VOLUME 2, ISSUE 6 JUNE - JULY 2015

The Mission of the Virginia Annual Conference is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the

transformation of the world by equipping its local churches for ministry and by providing a

connection for ministry beyond the local church; all to the glory of God.

(Virginia Conference Mission Statement)

Down the River and Out to Cowpasture!

Over the past weeks, our Staunton District churches pulled together to accomplish a great goal: from May 13 to 15, we sent our DS ‘Down the River.’ To the present time, our District churches have raised more than $15,000 as part of the Conference-wide mission-initiative Imagine No Malaria – which seeks to raise $1 Million toward the

eradication of this major killer of children and the elderly in sub-Saharan Africa. Over the course of three days, Rev. Rochford and two friends paddled more than 65 miles on the Cowpasture River, camping along the way and sharing the landscape with eagles, heron, cows and even a bobcat. Said our DS, “I was pretty dumbfounded at how fast our folks exceeded the goal. I guess you could say that Staunton churches can be pretty generous when provoked, and that certainly appears to be what happened.” If your church has not yet received a mission offering or conducted an event for INM, please do so

right away, as our Bishop has asked that every single VA Conference Church do at least a small part in this worthy undertaking.

If you would like to see some images documenting our Superintendent’s epic voyage through Bath and Alleghany counties and down into Botetourt, visit the District website (www.stauntondistrict.org).

Page 2 Staunton District Voice

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO: Mrs. Barbara Burch and her family at the death of her husband, Rev. Edwin G. Burch, who passed away on April 1st. Rev. Burch was a Retired Clergy. The Rev. Richard Gibson and his family at the death of his wife, Mrs. Gertrude

Gibson, who passed away on April 17th. Rev. Gibson is a Retired Clergy. The Rev. Donald Long and his family, including son Michael Long who serves Ebenezer-Marvin Charge, at the death of his wife, Mrs. Charlotte Geraldine “Jerry” Long, who passed away on May 2nd. Rev. Don Long serves McKinley UMC. Mrs. Katherine Webster and her family at the death of her husband, Rev. William O. Webster. Rev. Webster was a Retired Clergy who served Central UMC in Clifton Forge. Mr. and Mrs. Ron Robey and their family at the death of his father, William Robey. Ron Robey is he Director of Camp Overlook.

FROM THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT: I am having trouble recalling another crossroads Sunday like the one this past weekend. First, the Church in the West observed the festival of Pentecost, reminding each other that because the Spirit is with us, we live in an age of signs and wonders. For US Christians, Memorial Day Sunday also called, offering its solemn summons to remembrance and gratitude (while somehow mysteriously thinning our ranks in the pews). And if those worthy occasions weren’t enough, May 24 was of course Aldersgate Day, kind of the Methodist Ramadan, when we remind each other that the power of a transformed life, of one heart “strangely warmed” can change the flow of history and spread scriptural holiness across the land. But by the time you read this, we will be moving beyond this many-tiered signpost, into the dawning days of summer - a decidedly “ordinary time” that will mean packing boxes for thirteen of our District pastors, and the breathless run up to Annual Conference for these busy souls as well as the rest of us. This year’s Annual Conference will rocket the Church into the early 21st century, with electronic voting devices similar to the ones used on America’s Funniest Home Videos for the last 15 years. (“Lock in your votes!”) With them we will elect delegates to the General and Jurisdictional Conferences. Our former bishop, Charlene Kammerer, will be with us to preach the Mission and Ordination/Commissioning Services, and a whole brace of Resolutions will be before us, testing the bounds of what we can lavish time upon and what we cannot. Frankly, it’s all pretty daunting. And absent a spirit of sincere, prayerful seeking of God’s goodwill, it should be. I am not sure how our children and grandchildren will remember what we argued about and voted upon, particularly when we ourselves sometimes do not. If our progeny are part of the Church at all, will they count us faithful, as we usher in a new U.S. missionary age? Only, I believe, if we imbue our churches with a self-effacing spirit of seeking after the holiness of God. Are called-out members of your church now meeting each week to pray for renewal and revival? Do you pray for the mission of your church, and the courage and unity of our larger United Methodist Church, at each worship service? This is far more than an antidote to parliamentary gamesmanship and simmering mistrust. Prayer is at the very root of the Christian life – outside the worship service. Too long have we paid lip service to its importance, while relegating it to beginning and concluding meetings in formulaic ways. Without prayer, we are just not drinking deeply from the Water of Life. Many of you have told me that Conference has seemed a bit less “thirsty” in recent years – that is, a more prayerful, humble spirit is present now. I agree, and very likely we need it now more than ever. Please join me in calling on your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for our bishop, our Annual Conference staff, our pastors and lay leaders, and our delegates-to-be. And then the power of one transformed life may just be yours – and ours.

Page 3 VOLUME 2, ISSUE 6

FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF CONGREGATIONAL EXCELLENCE: Last month I was at a Stop Hunger Now event where several churches joined together to package food that will be distributed to starving people in different parts of the world. The best thing about these events is that everyone can help, no matter their age. There were four generations represented in the room all working together.

I was at the station where the full food packages get sealed and are handed over to a “runner” who then takes them to the boxing station. My runner was about 9 years old and full of life. She couldn’t stand still and never stopped talking. To keep the energy level in the room high the staff of SHN has learned to play upbeat music on the sound system they bring to the event. My young helper danced in place with the bluegrass music that was blasting from a nearby corner. After about an hour she looked up and me and said “why do they keep playing the same song over and over?” Feeling the same way about the music I asked the person in charge if we could listen to something else for a while. My friend chose Top 20 Pop music and soon we were all listening to Taylor Swift and Maroon 5. After about thirty minutes the sound system died and it got pretty quiet in the room. A woman (who would qualify as an older adult) setting at a work station nearby sighed and said “Thank you for turning off that noise. I can’t wait to get home to my quiet back yard!” It was in that moment that God reminded me that in order to be the missional church and to work together we also must practice tolerance, compassion, and loving each other no matter our personal opinions and preferences. We need to appreciate our diversity within our own walls before we can reach into the diversity of the world around us. It isn’t always easy to do. For many years we have lived in segregation within our own church homes. Many refer to these as ministry silos. The youth are slotted into youth group whether they want to be there or not. The children are tucked away into their own space at the church. Adults are segregated by age and gender. We as a society have even named the different generations. A challenge for the church of today is to not only embrace the different generations but to get to know what makes each group of people unique. The reasoning behind naming our current middle age adults as GenX is because the “X” emphasized their desire to not be defined. The emerging name for the generation to follow is the iGen. These are two groups of people who are largely unchurched but most believe in God. Figuring out how to be in ministry with them will challenge churches to change the way they do things. This will be hard for the Silent Generation and the Baby Boomers that are in leadership positions within their churches. They are of generations who valued stability and structure. The 60’s and 70’s are when we first experienced large groups of people departing from the status quo. It has taken the church a long time to feel the effects of that shift and we are at a place that we can no longer ignore the fact that we are losing ground. God built the church to be a tool for disciple making. Sometimes we forget that and treat it more as a private club. With many good intentions our churches remain within the safe boundaries they have set for themselves. I realize that our United Methodist system has an abundance of “procedure” in place but I think that it is intended to help us be a better church not to hinder ministry. How can we live into the future as a church and not get caught up in our own preferences? How can we practice tolerance within our own walls? How do we become relevant to an outside world of people who barely know we exist? God has a plan for us to live out. I believe we must pray for His guidance and embrace a new way of being the church.

Beth Christian

Page 4 Staunton District Voice

2015 ANNUAL CONFERENCE The 2015 session of the Virginia Annual Conference will be held at The Berglund Center

(formerly the Roanoke Civic Center) in Roanoke, VA, June 19-21. The theme of this year’s Annual Conference is “From Members to Disciples.”

This year Annual Conference will elect delegates for the 2016 General Conference and 2016 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference using electronic devices (for the first time). Due to extra time needed for voting, Annual Conference will begin earlier than usual with Clergy and Laity sessions held Friday from 10:00 am thru Noon and the opening plenary session will begin at 2:00 pm.

Annual Conference Preachers

2015 Annual Conference Offering: Bishop Young Jim Cho announced that the 2015 Annual Conference Offering goal will be $150,000 and again focus on both international and Virginia-based mission needs. This offering goal includes $50,000 for continued support of our partnership with the Methodist Mission in Cambodia as they continue to purchase property for new churches and expand their fast growing mission. Another $50,000 is for United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Global Health ministries to aid the Ebola-ravaged countries of Sierra Leone and Liberia. Both of these countries have trained and equipped employees that are working to meet the needs of communities recovering from the Ebola outbreak, as well as taking a holistic approach to health that empowers people to take charge of their lives and develop healthy behavior in their communities. In Virginia, the goal is $50,000 to support mission projects working with the poor in the Danville and Eastern Shore Districts. Both of these districts are working in areas of Virginia that are well below national and state poverty thresholds. Of particular concern and emphasis are children living in poverty. Kits for UMCOR to be collected at Annual Conference: For kit instructions, go to www.umcor.org/UMCOR/Relief-Supplies. Kits should be taken to the two tractor-trailers at the far end of the Roanoke Civic Center Parking lot A, near the intersection of Williamson Road and Orange Ave. (across from the Sheetz Gas Station.). Kits will be received Thursday, May 18, 12:00-2:00 p.m.; Friday, June 19, 8:00 am - 5:00 p.m.; and Saturday, June 20, 8:00 a.m. CASH for KITs send directly to Conference Treasurer: If you prefer to contribute cash to enable UMCOR to purchase relief kits, you can contribute $50 for each bedding kit; $8 for each birthing kit; $55 for each cleaning kit; $12 for each health kit; $35 for each layette kit; $11 for each school kit; and $18 for each sewing kit. In addition, UMCOR asks for $1 per kit ($1.50 for buckets) to cover processing and shipping and $1 for toothpaste for each health kit. Please do NOT bring checks to Annual Conference. ALL checks (for processing and shipping, for toothpaste and in lieu of providing kits) should be made payable to “Virginia Conference UMC,” earmarked for “KITS” and mailed to Treasurer, Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church, P O Box 5605, Glen Allen, 23058 any time prior to Annual Conference and no later than August 31. VOLUNTEERS needed to COLLECT KITS at Annual Conference: If you can volunteer to help, email Virgil Decker at vdecker@cox.net or contact Jeff Wilson at Huntington Court UMC (540) 366-3465 to indicate what time you would be available to help.

Retired Bishop Charlene Kammerer

Saturday morning

MISSION Service

Saturday evening

ORDINATION Service

Bishop Young Jin Cho

Virginia Annual Conference

Sunday morning

WORSHIP

Reverend Young Bong Kim

Pastor Korean UMC of Greater

Washington

Friday evening

MEMORIAL Service

Reverend Tim Bias

General Secretary for the

General Board of Discipleship

Annual Conference Teacher

Page 5 VOLUME 2, ISSUE 6

25 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION HELP NEEDED

The Virginia Conference Legislative Network is seeking persons to serve on a committee to plan a special 25th Anniversary Celebration for United Methodist Day at the General Assembly in 2017. Persons interested in serving

should contact Rev. Randy Harlow, CLN Chair, by email at: crhncboy@aol.com or by calling (434) 237-5473 or (434) 941-4092. Suggestions for the observance will also be accepted from persons unable to serve on the committee.

UMW DIMES AND DOLLARS FOR VUMAC CELEBRATES 40 YEARS

United Methodist Women from across the Virginia Conference will gather in Blackstone in October 2015 to celebrate the 40

th anniversary of the

Dimes and Dollars program for the Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center. The late Ethel Born in her book “Candlesticks,” writing about the history of the UMW in Virginia, reports that an estimated 700 UMW gathered in April 1975 at VUMAC to launch this program which has produced more than $1 million for the Assembly Center over these forty years. More than $31,000 was contributed by more than 300 local UMW units in 2014, according to Mrs. Dolly Porter, the UMW representative on the VUMAC Board of Directors. “The UMW have had a profound impact on the development of the Conference Assembly Center.” says Rev. Tommy Herndon, chairman of the VUMAC board of directors. “No other organization has provided this level of sustained financial support.”

The relationship of Virginia UMW with Blackstone began in the 1940’s when UMW groups met at what was then Blackstone College. Reportedly, the UMW Annual Meeting has been held at VUMAC since 1973. Mrs. Born, in her book, puts it poetically: “Once in a while we have an opportunity to dream a dream and catch a vision and perhaps a long while afterward, we can look back and say - wasn’t that a great idea.” In 1979, the UMW began an effort to raise funds for what would become the Goodson Lodge which was dedicated in 1989. In addition to these fund raising efforts, the UMW, led by Mary Jordan, formerly president of UMW on the Arlington District, have spent hundreds of hours in making and installing drapes for guest rooms and other areas throughout the Blackstone facilities.

“The fall UMW Annual Meeting and the annual spring UMW Spiritual Life Retreat are special times for us at VUMAC,” says Sam McCracken, Executive Director at Blackstone. “We anticipate that the Annual Meeting this year on October 23-25 will be a special time as we celebrate the 40

th

anniversary of this Dimes and Dollars program which has so greatly benefited VUMAC.” Contact: Sam McCracken, 434-292-5308

COMPUTER-ASSISTED NOTETAKING – Individuals are needed who can offer their time and talent in communicating the spoken word to persons who need computer assisted note-taking during Annual Conference. Assistance is needed to type text of reports, worship and music using Microsoft Word, at times as the speaker is presenting. Good typing speed and accuracy is a must! Individuals

will be needed for all sessions for shifts of one hour or longer. Further information is available from the Office of Inclusivity and Lay Leadership Excellence at 1-800-768-6040 ext.154 or (804) 521-1154 or by e-mail at CherylEdleyWorford@vaumc.org

Page 6 Staunton District Voice

LAITY LUNCHEON AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE The Virginia Annual Conference will kick off on Friday, June 19, 2015. The Laity session will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday at The Berglund Center (formerly the Roanoke Civic Center) in Roanoke, VA. This year’s Laity Luncheon will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2015, at 12:15 p.m. at

Berglund Hall. The cost of the luncheon is $18.00. Tickets must be ordered directly from me by e-mail or phone call. Please contact Larry Creamer at Lrcream@rockbridge.net or 540-464-6316 for your tickets. The last day to purchase your luncheon ticket will be June 6th. No tickets will be sold at Annual Conference. Checks should be made payable to the Virginia Annual Conference and indicate on the memo line “Laity Luncheon.”

STAUNTON DISTRICT LAY SERVANT MINISTRIES We are delighted to announce we now have 5 new Certified Lay Speakers on our District. Five Certified Lay Servants came before the Lay Servant Subcommittee to present sample sermons at Parrish Court during our Spring Lay Academy. All were recommended to be Certified Lay Speakers by the committee. We extend our congratulations to Jane Bayne, Cathy Halterman, Larry Creamer, Earl David Cash, and Calvin Hughes! It has been a long road to get here, but we now have the beginnings of a working process to get more Certified Lay Servants before the Subcommittee to become Certified Lay Speakers. This is the culmination of a long road for the Lay Servant Ministries Committee and the 5 disciples who came forward to be the first cohort of Certified Lay Speakers. The Committee is looking forward to hearing more sermons! Dates and times will be announced at a later time. If you would like to be included in news and updates about Lay Servant Ministries, please email us at: stauntondistrictlsm@gmail.com with a current email address. Your information will be added to our email list to receive updates on training and opportunities to offer a sample sermon. This is the new email address set up specifically for the District Lay Servant Ministries. Please use it for any inquiries you may have.

Blessings,

Marge Sharp Director District Lay Servant Ministries

UNITED METHODIST DAY AT KING’S DOMINION

King’s Dominion offers discount prices to Methodists?! Yes, as part of a special arrangement with the Virginia Conference, King’s Dominion amusement park is offering United Methodists discounted prices on tickets

during United Methodist Days at the park. Cost is $34 per person for ages 3 and older for discount tickets valid June 25-29, July 1-6, and July 18-20. Children ages 2 and under will be admitted free. During the discount days, two Christian music events will take place on park grounds. Kingfest(three full days of Christian music featuring speakers and bands including Skillett, LeCrae, Tenth Avenue North, Jeremy Camp and more) will be June 25-27. JoyFest (one of the country's largest gospel festivals featuring Fred Hammond, Tamela and David Mann and Tye Tribbett) will be Saturday, July 18. KingsFest and JoyFest tickets are sold separately in advance through the call center at (804) 876-5000. Cost is $40 for Good Any Day tickets, which are valid April 11-Oct. 31. Kings Dominion is located 20 miles north of Richmond, off Interstate 95. To purchase tickets online, go to www.kingsdominion.com and enter promo code KDUMC04 in the top right corner under "my cart." The Virginia Conference will receive $1 for each ticket purchased online during United Methodist Days.

Page 7 VOLUME 2, ISSUE 6

THE SAMARITAN OFFERING

Churches in the Virginia Conference have been asked to receive a special offering between Mother’s Day on May 10 and Father’s Day on June 21 for the 2015 Samaritan Offering to support the Samaritan Program of Virginia United Methodist Homes (VUMH), a benevolent fund which provides financial assistance to residents who have outlived their monetary resources and can no longer afford the full cost of care. Ideas to promote this offering, including cut-and-paste newsletter articles, bulletin announcements, Facebook posts, Tweets, worship resources and bulletin inserts, are posted on the website at www.vumh.org under the “Samaritan Program” section. For help in telling the VUMH story within your congregation or extra copies of promotional materials, contact Martha Stokes, director of Church and Community Relations at Virginia United Methodist Homes, at MStokes@VUMH.org or (804) 474-8718.

SMALL CONGREGATION TRAINING DAY FOR PASTORS

On Saturday, July 11th from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at VUMAC in Blackstone, the

Conference will hold a workshop ~ Small Congregation Training Day. This is a pastors-only training that will focus on the small-membership congregation. Dr. Lew Parks will be the featured speaker, and Bishop Cho will lead closing worship. It is our hope that all pastors of small membership congregations (those with fewer than 150 in worship) will prayerfully consider attending this day of training and conversation. The event costs $25 and lunch is included. Pastors can find more information by visiting bit.ly/SMC-Training and can register via the Conference calendar or visiting VAUMC.org/SMC-Training.

‘MULLIGANS AGAINST MALARIA’ GOLF TOURNAMENT SET FOR JUNE 18 A golf tournament to raise money for Imagine No Malaria will be part of pre-Annual Conference activities planned by the Roanoke District. Mulligans Against Malaria will be Thursday, June 18, at Blue Hills Golf Course, 2002 Blue Hills Drive NE, Roanoke (off of 460/Orange Ave). Cost will be $35 per golfer, including greens fees and dinner. Tee time is 12:30 p.m. for a shotgun start. Up to 120 golfers can participate. Pre-registration is required. At this captain's choice tournament, each team is asked to raise funds by getting sponsors from local churches for birdies or eagles or on a per stroke basis. If you are a single golfer, you will be placed on a team. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Prizes will be given for the best score (including a round of golf for four at the Homestead, and a week at a condo in Myrtle Beach) and for the team that raises the most for "Imagine No Malaria." For more information, contact the Rev. B. Failes at bfailes@vaumc.org.

HELPING HANDS ON THE STAUNTON DISTRICT

July 16 at 1:00 p.m. - July 17 at 3:30 p.m. ~ Join us for an exciting Two-Day Mission Experience for children, offered to all member churches of the Virginia Conference. This is for all rising 4th- through 6th-graders, parents, and adult leaders. Come and learn about Mission Opportunities and the importance of being a Caring Christian. The cost is $36 per person. This includes a t-shirt, meals &

snacks, and overnight stay! (We will be sleeping on the floor and do not have shower facilities.) Host Church is Christ UMC in Staunton. To participate complete attached registration form and mail with full payment ($36 per person) for your group, by June 10 to: Staunton District UMC, P.O. Box 1048, Fishersville, VA 22939, Attn: Helping Hands Event, ***No e-mail or phone registrations please.*** Questions: Beth Christian, 540-932-1055 bethchristian@vaumc.org.

Page 8 Staunton District Voice

FROM THE DISTRICT UMW PRESIDENT: There are two things to bring to your attention:

The following UMW units supported the VIRGINIA UNITED METHODIST ASSEMBLY CENTER DIMES AND DOLLARS PARTNERS in 2014. Thanks and a big hug to all of you.

♦ Asbury UMC, Brownsburg ♦ Asbury UMC, Monterey ♦ Ashwood UMC ♦ Augusta Street UMC ♦ Basic UMC ♦ Beth Horon UMC ♦ Central UMC, Clifton Forge ♦ Central UMC, Staunton ♦ Epworth UMC ♦ Fairfield UMC ♦ Fletchers Chapel UMC ♦ Glossbrenner UMC ♦ Glovier Memorial UMC ♦ Granbery Memorial UMC ♦ Jollivue UMC ♦ Main Street UMC ♦ Marquis Memorial UMC ♦ Mint Spring UMC ♦ South Covington UMC ♦ Saint John's UMC (Staunton) ♦ Saint Mark's UMC ♦ Saint Paul's UMC (Crgsvl.) ♦ Saint Paul's UMC (Staunton) ♦ Trinity UMC ♦ Wayne Hills UMC

Mission Encounter will be held July 24 - 26 in Blackstone. Consider attending: it will encourage your soul. Studies: 1. Geographic Study: Latin America; 2. Spiritual Growth Study: Created for Happiness; 3. Issue Study: The Church and People with Disabilities. Fees: before June 30th, Adult: $180 Youth (13-18 yrs): $180; after July 1st Adult: $200 Youth (13-18 yrs): $200. Books: order in advance from: Resource Center/United Methodist Women’s Orders, P.O. Box 742349, Atlanta, GA 30374-2349, 1-800-305-9857, www.umwmissionresources.org. Or purchase it in the Event Book Room before Class! Questions concerning registration, call JoAnn Liskey (540) 434-2997. For scholarship information call Nancy Yarborough (757) 877-2155.

Betty Hairfield

Tearing Down the Walls: Ways of Doing Justice

Featuring Shane Claiborn

Saturday, October 24, 2015

9:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

First United Methodist Church - Salem (125 West Main Street, Salem, Virginia)

Early Bird Special: $25 adults, $10 students (Cost is $30 for adults registering after 9/24)

(includes lunch; approved for .5 CEU; childcare provided)

Register online at vaumc.org/events or

Contact the Roanoke District Office to request a brochure

(540) 989-3335/roanokedistrict@vaumc.org.

Registration deadline in October 17

(Presented by the Roanoke District in collaboration with the Danville,

Lynchburg and Staunton Districts of The United Methodist Church)

Page 9 VOLUME 2, ISSUE 6

Saturday, May 30 from 2:00 until... ~ Mint Spring UMC will be having their annual Party on the Lawn at the Mint Spring Ruritan building. There will be homemade pork barbecue, potato salad, coleslaw, ham sandwiches and corn dogs, as well as a corn hole tournament starting at 2 pm, a Bake Walk at 3 pm, and Games for children. At

4:30 pm we will have the Valley Harmony Chorus and at 5:00 pm music by Heaven’s Mountain Band. And at 6:15 pm there will be an auction. Hope to see you all there!

May 31 at 7:00 p.m. Glovier Memorial UMC (688 Highland Ave., Waynesboro) will be presenting a Sunday Forum. Deborah Burns from the Women's Shelter of WARM (Waynesboro Area Refuge Ministry) will be with us to give an update on the shelter

since it has recently reopened. This is a free event but a love offering will be taken.

June 10-13 ~ Art Music Performance Dance Summer Camp at Central UMC, 14 North Lewis Street, Staunton ~ For rising 3

rd through 6

th graders. Start the summer

off right with creativity at center stage. AMP’D Summer Camp is a series of four courses to be held June 10-13 from 9 to 1 o’clock. Plan to attend the performance at 2 p.m. on June 14. Featuring four inspiring subjects, participants may choose to spend the week studying either art, music, performance, or dance. Classes will be

held at Central’s facilities. A fresh and nutritious snack will be included in the tuition. For more information call 540-886-3441 or email: centralumc@centralumcstaunton.org.

June 29, 30 & July 1 ~ Do you know a rising 6th, 7th, or 8th grader? Jollivue’s Middle School Mission Experience is back again this year. The theme this year is Rescue, Recover and Reinvent. Students will

rescue and remake something, serve some valley folks by serving lunch, delivering meals on wheels and some other outreach ministry. The word of God will be presented each day along with opportunities for the students to share and grow their faith. Come join us as Middle schoolers taking part, or adults as chaperones, cooks, drivers or story tellers. Each day will begin at 9 am and finish at 2 pm at Jollivue UMC. Please call the church 886-6729 and leave a message with your phone number and we will call you back to confirm registration and/or volunteering times—or just to answer any questions you may have!

Annual Conference Orientation

Sunday, June 14th, at 3:00 p.m.

at Mint Spring UMC If you will be an attendee from your local Church or a District delegate, you are invited to at-

tend. You should bring your Book of Reports with you to this conversation, at which we will

cover Resolutions, helpful hints, follow-up on returning to church and the new technique of

electronic voting.

STAUNTON DISTRICT PROGRAM CALENDAR 2015

NONPROFIT ORG.

U. S. POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT NO. 178 Return Service Requested

Summer Hours will begin Memorial Day Friday, May 22 and will end on Labor Day Friday, September 4th. Summer hours are Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. and Friday 7:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

JUNE 14 Annual Conference Orientation, 3:00 p.m., Mint Spring UMC 18 Cabinet 19-21 Virginia Annual Conference, Roanoke 29 District Finance Committee, 6:00 p.m., District Office 30 Secretaries Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., Mrs. Rowe’s Restaurant in Staunton JULY 1 Clergy Moving Day 6 District Office closed for Independence Day 13 District Stewards Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Fairfield UMC 14-16 Cabinet Retreat 17-25 Rev. Rochford away AUGUST 7 Clergy Welcoming Picnic 10 District Ministries Council, 2:00 p.m., District Office

THE STAUNTON DISTRICT VOICE

The Staunton District Office 26 Orr Drive, P. O. Box 1048

Fishersville, VA 22939 Phone: 540-932-1055

Email: stauntondistrict@vaumc.org

Web Site: www.stauntondistrictumc.org

Bishop Young Jin Cho.......................Area Bishop Rev. Dave Rochford..........District Superintendent Beth Christian...Dir. of Congregational Resources David Mawyer............................District Treasurer Donna Desper.....District Administrative Assistant

Next Newsletter Deadline: July 20, 2015