Schweitzer

            Pastor John Schweitzer is retiring on July 1 from First English, Richmond, after 47 years of ministry---almost 18 at First English and 29 years at Immanuel, Somerton, PA. His wife, Rev. Dr. Carol Schweitzer, who has taught pastoral care at Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, since 2001, also is retiring and they are moving to Doylestown, PA, to be near family. John Schweitzer, a Pennsylvania native, is a graduate of Millesville State College and Philadelphia Seminary and he also studied in Germany and worked as a summer supply pastor in Austria.

       

	Kirkpatrick

     Pastor Ralph Kirkpatrick will move from Peace Lutheran, Knoxville, TN, to serve at Christ Lutheran, Richmond. A California native, he grew up in South Carolina and graduated from the University of North Carolina and Trinity Seminary. He began 21 years of ministry at churches in Indianapolis and rural Indiana. He was a residency chaplain in a trauma center, he's certified by the ELCA in redevelopment and specialized ministry, he's a Stephen ministry trainer and he's working toward training in spiritual direction . Kirkpatrick and his wife, Frannie, have two daughters, Arwen and Reilly, and two granddaughters, Molly and Maggie.

     

Zuber

       Pastor Alex Zuber has accepted a call to serve as associate pastor at Muhlenberg, Harrisonburg. He grew up in Christ, Roanoke, and graduated from James Madison University and Philadelphia Seminary. He was an intern at Muhlenberg and he piloted the co-operative master of divinity program at the seminary while serving as vicar of Stoney Man Parish. After ordination, he served at Stoney Man for a year. He has been interim pastor at Good Shepherd, Lexington.

            Adam Schultz , (problem with Schulta pic-working on it)  a recent graduate of Southern Seminary and a former non-profit manager, has accepted a call to Good Shepherd, Lexington , effective Aug. 11. He will be ordained Aug, 17, at his home church, St. John Lutheran, Knoxville, TN . A Wisconsin native, he grew up in Knoxville and graduate from Furman University and earned a master's degree at Case Western Reserve University. He worked with non-profits in planning. He's a member of Proclaim, the professional development group for publicly out LGBTQIA+ Lutheran pastors, deacons and seminarians.

            Retired Pastor Chris Price, who served at Epiphany, Richmond, will be interim pastor at First English, Richmond, following the retirement of Pastor John Schweitzer.

            Retired Pastor Richard Carbaugh, formerly serving at Christ, Fredericksburg, has been named interim pastor at Mesiah, Mechanicsville, followinggthe move of Pastor Lou Florio.

            Retired Pastor Ed Wolfe, Jonesboro, TN, is interim pastor at Redeemer, Bristol.

           Retired Pastor Ron Krelensleck, Winchester, is interim pastor at the Stoneyman Parish.

            Good Shepherd, Virginia Beach, planned its sixth annual Christmas in July celebration on July 23. As a fun way to break up the summer, they plan the Christmas story and a Carol Sing-a-long, with Christmas cookies.   

            Editor George Kegley heard I was retiring and asked if I'd be willing to " sum up some of the changes & things I've observed in 40 years?" Of course, I can only speak from my perspective and experience in the locations I've served.

            The cultural context for church is significantly different. In 1979, active members showed up for worship three or four times a month, and there was significant cultural support for attending worship. That is much less true now. For many, Sunday morning worship has become an act of resistance against the pressure to be productive 24-7.

Is the mission opportunity to teach about the concept of sabbath as if it is a brand new idea? Pastors and teachers cannot assume any knowledge of the Bible or church tradition. Why should we engage in worship and study, prayer and service? Can the basic practices of the faith be presented as fresh, life-giving alternatives to the deadening effects of our culture?

            In my first office, in 1979, my communications technology tools were a telephone and a typewriter. (It was a rich parish. I had an electric typewriter!) Long gone are the days when effective communication was an announcement during Sunday morning worship, or a newsletter article. Now, different generations pay attention to different media. An effective communicator has to cover all of them: e-mail, face book, twitter, Instagram, snapchat, etc., as well as traditional printed materials and spoken announcements.

            Women have taken leadership in ways that would have been strenuously resisted in our Virginia Synod 40 years ago. It is significant, for instance, that women are senior pastors or sole Pastors in such traditionally important Shenandoah Valley congregations as Muhlenberg, Harrisonburg; Grace, Winchester; Holy Trinity, Wytheville.

            A significant change is an openness to the leadership of young pastors and pastors new to the Synod. That certainly was not true in the "good old boy" Virginia Synod of 40 years ago. No way would there have been Conference deans in their 30s, for instance. I loved it that a "millennial" pastor and a "Gen X" pastor were the ones instructing us elderly clergy on how the Assembly's Holy Communion service would go! I love it that two millennial pastors are chairing the Synod's Mission Table, encouraging mission opportunities in our congregations.

            So - just a few observations from my perspective and experience. I look forward to experiencing what the Holy Spirit is creating among us!

(Andy Ballentine is retiring as pastor of St. Stephen, Williamsburg.)

              These anniversaries of pastors and congregations were celebrated by Bishop

Bob Humphrey at the Synod Assembly:

            Congregation anniversaries:  Mt. Calvary, Mt. Jackson, 175 years; St. Mark's, Roanoke, 150  years, and First Lutheran, Norfolk, 125 years.

            Pastors' anniversaries:  Rev. Harold Harter, Newport News; Rev. L. Crockett Huddle, Woodstock; Rev. Pat Keister, Strasburg, and Rev. Joe Shumate, Wytheville, 65 years. Rev. Jack Behlendorf, Williamsburg; Rev. Dick Berry, Winchester; Rev. Bill Rosenow, Harrisonburg, and Rev. John Yeich, Broadway, 60 years.

            On a rain-soaked, pre-Pentecost weekend, 323 Virginia Lutherans pondered "How can we be faithful to God and to ourselves" at the 32nd annual Synod Assembly, meeting on an indoor track at Roanoke College June 7-8. The Synod of 150 congregations efficiently compacted its business and worship into a 24-hour session, instead of the traditional Friday noon-Sunday noon session held for years.

            As people try to overcome bigotry and hatred, the church is there, said Dr. Sandra Chrostowski, director of evangelical mission for the ELCA. She said, "We are all weeping" for the loss of Missy Langer of Good Shepherd, Virginia Beach, one of the 12 people killed in the Virginia Beach shooting. Speaking of trends in the church, she said one-fourth of ELCA congregations had no baptisms and many had more deaths than baptisms in a recent two-year period.

            In a video, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton described ministries of the wider church. Virginia Synod contributed $153,000 for disaster relief and $258,000 toward the record $23.5 million raised for World Hunger. "God has a mission for all of us," she said. The ELCA will act on an apology for "complicity in slavery and a legacy of racism" at the convention in Milwaukee in August.

             In a Friday night sermon, Bishop Bob Humphrey asked, "What would it be like if we were a witness, a model for the rest of the world?,,,Can you imagine if we learn to listen to one another?" The bishop wondered "how to be faithful to the scriptures (with) our systemic racism and sexism we all carry around."

ForwardingFaith reaches $2.74 milllon   

            The Synod's ForwardingFaith campaign has reached $2.74 million, past the goal of $2.5 million, with contributions and pledges from 1,430 individuals and churches, according to Pastor John Wertz Jr., director of evangelical mission. This "generous support" helps ACTS, a new young adult ministry program and faith formation ministries.

            Southern Seminary is offering full tuition grants to students through "the generosity of donors," according to Dr. Mary Hinkle Shore, rector and dean of Southern Seminary. The annual cost for a student is $20,000. The seminary has 65 students but 200 are on campus in other fields of the parent Lenoir-Rhyne University. Pastor David Young, Bethel, Winchester, said this is a "game-changer" because only one Virginia student attended Southern in one year.

            Following the Assembly theme of "Faithful+Bold+Serving+, Bishop Humphrey called for discussion of four questions: What comes to mind when we think of faithful? When do we have the most sense of God's faifhfulness? When have we most questioned God's faithfulness? What would you like to see new or different in the church?

Charles Downs, Christ, Roanoke, vice president and Blythe Scott, First Lutheran, Norfolk, secretary, were re-elected to four terms.  

            Barry Lynn Proctor, a leading Synod layman and a respected Abingdon lawyer, died June 12, shortly after completing a 569-mile bicycle ride with his son, Nick, to raise over $3,000 for multiple sclerosis. He had just completed two three-year terms on Synod Council. He was 68.

            His obituary described Proctor as "a man with unshakeable moral and ethical integrity, a voice of the voiceless, a friend to every stranger, an advocate for the less fortunate...and a relentless defender of justice."

             A graduate of Virginia Tech and the T. C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond, he worked for Southwest Virginia Legal Aid until he opened private practice.. He had been council president at St. John Lutheran, Abingdon, and Redeemer Lutheran, Bristol, and he was a board member of Hungry Mother Lutheran Retreat Center and Washington County Habitat for Humanity and an assistant scoutmaster. He receieved an advocate of the Year Award from the Virginia Poverty Law Center.

            Surivivng are his wife, Ann Elizabeth Pratt-Proctor; five children, Pastor Kate Costa, Good Shepherd Lutheran, Gaithersburg, MD.; Kristopher, Nicholaus, Victoria and Mary Cathryn, a brother, Cary Proctor, and two grandsons.

 

            

            Helen Perdue celebrated her 100th birthday with over 100 family and friends and danced the foxtrot with her pastor, Rev. David Skole, at Christ Lutheran Church, Roanoke, on June 8.

            Among those enjoying the festivities were her daughter, Robin Haas, granddaughter Allison Huntyley and great-granddaughter, Kaya Kingery, all members of Christ.

            Christ The King (CTK) Lutheran Church in Richmond eagerly awaits occupying its new education wing on Rally day this September. This construction project replaces and expands a former education wing in the same general location, with increased accessibility.

            The capital campaign theme is "Joined Together & Growing," with the theme verse being Ephesians 2:21-22 "In [Christ Jesus] the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God."

            Throughout 2018, the CTK congregation anticipated the commencement of construction while the Facility Planning Team worked closely with the architect to develop a footprint consistent with the wishes expressed by the congregation in September 2017. They met weekly, reviewing space needs, congregational input, traffic flow plans, structural samples, electrical conduit maps, and other details to produce a plan that would meet Church needs for the foreseeable future. They also began developing and executing agreements with contractors and obtaining permits from the city.

            The team approached these tasks with the spirit of being "Joined Together & Growing"  as expressed by the interaction between the team, congregation council, and congregation. Ideas and opinions were welcomed and appreciated. The team recognized and benefitted from the considerable work done prior to coming together and felt a true sense of support along the way.

              Demolition of the existing wing was completed by the end of March 2019 and the official ground breaking was celebrated on Palm Sunday, April 14, with Bishop Bob Humphrey in attendance. Construction continues on schedule and on budget.

              The 3,583-square foot wing includes meeting space for faith formation and community outreach activities, a gathering space that can be used for larger groups of all sorts, and increased storage and office space. Combined with existing kitchen and shower space the new wing enhances CTK's ability to host overnight guests ranging from youth and scout sleepovers, to synod mission groups, to emergency community programs.

              CTK gives thanks to God for the opportunity to complete this project at this time, and for the enhanced ministry opportunities for which it will allow. May God build us all together spiritually - as congregations, and as a synod - into dwelling places where the Spirit of God does reside.

            Four from the Virginia Synod will travel to Papua New Guinea in August along with representatives of three other synods to visit a companion synod, the New Guinea Islands District of the Evangelical Lutheran Church-PNG. Those making the trip will be Diane Giessler, chair of the Synod Companion Synod Committee; Pastors Kelly Bayer Derrick, assistant to the bishop, and Michael Church, Our Saviour, Warrenton, and Matt Wertman, Grace and Glory, Palmyra.

            They will meet in Cairns, Australia, for two days to prepare for meetings with members of partnership committees from companion districts at the PNG church headquarters at Ampo, Lae, Morobe Province. From Sept. 3-11, they will travel by small planes over land and islands in the district. The other synods who also have companions are North Carolina, Northwest Lower Michigan and Central States.

            And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things in all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8- Revised Standard Version.

           

            The experiences offered by Lutheran outdoor ministry organizations represent a century of blessings to the Lutheran Church. Their stories are filed with God's abundant grace; their work has nurtured the faith of generations of Church leaders.

          Most of these organizations began with humble resources yet the heart-felt commitment of early pioneers was remarkable. In beautiful outdoor settings, tens of thousands of participants have felt their faith renewed and sensed a stronger connection to God. These outdoor ministry experiences have invited people of all ages into Christian witness and service.

            The 100th anniversary of Lutheran Outdoor Ministries is a celebration of our partnership; we are committed to an innovative and creative future that practices servanthood, discipleship and Christian stewardship, fully aware that it s God's abounding grace that has provided our guiding foundation..

            The aim of the 100th anniversary year is to provide education for church leaders, participants and the church at large on the history of the many Lutheran outdoor ministries that have impacted congregational life and mission and to strengthen our resolve for outdoor ministry to remain relevant and impactful during the next 100 years.

           The first recorded organized camping program of the Lutheran Church originated in Pennsylvania with the Lutheran Inner Mission Society of Pittsburgh. This social service agency provided services for the spiritual and physical care of those who were lonely, living in poverty, sick or otherwise in need. Among the programs was a commitment to serving disadvantaged youth.

          The idea for establishing a summer youth camp was proposed as ealy as 1815 but did not come to fruition until 1919, It was in this year that arrangments were made to use a piece of property offered by a layperson, Mr. Sidney Passavant, for swimming, boating and fishing and hiking. This first camp, located 28 miles north of Pittsburgh, was easily accessible by public streetcar. The camp began on July 5, 1919. The camp was called Camp Wa-ba-ne-ki. (Source: Burkhardt, Mark, A History of Lutheran Church Camping in the United States. 1919-1949. The Pennsvylvania State University, 1982. p. 21-24.)

            Michelle Marie "Missy" Langer of Good Shepherd, Virginia Beach.was one of the 12 victims of the Virginia Beach shooting on May 31. She was 60, a native of Lansing, MI, and an employee of Virginia Beach Public Utilities.

            She was a greeter and gift bearer at Good Shepherd. A memorial service was held at Good Shepherd on Sunday, June 9, led by Pastor Leslie Weber, Grace, Chesapeake, , who is acting at Good Shepherd while Pastor Scott Mims is on sabbatical.

            From his sabbatical in Washington State, Pastor Mims expressed "deep sadness for our loss and for that of her family and friends...I am with you in heart and spirit..Throughout the Virginia Synod and beyond, we are being surrounded by the prayers of many faithful people."

            Missy Langer's surviving family includes a sister, Deborah Borato, Nokomis, FL, and a brother, Herman F. Langer, East Liverpool, OH. A funeral was held at East Liverpool on June 8. Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, East Liverpool, or the Virginia Beach Tragedy Fund, 2515 Walmer Ave., Norfolk, 23513.

            The City of Roanoke has been named an All-American Hall of Fame City for its Feed and Read program which has served more than 57,000 meals at a public library, according to Sheila Umberger, director of Roanoke's library system and a member of Christ Lutheran, Roanoke. "That's 57,000 times children's brains and bodies have been nourished," Umberger said in an op-ed article in the Roanoke Times.

            Since 2012, Roanoke has participated in a national campaign with an initiative called Star City Reads. Librarians noticed that during breaks children were staying at branches all day with nothing to eat. One in three Roanoke children live in poverty, Umberger said..

            So they worked with Feeding America Southwest Virginia, a Salem food bank, in a program providing afternoon meals six days a week during the school year and lunches and snacks during the summer break. As a natural extension of libraries as learning centers, " the program focuses on nutrition and reading to provide a more holistic approach to meeting children's needs."

            Third grade reading levels are rising, "very likely in part because children have access to nutritious meals," she said. The local YMCA is recruiting volunteers to read to and conduct literacy activities with children while they eat.

            Roanoke's pubic schools have received a special state Community Eligibility

Provision "that allows all children at most public schools to receive free meals."

            Members of St. Mark, Charlottesville, have been asked to help provide snack bags for as many as four bus-loads of refugees traveling through the city daily on their way to resettlement through the work of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) based in Charlottesville. Since 1998, Charlottesville has welcomed over 3,000 refugees from 32 countries.

            Volunteers are running out of supplies. St. Mark's social ministry committee is seeking bottled water, Gatorade, juices, protecin snacks, cereal bars, raisins and applesauce.

            They have been collecting food, sponsoring and teaching English as a second language. The congregation has collected and assembled over 100 bags for refugees traveling through Charlottesville, according to Pastor Viktoria Parvin.

            An estimated 4,000 people in Roanoke are eligible for health insurance under the Medicaid expansion plan approved by the General Assembly, Dora Muhammad of the Virginia Interfath Center for Public Policy told a Roanoke meeting on June 4.

            Amanda Silcox, economic justice program manager for VICPP, said 81 percent of restaurant workers and 41 percent of private sector workers do not have paid sick leave.

            Ben Hoyne, VICPP policy director, described the bills supported by VICPP and passed or rejected by the 2019 General Assembly session at a meeting sponsored by the Faith in Action group of Central Church of the Brethren in Roanoke. This was one of a series of legislative reports by VICPP staff across the state. ELCA is a supporter of VICPP.

            "It's hard to reach the uninsured," Muhammad said. Many are working poor or young adults from 18 to 30, who are no longer eligible for insurance under their parents' policies.

            Groups of employers in Richmond and Asheville, NC, are paying a living wage, Silcox said, and the goal of increased mnimum wages raises employee morale and boosts infrastructure. Payment of sick leave has "a huge impact." Also, VICPP seeks to hold payment of energy bills to 6 percent of income while some people pay as much as 20 percent.

            Hoyne told of bills passed to eliminate minimum wage requirement exemptions for ushers, doormen, cashiers and babysitters working 10 hours a week. Other bills passed require employers to provide paystubs.

            Eight seats on Synod Council were filled in an election at the Assembly. All were nominated without opposition.