Brackety-Ack, Roanoke College student newspaper. In the article, Emma Grosskopf, editor-in-chief, told of her experience with the weekly Theology on Tap (ToT) gathering of students to talk about theological subjects with College Chaplain Chris Bowen.

            As a Catholic and a sophomore, she recalled, she went to ToT "for a little while but I just couldn't take the people that went." These people "LIVED for hearing themselves spout platitudes...(or) faked their own depth." So she stopped participating.

            However, a friend recently invited Grosskopf, now a senior and she went back to ToT. "I realized how much I have changed." When someone answered the chaplain's questions, she listened and then she "discussed them candidly...Over the plate of garlic knots and marinara sauce, I found that I was having a good time."

            She called the ToT session "a well-needed dose of community and open discourse and I realized that was what I was missing sophomore year. I realized that I needed to grow up a little in order to get the most out of Theology on Tap."

            Grosskopf gave this advice to her fellow students:

            "If you're looking to spend an hour with a diverse group of people from all areas of campus discussing questions about ethics, morality and yes, theology, I highly recommend giving it a go. Get out of your comfort zone and listen to the opinions of your peers. It can reveal so much about your own opinions, values and it might help you grow, like it did for me."                        

            Luther Manor, a 123-unit building for elderly residents, opened in 1982, financed by a Housing and Urban Development loan.

            The apartments were sold to House of David because its large size enables it to make needed upgrades through grants, tax credits and government financing, said Nicole Bruch, corporate marketing coordinator for VLH. House of David plans $1 million in improvements, including a new commercial generator and apartment upgrades. All staff personnel continue as employees of Luther Manor Apartments LLC. No residents were displaced and monthly rates are unchanged, according to HUD regulations.

            This action was in the best interests for residents and staff of Luther Manor, VLH said.    

            VLH continues to operate 40 apartment units at Luther Crest at New Market, opened in 1988, as well as Brandon Oaks, a retirement center for more than 500 residents, and a nursing and rehabilitation center at Roanoke.

            The Virginia Synod is now working with the ELCA to explore the possibility of launching a new ministry from the King Street location that will honor the history of community ministry at First Lutheran Church.

80-year-old home of former First Lutheran, Portsmouth

           In January 1908, the Rev. J.W. Shuey came to Portsmouth, to serve as a mission developer. First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Portsmouth was organized with 38 charter members who began worshiping in the Pythian Castle on the corner of Court and County streets. In 1939, the congregation moved into their new building on King Street which served as the home to First Lutheran until its final service earlier this year.

          Through the years, the congregation provided a witness to God's love by holding Lutheran services aboard ships and in Army camps during World War I. In the 1960's and 1970's, the congregation integrated and with support from the LCA Division of Mission, First Lutheran launched a community youth program.

            With the conclusion of the war in Vietnam, the congregation joined with other Lutheran congregations in the area to help resettle a refugee family. In the 1980's, the congregation expanded it's ministry with the youth in the community and added ministries to serve the needs of those living in the area.

           In the 1990's, downtown Portsmouth experienced decline and the congregation experienced challenging times as well. Into the 2000's the congregation remained faithful to its mission to share God's love in Portsmouth. The Women of the Church undertook projects to better the lives of others which included creating 242 dresses for a Virginia Synodical Women's Organization project in 2014.

            Morris Cregger Jr., chairman of the college board, and his wife, Sheila Cregger, will receive the honorary doctor of commerce degree at commencement.

            The college choir will give its final performance of the season at Salem Baptist Church, Friday at 8 p.m.

            Laura Lu Scherer Copenhaver, a writer, Lutheran women's leader, agricultural pioneer and member of the prominent Scherer family, will be honored with a statue on the grounds of the Virginia State Capitol building in Richmond. Copenhaver, who lived and worked in Marion from 1872 until 1940, is one of 12 women to be remembered with a $200,000 bronze statue.

            A daughter of Dr. J. J. Scherer, founder of Marion College in 1872, she was a sister of Dr. J. J. Scherer Jr., longtime president of the Virginia Synod. After teaching English at Marion College for more than 20 years, her work as chair of the Literature Committee of the Women's Missionary Society of the former United Lutheran Church in America helped start Konnarock Training School, a Lutheran school, in 1925. She wrote fiction, poetry and more than a dozen pageants for the ULCA, as well as articles for the Atlantic and Scribner's.

            Copenhaver became information director for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation and bought wool from farmers to make coverlets and other textile products for Rosemont Industries, a family business which continued in Marion until recent years. After her death in 1940, her sister, May Scherer, longtime dean of Marion College, led the firm. Designs for the coverlets came from traditional patterns, paintings and antique rugs. The textiles were advertised nationally and sold internationally.

            She married Bascom Eugene Copenhaver, who became superintendent of Smyth County schools. They had four daughters and a son. She was a close friend of the writer, Sherwood Anderson, who married her oldest daughter, Eleanor.

            The Virginia Women's Monument, Voices from the Garden, is to be completed this year. The Library of Virginia recognized Copenhaver as one of "Virginia's Women in History" in 2007.

            Bishop Emeritus Ted Schneider of the Washington Metro Synod waited 63 years for a Roanoke College ring. As reported at a college alumni event on April 5, his wife, Doris Schneider, recently gave him the ring he couldn't afford when they both graduated from Roanoke in 1956.

            Schneider, who grew up in First Lutheran, Portsmouth (now closed), is a member of the college's trustee board. In retirement, the Schneiders live in Silver Spring, MD.

            Our crew included men and women of various ages and skill levels. Most of our time was spent mucking out homes that were flooded during the storm. This mucking involved moving out personal items that were damaged due to mold and removing walls and flooring down to the studs. It was messy work. Maybe the hardest part was patiently helping the homeowners sort through all of their stuff and helping them decide what can stay and what needs to be thrown away. It's difficult because so many memories are tied to those belongings and there is a real sense of loss with every item that is piled up at the curb.

            Overall, we were called to Danville not just for messy work, but to walk with our sisters and brothers on this road to healing and recovery. We took time to listen to their stories, to cry with them, laugh with them, and end each day with a holy hug and prayer. Our days in Danville were evangelism days. We were with them in the moment, we participated in a type of resurrection, and we did it all in the name of Christ.

            One day, as we were helping a homeowner sort through a large pile of her belongings, we came across a stack of moldy boxes neatly stacked up in a corner. I opened one of the boxes and inside was a hat. But this wasn't just any hat; this was one of those fancy church hats adorned with flowers and ribbons. I picked it up, placed it on my head, looked at the homeowner, and said, "This is so cool, how's it look on me?" She laughed and replied, "Oh, that is so you!"

            She was obviously very concerned about saving her church hats, because they were more than just hats, they represented every Sunday she prayed, sang, worshiped, and lived out her life of faith. Those hats were symbols of her journey with God. With a little tear in her eye, she looked at me and asked, "Can we save them or do they need to go to the curb?"

            We went through all of the boxes and decided that none of the hats were moldy and all of them could be saved. In that moment, saving those symbols of faithfulness turned around a very difficult day. When our time with her came to a close, we gathered for a picture and we all wore one of her church hats. We laughed, we celebrated, and we remembered that even in the muck - maybe especially in the muck, God is always present.  

            Dr, Rolf Jacobson, professor of Old Testament and chair of the Scripture, Theology and Ministry at Luther Seminary, will lead Bible study in his third participation at Power in the Spirit. George Donovan, music director at Bethel, Winchester, will return to lead music for the event.

  

Jacobson

         Participants will have a choice of two service projects. Retired Pastor Paul Henrickson will lead a Habitat construction project and welcoming cards for incoming refugees and immigrants will be prepared in a Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services project.

            Activities for children, aged 3 to 10 will be led by Renee Durieux of Epiphany Richmond. A Little Free Library will have space to share books on matters of faith, under the motto, "Take a Book---Share a Book." Any remaining books will be donated to Salem Public Library for a book sale.

  

Donovan

          Rundiman, who holds a doctorate in developmental psychology from the University of Oregon, developed faith formation resources for Sparkhouse and Augsburg Fortress and published her most recent book, "Little Steps, Big Faith." Jacobson, a frequent teacher and preacher, is known for his humor and biblical interpretation. Donovan has returned to Bethel where he served from 2011 to 2015 until he was called to a South Carolina church.