Michael Reaves
Chair of the District Committee on Ordained Ministry

Have you ever thought about the process a person must follow in order to become a Licensed Local Pastor or an ordained Deacon or Elder in the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church?

When someone senses the movement of the Holy Spirit in his or her life and responds to God’s call to servant ministry, how does that person move from “call” to being appointed where their gifts and graces will serve God’s people? Every United Methodist who says “Here I am Lord, send me!” enters into a journey that seeks to assess their spiritual, psychological, and physical readiness for ministry, as well as their potential for effectiveness. The process is outlined in The Book of Discipline, 2012 (¶301-¶399) and the District Committee on Ordained Ministry Handbook which can be found on the Virginia Conference website at http://www.vaumc.org/ncfilerepository/MinServices/DCOMHandbook.pdf.

The Fredericksburg District is one of the fastest growing districts in the Virginia Conference. In 2008, the District had the largest percent increase of church members compared to any other district in the Virginia Conference. As the suburbs of Northern Virginia move southward past Fredericksburg, and the Richmond metropolitan area expands northward, we have been given a staggering opportunity to reach new people with the Good News of God’s love in Jesus.

Many of our existing churches are located in growing areas and are embracing their new neighbors with the gospel. Experience has also shown us that new congregations are particularly effective at evangelizing persons with little or no prior faith experience. In addition to supporting our growing established churches, the Fredericksburg District needs to build many new churches to address the rapid population growth in our area.

Thanks for serving in the Kingdom.

In Christ,
David A Kellison,Pres
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Fredericksburg District Mission Training

The Heartwood Center Summer Ministries

• June 5  to mid-August – Summer Meals Ministry  Mary Walter
• June 13 to mid-August - Summer Meals Ministry England Run
• July 20-24  The Middle School Youth  Mission Camp
• July 27 - 31 The High School Mission Camp
• August 10th to 14th VBS
• August 17th to 21st VBS II

Come and see and discover ways to reach out in your community

The board of missions is an incorporated elected body of laity and clergy providing leadership and support for a variety of mission opportunities. Our local focus of Heartwood Project in Stafford, Va and our global focus of El Salvador UMC along with Volunteers in Missions, the Builder's Club, support of new faith communities and expansions of existing faith communities are our main ministry areas. We also maintain grant money to support local church mission outreach events (click here for the application), and presently, in 2015, we do have surplus in our budget that is begin offered as seed money for mission projects.

Rev. Brenda Pusso President This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.