Conference creating ‘Centers for Excellence’...

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Conference creating ‘Centers for Excellence’

Virginia United Methodist

January 2012

ACCessibility

http://www.vaumc.org/Page.aspx?pid=494

2 Virginia Advocate/January 2012

Advocate

Myfirstchurchasaclergyspousehadbeenbuiltintheearly1950s,atimewhenplannersdidn’tgivemuch,ifany,thoughttopeoplewithdisabilities.Thereweresomanylevelsandsteps,notjusttogetintothebuildingbutalsoonceyouwereinside.Itseemedlikeyoucouldn’ttake10stridesinthatfacilitywithouthavingtogoupordownasteportwo,andfornogoodreason.Havinglonghadaninterestinarchitecture,Ithoughtitwasmadness.Plus,mykneeswerereallystartingtobothermethen,soInoticedthisprobleminarealandtangibleway. Wepushedandproddedforsomehandicapped-accessiblechangesinthatchurch,anditfinallyhappenedacoupleofyearsago.Onavisitbacktothechurch,wegota

tourofthenewelevatorandentranceplazathathadbeenaddedtothebuildinginawaythatyoucouldnottellitwasarecentaddition.Itwasafantasticsuccessstory:aftermorethan50yearsofhardshipforpeoplewithmobilityissues,thatbeautifulchurchisnowmuchmoreuser-friendlyforeveryone! ThatUnitedMethodistchurchisnotanunusualcase,unfortunately.Manyofourfacilitieshavebeenaroundalongtime,constructedinatimeofqualityworkandcraftsmanship,butwithnoregardtothenotionofaccessibility.Congregationswanttoalloweveryonetocometochurchandparticipatewiththeirministries,butyouknow,thoserampscostmoney.Andhaveyoupricedelevatorslately?Whew-eee!Fuhgeddaboudit! TheAmericanswithDisabilitiesActchangedthewaywetreatpeoplewithphysicalneedsbyforcingustomakechanges.Signedintolawin1990byPresidentGeorgeH.W.Bush,itdefinesdisabilityas“aphysicalormentalimpairmentthatsubstantiallylimitsamajorlifeactivity,”andprovidesstandardsforaccessibilityinallpartsofdailylife.Thelawrelatestoexistingfacilitiesinthat“failuretoremovebarriers”orprovideanalternativeoptiontothebarrierisconsideredaviolation. Fortunately,ourdenominationstandssolidlyfortherightsofpersonswithdisabilitiesinourSocial Principlesandouractions.WehaveaveryactiveTaskForceonDisabilitiesMinistries.AndtheGeneralBoardofGlobalMinistriesprovidesgrantmoneytochurchesthatstillneedtomakechangestotheirbuildings. Ofcourse,accessibilityissuesdon’tallrelatetopeopleusingwalkersorwheelchairs.Thereareissueswiththosewhoarevisuallyorhearingimpaired,peoplewhohavementalissuesandotherphysicalchallenges.Ifwereallywanttomake(anddevelop)disciples,ifwereallywanttoofferfullworshipandministryparticipationtoall,wehavetomakechangesinthewaywedochurch,andthatincludeskeepingalloftheseissuesinmindwhenweplanworship,Christianeducation,music,missionand,yes,ourfacilities.

From the Editor’s Desk

Neill CaldwellEditor

Inside This Issue

FeaTUres:Whycan’tattitudesofacceptanceandinclusivitypervadeinGod’shouse?3Dealingwithhearinglosscanmeanalonelyworld 4Somechurchestrytodotherightthing,butstillmissthemark 5Buildingrampsforpersonswithdis-abilitiesisaministryinitself 5Accessibilityprojectsrevitalizelocalchurches 6Disabilitiestaskforcewillpresentpe-titionsto2012GeneralConference6HeartHavens’homeshelpspecialneedsadultshavemeaningfullives7Shouldyourcongregationstartadisabilityministry? 8DisabilityAwarenessSundayisfirstSundayinFebruary 8MakingGod’shousemoreaccessible 9Thinkyourlocalchurch’sWebsiteisaccessible? 9

secTIons:Virginia 10-152012ProgramGrantsofVa.16-18UpcomingEvents 19Nation&World 20-23LocalChurch 24-25LivingtheWord 26-27Letters&Commentary 28-29Clergy&Diaconal 30GraceNotes 31

©2012 Virginia AdvocateNational award-winning newsmagazineUSPS 660-740 ISSN 0891-5598Published monthly by Virginia United Methodist Communica-tions, Inc., an agency of the Virginia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. Periodical postage paid at Glen Allen, Va., and at additional mailing offices. The Virginia United Method-ist Advocate is owned by Virginia United Methodist Communica-tions, Inc.POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to Virginia United Meth-odist Advocate, P.O. Box 5606, Glen Allen, VA 23058. Editorial and business offices are located at 10330 Staples Mill Rd., Glen Allen, Va. Mailing address: P.O. Box 5606, Glen Allen, VA 23058. Telephone:1-800-768-6040, ext. 110; local (804) 521-1100. Fax: (804) 521-1173, E-mail: . Office hours are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Vol. 180,January2012,No. 1SingleCopy:$2.00

____________“We envision faith communities

where all God’s people arewelcomed at table, nurtured

and transformed to beChrist to others in the world.”

— Virginia Conference Vision Statement____________

Virginia United Methodist

Breaking down the barriers

http://www.vaumc.orghttp://www.umc.orghttp://www.vaumc.org/Page.aspx?pid=494http://www.vaumc.org/Page.aspx?pid=494http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/group.php?gid=19953654966http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.6171105/k.1E2E/General_Conference_2012.htmhttp://new.gbgm-umc.org/

ARobin dances with Randolph, one of the campers at Camp Rainbow Connection.

Why can’t attitudes of acceptance and inclusivity pervade in God’s house?

by Robin Hoerber

themuntilneededagain.IalsohaveaversionoftheBibleinBraillesoamabletoparticipateinSundayschoolclass.Whenwechoosestudybooks,attemptsaremadetotryandobtainthebookonCDsothatImayreadlessonsindependently.MyhusbanddoessomuchtohelpmethatIjustdidn’twanthimtohavetotakeonreadingifavailableinanaccessibleformat. Ihavebeenembracedbymychurch.Iamanofficer(spiri-tualgrowth)inUnitedMethodistWomenandamamemberofawomen’scircle,servedontheLeadershipDevelopmentCommitteeaswellastwofulltermsonStaffParish.IamfullytrainedasaStephenMinister,wheremostofthetrainingmaterialsareavailableinBrailleorontape.MaterialsweresenttomeelectronicallysothatIcouldfullyparticipatesincemycomputerhasaspeechprogram.(OneofmypetpeevesisthattheDisciple Bible StudyseriesisnotavailableinBraille,thoughIhavecompletedDisciple 1-4withmyhusbandreadingthematerialontocassettetape.)In1998,IwentonmyWalktoEmmaus,atwhichtimeaneffortwasmadetomaketheweekendasaccessibleaspossible.IhavesinceteamedsevenoreighttimesandIampleasedtosaythatthepurpleworshipbookisnowavailableinBraille.Ihaveservedasacamper’sbuddyforseveralyearsatCampRainbowConnection,whereIamembracedbyboththecampersandstaff. LongagoIconcludedthatthechurchwasreallyaman-madeinstitution,notawholelotdifferentfromother“worldly”orga-nizations.Icontinuetomakeadifference,educatingoneper-sonatatime.WeareallGod’schildrenandshouldbewelcomeatGod’shouse.AslongasIhavebreath,IwillcontinuetousemyGod-givenabilitiestoadvocateforthosewhodonotbelievetheyhaveavoice.WeareALLGod’schildren,blessedwithuniquegifts.Theonlyfolkswecanchangeinsomesituationsareourselves.GodwillmakeallrightinGod’stime.❑— Robin Hoerber is a member of Mount Pisgah UMC, Richmond District.

Virginia Advocate/January 2012 3

AfterattendingacontemporaryworshipserviceonesummerSundaymorning,ItrackeddowntheWorshipArtsleaderandinquiredastowhattimepracticewasheldforthechoir/band.Broughtupinthetraditionalservice,Ihaddeterminedtotakealeaveofabsencefromthechancelchoirtohelpoutthecontemporaryservicewhichwasjustbeginninginourchurch. Iwastold,afterapalpablepause,thatthestagewasverycrowdedwithchairs,nottomentionmanywiresconnect-ingvariouspiecesofsoundequipment.Atthispointintheconversation,IinterruptedandsaidthatIwasfamiliarwiththeseconcerns,havingbeeninchoirsinceIwas4yearsoldandpublicspeakingformostofmylife.IstatedIwouldsitorstandwhereverIwasplaced,soastoalleviateanyconcernsastomytrippingoverpeopleorequipment.Ialsoinquiredastowhatsolutionhehadinmindtopreventeveryoneelsefromaccidentallytrippingoverthewiring.Iwastheninformedthattherewasnotanyroomformeonthestage. IwassotakenabackthatIwasspeechless.HowdareheplayGod?Howinsensitive!Atthisjuncture,weweremerci-fullyinterruptedbyanotherindividual. Onthewayhome,myhusband,whoonlyoverheardapor-tionoftheconversation,wasincensedfurtherbyhavingheardfolkswithintellectualdisabilitiesbeingreferredtoas“broken.”ThankGodAlmightyIambroken,becauseGodcanbeglorifiedinmyweakness.ComplicatingthesituationevenfurtherwasthatIhadtositinchurchforthenextseveralweeksandlisteninsilencewhilefolksrecruitedformembersofthepraiseteam. Suchtreatmentwasnotnewtome.Whileattendingele-mentaryschool,thecrueltyofmyclassmatescarriedoverintoSundayschoolsincetherewasonlyoneProtestantchurchandoneCatholicchurchinourruralupstateNewJerseytown.MyparentsdealtwiththebacklashbyhavingthefamilyattendtheProtestantchurchinthenexttown,whichwasnotawholelotbetter.However,myparentstaughtmefromaveryyoungagethatthebestwaytochangeuninformedthinkingwastoprovidethetruthandtopromoteinclusion(unheardofinthosedays)whetheritbethroughconversation,writtenmaterials,oraction.IwasnotabouttogetkickedoutofGod’shouseandwouldparticipatewhereverIfeltled. Imademypeacewiththisfellowandprovidedmaterialsonhowtobettercommunicatewithpersonshavinganytypeofdisabilities:sensory,mentalorphysical.Peaceandfriendshipwererestored. Thefollowingfall,Ireturnedtothetraditionalworshipserviceandthechancelchoir,whereIamafullyparticipat-ingmember.Thechoirdirectorwelcomedmebackaftermyabsenceandtothisverydayprovidesmehymnnumbersviae-mail.AdearfriendinchoirreadsmethewordstothemusicsothatImayfullyparticipate.Godblessherforherkindnessandpatience.IhaveThe United Methodist HymnalandThe Faith We SinginBraille,loose-leaf,soIjustpullouttheap-propriatenumbersforserviceseachweekandthenreinsert

professorsandclergy.Sadly,thisprovedtobeanerroneousassumption.Tobefair,however,Iamanunusuallyhigh-functioning,profoundlyhard-of-hearingperson.Consequently,itisbelievedthatIpresentmyselfwithagreaterlosstogarnerspecialattention.Thiswaspar-ticularlytruemyfirstyearasapastor.Ithasbeenanuphillandpainfulbattletoproveotherwise. Thedenomination’s“OpenHearts.OpenMinds.OpenDoors.”advertisingcampaignisanaffronttoanypersonwithdisabilities.Thecreatorsofthiscampaignclearlywerenotfamiliarwiththedailychallengesallpersonsofdisabilitiesfacejusttobeminimallyincludedinthelifeofthechurch.AsformerchairpersonoftheconferenceCommissiononDisabilities,Southeast-ernJurisdictionrepresentativetothenationalCommitteeofMinistrytotheDeafandHardofHearing,andcurrentmemberoftheUnitedMethodistTaskForceonDisabilities,hereareonlyafewofthethingsIhavepersonallyandrepeatedlyexperienced:theinabilitytofullyparticipateinsmallgroups,classesandmeetingsduetothelackofafunctioningassistivelisteningsystem(ALS);frustrationandangerfrommycolleaguesasIboldlyrequestwhatIneedtobefullyincluded;intolerancewiththeuseofclosedcaptioning;andlackofclosedcaptioningonmostofthematerialsproducedbytheUnitedMethodistPublishingHouse. Buttherehasbeengreatkindnessonthepartofthetechnologystaffofour

Dealing with hearing losscan mean a lonely world

byTizzy von Trapp

Walker

The cheerful birds chirp, The happy children laugh, The beautiful music plays,Of this, I hear nothing.

My world is a lonely one, My eyes are also my ears. Oh, if I could only hear again, What a wonderful world it would be.

— Circa 1966 by Elizabeth von Trapp

VirginiaConferenceastheyconsistentlyanddiligentlyworktoenhancemyoverallhearingexperienceatallconfer-enceevents.ThefivecongregationsIhaveservedinmytwoappointmentshavealsogonefaraboveandbeyondmyexpectationswiththepatience,loveandsupporttheyhavegiventomespecificallywithmyhearingchallengeastheirpastor.Yes,therehavebeentimesofcripplingfrustrationandtears;buttherealsohavebeentimesofgreatlaughterandgoodnaturedteasing. Asyoureadthis,Ihavebegunanewjourneyintheworldofhearingloss.IhavealreadymentionedtheAdventSeasonmarksthebeginningofmyfaithjourneyasachild.ThispastAdvent,IreceivedanearlyChristmasgiftfromtheChristChild.OnDec.21,IreceivedacochlearimplantattheUniversityofVirginiaMedicalCenterandamcur-rentlyinmyperiodofadjustmentandtransition.Manyofyouhavebeenpray-ingformeandIcontinuetocovetyourprayers. IleaveyouwithmyfavoriteScriptureverses:“GodwillbringtocompletionthegoodworkbeguninyouonthedayofJesusChrist”(Philippians1:6);and“Whatwasmeantforevil,Godhasusedforgood.”(Genesis50:20)❑— The Rev. Elizabeth “Tizzy” von Trapp Walker

is pastor of the Richmond Charge(Calvary, Hopewell and Oakland UMCs),

Fredericksburg District.

TTizzy signs the words to a song during Annual Conference.


Thesewords(atright)werewrittenforascienceprojectIenteredintotheDominicanAcademyScienceFairmorethan46yearsago.Iwasintheeighthgradeandhadalreadyexperiencedalife-timeofverbalabuseandostracismfrommysmallworldofschoolandhome.Myjourneyasanadvocateforpersonswithhearinglossbeganwiththisveryscienceproject,whichwonhonorablementionattheregionallevelandatriptotheStateofMassachusettsScienceFair. Throughouttheensuingyears,mylifejourneyhastakenmanytwistsandturns,buttwothingsremainedconstant:myhearingcontinuedtogetworsewhilemyfaithandloveforJesusonlygrewstronger.IliterallyfellinlovewithJesuswhenmypapatoldmetheChristmasstoryoneAdventwhenIwasnotquite6:“ItisAdvent,thetimeyouneedtoprepareyourheartforthebabyJesus!”Withthesefewsimplewords,IfellheadoverheelsinlovewithJesus.(Thetruthbeknown,Papahadmewiththeword“baby!”) MyloveforJesusandworshipwasnurturedfromelementaryschoolallthewaythroughmycollegegraduationin1974underthecapableguidanceofmanynunsandpriests!IhavebeenamemberoftheVirginiaConferenceofTheUnitedMethodistChurchfor20years;asalaypersonforeightyearsandasclergyfor12. Itwasnotuntilmyentryintoseminaryin1996,however,thatmyhearingchallengesbecameanalmostinsurmountablebarrier.Naïvely,Ihadassumedtherewouldbeagreaterdegreeofcompassionamongcolleagues,

http://www.vaumc.orghttp://www.vaumc.orghttp://www.umc.org

ISome churches try to do the right thing, but still miss the mark by Sylvia Massey

tionproblemsorwhositsinawheel-chaircannotreachthem.(Also,ifthereisagatethathasbeeninstalledinachurch,thegateisnotautomatic,meaningyouneedsomeonetoclosethegatebehindyouintheeleva-tor.)Ihavehadtheproblemwithanelevatorthatdoesnotlandevenwiththefloorofthebuildingmakingitdifficultorimpossibletogetoutoftheelevator.Plus,thisisahazardforthosewithvisionchallengesandanyoneonawalker,usingcrutchesoracane. Asforrestrooms,thereareavarietyofissues.Ofcourse,therearechurchesinourdistrictwhereIhavetogooutsideandaroundpartofthebuildingtogetfromsanctuarytothefellowshiphallorthechurchwhere

Buildinghandicapped-accessiblerampsforcommunitymembershasmanybenefits,includingtrainingyouthsandadultsaspotentialUnitedMethodistVolunteersInMission(UMVIM)teammembers,energizingacooperativeparishorcongregation,andincreasingdisabilityawarenessasvolunteersinteractwithramprecipients.

Manycurrentrampteamstracetheirministryto“Takin’ittotheStreets,”annualblitzbuildingeventssponsoredbytheLouisianaConferenceUMVIMlead-ersfourto12yearsago.VIMcoordinatortheRev.LarryNormanpartneredwithlocalchurchesandsolicitedvolunteersfromthroughouttheconferenceforweekendeventswhichendedwithSundayworship.Inthesecondyear300workersbuilt33rampsinNewOrleans.Theconferencenolongerholdstheblitz,butatleasteightregionalgroupscontinuetobuildramps. DebbieWadecoordinatesR.A.M.P.(ReachingAcces-sibilityforallMethodistPersons/Places)fortheNorthAlabamaConference.RecipientsdonothavetobeUnitedMethodist.Inadditiontoramps,churchesandindividualshavebeenassistedtoinstallbathrooms,chairliftsandelevators.Someprojectsneedonlyfund-ing,whilevolunteershelpbuildothers. Furtherguidanceregardingrampspecificationsisavailablethrough.ChecktheWebsiteforstep-by-stepguidelinesforstartingarampbuildingministry.❑

thefellowshiphallisaccessible,buttherestroomiseitherupordownafewsteps.Andrestroomswiththedooropeningintotherestroommakeitimpossibletoclosethedooronceawheelchairisintheroom.Manyrestroomsaremarkedhandicapped,arelargeenoughforthewheelchair,andIcanclosethedoor.Yettheyhaveonlyonegrabbarandalowcommode,notanaccessibleheightcommode. Thefinalissueisseatinginthesanctuary.Wheelchairusersaremanytimesshownaplaceintheverybackorallthewayupfront.Noteveryonewantstositupfront,andwhowantstohavenochoicebutthebackrow?❑— Sylvia Massie’s husband, Ray, serves Bluff

Point Charge, Fredericksburg District.

Volunteers help build an accessible ramp for people with handicap-ping conditions.


Building ramps for persons with disabilities is a ministry in itself

ItraveltomanyofthechurchesinmydistrictandacrosstheVirginiaConferenceduetomyinvolvementwithUnitedMethodistWomen,asaclergyspouse,memberoftheCom-missiononDisabilities,andavarietyofotherreasons.Ihaveencounteredchurchesthatbuildanoutsiderampbutforgettoraisetheflooroftheporchsothereisstillastepthatdoesnotallowmetoenter.Thentherewasthechurchthatbuiltaramp,butforgottomakesurethedoorwaswideenough.Icouldgettothedoor,butnotthroughit.Therewasalsothechurchthathadahallconnectingfellowshiphalltosanctuary.Thehallwasonesteplowerthanboththefel-lowshiphallandsanctuary.Theyhadaportablerampthathadtobemovedfromonedoorwaytotheotheroncethepersonhadgottentothehallfloorlevel. Elevatorproblemsincludeonethatgoestothreelevelsofthechurchsothereisadooroneachsideoftheelevator.Unfortunatelythebuttonsforthefloorareontheframeoftheelevator,whichmeanssometimesitisbehindyou.Anyonewithrangeofmo-

http://www.vaumc.orghttp://www.vaumc.orghttp://www.umvim.org/http://www.umvim.org/www.access-board.gov

M

Disabilities task force will present petitionsto 2012 General conference

TheLong-RangeCommitteeoftheUnitedMethodist(UM)TaskForceonDis-abilityMinistrieshaswrittenfourpetitionstosubmittothe2012GeneralConference.TheyexpressadesiretohelpmakeallUnitedMethodistpeoplemoreawareofthosewithdisabilitiesandthatsuchpersonsbewelcomedintoalllevelsofourchurch. Thefourpetitionsconcernthefollowingkeypoints:•MakingtheUMTaskForceonDisabilityMinistriesastandingcommittee;•MakingchangestotheDisciplineparagraphsrelatedtoClergyIncapacity

Leave,renamingitClergyMedicalLeaveandofferingmoreadvocacyandac-commodations;

•MakingDisabilityAwarenessSundayaSundaywithaspecialoffering;•Resolvingthateachconference,inthequadrenniumfrom2013–2017,hasa

themeondisabilityawarenessatoneofitsannualconferencesessions. Formoreinformationconsultthetaskforce’spageat.❑

Accessibility projects revitalize local churchesWehadagrandopeningcelebration.Thecongregationfeltgoodaboutwhattheyhaddone.Sincethen,theyhaverenovatedtheSocialHallandinstalledanewsoundandaudiovisualsysteminthesanctuary.Theyhavemovedonfrombeingre-activetobecomingpro-activeabouttheirfuture. AtRestUMCintheWinchesterDis-trict,whereInowserve,webeganwithrebuildingapoorly-designedlowerentryintothesanctuary.Weenlargedthepad,widenedthedoorwayasmuchaswecould,giventhechurch’sbrickconstruc-tion,andinstalledaweatherproofsteeldoor.Thishasgreatlybenefitedseveralofourmemberswhohadfoundthestepsuptothemaindoorwayadifficultclimb.Onegentleman,anArmyveteranwithseveralhealthissues,wassporadicallyattendingworshipservices.Heisnowabletomaneuverhiselectricwheelchairwithoutdamagingthedoororhischair. Therepreviouslywasnostairway-freerestroomanywhereinourfacility.Oursecondprojectwastobuildasufficientlylarge,comfortableandfullyaccessiblerestroominacornerofthevestibule.Thetotalcostsforthesetwoprojectswereprohibitive.WecouldnothavedonebothwithouttheassistanceofvariousUnitedMethodistresources.TheWinchesterDistricthasbeenespeciallyhelpful.

Again,asinmyfirstexample,thebenefitsaremany.RestUMCcontinuestostruggletomeetherbudgetandattendancegoals.Butthecongregationislearningtoembracethechallengesofpreparingforthefuture.Wehaveworkedhardtogethertoraisemoney.WebelieveinourselvesandinGod’splansforusfarmorethanbefore.Wehaveadditionalprojectstoaddress,suchasimprovingoursoundsystemforthedeafandhard-of-hearing.Godwillsupplyourneedsaswemeettheneedsofothers,astimeandfundspermit. Andyes,wearegrowingagain,inpartasadirectresultofouracces-sibilityprojects.Thecontractorwhoguidedusthroughtheseprojectslikedwhathesawinus.HejoinedRestUMCthisspringonProfessionofFaith.Heandseveralmembersofhisfamilyareamongourmostregularattendees. Istheremoretobedone?Absolutely!Openheartsandmindsmusthavedoorsthatareopentoenablepeoplewithdisabilities.WeatRestUMCwishtoencourageothercongregationsthat,howeversmalltheiractivemembershipmaybe,arere-buildingGod’schurchtobetterreachouttothecommunityofChrist.❑

—The Rev. Charles Townsend serves the North Frederick Charge, Winchester District,

and is a member of the conferenceCommission on Disabilities.

A person in a wheelchair sees steps as a barrier for entering this church. Is your local church pre-pared to welcome those who are physically chal-lenged?

by Charles Townsend


Meetingaccessibilitystandardsforevenbasicphysicalaccessisoftenalargechallenge,especiallyforsmallermembershipcongregationswithlimitedresources.Achallenge,yes,butnotanimpossibleonetomeet. Inmy17yearsasapastorintheVir-giniaConference,severalofmychurcheshavebuilthandicapped-accessibleramps,improvedparsonageaccessandeveninstalledafully-accessiblerestroom.Wehaveraisedthenecessaryfundsandre-ceivedfinancialsupportfordistrict,con-ferenceanddenominationalresources. Aspartofthisprocess,Ihaveseenhowacceptingthechallengeandcom-pletionofamajorrenovationprojecthasbenefitedthecongregationinoftenunexpectedways.Ioffertwoexamples: AtMountPleasant-LampsUMCinWinchester,ourfacilityfeaturedanindoorrampintothebasementSocialHall—butnorestroomsonthatfloor.Onerestroomonthesanctuarylevelhadbeenrenovatedforaccessibility—buttherewereseveralstepsintothesanctu-ary.Assomeofourmoreseniormem-bersbegantocontemplatetheirownfutureneeds,itwasdecidedtoaddressthisissueASAP.Thefinalresultwasabeautifulbrickandconcreterampthatnearlyeveryoneusesonaregularbasis.

http://www.vaumc.orghttp://www.vaumc.orghttp://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.6171105/k.1E2E/General_Conference_2012.htmhttp://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.6171105/k.1E2E/General_Conference_2012.htmwww.umdisabilityministries.orgwww.umdisabilityministries.org

andFoodLionwherehegetstoknowhiscustomersandtheyknowhim.Onceamonthonhisdayoffhegoestothelocalbarberforahaircutandtositaroundtalkingwiththeothermen.Hebowlsandgoesfishingontheweekends.

• CharleslivesintheMarybethGraffhomeinVarina,butheisoftenoutandaboutinthecommunity.HeholdsajobatOmnicareduringtheweekwherehehasmadefriends,butthatdoesn’tinterferewithall

hisactivities.HealsoisagreatspokespersonforHeartHavens,fre-quentlyspeakingatUnitedMethodistchurchesacrosstheVirginiaConfer-ence.Heknowseveryoneandneverforgetsanameoraface.

Thesemenandwomenhavemadealifeoftheirownchoosingintheircommuni-ties.Nowwehaveanoppor-tunitytoopenourhomesandheartstoallourneighbors.The

firststepistobeaccessible:reciprocate,beinclusive,beaneighbor,beafriend.Wecanmakeourcommunitiesmoreac-ceptingofindividualswithdisabilitiesbyseeingChristinallpersonsandwelcom-ingthem,aswewouldChrist. FebruaryisHeartHavensMonth.RepresentativesfromHeartHavensareavailabletospeakatyourchurch.HeartHavensresidentsalsomaybeabletojoinlocalchurchservicesandsharetheirpersonalstories.FormoreinformationaboutHeartHavens,ortoscheduleaspeaker,callHeartHavensat(804)237-6097orvisittheirWebsiteat:.(Forrelatedarticle,seepg.15ofthisAdvocate.)❑

— Pat Maehr is director of Development at Heart Havens, a conference-supported agency

which provides group homes for adults with special needs.

HHeart Havens’ homes help special needs adults have meaningful lives

Heart Havens resident Tommy in his home in Colonial Beach.

Charles next to a Heart Havens display.

by Pat Maher


HeartHavensempowersadultswithintellectualdisabilitiestoliveandthriveinasafeandnurturingenvironment.Thisisaccom-plishedbyprovidinghandicapped-accessiblehomes,helpingindi-vidualsexploretheirdreamsandmakeindividualchoices,connectingtheresidentstotheircommunityandadvocatingforthem.Weworktogetherwiththeindividual,theirfamilyandtheircommunitytoprovideameaningfullife. TheVirginiaUnitedMethodistConferenceestablishedHeartHavensin1996inresponsetoaparent’squestion:“WherewillmychildlivewhenIamgone?”TodayinVirginiamorethan17,000adultswithintellectualdisabilitieslivewithparentsovertheageof60.HeartHavenscontinuestooffersolutionstothatoriginalquestion. HeartHavens’earliesthomeswerepurchasedandadaptedtofitthepeoplewhowouldlivethere.In2002,HeartHavensbeganbuildinghomesthatwouldsupportindividualswithmultipledisabilities;thesehomeswerebuiltfromthegroundup.Witheachnewhome,improvementsonfunctionalityandaccessibilityhavebeenmade.Thehomesareoutfittedwithseamlessentryforindividualswhousewheelchairs.Theycaneasilyaccesssinksandshowers,aswellaswidehallwaysthatlightupastheymoveduringthenight. AtHeartHavens,accessibilityissomuchmorethanjustmeetinganindividual’sphysicalneeds.HeartHavensfollowsaperson-centeredapproachtocarebyunderstandingandad-dressingtheconcernsandneedsofindividualsandtheirfami-lies.Ourgoalistoensurethateachresidentisempoweredandhastheopportunitytovoicehisorherpreferencesandleadalifestylebasedonindividualneedsanddesires. Someindividualscommunicateinawaywemaynotunderstand,butit’simportanttotry.Weallstrivetobeheard,tobenoticed.Asmile,anod,oraninvitationtositmakesusfeelwelcomeinthecommunity;itmakesusapartofthecommunityandthecommunityaccessibletoall.Ifwecanopenupourselvestotheuniquenessofeachindividual,ourworldbecomesricheraswecometoknowallGod’schildren. Staffsupportsensureeachresidenthastheopportunitytodevelopaplantoex-plorehisorherowndreams.Thestaffmeetspersonswheretheyareandhelpsthemgettowheretheywanttogobyofferingthemthenecessarysupports.FamiliesplayanintegralrolebyteachingstaffabouttheirlovedonesandthenentrustingthemtoHeartHavens’care. HeartHavens’staffseekswaystointegrateindividualsintotheircommunity.Someoftheopportunitiesavailableincludesoftball,Scouting,theatergroups,SpecialOlympics,bowlingandchurchorganizations.Butthereismoretocommunityaccessthanactivities.Communitiesneedtobewelcomingandunderstandthatweareeachdifferentwithseparateskillsandabilities.• ForseveralyearsDan,JohnandStephenfromtheWinchesterhomehavebe-

longedtoabellchimersgroupatShenandoahUniversity.Studentvolunteershelpwithmusicandpreparingthegroupforitsannualholidayconcert.Friendshipshavebeenforged,connectionshavebeenformed,andtheuniversityhasmadeitselfaccessibletotheentirecommunity.

• TommylivesinHeartHavens’ColonialBeachhome.TommyworksatGoodwill

http://www.vaumc.orghttp://www.vaumc.orghttp://www.vaumc.org/Page.aspx?pid=494www.hearthavens.org

T

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Should your congregationstart a disability ministry?

ofsuicides;andmorethan50percentofthesesuicidalpatientswereunder35yearsofage.

•Currently,thenationwidestatisticisthatoneinevery150birthswillbecomeachildwithautism.

•Morethan50percentofpeoplewithdisabilitiesdonotattendchurch.Thisisanopportunitytodisplayyourcommitmenttosocialjusticeandevangelism.

•The Book of DisciplinestatesthatUnitedMethodistsaretoministertopeoplewithdisabilities.EverylocalchurchistohaveanannualDisabilityAwarenessSun-dayandcompleteanannualAccessibilityAudit.

•Thenumberonereasonwhypeoplewithdisabilitiesstayawayfromchurch,accordingtoThat All May Wor-ship,isthattheyarenotmadetofeelwelcome!Itisattitudinalbarriers—notarchitecturalbarriers—thattendtokeepthemaway.

The2008Disciplinerequireseachconferencetoestablishacommitteeondisabilityconcerns.Itfurtherrequiresthatthiscommitteewillinclude“personswithphysicaldisabilitiesandpersonswithmentaldisabilities.”TheDisciplinealsorequirestheobservanceofaDisabili-tyAwarenessSundayannuallyineachconference,statingthat“DisabilityAwarenessSundaycallstheChurchtocelebratethegiftsandgracesofpersonswithdisabilitiesandcallstheChurchandsocietytofullinclusionofper-sonswithdisabilitiesinthecommunity.”❑

— Debbie Wade, North Alabama Conference Disability Ministries

Disability Awareness Sunday is first Sunday in Februarychurch.Thiscanbeatimewhenper-sonswithdisabilitiescanoffertheirgiftsandgracestothecongregationandtoGodasparticipants,liturgistsandleadersinthiscelebration. AsyoucelebratethisspecialSun-day,letitbeanopportunityforthecongregationtolaunchorextenditshospitalitytopersonswithdisabilities.Thetrusteesandothergroupsshouldinvolvemembersofthecongregationalongwiththeirsistersandbrotherswithdisabilitiesinidentifyingandof-feringsolutionstophysical,architec-tural,communicationandattitudinalbarriers.DevelopspecificplansandstrategiestoeliminatethosebarrierssothatyourcongregationmightbefullyhospitabletoallofGod’speople. Eachyear,theconferenceCom-

missiononDisabilitiesproducesapacketofworshipmaterialsthatcanbeincorporatedintolocalchurches’OrderofWorshiporfellowshiptimes.Foracopyofthepacket,visittheconferenceWebsite,,under“Ministries”then“Dis-abilities.”❑


DisabilityministriesarevitalnotonlytoTheUnitedMethod-istChurch,buttoALLChristians.Theycombinemission,evangelism,justiceministryand,mostimportantly,followingtheexampleofChrist. OneofthemajoraspectsofJesus’earthlyministrywashisinteractionwithandoutreachtopeoplewithdisabilities.Timeandtimeagain,heofferedinvitationsforthedeaf,lame,diseasedandblindtoentertheKingdomofGodbythegiftofsalvation. Jesusalsoperformedmanymightyactsinthesepeople’slivesbyhealingthem.WewhoareChristiansshouldfollowChrist’sexample.Justashemadeministrywithpeoplewithdisabilitiesabigpartofhisministry,soshouldwe!Statis-ticsalsoshowwhyChristiansshouldcareaboutdisabilityministries.•Therearemorethan1.4millionpeoplewithdisabilities

livinginVirginia.(Thisdoesnotincludethosepersonslivingininstitutionsorthoseundertheageof5.)

•Eightypercentofallmarriagesendindivorceonceadis-abilityentersthefamily.

•Depressionis15percentto20percenthigheramongthosewhoarechronicallyillordisabled.(However,thesignificanceofone’sfaithhasshowntolowertheriskofdepressivesymptomsandaidinbetterhandlingastress-fulmedicalevent.)

•Variousstudiesreportthatphysicalillnessoruncontrol-lablephysicalpainaremajorfactorsinupto70percent

The1996GeneralConferenceofTheUnitedMethodistChurchvotedtocre-ateDisabilityAwarenessSunday.The2008Disciplinestatesin¶265.4: Disability Awareness Sunday shall be observed annually on a date to be determined by the annual confer-ence. Disability Awareness Sunday calls the Church to celebrate the gifts and graces of persons with disabili-ties and calls the Church and society to full inclusion of persons with dis-abilities in the community. IntheVirginiaConference,Dis-abilityAwarenessSundayisthefirstSundayinFebruary—withoutaspe-cialoffering.ThisspecialSundaygiveseverycongregationtheopportunitytochallengehospitalityandinclusionofallpersonsintothefulllifeofthe

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by Mark Pinsky

Making God’s house more accessible

agingandgettingill.Manyofthemmaydevelopdisabilitiesbutstillwanttoprayathousesofworship. Therearechallengestoaccessibilityandinclusion,evenforpeoplewiththebestintentions.Theelderlyandpeoplewithdisabilitiesprovideuncomfort-ableremindersoflife’sfragilityandofdeath.Thosewithmentaldisabilitiescandistractduringsolemnmoments.Religiouspeoplegenerallywanttobesincere,welcomingandopen,but,likeeveryoneelse,theyoftenlacktheexperiencetorespondtherightway.Andmoneyisanissue,especiallyforsmaller,cash-strappedcongregations. Buttherearealsosomepotentialbenefitsforcongregationsthatarewill-ingtomaketheinvestmentinarchitec-tureandattitudeinordertobecomemorewelcoming.Mainlinecongrega-tionswithdecliningmemberships,forexample,wouldhavemuchtogain.Morefamilieswithadisabledmemberwouldattendreligiousservices,expertssay,ifcongregationswouldmakeeffortstoopentheirbuildingsandprograms.Olderpeopletendtoattendservicesingreaternumbersthantheyoung. Thegoodnewsisthatsomechurch-es,synagogues,mosquesandtemplesarealreadygettingreadyforthecom-

inginfluxofthedisabled,tappingtech-nologyandsimplethoughtfulnessto

reachoutincreativewaystothisfaith-hungrycommunity.Ittakesmorethanjustautomaticdooropeners,large-printBiblesandimprovedsignagetomakeacon-gregationdisability-friendly.Inrecentyears—sometimesunderpressure—numerousdenomi-nationsalsohaveestablishednationaloutreachnetworkstomaketheircongregationsacces-sible.ThroughgroupslikeJoniEareckson’sJoniandFriendsDisabilityCenter,evangelicalmegachurcheshavebecomein-creasinglyinvolvedinthiseffort. “Ofallthebarrierstofullparticipationandinclusion,thebarrierofunexaminedattitudesisthemostdifficulttoaddress,”

saidGinnyThornburgh,directoroftheAmericanAssociationofPeoplewithDisabilities’InterfaithInitiative.Itsgoal,shesays,is“tobringthepowerfulandpropheticvoiceofthefaithcommunitytothe21st-centurydisabilityagenda,”andtoinvolveallreligiouscommunities.“TherearenobarrierstoGod’slove,”Thornburghsays.“ThereshouldbenobarriersinGod’shouse.”❑

— Mark Pinsky, a longtime religion writer,wrote a book about congregations that wel-come people with disabilities, published by

the Alban Institute. This article was originallypublished in TheWallStreetJournal in 2009.

Wounded veterans such as these from Iraq and Afghani-stan are adding to the numbers of persons needing faith communities that will break down not only physical bar-riers, but also barriers of unexamined attitudes.

Think your local church’sWeb site is accessible? Justasmanycongregationsandbusinessesworktomaketheirphysicalfacilitiesaccessibletopeoplewithdis-abilities,theyalsostrivetomaketheironlinepresenceaccessible.Andjustasphysicalaccessibilitytakessomecare,andreachesbeyondtheobvious,sodoesonlineaccessibility.ForalistofsuggestionsonhowtomakeyourWebsitemoreuser-friendlyandforanex-tensivelistofresourcesrelatedtoTheUnitedMethodistChurch’sministrywiththosewhohavedisabilities,visit.❑


TThetelevisioncommercialsweredis-turbing:Traditional-lookingchurchesbarringorphysicallyejectingracialandethnicminorities,gaycouples—andpeoplewithdis-abilities.Onetaglinewas“Jesusdidn’tturnpeopleaway.Neitherdowe.”Thenationalcampaign,whichairedseveralyearsago,wassponsoredbytheUnitedChurchofChrist.“Weincludedpeoplewithphysicaldisabilitiesinthesecommercials—inawheelchairorwithawalker—asanextensionofthecallandhopethatchurcheswouldbeintentionallyinclusiveof‘allthepeople,’”saidtheRev.GreggBrekke,aspokesmanforthedenomination. Instead,theimageryprovokedgrumblingfromsomedenomina-tionsbecauseofitsimpliedcritiqueofotherchurchtraditions.Butatleastwhenitcametothephysicallyhandi-capped,thecriticismhadmorethanagrainoftruth.Churches,synagogues,mosquesandtemplesareplaceswherepeoplewithdisabilitiesmightnotexpecttofeelexcluded,isolatedorpatronized.Yetthathasoftenbeenthenorm.Foryearscongregationshaveeffectivelyexcludedthedisabledfromworship—bysteps,narrowdoorways,andstraitenedattitudes—orsegregat-edthemin“special”services.Housesofworship(exceptthosewithmorethan15employees)wereexcludedfromthe1992AmericanswithDisabilitiesAct,which,amongotherthings,barsdiscriminationagainstpeoplewithphysicalorintellectualdisabilities—includingaccessandarchitecturalbar-riers—inpublicaccommodationsandtransportation. TheU.S.Censusin2000counted54milliondisabledindividuals—oneinsixAmericans—andthatnumberisprobablygrowing.WoundedIraqandAfghanistanwarveteransareswellingthispopulation.Thankstoneonatalcareandtechnologyadvances,at-riskinfantswithseveredisabilitiesnowsurviveintoadulthood.Mostsignifi-cantly,thebabyboomergenerationis

http://www.umc.orgwww.umdisabilityministries.org


The United Methodist Connection in . . .

Virginiaconference moves to connectional Ministry‘centers for excellence’ model

Withtheapprovalof“AllThingsNew,”leadershipdevelopmentbecametheprimaryfocusoftheVirginiaConferenceinalignmentwiththeconferencevisionstatement:“WeenvisionfaithcommunitieswhereallGod’speoplearewelcomedattable,nurturedandtransformedtobeChristtoothersintheworld.” Inthethreeyearsthathavefollowed,conferencestaff,boardsandagencieshavestructuredandalignedtheirministriestowardthisgoal.Someofthefruitofthisfocushavebeentheformationofthe5TalentAcademy,aYoungAdultLeadershipInitiativethatresultedinVocationCAREforcongre-gationsseekingtocultivateacultureofcall,anAssociatePastorsInitiative,amid-sizechurchinitiativethathaspro-videdtrainingforpastoralleadership,asmallchurchleadershipinitiativethatwilldevelopintentionalleadershipresourcingforlaityandclergy,aCross-Cultural/Cross-RacialAppointmentTaskForcethatwillprovidetrainingforcongregations,and2012ministrygatheringsforAfrican-AmericanandLatinoclergy. AsofJan.1,thenextstepofalign-mentwiththeconferencevisionhasbeentakenwiththeformationoffourVirginiaConferenceConnectionalMinistryCenters:Center for Clergy Excellence,over-

seenbyBethDowns,directorofClergyExcellence;

Center for Congregational Excellence, overseenbyMarkOgren,directorof

CongregationalExcellence;

January closings announced for conference offices OfficesintheVirginiaUnitedMethodistCenterinGlenAllenwillbeclosedMonday,Jan.2,fortheNewYear’sholidayandMonday,Jan.16,inobservanceofMartinLutherKingJr.’sbirthday.

Center for Missional Excellence,over-seenbyGlennRowley,directorofJusticeandMissionalExcellence;

Center for Lay Leadership Excellence, overseenbyMarthaStokes,director

ofInclusivityandLayLeadershipExcellence.

ThepurposeoftheConnectionalMinistryCentersistoprovideresourc-ingofleadershipthatwilldevelopprincipledChristiandiscipleswhoaregroundedinWesleyantraditionandtheologyastheyanswertheircalltoministryinthechurchandworld. TheconceptoftheConnectionalMinistryCentersistocreateavisionofexcellencefortheVirginiaConferencefoundeduponmission-baseddecision-makingandclearprioritiesforfruitful-nessandmultiplication.Thisvisionwillbeachievedthroughanewemphasisonaccountabilityandthepossibilityforshort-termparticipationincollab-orativeeffortsandinitiativesthatareoutsideofthenormalconferenceboardprogrammingstructure. ThecorevaluesoftheConnec-tionalMinistryCentersaregroundedinWesleyantheologicalconceptsthatexpectfruitfulnessasanoutcomeoffaithfuldiscipleship.Centraltothecorevaluesofthesecentersisamorenimbleorganizationalstructurethatwillbeundergirdedbyawillingnesstoengageinnewdirectionsforministry.Thecenterswillstriveforexcellence,honesty,andintegritybasedonPhilip-pians4:8–“Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, what-ever is just, whatever is pure, whatever

is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” ImplementationoftheConnectionalMinistryCenterswillbefacilitatedbytheOfficeofConnectionalMinistries.Initiativesthatemergeoutsidetheboard/agencyministryprocesswillbeapprovedbytheCommonTableforChurchVitalitywithstaffingresponsi-bilitiesbeingassignedbythedirectorofConnectionalMinistries.Centerdirec-torswillcollaborateoninitiativeswiththedirectorofMinistrieswithYoungPeople.Inaddition,thedirectorofCommunicationsandconferencecom-missionsonInclusivitywillresourcethecenters. PersonswhohavesuggestionsforleadershipinitiativesthatcanhelpVirginiaConferencecongregationstogrowinfruitfulnessasourconferencecontinuestoanswertheinvitationof“AllThingsNew,”cancontactMarcBrownat.❑

— The Rev. Marc Brown,director of Connectional Ministries

“Resourcing of leadership must become the primary focus of the conference as new and existing faith communities are empowered to witness to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.” — AllThingsNew:FruitfulandMultiplying

VirginiaAnnualConference,June2008

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state employees have unique opportunity to support prison chaplaincychaplainServicePrisonMinistryofVirginia,Inc.,istheofficialagencythatprovideschaplainstoVirginia’sstateprisonsandjuvenilecorrectionalcenters.Virginiaisuniqueinthatitsprisonchaplainsarenotstateemployees.Theyarenotcompensatedbythestate(i.e.,nofederalorstatetaxpayermoniesareutilized)andtheyreceivenostatebenefitssuchashealthinsuranceorretirement. Chaplainsserveasprisonpastorsandreligiousprogramcoordinatorsin31stateadultprisonsandatthreestatejuvenilecorrectionalcenters.Chaplainsconductworshipservices,teach,counsel,andcoordinatethemanyvolunteerswhoassistinministeringtothemale,femaleandyouthfuloffendersincarceratedinthestateprisonsystem. Chaplainsaresupportedbydenominations,churches,foundationsandindividu-als,aswellasbysomeoftheprofitsfromtheDepartmentofCorrections’Commis-saryFund. ChaplainServiceisaregisteredcharitywiththeCommonwealthofVirginiaCampaign(CVC).TheCVCcodeforChaplainServiceis3002. Thispresentsauniqueopportunityforstateemployeestosupportprisonministryandtohelpchangelivesandensuresafercommunities.Stateemployeesareabletogiveaone-timedonationtoChaplainServiceortogivetotheministrythroughouttheyearviapayrolldeduction. Churchesorindividualsthatwouldliketocontributetothisuniqueministrycanobtainadditionalinformationbycalling(804)358-7650,orbyvisitingtheWebsite.Promotionalpamphlets,apromotionalDVDandpresentersareavailableforyourchurch,groupororganizationuponrequest.❑

— Randy Myers, vice president of Chaplain Service Prison Ministry of Virginia, Inc.

TheVirginiaConferenceCabinetandConnectionalMinistriesstaffwillbecoordinatingVitalCongregationstrainingeventsinAprilandMayforchurchesaveragingupto150inweeklyworshipattendance. Workshoptopicswillbedirectlytiedtothekeyareasforgoal-plan-ningintheVitalCongregationsministryplan:Worship:“Understandinggenerationalexpectationsinworship”and“Waystoincreaseworshipattendance”;Professions of Faith:“Increasingprofessionsoffaithinyourcongregation”and“Planningeffectiveconfirmationprograms”(toincludethenewCredoconfirmationresourcesfromCokesbury);Small Groups:“Startingandsustainingsmallgroups”and“Creatingsmallgroupsforchildrenandyouth”;Mission:“Buildingrelationshipswithyourcommunitythroughmission”and“Followingapportionmentdol-larsfromtheofferingplateintotheworld”;andLeadership:“Assessingyourchurch’spotentialforvitalministry”and“Bestpracticesofchurchleadership”(mentoring,runningameeting,navigatingchange,adminis-tration,etc.). BishopCharleneKammererandtheCabinethaveaskedlocalchurchleaderstosetgoalsintheseareas.TheVitalCongregationsmovementhasgrownoutofthe“CalltoAction”re-portonTheUnitedMethodistChurchissuedinearly2011. Thesetrainingeventsarebeingofferedinadditiontotheregularlyscheduleddistricttrainingdayevents.Additionaltrainingopportunitiesofthistypewereoneoftherecommen-dationsoftheSmallChurchLeader-shipInitiativeTaskForce,baseduponfeedbackreceivedinsurveysofclergyandlocalchurchLayLeaders.Theworkshopsareplannedtobeofferedagaininthefalltothosedistrictsthatcouldnotscheduledatesinthespring. ThescheduleforSaturdayeventswillberegistrationfrom8:30to9a.m.,followedbyashortwelcomeandintroductorysession,andtworoundsofworkshops(withabreakinbetween)endingby12:30p.m.Work-shopleaderswillmakethemselvesavailableuntil1p.m.forquestionsfromindividualchurchleaders.The

‘Meeting Your Vital congregation Goals’training events scheduled for spring

schedulefortheSundaysessionswillbethesame,butwithadifferentstarttime.Registra-tionwillbeginat1:30p.m.andtheworkshopswillendat5:30p.m. Confirmeddatesforspringtrainingeventsare: April 14—LynchburgDistrict(Timberlake

UMC) April 15—DanvilleDistrict(FirstUMC,Mar-

tinsville) April 21—StauntonDistrict(locationTBA) April 22—HarrisonburgandWinchester

Districts(WoodstockUMC) May12—AlexandriaandArlingtonDistricts

(St.Matthew’sUMC) May 19—ElizabethRiverDistrict(location

TBA) Additionaldatesmaybeadded. Formoreinformation,contactMarthaStokesat1-800-768-6040,ext.154or(804)521-1154or.YoucanalsovisittheVitalCongregationsWebsite,.❑

http://www.vaumc.orghttp://www.umc.orghttp://www.vaumc.org/Page.aspx?pid=607www.umc.org/calltoactionwww.chaplainservice.orgwww.chaplainservice,orgwww.umvitalcongregations.orgwww.umvitalcongregations.orgwww.umvitalcongregations.orgwww.umvitalcongregations.org


programatRandolph-MaconCollegeandhasbeenaspeakerforconferenceyouthevents.HealsoservesontheboardforthePaceCampusMinistryatVirginiaCommonwealthUniversity. TheRev.MarcBrown,directorofConnectionalMinistries,saidthat“DerrickwillcontinuethetraditionofexcellenceinministrywithyoungpeopleexemplifiedintheVirginiaConference.Hewillhelpusmoveforwardinthedirectionofleadershipdevelopmentthathasbeenthefocusofourconference’sministrysincetheapprovalof‘AllThingsNew.’”❑

Derrick Parson joins conference staffas director of Ministries with Young People

TheRev.DerrickParsonstartedasthenewconferenceDirectorofMinistrieswithYoungPeopleeffectiveJan.1. ParsonisanelderintheVirginiaConferencewhohasbeenactiveindistrictandconferenceyouthministry.Hisappointmentshaveincludedbeingassoci-atepastorofRamseyMe-morialUMC(2000-2003),directoroftheWesleyFoundationatJamesMadi-sonUniversity(2003-2008),andmostrecentlyaspastorofAsburyMemorialUMCinChesterfield(2008-2011). Priortoenteringordainedmin-istry,ParsonservedasasergeantintheUnitedStatesMarineCorps,andservedinIraqduringOperationDesertStorm.HealsowaspartofsecuritydetailsforU.S.EmbassiesinGermanyandMali,WestAfrica. ParsonhasaMasterofDivinityandaMasterofArtsinChristianEducationfromUnionTheologicalSeminaryinRichmond. Parson’sgoalforministrieswithyoungpeopleistodevelopleaders

whowillbeproduc-tiveintheirchurches,homes,andcom-munityatlargeasfollowersofJesus.“IamgratefultotheLordinallowingmetoliveoutmypassionandcreativitywithourveryownyouthacrosstheVirginiaConference,”hesays. HehasworkedwiththeA.PurnellBaileypre-ministerial

Parson

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20th annual United Methodist Dayat General assembly coming up Feb. 2

The20thannualUnitedMethodistDayattheGeneralAssemblyofVirginiawilltakeplaceFeb.2.TheannualeventissponsoredbytheconferenceBoardofChurchandSocietyandUnitedMethodistWomen. ParticipantswillgatherforbreakfastatBonAirUMCat7a.m.,thenbetrans-portedtotheStateCapitolinbusesandvans.Therewillbeopportunitiestositinoncommitteemeetingsandtalktostatelawmakers.AtnoontherewillbeajointsessionoftheSenateandHouse. AfterareturntoBonAirforlunch,participantswillhearfromBishopChar-leneKammererandJimWinkler,Gen-eralSecretaryoftheGeneralBoardofChurchandSocietyandalaymemberoftheVirginiaConference.“Wehaveaskedbothspeakerstosharehowourfaithinformsoursocialjusticeadvoca-cy,”saideventcoordinatorNatalieMay.“HowareUnitedMethodistsuniquelycalledtoserveinthisway?” Theafternoonsessionalsowillincludeagroupdiscussionaboutwaysthatparticipantscanbringthedaybacktotheircongregations. Theprimarylegislativeissuethisyearwillbehumantrafficking,“anissuenearanddeartotheheartsofVirginiaConferenceUnitedMethodistWomen,”Maysaid. OrganizersalsohaveinvitedGov.BobMcDonnelltomeetwiththegroupattheCapitolinthemorningorjointhemforbreakfastatBonAirUMC. Maysaidthattherealsoaresomeminorlogisticalchangesfromlastyear.“Wewillnotbemailingconfirmationlettersthisyear;wewillsendconfirma-tione-mailsinstead,”shesaid.“Weaskthateveryoneincludeane-mailaddressontheirregistrationform[availableatright]sothatwecankeepthemupdat-edaboutevents,legislativeissuesandanychangesduetoinclementweather,etc.Also,luncheswillnotbeselectedontheregistrationformthisyear.Wepromisethattherewillbeseveraldeli-ciouslunchselectionssimilartoyearspast.Andgluten-freeluncheswillbeavailable.”

United Methodist dayat General asseMblyThursday, February 2, 2012

7 a.m. Registration and breakfast at Bon Air UMC, 1645 Buford Rd., Richmond. 8 a.m. Load buses and travel to Capitol grounds.8:30 a.m. You may attend committee meetings and visit the offices of your legislators

and take a Capitol tour. Contact your legislators’ Richmond offices in advance to set up an appointment/group meeting.

11:30 a.m. Gathering for large group meeting with Legislators.Noon. Joint Session of Senate & House.12:45 p.m. Return to Bon Air for lunch and remarks from guest speakers.3:30 p.m. Adjourn.For Directions to Bon Air UMC: visit , scroll down to “Upcoming Events” and click on “United Methodist Day at General Assembly.” We encourage car/van pooling. Early arrival is recommended.

Hotel Reservations: Rooms for Feb. 1 are available at the Hyatt Place Richmond/Arboretum Hotel, 201 Arboretum Place, Richmond. Please refer to “United Methodist Day” when calling (804) 560-1566 for reservations.(Deadline: Jan. 13.)

For more information, contact Natalie May at (804) 320-8524 or

This event is presented by the Virginia Conference Legislative

Network and cosponsored by the Virginia Conference Board of Church & Society and the

Virginia ConferenceUnited Methodist Women.

REGISTRATION FORM:Clip and mail this registration form (feel free to photocopy)

or download a brochure and form or register online from the Webat www.vaumc.org, click on “Events” and then the date.

Name __________________________________________

Address _________________________________________

City_____________________State ____Zip ____________

Phone (_______) _________________________________

E-mail __________________________________________

Church _________________________________________

District _________________________________________

Age: __21 and under __36–45 __56–65

__22–35 __46–55 __over 65

Special Needs: ___________________________________

I am [check all that apply]:__UMW __UMM __BCS member __otherIs this your first time attending UM Day? __Yes __No

Early bird registration and payment of $20/personmust be received by Jan. 20, 2012. ($30 after that date)(Includes packet, hot breakfast, snack, lunch, free parking at

church, and transportation to & from Capitol grounds.)If sending registration for a group, please mail one check

together with a completed registration form for each person.Make checks payable to

“Virginia United Methodist Conference” (earmarked “UM Day”) and mail, along with registration form, to:

Jennifer Kennedy, 12945 Crescent Park Dr. #303.,Midlothian, VA 23114

No refunds after Jan. 20, 2012.

20th Annual

Online Registrationis encouraged!

Mayaskedpersonstoregisteronlineandtodosoearly.“Wearelimitedto300participantsandareexpectingabigturnoutthisyear.” MayalsourgedparticipantstotakeadvantageoftheresourcesavailablethroughtheVirginiaInterfaithCenter

forPublicPolicy,,whichincludelegisla-tivebriefsandupdates,linkstoWebsitessuchasRichmondSunlightthatwillprovideup-to-the-minuteupdatesoflegislativeissues,andaYouTubevideoonsuccessfulvisitswithlegislators.❑

http://www.vaumc.orghttp://www.vaumc.orghttp://www.vaumc.orghttp://www.vaumc.org/Page.aspx?pid=607www.umc-gbcs.orgwww.umc-gbcs.orgwww.virginiainterfaithcenter.orgwww.vaumc.orgwww.vaumc.org


‘exploration’ is an inspiration for Virginia young people

IfIcouldsumuptheExplo-ration2011experiencewithoneword,itwouldbe“inspiring.” Ihadtheprivilegeandhonorofrep-resentingtheVirginiaConferenceatthisnationalevent,heldinSt.Louisthisyear,gearedtowardyoungpeople(ages18-26)whoareexploringacalltoministry.Iwasinspiredinsomanyways.Herearejustafew: Iwasinspiredbythesheernumberofpeople.Thereweremorethan600youngadultswrestlingwithacalltoministryinitsmanyforms,asanordainedelder,ordaineddeaconordedicatedlayperson.Therewerealsoacouplehundredadultslikemyself:representativesfromgeneralboardsandagencies,seminaries,andconferencesaroundthecountryalongwithmilitarychaplainsandcampusministers. IwasinspiredbytheRev.AdamHam-ilton,whoissuedachallengetotheseyoungpeopletoreachthenextgenera-tionforChrist.Hisauthenticityandhu-militywererefreshing,andhisfaithin

themessageofTheUnitedMethodistChurchandits

uniqueabilitytoreachpeoplewasen-couraging.HecomparedatypewritertoaniPadandsaidthatmostofourchurch-eslookmorelikeatypewriter,andem-phasizedthatweneedyoungleaderstoteachustobethechurchfortoday’sage. IwasinspiredbythepresenceofBishopRobertSchnase.Hewasnotoneofourkeyspeakers,butheledusinCommunionandwaspresentthrough-outtheentireevent.Hemadehimselfavailabletomeetwith,talkto,andanswerquestionsoftheparticipants.IwasalsoinspiredbytheenthusiasmofBishopRobertHayes,whotoldtheyoungpeoplethatthethingthatpulledthemtherewasnotgoingtoletthemgo,emphasizingthatGoddoesnotcalltheequippedbutequipsthecalled. Iwasinspiredbythewordsofayoungprovisionalelder,theRev.ShalomAgatrap,whoaskedthequestion,“Haveyouevermistakenthebeginningofsomethingfortheend?”Sheshared

herstoryandthegoodnewsthatGod’sSpiritmetusthere,andwillbewithuswhenwereturnhome,andtorememberthatthisisjustthebeginning! Iwasinspiredbytheworshipleader-shipofMarkMillerandhisband.Themusicwasfreshandnewandyetsofa-miliaraswesangmanyadaptedhymns.Iwasinspiredbythesacredspacecreatedforprayer. IwasinspiredandreinvigoratedinmyownrelationshipwithGodandcommit-menttofollowingmycalltoministry.IattendedExplorationinChicagoasacol-legestudentnineyearsago.Itwassohum-blingtobeontheothersideofthings,toreflectonwhereGodhasmovedinmylifeovertheyears,andtorecognizetheneedforconsistentandintentionalconnectiontoGodandtheevolvingcallinmylife. Mostofall,IwasinspiredbytheyoungpeopleImet,andthestoriesofhowGodismovingintheirlivesandplacingauniquecallintheirlives.❑

— The Rev. Jessica Fuller is youth minister at Crozet UMC, Charlottesville District.

by Jessica Fuller

http://www.vaumc.orghttp://www.umc.orghttp://www.umfs.org


Heart Havens adds second home in Lynchburg, 13th overall

InOctober,acrewofvolunteersunderthesupervisionofTomGerdyconvertedacementslabtoaframedhouseinonedayinLynch-burg.Amassivecranedroppedrooftrussesintoplaceasthesunbegantoset.Thenextdaybuildersputupvinylsiding,roofing,windowsandframedthefrontporchonthesecondHeartHavenshome(seerelatedarticleonpg.7)inLynchburg. AcommitteechairedbyJoeWills,aformermem-beroftheHeartHavensBoardofDirectors,wasformedtocoordinatetheprocessleadinguptothebuild.Manyofthecommit-teememberscoordinatedthefundraisingandexecu-tionofthefirsthome.

Thesecondhome,referredtoasLynchburg2,sitsdirectlyacrossthestreetfromtheoriginalLynchburghome,whichwasbuiltin2004.Vol-unteers,headedbyEvelynCondrey,setuparefreshment,restingandregistrationstationinthefrontyardoftheoriginalhome.ResidentsofLynchburg1watchedfromtheirfrontporchasthehometookshape,visit-

ingthesiteoccasionally.Theyarelook-ingforwardtohavingnewneighbors.Fivespecialneedsadultswilloccupythegrouphome. Manyareachurchesmadethebuildpossible.MembersofUnitedMeth-odistMenandUnitedMeth-odistWomen

wereindispensable,aswereneighbors,friendsandstaff. “TheHabitatforHu-manityCrazies,”astheycallthemselves,dedicatemuchoftheirtimetobuildinghomesforHabitatforHumanityandbroughttheirexpertisetothisHeartHavenshome.❑

— Kiki Nusbaumer,Heart Havens

(Right) Tom Gerdy is steady on the ladder as he makes sure a corner is square.(Below) Raising the walls was a true team effort.

Can become avery special homefor retired United Methodist pastors and their spouses in the years to come. The Retired Clergy Housing Corporation of the VirginiaConference maintains a program to provide retirement homes foreligible United Methodistpastors who need them. This program has been made possible by the gift of homes willed to the Corporation for this purpose. Other contributions come through the Covenant of Gratitude whose members contribute $1.00 a year for each person ordained a commissioned probationer at the Virginia Annual Conference. If you would like to consider will-ing your home to the Retired Clergy Housing Corporation of the Virginia Conference or if you would like to share through the Covenant of Grati-tude, please mail in the coupon below with your name and address.

c/o Tom Coffman, President 4837 Village Lake Dr., Richmond, VA 23234

Phone: (804) 271-7219; Fax: (804) 271-4558E-mail: Please send me information on:❏ The Covenant of Gratitude.❏ Including the Retired Clergy Housing Corporation in my will.

Name _____________________________

Address ____________________________

City _______________________________

State _______ Zip ___________________

Phone _____________________________

Your House...

Celebrating

more than 75 year

s

of service

www.churchinteriors.comhttp://www.vaumc.org/Page.aspx?pid=764http://www.vaumc.org/Page.aspx?pid=764http://www.vaumc.org/Page.aspx?pid=764


Special and Sustaining Program Grants to local churches/faith groupsreaching out into communities

BecausethemissionofthechurchistomakedisciplesofJesusChristforthetransformationoftheworld,theVirginiaConferencehaslongseentheneedtoassistchurcheswhicharereachingoutintotheircommunities.TheCommonTable,CommitteeonEthnicMinorityConcernsandAdvocacy,andUnitedMethodistWomenhavecombinedtheirre-sources,includingadesignatedportionoftheChurchExtensionApportionment,toassistinthiswork.Atotalof$106,750willbedistributedtothemissionprojectslistedonthesepages.Formoreinformationaboutaspecificproject,orhowyoucanassist,contacttheappropriatepersonslistedbelow;orcallBevMyersintheconferenceOfficeofConnectionalMinis-triesat1-800-768-6040or(804)521-1100,ext.134,ore-mail.

Special Program GrantsALEXANDRIA DISTRICT Rising Hope Noonday Meals Pro-

gram supplementsitsotherministriesbyprovidinganourishingmealtothosewhocometoRisingHopefortheNoonDayWorshipServiceseek-ingspiritualnourishment.ThemealisservedTuesdaythroughFriday,andonSunday.Contact:KearyKincannon,8220RussellRoad,Alexandria,VA22309;(703-360-1976);.

Silverbrook UMC and Retreat Center offerstworetreatopportunitieseverymonthattheirfacility,whichis“astepbackinhistory...”combinedwith...“alittlesliceofpeaceandquietinthemidstofnature”—inthemiddleofsuburbannorthernVirginia.TheretreatsservebusyandharriednorthernVirginians,manyofwhomareofadiverseethnicpopulation.Contact:Kim-berlyBarker-Brugman,8616SilverbrookRd.,Lorton,VA22079;(703-690-4159);.

ARLINGTON DISTRICT Bruen Chapel UMC ESL Program offersthree6-to

7-weeksessionsofEnglishasaSecondLanguage(ESL)classestothecommunity.Contact:RuthBurgess,3035CedarLane,Fairfax,VA22031;(703-560-1665);.

CHARLOTTESVILLE DISTRICT Cub Care Packages — NelsonUMCispartneringwith

acoalitionofchurchesandnonprofitsinitscommunitytoprovidebackpacksoffoodforhungrychildrenonweekends,holidaysandsummervacationwhenfreeorreduced-costlunchesarenotavailable.Contact:PettisVanDerNoot,5239ThomasNelsonHwy.,Arrington,VA22922;(434-263-4082);.

Ready Set Cook (First UMC Charlottesville) isa12-weekculinaryartsclasswhosefocusistocreateandstrengthenjobskillsforpeoplewhoseektoimprovetheirpositioninlifebyincreasingandsustainingem-ploymentfortheparticipants.Contact:PhyllisBack,

160PeregoryLane,Charlottes-ville,VA22902;(434-977-6981,ext.288);.

ELIZABETH RIVER DISTRICT Get Smart atGreatBridge

UMCserveshighschoolstudentswithaTuesdayafter-schoolprogramwhichprovidesfun,exerciseandmentoring.Dinnerisservedtothestudentsandtheirfamilies,andisfollowedwithcharacter-buildinggamesand

activities.Theevening concludeswithmentorsassistingwithschoolwork,

whileparentsmayattendinformativeworkshopsonhealth,nutritionandfitness;financialplanning;andothertopicsofferedbychurchmembers.Contact:WendyScott,344FaireChase,Ches-apeake,VA23322;(757/376-3864);.

Oak Grove Community Dinner isafreeweeklydin-

nerwhichoffersfoodandfellowshipavailabletoindi-vidualsandfamiliesintheHamptonRoadscommunity.Contact:KathyHodges,472N.BattlefieldBlvd.,Chesa-peake,VA23320;(757-547-2319);.

FARMVILLE DISTRICT Blessings in a Backpack servesSouthHillElementary

Schoolchildrenwhosefamiliesqualifyforthefederalfreeandreducedmealprogramandwhomaynothaveanyorenoughfoodontheweekends.EveryFriday,studentsreceivebackpackswithstaplesthatrequirelittletonopreparation.Contact:KentWise,3088BusyBeeRoad,SouthHill,VA23970;(434-447-4335);.

Special Program and Sustaining Grants of Va. 2012 Special and Sustaining Program Grants of Virginia

Students in the “Ready Set Cook” class at First UMC, Charlottesville, learn the fine art of cutting up vegetables.

This high school student gets as-sistance with his homework during the “Get Smart” program at Great Bridge UMC, Eliza-beth River District.

http://www.vaumc.orghttp://www.vaumc.orgwww.vaumw.org


HARRISONBURG DISTRICT Shiloh UMC Enrich Program servesat-riskchildrenby

providingahalf-daysummerenrichmentprogramwhichincludestwomealsandasnackdaily.Contact:LucindaErbach,392ThompsonSt.,Strasburg,VA22657;(540-465-3382);.

LYNCHBURG DISTRICT Amherst Cares (Emmanuel UMC) providesfoodfor

middleschoolchildrenwhohavelittleornofoodontheweekends.Teachershaverecognizedimprovementsinacademicperformance,behaviorandattendancesincetheimplementationofthisprogram.Contact:BethGamble,297RidgeDrive,Amherst,VA24521;(434-946-7657);.

RICHMOND DISTRICT Belmont UMC Youth Outreach Program reachesinto

thenearbyBroadRockcommunitytomentoryouth,providingleadershiptraining,socialskills,Christiancharactereducation,lifeskills,academicassistance,andopportunityforcommunityserviceprojects,collegetoursandotherrelevantexperiences.Contact:LarryCochran,BarbaraMcDougaldorMarieCoone;(804-275-6336);.

Celebrate Recovery (New Song UMC) isaministrythatfocusesontheTwelveStepsandEightBiblicalPrin-ciples,withkeyemphasisonJesusChrist,tohelppeopledealwithvarioustypesofdependency.Itincorporatesdinner,worshipandsharegroups.Contact:HeatherShaheen,7450Colt’sNeckRd.,Mechanicsville,VA23219;(804-559-6064);.

Centenary UMC Walk-in MinistrypartnerswithotherdowntownRichmondchurchestoofferanoontimemealtothegrowingstreetpopulation.Centenaryof-fersFridaylunch,andnowalsooffersawarmfootsoak,massage,pedi-careandcleansocksforthetiredfeetofthepoorthroughits“BlessMySoleFootwashingMinis-try,”aswellasofferingTuesdayandThursdaymorningsidewalkgreeterswithcoffeeandasmile.Contact:AnnDavis,411E.GraceSt.,Richmond,VA23219;(804-648-8319);

Food & Clothing Ministry of Belmont UMC,supportedbyvolunteersfromthechurchandthecommunity,em-bracesthechangingneighborhoodbyofferingfoodandclothingassistancetothoseinneedinthecommunity.Contact:LarryCochran(804-275-6336);or.

Lakeside UMC Neighborhood Outreach isaministryforneighborhoodoutreachtoadiversifiedimmigrantandlow-incomecommunity,providinghelpwithnotonlyspiritualneeds,butalsowithotherpersonalandac-culturationissuessuchasImmigrationandNaturaliza-tionServiceconcerns,legalandmedicalassistance,jobsearchassistance,affordablehousingandcrisismanage-

ment.Contact:NancyRobinson,2333HilliardRd.,Rich-mond,VA23228;(804-873-1487);.

ROANOKE DISTRICT Newport Cares Backpack Ministry providesweekend

mealsforEasternElementaryandMiddleSchoolstu-dentswhoareidentifiedbytheschool.Contact:MorrisFleischer,P.O.Box133,Newport,VA24128;(540-544-7183);.

Shalom Zone: Grace MinistriesisaministrytothedisenfranchisedofdowntownRoanokewithanemphasisontherecoveringcommunity,theimmigrantcommunityandmarginalizedpeople.Itoffershelpwithimmigra-tionandFairHousinglaw,jailministriesandworshipopportunities,andeducationandnutritionopportuni-ties.Contact:DonEdwards,esq.,4819GolfviewDr.,Roanoke,VA24019;(540-266-7262);.

STAUNTON DISTRICT Greenville UMC offersanafter-schoolprogramwhich

supplementstheoneofferedbythelocalelementaryschool,whichhashadtoreducethenumberofdaysitoffersduetobudgetcuts.Theprogramservesneighbor-hoodstudentswhoarestrugglingwiththeStandardsofLearningtestsbyofferingthisfreeprogram,whichin-cludesfreetransportation.Contact:JoyceHinton,3111LeeJacksonHighway,Staunton,VA24401;(540-337-0118);.

Sustaining Program Grants

ARLINGTON DISTRICT Grace Ministriesseekstoengageandempowerthe

low-incomeimmigrantcommunityinnorthernVirginiathroughthedistributionoffood,clothing,schoolsup-pliesandover-the-countermedications;byprovidingfamilieswithemergencyfundingforutilitybills,rentassistance,medicalandpharmacybills;andprovidingvocationaltraininginhigh-demandoccupations.Con-tact:MarthaReal,13600FryingPanRd.,Herndon,VA20171;(703-793-0026);.

EASTERN SHORE DISTRICT Agape Christian Children’s Community Center

providesahealthynurturingenvironmentforat-riskchildrenofthesmallruralethnicminoritycommunityofHorntownthroughapreschoolfor3-and4-year-oldsthatisopen11hoursdaily,MondaythroughFriday;after-schoolprogramforkindergartenthroughsecondgrade;andVacationBibleSchoolduringthesum-mermonths.Contact:BrendaM.Child,12021Robin-sonFerryRd.,Broadnax,VA23920;(434-848-3329);.

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2012 Special and Sustaining Program Grants of Virginia


(Continued from previous page) Special Program and Sustaining Grants of Va.

Gathered for a service of baptism is part of the Casa del Alfarero (Potter’s House) congregation of the Hispanos Unidos outreach min-istry of the Roanoke District, based at Huntington Court UMC. On the left is the Rev. Gustavo Segovia de Molley, of the Methodist Church of Mexico on loan to the Virginia Con-ference; with him are his wife Lori, son Jose, and daughter Lily.

ELIZABETH RIVER DISTRICT Club Sandwich serveschildrenfromneighboring

low-income,at-risk,transientfamilies.ThesechildrenreceivetheloveandcompassionofChristthroughthementoring,tutoringandcaringofthedirector,churchmembersandvolunteers.Contact:DebbieWinnorJoannMcClung,288EastLittleCreekRd.,Norfolk,VA23505;(757-587-2996);.

Wesley Community Service Center providesChristian-basedwitnessthroughsuchprogramsandservicesascongregateandhome-deliveredmeals;emergencysup-portservices;youthdevelopment;representativepayeeandguardianshipservicesforthementallychallenged;individualandfamilysupportservices,aswellassocialaction/advocacyonbehalfofthepooranddisadvan-tagedinthesouthsideofPortsmouth.Contact:JohnG.HatcherJr.,P.O.Box1396,Portsmouth,VA23705;(757-399-0541);.

HARRISONBURG DISTRICT Lighthouse Center for Children and Youth provides before-andafter-schoolcareandapreschoolprogram fortheeconomicallydepressedcommunity,including hotmealstosubsidizethechildren’snutritionalneeds. Contact:SheilaMorris,director,P.O.Box34,Elkton,VA

22827;(540-298-5309);.

LYNCHBURG DISTRICT Park View Community Mission seekstomeetthein-

creasingphysicalandspiritualneedsofthehomelessandneedyofthecommunitywithbaggedgroceries,weeklymeals,Biblestudyandfellowship.Thismissionisleadingtoanewmulticulturalfaithcommunity,morerepresenta-tiveofthecurrentcommunityaroundthechurch.Con-tact:Rev.PhilShowers,2420MemorialAve.,Lynchburg,VA24501;(434-845-8468);.

RICHMOND DISTRICT Black Methodists for Church Renewalstrengthensthe

ethniclocalchurchesbytrainingitsyouthinordertore-alizetheinclusivityoftheGeneralChurch.Contact:Wil-lardH.Douglas,P.O.Box26941,Richmond,VA23261;(804-321-4222);.

Kids’ ClubofCentralUMCprovidesasafe,funplaceforchildrentolearnaboutJesuswiththeirfriendsandneighbors,andservesasaspringboardforotherout-reachesintheneighborhoodsuchasanEasteregghunt,SuperBowlparty,campingopportunitiesandVacationBibleSchool.FamiliesofparticipatingchildrendesiretobeapartofwhatishappeningatCentralUMCbecauseofthepositiveexperiencestheirchildrenarehavingatKids’Club.Contact:SandyHarmon,1211PorterSt.,Richmond,VA23224;(804-288-3063);.

Sherbourne Food Pantryprovidesfoodandspirituallynurturesneedyresidentsandneighborsinthecommu-nitywheretheneedforfoodisveryapparent.Contact:SandySahnow,2619SherbourneRd.,Richmond,VA23237;(804-559-0705,804-921-2187);.

ROANOKE DISTRICT Hispanos Unidos

provideshelpandguidanceforincreas-ingnumbersoftheHispaniccommu-nityinthegreaterRoanokeandNewRivervalleysinallareas:housing,jobs,immigrationissues,assistanceindealingwithbureaucracy,teachingbasicshop-pingtechniques,etc.Contact:Rev.DaveRochford,19CedarRidgeDr.,Daleville,VA24083;(540-992-3030);.

UMC Community Outreach Program of Roanokeprovidesasafeandnurturingenvironmentforchildrenandfamiliesininner-cityRoanokewhoareinneedofresourcesnotavailabletothemthroughotherchannels,exposingthemtoChristianvaluesandteaching.Tutor-ing,Christianeducation,enrichmentactivitiesandguid-ance;aswellasaclothescloset,schoolsuppliesandeveningmealsareprovided.Contact:RebeccaParsons,305MountainAve.,SW,Roanoke,VA24016;(540-324-3103);.

West End UMCwasadeclininginner-citychurchwhichhaschosentoengageitsmulticulturalcommunitywithanurbanministriesprogram,withthegoalofonceagainbecomingacommunitychurch.Thisinitiativeincludesthechurch’syouthgroup,whichhasgreatlyin-creasedinsizeandisethnicallydiverse.Contact:DavidTanner,1221CampbellAve.SW,Roanoke,VA24015;(540-344-0206,540-989-3250);.

STAUNTON DISTRICT Greenville United Methodist Women (UMW),through

its“FoodonFridays”program,providesfoodforneedychildrenonweekendsandholidays,andconnectschil-drenandtheirparentstomuchneededcommunityresources.Contact:BethHaynes,823WagonShopRd.,Middlebrook,VA24459;(540-377-6220);.


Special Program and Sustaining Grants of Va.

Upcoming events – for all ages!enceClergyDevelopmentprogram.Anapplicationandinstructionsmaybeaccessedfrom,click“AdministrativeServices>>MinisterialServices>>ClergyDevelopment.”ThenextdeadlineisFeb.10.

JUNE 2012United Nations Seminar, June 25-29.NewYorkCity.Anexplorationofsocialjusticeissuesandsystemiccauses(lo-callyandglobally),thistripwillhelpyoungpeopleages16-22discoverapas-siontochangetheworld.SponsoredbytheGeneralBoardofGlobalMinistries,seminarsarepresentedforaminimumof15people.The goal is to register at least 15 participants by January. Estimatedcostis$800/person.Finaldetailswillbeavailablesoon.Ifinterest-ed,e-mailBeckyTateintheconferenceofficeofMinistrieswithYoungPeopleat.

qualityoflifeforthosewhoareill,andreducestheriskfactorsthatleadtotheneedforlong-termcare...”Formoreinformation,contacttheofficeofLayLeadershipExcellence,(804)521-1153or1-800-768-6040,ext.153,or.

MAY 2012Festival of Homiletics, May 14-18.Atlanta.TheVirginiaConferenceOrderofEldersencouragesallpastorstocon-siderattendingthisweekofpreachingandteaching.Thefestivalisthepremiertrainingeventinpreachinginthecoun-try.AlinkisprovidedontheVirginiaConferenceWebsitetohelpconnectclergywhowanttocarpooltoAtlanta.RegistrationinformationisavailableontheWebatinthe“Events”section.Early registration ends Jan. 31. ScholarshipsmayberequestedthroughtheVirginiaConfer-

FEBRUARY 2012United Methodist Day at General As-sembly, Feb. 2.StateCapitol,Rich-mond.Thisannualeventinits20thyearisforallUnitedMethodistscon-cernedwithissuesbeforetheVirginiaGeneralAssembly.SponsoredbytheVirginiaConferenceBoardofChurchandSociety,conferenceLegislativeNetworkandUnitedMethodistWomen,UMDaygivescongregationsavehicleforreachingbeyondthemselvesandin-troducesthemtotheSocialPrinciplesofTheUnitedMethodistChurchinameaningfulway.Early bird registra-tion and payment of $20/person must be received by Friday, Jan. 20.(Seerelatedarticleandregistrationformonpg.13ofthisAdvocate.)Moreinforma-tionisavailableinthe“Events”sectionoftheWebat.

‘Celebrate Your Marriage’ Retreat, Feb. 10-12.CampOverlook,Keezle-town.Growinyourloveandcommit-menttoGodandoneanother.JoinwithothermarriedcouplestoenrichyourrelationshipinthecontextofChristianfaithandaction.Trainedleaderswillguideparticipantsthroughaseriesofexercises,activitiesandworshipexperiences.Formoreinformation,callthecampofficeat(540)2MY-CAMPore-mail.

APRIL 2012‘ReFirement: A Creative Spark’ for Older Adults, April 20-21.BlackstoneConferenceandRetreatCenter.Spon-soredbytheconferenceOlderAdultCouncil,thisretreatwillfocusonfoster-ingthesparkofcreativityinordertoenrichthelivesofolderadultsandenhancetheministriesofthechurch.Workshopsincludewatercolorandacrylicpainting,music,liturgicalmovementandknitting/crochetingformakingprayershawls.Whyattend?Aresolutiontothe2005WhiteHouseConferenceonAgingstated:“Researchsuggeststhatactiveparticipationintheartsandlearningpromotesphysicalhealth,enhancesasenseofwell-beingamongolderAmericans,improves

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Religious News from Around the . . .

nation & World

TotheRev.EdZeiders,“ItisagifttobeaChristianinatimelikethis.” Zeidersistheseniorpastorofthe1,800-memberSt.Paul’sUnitedMeth-odistChurchinStateCollege,Pa.,wheretheentirecommunityhasbeenrockedbyscandalinvolvingchargesofchildsexualabusefiledagainstlongtimechurchmemberandformerPennStateassistantfootballcoachJerrySandusky. God’sgraceisofferedtoallthroughthecrossofJesusChrist,whoborethesinsoftheworld,Zeiderstoldhiscongregation.“Whenyourdreamsaredashed,brokenandourwholecommunityoflearnersandseekerslivingtogether...whenitisallaffectedlikethis,Christiansknowwhatitmeanstobearoneanother’sburdensandtocarrythewoundsofJesusChristinourveryhearts.” Sandusky,whomaintainshisinnocence,wasre-arrestedonDec.7onnewcharges.Twouniversityadministratorsfacechargesoflyingtothegrandjury;PennStateCoachJoePaternohasbeenfired,andtheuniversitypresident,GrahamSpanier,hasbeenreplaced. Amidtheturmoil,Zeidersandhisstaffhavetoaddressthekindofques-tionseveryUnitedMethodistpastordreads:HowdoesaChristianfaithcommunityrespondwhenapromi-nentmemberfacessuchdevastatingcharges?Howcanclergy,staffandchurchmemberscareforallinvolvedinawideningcrisis? “Forsomethingsodeeplypersonalandsoheartbreakingforeverybody,pastoralcarehastobeprettyclearlyfocused,”Zeiderssaid.“Theseniorpastorhastotaketheleadanddefine

thenatureoftheChristiancommunitysothatthecongregationunderstands.” Inthechurchandaroundtown,rumorsoftheallegationscirculatedperiodicallyduringthetwoyearsthatthePennsylvaniaattorneygeneralcalledwitnessestotestifybeforeagrandjury.ThechurchprovidedsupportandcareduringthattimeforSanduskyandhiswife,andothersaffected.Thatcarehasbeenongoing,Zeiderssaid.“Thecongregationhasbeenverygracioustopeoplewhohavefoundthemselvesindifficultcircumstances.” St.Paul’shashadaSafeSanctuariespol-icyinplaceforseveralyears,and,Zeiderssays,thecongregationstrictlyadherestoit—especiallythe“two-personrule”intheirpreschoolandotheractivities. Thechurchalsoalreadyhadacrisis-managementplaninplacewhentheal-legationscametolight. ZeidersalsohappenstochairtheSusquehannaConference’sCommissiononChildAdvocacy. Inaddition,St.Paul’shasasafetynetofservicesaspartofitscongregationalcareandhealthministries,includinglinkswithcountyagenciesandlocalpro-viders,andthosearealsoapartoftheresponseplan. Zeidersandhiscongregationnotonlyhavefacedacrisisofcarebutalsoacrisisofmediaattention.Cameracrewscampedonthechurch’sfrontlawn,andreportersrelentlesslysoughtoutmembersforcomments,butZeidersrefusedcountlessrequestsforinterviews.Thechurchalsokeptcamerasout.“Wedidnotwantthemintrudinginworship,”Zeiderssaid. Reporters,however,cameintoworshipservices.“Wehadnocontroloverthat,”hesaid. Zeiderssaiditisnotatimeforthechurchtoremainsilent.Hetoldhiscon-gregationthattheheartbreakingsituationpresentedanopportunityforthemto“givewitnesstotheauthenticityoffaith...toseizetheGod-givenmomenteveninthefaceofgravedarkness,horriblecircumstancesthathaveaffectedpeopleallaroundtheworld. “Whathavewetosaytothosewhoinquireofthefaith,andofourlife,exceptthatGodlovesusall?Andthatsteadfastloveneverceases.Itisamercythatknowsnoend,”hesaid. Zeidersalsotalkedaboutforgiveness,whichhedescribedasanactofcom-passiontowardthosewhoarebrokenineverycondition.Itrestoresthebridgebetweenpeopleandsetsupthepossibilityfornewbeginnings. GodcallsChristianstoloveandforgive,butforgivenessisnotwithoutconse-quencesandneverinvolvesforgettingsins,hesaid.❑

— Jackie Campbell, Western Pennsylvania Conference Communications

Faith guides United Methodist churchcaught up in Penn state sex scandal

Former Penn State assistantfootball coach Jerry Sandusky isarrested by State College, Pa.,police officers. (AP photo)


Demonstrators wave at passing traffic as they hold signs at an Occupy Seattle demonstration. (UMNS photo by Paul Jeffrey)

(Left): The Rev. Mon-ica Corsaro (left), pastor of Rainier Beach UMC, talks with participants in an Occupy Seattle encampment. Cor-saro is one of many clergy who has vol-unteered to serve as a chaplain to the movement, which opposes corporate corruption and greed. (UMNS photo by Paul Jeffrey)

occupy movement called ‘an opportunity’ for clergy

TheRev.RichLangsawitasanopportunitytobepresentasapastorandapeacemakerandwentappropriatelygarbedinhisclericalrobes,stoleandcross.Whenconfrontationthreatened,hesaidhefeltcalledtobeabufferbetweenthepoliceandtheprotestersmarchingthroughSeattle’sdowntown. Bytheendoftheday,Lang,seniorpastoratUniversityTempleUMC,wasoneofthesixpeoplehitbypolicewithpepperspray.Othersincluded84-year-oldDorliRaineyanda19-year-oldpregnantwoman. Disturbedbythenight’sevents,Langwroteapastorallamentthenextmorning,describinghisexperienceandhisanguish. Inthemessage,hequestionssomeofhisclergycolleaguesforfailingtorecognizewhatheseesasaonce-in-a-lifetimeopportunity. “The[Occupy]movementneedsclergyforpastoralcareandchaplain-cy,”hesaid.“InSeattle,thecampersareveryyoung.Theyarekidsandyoungadults,mostunemployed,mostonthefringesofsociety.Clergyareneededtobepeacemakersandchaplains.It’sanastonishingopportu-nityforclergytobewiththeseyoungsouls,thekidsandyoungadultswhodon’tfrequentourchurches. “Ifwehadalittlemoreevangelisminus,thisisaremarkableopportu-nitytosharethegospelthroughourpastoralcare,”hesaid.“Thepulpitisnowinthestreets.” Therewardsaregreat,hesaid.“Ev-erytimeIgo[tothecamps],Icomebackfull.I’mastonishedhowbrightthesepeopleare.Thisisanopportu-nitytobuildrelationshipsandopenconversations.” Thecamps,hesaid,eventuallywillbetorndown. “Thisisamomentwhenthechurchcanbepresentandperhapsgainamoreintimateunderstandingofhomelessness,howwecanbeusefulinhelpingthehomeless.Thegreatironyof[theOccupymovement]isthatithasbeenthehomelesswhohavehelpedthesekidslearntobuild

communities.” ThechurchhasmuchtooffertheOccupymovement,Langsaid. “Wehaveexperi-ence,wisdom,alargerperspectiveofbuildingpartnershipsandwhatitmeanstobeapartner,”hesaid.“Wecanseecer-tainthings.Themove-mentneedsclergytobepresentforeverybody. “Wehaveaministryhere—and[theoppor-tunityis]onlygoingtolastmomen-tarily.” ItwasthatministrythatinspiredLangtodonhisclericalrobesandstoleandwalkalongsidetheprotest-ersonNov.15. Langsaid“therewastensionintheairfromthebeginning”astheOccupySeattlecampandsupportersmarchedtothecenterofthecitytoexpresssolidaritywiththeOccupyWallStreetactivistsevictedfromZucottiPark. Astheprotesterswalked,Langsaidhewatchedasayoungwomanandapoliceofficerverballyprovokedoneanother.Langwatchedastheofficerinadvertentlyknockeddowntheyoungwoman.Whenherfriendssteppedintodragheraway,anumberofofficersbegansprayingthecrowdwithpepperspray. Thecrowdbegantoseparate,

thoughLangcontinuedtowalkbetweentheprotestersandpolice.Momentslaterhewashitwithpepperspray.“Ifeltthebackofmyalbbeingsoakeddown,”Langsaid.“Finally,oneofficersteppedtowardmeandshotmefullintheface.”Blinded,Langwashelpedbyacoupleoftheyoungprotesterstothesideofanearbybuilding. ForLang,itwasaninstanceofpoliceprovocation.“Thepolicedon’tneedtobullythemarchers.Themarchersaren’twalkingagainstthepolice.This[OccupySeattle]hasnotbeenaviolentmovement;propertyhasnotbeendestroyed.There’snoprecedentfortheextremereaction.” SeattleMayorMikeMcGinnhasapologizedtothosewhowerepepper--sprayedduringthepeacefulprotest.❑

— Sandra Brandsfor United Methodist News Service


Hunger continues to plague Horn of africa

ThefoodshortageintheHornofAfricaissoseverethatmuch-neededassistanceoftenarrivestoolate. ThatwasthefateofonefamilythisfallintheSoona-KeycampfordisplacedpersonsinMogadishu,Somalia.Allofhissevenchildren,thefathersadlytoldUNICEF,haddiedfromcoldandhungersincearrivingatthecamp. ThestarkrealitiesoflifeanddeathinSomaliadrawthemostinternationalattention,butwhatishappeningintheHornofAfrica—affectingmorethan13millionpeople—isaregionaldilemma.Theworstdroughtin60years,coupledwithviolenceandattacksonrefugees,hascreatednewconcernsoverrisingfoodpricesandsecurityissues. Faith-basedaidagencies,includingtheUnitedMethodistCommitteeonRe-lief(UMCOR)andChurchWorldService(CWS),aretendingtotheurgentneedforfoodandwaterwhilepromotingsustainablepracticestoendthecycleofhunger. “Unsettled”isthewaythatChrisHer-linger,aCWScommunicator,describedKenyaduringaNovembervisittotheregion. Worriesovertheal-ShabaabSomalifighterscontinue,althoughmostKen-yanssupportthegovernment’smilitaryactionagainsttherebels,hesaid.But,hesaid,foremostinpeople’sthoughtswastherisingcostoffood.

Herlingernotedthat“everyoneIspoketo—inurbanandruralareas,pro-fessionalsandpoor—wasworriedaboutfoodprices. “ACatholicpriestinaruralareasouthofNairobitoldmethathehaspeoplecomingtohimeveryday,askingforhelp,needingfood.Person-nelataNairobifeedingclinictoldmetheyhavehadasubstantialuptickoverthepastfewmonthsinthenumbersofmalnourishedchildrenrequiringfoodsupplements.” UMCORhasbeenfundingvariousaidprogramsinKenya,SomaliaandEthiopiasinceJuly.AsofNov.11,theagencyhadraised$874,921.23forHornofAfricare-liefandapproved$430,929ingrants. Addressingthis“prolonged,complexemergency”willrequirealotoftimeandresources,saysMelissaCrutchfield,wholeadsUMCOR’sinternationaldisasterresponse. “Whilewearecurrentlyworkingtoprovideimmediaterelieftodisplacedper-sonsandthosewithacuteneedssuchasmalnutrition,ourfocusmovingforwardwilladdresssomeoftherootcausesofthedroughtandfamine,”shenoted.Theemphasiswillbeonprojectspromotingsustainableagriculture,healthylivestock,climate-changeadaptationanddisaster-riskreduction.

AlthoughsomeprogresshasbeenmadeinSomalia,mostchildren5andyoungerincampsforthedisplacedareseverelymalnourished.UMCORhaspartneredwiththeInternationalBlueCrescenttoprovidemilkandvegetablesto1,000suchchildrenintheMogadishuarea. Theestimated4.8millionstrugglingtosurviveinEthiopiaincludesome120,000SomaliswhohavecrossedthebordertoEthiopiaandarelivingincrowded,under-resourcedrefugeecampsinthecommunityofDolloOdo,accord-ingtoUMCOR. InBokolomayo,agrowingrefugeecampwith38,000inhabitants,UMCORisworkingwithInternationalOrthodoxChristianCharitiesandtheACTAlli-ancetoprovidefood,latrines,waterandeducationfacilities. SeveralprojectsinKenyafocusoncleanwater.WiththehelpofUMCORgrants,GlobalMedicisprovidinglocalcommunitiesandsome500refugeeandinternallydisplacedfamilieswithayear’saccesstocleandrinkingwaterthroughRainfreshwaterfiltersandAquatabswatertreatmenttablets. UMCORcontributionstoChurchWorldServicesupportfooddistribu-tionandtheWaterForLife/WaterForAllprogramsforfivecommunitiesinMwingi,partoftheagency’sdisasterriskreductioninitiativesinKenya. YoucandonatetoanyUMCORprojectbyplacingacontributionintheofferingplateatalocalUnitedMethodistchurch;bysendingachecktoUMCOR,P.O.Box9068,NewYork,NY10087-9068;orbycalling1-800-554-8583,wherecreditcarddonationsareaccepted.Youcanalsogiveonlinebyclickingonanyofthe“GiveNow”linksat.❑— Linda Bloom, United Methodist News Service

Seven-year-old Habiba Has-san Nur, who with her family recently arrived from Soma-lia, cooks a meal of beans in a new extension of the Dadaab camp in northeast-ern Kenya. It’s the world’s largest refugee settlement. (UMNS photo by Paul Jeffrey)

http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/http://vumcu.org/


Twelve ways to help fight hunger

TheUnitedMethodistBoardofChurchandSocietysaysthateveryminute11childrenwhoare5oryoungerdieofhunger-relatedcauses,andabout800millionpeoplesufferfromchronicoracutehunger.Thinkthisisaproblemtoobigforyoutomakeadifference?Notso.Tohelpyougetstarted,hereareadozenwaysyoucanmakeadifferencetoday.

1. Go the second mile through The Advance. TheAdvance,anaccountable,designated-givingarmofTheUnitedMethodistChurch,ensures100percentofeachgiftreachesitsintendedmissionorministry.Workingin100countriesaroundtheglobe,Advanceprojectsnotonlyalleviatesufferingandrespondtodisastersbutalsoaddresstherootcausesofpovertyandinjustice,andmakelong-lastingimprovementstothequalityoflifethroughdevelopmentandeducation.

2. Buy a water buffalo, or a goat, or a flock of chicks . . . through Heifer International.AcharitablegiftthroughHeiferInternational,aUnitedMethod-istpartner,providesanimalsandtrainingtohelpfamiliesaroundtheworldbuildabetterfutureforthemselvesandtheircommunities.Traditionally,recipientfamiliesgivethefirstoffspringoftheanimaltheyre-ceivetoanotherfamilyinneed,andthegift,quiteliterally,keepsongiving.

3. Make a group, housing or agriculture loan to an entrepreneur across the globe for as little as $25.Kivaisanonprofitorganizationwithamissiontoconnectpeoplethroughlendingtoalleviatepoverty.LeveragingtheInternetandaworldwidenetworkofmicrofinanceinstitutions,Kivaletsindividualslendbigorsmallamountstohelpcreateopportunityaroundtheworld.

4. Participate with Stop Hunger Now,aUnitedMethodistpartnerandinter-nationalhunger-relieforganizationthatcoordinatesfooddistributionandother

lifesavingaid.Morethan100,000vol-unteershavepackagedmealsthroughStopHungerNow’smeal-packagingpro-gram.Thesemealpackagesareshippedaroundtheworldtosupportschoolfeedingprogramsandcrisisrelief.Thefoodhasashelflifeoffiveyears.

5. Urge Congress to end hunger through the Bread for the World let-ters campaign.Theinterfaithorganiza-tion,anotherUnitedMethodistpartner,isacollectiveChristianvoiceencourag-ingU.S.decision-makerstoendhungerglobally.BreadfortheWorldmemberswritepersonallettersande-mailsandmeetwithmembersoftheU.S.Con-gress.Workingthroughchurches,cam-pusesandotheragencies,BreadfortheWorldinvolvesmorepeopleinadvocacy.

6. Walk to help others.CROPwalkssponsoredbytheUnitedMethodist-supportedChurchWorldServicearepopularhunger-fightingvenuesfor

peopleofallages.Walkersofallagescol-lectpledgesforeachmiletheywalk.To-daymorethan2,000communitiesacrosstheUnitedStatesjoininmorethan1,600CROPHungerWalkseachyear.

7. Become a “backpack buddy.”Childrenwhodependonfreeschoolbreakfastsandlunchesmaygohun-gryatsuppertimeandonweekends.“Backpackbuddies”programsprovidechildrenfromfood-insecurehomeswithweekendmealsduringtheschoolyear.Localchurchesandothergroupscollectandfillbagswithchild-friendlynon-

perishablefood.Inatypicalbackpackministry,childrenreceiveabackpackcontainingsixbalancedmealsandtwohealthysnackseveryFriday.

8. Compete with other congregations.UnitedMethodistchurchesandothercongregationsintheSaltLakeCityValley,forexample,sponsorthe“GoldenCelery”Awardchallengeeverysummertobenefitacommunityfoodpantry.ThechurchwiththemostpoundsoffoodperattendanceatchurchdonatedforthemonthofJulywins.

9. Contribute to — or start — a food pantry at your church.Don’tknowmuchaboutit?Getinvolvedincom-munityorstatefoodbankstolearn.FeedingAmericaisagoodresource.ItsmissionistofeedAmerica’shun-grythroughanationwidenetworkofmemberfoodbanksandengagepeopleinthefighttoendhunger.

10. Deliver Meals on Wheels.MealsonWheelsistheoldestandlargestAmericanorganizationmadeupofandrepresentingcommunity-basedSeniorNutritionProgramsinall50U.S.statesaswellasU.S.territories.

11. Glean through the Society of St. Andrew.TheecumenicalorganizationfoundedbyUnitedMethodistshasthreehunger-reliefprograms.TheGleaningNetworkandthePotatoandProduceProjectdeliverdonatedleftoverandunmarketableagriculturalproducetopeopleinneed.Thethird—HarvestofHope—informspeopleaboutthehun-gerproblemandinvitesthemtobepartofthesolution.

12. Show you care through the Souper Bowl of Caring.Mobilizingyoungpeopletofighthungerandpov-ertyintheirlocalcommunities,SouperBowlofCaringisayouth-ledeffortthatencouragespeopletocontributeonedollareachatworshipservicesonSuperBowlSunday.In2011acrosstheUnitedStates,15,238groupsgenerated$9,583,338incashandfooditemsforlocalcharities.❑

— Barbara Dunlap-Berg,United Methodist Communications

Preschoolers join volunteers packing sweet pota-toes for the Society of St. Andrew during the 2010 Virginia Annual Conference session in Norfolk.

http://www.umc.orgwww.umc-gbcs.orgwww.endhunger.org/www.endhunger.org/


TheresaWilsonputsthefinishingtouchesonthesanctuarytreeatShepherd’s UMC,Freder-icksburgDistrict.Thechurch,withthehelpofthesurrounding

community,collectedmorethan1,000non-perishablefooditems,whichweregiventotheKingandQueenCounty

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