Synod Assembly June 9-11, 2023 at Roanoke College



Many Synod Assembly forms are due next week on May 10. These forms will help shape the agenda, elections, and celebrations at the Assembly. You can access them by clicking the link below.

Don't forget: Registration closes on May 30. There is no on-site registration, so be sure to register all voting members before May 10.

Bishop Election Committee's

Pre-Assembly Gatherings

Discernment: a process of prayer and looking forward to where God is calling us. As a part of this process, the Bishop Election Committee is looking to lead the Synod in discernment conversations as we look forward to where God is calling us as the Virginia Synod. Join other members of the synod and a member of the Bishop Election Committee as we dream and listen to God as well as answer questions you may have on the process. May God be with us all as we listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit!

Register below for one of the following gatherings:

• Southern Valley Conference on May 7 at 7:00 PM at Christ Lutheran Church in Staunton
• New River Conference on May 7 at 3:00 PM at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in Blacksburg
• Piedmont Conference Partnership on May 11 at 7:00 PM online by Zoom
• For anyone wanting to attend online by Zoom on May 16 at 7:00 PM

Bishop Election Committee Forms and Resources

As the Virginia Synod continues to prepare for the 2023 Virginia Synod Assembly and for the election of a new Bishop, the Bishop Election Committee has prepared several documents to assist with the discernment process. These documents include:

• The Biography Form for those open to consideration to a call as Bishop.
• The Disclosure Form required of all candidates for Bishop.
• The Background Check form required of all candidates for Bishop.
• Speech Guidance outlining the expectations for a candidate speech.
• The Question and Answer Guidance outlining how that process will occur during the election.
• Congregational Information offering guidance for communicating with congregations if a pastor is open to the call to serve as Bishop.

(Use the button below to access the Assembly website and then the scroll down to the Election Forms section.)

Pre-Assembly Meetings Two held Next Week

The following meetings have been organized for those discerning synod leadership and for those coming as voting members to the 2023 Synod Assembly. All are invited to attend any of the meetings (lay, rostered, voting member or not). Each meeting will be recorded and shared online.

General Information & Voting Procedures

All voting members are strongly encouraged to attend this meeting to get to know the basics of the Assembly and to learn about the voting system we will be using.

Monday, May 8 at 7 pm

Investment in Ministry Plans & Compensation Guidelines

Bring your questions about the 2023 and 2024 Investment in Ministry Plans and the Compensation Guidelines to this meeting.

Tuesday, May 9 at 7 pm

Bishop Election Committee Gathering

Gather with Pastor Leslie Weber, chair of the Bishop Election Committee, to learn about the bishop election process.

Tuesday, May 16 at 7 pm

The Way in the Wilderness:

Preparing for Assembly Together

Last Session: May 22

from 7-8:15 pm on Zoom

As Virginia Lutherans prepare to gather for the 2023 Synod Assembly, everyone is invited to join in a five-session bible study to explore the theme, The Way in the Wilderness.

In each session, participants will hear a story about God’s presence in the wilderness, will learn how that story has impacted a synod leader, and will have opportunity to share their wilderness stories too.

Everyone is welcome to join the conversation. Portions of the sessions will be recorded and shared. 

Thank you to our session leaders: Bishop Bob Humphrey, Pastor Kelly Bayer Derrick (Assistant to the Bishop), Pastor John Wertz Jr. (Director for Evangelical Mission), Charles Downs (Synod Council President), and Blythe Scott (Synod Council Secretary). 

Power in the Spirit's July 13-15, 2023 at Roanoke College



Power in the Spirit is an inspirational conference for people of all ages who wish to explore God’s call to service through joyous worship, Bible studies, keynote addresses, workshops, games, and fellowship. In addition, congregational leaders—teachers, music directors, choir members, council and committee members, family life consultants, deacons, pastors, and others—will find Power in the spirit nurturing and challenging as they consider their mission and ministry.

To print the event brochure, click here.

Looking to Love: LGBTQIA+ Conversations with Our Church

May 15, and June 5, 2023

7-8:30pm Zoom

The LGBTQIA+ Inclusions Tapestry Thread is hosting a three-part discussion series in May and June. Participants will collectively watch a YouTube TED Talk and join Pastor Alex Sheppard-Witt (Our Saviour, Norge, VA) and Pastor Joel Neubauer (St. Mark, Yorktown, VA) in an exploration of the weekly topic and its application in daily life. 

May 15: Acceptance: Faith and Family.

June 5: Love: Extending Love to All. 

The sessions will not be recorded. You do not have to attend all three sessions. 

Register for these Youth Events

Register for Youth Assembly

June 9-11, 2023 at

Roanoke College

for 7-12 graders

Register for Kairos

June 25-30, 2023 at Roanoke College

for 9-12th graders

Register for Launch

July 9-13, 2023 at

Roanoke College

for youth who just graduated from high school.

At the Water’s Edge is a week-long servant event for Youth who have just completed the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade, and their adult advisors. We spend the week together experiencing the Christian life through worship, fellowship, fun and service. And of course, being near the beach, we also spend some time at the water’s edge.

At the Water’s Edge is the perfect opportunity to grow together in faith and to deepen your relationships with other Lutheran youth from across the Virginia Synod. We will spend the week of July 23-28 serving at various local agencies, learning about issues such as domestic hunger, homelessness, and immigration, as well as experiencing some of the unique opportunities for fun and recreation that the Beach has to offer. The all-inclusive cost for the week is only $110.00 per youth participant (includes meals, tools and supplies, any evening activities, and a T-shirt). Adult leaders are FREE. In terms of a summer youth mission trip, you won’t find a better deal than this!

Join Us This Summer!

Weave Us Together - Virginia Synodical Women's Organization

The annual convention will be held on July 21-22 at Roanoke College. The convention scripture is 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, and the convention hymn is "Weave" by Rosemary Crow. It was used at the convening convention of the Women of the ELCA in 1987.

Brandon Oaks 30th Anniversary Celebration and Open House

Join in on May 16 from 4-6 pm to celebrate Brandon Oaks' three decades of success with champagne, food, music, campus tours and more because we couldn't have done it without you. Brandon Oaks is part of Virginia Lutheran Homes and is located in Roanoke.

Roanoke College Introduces

New Brand and Logo

“We know our story resonates with all kinds of people and holds true to who we’ve been, who we are and who we are becoming,” Roanoke President Frank Shushok Jr. said. “The sum of experiences, interactions and communications at Roanoke shapes how students engage, how alumni remember and participate, and how faculty and staff deliver on our promise and vision. There is so much to be proud of at Roanoke!” 

A new shield logo, the most visible representation of the new branding, is inspired by key elements of the school’s values, history and goals: The dogwood flower represents the Commonwealth of Virginia, the College’s Lutheran heritage, and our tree-filled campus, including its designation as a 2019 Tree Campus USA. The school mascot, the maroon-tailed hawk, occupies the lower left quadrant as a symbol of natural beauty and campus spirit. This is balanced by the founding year and, in the lower right quadrant, a detail of the Administration Building that represents the school’s architecture and rich history.   

"Yours, Roanoke” is the message at the heart of the new communications. The approach is designed to share Roanoke’s story and convey what makes the College unique for every Maroon.