January 11, 2022

Friends, 

As we enter a new year, still wondering when General Conference will happen and what the path forward for the United Methodist Church will be, we wanted to share some ways you can continue to engage in the journey forward.

We started a YouTube channel! You can watch videos from worship services we’ve hosted, and we'll continue to update and add new content. We encourage you to follow the channel and invite friends to follow it as well.  Once we have 100 followers, we'll be able to get a simpler URL to make it easier to share. We hope you enjoy it: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkrQ-XDaVxY68R0y27g7l-Q

It's been powerful to share your stories over the last year. The most recent collection inspired us during Advent. The Coming Home for Christmas stories and reflections remind us of the importance of this work. Click through to be inspired: https://www.anewthingva.com/blog/coming-home-for-christmas-collection.

Earlier last year, we collected and shared personal stories from members of Virginia United Methodist churches who value and work for full inclusion in our local congregations and our denomination as a whole. Our blog features 9 episodes of the "Why I do what I do?" series and several related stories. Click here to read more: https://www.anewthingva.com/blog.

We'd like to start 2022 by collecting and sharing reflections from both congregations (or small groups within a congregation) and community organizations across the state who are also working for full inclusion of LGBTQ+ siblings. This is an opportunity to hear community voices and embrace the power of organizing and standing firm in long term commitments to inclusion. If you are part of a congregation or organization working for inclusion, please share this with the communication leaders and consider sharing your group’s story.

We're also happy to share that we have updated our website. You can now find more information about the structure of the UMC, including information about the Complaint Process for pastors brought up on charges for performing a same sex wedding. We’ve also updated our list of organizations that support and work toward full inclusion and affirmation, both affiliated with the UMC and in the broader faith community. There's also an updated resource list, with information about books, curriculum, devotions, and more. 

May we all remain in prayer that God's Spirit would lead and guide our Church. Thanks for being a part of this movement in Virginia and beyond.

Grace and Peace,


Rev. Josh Blakely
Rev. Beth Givens
Rev. Kendra Grimes
Ashley Parker

VA Methodists for a New Thing Leadership Team