The Virginia Lutheran
We Are Church Together
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In 2026, the Virginia Synod will be exploring all that is Spirit Given.
- Power, love, sound judgment, personal discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).
- Callings to serve God in Virginia and around the world (Acts 2).
- Spiritual gifts of all varieties (Romans 12:3-8).
- Forgiveness of sins and eternal life (Small Catechism, Third Article of the Creed)
- We’ll learn the fruit that grows from Spirit tended vines (Galatians 5:22-23).
At Power in the Spirit, Strong Connection Gatherings, and youth events, the Spirit will knit us closer and show us ways forward in love. Virginia Lutherans, lay members, commissioned lay ministers, and rostered ministers, are invited to listen deeply for what is Spirit Given in our lives and in our communities.
In this short video, Pastor Daniel Hess (The Legacy at North Augusta and Christ Lutheran, Staunton) shares a story about how the Holy Spirit calls calls the residents together to share stories, support, and ice cream.
| | Collaborative Ministry in the Central Valley Conference | |
Shared by Pastor Katie Gosswein
On Sunday afternoon, January 11th, 46 leaders of the Central Valley Conference took a first step at living into the definition of collaboration by gathering for conversation with Pastor John Wertz, Jr.. Sixteen of the twenty-three congregations were represented from this Conference which covers part of Rockingham and all of Shenandoah County.
As Pastor Wertz provided a deeper understanding of the new realities of what it means to be church together after a pandemic and amid cultural shifts, it was also a blessing to listen to one another’s’ experiences. We look to both reclaim a time when we shared events together along with creating a new collaborative network of support in a time when partnerships are key to accomplishing the mission to which God has called us.
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We celebrated the mutual ministry that is already taking place through Shenandoah Valley Local Ministries, kit & quilt drives for Lutheran World Relief and Project Compassion as well as Weekday Religious Education. It was an affirmation that there is already a foundation and history of working together to share hope and compassion with our communities.
It was a good time to be together during the season of Epiphany and at the start of a new year. With this first step of being more intentional about collaborative ministry, we have more questions than answers, and we pray that it allows space for the Spirit to light our way.
| | VICPP's Day For All People in Richmond | | Shared by Pastor John Wertz,Jr. | | |
On Wednesday, January 21, over 400 people of faith and goodwill gathered at Centenary United Methodist Church in Richmond for the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy's annual advocacy day, Day for All People.
Bishop Milton and Pastor John Wertz, Jr. were among the individuals who made their way from the church to the General Assembly building to sit down with legislative leaders and their staff, sharing stories about their communities and inviting lawmakers to provide support for policies that protect the vulnerable people and lift up the marginalized.
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Between meetings at the General Assembly, participants in the Day for All People spent time in workshops focused on topics like Environmental Justice, Social Determinants of Health, and the myths and realities of the justice system. The workshops provided a time to learn.
If you are interested in learning more about our partners at the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP), go to their website: https://virginiainterfaithcenter.org/.
| | Erich Lantz was installed on Sunday, January 11, 2026 as a SAM (Synod Authorized Minister) at St. Paul's, Timberville. | | Pam Kitner was installed on January 18, 2026 as a SAM (Synod Authorized Minister) at Faith, Fort Valley. | | Deacon Lynette McSpadden was ordained on January 17, 2026 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Winchester. Deacon Lynette is called to Good Shepherd in Front Royal alongside Pastor Anna Havron. | | Pastor Liz Radke was installed on January 18, 2026 at Christ, Richmond. | | Mission Support Makes an Impact | | Thank you for supporting the Spirit-led work of the Virginia Synod! | | |
We give thanks for the ways the Holy Spirit is moving among us through preparing food boxes ahead of winter storms to care for our neighbors in need, lifting up and celebrating leaders in our congregations and ministries, and sharing mutual connection, learning, and support across our conferences.
Your Mission Support gifts help make this work possible. Thank you for being part of what the Spirit is doing among us as the Virginia Synod!
| | | Around the Virginia Synod | | Each month, the Office of the Bishop staff has the opportunity to connect with congregations around the Synod for worship and for conversations around congregational ministry. Take a look at these photos from those connections in the last month. | | |
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