Weekly Announcements
​Church Happenings
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24TH, at 6:30 p.m. ~ DISTRICT CONFERENCE  ~ 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, please fill out and return the attached form to stauntondistrict@vaumc.org by NOVEMBER 6. 
 
  
 
REMINDER -  From Bishop Lewis ~ Pray at 12 Noon Every Day 
The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (NIV) 
Prayer - Almighty God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we thank you for your blessings, past, present and future. You are our rock and the source of our hope in all things and at all times. As Jehovah Jireh, our provider God, we ask you this day to stretch out your mighty hand and eradicate from the face of the earth forever this virus called COVID-19 (coronavirus) that is spreading rapidly from continent to continent. We also pray that you, Jehovah Rapha, our healing God, would place your hand upon all of those who have been stricken by this virus and restore them to full health. Be with those who have lost loved ones and are grieving. Protect all who are caring for those with this virus and keep them from contracting it themselves. Calm our fears and provide us with your peace that surpasses all understanding. Strengthen us with the joy of the Lord and help us to hold firmly to the hope that only you can provide. Unify us that we, the Virginia Annual Conference, may be able to experience anew the promise of your presence in and through the unity of our faith, hope and trust in you in the days ahead and forever. We offer this prayer in the mighty name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. AMEN.
 
 
 November 7 from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Christ UMC (1512 Churchville Avenue, Staunton) will host an Indoor Yard Sale featuring Christmas decorations. The proceeds benefit the ministry of the UMW. Face masks and social distancing are required. 
 
 
Saturday, November 14, 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. ~ St. Paul’s UMC (2000 Shutterlee Mill Road, Staunton, VA 24401) is having a Pork Tenderloin Dinner (takeout). Cost: Adults $12.00, Children 5-12 $6.00, Children under 4 free!!! For tickets call: (540) 886-2317 or email to reserve a dinner at stpaulumc2@gmail.com.  
 
 
Saturday, November 14 ~ The 2020 Lay Servant Academy will be held via Zoom. 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; 9:00-9:20 Opening worship; 9:30-12:30 Part One of Course; 12:30-1:00 Lunch Break; 1:00-4:00 Part Two 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 Nov. 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. for a flyer to the event go to http://doc.vaumc.org/Events/LSA2020flyer.pdf. Leaders are pleased this year to offer a Spanish course titled Formacion Spiritual/Spiritual Formation with Dr. Iosmar Alvarez. Course Description: “Formacion Spiritual/Spiritual Formation creates the foundation for” Making Passionate Spiritual Disciples,” who will become Passionate Spiritual Leaders. This course will also focus on leading small groups in pandemic times effectively to help leaders develop a generative approach to organizing and leading ministries, driving for new levels of missional effectiveness. The course is designed to help a ministry leader get to its next step. These steps represent principles and processes that have been designed, tested and refined for 15 years. Our hope is to move each ministry leader to a place where they are: *Continually developing their own spiritual capacity, as well as of its leaders, *Growing the ability to understand and respond to context effectively, *Constantly improving its ability to contribute to the growth of disciples. Each course costs $30. The courses count for renewal for Certified Lay Servants and Certified Lay Speakers. LSA Registration Link https://vaumc.org/event/lay-servant-academy-virtual-training-for-trying-times/
   
November 29 ~ United Methodist Student Day ~ But you may celebrate on a day that is convenient with your church schedule. This Special Sunday with offering calls the church to support students as they prepare for life in uniting their faith with knowledge. Resources for you to celebrate United Methodist Student Day can be found at Download your 2020 United Methodist Student Day Pastor and Leader Kit.
 
 UMFS December offering ~ new resources now available ~ United Methodist Family Services (UMFS) is the Virginia Conference designated offering for December. UMFS deeply appreciates the support of local churches in this ministry, helping high-risk children create a brighter future. We have created a variety of digital assets to support the offering this year, and help you share the work of the ministry with your congregation. You can find the following resources at www.UMFS.org/church: 4 short videos, an electronic bulletin insert, church offering scripts, and images for newsletters, emails, social media, and websites. Please contact Jill Gaynor (jgaynor@umfs.org or 804-254-9463) with any questions. Thank you for your support!
  
New documents from Return to In-Person Worship Work Group posted ~ October 15 ~ Three new documents have been shared by the Return to In-Person Worship Work Group, including a modest revision to the Technical Assistance Manual (TAM). This is now the third revision since the TAM’s initial release in June. The three significant changes in this version include: 1. A provision for the use of paper bulletins when they are placed by masked and gloved volunteers 24 hours before the service. 2. Guidance for Sunday School classes that want to meet at times adjacent to worship, and 3. A clarification on distancing seating in pews to ensure 6 feet of separation. In addition, the Work Group has posted guidelines for recording and streaming session to encourage best practices in these settings. Also, there are some new ventilation recommendations. The Work Group continues to meet regularly to review and consider revisions based on the feedback of United Methodists from all across Virginia. More updates: The Return to In-Person Worship Work Group has modified the Technical Assistance Manual slightly to allow for a greater number of singers in drive-in and outdoor settings. The new language says: *Up to 4 singers wearing masks are allowed (outdoors only) with proper social distancing - at least 6 feet from each other (more is ideal) and 25 feet from the congregation. Persons in household groups may stand closer to each other (but not to congregation). Rehearsals must be under same conditions. *No congregational singing.  An updated version of the TAM is on the conference webpage. Learn more at: https://vaumc.org/return/. 
  
St. Paul’s UMC (2000 Shutterlee Mill Road, Staunton, VA 24401) ~ will be hiring for a part-time "Facility Maintenance Manager".  If you know anyone that would be interested, please forward this email to them. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
Staunton District
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