MAY 2011 DANVILLE DISTRICT NEWSLETTER

Transcription

1 MAY 2011 DANVILLE DISTRICT NEWSLETTER MAY 2011 VIRGINIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 15-19, 2011 ROANOKE CIVIC CENTER (DISTRICT ORIENTATION, JUNE 5) From Wednesday evening, June 15, through Sunday afternoon, June 19, the Roanoke Valley will be filled with an equal number of United Methodist laity and clergy from all over the Annual Conference. In that delegates to the 2012 General and Jurisdictional Conferences will be elected in June, an additional day has been added to this year s agenda. At the Thursday night worship service, our own Henry Fork Center s Children Choir will sing their praises to God. On Friday night, Rick Barton, pastor of Oyler s Chapel UMC, will be commissioned a Provisional Elder. Not only will the five days be filled with worship, Bible studies, actions of business, and elections; but also, our UM delegations will be provided lots of time to reunite, share stories of God s victories in our lives, and to pray together. In addition to each church/charge having its pastor and lay member in attendance, the district will be sending an additional 16 laity to equal the numbers of our clergy. Laity interested in attending the Laity Banquet on Friday are asked to contact our District Lay Leader, Mrs. Peggy Oakes (topogo@comcast.net). There will be a special orientation session for all clergy and laity members to the Annual Conference on Sunday, June 5 th, at 3:00 PM, at Stanleytown UMC, 24 Maplewood Ave., Stanleytown. There, questions will be answered and representatives from the Council on Finance and Administration will present specific details concerning a recommendation for the way our churches are currently paying the health care insurance for their pastors. This session will last approximately one hour. EVERYONE INVITED TO FAREWELL RECEPTION FOR DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT MAY 22, :00-4:30 PM WESLEY MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 824 STARLING AVENUE MARTINSVILLE, VA For the past 4 years, our DS, the Rev. Bruce Tuttle, has worshipped in our churches, celebrated with us in our mission ministries, presided at our Charge Conferences, preached some of the funerals of our members and, in one case, performed the marriage of a pastor s daughter! With his age and years of service to The United Methodist Church, he has asked Bishop Kammerer for permission to complete his tour as Danville District Superintendent and to retire at the end of June. The Bishop has allowed one-half of his request (but, has appointed him to a local church, effective July 1). He and Rebecca are OK with that! Laity and clergy of the District are invited to a hail and farewell reception in honor of Rev. and Mrs. Tuttle on Sunday, May 22 nd, from 3:00 4:30 PM, at Wesley Memorial UMC. It will be a time to extend best wishes to our DS and wife, and to hear musical selections from a pick up choir of our clergy (that should be enjoyable). Our District UM Women will provide refreshments. See you on the 22 nd!

2 Page 2 Danville District MAY 2011 Danville District-The United Methodist Church PO Box 4204, Martinsville, VA Telephone (276) Fax (276) Dear Danville District Colleagues-in-Christ, The Reverend Bruce D. Tuttle, District Superintendent Easter people, raise your voices, sounds of heaven in earth should ring. Christ has brought us heaven s choices; heavenly music, let it ring. Alleluia! Alleluia! Easter people, let us sing. UMH #304 by William M. James The words in the first stanza of this favorite hymn of the church remind us that what we ve been preparing for these past 40 days is about the become real all over again: Easter is here! Christ is risen! Praise God! Though the faith-facts of Easter define who and whose we are, we also have to admit: the day of Easter is not as uniformly and universally acknowledged or celebrated as other holidays such as the 4 th of July, Thanksgiving or especially Christmas. That s tragic because Easter reminds us of who our God really is: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). For as many Easter sunrise services as I have been a pastor, I have read to our gathered people a little poem written by a distant cousin of Rebecca s, Neil Wyrick, from his book, I Am. A part of it goes like this: I am Easter. I am the spirit of the risen Lord. I am the quiet hush of reverence before the love of a God who sacrificed his Son for all people. I am the message of eternity proclaimed from pulpits throughout the land. I am Easter. I am that strange force that swells church attendance and momentarily swells the languid faith of people. I am like the sun of early morn sweeping away the dark of doubt. I am the truth of God s promise now celebrated more than 2000 times. I am Easter. I am not a time of the tomb, but rather the reviving cheer of the Resurrection. I am the glad cry that the valley of the shadow of death is a passageway and not a dead-end street. Dr. Wyrick concludes: I am Easter. Long have I watched my celebration in simple country church with quiet dignity, in great cathedral with much pomp and pageantry. And I am glad. For while the mistakes of people concerning my day are many, they do not cause me half so much pain as would be felt were they to forget me completely! Why Easter? Let this poem help give you a definition. May you have a blessed, holy and joyous Easter, dear friends. We are because of God s great gift to us. In Christ s Service, Bruce T.

3 MAY 2011 Danville District Page 3 HENRY FORK SERVICE CENTER May is Mission Month in the Danville District and at Henry Fork Service Center. We welcome individuals and groups to the Center and to share in mission during the month of May. Possible jobs include: Sorting clothes for the Henry Fork Center Thrift Store Assisting in selling clothes on Saturday mornings from 8:30-12:00 Working with students in groups or classes with homework and basic skills Sweeping and mopping the floors of the Activity Building Working with students in the garden where they have planted seeds Helping in lawn care and maintenance Henry Fork Center has made the decision to change the Clothes Closet to a Thrift Store. We hope that by charging a little for each clothing item we will reduce the number of individuals who are taking our clothes for their individual yard sales, and still continue to serve the community with clothing items. Prices will vary from $.25 - $3.00. Volunteers are needed to help sort clothing when it comes in and to help manage the store when it is open on Saturday morning from 8:30-12:00. Please help. We hope that you will come to Annual Conference and see our choir on stage at the Thursday evening Worship Service that will begin after a ballot at 7:15. We are excited about the opportunity to share our love for Jesus with others through song and worship. Thank you for your continued support of Henry Fork Center. We appreciate your gifts of financial resources, paper products, and cleaning and school supplies. Please come see us or invite us to share the Henry Fork Service Center story with your congregation by calling or ing henryforkcenter@cs.com. Grace and peace, Lisa Nichols, Executive Director 2011 UNITED METHODIST WOMEN S DAY AT FERRUM COLLEGE UMW Day at Ferrum this year will take place on Saturday, June 4, Opening worship will begin in Vaughn Chapel at 9:45 a.m. The play this year will be Radio Gals by Mike Craver and Mark Hardwick. This play reminds us, believe it or not, there was a time when radio was a newfangled miracle, and when Hazel Hunt and her Hazelnuts, broadcasting WGAL from her dining room, were trailblazers! This is a lively, cheery musical that keeps old-fashioned tunes, country humor, and romance coming fast enough to charm the ear. Of course, we will have lunch in the dining hall and this year, in order to cut down on lines, tables will be pre-set upon arrival with a delicious boxed lunch! We look forward to seeing our UMW friends on campus again this summer for this time of worship, fellowship, fun and laughter! Hope you all can help us get the word out through the conference! Cost for the day is $15 per person and need should be made payable to Ferrum College and earmarked for UMW Day Registrations should be mailed to UMW Day and mailed to Dean of the Chapel, Ferrum College, 622 Ferrum Mountain Road, Ferrum, VA Blessings, Wes Astin, Campus Minister Jubilee Assistance Fund The Jubilee Assistance Fund (JAF) is a loan program where a local church establishes an account at the Virginia United Methodist Credit Union to provide collateralized small, short term loans for individuals who would not qualify for loans otherwise. To qualify for JAF, the borrower agrees to receive financial counseling, loan monitoring and payroll deduction. The program is a way to provide your church members short term help during a financial crisis and financial management tools to assist them with long term financial stability. For information on partnering with VUMCU to establish a fund at your church call or creditunion@vumcu.org.

4 Page 4 Danville District MAY 2011 EXPLORING THE LONGEVITY REVOLUTION There is still time to register for Exploring the Longevity Revolution Aging and Ministry in the 21 st Century, to be held on April 30 th at Marsh Memorial UMC in Lynchburg. The moment we enter this world, we begin the process of aging. As we move through each stage of life, there are new challenges, new opportunities to grow closer to God. Join us on Saturday, April 30, 2011, as we explore aging and ministry in the 21 st century with Rev. Dr. Richard Gentzler, Jr., Director of the Center on Aging and Older Adult Ministries for the General Board of Discipleship. All who are interested in ministry across the mid-life and older stages of life are welcome! The workshop is sponsored by the Lynchburg District with funding from the Virginia Conference Common Table and with the support of the Virginia Conference Older Adult Ministries Council. Registration deadline is April 18, Cost is $15.00 per person. For a copy of the event brochure, visit the Virginia Conference website ( and select the April 30 th date from the Event Calendar. Inquiries about the event should be made to Rev. Randy Harlow at (434) or marshmemumc@verizon.net CHILDREN'S BIBLE CAMP July 24-28, 2011 at Indian Cave Youth Camp (Sutherlin, VA) Ages K-7th grade Cost: $110 early bird registration (by June 6th) $130 after June 6th This includes $5.00 snack shack fee We have Bible Classes, crafts, music, swimming, paddle boats, carnival, special services each night and a program for parents on Thursday night. Contact Ellen Petty,director, at Oakland UMC or oaklandumc1@gmail.com for more information or camp applications. FELLOWSHIP FOR UNITED METHODISTS The Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre at Ferrum College will offer musicals and comedies this summer that make great fellowship opportunities for church groups or families. The 32 nd season opens with Radio Gals. This lively, cheery musical will highlight UMW Day on June 4, but whether or not your members will be attending UMW Day, this show has enough old-fashioned tunes, country humor, and romance to keep everyone entertained. For reservations on June 4, please contact Rev. Wes Astin at wastin@ferrum.edu. For any of the other performances between June 8 and June 18, please contact the BRDT at brdt@ferrum.edu. The rest of the season will be just as much fun. The second production is Smoke on the Mountain, a perennial favorite; then, Stephenson and Tucker will premiere a new musical featuring four well-known country music female stars who now reside in heaven entitled Gabriel s Honky Tonk Angels; the fourth production, Showtime at First Baptist is a witty look at the power of church women to overcome adversity with humor; the season will conclude with a new musical adaptation of Heidi. Each show is preceded by a three-course buffet-style meal in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room located in Franklin Hall. For additional information about these productions, specific show dates, and times, or individual or group arrangements, please see our web site: Call the box office at or the Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre at brdt@ferrum.edu for reservations or information. Thanks, Dr. Jody D. Brown, Executive Director Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre, Ferrum College Prayer Requests: Mary Moorefield s sister; Tornado Victims; Rev. Larry Mann (Oakland UMC), recovery from surgery; Rev. Ferd Wagner (retired); Revs. Joyce and Bill Johnson (retired), surgery recovery; Rev. Harold Fuss (retired), health issues; Rev. Robert Callis (retired), health issues; Rev. Sandy Wright (North Patrick Charge), severe respiratory issues.

5 MAY 2011 Danville District Page 5 PAUMCS ANNUAL CONFERENCE Sandra Fulcher, Administrative Assistant in the Danville District office, attended the 29th Annual Conference of the Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries (PAUMCS) which was held in Knoxville, Tennessee, April 7 11, More than 190 professionals representing United Methodist offices on various levels, both nationally and internationally, were in attendance. Blossoming in God s Love was the theme for this conference which included ten hours of continuing education on a variety of subjects beneficial to church employees. Maryville, TN Chief of Police Tony Crisp and his staff provided training in Office Safety and Identity Theft. Participants learned from Cherrie Graham of United Methodist Reporter ways in which church offices can utilize the services of United Methodist Reporter. Attorney and Chair of the Holston Conference Domestic Violence Task Force, Deborah Yeomans, shared ways church employees can recognize the signs of Domestic Violence and assist those affected. Cyber Safety was the topic of a seminar led by Holston Conference Multimedia Director Donna Hankins. The Reverend Mary Parsons led a seminar entitled Sexual Ethics which focused on setting healthy boundaries in order to prevent sexual misconduct before it occurs. Each year, the PAUMCS Annual Conference is sponsored by one of the local chapters of PAUMCS. In addition to providing continuing education, these conferences include worship and the opportunity to network with church professionals from across the denomination. The organization, established in 1982 under the General Council on Finance and Administration of The United Methodist Church, fosters individual growth, professional development and spiritual enrichment for members from the United States, Russia, and Africa. Please contact your District office for more information. TOUCHING TOMORROW TODAY ENDOWMENT FOR PAUMCS The Touching Tomorrow Today Endowment Fund is administered through the Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries. The purpose of the fund is to provide financial aid to administrative support staff to help them achieve their goals of: Professional Development Continuing Education, and Spiritual Enrichment Through the Touching Tomorrow Today Endowment Fund, individuals strengthen the work of PAUMCS far into the future. Because gifts to the fund are tax deductible, there are a number of planning opportunities by which individuals can reduce their own personal taxes while making their gift go even farther. There are no minimum or maximum restrictions on the gift amount. A contribution of any amount $25, $50, $100, $500, $1,000 will help ensure that we will keep meeting needs for years to come. Whatever you choose to give, whenever you choose to give it, your gift to the Touching Tomorrow Today Endowment Fund ensures a strong association for generations to come. The fund is managed through the United Methodist Church Foundation. Visit the website at < endowment.html> or see your District office for a contribution form. CLERGY FAMILY FAREWELL DINNER The Danville District Ministerial Association invites clergy and their families to a farewell dinner honoring those who will be moving to new appointments. The dinner will be Friday, May 13 at Fork Mountain UMC (2024 Fork Mountain Road) in Franklin County. We will begin gathering at 6 pm and dinner will begin at 6:30 pm. The cost is $8/adults and $4/children, with a cap of $24/family. Please send a check with the number of people attending to the District office (PO Box 4204, Martinsville, VA 24115) by Friday, May 6. Make your reservation now. For more information, call HELP US SAVE! The Danville District office is continuing an ongoing effort to be good stewards of our resources by attempting to send the newsletter by to as many people as possible. We send a little over 600 newsletters out each month by regular mail. We would like to reduce that number as much as possible. If you are receiving this newsletter as a hard copy and would prefer to receive it by , please send a request to <dandist@embarqmail.com> and we will add your address to our distribution list. Remember: the e-newsletter can be read in color! Thanks for helping us care for God s creation.

6 Page 6 Danville District MAY 2011 CLERGY INVITED TO MAKE PILGRIMAGE TO SOUTH KOREA OCT. 26-NOV. 3 A group of clergy will travel to Bupyeong Methodist Church in Incheon, South Korea, Oct. 26-Nov. 3 under the coleadership of the Rev. M. J. Kim, conference director of Asian Ministries, and the Rev. Young Jin Cho, Arlington District superintendent. The goal of the pilgrimage is spiritual renewal by experiencing contextual hands-on mission and ministry and by seeing the fruits of the seeds American missionaries planted a century ago. Trip is limited to 35 clergy. Room and board will be provided by the Bupyeong Methodist Church. Participants will be responsible for round-trip air fare. (As of March 17, cost was $1,425 without group discount from Korean Airlines.) For more information, the Rev. Won Un at revun@verizon.net or call (804) Deadline to register is May 15. KITS FOR CONFERENCE Information is available in your local church and on the Conference website, < for the Kits for Conference. There is a change this year in the collection of funds for shipping. Please don t place checks in the kits. Have your church treasurer send one check from your local church, marked Kits for Conference in the memo line, to the Conference Treasurer s office (PO Box 5606, Glen Allen, VA 23058). Checks will not be accepted this year at the drop-off locations. If your church put together health kits, remember to leave out the toothpaste. Have your church treasurer send a check to the Conference treasurer to cover the cost of toothpaste ($1 per kit). REGISTER NOW FOR CHANGE THE WORLD MAY United Methodists around the world will participate in community service projects on Saturday, May 14, and neighbors will be invited to attend church services on Sunday, May 15, as part of Change the World Your church is invited to prepare now to participate in this year s Change the World weekend. First, identify a project that makes a difference in the local or global community (or both). Then, register at and download the free flyer. Third, invite your community to get involved. Free and discounted resources are available to all churches who register. Registered churches will receive free shipping and postage for product orders placed on Cokesbury.com through May 15. May God s blessings be yours. ORDERING OF MINISTRY EVENT TO BE HELD FOR CLERGY MAY Study commission findings to be proposed at the 2012 General Conference will be discussed at the upcoming Ordering of Ministry event May at the Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center (VUMAC) in Blackstone. Dr. Ken Carter Jr., chair of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Division of Ordained Ministry and member of the Study Commission on Ministry, will present the findings. Dr. Mary Elizabeth Moore, dean, Boston University School of Theology, will lead consideration of theological ramifications of these matters in light of Methodist/ Wesleyan heritage. A panel composed of Carter, Moore and Bishop Charlene Kammerer will lead a discussion of the proposed changes and implications for United Methodist clergy. A.5 CEU is available. Registration deadline is May 6. All clergy are invited to be present. Go to < to register. SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN MISSION TO BE AT VUMAC JULY 22-24, JULY The 2011 School of Christian Mission will be held at Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center (VUMAC) in Blackstone July and July 25-28, under the theme All Things Made New. Spiritual Growth Study leaders include the Rev. Steve Hundley, superintendent of the Roanoke District; and the Rev. Pat Watkins, executive director of Caretakers of God s Creation. Registration deadline is July 10. Go to for more information, including detailed brochure, registration form and class choice, or contact Louise Miller, dean of the school, at rolmiller@cox.net. Please note that online registration will NOT be available this year.

7 MAY 2011 Danville District Page 7 PETITIONS TO GENERAL CONFERENCE NOW BEING ACCEPTED From April 1 to Sept. 27, United Methodists can submit petitions for consideration by the 2012 General Conference, the denomination s top legislative body. According to church law, Any organization, clergy member, or lay member of The United Methodist Church may petition the General Conference. Instructions for submitting a petition are on the General Conference web site. Petitions must be typed and may be submitted via to petitions@umpublishing.org, through the Web site, by mail or by fax. Deadline for petitions submitted by regular mail or fax is July 1, 2011 to allow time for transcription and translation. Petitions should indicate whether they have general church budget considerations. Mail petitions (hard copy accompanied, if possible, by digital version on diskette, CD or USB drive) to: Gary Graves, Petitions Secretary, United Methodist General Conference, P.O. Box 140, Rockfield, KY 42274, or, for delivery by FedEx, UPS, etc., to 2511 Richpond - Rockfield Road, Bowling Green, KY YOUNG ADULTS INVITED TO SPEND 5 DAYS RELATING TO GOD, EACH OTHER, EARTH Sojourn to Sacredness: A Theological Ecological Pilgrimage for Young Adults, June 6-10, will include hiking the Appalachian Trail, canoeing on the Shenandoah River and renewing relationships with God, each other and the earth. Participants will learn low-impact and earth-friendly outdoor living skills, experience the beauty of God s creation, learn about some of the problems creation is facing, and discuss ways the church can be part of the solution. Conversations on the pilgrimage will include scientists, environmentalists and theologians. Fee of $125 includes canoes, food, transportation to and from trail and river and camping fees. Go to for more information and/or registration forms. Sounds like a great ministry event for year olds! CONFERENCE TREASURER REPORTS Good news! By the end of March, local church financial giving to Virginia Conference apportionments was up by 2.62% over 2011 (and that does not include the exemplary giving to mission emergencies that always garner tremendous support from our churches). Churches on the Danville District are to be commended for recognizing that apportionment-giving is a way our churches can be in mission beyond ourselves. Thank you for leading the way. HINTON RURAL LIFE CENTER HAS SUMMER OPENINGS FOR VOLUNTEER GROUPS Hinton Rural Life Center has limited openings still available in its Summer Volunteer Mission schedule for groups who want a transformative service experience in rural Appalachia. A mission agency of The United Methodist Church, Hinton creates opportunities for work teams from all over the country to experience rich mountain culture, to serve with others in repairing or building homes with local families, and to grow in their understanding of faith in action. June has openings for Senior High Youth groups. July 3-8 is now open for groups of all ages. Hinton Center is located in Hayesville, N.C., two hours from both Asheville, N.C., and Atlanta, Ga. For more information, go to or call (828) or toll-free MUSIC AND WORSHIP ARTS WEEK TO BE JUNE AT LAKE JUNALUSKA Music and Worship Arts Week, a multi-generational, family-friendly event of music, arts, praise and renewal will be offered June at Lake Junaluska, N.C. Especially designed for those who want to sing, ring, dance or act all week, as well as for those who lead these ministries in local congregations, the event is sponsored by the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts. Early registration discount is available through April 30. For more information or to register, or call , or go to and click on Music & Worship Arts Week.

8 Danville District The United Methodist Church Po Box 4204 Martinsville, VA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID MARTINSVILLE, VA Permit No. 110 Charlene Kammerer Resident Bishop Bruce D. Tuttle District Superintendent This newsletter has been especially prepared for: Peggy Oakes District Lay Leader Carol Garrett Chair, Council on Ministries Ailysa Cockram District Treasurer Brian Mateer District Youth Coordinator Sandra S. Fulcher Administrative Assistant CALENDAR OF EVENTS MAY 5 National Day of Prayer 7 UM Day at King s Dominion 8 Mother s Day 13 Clergy Farewell Dinner, 6 pm, Fork Mtn UMC Cabinet meeting at Conference Center 22 DS Reception, 3 pm, Wesley Memorial UMC 30 Office Closed in observance of Memorial Day JUNE 4 UMW Day at Ferrum College 5 District orientation for Annual Conference, 3 pm, Stanleytown UMC 5 Council on Ministries Planning Retreat, 4-6 pm, Stanleytown UMC Annual Conference in Roanoke; office closed 19 Father s Day 29 Moving Day! JULY 4 Office closed 13 Cabinet meeting at Conference Center 19 District Finance Committee, 5:30 pm, District office Virginia Conference School of Christian Mission, VUMAC Week-long School of Christian Mission, VUMAC AUGUST DS at Lake Junaluska/Training Seminar 23 Mini-school of Christian Mission, Smith Memorial 25 Mini-school of Christian Mission, Watson Memorial SEPTEMBER PLEASE SUBMIT ITEMS FOR THE NEWSLETTER BY THE 15th OF EACH MONTH 6-7 Cabinet meeting at Conference Center 12 District Council on Ministries, 7 pm, First UMC Conference UMW Young Women s Event, VUMAC DANVILLE DISTRICT OFFICE (Physical address is 824-A Starling Avenue, M ville) Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday PO Box 4204 Phone: / dandist@embarqmail.com Martinsville, VA Fax: Website: