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.

In This Issue

Annual Conference

and District

Conference News

Words from our DS,

Jay Carey

Thoughts from Beth

Christian, Director of

Congregational

Vitality

New Clergy Welcome

Staunton District United Methodist Churches October - November 2020

STAUNTON DISTRICT VOICE

One-day Virtual Gathering,

October 31

9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Conference Theme: “See All the People”

Romans 15:7 in NRSV

Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ

has welcomed you, for the glory of God. The September 19 2020 Annual Conference was invalidated by Bishop Lewis after voting technical issues during the session. (Information will be sent out to the Annual Conference Delegates beforehand.)

District Conference is scheduled for:

Tuesday, November 24th, at 6:30 p.m.

This year District Conference will be done by Zoom.

A Notice to join our meeting will be sent to Pastors and

Laity. If you wish to be an At-Large Member from the

Staunton District to the 2021 Annual Conference, contact

the District Office for a form.

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2 From the District Superintendent

Thank you all for your prayers, phone calls, cards and well wishes since moving to the Staunton District this past July. In spite of these strange and different times, my wife Ann and I are both delighted to be with you, and among you in serving our Lord Jesus in the many communities in this District, Annual Conference and in the world. Though this pandemic is causing us to live and connect much differently than before, we are still able to celebrate worship and service and outreach as the church.

As a new DS, I look forward to meeting many of you through Charge Conference gatherings either in-person or on Zoom. Even though this year’s Charge Conferences will be different from previous ones, they are all new to me! And I am hoping to learn about each church’s history and ministry and how God is at work in every community through your witness, worship and ministry. Our theme this Charge Conference season is: In spite of this COVID-19 pandemic, where do we go from here? Already I have heard about ways that God is teaching us new things, reminding us of old things and inviting us to see Christ in our midst! New friends, we are persevering.

Several years ago, Ann and I were in a small group with several other couples. We would meet every week for prayer, scripture discussion and fellowship time – that always included some sort of a dessert! All of us were new to that community and the church and this small group quickly became “family”. One night I was sharing about a tough day I had recently experienced and one of the members of the group quoted from Romans 5:3–4 and said, “Well, remember that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character hope. And hope does not disappoint because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

At that moment, I knew that what she said was true, but I wanted to live a little longer into my frustrating day and receive some sympathy, not be reminded of this Biblical truth and reality! Later, I was so glad that she didn’t let me continue to stay in the struggle that my “bad day” brought. Instead, she invited me to spiritually “look-up” and not only see how God was at work in my experience then, but also how God can use that tough experience to grow me into a stronger disciple of Christ in the days to come. I admit that I still struggle to see the “perseverance” lessons that life offers. But remembering that I am still a work in progress, and that God is not finished developing my character and hope helps when tough days and tough times come.

Over the past two months as the new District Superintendent of our wonderful Staunton District, and in spite of being in the middle of a global pandemic, I have seen hope in so many places and churches within our district. Sure, since March, we have experienced all sorts of struggles and sufferings and troubles and fears and on and on. Like so many others, we are weary of masking, social distancing, racial division and unrest, political strife, Zoom and other virtual meetings and so many other things we never saw coming. We want to come back together – together in person and worship, sing, shake hands and hug – without wearing face coverings! We want to share Holy Communion the way we did before COVID restrictions. We want to enjoy pot-luck meals after worship and coffee fellowship before Sunday School. We want to get “back” to normal.

But have we noticed that God continues to invite us “forward”? The story of Abraham begins with “go”. Abraham never returned “back” home. In fact, Hebrews 11:10 tells us that “he was always looking ahead to the city with foundations whose architect and builder is God.” We seem to always live in the tension of going back to the familiar and going forward in the Holy Spirit’s leading. In persevering this tension, somehow our character is developed and our hope is strengthened and divine truth is once again revealed: God is with us. I am reminded of the old sermon illustration used by so many over the years about an elderly woman who was asked why she had so much hope in spite of many obstacles in her life. She replied that her favorite Bible verses were the ones that started with, “it came to pass”! COVID-19 will pass. Let us pray that the lessons we learn during this pandemic season will help us to persevere, develop character and fill us with hope now and forever!

Blessings & Joy,

Rev. Jay Carey, D.S.

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3

From our Congregational Vitality Director:

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4 Requesting Help for Christmas:

Christmas is coming and Kingsway Prison and Family Outreach needs your help more than ever. Hopefully this year the inmate gifts will contain notepad, pencil, lip balm, toothpaste and Christmas card. We are going to have to purchase our notepads and lip balm this year, so we will need financial donations to cover the cost of 6,000 of those and we will welcome collections of toothpaste. We only need 4,000 tubes of 6 ounce or less toothpaste. Dollar Tree has the toothpaste for $1. General Dollar also has some at $1. The inmates really like Colgate and Crest because they aren’t on their commissary lists. We have already started collecting toothpaste and pencils.

The Covid pandemic has made ministry at Kingsway a challenge. We have not been allowed to go into any of the facilities to do Bible Studies or Church, but we have been sending devotions to all the inmates that were attending any of our programs each month since the lockdown; over 500 mailed.

The Apple Tree project, gifts for children of the inmates, also needs help as many of the churches that have been doing the project are not having church or don’t feel like they can participate.

Please let us know how you can help by contacting Pat Crouse 540-433-5658 or Louise Jennings 540-830-7000 or email info@kingswayoutreach.org. Check out our updated webpage: www.kingswayoutreach.org. and our Facebook page. If you know of anyone in jail or prison please let us know and we will include them in our mailings and send them a Birthday Card. We now have an inmate mailing list of 1600 inmates receiving Birthday cards and other holiday cards.

UM Publishing House extends full permission of copyrighted worship materials

The United Methodist Publishing House (UMPH) is extending full permission to all churches for use of

UMPH copyrighted worship materials through December 2020. UMPH recognizes the need for easy access

to key worship aids as the COVID-19 crisis persists and local churches strive to serve their communities.

The copyright page in the 1992 United Methodist Book of Worship grants permission as follows: “United

Methodist congregations may reproduce for worship or educational purposes any item from The United

Methodist Book of Worship for one-time use, as in a bulletin, special program, or lesson resource, provided

that the copyright notice and acknowledgment is included in the reproduction.” Each worship service is one-

time use. Therefore, churches are free to reproduce the liturgical text as needed (with the obvious

exception of the copyrighted service music on pages 173-223). Further, during the COVID-19 crisis, UMPH

is waiving the need to ask permission to livestream and/or record worship services that read, perform, or

display liturgical text from the UM Book of Worship. UMPH encourages churches to utilize streaming

licenses from Oneicense or CCLI to stream copyrighted service music. No additional

permission is required for any United Methodist congregation to reproduce the liturgical text

in the context of an online or physically gathered worship service or, during the COVID-19

crisis, to livestream worship services and/or record and post them on a private site during

this period. This permission does not extend to events other than worship services or

events where admission is charged or registration fees are collected or copies are

duplicated in a resource for sale.

5

5 Our Deepest Sympathy To:

Rev. Dave & Mrs. Lisa Rochford and their family on the deaths of her father, Bobby Griffin and her step brother. Rev. Rochford served as our DS for the past seven years.

The Family of Rev. Harley Bender who passed away on June 2nd. Rev. Bender served the Craigsville Charge, as Associate for the Bath Larger Parish (Bath County, Greenville-Mint Spring Charge, Fishersville UMC, South Covington UMC and again at Craigsville-Goshen Charge.

Rev. Jim & Mrs. Debbie Harris at the death of her step-father, Fred Almarode. Rev. Harris, retired from our District serves Weyers Cave UMC on the Harrisonburg District.

Mr. David and Mrs. Carol Mawyer, our District Treasurer, at the death of their son Andy, who passed away on October 4th.

District Members-at-Large Nominations to

2021 Annual Conference scheduled

for June 17-19 in Hampton.

The Staunton District needs to elect 15 District Lay Members-

at-Large and 5 District Alternate Lay Members-at-Large at

District Conference. Contact your pastor or the District Office

for a Nomination form. They need to be completed, signed,

and returned to the District Office by Friday, October 30th.

If you are interested in being a District At-Large Member, below are the

requirements:

1) You have been a member of the UMChurch for at least two

years preceding the election at District Conference

2) You have been an active participant in the UMChurch for at least four

years preceding the election at District Conference.

October is Clergy Appreciation Month

Be sure to give your clergy some special attention this month.

They work hard and would appreciate the recognition!

Reimagining Creative, Safe Yet

Socially Distant Holiday Celebrations

Resource UMC - with the number of coronavirus cases across

the country, fall and winter holiday celebrations are likely to look very

different this year. Adjust your church plans now for fall festivals. Halloween

and Christmas. With a little creativity, you can create celebrations that are

fun and safe. A few ideas from Resource UMC to get the creative juices

flowing can be found at ResourceUMC.org.

The Virginia United Methodist Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2021 Grant Awards.

To apply and be considered for a grant, please visit our website (https://vaumfoundation.org/about-us/grants/) to learn more about the process and qualifying criteria. Deadline to apply is October 30, 2020 at 5:00 pm. Go to https://vaumfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2020-2021-Grant-Application.pdf for Application Go to https://vaumfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/

Guidelines-and-Instructions.pdf for Guidelines and Instructions Please contact us at foundationgrants@vaumc.org if you have any questions about Foundation grants or the grant application process.

6

6 Dates to Remember:

October

1-29 Charge

Conferences (In-person

and by Zoom)

18 Laity Sunday

20-21 DS will be

attending Cabinet

Meetings

November

1-19 Charge

Conferences (In-person

and by Zoom)

17-18 DS will be

attending Cabinet

Meetings

Congratulations to:

Rev. Andre and Mrs.

Darlene Crummett on

the birth of their

grandson Mile Foster

Griffin.

Rev. Ryan and Mrs.

Lou Oswald on the birth

of their daughter, Navey

Rhea on September 3rd.

Welcome to our New Clergy:

We want to welcome our new Clergy to the District: Pastors Don Duty and Mary Pysell are now serving Goshen UMC. Rev. Deb Washer returns to the District to serve at Mint Spring UMC. Rev. David Breeden comes from retirement to serve St. Paul’s UMC in Craigsville. His Associate will be

Pastor Cody Adkins. Rev. David Rash also comes from retirement to serve Sherando UMC. Rev. Sangjung Lee comes from the New York Conference to serve the Bath Charge. Rev. Marion Sortore comes from the Florida Conference to serve Central UMC in Clifton Forge. Rev. Greg Kropff returns to the District to serve Christ’s Cooperative Parish. Rev. Nona Allen will serve the Fairfield Charge. Rev. Ryan Oswald also returns to the District to serve at St. Paul’s UMC in Staunton. Rev. Bill Jones, just retiring, will serve Basic UMC along with Rev. Jose Colon-Hernandez. Rev. Joe Shoop will be serving Main Street UMC in Waynesboro. And our District Superintendent, Rev. James “Jay” Carey will serve the Staunton District.

The 2020 Lay Servant Academy will be held via Zoom on Saturday, November 14. Three courses are being offered: I Love to Tell the Story, Older Adult Ministries, and Online Worship. Please see the descriptions below. Each course costs $30. Registration may be found at https://na.eventscloud.com/lsa.

The schedule is as follows: 8:45-9:00 Sign into Zoom 12:30-1:00 Lunch Break 9:00-9:20 Opening worship 1:00-4:00 Part Two of Course 9:30-12:30 Part One of Course

Each course will have a reading and written assignment due prior to the Academy. There will also be a post-assignment that will be due by November 28. Zoom links and assignments will be sent in October.

I Love to Tell the Story Course Description: The earliest sharing of the bible was by mouth or storytelling. Christians have been sharing these stories since Christianity’s inception. Listening to and sharing these powerful stories can be made to feel heartfelt and inspiring. All participants should come ready to share. The sharing helps participants learn different approaches to telling Bible stories. They will study techniques for learning and "fleshing out" stories from Scripture and contemporary events. The participants will tell short stories and have lots of feedback to enhance their storytelling experience. The class includes a resource list for further exploration. Instructor: David Bailey. Required Participant’s Book • https://bookstore.upperroom.org/ DR407 • 978-0-88177-407-8 • $14.00

Online Worship Course Description: This course is designed to assist participants in facilitating online worship in different settings. In addition, the course will cover ways to engage small groups in other areas of ministry. Resources will be provided to each participant one month prior to the class so that participants can be prepared to discuss and share best practices. Instructors: Tianna Durbin, Joanna Dietz.

Older Adult Ministries Course Description - will be posted soon. Instructor: Martha Stokes

Questions? Please contact Tianna Durbin, Lay Servant Academy Director, tiannad@arcolachurch.org.

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7

To the Laity of the United Methodist Church,

This is an extraordinary time in the history of our church and world. As Conference Lay Leaders we gathered in February optimistically anticipating a future guided by vision and filled with action. We returned home to face a modern pandemic that has canceled local, conference, and denomination-wide activities. Many of us are not gathering in our houses of worship right now. Clergy and laity are learning ways to minister differently. Weddings, funerals, celebrations – even times of breaking bread and fellowship -- have been postponed or reduced to minimized gatherings. Separation has brought challenges to how we meaningfully carry on our ministry and mission. In the same time frame, the lives of Ahmaud Arbury, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and so many other Black lives have been violently ended because of the sin of deeply rooted racism. Pain, anger, denial and new realizations have further ripped the already frayed fabric of communities across the world. Jesus gave us the Great Commandment, to “love one another as I have loved you.” Discomfort, fear, loss, grief or anger do not excuse us from this command. “But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you – from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.” (I Peter 2:9, The Message) We have been called through our baptism to steadfast leadership in this time. God calls us to stand as witnesses to this dual pandemic. As laity we are 99.2% of the church and our voices matter. We cannot sit as observers to these events. We will not go back to normal. We cannot be silent. We are vital to the unfolding of God’s hope for us, to be people who hold one another and the communities around us, in love. Our acts of witnessing are not those of a spectator or to record history, but to take action and cause change. God calls us to care for one another during this plague that has taken the lives of over 775,000 people worldwide. Seasons of pandemic and cultural change do not excuse us from being aware and supportive of our neighbors. Rather, they call us to being there for one another, hearing, listening deeply and acting. God calls us to open our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds to the systemic and individual realities of racism. We are called to raise our voices for God’s kingdom, for the life we can all live together. God calls us to acknowledge that when one person is denied freedom all are responsible to raise the voice of faith against systems of oppression. It is past time to use our voices. We are called to act. As laity, consider actions you can take with your families, congregations, and communities. Lead courageous conversations about this dual pandemic. How can we be supportive while isolated? How can we see and understand the systemic racism that is so deeply rooted? Hold all of those in prayer who risk their lives to heal the sick and protest against the inequities around us. Advocate and work for God’s justice and mercy for those who suffer. Shine light on those invisible biases in our relationships, congregations, conferences, and the Church that diminish the voices of some while strengthening others. Question our assumptions about the way our church works. Seek ministry and mission that expand our understanding of others. Where can we advocate for justice? How can we reach out to the world and help build God’s Kingdom here, for everyone? Renew our commitment to love one another, fully embracing the knowledge that sometimes this means we need to let go of old ways and old thinking that may allow us to think that some people are better than others and deserve more, while accepting that other people, ideas or dreams are disposable. Collectively use our voices to question, confront, resist, and heal. Every single one of God’s Children needs safety, protection, and support. Most of us benefit from larger systems of government, education, health, transportation, recreation and more; are they realistically and equally available to everyone in the community? Participate in learning that equips laity to engage with justice and mercy efforts. Learn together through books, movies, listening, and taking the risk to think differently. If all this seems daunting, let’s remember together that God will not give us a task too large nor will God leave us on our own. If we move beyond our comfort zones or encounter disapproval from others, we can think

about the late John Lewis whose whole life was grounded in his Christian faith. Mr. Lewis, a great American statesman and advocate for the beloved community once said, “let’s get in some good trouble together.” The season for change and transformation is NOW! In all our own places, let us follow God’s call. God’s blessings, The Association of Annual Conference Lay Leaders Executive Committee

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8 Sept. 2020

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9

Contact Us

We are here to equip and

encourage our churches as

they strive to do ministry in

their unique communities.

Staunton District UMC

26 Orr Drive

Fishersville, VA 22939

(540) 932-1055

stauntondistrict@vaumc.org

Visit us on the web at

www.stauntondistrictumc.org

Like us on Facebook

Staunton District UMC

26 Orr Drive

Fishersville VA 22939

Serving Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Botetourt, Highland and Rockbridge Counties.

NONPROFIT ORG.

U. S. POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT NO. 178

Address Service Requested

Laity Sunday is scheduled for October 18, 2020, and concludes the

quadrennial theme of “Therefore, Go!”

This year’s suggested sermon topic is “Pressing On: Known by Name” based on Exodus 33:12-23.

Resources will be posted soon at www.umcdiscipleship.org.

For more information, please contact your District Lay Leader or District Director of Lay

Servant Ministries.