Virginia Conference Sunday Advocate
-
May 20, 2012, Sunday Advocate
May 20, 2012 Seventh Sunday of Easter
Virginia churches participate in ‘Change the World’
This spring The United Methodist Church is coming together, not only for General Conference, but also to “Change the World” by expressing justice and compassion in each congregation’s local community over this weekend.
“Change the World” is part of the denomination’s “Rethink Church” effort to show that “church” is not simply about showing up for worship on Sunday morning, but means getting out beyond the walls and being active in your neighborhood or community.
Simply put, “Change the World” participants select a mission project and invite their communities to participate. “Building community” may look like creating a community garden, stocking a food pantry, cleaning local parks or repairing homes.
There are many ways to imagine changing the world so that it reflects more fully the justice and compassion of God through Christ. “Change the World” is an annual opportunity to connect mission-minded disciples with the mission of the whole denomination.
An annual event since 2010, “Change the World” has impacted thousands of lives worldwide.
In addition to some of the usual kinds of mission opportunities, several Virginia Conference congregations have planned some unique and creative things:
Middlesburg UMC is hosting a block party for residents of a low-income housing development;
Verona UMC is hosting a community-wide “Hopefest”;
Youth at First Fox Hill are distributing water and snacks on the beach;
Wood’s UMC in Chesterfield is giving away clothes;
Christ UMC in Staunton is painting the pavilion for The ARC in Waynesboro;
Sycamore UMC is hosting a barbecue dinner for the whole community;
Westover Hills members are working at Shalom Farms;
Standardsville UMC is inviting people to spend the night in a cardboard box to better understand the plight of the homeless;
Melrose UMC in Lottsburg is holding a “meet ‘n’ greet” event for its Adopt-A-Grandparent program.
Several Virginia churches also are doing Stop Hunger Now meal-packing events.
“Change the World” is based on a book of the same name by the Rev. Mike Slaughter, who challenges churches of every size to “to be a mission outpost, living out Christ’s ideals in today’s world.”
Check Twitter hashtag #CTW2012 to see what others churches have done.Ram taking new job: Pheath Ram, the conference assistant network administrator and videographer, is leaving the conference staff effective June 1, in order to take a position with Parollon Business Performance Group doing application development. He has worked on the staff for almost nine years and is the “go-to guy” when staff members need help with computers, phones, printers, projectors, etc. He has also produced beautiful, award-winning videos about Virginia Conference mission and ministry, including Initiatives of Hope, All Things New, 5 Talent Academy and many of the videos shown at Annual Conference.
Annual Conference banquet list posted on website: The annual Virginia Conference Clergy Spouses’ Lunch will be held at Cave Spring UMC on June 23 at 12:30 p.m. Sign up through the conference website at www.vaumc.org under “Events.” Reservations must be placed by June 1. The cost is $12. For details, e-mail Marianne Martin at rvjtm@bethelumc. org. Other banquet information is posted on the conference website, www.vaumc.org. Speakers this year include Dr. David McAllister-Wilson for Wesley Seminary alumni, Dr. Carson Brisson for the Union Presbyterian Seminary alumni group, and the Rev. Keith Boyette for the Evangelical Fellowship.
Wisdom and Grace Festival for older adults: The Southeastern Jurisdiction Association of Older Adults will host the 2012 Festival of Wisdom and Grace: From Transition to Transformation July 30-Aug. 2 at Lake Junaluska, N.C. “Transition to Transformation” will explore the seasons of mid- and later-life, with workshops geared around issues such as grandparents raising grandchildren, keeping our bodies fit and spirituality. Register at www.lakejunaluska.com/wisdom-and-grace or call 1-800-222-4930.
Next General Conference to be in Oregon: In case you were wondering, General Conference 2016 will be held in Portland, Ore. The site of the General Conference, held every four years, has traditionally rotated among the church’s five geographic U.S. jurisdictions.
Golf tournament to benefit Camp Overlook: The 14th Annual Tri-District United Methodist Men’s Mac Flemming Memorial Golf Tournament will be played at the Shenvalee Golf Resort in New Market on Saturday, June 2. Entry fee is $260 per four-person team, which includes all fees, cart, prizes and dinner (at Shenvalee immediately following the tournament). All profits from entry fee and every dollar of hole sponsorships will go directly to Camp Overlook. For more information, contact Monty Cox at (540) 740-8540 or mcox@shentel.net.
Quote of the Week: “A generation of young, educated and technically savvy leaders is rising. These young leaders will reshape the church and take it in new directions. They are more globally aware, multicultural and diverse than previous generations” —The Rev. Larry Hollon, General Secretary of United Methodist Communications, writing on his experiences at 2012 General Conference.
Published weekly, the electronic Sunday Advocate summarizes news events affecting Virginia United Methodists and serves as a link to the in-depth reporting of the Virginia United Methodist Advocate, the official newsmagazine of the Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church. To subscribe to the awardwinning monthly Virginia Advocate newsmagazine, call (804) 521-1110 or 1-800-768-6040, ext. 110; e-mail Advocate@vaumc.org; or visit www.vaumc.org.
