The Arlington District Connector Connecting local United Methodist Churches to one another and to the World

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1 JULY-AUGUST 2014 The Arlington District Connector Connecting local United Methodist Churches to one another and to the World Notes from the District Superintendent Several years into my first appointment, one of my lay leaders said to me: This church is just so discouraged. All we can think about is all the things we are NOT: not growing, not vital, not large, not this, not that. Wow, I thought, this is a church filled with anxiety and fear. Right a er Annual Conference, I took a week long class on icon making at Wesley Theological Seminary. I had dreamed for weeks about how wonderful it would be imagining the peace and joy of making an image of Jesus. The class was taught by Philip Davydov, a really talented Russian who makes icons for a living. What could be be er? On the first day, a Monday, Philip moved us very quickly from making sketches of the human face (see my rather pathe c first a empt at right) to drawing with a large paint brush. Philip would come around the room, looking at each of our efforts. He d stop by my place regularly and ask, Do you need some help? And he d make improvements on my work un l I hit the next step and stumbled (once again). I felt like everyone else in the class was ge ng it and I was failing. I was aware of all of the things I was not: not good at drawing, not good with paints, not good with fine motor skills. I seriously thought about qui ng the class. I began Tuesday with prayer, Lord, may I not be afraid of failure or jealous of other people s gi s. May I simply offer up all that I have, all that I am for your use. Philip encouraged us to avoid thinking about our skill (was he reading my mind?) or about demonstra ng our ar s c gi s, but rather to focus solely on bringing a message about Jesus. What were we trying to say about God? He urged us to approach the work reverently, humbly, with discipline and focus! We worked in silence. I con nued to pray. Lord, let me forget about myself, and my need to demonstrate competence. Let this image be all about you. May it show my devo on to you, Lord! The week was not the peaceful retreat I had dreamed about; it was not what I hoped for. But it was exactly what I needed. Like Jacob at the River Jabbok, I wrestled with God (all week long). And indeed, this is exactly what contempla ng icons is supposed to do: bring us to a transforming encounter with the living God! I alternated between ela on as the image slowly emerged, and frustra on at my sense of inadequacy. While I appreciated the teacher s (frequent) help, I also wanted (fiercely) to do it myself! You can see for yourself how the icon turned out I pray it captures some of my devo on to our Lord. And I thought, what if the churches in the District were less anxious less fearful of all the things they are not? What if we (together) were to focus all of our efforts and a en on on pouring ourselves out in praise and thanksgiving to Jesus? What if we were to open the hearts of our churches and people to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit? Because the truth is, we never revitalize churches under our own power or through our own gi s. But what we CAN do is make all of our gi s, all of our skills, all of our energies available to the living God, who will transform us into the very image of the body of Christ. - Cathy Abbott West Main St., An 1

2 Save the date! Arlington District Conference 2014 and Annual Mee ngs of the Board of Missions and Camps & Conferences Sat., Sept. 27, 9:00 AM Centreville UMC, 6400 Old Centreville Road, Centreville Childcare provided UMC Giving Launches New Website United Methodist Communica ons has launched a redesigned website, umcgiving.org, that helps local churches see the impact of United Methodist generosity. The new site offers a biblical perspec ve to help United Methodists across the globe align their giving prac ces with their personal faith. The site also includes a sec on dedicated specifically for church leaders and pastors that offers tools and downloadable resources to help inspire giving within local churches. Check it out! 5 Talent Academy: "Evangelism, Communication and Church Growth" Registration now open! Sat., Oct. 4, 9:00 AM 3:00 PM Floris UMC, Frying Pan Rd., Herndon Maria Dixon Hall, associate professor of Organiza onal Communica on at Southern Methodist University, will explore evangelism through the lens of solid and frui ul communica on prac ces. Registra on is open to all Virginia Conference churches regardless of affilia on with the 5 Talent Academy. Click to register. The cost is $25 per person and includes lunch. 2

3 Clergy Appointments - July 2014 ALEXANDRIA DISTRICT CHURCH/POSITION Alexandria District Superintendent Jeffrey P. Mickle Acco nk merged w/cana to become Acco nk Cana UMC Aldersgate UMC Associate Annandale UMC PT Associate for Hispanic/La no Outreach Bethel Fauquier UMC Part Time Associate New Clergy Who Comes From Former Clergy Who Went To Joo Sup Park Heather M. H. (Hedy) Collver Posi on Discon nued Saint Stephen's Senior Pastor Cana Florida Conference Kenneth J. Jackson Life Eternal on 3/10/14 Robin BeMiller (Acco nk) New Posi on Luz M. Zuleta Andrew M. Hudgins First Appointment (L) New Posi on Burke UMC Associate Deborah Porras St. Luke's (Ar) Morgan Guyton Ghana Wesley UMC Part Time Associate Akwasi (John) Obeng First Appointment New Posi on Grace UMC Associate Janet P. Salbert Wesley (A) Meredith L. McNabb Salem & Falmouth (Fd) Lincolnia UMC Raymond Max Jones Arlington Associate (Ar) Vernell M. Carter Re rement No appointment at this me Director, NOLA Wesley Founda on, Tulane & Loyola Director, Office of Clergy Excellence, VA Conference Messiah UMC Reginald D. Tuck Blacksburg (Rn) Ralph W. Rowley Virginia Beach (ER) Saint Ma hew's UMC Neil R. Hough Main Street, Waynesboro (S) Jay M. Hanke Saint Ma hew's UMC Associate Grace Han First Appointment Brian W. Johnson Salem (YR) Return to Re rement Saint Stephen's UMC Margaret T. Kutz Re rement Jeffrey P. Mickle Saint Thomas UMC Associate Silverbrook UMC Edward H. Johnson Jr M. Garey Eakes Virginia Beach Associate (ER) Sydenstricker Associate (A) Ma hew G. Smith Martha A. R. Ambrose Alexandria District Superintendent Calvary (Ar) Minute Ques on 22 Sydenstricker UMC Associate Kathy B. Gochenour Zion (YR) M. Garey Eakes Silverbrook (A) Warrenton UMC Associate Jiyeon Kim Charlo e (F) Wesley UMC Lydia E. Rodriguez Colon Sarah Harrison McQueen Central (Ar) Arlington Associate (Ar) Janet P. Salbert Grace Associate (A) First Appointment Andrew (Drew) Ensz Trinity (Smithfield) (YR) Bi District Program Coordinator & Ministries with Young People Herbert Brynildsen, Jr. Alexandria District Program Coord. Elizabeth G. Caudill (Ar PC) Madison Charge (C ) Bi District Church Revitaliza on & Leadership Development Sarah L. K. Calvert Leave of Absence New Posi on N/A District Abbrevia ons (Virginia Conference) A Alexandria, Ar Arlington, C Charlo esville, D Danville, E Eastern Shore, ER Elizabeth River, F Farmville, Fd Fredericksburg, JR James River, L Lynchburg, Rd Richmond, Rn Roanoke, S Staunton, W Winchester, YR York River West Main St., An 3

4 Clergy Appointments - July 2014 ARLINGTON DISTRICT CHURCH/POSITION New Clergy Who Comes From Former Clergy Who Went To Arlington UMC Discon nued N/A Lydia Rodriguez Colon Wesley UMC (A) Arlington UMC Discon nued N/A Raymond Max Jones Lincolnia UMC (A) Arlington UMC Nelson Neil & Elizabeth H. Neil Lay Supply Patricia Warden Returning to Central TX Conf. Calloway UMC Chenda I. Lee Mount Olivet UMC (Ar) Sonja F. Oliver No appt. at this me Calvary UMC Ma hew G. Smith St. Thomas UMC (A) Stephen B. Hassmer Re red Central UMC Sarah Harrison McQueen Warrenton UMC (A) Richard E. Cobb Re red Charles Wesley UMC Livingstone S. Dore Chamberlayne UMC (R) Candace L. Mar n Crossroads UMC (Ar) Clarendon UMC Tracy McNeil Wines Vale UMC (Ar) Eugene F. Thomas Re red Crossroads UMC Associate Candace L. Mar n Charles Wesley UMC James H. Chandler Crozet UMC (C) Floris UMC Associate Nadeem Khokhar First Appointment New Posi on N/A Galilee UMC Jason B. Duley Macedonia UMC (W) M. Wayne Snead Elizabeth River DS Galloway UMC James E. Page, Jr. John Mann UMC (W) Kotosha D. Griffin Mount Olivet UMC Associate St. Ma hews UMC Lousianna Conf. Kathleen R. Royston First Appointment Chenda I. Lee Calloway UMC (Ar) St. Luke's UMC Aslam Barkat Re red (WVA) Deborah D. Porras Burke UMC (A) Sterling UMC Marcela M. Jarman First Appointment Angel Mar nez Or z No appt. at this me Vale UMC Jeffrey J. Haugh Gum Springs UMC (R) Tracy McNeil Wines Clarendon UMC (Ar) District Program Coordinator Bi District Program Coordinator & Ministries with Young People Realigned N/A Elizabeth G. Caudill Madison Charge (C) Herbert Brynildsen, Jr. New Posi on Bi District Church Revitaliza on & Leadership Development Sarah L.K. Calvert Leave of Absence New Posi on N/A District Abbrevia ons (Virginia Conference) A Alexandria, Ar Arlington, C Charlo esville, D Danville, E Eastern Shore, ER Elizabeth River, F Farmville, Fd Fredericksburg, JR James River, L Lynchburg, Rd Richmond, Rn Roanoke, S Staunton, W Winchester, YR York River Local Youth Travel to Costa Rica this month: Fi y four youth and chaperones from seven churches in the Alexandria and Arlington Districts will spend eight days in Costa Rica with Strong Missions: July Please pray for this team and their mission. 4

5 Lay Servant Training Opportunities for Fall 2014 Please bring a lunch with you for the Saturday training dates; you will not have me to go off site for a meal. Tea/coffee/so drinks and some snacks will be available. Sept. 19, 6:00 10:00 PM and Sept. 20, 8:00 AM 4:00 Grace UMC, Manassas (courses being offered are Basic and Lay Servants Lead in Worship) Oct. 10, 6:00 10:00 PM and Oct. 11, 8:00 AM 4:00 PM. Loca on and courses to be determined, although there will be a Basic course offered. Registra on and addi onal informa on (such as book and resource purchasing informa on) will be online at the bidistrict website shortly: If you have any ques ons, contact your district s LSM coordinator: Alexandria District: Rick Ko emann or Arlington District: Vicki Poindexter The ConneXion NoVA Report * ConneXion NoVA rebrands as NoVA Unite A er much considera on, the leaders and stewards of ConneXion NoVA have decided that a er almost six years of sharing in God's work amongst young adults in our area churches, the me has come to rebirth our shared ministry in hopes of crea ng fresh, new ministry opportuni es that we hope will be even more effec ve and engaging to both the United Methodist Church and our region in northern Virginia. From here on out, we will be dividing into two different ministry efforts: A.) The Bi District offices will look to assess current young adult or related needs and begin a new ministry effort, likely some me in late 2014, that will serve afresh the United Methodist Church in Northern Virginia. If you think you might like to be a part of this new startup, contact Program Coordinator Herb Brynildsen at herbbrynildsen@vaumc.org B.) The fellowship and occasional service events that have been serving young adults in our region will no longer be a Bi District ministry, but will instead become an independent ministry effort through our meetup.com group, which has now been rebranded as NoVA Unite. It is our hope that with this new group, we can work in concert with the Virginia Conference of the UMC to con nue to unite UMC young adults in northern Virginia, while also making a more collabora ve effort to be in greater, more united community with those who are "unchurched." We highly encourage anyone who wishes to stay involved to join our meetup group and keep up with this new movement: Bi-District Youth /Youth Leader News Fall Events for Youth in the Alexandria and Arlington Districts: Jul. 2 Aug. 27 (Wednesdays) Jesus and Java (J&J) Romans and Milkshakes weekly bible study at Friendship UMC, 3527 Gallows Rd., Falls Church Oct. 5 OktoberFest event, info to follow Nov. 7 Youth Leaders Night Out, loca on TBD by those who RSVP for this event Nov Virginia Conference Middle School Retreat at Eagle Eyrie Conference Center, Lynchburg, VA (see registra on at vaumc.org) Dec. 5 7 Virginia Conference High School Retreat at Eagle Eyrie Conference Center, Lynchburg, VA (see registra on at vaumc.org) For more informa on about ministries with young people, contact Program Coordinator Herb Brynildsen, herbbrynildsen@vaumc.org or h p:// As ConneXion NoVA, it has been our pleasure to be in fellowship and ministry with each of you and we look forward to con nuing to find the many great places that God is at work in our region so that we may join Him there! Changes Time for a Communica ons Update Check! The Electronic Distribu on of 2015 Appor onments and other important Charge Conference informa on will be transmi ed to all churches on or about August 15, Please be sure your District Secretary has correct contact informa on for ALL of your church s leadership (pastor, lay leader, finance chair, treasurer, SPRC chair, trustees chair). Thank you for working with us in our con nuing efforts to be green! Call if you have ques ons West Main St., An 5

6 LOCAL CHURCH EVENTS On going by topic: DivorceCare Mondays (7 9 PM) Centreville UMC. Childcare provided. Wednesdays (7 PM) Burke UMC. Childcare provided (see events under Support) Exercise/Self Care Mondays, Wednesdays (7:30 PM) & Saturday (10 AM) Christ Crossman UMC, Falls Church Tuesdays & Wednesdays (7 PM) Arlington Forest UMC, Arlington Prayer & Special Services Last Sunday (6 PM) Cel c Evensong & Communion, Trinity UMC, McLean Wednesdays (6 PM) Centering Prayer, Trinity UMC, Alexandria Wednesdays (7 PM) Jesus & Java Romans & Milkshakes Youth Bible Study, Friendship UMC, Falls Church (each Wednesday July 2 through August 27) Wednesdays (noon) Holy Communion & Conversa on, Bruen Chapel UMC, Fairfax Wednesdays (6:30 PM) Prayer, Franconia UMC, Alexandria Support Mondays (2nd and 4th 5 PM) Caregiver Support Group, Dranesville UMC, Herndon ( ) Wednesdays (7 PM) DivorceCare/Single& Paren ng/advanced DivorceCare, Burke UMC (childcare provided) Last Thursday (7 8:30 PM) Living with Cancer Support Group, Christ UMC, Fairfax Sta on ( , X113) First Saturday (9:30 AM) Life with Cancer Support Group, Bruen Chapel UMC, Fairfax July August Events: July 3, 9:30 AM Arlington District Board of Ordained Ministry, Church of the Good Shepherd, Vienna July 3 District Offices close at noon and remain closed on July 4 July 8, 10:15 AM New Clergy Orienta on, St. Ma hew s UMC, Annandale July 8, 1:00 PM Kindred Project Gathering, St. Ma hew s UMC, Annandale (bring your lunch) July 12, 9:30 AM Alexandria District UMW Day Apart, Rising Hope UMC, Alexandria July 17, 12:30 PM Northern Virginia Chris an Educators Fellowship (CEF), Burke UMC (bring your lunch) July 26, 4:00 7:00 PM Labyrinth Walk, Charles Wesley UMC, McLean August 5 10, 9:30 AM 12:30 PM Music Camp for Kids, St. John s UMC, Springfield August 6, 9:00 AM Alexandria District Board of Ordained Ministry, Burke UMC August 16, 2:00 PM Alexandria District UMW Exec Comm Mee ng, Wesley UMC, Alexandria REMINDER: the Alexandria and Arlington District offices will close at noon each Friday through August 29 Send your church s public calendar items to Sharon Sheldon (programsecretary@novaumc.org) and let us help you get the word out! EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES P/T Children s Ministries Coordinator, Spirit & Life UMC, Montclair F/T Youth Director, Fairfax UMC F/T Office Manager, Arlington Temple UMC, Arlington P/T Administra ve Assistant, St. Stephens UMC, Burke P/T Coordinator of Communica ons, St. Stephens UMC, Burke P/T Choir Director/Organist/Pianist, Graham Road UMC, Falls Church F/T Director, Children's Ministry, Centreville UMC P/T Organist/Choir Director/Pianist, Graham Road UMC, Falls Church P/T Choir Director, Graham Road UMC, Falls Church P/T Organist/Pianist, Messiah UMC, Springfield P/T Administra ve Assistant (a ernoon shi ), Fairlington UMC, Alexandria F/T Director, Music Ministries (organist/choir director), Dulin UMC, Falls Church F/T Minister, Chris an Discipleship, Dulin UMC, Falls Church Contact the lis ng church. Employment opportuni es are kept updated at the Alexandria and Arlington Districts website. For conference wide or other employment opportuni es, please check out the Virginia Conference website. Mark your calendars for a fun fundraiser on Oct. 25 at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston! It s the: Halloween Hustle for Hope (5K for adults) & Trick or Trot (one mile fun run for children) Watch for more details and for on line registra on! A great way to raise funds for Rising Hope UMMC in Alexandria. Ques ons can be answered by Herb Brynildsen. Please plan to bring family and friends to this fun event! 6

7 District Office Updates and Changes Rev. Dr. Sarah Calvert Joins Bi District Offices Staff Sarah is a United Methodist elder who is coming off a sabba cal year to join both Arlington and Alexandria Districts as the Coordinator for Church Revitaliza on and Leadership Development. Sarah says you can shorten the tle to: I m from the district, and I m here to help! Sarah Calvert Sarah grew up all over as a military kid (i nerate from an early age!), ending up in Fairfax at Oakton High School. Then she a ended Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, followed by George Mason Law School, opening a law firm in Fairfax as her first career. A er an overwhelming and literal calling from God, she studied at Wesley Theological Seminary for her Masters of Divinity and then again a few years later for her Doctorate in Church Leadership. Her disserta on work was on clergy support groups. Sarah served as associate pastor for 6 years at Galilee UMC in Loudoun, plan ng the offsite at Leisure World, and then 3 years as a sole pastor at Page UMC in Luray, Virginia. She has moved back to Fairfax near to where she grew up, with her boxer, Sugar Ray. She has one 20 year old son, Ma hew, who lives in Locust Grove, Virginia. The Alexandria and Arlington Districts have experienced other changes effec ve this new Conference year in an effort to provide support to our churches. With the excep on of the District Superintendents and the District Secretaries, the rest of the staff now serves both districts. The Program Secretary, Business Manager, and Coordinator for Church Development roles will not change. However, in addi on to Sarah Calvert, Herb Brynildsen will also serve both districts as the Program Coordinator and also con nue his work in Ministries with Young People. NOVAUMC.ORG Gets a New Look The website that serves both districts has go en a new look that will allow for greater flexibility and easier upda ng. Be on the lookout for other ways in which we will create more effec ve and hassle free ways to communicate with you. If you have any ques ons about the changes, please call the district offices at BRIAN MACLAREN AREN AT Wed., Oct 15, 10 AM 2 PM AT GMU Open to all clergy and laity sponsored by Arise Campus Ministry at George Mason University. Registra on is now open West Main St., An 7

8 T U M C N V 5001 Echols Avenue Alexandria, VA ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED About The Connector This monthly newsletter is distributed via electronic means. Paper copies can be sent via USPS at no charge to clergy and key leaders within local Northern Virginia churches. (Please consider the environment before making this request.) Alexandria District Staff: Jeff Mickle, District Superintendent Martha Flanagan, District Secretary Arlington District Staff: Cathy Abbott, District Superintendent Artabia Campbell-Marshall, District Secretary Bi-District Staff: Herb Brynildsen, Program Coordinator Sarah Calvert, Church Revitalization & Leadership Development Larry Domínguez, Business Manager Melissa Dunlap, Church Dev. Coord. Sharon Sheldon, Program Secretary «First Name/Church» «Last Name» «Address» «City», «State» «Zip» Submit copy by the 10th of each month to: Sharon Sheldon, programsecretary@novaumc.org 8