News and Events

From the Ashland District Lay Leader

Living the United Methodist Way, Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience was the theme for the SE Jurisdictional Conference of the United Methodist Church that was held July 16-19, 2008. Virginia led the delegation with 60 delegates, 30 clergy and 30 laity.  It was my privilege to be one of these lay delegates.

Besides electing a Bishop, the Rev. Paul Leeland from the North Carolina Conference, we had several other business items to address.  We read and listened to the Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, plus a new adopted organizational plan for three agencies of the SEJ. We also elected several committee members to various boards and agencies. The worship services and teaching sessions were interesting and inspiring.  It felt good to be a United Methodist in the midst of 500 other United Methodists.

I traveled back to North Carolina August 3-9 on a mission trip to Statesville, NC, for the Wesley Community Development Corporation. WCDC is an affiliate agency of the Western North Carolina Conference that builds affordable housing for individuals and families. We had seven members from the Ashland District make this VIM trip led by Gary Gross our Ashland District VIM coordinator. (See Gary’s article on page 5.)  We had only a few injuries and everyone thought they would like to come back next year but not in August. It was almost 100 degrees each day we worked.

I’m now back in Fredericksburg planning for our Authentic Outreach training at Duncan Memorial in Ashland on October 4th. Come, see and taste a new thing in sharing your faith. Please mark your calendar! The cost is $25 for the work book and $8 for lunch. Call Lyn in the district office to register for this training.

As always, God is good!! And as written we are called to share our gifts and talents.

Go Fish

Larry Tubbs

Another Training Opportunity

To help your congregation find more ways to welcome everyone, consider attending the “Living Our Promise” Igniting Ministry training on Saturday, September 20th from 9 am to 3 pm at Shady Grove UMC, 8209 Shady Grove Road, Mechanicsville.

“Pastors, church leaders, laypersons — anyone interested in reaching out to the unchurched in your community – should attend this training,” said Linda Rhodes, Conference director of Communications. “If you’ve never participated in Igniting Ministry training, this event will help your church get started in reaching out to the unchurched in your community. If you’re already involved with Igniting Ministry or have attended a training session, this event will provide opportunities to learn additional welcoming and marketing techniques plus ways to develop an image identity for your church.”

Cost is $40 per congregation, regardless of how many attend from a single church, plus $10 per participant to cover lunch and snacks.

To register online, visit the Conference Web site, www.vaumc.org, click on “events” and then the date. Or download the registration form, complete it and mail it with a check or credit card information to the Communications Office, Virginia United Methodist Conference, P.O. Box 1718, Glen Allen, VA 23060. Or call 1-800-768-6040, ext. 110, and give Peggy Cribbs your credit card information. Registration deadline is Friday, Sept. 12.