Enduring FaithRecently Claudia and I traveled to San Antonio, where she had a speaking engagement and where we had the opportunity to celebrate our twentieth wedding anniversary. At this stage in my life I am continuing to learn what I’ve been told by those a generation older than myself: with each succeeding year the rate of time seems to accelerate in its intensity. After two decades of marriage, I am aware of how much life has changed my spouse and me, yet at the center of our lives there burns a core of enduring faith and trust that will enable us to share, God willing, another twenty years or more together.San Antonio reminds me, too, of the enduring nature of faith. This part of Texas was one of the earliest Spanish colonies in the New World, with initial exploration dating back to the late 1500s. By the early 1700s an initial mission was established, and during that time period at least five missions were founded in the area. The Mission of San Antonio de Valero is the most well known, a location we now call “The Alamo.”One of my favorite explorations in San Antonio has been visiting the mission sites. With the exception of The Alamo (which is in the very center of downtown San Antonio), the missions are located on the outskirts of present-day San Antonio, in quiet, nearly remote locations. For a history buff it is fascinating to step into what remains of these sites dating back four or more centuries, imagining the early communal life of Spanish settlers and the native peoples who found safety (and, some would say, subjugation) within the confines of the mission structures.The most significant aspect for me, though, is that four of the missions (all but The Alamo) continue to be active parishes within the

San Antonio Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church. Their sanctuaries, while small, are well cared for and are places for regular weekly worship, the occasional baptism or wedding, and the more fre-quent funeral. In the midst of deep historical legacy there throbs the con-tinuing pulse of spiritual life and presence, an enduring sense of faith.In some ways Mount Vernon Church is similar. While not nearly as old chrono-logically, we worship and fellowship

within the walls of an original edifice that dates back more than 125 years. Mount Vernon is centrally located, intended to bear witness to enduring faith in Christ, continuing to thrive with spiritual and social life. Each week we gather to worship the living God, celebrating sacramental gifts in Baptism and Holy Communion, hearing God’s word preached, lifting our hearts in prayer and praise, renewing together our lives in Christ. With gratitude to God for the gift of our heritage, contemporary faith endures at Mount Vernon Church. Thanks be to God!

Pastor Bart

Vacation Bible School, 2016In June we stepped back to Babylon in Old Testament times. We met Daniel and his friends and learned that there was more to Daniel’s story than how he survived the lion’s den. Daniel had to find courage to believe in one God in a culture with many gods.Around thirty-five kids traveled through Babylon as they visited Bible Story, Music, and the Marketplace each day.The Marketplace bubbled with excitement as Linda Woodard and a host of helpers taught Bible times skills like weaving, baking, making gold cuff bracelets, and planting gardens. During Bible Story time, Pat Maurakis, Daniel (John Wilt), and a host of actors dramatized Daniel’s move to a foreign land, and his interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams and survival in the lion’s den. The kids sang and danced with Tim Navis and Kathryn Waters in Music.

Mission Espada

Church Picnic at Ballou ParkSunday, September 11

July Worship ServicesAll sermons by Rev. Bart A. Fletcher

unless otherwise noted.

July 3, 2016 8:30 & 11 a.m.seventh sunday after pentecost

communion sundayScripture: Luke 1: 59 – 79

Message: “Zechariah Envisions” “A Beloved Community” - Part 2

July 10, 2016 8:30 and 11 a.m. eighth sunday after pentecost

Scripture: Luke 2: 25 – 38Sermon: “Simeon and Anna Find

Fulfillment” “A Beloved Community” - Part 3

July 17, 2016 8:30 & 11 a.m.ninth sunday after pentecost

Scripture: Luke 3: 1 – 20 Sermon: “John Confronts”

“A Beloved Community” - Part 4

July 24 , 2016 8:30 & 11 a.m. tenth sunday after pentecostScripture: Luke 4: 16 – 30

Sermon: “Jesus Pronounces” “A Beloved Community” - Part 5

July 31, 2016 8:30 & 11 a.m. eleventh sunday after pentecost

Guest speaker to be announced

2016 Annual Conference OfferingTotal from Mount Vernon: $145.00

To date, $131,003.58 has been received, nearly $19,000 shy of the goal of

$150,000.

2016 Samaritan OfferingTotal from Mount Vernon: $227.54

Sunday, August 21, promises to be a day of celebration at Mount Vernon!

9:45 a.m. Youth and Children’s choirs resume rehearsals

10:00 a.m. Children’s, Youth, and Young Adult Sunday school classes and Godly Play resume after the summer break

11:00 a.m. Youth lead the Crossroads ’16 worship service

5:30 p.m. Youth activities resume

Crossroads ’16 Mission TripOn Sunday, July 17, our team of 18 youth and 8 adults will travel to Marion, Virginia, for our 15th annual mission trip to the Appalachian mountains. We will be repairing the homes of low-income families. Adult team leaders are Frank Cuthrell, Frank Davis, Chuck Sampson, Gary Benefield, Travis Tarpley, and Beth Bauman. Bart Fletcher and Lude Labieville are our cooks. Youth planning team members – Abby deAristizabal, Elizabeth Payne, Kate Newell, and Charlotte Parrish – are hard at work planning our sessions. Please keep our team in your prayers.

Our Crossroads team will share in worship on August 21.

SCAN FOR ONLINE GIVING

August 7: Young Adult Family BreakfastOur Young Adult families will have breakfast together during the Sunday school hour on August 7, starting at 9:45 a.m. – Alana Mitchell

Baptism? Have you been considering baptism (for yourself or for your son or daughter)? Pastor Bart will offer a Baptismal Preparation session early this fall for all who are interested (the date will be determined based on those participating). If you are interested, please contact the church office or Pastor Bart at BartFletcher@vaumc.org.

Openings for Sanctuary Flowers for AugustThere are four available Sundays in August if anyone would like to sponsor the flowers for the worship services. Please contact Emily Potts at 791-3538 or esgp29@yahoo.com if you are interested. Thank you! – Emily Potts

New Clergy Appointments, Danville DistrictThe Rev. Bart A. Fletcher appointed to Mount Vernon UMC in DanvilleThe Rev. Janet Grissett appointed to Fieldale UMC in FieldaleThe Rev. Jennifer Coffey appointed to Fairview UMC in DanvilleThe Rev. Intek Oh appointed to Brosville UMC in BrosvilleThe Rev. Byung "B" Sung appointed to East Franklin ChargeThe Rev. Jim Rodden appointed to Pleasant Hill UMC near Rocky MountPastor Steve Morningstar appointed to Rock Spring-Wesley Chapel UMC Charge near DanvilleThe Rev. Gi-il "Gil" Lee appointed to Pleasant Grove UMC in Franklin CountyThe Rev. Kelvin Edwards, Sr. appointed to H.E.R.O. Cooperative Parish in Franklin CountyPastor Jeff White appointed to H.E.R.O. Cooperative Parish in Franklin CountyThe Rev. Will Waller appointed to Rocky Mount UMC in Rocky MountThe Rev. Russ Gresham appointed to Bassett Memorial-Chatham Heights Cooperative Parish in Henry County

Nearly 4,000 clergy and laity representatives of United Methodist churches across Virginia gathered at the Berglund Center in Roanoke June 17–19 for the 234th Annual Conference.

Bishop Young Jin Cho presided over the proceedings for the last time before his retirement. He led the Annual Conference in remembering victims of the Orlando shooting. With 49 candles on the altar representing lives lost during the Orlando shootings, Bishop Cho read a statement from the Council of Bishops

and offered prayer for the victims’ families, leaders of the country, and members of the Florida Conference. Annual Conference members later approved a resolution encouraging United Methodists to work to destroy the systemic fear, hatred, and discrimination that leads to violence against LGBTQ persons and communities. In his episcopal address, Bishop Cho looked back on the accomplishments of the Virginia Conference over the last four years. He highlighted major ministry moments including the Imagine No Malaria initiative in which the conference raised more than $1 million in 15 months.Farmville District Superintendent Bob Parks presented the Cabinet Report. Churches that are discontinuing include include Stokesland in the Danville District.Members of Annual Conference voted by acclamation to endorse the Rev. Dr. Ted Smith for election as bishop at the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference to be held in July.

2016 Kits for Conference CollectionAnnual Conference members brought 52,016 disaster relief kits for United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to Annual Conference:

Health, 29,625 . . . School, 17,637 . . . Bedding, 55 Birthing, 2,634 . . . Cleaning, 303 . . . Layette, 1,352

Sewing, 359

Cans 4 Conference Collection – 10,039 pounds

Highlights of the 234th Virginia Annual Conference

On Sunday morning, the bishop fixed the appointments for the coming year.

After a video highlighting Bishop Cho’s ministry was shown, the song “Happy” by Pharrell Williams was played and members of the youth delegation danced with the bishop on stage.

Vacation Bible School collected donations to support Habitat for Humanity. This local nonprofit organization helps qualifying families build new homes or rehabilitate existing houses. Families are then able to purchase the home from Habitat, interest free. Please consider supporting this organization to help improve the conditions for area families. If you would like to help, make your check to Mount Vernon UMC, designated “Habitat.” Or go online to www.danvillehabitat.org .

Our amazing Vacation Bible School volunteers created the most wonderful week and made some great VBS memories. A special thank you to all the church members and friends who donated materials and their time and efforts, and to VBS Director Beth DeAristizabal! VBS is only as successful as those people who commit to making the vision a reality.

August Birthdays

July Birthdays

Attendance

8:30 11:00

June 5

June 12

June 19

June 26

29

29

27

29

150

80

96

109

Total

179

109

123

138

Gluten-free communion breadis available at Mount Vernon. Please contact the pastor at 793-6824 before Communion Sunday if you

would like gluten-free wafers.

Our Worship Assistants

July: Peggy Wright,* Pat Giles, Ellen Joyce, Betty Leggett, Frances McMillan

August: Mary Franks,* Van Keck, Marlyn Sigmon, Betty Ann Smith

USHERS

July 3 8:30: Bill Booker

11:00: Tom Leggett,* David Fuquay, Tommy Hodges, Andrew Farley, Tom Underwood Alt.: Frank Davis, Sam Newell

July 10 8:30: Darrell Williamson

11:00: J.G. Hurt,* Budge Kent, Gene Saunders, Coleman Hylton, Bill Smith Alt.: Sam Newell, Derek Mitchell

July 17 8:30: Bill Booker, Tom Booker

11:00: Tom Leggett,* Andrew Farley, David Fuquay, Tommy Hodges, Bill Smith Alt.: Coleman Hylton, Dan Newell

July 24 8:30: Tom Booker

11:00: Dan Waters,* J.G. Hurt, Charles Sampson, Tom Underwood, Frank Davis Alt.: Dan Newell, Derek Mitchell

1 Richard Smith 3 Marian Adkins Earle Garrett, III 4 John Ranson Edgar Love 5 Jenna Rudder 6 Tommie Blackmon Jean Brown Beth deAristizabal Dana Glass David Parrish 7 Tom Darkis Thomas Farley Nick Fowler 8 Laura Hughes 9 Jim Daniel10 Amy Eller Joshua Southward11 Jerrye Mayhew Mary Wilkes13 Libby Spainhour14 Beth Daniels Becky Farthing16 Lisa Blackmon Christy Robertson Baxter Jennings Stephen Milam17 Andy Pickeral20 Shirley Gammon21 Jerry Foster Marge Peters Brooks Powell22 Barclay Coleman Dan Newell

23 Page Harris Kate Milam24 Melanie Thomson Vida Wilkes25 Ron Allen Will Booker Michelle Larking Heather Slayton Ashley Yates

27 Zula Callahan Susan Dibrell Jimmy Jefferson 28 Frank Cuthrell Charlotte Parrish29 Nicola Parrish

30 Al Corpening Holly Lewis Knox Milligan Matthew Payne

Gifts in memory ofRonnie Waters, Tommy Grogan, Elsie Slayton,

and Pete Brown have been received from

the Ranson family.

At Roman Eagle: Zula CallahanAt home: Bill Hardy

At Riverside Healthcare: Greg Read

At Stratford House: Lois Love, Marjorie Hood

1 Casey Fowler Rhonda Yates 2 Neill McMillan, Jr. Sonia Williamson 3 John Morris Zoey Zickefoose 4 Tobias Lutz 5 Edward Long 6 Carter Bauman Hudson Dunn Sophie Parrish 7 Catherine Bendall Dick Patterson

MOUNT VERNON United Methodist Church107 West Main Street, Danville VA 24541 434.793.6824 Fax: 434.793.6842