Esther the Risk-Taker

“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.”

- Esther 4.14 NRSV

A Poem by Edith Blake

Risk Taker

Rattle

Imaginer

Seeker

Keen

Teem

Abide

Kindle

Educator

Reshape

Daily Prayer

The story of Esther is one of God’s faithful presence, deliverance from oppression, and bold service to the neighbor. God calls Esther – a Jewish queen in a foreign land – to join in God’s plan to save God’s people. God gifts Esther with leadership, strengthens her in those gifts, and calls her to take risks – all for the sake of her own safety and that of her people. Like Esther, we can be assured of God’s holy presence and deliverance. Like Esther, we can choose to act for the deliverance of others.  

Let us pray:

Holy God, we give you thanks that you gifted Esther with faith and strength and called her to the risky task of truth-telling and pleading for her own life and the lives of her people. We give thanks also for your many, varied, and gifts to us. Strengthen and empower us to use those gifts to speak and work for justice, mercy, and deliverance from oppression. For we too have been called for such a time as this! Amen.

Thank you

Roanoke College Advancement Office for Sponsoring the evening reception!

Workshop Locations

10:30 AM - 11:45 AM: Click here for Concurrent Session A Descriptions

• A1 - Off-site: Habitat for Humanity Service Project with Rev. Paul Henrickson (will leave at 10:15 in front of the chapel)
• A2 - Olin 232: Responding to the Call: Feed the Hungry by Betsy Liljeberg
• A3 - Lucas Hall Room 125: Luther and the Jews: Continuing Esther's Life-Saving Legacy by Rev. Heidi Neumark
• A4 - Trout Hall Room 106: Where Do We Go From Here? By Rev. Libby Pfaff
• A5 - Olin 231: A Look at the Virginia Synod of the ELCA - One of the Whitest Christian Denominations in the United States by Lily Pingel
• A6 - Olin 230: 10 Keys for Understanding the New Normal by Rev. John Wertz Jr.

1:30 PM - 2:45 PM: Click here for Concurrent Session B Descriptions

• B1 - Antrim Chapel: Worship Music and the Liturgical Year by Michael Benshish
• B2 - Olin 232: Literary Letters of Faith by Rev. Robert McCarty
• B3 - Lucas Hall Room 125: Digging Deeper: Modeling Esther's Risk Taking by Rev. CeCee Mills
• B4 - Olin 231: Strong Connection Conversations (for Laity) by Bishop Phyllis Milton
• B5 - Olin 240: This Fall is Going to be E.P.I.C.! by Rev. Liz Radtke
• B6 - Trout Hall Room 106: Discover the Virginia Synod Tapestry Ministry by Sister Phyllis Cox and George Donovan

3:15 PM - 4:30 PM: Click here for Concurrent Session C Descriptions

• C1 - Lucas Hall Room 125: The Reign of God - Right Here! Right Now! by Rev. Kelly Bayer Derrick
• C2 -Olin 240: Decoupage Craft Project by Maribeth Ocock
• C3 - Olin 231: Embodying Inclusion in Community by Rev. Colleen Montgomery
• C4 - Olin 232: AMMPARO, a Holistic Call to Action on Migration by Giovana Oaxaca
• C5 - Olin 230: The Church's Coloring Book: Liturgy and the Season of the Church Year by Rev. Wes Smith

If you registered to be part of the Habitat for Humanity Project, you will meet Rev. Paul Henrickson immediately following the Bible Study in front of the Chapel. The break that is set up at 10:00 will have a few to-go boxes so you can take it with you. The van will leave promptly at 10:15 for a trip to work on a current Habitat House. No skill is required, just good energy and a sense of humor. We will return to campus at 12:15 PM for lunch. You will need closed-toe shoes (no sandals). 

Support Roanoke College One Pantry

Donations can be dropped off at either the Colket Center or Upper Smoyer Gallery in Olin. Thank you for supporting One Pantry!

Display Tables

We encourage you to take time to stop by the various display tables to learn more about ministries in the synod and ministry partners. The display tabes will be set up in Olin (#18 on the map).

Meditation Chapel

Power in the Spirit provides a meditation chapel dedicated to prayer and contemplation. Take time for prayer, reflection, and quiet. The meditation chapel will be available during throughout the event and is located in the Glass Gallery in Olin (#18 on the map).

Worship

We will gather together to start the day with morning prayer. We will have a Jazz Mass with communion in the evening.

Offering

Throughout our event, there are opportunities to give an offering in thanks toward God and in service of the Church's ministries. This year, all offerings received will be given to support the ministries of both Lutheran Camp and Retreat Centers in Virginia. To give online, click here or scan the qr code.

Got questions?

For more information,  read the event brochure, visit www.vasynod.org/power-in-the-spirit/.

You can call the Virginia Synod Office at

540-389-1000.