Saturday, November 6, 2010

Richmond District News


Bishop Kammerer Invites Virginia United Methodists to Fast and Pray

Bishop Charlene Kammerer is inviting Virginia Conference United Methodists to join her in a weekly time of fasting and prayer, from now through December 31, to ask God to work within us for the future of the church. Bishop Kammerer will fast and pray each Thursday evening through Friday. Others are invited to join her at that time or another time of their choosing. This will be a time to refrain from meals (skip Thursday dinner, Friday breakfast and Friday lunch — break the fast at dinner on Friday evening) and ask God’s Holy Spirit to work within us and provide direction. Those with health concerns that do not allow skipping meals are encouraged to find other ways to spend time listening for God’s direction. The Bishop is encouraging those who are participating in the weekly time of fasting and prayer to donate either food or the money saved by not purchasing food, to a local food bank or other food collecting agency. The 2010 Annual Conference adopted a motion that calls on all Virginia Conference United Methodists to “fast, wait before the Lord, confess our sins related to sharing our faith with those not connected with any faith community, and repent of all that has kept our faith communities from being as fruitful as God desires.”


District UMW News

The Richmond District UMW officers’ training day will be held Saturday, November 13 at Calvary UMC, 1637 Williamsburg Road. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with hospitality offered by the host church and browsing at the book table. The guest speaker, Louise Miller, Conference UMW vice president, will address the theme “Let’s Get Together: Energize and Activate.” A love offering will be taken for UMC Community Outreach Program of Roanoke, a direct service provider for children and youth in inner-city Roanoke. The Richmond District UMW Advent Service will take place Wednesday, December 1 at Wesley Memorial UMC, 1720 Mechanicsville Turnpike. The theme for the day is “Let’s Get Together: Believe and Anticipate.” Registration will begin at 10 a.m. Ella Sanders, a UMW member at Wesley Memorial, will bring a devotion of Advent and Christmas memories and display nativity scenes from her extensive collection. The guest speaker will be Ellen Cummings, program director, Baylake UMC, Virginia Beach. Ms. Cummings, a participant in a 2009 Travel Study Seminar to Sudan and a study leader for the 2009 and 2010 Virginia Conference Schools of Mission, will share her experiences through a travelogue. An offering will be received for the Sudan Action Leadership Team (S.A.L.T.), an advocacy organization that supports the educational efforts of Sudan’s Lost Boys and Girls who reside in Virginia. Call 323-9134 for more information.


Helping Hands

A spaghetti dinner and silent auction will be held Friday, November 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s UMC, 9801 Fort King Road, to support Helping Hands for Reed, an effort to assist with medical expenses for church member Reed Morris. Reed will be seven years old in November and has never walked. With intense therapy he has progressed from crawling to making a few well-thoughtout steps. The congregation is excited, hopeful and prayerful! Auction items include dinners for two, babysitting, math tutoring, an autographed baseball donated by Justin Verlander, golfing, massages, etc. Call 270-2869 for information about registration, auction donations, and tee shirt orders.


Caretakers Ready to Serve

The following individuals have been trained by Caretakers of God’s Creation to present programs that will challenge, encourage, and equip Richmond District congregations to implement a Creation Care Ministry Team:


Karl Bren, River Road UMC

Kelly Desclos-Estes, Good Shepherd UMC

Bob Krouse, Brandermill Church

Elisa Romans, Trinity UMC

Adrienne Strandberg, Brandermill Church

Andrea Wortzel, Trinity UMC


They are willing to present to various groups within local churches such as Sunday School classes, UMM, UMW, or UMYF. Call the district office, 521-1124, for contact information for these individuals. Call Rev. Pat Watkins, 357-7098, for more information about Caretakers of God’s Creation.


Youth Retreat Announced

The Richmond District Youth Retreat is scheduled for Eagle Eyrie in Lynchburg on February 25-27, 2011. The retreat is open to all youth grades 6-12. The cost is $110 per person. Contact district youth coordinator Rick Vance at 512-9725 for registration information.


UMMen Breakfast

Richmond District United Methodist Men are invited to a Devotional Breakfast on Saturday, December 18, beginning at 8 a.m., at the Virginia United Methodist Conference Center, 10330 Staples Mill Road in Glen Allen. Join with men from across the district to discern the scripture, experience each other’s fellowship and listen to the tradition of other men’s groups. There will certainly be a reason for you to attend! Topics to be discussed include service to Heart Havens at the Siegal Center, Westview on the James April workday, an update on the Kairos Prison Ministry and planning a fun day for early spring. All men on the district are invited, especially those in churches without an organized men’s group. A free will offering will be taken to cover the cost of breakfast. For more information or to make reservations contact Dann Ladd at: dladd3965@verizon.net


Westview in Winter

Winter Camp at Westview on the James, December 10-12, offers campers ages 7-15, the chance to explore what waiting for Christ’s birth really means. Interactive worship services will guide the children and youth to a closer connection to the real meaning of Christmas. Westview’s experienced summer camp counselors join us for the weekend and will lead the campers in their activities, as well as supervise them in the hogans. 7-11 year olds are split into groups and will have fun with Christmas cookies, crafts and other cold-weather challenges. They’ll also get a chance to shoot bows and arrows, play kickball and even ultimate frisbee. The 12-15 year olds activities may include a ride on the Polar Express (i.e. the Zip n Dip), Mountain Boarding, High Ropes or Giant Leaf Pile jumping. Campers are invited to come individually, with a friend or with a church group. The cost is $105 per person by November 21. For more information call 457-4210.


Mission Opportunities

Being faithful to God and following the commands of Jesus means that we sometimes need to go that extra mile to welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, care for the sick and provide clothing and shelter to the poor. We have national, international and local mission projects that need our support. There are many projects that we can choose from. One of them is Embrace Richmond which works to end homelessness by equipping, empowering and engaging people of faith in hands-on ministry with those living on the edge. To learn more about this mission project, go to their website, www.embracerichmond.org.


District Calendar

November 9–Harvest Day, Trinity UMC, 288-6056.

November 12–Helping Hands Spaghetti Supper, St. Andrew’s UMW, 270-2869.

November 12-13–Conference Middle School Retreat, Eagle Eyrie, 521-1135.

November 13–District UMW Officers Training Day, Calvary UMC, 323-9134.

November 19-20–School for Children’s Ministry, VUMAC, 521-1135.

November 20–UMVIM Team Leader Training, Lakeside UMC, 521-1144.

December 1–District UMW Advent Service, Wesley Memorial, 323-9134.

December 3-5–Conference High School Retreat, Eagle Eyrie, 521-1135.

December 10-12–Winter Camp, Westview on the James, 457-4210.

December 18–District UMMen Breakfast, VUMCC, 672-1855.

January 9, 2011–Richmond District Conference and Leadership Training Event, 1:30-5:30, Bon Air UMC, 521-1124.

January 18-20, 2011–Ministers’ Convocation, VUMAC, 521-1126.

February 3, 2011–UM Day at General Assembly, 323-9134.

February 25-27, 2011–Lay Servants Academy, VUMAC, 521-1154.

February 25-27, 2011–Richmond District Youth Retreat, Eagle Eyrie, 521-1124.

April 23, 2011–District UMMen Workday at Westview, 741-7266.

June 15-19, 2011–Annual Conference, Roanoke Civic Center, 521-1124.

October 15, 2011–Richmond District Mission Event.