The Women at the Well will resume Thursday morning (9:30am) study together in room 308, on Jan. 15th. The focus of the study will be on Adam Hamilton’s book “When Christians Get it Wrong”,  a thought-provoking examination of why many young adults are leaving Christianity. This book addresses some common criticisms and offers a path towards a more compelling faith for all of us.

The Follow Up! New sermon series starts Sunday! "The Follow-Up" - a talk show where we interview people who followed Jesus. First guest: Zacchaeus (played by Adam Cardwell). See you there.

VA UMC Invites you to register now for the Wild Church webinar!

Wild Church, an ecumenical and interfaith movement, is rooted in an understanding that the whole of creation is holy. Wild Churches meet outside. The spiritual practice of moving from buildings and four walls into natural spaces with no walls invites people into a more expansive sense of interconnection and belonging.With several hundred Wild Churches around the globe, some are associated with denominations, including the United Methodist Church (UMC), others are not associated with any institution or formal religion. This is a movement arising from the earth and spirit, leading into new expressions of faith.

The learning event on Tuesday, January 20 at 7 p.m. will provide a space to explore the history, practices, vision and movement of Wild Church and the Wild Church Network. Join Valerie Luna Serrels, Mycelial Weaver (Director) and co-founder of the Wild Church Network, and founder/guide of Shenandoah Valley Church of the Wild, and Lara Upton, UMC-affiliated Wild Church leader in Charlottesville, VA and other Wild Church leaders, to explore how your community might plant the seed of a Wild Church in your existing context or adjunct to it. There will be opportunity to learn more about the movement as well as participate in a Wild Church gathering and have deepening conversation with others. Register now...

Watch the video to learn more.

Community Dinner" is a new Gathering Table where we hope to share God's love with our neighbors, especially those with food insecurity, through a shared meal, fellowship, and conversation. 

Our next dinner is scheduled for Wednesday, January 21st at 6 pm. Please consider signing up here to prepare food to share.

 You can also drop off items for our Blessing Box/Table such as shelf stable foods, hygiene products, or gently used shoes. 

If you know or meet someone that could use a free meal in a supportive environment, pick up an invitation in our Welcome Center to share with them.  Contact Mary Hoggard at 615-785-1168 to learn more.

Saunders-Monticello Trail. We're excited to invite you to our very first Wild Church Hike of the new year, happening on Saturday, Jan 24th at 1:00 pm.!

We'll meet at the parking lot on Route 20, just about 200 yards from Route 53 on the right side of the road as you head toward Charlottesville. After gathering there, we'll stroll together through the tunnel under Route 53 onto the trail.

We can't wait to explore nature and enjoy fellowship with you! This is a paved route with a gentle incline. It is an up-and-back hike with the option to turn around any time. Total distance up and back is around 4 miles.

Let us know if you can attend by emailing connect@cvillefirstumc.org

Join the 41st annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration and Worhsip service at Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church

On Tuesday, January 27th, join us for a walk/hike in Spring Creek Community, Zion Crossroads. The gathering starts at 10 am at the Community House, which offers warmth and restroom facilities. The route includes walking on a trail and along sidewalks, and a visit to a slave graveyard. There are only a few moderate inclines on the hiking path. The total distance is about 2 miles.

We will return to the starting point and enjoy refreshments at the Ashley home, near your parked cars.  Let us know if you can attend by emailing connect@cvillefirstumc.org

Faith Explorers will begin  the study of Richard Rohr's book, "Falling Upward -A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life" on Sunday Feb 1, at 11:30am in room 308.

All are invited to join with us in studying this interesting book which is available on-line and at Barnes and Noble. If you have questions please contact Bill Clarke at janebillclarke@earthlink.net or 434 989 3685.