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THE AMBASSADOR “So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians
5:20).”Volume 13, Issue 8 A newsletter for the Pastors and Lay Leadership of the Charlottesville District August 2015
Contributions
$47,294 as of 7/31/15
$400,000 Goal
Heart Havens Donations
The above donation button is located on the home page of the Charlottesville District website. http://charlottesvilledistrictumc.org. This is a secure website, through PayPal, where you can go to donate to Heart Havens.
Youth Ministry
SAVE THE DATE!District Youth Rally
August 30, 2015Byrd Chapel UMC
Conference EventsNovember 13-15, 2015: Middle School Retreat
December 4-6, 2015: High School Retreat
Save the date:C’ville District Conference and Training- Saturday, November
14 at Aldersgate UMC from 9:30-1:00 p.m.
Restoration UMC Movie NightThe final outdoor movie night at the Restoration UMC is Friday, August 14. The movie playing is Rio 2. FREE popcorn, water and snow-cones provided. Bring your family, favorite blanket and/or lawn chairs! Contact the church for show time.
434.973.9077.
Westview on the James
Paddle Boards were made possible by the donation of the Charlottesville District.
Thank you to the DistrictDear Pastor Danny & Missions Committee,We would like to that you for your support of our family and VIM team to Chili. We had a great time working with high school students at what is known as El Vergel which is The Farm, a United Methodist Agricultural School and farm. There were lots of apple and cherry orchards and a nice nursery as well. We put on a basketball camp and did crafts with the students. We also worked on their new cafeteria removing plaster from the walls and retiling the kitchen/bakery and their storage rooms with nice, new, white tiles. This will centralize the cafeteria for the students so that they do not have to walk a quarter mile for their meals each day.Thank you for helping to make a difference through your prayers and financial support of us and the team. Your commitment is sincerely appreciated. Serving Together,Randy, Lee Anne and Jordon Orndorff
Common Table and Missions Committee MeetingsThe next meetings:Tuesday, August 25 at Aldersgate UMC10 a.m. Common Table11 a.m. Missions CommitteeQuestions? Contact Bob [email protected]
Blanket Blessing
Photos submitted by Rev. Dr. Judy DeBres
The School for Children’s Ministries is On The Road again! Three more locations this year. Learn Extraordinary Lessons from Ordinary Objects offers three more workshops. .5 CEU offered as well as certificates for preschool teacher accreditations. Please encourage your children’s ministry team to attend. Only $20 per person. Brochure and Registration online:
http://www.vaumc.org/Events?cid=3&ceid=1272&cerid=0&cdt=5%2f30%2f2015
Fall dates and locations:
September 12, 2015 Timberlake UMCLynchburg
October 17, 2015 Thalia UMC VA Beach
November 7, 2015 Good Shepherd UMC Dale City
Children's Ministry GatheringThe Charlottesville Area Children's Gathering will resume on Wednesday, September 23 at 9 am at Panera (on Community Street) For more information, feel free to contact me at [email protected] - Julie Nitzsche, Director of Children's and Youth Ministry, Stanardsville United Methodist Church
Camp Young at Heart - An Ecumenical Camp for Adults of All AgesRegistration for Camp Young at Heart 2015 August 25 – 27, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, held at Aldersgate UMC
It’s time to register for our twelfth annual Camp Young at Heart. Registration forms can be found at www.cvaumc.org or www.broadus.org. Please select your three classes (one for each time period) and put them on your registration form. Please note that if you are signing up for either “Discovering Your God-Given Gifts” or “Painting Your Memories”, you only need to select one additional class.. Make your check payable to “Broadus Memorial Baptist Church” and designate “Camp Young at Heart.”
We have lined up a great list of classes and outstanding teachers, offering a wide variety of subjects, including many not previously offered. Registration fee is only $20.00 for one person or $35.00 for a couple. What a bargain! Additional expenses are covered by the sponsoring churches.
We have also lined up some great entertainment for your enjoyment during the lunch hour. You won’t want to miss it.
If you have never been to camp before, you will need to bring your own lunch. On Wednesday, we are asking you to bring a meat, salad, vegetable, or dessert to share. Drinks, coffee and snacks are provided every day.
Camp Young At Heart will be held at Aldersgate United Methodist Church on East Rio Road. There is plenty of parking available, the building is wheelchair accessible, and there is an elevator.
Please share this information with the other adults at your church, as well as your friends and neighbors. You are our best recruiters! Spread the word!
Part-time Position AvailableWesley Memorial UMC in Charlottesville seeks part-time (15-20 hours/week) office support. Fluent in Microsoft , Windows 7, and database management essential. Excellent people skills and familiarity with social media a must. Property management expertise desirable, as well as ability to coordinate and work with volunteers. Email cover letter and resume to [email protected]. No calls or walk-ins please.
This position is also posted on the Virginia Conference Web site at www.vaumc.org/jobs
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UMW EventSEPTEMBER18-19th..Young Womenʼs event at Blackstone
Office Manager needed at The Wesley FoundationDear Colleagues,The Wesley Foundation at the University of Virginia is seeking a new Office Manager. Will you please share the attached job description with anyone who might be interested? Questions and resumes may be sent to [email protected]. I am also available to answer questions that anyone may have.
Thanks and Blessings,David VaughanPastor, Evangelical UMCCo-Chair, Wesley Foundation Board of Directors(434) [email protected]
Building a Foundation for the Future Capital Campaign update from the Wesley Foundation at UVAThrough the generosity and commitment of so many of you, we have raised $737,000 so far in gifts and pledges, towards our goal of nearly $1.5 million. Our goal remains and the campaign will continue until our total is met, which includes repairs and renovations, along with a $200,000 endowment to help provide for future ministry.
We are in conversations with our architect now, considering how we might structure our work in phases, if needed. Reaching at least $950,000 would enable us to complete a solid “phase one” with essential work done in both the main building and the Cottage student house, including the addition of another student apartment in our main building. Hitting this benchmark would allow us to begin work but also to save for future work, as the then increased rental income can be designated for the successive phases.
We are thankful and amazed by the generosity Wesley friends on our district have demonstrated so far. We were overjoyed to share the success and the vision for our future with 200 people (and Bishop Cho!) at our April 11th 50-Year Celebration and Groundbreaking. We are hopeful you will give or make an increased gift to help us get even closer to our goal. Listen to students talk about what this means in their lives, and keep track of our progress at: wesleyatuva.org/ccvideo
If you or your church have not yet made a gift or pledge, please consider doing so now. It will make a difference in this campaign and in the lives of students, now and in the future. If you have already made a gift or pledge, would you consider an increased gift?
The Wesley Foundation at UVAThe Wesley Foundation at UVA is our campus ministry and great things are happening! Click here to read the latest from
students and alumni, reflecting on campus ministry and our 50-year celebration with Bishop Cho. Or, type into your browser to access Wesley’s Website: wesleyatuva.org/?p=2242.You and your congregation can be partners with Wesley in reaching young adults by praying for this ministry, including us in your annual budget, making a gift for our innovative capital campaign, and providing Thursday night dinners during the academic year. Thanks for taking a look at this edition of The Wesley Word -- we hope to hear from you soon!
Thanks from the Wesley Foundation!On behalf of the students at the Wesley Foundation at UVA, hearty thanks go to members and pastors of the following churches which provided Thursday suppers during the 2014-15 academic year:
AldersgateByrd ChapelFirstIvy CreekJourneymen (a Breakfast, Prayer, & Study group of 8 men representing several churches,( inspired by The Walk to Emmaus)MacedoniaMt. MoriahSalemStanardsvilleWillis ChapelWesley MemorialWestover
Several of these congregations served more than once during the year, and several new churches/groups were part of the schedule this past year. This is a wonderful and much-appreciated ministry to the students, who so enjoy a home-cooked meal! Moreover, the generosity of churches in providing a meal each week saves Foundation funds for other aspects of its ministry to UVA students, besides giving students and church members in the District an opportunity to get acquainted.
We are beginning to fill the 2015-16 calendar. If you have date preferences you may wish to express them early! At this time Thursdays beginning September 3, 2015, through December 17, 2015 (except for Thanksgiving, November 26), and January 21, 2016 through May 12, 2016 (except for Spring Break – March 10, 2016) are available. The earlier September dates and the January and February dates often seem a bit challenging to cover, so please consider those if you’re able. For more information and/or to sign up, please contact Sandra Thornton, [email protected], 434-974-9249 (h), 757-442-0847 (c).
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To learn more about the Wesley Foundation and its activities and ministries, please visit the website http://wesleyatuva.org/
Covenant Prayer ChurchesThe churches listed have signed the Covenant for Spiritual Discipline:Aldersgate StanardsvilleAmissville WestoverBethlehem (Roseland) WesleyanCunningham Wesley MemorialCulpeper ZionRichardsville RodesHopewell Browns CoveHinton Avenue GentryIvy Creek MineralLouisa West Louisa ChargeOak Shade Salem (Fluvanna)Oak Grove Trinity (Orange)Etlan Mount VernonRockspring South River
Credit Union Has New Educational Lending ProgramSnapLoan, the Virginia United Methodist Credit Union's new educational lending program, is structured as a low fixed rate Line of Credit.
• Only one application-no need to reapply each year• No annual FAFSA required• Quick and easy one page application• Complete flexibility to draw the money whenever you
see fit (subject to annual limits)• Funds can be used for any educational related
expense-even study abroad5.45% APR Fixed Rate for students attending any accredited college or university or 4.95% APR Fixed Rate for students attending seminary or a Virginia United Methodist affiliated college. For details visit www.virginiasnaploan.com.All VUMCU loans are subject to approval and credit restrictions apply. Thanks,Janie HightowerMarketing Manager(804) 672-0200 Office(804) 672-0444 Faxwww.vumcu.org
Imagine No MalariaThe Conference is collecting funds through September 1 towards our goal of saving 100,000 plus lives. Money contributed so far: $944,670. 94,467 lives have been saved. We are asking every church to support this endeavor. As little as $50 saves five lives!!!
VBS materials for INM can be found on the conference website, vaumc.org.
Leave a Legacy EventYou are invited to attend Culpeper United Methodist Church’s LEAVE A LEGACY WORKSHOP, on Saturday, August 22, 2015.
Have you planned for your future and the future of your family? If you have not, or even if you have not the Leave a Legacy Event is a great opportunity to consider plans for:
your quality of life, through a living will and advance directives
your end of life’s journey celebration and disposal of your earthly body
the distribution of your earthly possessions and treasures
leaving a special gift to your church. Community or other charity
learning how you might make advance contributions to college funds for children or grandchildren
W Workshops will include the following topics:Funeral Planning – Clore English Funeral Home – Wayne English or Kristen JohnsonWills & Estate Planning – Steve Lewellyn &/or AssociatesLiving Wills & Advance Directives – Katharine ChaparichEndowments – George Dasher & Endowment Team Virginia 529 Education Plans – Gillette Harris – offered only in workshops III & IV
Child care will be provided by preregistration only.
Schedule:Registration & Snacks: 12:45- 1:30Workshop I: 1:35 - 2:20Break: 2:20 -2:30Workshop II: 2:30 -3:10Break: 3:10- 3:20Workshop III: 3:20 -4:05 Break: 4:05-4:15Workshop IV: 4:15 – 5:00
No cost to this event except your time. Please preregister online at our website www.culpeperumc.org, or call the church office at 540-825-0764.
The workshop concludes with a Pizza with Priscilla from 5:30 - 7:30. Bring an age appropriate Bible for each member of your family as we have intergenerational discussion. Cost is $5.00 per family.
VBS at Amissville UMC
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Revitalize your church with Disciple Fast Track!For nearly thirty years, the original Disciple Bible Study has helped millions of people read through the Bible and grow in their faith through a 34-week class. The new Fast Track study leads groups through the Bible in a shortened, 24-week, 75-minute format while maintaining the integrity and principles of the original study. New, easy-to-use print and video materials and an online community give participants the tools to absorb and retain what they learn in this shortened format. Churches that participate in this year’s (2015) beta2 testing phase will receive the final, official-release materials at no additional cost in the summer of 2016.
Main features of Disciple Fast Track:
* Classes meet for a total of 24 weeks* Each group session lasts 75 minutes* Designed for Small Groups and Large Groups* A new, user-friendly Leader Guide* 24 new weekly Illustrated Review
Videos* 24 new Introductory Videos* Illustrated Review Flash Cards* Leader Online Training and Online Community
Learn more and sign up at: http://www.disciplefasttrack.com.
Imagine No MalariaHere are the June month end figures for INM. Keep up the good work! Please continue to seek participation from your churches who haven't been able to participate to date. I am so thankful
for all that you all have accomplished and your support!!
INM Spreadsheet - Charlottesville
$3,492.80
District Funds $2,307.00
Church donations $20,371.06
Individuals $425.00
Credit Card (Online) $1,000.00
Advance $00
Total Funds Raised $33,779.88
Total Lives Saved 3,378
Churches Involved 42
Dist. Average Wkly worship 4,384
Blessings,Maria MaxwellINM Field Coordinator - VA Conference804-521-1160www.vaumc.org/imaginenomalaria
Culpeper UMC VIM team trip to ChileWe began our 30 hour journey to Anglo Chile on
Sunday June 30th and arrived early Monday morning to work with John Elmore, at an Agricultural Christian Boarding School. Upon arriving we met Lindsay who quickly became our 10th member; she is working at the school for 3 months as part of a long term mission project. We believe that Lindsay will eventually visit us when she returns home to Virginia. The group felt very fortunate to have her work with us closely.
While there we worked on improving the building that will eventually become the new cafeteria. Currently the students have to walk to the cafeteria making it feel more like a college campus, rather than a high school. Once the cafeteria is moved closer to the rest of campus the school will be able to open another trade in addition to agricultural, such as plumbing or mechanics. The hope being this would bring more students to the school. The project we worked on was finishing the tile job in the room where bread is made that a group started before us. This meant cutting tile, putting tile up, grouting tile, and cleaning tiles. We also worked on tiling two back rooms, but before tiling began we had to chip off old plaster using 3 little tools. The chipping of the room took both time and energy and was very repetitive. Everyone was happy when they were able to begin tiling a much more fulfilling job, we were able to complete about half of one back room, and a wall in the second room.
Jordan and Randy ran a multi-night basketball camp, where students learned different warm up drills, and games. Many of the children returned night after night, and had a great time! All who attended the camp left with a basketball. In addition every student who attended the school received a Press On” shirt, the students all loved the shirts and we saw them being worn throughout the week.
The ladies on the trip had the privilege of going into the girls’ dormitory one night. Beforehand we prepared a variety of “American” snacks, different types of PB&J sandwiches. Then we worked with the students making rubber-band bracelets, scratch art, we personalized T-shirts, and played with glow sticks. There was limited communication but everyone understood that both the girls and the team truly enjoyed their time together.
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On Tuesday the worship team from one of the local Methodist Churches came to the hostel, and invited us down to their rehearsal, we all sang along as they played familiar tunes. We attended a small Methodist church in town twice. On Saturday night, we went over for a small gathering. We played a biblical trivia game with members of the church. Most of us were able to answer the questions even though they were in Spanish. We listened to a youth band play, 80’s rock music. We also played a toss game that challenged your hand eye-coordination. We went for a Sunday service which was very musically driven.
We spent our last day in Santigo, a beautiful city. Where we learned about the history of the city, went on a tour, got to go to a market, a 7-story mall. We also went to dinner there and got to watch Chile win the semi-finals of the Copa America.
A.M.E. Council of Bishops Demand Action to Confront Racism in the U.S.
Press Releaseon behalf of theCouncil of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
July 1, 2015The leadership of the African Methodist Episcopal Church met this week in New Orleans to take care of the business of the church. Part of that business was to reaffirm our commitment to move the nation to face, confront, and act on the issue of race. Almost two weeks ago, nine faithful members of the A.M.E. Church were killed because of racism and hate.President Obama in his stirring and eloquent eulogy correctly said we don’t need to talk about race—we have talked about it a lot. The African Methodist Episcopal Church believes we must move beyond talk, we must act.So the question is what’s next? The Emmanuel Nine and so many others who have died or been discriminated against and suffered because of race cannot have their lives taken, simply to be a footnote in history.The African Methodist Episcopal Church prepares to celebrate next year it’s Bicentennial. Two hundred years ago the A.M.E. Church was founded because of racism and injustice. We intend and are committed as part of our Bicentennial Celebration to again lead the nation on this issue.There are several things we intend to do. We do not intend or try to do it by ourselves.First, on September 2nd, the A.M.E. Church will join with our sister denominations, the A.M.E. Zion and Christian Methodist Episcopal Churches, at a press event at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., where we will outline specific areas where the nation can act on race. These will include education, mass incarceration, reform of gun laws, poverty, and a number of other areas. In addition we will present a list of actions entitled, “And Justice for All,” to the bipartisan congressional leadership. Racism plays a major role in why unemployment for blacks is always double the national average, and why blacks
make up less than 20% of the population, but such a large portion of the prison population. Racism plays a role in drug laws. Laws that are different for those in the cities, primarily black, and those in the suburbs, primarily white. Racism plays a role in why so many, in fact 20% of the population, and one of every five black children live in poverty. Racism plays a role in why 10% of the population controls 75% of the wealth. Our call will not require talk, but action.Second, Sunday, September 6th, we will join with many of our faith partners and declare Sunday, September 6th as a “Day of Confession, Repentance, Prayer, and Commitment to end Racism”. We will ask every church, temple, synagogue, mosque and place of worship to focus on race and ask every pastor, Rabbi, Imam, and others to preach on race and be reminded and that out of one blood, God created all of us to dwell together in unity.Third, next year the A.M.E. Church will celebrate its Bicentennial. We will invite both the presumptive Democratic and Republican presidential nominees to address the General Conference where thousands will be in attendance. We will insist, in fact demand, the nominees to present their specific plans for the cities and urban areas of the country, including education, and employment. We have not had a plan for the cities since the Great Society of the 1960s.It’s past time to act on race. We would not continually have Fergusons and Baltimores if it were not for racism.It may be that God has brought the African Methodist Episcopal Church to this time to lead this nation to live up to it’s words “one nation under God with liberty and justice for all”.Many over the last two weeks have spoken about how extraordinary the Emmanuel Nine were and their families who in their loss and pain proclaimed forgiveness, but they represent the majority of African Methodists, and in fact Black Christians. We seek to live God’s Word. We will go forward from here with forgiving, but also leading and demanding that the nation act on race.
Clergy Welcoming Picnic-July 12, 2015
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Region Ten Community Services BoardHosting 2015 Mental Health First Aid TrainingsWHAT: Mental Health First Aid is similar to First Aid and CPR. Mental Health First Aid helps individuals to support those experiencing mental health problems and aids in getting people professional help and support. It is an interactive 8-hour course that teaches a 5-step action plan to offer initial help to people with the signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in a crisis, and connect them with the appropriate professional, peer, social, or self- help care. For more information on Mental Health First Aid, please visit www.thenationalcouncil.org or www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org.We offer two versions of Mental Health First Aid: the Adult Version and a Youth Version for Adults who work with adolescents. Choose the one that is right for you.WHO: Local citizens, families, school personnel, police officers, corrections staff, nursing home staff, hospital staff, government staff, faith communities, employers, teachers, front desk staff, nurses, resident advisors, social workers, lawyers, Scout leaders, coaches and more. WHEN:
August 21, 2015 8:00 AM-5:00 PMYouth Version
September 18, 2015 8:00 AM-5:00 PMAdult Version
October 16, 2015 8:00 AM-5:00 PMAdult Version
November 13, 2015 8:00 AM-5:00 PMAdult Version
December 11, 2015 8:00 AM-5:00 PMAdult Version
WHERE: Region Ten Community Services Board500 Old Lynchburg Rd. Conference Center
Room 500A, Charlottesville, VA 22903COST: Classes will be $25 per person for materials and lunch.REGISTER: Contact: Jane Lewis, 434-970-1282 or [email protected] Ten provides mental health, intellectual disability, crisis and substance use services for adults and children living in the City of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Greene, Fluvanna, Louisa and Nelson. Since Region Ten's inception in 1969, we have grown to more than 500 employees working to enrich our community one life at time.
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NOMINEE FORMCHARLOTTESVILLE DISTRICTAt-Large Lay Delegate Annual Conference 2016-Please return to the District Office byNovember 6, 2015.
Name: ______________________________________________ □Young Person (Between ages of 18 & 30)
Address: ☐ Youth(Between ages of 12 & 17)
Phone: _ E-Mail:
Gender:
Ethnic Background_:
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Name of Local Church:
I have held the following position in my local church:
I have held the following position in the Annual Conference: I have held the following position on the District as: I am presently serving in my local church as: I am presently serving on the District as: I am presently serving on the Annual Conference level as:
I hereby give my consent to have my name placed on the ballot for election of the 2016 Annual Conference.
If elected, I will be able to attend.
Date _____________________________Signature_______________________________________
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The United Methodist Church
Charlottesville District Office 914 E. Jefferson St., Suite 104Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 http://CharlottesvilleDistrictUMC.org Email: [email protected]
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Newsletter Deadline - August 15Please send your submissions for the September 2015 issue ofThe Ambassador to Carol Frost at [email protected] by August 15.
The Ambassador by emailIf you would like to receive The Ambassador by email, or if your email address has changed recently, please send an email to the District Office with your request to [email protected].
August 15 Deadline for the September issue of The AmbassadorAugust 25-27 Camp Young at Heart at Aldersgate UMCAugust 25 Common Table at Aldersgate UMCAugust 25 Missions Committee at Aldersgate UMCAugust 30 District Youth Rally at Byrd Chapel UMC
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Non-profitOrganization
U.S. POSTAGEPAID
Permit No. 180Charlottesville Va
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