Valley Ridge District of the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
The Valley Ridge District connects members of 118 United Methodist Churches in Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Botetourt, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Highland, Montgomery, Roanoke, Rockbridge, and Rockingham Counties and the cities and towns of Buena Vista, Clifton Forge, Covington, Lexington, Roanoke, Salem, Staunton, and Waynesboro with the Virginia Annual Conference, the United Methodist Church, and the World in ministry to others on behalf of Christ. At our best, we are the spirit-filled, resilient, connected, missional, faithful, diverse, deeply rooted, committed, disciple-making, Jesus-seeking, generous, justice-seeking, world-changing people of God called The United Methodist Church.
The clergy and laity of the Valley Ridge District are supervised by a Conference-appointed District Superintendent. The Virginia Conference comprises eight districts serving over 875 local United Methodist congregations across most of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Important Valley Ridge District Update
In May of 2025, Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson projected Doug to the position of Assistant to the Bishop and Chief Operating Officer, effective July 1, 2025. This brings changes to the Valley Ridge District. For the July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 appointment year, the Valley Ridge District will be served by not one but two District Superintendents. You can learn more about this change here.
In addition to his duties as the Living Waters District Superintendent, DS Jay Carey will superintend the northern portion of the Valley Ridge District, excluding Embrace (Waynesboro) and the Covington area.
In addition to her duties as the Mountain View District Superintendent, DS Sarah Calvert will superintend the southern portion of the Valley Ridge District as well as both Embrace ministries (Waynesboro and Alleghany Highlands) and the Covington area.
Who Is My DS?
A webpage has been created to serve as a resource for Valley Ridge District clergy and congregations to understand these DS changes and find support during the July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 appointment year. You can find information about which DS will be serving which Valley Ridge church here.
Virginia Conference Bishop: Sue Haupert-Johnson
Fishersville Office
Address: 26 Orr Drive, Fishersville, VA 22939
Phone:540-932-1055
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30 AM-3:30 PM and Friday 7:30-noon
In 2009, the Virginia Annual Conference adopted the Green Church Initiative. This covenant congregation program empowers local churches to be faithful stewards of and live justly with all God has so lovingly created. Since its inception, over 100 churches have become Green Churches, and each year, we recognize exemplary churches at the Annual Conference with the Green Church Award. We invite you to become a part of the Green Church Harvest.
Early in June 2025, District Superintendent Doug Forrester announced his new appointment as the Assistant to the Bishop effective 1 July, with Living Waters District Superintendent Rev. Jay Carey and Mountain View District Superintendent Rev. Dr. Sarah Calvert taking on superintendent roles over the next year to provide district superintendent administrative authorities to the Valley Ridge District. Doug Forrester provided details as to which DS oversees which churches/sections of the district.
Rest assured that the Valley Ridge District Staff and team is still in place to support your needs. Administrative Assistant Donna Desper, Director of Congregational Excellence Rev. Dr. Dale White, Embrace Directors Rev. Jenelle Watson and Rev. Greg Kropff, and District Leadership Board Chair/Lay Leader Larry Dickenson remain in place during this transition. New to the team are Director of Communications Kim Johnson, and Director of Programs Rev. Tim Gearheart. The District Office in Fishersville is the district office, and we are available to answer your questions and concerns. We continue to move ahead, going forth to make disciples for Jesus Christ!!