdays at 7 pm for an hour and a half. We completed our book study on White Fragility (defensiveness) last year and will begin another book study in the fall. Here is an example of the short videos we have been watching, then discussing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZgkjEdMbSw If you would like to join us at any time for our Church-wide series please contact Andrew Kissell (andrew.kissell@aecom.com), Ralph Volk (RALPHLV3@aol.com) or Jackie Stein (jstein@odu.edu) for the Zoom ID to join us.
“We need informed clergy and laity to have authentic conversations about race and reconciliation in houses of worship, communities, and workplaces in which we acknowledge racism as a sin and actively pursue whatever is necessary to dismantle the injustices”- Bishop Sharma Lewis, Virginia Annual Conference
Sign up for a Spring workday for Heart Havens
All are invited for a spring workday for Heart Havens. Break free from the winter blues by joining UMM to make a difference for adults with a developmental disability. No experience necessary, team leaders will be there to direct volunteers. Help spruce up the Heart Havens MacLeigh-Holland home in Virginia Beach. Look for more details soon! If you are interested in assisting, please contact Johnnie Draughon at johnnie.draughon@cox.net.
Pastor Jim live-streaming a devotional service Wednesdays at noon
Each Wednesday at Noon, Pastor Jim will be live-streaming on Facebook, a brief devotional service, including a virtual Holy Communion. You are invited to share in this devotional moment. If you are planning on participating in Holy Communion, Pastor Jim invites you to have bread and cup with you as you watch. Please feel free to share the post on your social media page.
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.
Community resources available
Help is available from various sources. Find food assistance, help paying bills, and other free or reduced cost programs, including new programs for the COVID-19 pandemic at https://www.findhelp.org/
Blood Drive scheduled at Pembroke Mall
The Red Cross has scheduled a Blood Drive for, Tuesday, 13 April from 12:00-5:00 pm, at the Vacant Store Pembroke Mall - 4554 Virginia Beach BLVD, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 - For an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Growing in Faith
Are you looking for Christian resources for learning at home? Did you know there are features for children on our website? On the Home page (cumcvb.org), scroll down to the section called “Growing in Faith.” The link will take you to a page listing a variety of online and print resources for Bible study and for learning at home about the Christian faith.
The “Growing in Faith” page is in the beginning stages of development and will continue to grow as resources are discovered or recommended for inclusion. If you have a recommendation for an excellent resource for the Growing in Faith page, send the link or title/author to website@cumcvb.org. Recommendations will be reviewed and included as appropriate for our church community.
Military/Deployed/College Students Updates
We are updating our military/deployed/college student's portion of the United Methodist Women's Prayer List and could use your help! Do you know other members who are college students or in the military and/or deployed? We would love to add them to the Prayer List so we can actively pray for them. Please send updates to Stephanie Denmyer at sdenmyer@gmail.com.
Memorial Bricks now available
Do you have someone dear to you in your life whom you would like to honor? Or perhaps a loved one who has already passed on? Why not show your love by honoring them with a beautiful imprinted memorial brick? These bricks will be installed in the newly designed Percy Patterson Garden behind the sanctuary under the lovely stained glass window. Click HERE to print out and complete the form for the size you'd like. There are 3 sizes and prices: 4x8 - $125; 8x16 - $250; and 16x16 - $500. Let's start ordering and we'll get this garden growing!
Mail the completed form with your check to 1072 Old Kempsville Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23464.
UMW has masks available
Support UMW missions by buying a mask.
Go to https://www.facebook.com/CUMCVBUMW/photos/3433955436696066 - to see more available masks. $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 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: Jim Ullian: 757-650-4266 Minister of Congregational Care: 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
