News & Updates for the Virginia Synod |
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Getting to Know the Online Assembly |
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2021 Assembly Fact #2
The 2021 Virginia Synod Youth Assembly
will be Online.
Registration is open for the 2021 Youth Assembly (for grades 7-12) which will be held in the late afternoon of June 12th.
This year there is no charge for participants and all Virginia Synod Youth in grades 7-12 are welcome to attend. Congregations can designate up to four Youth Assembly participants (plus a multicultural youth) as voting members of the Youth Assembly.
For more information on the youth assembly, click here.
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Rostered Minister Updates |
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The Rev. David Fox was called to serve as Pastor at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hampton. A service of Installation will take place on Sunday, May 2 at 3:30 PM.
You can participate in the live worship service through Gloria Dei's Facebook Page.
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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, you have served your communities with compassion and creativity, even as physical distancing changed the way we worship and meet. With vaccinations becoming available to more of the population, we hold onto hope that we may be able to gather safely in physical spaces in the upcoming months, as public health recommendations allow. Open Doors is a new initiative to support ELCA congregations interested in meeting new people during this time of regathering in physical spaces. If you have a concrete, actionable idea for meeting new people during this critical time, your congregation is invited to apply for an Open Doors Grant.
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Daily Bread Matching Grants |
A new round of ELCA World Hunger's Daily Bread Matching Grants just launched! Daily Bread Matching Grants support congregations and their partners as they work toward a just world where all are fed.
ELCA congregations interested in raising funds for their feeding ministry through ELCA World Hunger’s online platform, matched with a $500 grant, can register and apply in ELCA GrantMaker starting April 26th. Registration will be open through May 1, 2021, and the application will close on May 7, 2021. Congregations approved to participate will raise funds for their ministry online from June 5 – June 20, 2021 and will be eligible for a special opportunity to explore goals for their ministry with an ELCA Coach.
For details on the grants and eligibility requirements, visit elca.org/dailybread. There are a limited number of grants available on a first-come, first-served basis, so interested congregations should apply as soon as they are able. Congregations that have previously received a Daily Bread Matching Grant are not eligible to re-apply at this time.
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All ages are invited into a synod-wide faith formation experience: Our Journey to Emmaus. Participants will engage the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24) in seven movements over seven Sundays beginning on May 2. Each weekly email will have a portion of the story, reflections for all ages, and movement activities for all types of bodies. You can sign up for weekly emails by registering below. You may participate with your congregation or ministry or on your own. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Kelly Bayer Derrick (bayerderrick@vasynod.org).
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Starting a New Chapter: Ministry in a Digital World
May 3, 10, & 17 at 7 PM
How do we build on what we have learned over the last 13 months?
How have attitudes and opinions about faith and life changed during the pandemic?
How do we use digital tools to strengthen overall ministry?
The Virginia Synod invites you into a series of conversations on Zoom designed to congregations start a new chapter of ministry in a digital world.
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May 3: Run with Perseverance - Finishing Strong and Building on What We Have Learned
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May 10: Stumbling Blocks - Discovering More about the Patterns, Habits, and Opinions of Non-Churchgoers
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May 17: Modern Day Letters - Moving from Broadcast to Engagement
Registration is free and each of the conversations is planned for one hour. For more information, email Pastor Colleen Montgomery ( montgomery@vasynod.org) or Pastor John Wertz, Jr. ( wertz@vasynod.org).
Notes for Registration: You will be invited to make a donation for the Virginia Synod's New Ministry Starts. Donations are not required for participation. Tithe.ly Registration only allows for participants to include two names. You may use whichever two names you prefer.
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Telling the Story
How do you connect your feeding ministry with the broader ministry of the congregation? What are some ways that you can advertise and market your feeding ministry? On Thursday, May 6th at noon, join Sandy Hagman, Chair, Advisory Board Blacksburg Interfaith Food Pantry; John Stramiello, Director, Micah’s Backpack; Chuck Miller, Mini Food Pantry, Feeding Kids Plus, and Gardens of Grace for this discussion and a wrap of what we have learned along the way.
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“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday is Sunday, September 12, 2021. This day is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.
Service activities offer an opportunity for us to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus Christ – every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life – flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace.
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Check Out Lutheran Men in Mission Resources |
The Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM) website provides a series of resources for ministry with men ranging from Master Builder's Bible to Digital Retreats. Check out all the resources and upcoming events using the link below. |
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Help Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center prepare for another unforgettable summer! There is no cost to register or attend and lunch will be provided.
Projects are mostly outdoors and social distancing among separate households is expected. Detailed plans will reflect guidelines and best practices at the time. Contact us for overnight lodging options - 14 days of health pre-screening required for all overnight guests and indoor projects.
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Job Opportunities can now be found on the Virginia Synod website at
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Do You have an announcement, upcoming event, or news story idea?
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Stay Connected with the Virginia Synod: |
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