Winter Delegate Session (virtual)

February 6, 2021 // 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

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Called to Racial Justice

Richard EarlyDear Delegates,

Even though a screen separated us, it was a joy to see your faces! We were challenged and inspired by a devotion on Racial Justice from Sarah Bixler, entitled “From Servant to Friends.” We also heard stories from other voices on this theme. We launched the Racial Justice Initiative and introduced the Racial Justice Task Force.

Delegates approved by-law changes and the VMC Strategic Plan. Presented in the Summer 2020 Assembly, each district provided feedback on the Strategic Plan.

Thank you for your service on behalf of your congregations and the Conference, and for participating in our Delegate Session.

Yours in service because of Christ,

Richard Early
Moderator, Virginia Mennonite Conference

View or download the Winter Delegate Session 2021 Documents

Winter Delegate Assembly Agenda

7:45 a.m. Prelude (Selections from Voices Together hymnal)

  • Let’s Walk Together
  • Praise to the Living God
  • Rain Came Down

8:00 a.m. Welcome – Moderator Richard Early

8:05 a.m. Worship (Selections from Voices Together hymnal)

  • Touch the Earth Lightly
  • I Will Sing
  • All Who are Thirsty
  • Could it be that God is Singing
  • How can we worship Caesar’s Cross
  • Seeds

8:30 a.m. Devotion by Sarah Bixler – “From Servant to Friends”

8:45 a.m. Conference Business – Richard Early, Moderator

8:50 a.m. Summer Assembly Minutes – Jim Hershberger (Delegate Action: Approve Minutes)

8:55 a.m. Gifts Committee Action (Delegate Action: Approve VMMissions Board Member)

9:00 a.m. Introduction of Recommended Changes to Conference By-laws – Joe Longacher

  • Proposed action
  • Take the action (Delegate Action: Changes to By-laws)

9:15 a.m. Strategic Plan Introduction and Updates – Moderator

9:20 a.m. Breakout Groups Discuss Strategic Plan

  1. What excites you about the plan?
  2. How do you see your congregation living into the plan?
  3. How do you see yourself living into the plan?

10:00 a.m. Breakout Group Reporting In

10:25 a.m. Action to approve Strategic Plan and report next steps (Delegate Action)

10:30 a.m. Break

10:45 a.m. Welcome Back – Moderator

10:50 a.m. Introduction of Racial Justice initiative

  • Deanna Reed, Cedric Moore, Bishop Leslie Francisco III
  • Task Force Members
  • Racial Justice Staff Position

11:20 a.m. Guided Reflection, Lament and Confession

11:40 a.m. Statement of Hope – Lesley Francisco McClendon

11:45 a.m. Closing Worship (Selections from Voices Together hymnal)

  • We’ve Come This Far by Faith
  • When We Walk with the Lord
  • Here by the Water
Event location: Online via Zoom