Advocacy and justice are central to our life of faith as United Methodist and as Christians whether or not it is an election year. As we continue to prepare for the upcoming election and beyond, VAUMC's Assistant Director of Missional and Community Engagement, Rev. Jo Ann Batteiger sat down for a conversation with Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook, Co-Executive Director of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy and Rev. Katie Gooch, Director of the Pace Center Campus Ministry at VCU and co-chair of VAUMC's Conference Legislative Network to do a deeper dive into the historical role of advocacy through the lens of faith, and consider what the next faithful step that individuals and faith communities can take to fully live into their calling as justice-centered people.

RISC (Richmonders Involved in Strengthening Communities) is a justice ministry organization made of 25+ congregations from around the Richmond area. Their work is centered in people coming together to do justice to make a collective impact and systemic change. RISC is part of a larger network called DART (Direct Action Research Training Center), and their partner organization is IMPACT in Charlottesville. Their congregational involvement and organizational partnerships, however, goes beyond Richmond and Charlottesville proper and involve communities within the surrounding areas. The Missional and Community Engagement Office partners with RISC alongside other community organizing and advocacy groups across the Commonwealth to strengthen the link between the work of mission and the work of justice

As the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election draws nearer, the VAUMC will share resources with the conference on topics ranging from how to have hard conversations to the impact on community organizing and advocacy in light of the current social and political climate, a climate that local churches and individuals must navigate as people of faith. In this conversation, Dr. James C. Howell, Senior Pastor of Myers Park UMC in Charlotte, N.C., talks with Rev. Dr. Jonathan Page, VAUMC DCM for Innovation & Creativity, on the things Christians can be unified on and considering the soul of The United States.

Find more content at www.vaumc.org/votingwhilechristian.

As the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election draws nearer, the VAUMC will share resources with the conference on topics ranging from how to have hard conversations to the impact on community organizing and advocacy in light of the current social and political climate, a climate that local churches and individuals must navigate as people of faith.

In this conversation, Rev. Jacob Alan Cook, Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics and Co-Director of The Shalom Collaboratory at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, talks with Madeline White, VAUMC Director of Communications, on conflict transformatio

Join Rev. Dr. Jonathan Page, Rev. Jeffrey Mickle, and Debbie Cali as they discuss the Legislative Committee on Financial Administration.

In the months leading up to General Conference, Virginia delegates engage in conversation about each Legislative Committee and what they expect and hope for with the upcoming conference.

You can listen to the podcast version here - https://vaumc.org/gc2024/

Join Rev. Dr. Jonathan Page and Rev. Beth Givens as they discuss the Legislative Committee on Judicial Administration.

In the months leading up to General Conference, Virginia delegates engage in conversation about each Legislative Committee and what they expect and hope for with the upcoming conference.

Join Rev. Dr. Jonathan Page and Kim Johnson as they discuss the Legislative Committee on Independent Commissions.

In the months leading up to General Conference, Virginia delegates engage in conversation about each Legislative Committee and what they expect and hope for with the upcoming conference.

Join Rev. Dr. Jonathan Page, Rev. Rhonda VanDyke, and Andrew Kissell as they discuss the Legislative Committee on Higher Education and Superintendency.

In the months leading up to General Conference, Virginia delegates engage in conversation about each Legislative Committee and what they expect and hope for with the upcoming conference.

Join Rev. Dr. Jonathan Page, Rev. Grace Han, and Shirley Cauffman as they discuss the Legislative Committee on General Admin.

In the months leading up to General Conference, Virginia delegates engage in conversation about each Legislative Committee and what they expect and hope for with the upcoming conference.

You can listen to the podcast version here - https://vaumc.org/gc2024/

Join Rev. Dr. Jonathan Page, Rev. Mark Ogren, and Dr. Karen McElfish as they discuss the Legislative Committee on Local Church.

In the months leading up to General Conference, Virginia delegates engage in conversation about each Legislative Committee and what they expect and hope for with the upcoming conference.

You can listen to the podcast version here - https://vaumc.org/gc2024/