October 2017 Beacon

President's Message - Andrew Kissell

While preparing to write this month's message, I was moved by a recent post by Benjamin Pratt on Virginia Conference's ClergyNet. There, he compares the Las Vegas shooter to Ian Fleming's character, Dr. No. Both individuals tried to separate themselves from community, depending on no one, rejecting and condemning all.

As a young adult I learned that I couldn't be a Christian all by myself. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't simply worship only on Sunday, study the Bible and follow its teachings. I learned that being a part of a community of faith and building relationships along the way (the journey) was at least as important as the destination. I learned that my motivation (we love because He first loved us) was just as important as any service I performed. I know now that we can't do "it" (life) without God or without each other. This is what unity means to me. 

"Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that ... I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind..." Philippians 1:27 (NRSV). Pastor Tim Challies provides this advice on unity: 

1.    Consider evidences of grace in others more than their sin
2.  There is spiritual safety in unity
3.  Meditate on God's commands to love one another
4.  Focus on where we agree more than where we disagree
5.  God is a God of Peace
6.  Unity brings peace
7.  Christians have a unique relationship with each other
8.  Measure the cost of disunity
9.  Be the first to seek reconciliation
10.  Walk and work together
11.  Judge yourself, not so much others
12.  Pursue humility

So men, let us renew our commitment to following Jesus together, knowing He makes our lives both relevant and abundant!

David Bean is known throughout the Virginia Conference as a servant

	David introducing Wesleyan Building Brothers in Cuba

leader heavily involved in various ministries, principally the United Methodist Men. Lots of you know David personally, some slightly, others very well. But perhaps what many of you didn't know is that in early summer he was very close to receiving the Promise of the Resurrection.

"On June 21, after supper, I was not feeling well, thinking that I only had a bad case of indigestion along with some discomfort. The next morning I awoke feeling the same way, but accompanied my wife, Karen, grocery shopping anyway. While in the store the pain in my chest started moving toward my right rib cage, with some pain in my right shoulder. I also felt nauseous and started sweating.

"I told Karen that I needed to go see the doctor, so we left the store. I called my doctor's office telling them I had some pain in my chest, and the nurse asked me three questions: 'Is the pain moving and is the pain in your shoulder area or your arm? Do you feel nauseous? Are you sweating?' I answered 'yes' to all the questions and she told me to go straight to the emergency room, which was about 5 minutes away."

Within minutes of arrival at the Martha Jefferson satellite ER, David immediately underwent several tests that showed no evidence of a heart attack. But while being prepped for the short ambulance trip to Martha Jefferson Hospital for further monitoring, his condition went from bad to worse. 

Continue story here ...

Hunger Relief Advocate Report

Virginia Conference United Methodist Men

The men in Virginia have done an excellent job in 2017 of helping to feed the hungry. These committed servants have gone into farmers' fields to pick up 86,350 pounds of fresh, nutritious surplus food for America's hungry. At the same time, through their Meals for Millions contributions, Virginia United Methodist Men provided over 750,000 servings of fresh produce (in direct relief to the hungry) through SoSA's Potato Project.

The ultimate goal is to feed America's hungry through a network of volunteer advocates in every UMMen district and each local UMMen group. SoSA is very thankful for all the time and effort that Virginia UMMen has put their faith into action this year. We look forward to continuing to feed the

least of these. We're able to meet their basic need of hunger and show them the love of Christ.

In the grip of His unending Grace,

Meals for Millions

Contact Information:

Wade Mays, Director                          Phone:    434.299.5956

      National Meals for Millions                                  800.333.4597

      Society of St. Andrew                         Email:     wade@EndHunger.org

      3383 Sweet Hollow Road                    Website:  www.EndHunger.org

      Big Island, VA 24526

 

Editorial Note: The Virginia Conference United Methodist Men have continuously ranked among the top three conferences, nationally, for more than 10 years.

UMCOR ... the UM Commission on Relief

Think outside the box when you give to UMCOR. Consider blessing others not only with money but also with time, supplies, and prayers

When you do make a financial donation, you can be assured that every dollar ... 100% ... will go to the program you specify. UMCOR can guarantee this because all of our administrative costs are covered by the

UMCOR Sunday offering and other undesignated gifts. Volunteering or sending relief supplies to one of our supply depots are two more ways you can be a sign of hope for others. Your prayer support is vital to all that UMCOR does.

Financial Giving

You may make a one-time or recurring monthly gift to UMCOR in the following ways:

Through your local church - Place your gift in the collection plate at your church. Please make the gift clearly identifiable as being for the benefit of UMCOR.

For more information or assistance in supporting UMCOR financially, contact umcor@umcor.org 

UMMen Cabinet looking for a new BEACON editor

Year-end retirement set for Larry Burian

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

During a casual conversation over lunch with two UMMen past-presidents --

Ron Hardman and John Reeves (deceased) -- at the 1999 Spiritual Retreat in Blackstone, Burian had no idea where that exchange was headed. For that matter, neither did Hardman or Reeves. The crux of the discussion was how to encourage greater attendance at the main gathering of Virginia's United Methodist Men.

'Bubba and friend' one of Larry's favorite photos

While the two cabinet officers were trading ideas, then-president Ron Hardman asked Larry if he any thoughts on the matter. Burian's response was "... a newsletter would help get word out to Methodist men across the conference."  Hardman's response was, "Good idea, why don't you start one!"

The BEACON seed was planted at that lunch meeting and the rest is history! With the exception of a brief hiatus, Burian has served as the UMMen newsletter editor since 1999.

Now, is the time for change ...

With Burian retiring from his editorial duties the door will be opened for a man to step into a servant leadership position that will provide a deep understanding and appreciation for men's ministries throughout the Virginia Conference; and he will experience the spiritual joy of working with Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Download information here to see what the job of 

2017 & 2018 Dates to Remember

Opportunities in MENistry

OCT 7         UMMen Cabinet Meeting, 9:30 a.m.-2:00p.m.

                   Virginia United Methodist Center, Glen Allen, VA

                   St. Simon's Island, GA

DEC 9         UMMen Cabinet Meeting, 9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

                   Virginia United Methodist Center, Glen Allen, VA

FEB 3          UMMen Cabinet Meeting, 9:30 a.m.-2:00p.m.

  Virginia United Methodist Center, Glen Allen, VA

  "Living the grace of Christ begins 

    with receiving the word of Christ"

                     - Rev. David Platt

Try it free today