Service Opportunities

Nothing But Nets

The Nothing But Nets effort got started when Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly learned about the UN Foundation's efforts to provide bed nets across Africa and decided to get involved. In a column entitled "Nothing But Nets," he made an appeal for anyone who ever played or enjoyed any sport involving nets to donate $10 -- the approximate cost to purchase and distribute an insecticide-treated bed net. The United Methodist Church is a prominent partner in this essential tool in reducing malaria in Africa. Contributions may be sent through your local church. Church treasurers should mark remittances "Africa Bed Nets" and send checks to Mr. Dennis Scheer, Treasurer, Virginia Annual Conference, P. O. Box 1719, Glen Allen, VA, 23060. Check out the campaign on its website: www.nothingbutnets.net.

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Medicine Boxes through UMCOR

Medicine Boxes are often sent to places where medications and pharmaceuticals are not easily accessible to people. These basic medical supplies can often mean the difference between life and death. Because of the severely low supply of Medicine Boxes, UMCOR has not been able to fulfill requests for them. This recently happened in Zimbabwe, a place where obtaining supplies is increasingly difficult due to the current economic crisis there. The Medicine Box helps the day-to-day treatment of common ailments that plague babies and their mothers, children, and adults. The Box contains 18 essential medicines and medical supplies that are enough to respond to illnesses and injuries in a population of 1,000 people for a period of three months. You can send a lifesaving gift to UMCOR Advance #982630, Medicine Box. The cost of the Medicine Box is $425. To learn more about how our church can be involved in this life saving program, visit UMCOR's Medicine Box web page at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/UMCOR/work/health/supplies/medicine-box/.

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"Ellen Bracken Memorial Mission Trip" to Kentucky in 2008

The “Ellen Bracken Memorial Mission Trip” to Kentucky took place August 6th - 10th. The church that we worked with from Michigan was basically funding the entire project that we helped them with themselves. When we left Kentucky, that church was still short approximately $1,200 from covering the costs of building the addition for the family. If you'd like to donate towards these expenses, please contact Kim Medley.





Training & Workshop Opportunities

Fall Lay Speaking Ministries Training, October 24-25, 2008
Thrasher Memorial United Methodist Church, Vinton, VA

“God is calling each of us to be witnesses to proclaim the presence and power of God through all that we are and all that we do.” How is God calling you to serve him? If you are leading a Sunday school class, teaching a small group, serving as liturgist for worship, helping with preaching, witnessing, mentoring children, youth and young adults, visiting nursing homes, new neighbors or prisons, advocating for persons with disabilities or listening to others suffering with personal crisis, you are already actively participating in Lay Speaking Ministries. Your ministry of leading, caring and communicating can be enhanced by taking the Lay Speaking Ministries Basic Course and advanced courses. Your registration fee covers all materials, snacks, and a continental breakfast and lunch on Saturday. Class materials for the basic and advanced classes may be picked up weekdays in the Roanoke District office (closed 12-1) after October 15th. Deadline for registration is MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2008. For more information or to get a registration form, contact Gibby Lester or Pastor Bill Greer.

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Dr. Mickey Efird, October 26-27, 2008
Trinity United Methodist Church, Richmond, VA

Dr. Mickey Efird, Professor Emeritus of Biblical Interpretation at Duke Divinity School, will speak about the Book of Revelation in Richmond, October 26th – 27th, at Trinity United Methodist Church. Efird is an ordained Presbyterian minister, author of over 14 books and sixty articles, as well as a popular Bible teacher through his Carolina Broadcasting Company video series. These lectures are sponsored by the Dillard Forum of Trinity United Methodist Church in partnership with Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education (Union-PSCE). The lectures are free and open to the public. CEU credit may be earned for attendance.

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UMM Spiritual Retreat, November 7-9, 2008
Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center, Blackstone, VA

After 10 years since his last visit to the UM Assembly Center in Blackstone, world-renowned evangelist, the Rev. Dr. Maxie Dunnam is returning to address the 31st Annual Spiritual Retreat being hosted by the VA Conference United Methodist Men, November 7-9. He will be reaching out to the men of our great Conference with Spirit-enriched messages on the theme, "Rehearsing the Gospel." To register, go to this web site.






Worship Opportunities