Latest News

Learning and Equipping Opportunities

Virginia Conference Vision:

To be disciples of Jesus Christ who are lifelong learners who influence others to serve.


September 24, 2023  What Every United Methodist Child Should Know about Generosity with Ken Sloane.  CLICK HERE for more information on the webinar.

September 25, 2023  Lay Servant Ministry Basic Course Online.  Provided by the Mission Rivers District.  CLICK HERE for more information.

October 14, 2023 from  8 AM to 4 PM  ERT (Emergency Response Team) Training (Woodlake UMC in Chesterfield)
For more information about ERT  visit https://vaumc.org/early-response-team. Contact about this specific training: Kim Hood, talknone@yahoo.com

October 14, 2023  Lay Servant Ministry Training in person at Ebenezer UMC in Stafford, VA.  CLICK HERE for more information.

November 3 -4, 2023:  the work of the people – rethinking church culture (Blacksburg UMC – edges campus, Blacksburg)  the work of the people – rethinking church culture, bumc – edges campus, 706 hardy avenue, Blacksburg, VA 23060. November 3-4. the work of the people – rethinking church culture… is a workshop for your church leadership to better develop and understand your community’s DNA. Are you looking to reach new folks in your community? Is your church as open and welcoming as you’d like it to be?  Do you know your “why”?  Held at the edges campus of blacksburg umc, this workshop is designed for churches who want to rethink their culture and look for new ways to meaningfully attract and connect with their broader community. Click this link https://www.bumcedges.com/theworkofthepeople to sign up so you’ll be the first to know when registration opens in early September. 

March 3- 8, 2024  Virginia Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation
In partnership with The Upper Room, The Virginia Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation will be held March 3-8, 2024 at the Roslyn Retreat Center in Richmond, Va. The focus will be on basic spiritual formation practices, church history, and opening up the scriptures while “Claiming The Promises” God has in store for each of us. This is a setting where lay and clergy persons can enhance their call to follow Christ and serve the church and the world. It will provide participants with an in-depth and comprehensive experience in spiritual formation, educate them in the history and development of the Christian spiritual life, and encourage them to live out their call through the recovery of the disciplines of daily prayer and ongoing participation in personal and group spiritual guidance. Register by check or credit card at www.virginiafivedayacademy.org. 

                                                                    

Ongoing

Expanding the Table, a new video podcast series from the General Commission on Religion and Race will debut on June 1, 2021. Series guests will focus on how individual Christians and church-based entities can and should engage the work of racial justice-making and anti-racism. CLICK HERE for more about the series.

Racial Reconciliation and Justice Ted Talks: this workgroup has compiled a list of Ted Talks that are now available on the Virginia Conference website. They explore everything from implicit bias, to cancel culture, to a humorous look at deconstruction racism. CLICK HERE to view the Ted Talks. 

UMC Training Center offers online training opportunities that include instruction on website creation, worship, digital media, welcoming ministry, communication, and more. CLICK HERE to view the many training resources available.

Virginia Roots, Race and Discipleship Race Relations curriculum is a first step to address racism in the UMC Virginia Annual Conference. This is a video series to engage clergy and laity in authentic conversations about reach and reconciliation. Fellowships across the Commonwealth are also using a Virginia Conference video and curriculum series on Race Relations to explore the injustices of systemic, institutional racism available HERE.

See All the People: Discipleship Ministries Teaching Series: This free, three-part video teaching series is designed to communicate the basic principles of discipleship and the See All the People movement. CLICK HERE for more. More about other Discipleship video training opportunities can be found HERE.

Reservoirs of Resilience Podcast: Texas Methodist Foundation in partnership with United Methodist Development Fund is launching a podcast with a series approach to invite church leaders into deeper conversations around innovation, courage, and resilience. The first series, Reservoirs of Resilience, features captivating leaders such as Tod Bolsinger, author of Canoeing the Mountains. CLICK HERE for more.

Lay Servant and Lay Speaker training are available online, on-demand. For more information CLICK HERE.

P.R.A.Y. - Free power points for the God and Church series, used by Scouts are available for online download. God and Me (grades 2-3); God and Family (grades 4-6); God and Church (grades 6-8). 

Resource UMC provides Local Church Learning Sessions online and free to all. Training for worship, small groups, and connectional giving are available online, on-demand. CLICK HERE.

Posted: September 22, 2023
View All Articles