All Things New is the name for the vision of the Virginia Conference to start 250 new faith communities in 30 years. More than anything else, I believe All Things New is an invitation to change our way of doing church from maintenance to multiplication.

     But there is a danger …. unless all laity and clergy embrace this vision, wrestle with it and make it our own, then All Things New will drop from the level of being a vision to becoming another annual conference program that we put on the bookshelf in another couple of years.

     Therefore, I invite you ….to go to our Virginia Conference Web site (www.vaumc.org.)  and look for the All Things New logo on the right side of the page. Click on the All Things New logo to find your choice of 13 different links that will allow you to read the proposal in full, to see the funding proposal, to see Talking Points, to download a power point presentation or to print a 2-page informational brochure. Enclosed in this newsletter is a copy of Frequently Asked Questions (that can also be found under the All Things New link).

     All Things New is about starting new faith communities and about renewing existing churches. Early in our work on the 250 Task Force we recognized that if we are going to start 250 new faith communities everyone – lay and clergy and every church – of all sizes and shapes were going to be invited to move from maintenance to multiplication.

All Things New is

1.  A proclamation of faith in the abundance of God’s grace through Jesus Christ.

2.  A reclaiming of our United Methodist heritage as a missionary movement of God’s Holy Spirit.

3.  A vision for spiritual renewal through an invitation for all churches to be fruitful and to multiply.

 

I believe with all my heart that All Things New is giving the Virginia Conference an opportunity to reclaim our United Methodist heritage as a missionary movement of God’s Holy Spirit. Therefore, to become a movement, we must invite all laity, all clergy, and all our churches to be part of sharing the gospel and making disciples.

 Grace and peace,

Mark

 

Future opportunities to learn more about All Things New:  Clergy, District Clergy Lunch with Mark Ogren, Monday, April 14, at Fredericksburg UMC or Tuesday, April 15, at Duncan Memorial UMC.or Laity and Clergy,  Annual Conference Orientation June 8 at 3:00 p.m. at Wright’s Chapel UMC in Ladysmith.

 

From the District Lay Leader

Thanks to all who attended or sent notes to our retiring District Lay Leader John Nelson for his celebration dinner on January 25.  Rev. Barbara Jacobs led John down the path of remem-brance of the many commit-tees he served on and the many different tasks he performed from his local church, the Ashland District and the Virginia conference of the United Methodist Church.

    We also found out during the presentation that John has been given a new name from the Frogs’ Fellowship of Retired Old Golfers who Fully Rely On God.  He is called John “Half” Nelson because sometimes when he plays with the frogs he can only play nine holes, not the entire eighteen because he has to leave to go to a meeting.

    Rev. Barbara was quick to share with Carolyn the fairy tale of the beautiful young girl, who if she just kissed a frog, the frog would change into a handsome young prince.  But Carolyn kissed a young handsome man named John and he turned into a FROG.

    We all know that John is still the handsome man who has served the United Methodist Church with a servant’s heart on all levels of ministry. John may be stepping down as the Ashland District Lay Leader but he will continue to be very busy working with the demographics for the 250 Task Force of the Virginia Annual Conference. 

    I want to personally thank John for his friendship and mentoring for the many years we have worked together on District and Conference commit-tees. I will continue to seek his wisdom and guidance as I start my new ministry as Ashland District Lay Leader.

    As we prepare for Annual Conference and the 250 Task Force Plan I would ask you to be in prayer for the Virginia Annual Conference and the 250 Task Force. The theme for this year’s annual conference is “All Things New” which Mark Ogren has discussed in his article on page 1.

    See you around the district!

Go Fish

Larry Tubbs

 

 

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WESTVIEW SUMMER COUNSELORS NEEDED

Westview on the James, the United Methodist Summer Camp & Retreat center located in Goochland is looking for summer camp counselors to minister to campers, ages 6-17, for week-long sessions beginning in June through mid-August.  Senior Counselors must be at least 18 years of age, and have a genuine love of Christ and desire to work with children in a close setting.  Adventure Counselors must be at least 20 years old, should be willing to share and lead devotions daily and love adventure! Join the staff at Westview this summer for a season of changing lives, loving God and having fun! For more information contact Matt Spalding, Program Director at 804-457-4210, email at wvsummercamp@gmail.com or go to the website at www.westviewonthejames.org for a staff application.

    Remember too that Westview is a wonderful place for church retreats.  John Edwards, Camp Director, invites you to come visit your church camp.  Plan now to be a part of an upcoming retreat or summer camp ’08.  They would love to share the joy of camp life with you.

 

OPPORTUNITIES

Virginia Conference United Methodist Women are hosting an event for young women March 28-29 at the Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center (VUMAC) in Blackstone. This is for all women age 18-35. The speaker will be the Rev. Kristin Marie Holbrook, associate pastor at Calvary UMC, Staunton District. Her topic will be "Faith and Friendship in a Facebook World."

    Registration deadline is March 12.  For more info, contact Joann McClung at joannmcclung@cox.net; church@norwmumc.org or by phone 757-587-2996 work or 757-408-1010 cell.

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United Methodist Men leader's training: All UMMen are encouraged to attend the Fellowship Leader's Training March 29 at Shady Grove UMC in Mechanicsville. The day will include the annual meeting of Virginia Conference UMMen, with the election of officers, along with training sessions. Lunch will be provided. To register, contact John Nelson at 540-663-2542, or e-mail him at j.nelson@wildblue.net.

Heart Havens is in the process of trying to furnish its newest home in Goochland. "Our agency and the individuals we serve depend on the generosity of churches, United Methodist Men, United Methodist Women, local businesses and individuals to enhance the quality of life of our residents. Your donations will fill a great need for our residents," said Jae Benz, executive director of Heart Havens, which provides residential opportunities for adults with disabilities in group homes across Virginia. The Perkins House in Goochland County will be the ministry's 10th home. For information on how to make donations, call 877-442-8368, or 804-237-6097, or visit www.hearthavens.org.

 

 

Your Virginia United Methodist Credit Union offers free financial workshops on a variety of topics including Steps to Financial Freedom (covers setting goals, building savings and reducing debt); Understanding Your Credit Report (credit report basics and how to improve credit scores); College Bound (for both parents and students, calculating college costs and types of funding available); Identity Theft (tools to protect one’s credit history and steps to take if you become a victim).  To schedule a workshop at your church call 866-657-0004 or email Janie Hightower at jhightower@vumcu.org.

 

Calendar for March-April 2008