Greetings fellow Methodists! I offer this message during Lent, as I prepare to visit the Holy Land with about 40 others from three Virginia Conference churches. There we will trace the sites of Jesus’ ministry and walk the Via Dolorosa only days before we commemorate His sacrifice during Easter. I am grateful and delighted that […]
As I travel this Conference, I see churches being used for many things. It is a joy to see God’s House being used in many ways. There are many ways to advertise your church. Is your church in the middle of the city or is it out in the country? The location of your church […]
Recently, several church leaders throughout the Conference have inquired about the benefits of church “incorporation.” One major advantage of being incorporated is the church is allowed to borrow, own, and transfer property in the name of the church and does not have to submit a petition and order to the court for judges’ approval of […]
Matthew, Mark, and Luke all report that Jesus said, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and unto God what is God’s.” Notice that the guidance does not say give generously to Caesar, nor does it say give any more than Caesar requires or mandates. If we interpret Caesar to be the US government, or more […]
Lent occurs during the 46 days before Easter, starting with Ash Wednesday. This year, Ash Wednesday is 22 February. Now some of you are probably saying, “Wait a minute, Lent is only 40 days, not 46.” Yes, that is correct; six of those 46 days are Sundays, which are not counted as part of Lent. […]
The Virginia United Methodist Foundation (VAUMF) has awarded a total of $56,250 in grant funding to 22 organizations. Since the grants program was launched in 2015, the foundation has distributed a total of nearly $400,000 in grants to initiatives and nonprofits throughout the Virginia United Methodist Conference (VAUMC). VAUMF grants fund a variety of projects […]
In 1874 in Swan Quarter, NC, congregants affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church built a modest white clapboard structure. Two years later a great hurricane approached, and as the storm surge rose th church lifted from its foundation and floated down the street, bumped into a general store, turned right and drifted about two blocks, […]
Christmas Day comes on Sunday this year, and I have heard of some churches deciding not to have services. Christmas morning home traditions are important but so is the meaning of Christmas. God came in the form of a baby, born in a stable in Bethlehem, to save the world. This is the tradition of […]
As Christians, our experiences and insights into the problems found in society help us to facilitate social change. We become change agents with the desire to make life better for others. Following the path of a change agent, we take family values to our Methodist churches and communities. With this in mind, we, as […]
Matthew, Mark, and Luke all report that Jesus said, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and unto God what is God’s.” Notice that the guidance does not say give generously to Caesar, nor does it say give any more than Caesar requires or mandates. If we interpret Caesar to be the federal government, or more […]