Each year, the Foundation awards a limited number of grants to Virginia Methodist Churches and affiliated agencies of the VA United Methodist Conference. Our focus is on unifying mission, ministry and impact to better assist and equip ministries in their projects, as well as help them to build a future. At year end, the Grant […]
Authors: Randy Shelton and Tommy Herndon On February 20, 2019, Randy Shelton and Tommy Herndon traveled to Redwood United Methodist Church to meet with members of its building committee. At the time, an incomplete addition beside their existing building was just a shell. The contractor for the new structure had died and the church was […]
Recently, Dr. Ken Sloane of UMC Discipleship Ministries held a webinar with Rev. Don Smith to discuss his new book, A Better Offering, discussing five offering habits found in local churches. First Habit: Say Good-bye to Passing the Plate With the pandemic, we have given up the offering plate. Plate passing has long out lived […]
Lent this year begins on February 17 and goes through Holy Saturday, April 3,2021. Lent begins each year on Ash Wednesday, 46 days before Easter Sunday. Sundays in Lent are not counted in the 40 days because each Sunday represents a “mini-Easter”. Lent dates: Ash Wednesday – February 17, 2021 Palm Sunday – March 28, […]
When speaking with churches across the Conference, we often ask the question, “Do you have a planned giving program?” Most tell us no and this is unfortunate because churches would receive more if they had planned giving programs in place. Do you know that more than half of Americans do not have a will? For […]
On behalf of the Virginia United Methodist Foundation, we would like to thank all of our clients and affiliates for their continued confidence in us. This year has been like none other. The world has faced an invisible threat that forced drastic actions most of us could never have contemplated. And yet we see how […]
Often we wonder why we should give and what is the purpose for our giving. It is often easier to raise money for stained glass windows than it is for the budget or a particular mission project. The following tells us why we should “lay up” treasures in heaven. Giving is not for ourselves but […]
Author: Rev. Robert Throckmorton, Jr. The package appeared mysteriously under the Chrismon tree in the sanctuary the week after Thanksgiving. The shirt box shaped gift had been carefully wrapped but was not particularly fancy. Small notes taped on its side offered three bits of mystifying information on them. The first printed in bright blue, read: […]
There are some things that everyone needs to be reminded of when it comes to giving. The church needs to receive our gifts whether we meet on Sunday or not. Ken Sloane, Director of Stewardship and Generosity for Discipleship Ministries, says we should connect the dots. We need to share how our church is making […]
Recently, we heard from a church that had received a bequest they didn’t know what to do with. During our conversation, we also learned that they had some funds that had been sitting idle in an account for a long time. They wanted their money to grow, but money markets are near zero. What should […]