INSIDE

A Newsletter of The Richmond District • Virginia Conference • The United Methodist ChurchFebruary 2018

THE RICHMOND DISTRICT DISPATCH

A Word from the Superintendent .....25 Talent Academy ....................................2District Youth Retreat ................................3Opportunities ............................................ 4

UM Center Closings

The District Office and the VAUMC Conference Center will close Thursday, March 29 at 1 p.m. and be closed on Friday, March 30 in observance of the

Easter holiday.

Innovations is a great word. It gives hope. It sounds like growth. It feels like change in a productive way. In a culture that is changing daily around us, the church

has an opportunity to adapt while keeping the message of the Gospel the same. With that, the Richmond District is offering churches an opportunity to help bring transformation to our churches.

New to the Richmond District this year is Next Level Innovations or NLI. NLI, a model developed by the Bi-District of Arlington and Alexandria, is similar to the denomination-wide model known as "Healthy Church Initiatives" or HCI. Another similar model was launched in 2011, by the West Ohio Conference called the Missional Church Consultation Initiative (MCCI) . These processes or models, though called by different names all seek to take good churches to the next level of greatness to which God is calling them. The process takes 2-3 years to complete and has different phases which engage, resource and provide strategies to pastors, laity and congregations so that they will be able to reach new people for Christ. Bon Air United Methodist (Burt Brooks-Richmond District) and Great Bridge United Methodist (Tim Craig - Elizabeth River District) are two of our VAUMC churches that are currently working in the MCCI model. New Song United Methodist (Chad Herndon - Richmond District) has most recently become involved as a pilot church for the Richmond District in the NoVA NLI model.

If you and your church are interested in being a part of our pilot program for the Richmond District, contact Maria Maxwell at 433-6936 or at <mariamaxwell@vaumc.org.>.

Members at-Large Elected

The following individuals were elected by the District Conference January

7 to be members of the 2018 Annual Conference representing the Richmond District.

Congratulations to Lauren Adkins, Karen Albro, JoAnn Batteiger, Russell Busch, Bill Chaffin, Dale Childrey, Robert Childrey, Mary Kaye Cochran, Agnes Dalton, Leila Denton, Scotty Doyle (UMW president), Hailey Draper, Emily Eaton, Elizabeth Farrell, John Fuller, Betty Gillis, Myrna Graves, Sara Herndon, Carolyn Kreider, Regina Leftwich, Rosa Lewis, Carol Faye Lipes, Dan Long, Maria Maxwell, Verena McCall, Maureen McKay, Sheldon “Mac” McLeod, Brenda NeSmith, Janie Nuttall, Bill Pike, Linda Porter, Rives Priddy, Garrett Ray, Sonny Rea (UMM president), CM “Kip” Robinson, Julia Roquemore, Nick Ruxton, Wenda Singer, Sung Song, Yoon Song, Emily Stallings, Bob Stephens, Claude Stocky, Martha Stokes, Owen Taylor, Susan Thomas, Tom Wagstaff, Betty Walker, Ron White (district lay leader), Ruth Wilkinson, and Angie Williams.

Annual Conference will be held in Hampton on Friday, June 15-Sunday, June 17. Elected members will receive housing information by email in February. Copies of the Book of Reports will be sent out in May and an Annual Conference orientation session is planned for June 5.

Thanks to all our members at-large for your willingness to serve in this important responsibility to the work of Christ through the United Methodist Church.

Page 2 RICHMOND DISTRICT DISPATCH February 2018

Richmond DistrictThe Virginia Conference • United Methodist Church

P.O. Box 5606 • Glen Allen, Virginia 23058Telephone (804) 521-1124 • Fax (804) 521-1175 • RichmondDistrict@vaumc.org

February 2018

Prayers for...Rev. Bruce Pfeiffer, retired, and family

on the death of his wife on January 14.Rev. David Torrence, retired, and

family on the death of his mother on January 11.

Rev. Keith Mottley, retired, who is recovering from surgery to treat a blockage in his carotid artery in January.

Friends,

One of the very special things I am able to do in this role as District Superintendent is to spend time with all of the churches and clergy on the Richmond District. It has been my privilege over these last four months to meet with all of the sixty-seven churches and to have lengthy meetings with all the pastors and deacons leading our churches. It has offered perspective on where we are as this part of the Church of Jesus Christ known as the Richmond District.

First, let me offer a word of thanks and congratulations. Though it is not the most important measure of effectiveness, it does matter. The Richmond District has demonstrated remarkable improvement in our apportionment payments in 2017. For the last two years, we have been nearly at the bottom of the Conference, paying approximately 80% of our apportionments. Last year we improved a bit to 80.9%, and this year, we had a remarkable increase to 84.1%. This occurred because of your great leadership and due to the generosity of so many. Thank you!

Secondly, let me offer some reflections on my meetings with churches and clergy over these last months. Two words stand out: funerals and soccer.

It is abundantly clear that you as clergy and congregations are spending a substantial amount of time leading our people through those seasons of grief. You are losing some of our premier “senior saints” to the church eternal. This is taking a toll on many of our congregations, first in terms of faithful presence, and secondly in terms of resources.

The second stand out word in these conversations is “soccer.” So many of you have looked at me to tell me of the way that you have people coming to your church, but they are just not there as often. You have described to me our contemporary challenge of living in a world of wealth and option. There are simply other things out there competing with God’s call to regular worship and discipleship.

And yet, I invite us to remember that these issues, though very real and very hard, are not deal breakers. The church has always, and always will face cultural challenges. We will be speaking more to this in the months to come, but God’s way in dealing with the world and the culture hasn’t changed. The Gospel still is the premier way of changing people, changing the church and changing the world. The cross still stands firm, and God’s means of forgiveness and restoring relationship has not changed. And as our Discipline reminds us, the local church is still the premier way that God chooses to implement this means of changing us and the world.

Funerals and soccer and very hard and real challenges to our mission of making disciples. The Gospel, working through the local church and our risen Lord can still beat them back hands down. I am holding on to that. Thank you so very much for your incredible hard work. Jesus Christ is still Lord and can still stare down the hardest things that come our way!

In Christ,

Pete

Saturday, March 109 a.m.-3 p.m.

Beyond Sunday School: Empowering Regular folks to lead a God Movement

featuring Rachel BillupsYou are One: Reclaiming the servant

leader in You--Jesus called ordinary people to extraordinary God work. Our neighborhoods are full of brilliant and broken, spiritual and seeking people who are looking for hope. You are hope dealers.

No Fear: Embrace The Mess of Ministry--What happens when boundaries become barriers that keeps us from the real work of disciplining regular folk, prioritizing people over programming.

Coffee Talks, Family Walks, and Fellowship Dinners: The life style of discipleship--Living the Jesus way means embracing community as you go, where you live, when you work, and while you play.

12 Locations including Good Shepherd UMC, 9155 Hungary Road, Richmond.Register at <vaumc.org/5talent>. For

more information call 521-1155.

Shrove Tuesday Pancakes

Enjoy a Mardi Gras-themed pancake supper the night before Lent begins

on Shrove Tuesday, February 13, 5:30-7 p.m., in the Reveille UMC fellowship hall, 4200 Cary Street Road, Richmond. Dinner features delicious pancakes with assorted toppings, sausage, beverages, and more! The supper is hosted by the Men’s Prayer Breakfast and open to all. Donations will be accepted at the door to benefit Reveille’s Youth Mission Fund. For more information see <www.reveilleumc.org/lent> or contact Rachel Sanders, <communications@reveilleumc.org>.

February 2018 RICHMOND DISTRICT DISPATCH Page 3

E A G L E E Y R I E , L Y N C H B U R G

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Richmond District Youth Retreat

Keith Cartwright

as our speaker

and The Arise

Band as our

worship music

F E A T U R I N G : The weekend will consist of 4 worship services, small group time, youth group time and free time. Each youth group will have a house with sever-al bedrooms a kitchen and a living room use-ful for fellowship and youth group time. Saturday meals are provided and Sunday breakfast. Weekend cost: $125 per person

February 16-18I have FOUGHT the good fight

I have FINISHED the raceI have KEPT the faith

Featuring: Keith Cartwright as our speaker and the Arise Band as our worship music

The weekend will consist of 4 worship services, small group time, youth group time and free time.

Each youth group will have a house with several bedrooms, a kitchen and a living room useful for fellowship and youth group time.

Saturday meals and Sunday breakfast are provide.

Weekend Cost is $125 per person.For Registration information contact

Pam Hill, Retreat Coordinator, at 901-0989 or email

<RichmondDistrict@vaumc.org>.

Westview Register Now

As the cold days of winter seem to drag on and on your camper

is probably dreaming of warmer weather, playing outdoors and hanging out with friends. Go to <www.westviewonthejames.org> for further details and give the gift of camp…summer is coming! Call 457-4210 for details.

The Richmond District United Methodist Women will hold their

annual Hearts for Justice Tea on Saturday, February 20 at Ramsey Memorial UMC, 5900 Hull Street Road, Richmond.

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors: Living Out God’s Call for Justice for All. The presenter will be Reverend Benjamin Campbell, an Episcopal priest who for decades has been a champion of racial reconciliation, social justice and ecumenical activities in Richmond; pastor emeritus of Richmond Hill and author of Richmond’s Unhealed History.Registration 9:30 a.m.Program 10 a.m.-12 noon

Bring your favorite tea cup. No pre-registration required. For more information call 744-3034.

Making a Difference

Reveille UMC, Koinonia Christian Church, and Love Center of

Unity invite you to a special series on social justice and peace. The program will feature guest speakers from law enforcement and the legal system. Everyone is invited to attend February 7, 21, and 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Reveille fellowship hall, 4200 Cary Street Road, Richmond. Please join us for the Wonderful Wednesday meal before the presentation at 5:30 p.m. For dinner reservations, visit <www.reveilleumc.org/dinner>. For more information, contact Rachel Sanders, <communications@reveilleumc.org>.

Faith and Travel

Rev. Kelley Lane, minister of adult ministries at Reveille UMC, will take

us on a beautiful journey to Ireland, Yosemite, Puerto Rico, and Big Bend with photos from her recent travels. Kelley will discuss Christianity, religious architecture, and how landscapes influence spirituality. Bring a friend to Leisure Club on Tuesday, February 20 at 11 a.m. in the fellowship hall, 4200 Cary Street Road, Richmond. Lunch follows the program, so please bring a side dish or dessert to share. For more information see <www.reveilleumc.org/leisure-club> or contact Rachel Sanders, <communications@reveilleumc.org>.

Spouse Retreat

The 2018 Annual Clergy Spouse Retreat will be held at Camp Overlook,

Blessings Lodge, near Harrisonburg in the Blue Ridge Mountains on March 2-3. Minimal program, no pressure. Just a time for fellowship (or personal retreat if that’s what you need...). We will gather at the Lodge Friday morning but if anyone wants to arrive Thursday evening that can be arranged. Rooms are being reserved now. They hold up to four people - divide the cost with your roommate(s)! Room is $95 for one night, $154 for two nights. Food cost will be additional. Deposit of $40 (based on double occupancy) will be appreciated. The deadline for reservations is February 20. Contact Lydia Weeks at <Lydspot@yahoo.com> or call (757) 619-3515 for more information.

Convergence

Convergence: Where Faith and Science Meet is a 9-day program, June 23-

July 1, that allows rising 10-12th grade students to come to Randolph-Macon’s campus in Ashland, Va., and learn about the intersection of science and Christian faith. They will dive deeper into their religious beliefs, deeper into the study of science, and will meet other high school students and Randolph-Macon College student leaders with those same interests. There will be time in the classroom and outdoor experiences throughout the region. The cost to participate is only $100 for this 9-day program. Upon high school graduation, if a Convergence participant chooses to attend Randolph-Macon, they will receive a $1,000 annual scholarship for each year they participated in Convergence. Please visit <http://convergence.rmc.edu/> to learn more. Please contact the Rev. Kendra Grimes or Laura Ruxton at <convergence@rmc.edu> with any questions about the program.

Midsize Church Training

The Midsize Church Leadership Team invites pastors of midsize churches

to a day of learning led by Phil Maynard. This training will focus on Phil’s book, “Shift: Helping Congregations back into the Game of Effective Ministry.” Discover the key shifts that all churches must make if they are going to have a fruitful ministry in the next century. With three dates and locations to choose from it couldn’t be easier to attend:March 12, Mountain View UMC, ForestMarch 13, Heritage UMC, Virginia

BeachMarch 15, Floris UMC, Herndon

Registration is available at <www.vaumc.org/Events>. Questions, call 521-1155.

Lay Servant ScheduleDonna Seward, director, Lay Servant Ministries: <donna_t_seward@yahoo.com>, 897-3309. Richmond District Certified Lay Servants lead worship regularly at the following care centers:Date Place Speaker2/4 Beth Sholom A Henderso n2/11 University Park Bessie Owens2/18 Beth Sholom A Henderson2/25 Elmcroft Bill Pike

Lay Servant Academy 2018

The Lay Servant

Academy will be held March 2-4 at the beautiful W.E. Skelton 4-H Center on Smith Mountain Lake. See <https://www.vaumc.org/LayServantTraining> for details and registration information.

Page 4 RICHMOND DISTRICT DISPATCH February 2018

District Opportunities

Richmond DistrictVirginia Conference

The United Methodist Church10330 Staples Mill Road

P.O. Box 5606Glen Allen, Virginia 23058

Phone: (804)521-1124FAX: 521-1175

Email: RichmondDistrict@vaumc.org

Sharma D. Lewis Area BishopPeter M. Moon District SuperintendentSusan Petrey Administrative Assistant, Web AdministratorCindy Payne-Ingroff District TreasurerRon White District Lay LeaderScotty Doyle District President, UMWSonny Rea District President, UMMBill Chaffin District Ministry of Scouting Coord.Donna Seward Director, Lay Servant Ministries

We’re on the web at:www.richmonddistrictumc.org

The DEADLINE for the NEXT ISSUE is the 15th of the month.

DISTRICTDISPATCH

Mountain View UMC, Forest, 521-1155.March 13–Midsize Church Training,

Heritage UMC, Virginia Beach, 521-1155.

March 15–Midsize Church Training, Floris UMC, Herndon, 521-1155.

April 7–District UMW Prayer Breakfast, Mt. Pisgah UMC, 744-3034.

April 7–District UMW On the Road in Mission day trip to Rising Hope UMC Mission Church, Alexandria, 744-3034.

April 20-22–Conference UMW Spiritual Life Retreat, Eagle Eyrie, Lynchburg, 744-3034.

June 1-2–Conference UMW Day at Ferrum College, 744-3034.

June 5–Annual Conference Orientation, Good Shepherd, 521-1124.

June 16-18–Annual Conference, Hampton Roads Convention Center, Hampton, 521-1134.

June 23-July 1–Convergence, Randolph-Macon, Ashland, 752-7374.

July 27-29–Conference Mission Encounter, 4H Center, Smith Mt. Lake, 744-3034.

February 7–Making a Difference, Reveille UMC, 359-6041.

February 13–Shrove Tuesday Pancakes, Reveille UMC, 359-6041.

February 16-18–Richmond District Youth Retreat, Eagle Eyrie, Lynchburg, 901-0989.

February 20–Faith and Travel, Leisure Club, Reveille UMC, 359-6041.

February 20–District UMW Hearts for Justice Tea, Ramsey Memorial UMC, 744-3034.

February 21–Making a Difference, Reveille UMC, 359-6041.

February 24–Chat and Chew 2.0, Ebenezer UMC, Stafford, 521-1124.

February 28–Making a Difference, Reveille UMC, 359-6041.

March 2-3–Clergy Spouse Retreat, Camp Overlook, Keezletown, 757/619-3515.

March 2-4–Lay Servant Academy, W.E. Skelton 4-H Center, 521-1153.

March 10–5 Talent Academy, Good Shepherd UMC, 521-1155.

March 12–Midsize Church Training,