Monday, November 22, 2010
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.
Friday, October 29, 2010
District/Conference Offerings
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 program and training will begin at 9:30 a.m. The guest speaker, Louise Miller, Conference UMW vice president, will address the theme: “Let’s Get Together: Energize and Activate.” The mission emphasis will be the UMC Community Outreach Program of Roanoke, a direct-service provider for children and youth in inner-city Roanoke. An offering will be received for this ministry. The training day is a leadership development opportunity for new and continuing officers, but all UMW members are welcomed to this time of information sharing and learning. Call 323-9134 for more information.
The Virginia Conference United
Methodist Women wants to increase
the number of women who participate in
local church UMW units. The UMW is
beginning this effort through an online
that will be an opportunity for
women to share their thoughts about
how to strengthen this vital ministry.
All women, whether UMW members or
not, are invited to take part. For further
information, please contact Sue Boltz at
For the past two years, the UMMen of
Cunningham UMC (Charlottesville
District) and Welborne UMC (Richmond
District) have joined together for a workday
at Westview on the James in Goochland
County. Other churches’ UMMen are
invited to join this work team. Some of
the projects worked on were electrical,
plumbing, painting, roofing, tree trimming
and general repairs. The workday is
scheduled for Saturday, April 23, 2011.
Start time is about 9:00 a.m. and finish
the day around 3:00 p.m. The group will
receive a work list prior to arriving at the
camp. In the past Westview has provided
tools and lunch. For more information call
Emerson Shelton at 741-7266.
The Conference United Methodist
Men’s Spiritual Retreat will be November
5–7 at the Virginia United Methodist
Assembly Center in Blackstone. Mark
your calendars for a weekend that will
recharge and energize your soul. More
information is available on the Virginia
United Methodist Men’s Web site at
The Beulah UMC
Bazaar and Apple Sale will take place
Saturday, October 30, at Beulah UMC,
6930 Hopkins Road, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
There will be baked goods, canned goods,
all kinds of home-made items, crafts,
original art work, books, Brunswick stew,
yard sale, collectables and more!
Richmond Hill is an ecumenical Christian community, including residential and non-residential members, located in the former Monte Maria convent on Church Hill. The ministry of Richmond Hill is to pray for the people of metropolitan Richmond and to serve as a place of hospitality, healing, prayer and reconciliation. All are invited to participate in daily prayer and reflection. Throughout the year, Richmond Hill provides retreat opportunities for individuals and groups. It also offers several year-long programs: the Ruah School of Spiritual Guidance, the School of Pastoral Care and Counseling, and the Sozo School of Christian Healing Prayer. To learn more about Richmond Hill and current classes and events, visit their website at www.richmondhillva.org.
Walk to Emmaus is a spiritually intensive three-day weekend retreat that provides participants with a special opportunity to deepen their faith through individual and group prayer, music, and personal reflection. Those who have experienced the Walk to Emmaus serve as close Christian sponsors and leaders for the event, as well as serving as leaders in the Emmaus community and local churches. To learn more about Emmaus walks and gatherings, visit their website at www.richmondemmaus.com/
District Opportunities Calendar
October 30–Beulah Bazaar and Apple
Sale, 275-2325.
November 5-7–UMMen Spiritual
Retreat, VUMAC, 521-1124.
November 6–District Lay Speaking
Ministries Meet-n-Greet, 521-1124.
November 13–District UMW Officers
Training Day, Calvary UMC, 323-9134.
January 9, 2011–Richmond District
Conference and Leadership Training
Event, 130-5:30, Bon Air UMC,
521-1124.
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.
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