Next Steps

Bridge Churches

Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, NRSV)

The Virginia Annual Conference knows that for those whose churches are disaffiliating, this can be an unsettling time if they wish to remain United Methodist. They may be angry, confused, or uncertain about what to do next.

As Joshua led the Israelites out of the wilderness and into the Promised Land, they too, were uncertain and afraid, yet God promised to remain with them. Churches in the conference are seeking to come alongside those left behind by disaffiliation, to serve as a bridge to support them as they discern what God has in store for them.

These Bridge Churches are United Methodist faith communities which are confident they will remain United Methodist. Bridge Churches will provide pastoral support, nurture, and opportunities for connection during this time of grief and transition, always in response to each individual’s needs, timing, and sense of God’s call. These congregations bring no expectation of church membership; rather they offer support based on the needs of each person and community. Such support may include:

  1. Individual pastoral care by laity and clergy from the Bridge Church;
  2. Physical space for groups to gather as they consider what faithful next step God is calling them to take;
  3. Ministry opportunities in which to engage – or not. There will be no pressure. These opportunities may include
    • Worship opportunities, either online or in person. These services will intentionally engage and welcome new people into their midst. They will also include the sacraments of communion and baptism.
    • The invitation to grow in discipleship, small group gatherings, Bible studies, and prayer opportunities.
    • Mission opportunities to serve through hands-on ministries. These might include anything that involves making a difference and sharing the love of God with others.
    • Assistance in finding and connecting with other individuals and groups displaced by disaffiliating churches, both for grief support and for discipleship and discernment about faithful next steps.
    • Help connecting with Conference and District resources to help them discern their next steps as they consider a new church home.

If you are searching for a Bridge Church, select your current District or view the map below:

Bridge Churches by District:

Chester UMC
12132 Percival Street
Chester, VA 23831
website

Farmville UMC
212 High Street
Farmville, VA 23901
website

Journey
19210 Patrick Henry Hwy
Amelia, VA 23002
website

Trinity UMC (Chesterfield)
6600 Greenyard Road
Chester, VA 23831
website

Benn’s UMC
14571 Benn’s Church Blvd.
Smithfield, VA 23430
website

Warsaw UMC
287 Main Street
Warsaw, VA 22572
website

Fredericksburg UMC
308 Hanover Street
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
website

Warwick Memorial UMC
38 Hoopes Rd.
Newport News, VA 23602
website

Hillcrest UMC
2208 Lafayette Blvd.
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
website

Remington UMC
150 W Bowen Street
Remington, VA 22734
website

Amelon UMC
220 Amelon Rd
Madison Heights, VA 24572-3009
website

New Hope UMC (Campbell)
2918 Browns Mill Rd.
Rustburg, VA 24588
website

Fairview UMC (Lynchburg)
3041 Campbell Ave
Lynchburg, VA 24501-4635
website

Providence UMC (Patrick)
1021 Providence Drive
Patrick Springs, VA 24133
website

Fort Hill UMC
106 Oakridge Boulevard
Lynchburg, VA 24502
website

Saint Luke’s UMC
3090 N Main St.
Danville, VA 24540-1741
website

Main Street UMC (Bedford)
212 E. Main Street
Bedford, VA 24523
website

Smith Memorial UMC
2703 Daniels Creek Rd.
Collinsville, VA 24078
website

Floris UMC/Restoration UMC
13600 Frying Pan Road
Herndon, VA 20171
website

Bethany UMC (Purcellville)
100 W. Main St.
Purcellville, VA 20132
website

Hites Chapel UMC
150 Chapel Road
Middletown, VA 22645
website

Duncan Memorial UMC (Berryville)
210 East Main Street
Berryville, VA 22611
website

Howellsville UMC 
510 Hardesty Road
Front Royal, VA 22630
website

Otterbein UMC
176 West Market Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
website

Elkton UMC 
205 Warren Street
Elkton, VA 22827
website

Montague Avenue UMC 
102 Montague Avenue
Winchester, VA 22601
website

Rest UMC 
4713 Martinsburg Pike
Clear Brook, VA 22624

First UMC of Winchester
362 Apple Pie Ridge Rd.
Winchester, VA 22603
website

Mount Sidney UMC 
2281 Lee Highway
Mt. Sidney, VA 24467
website

Batesville UMC
6670 Plank Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903

Mount Olivet UMC (Albemarle)
2500 Old Lynchburg Rd.
North Garden, VA 22959
website

Trinity UMC (North Garden)
4637 Plank Rd
North Garden, VA 22959
website

Centenary UMC (Richmond)
411 E. Grace Street
Richmond, VA 23219
website

New Song UMC
7450 Colts Neck Rd.
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
website

Welborne UMC 
920 Maybeury Drive
Richmond, VA 23229
website

Duncan Memorial UMC (Ashland)
201 Henry Street
Ashland, VA 23005
website

Restoration Church (UMC)
5145 Dickerson Rd.
Charlottesville, VA 22911
website

Westhampton UMC 
6100 Patterson Ave.
Richmond, VA 23229
website

Mechanicsville UMC
7356 Atlee Rd.
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
website

Skipwith UMC
2211 Skipwith Rd.
Henrico, VA 23294
website

Asbury UMC (Christiansburg)
500 Stuart Street
Christiansburg, VA 24073-5032
website

edges
706 Harding Ave.
Blacksburg, VA 24060
website

Windsor Hills UMC
3591 Windsor Road
Roanoke, VA 24018
website

Blacksburg UMC 
111 Church St. SE
Blacksburg, VA 24060
website

Oak Hill UMC
1862 Lyndhurst Road
Waynesboro, VA 22980

Calvary UMC (Stuarts Draft)
2179 Stuarts Draft Hwy
Stuarts Draft, VA 24477
website

St. Paul UMC (Christiansburg)
220 West Main Street
Christiansburg, VA 24073
website

Cave Spring UMC
4505 Hazel Dr.
Roanoke, VA 24018
website

Trinity UMC (Lexington)
147 S. Main St.
Lexington, VA 24450
website

If your congregation wishes to be a bridge for those who wish to remain United Methodist after disaffiliation, learn more here.
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