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To view Bishop Eaton's Easter message,
click here.
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After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb. So begins the Easter story in the Gospel according to Ma hew. The women had lived through the pain of Friday and the emptiness of Saturday and were expecting death. All of their hope had come to a dead end.
So begins the Easter story in the Gospel according to Matthew.
The women had lived through the pain of Friday and the emptiness of Saturday and were expecting death. All of their hope had come to a dead end.
And just then, as the first day of the week was dawning, hope was restored. The angel said, “Do not be afraid; I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here: for he has been raised, as he said.”
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Instead of death – life. Instead of the end – the beginning.
On Easter, we will have glorious celebrations in our congregations and worshiping communities. There will be rejoicing and music and flowers and alleluias. And that’s a good thing.
But when the flowers fade and the pressures of life seem so heavy, when the brokenness of this world breaks our spirits, when we have come to a dead end … rejoice. Because it is exactly there where the risen Christ meets us. It is precisely there where we are given resurrection life. It is at that point that we say, Christ is risen.
Christ
is risen
indeed. Hallelujah.
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Do You have an announcement, upcoming event or news story idea? Send it to Emily Pilat at [email protected] and make sure to follow our
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ForwardingFaith Campaign Update!
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Share the good news! We have reached over
$2 million
in total gifts and pledges for the ForwardingFaith Campaign!
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For more information on the ForwardingFaith campaign,
click here
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Synod Assembly 2017: Ambassadors for Christ: Forwarding Faith
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Synod Assembly is here!
June 9-11
will be our time to get together as the Virginia Synod to fellowship, learn about the wider church, do business, and learn more about worship.
Presiding over the Bishop's election and our ELCA representative
this year will be the
Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla
, Executive Director‐ELCA Division of Global Missions.
For more information and to register for Synod Assembly,
click here
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A Gathering of the Ministerium: A Day of Anniversary Celebrations
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Rostered Ministers and spouses, come join us on April 29th for a day of remembrance and reflection as we commemorate three momentous events in the life of the Church, Synod, and Community at Hebron Lutheran Church, in Madison Virginia.
For more information and to register for the event,
click here
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Forming Faith 2017 Roots and Wings Workshop
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What happens when we consider how faith affects our brains, not just our hearts? In this daylong events, be prepared to look at faith formation and ministry with children and youth using an “Inside Out” point of view. Workshops will balance findings from neuroscience with practical applications for parenting and leading ministry.
Saturday, May 6, 2017 9:00 AM-3:00 PM at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
For more information, and to register for this event,
click here
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Virginia Synod Kairos 2017
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Kairos
is our annual week-long faith formation event for youth who will be in 9th-12th grades in the coming fall. It is a chance for youth who are already committed to a life of faith to be part of a unique Christian community for an entire week, to have a fresh experience of the grace and presence of God in that community, and to develop habits for discipleship that can be taken home as they live out their call to be “Ambassadors for Christ.” Kairos is different from our weekend events in that congregations do not send advisors with youth; the event staff serves as small group leaders and dorm advisors for the week. “Kairos” is the New Testament Greek word for “special time.” It is used whenever God’s people want to talk about a time of change, of renewal, of God’s special work in the believer and the community.
For more information and to register for Kairos, click here
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Roanoke College's Theology for Teens
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Our second annual summer camp introducing teens to biblical and theological scholarship, exploring contemporary challenges & how their faith tradition can meet those challenges. Starting Sunday July 16, 2016 through Sunday July 22, 2017 we will focus on the life & thought of Dietrich Bonhoeffer—a church leader who met the challenges before him—we will explore today’s social issues & encounter other faiths by engaging the students with leaders from those various communities. Come and discover a sense of mission, be equipped with theological tools to enable you to meet the challenges facing the church today.
For more information and to register for T4T, click here
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Virginia Synod LAUNCH 2017
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LAUNCH
is an event for youth who have just graduated from high school. Its purpose is to give them a chance to take stock of where their faith life has led them so far and also to provide an opportunity to engage in discussion on matters of faith and life that are likely to face them as they move on to the next stage of their lives, whether it be the workforce, military or other public service, college, or something else. If participants are veterans of our Virginia Synod ELCA Youth Events (Lost and Found, Winter Celebration, Kairos, etc.), they will find that this event is structured differently. We will spend our three full days together in a rhythm of worship, informal presentations to the whole group, small group discussions, and individual reflections that engage the mind as well as the spirit. Of course, there will be time for fellowship and relaxation and enjoyable meal times together.
For more information and to register for LAUNCH, click here
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Power in the Spirit 2017: "On Our Way Reforming!"
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Hosted at beautiful Roanoke College in Salem Virginia, Power in the Spirit is an inspirational conference for everyone who wishes to explore God’s call to service through joyous worship, Bible study, keynote addresses, workshops, and fellowship. In addition, congregational leaders—teachers, organists and choir directors, choir members,committee or council members, family life consultant, pastors, and others—will find Power in the Spirit nurturing and challenging as they consider their mission and ministry.
The Reformation didn’t “fix” the Church. In fact, you might say it’s just one example of how we’re always “recalculating” our way forward as individuals and as a Church. In that spirit, this year’s theme for Power in the Spirit 2017 is:
On Our Way Reforming!
For more information and to register for Power in the Spirit, click here.
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Virginia Lutheran Men in Mission Gathering
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Ambassadors for Christ "Luther's Small Catechism in a Time of Big Change"
Celebrating 500 years since the time of the Reformation and using Luther’s Small Catechism as our guide, we will Explore, Study and Discuss the basics of our Christian Faith.
Saturday, April 22 – Sunday afternoon, April 23, 2017 at Roslyn Episcopal Conference and Retreat Center 8727 River Road – Richmond, Virginia 23229
For more information, and to register for this event,
click here
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FREED-UP FINANCIAL LIVING
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Are you ready to work on your financial goals? Are you ready to learn how to deal with money in a refreshing, biblical way?
Then consider FREED-UP FINANCIAL LIVING, a 6-session study designed to:
- Prioritize your financial goals
- Develop a personalized spending plan
- Identify action steps to reduce your expenses
- Pay down your debt
Stewardship Matters of Virginia is offering this class at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1904 Mount Vernon Avenue, Waynesboro, beginning on Tuesday, April 18. The cost is $44.00 for a couple sharing a workbook or $34.00 for an individual. The class will be 7 – 8:30 p.m. and is open to everyone.
For more information and registration, go to www.StewardshipMattersVa.org or call Rev. David Rash, 540-335-5175.
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There's still time to register for Generosity NOW: an ecumenical conference on Stewardship that will be held in Washington, DC
April 25-27
. Scholarships to cover the registration fee of $299 are available from the ELCA. For more information, please contact Keith Mundy:
[email protected]
. See the full details of the conference at
stewardshipresources.org/generosity-now
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Caroline Furnace: Celebrating 60 Years of Ministry
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We want to celebrate 60 years of fun, fellowship, and faith with you! Come for the whole weekend or come celebrate for part of the time, but do come!
Traditionally, the 60th Anniversary is a “diamond anniversary,” but for camp, it’s our SLAG Anniversary. Join us Saturday, May 27th - Monday, May 29th for yummy food, good fun, and memorable fellowship.
Come celebrate our Slag Anniversary!
Registration closes May 16th
or when space is full. Space is limited. Sign up to reserve your spot today.
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Caroline Furnace: Have you registered for summer camp?
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It's our 60th Anniversary and we're celebrating with a summer of old favorites and new programs. Our traditional summer residential programs are designed for rising 1st-12th graders. Family camp is perfect for families with younger kids who want to try out camp together.
To register for summer camp at Caroline Furnace,
click here
For information on the 2017 summer schedule and pricing,
click here
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The National Association of Lutheran Interim Pastors (NALIP): "Go And Be Reconciled"
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The National Association of Lutheran Interim Pastors (NALIP) will hold its annual continuing education conference June 22-24 at the Maritime Conference center in Linthcum Heights, MD.
Presenter for the conference will be Ted Kober of Ambassadors of Reconciliation. The topic is "Go and Be Reconciled". Join us as we use the outline of Luther's Small Catechism and reflect on the Biblical concept of reconciliation and apply the study to ourselves and our congregations. For more information on the conference and hotel and to register for the conference check the NALIP website www.nalip.net
If you have questions about the conference please email [email protected] or call Ken Ruppar at (804) 564-5389.
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Church Organist/Choirmaster Wanted
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Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hampton, VA is seeking an experienced organist to lead music at two Sunday morning services, play for weddings and funerals, and direct an adult and a youth choir. This position requires approximately 25 hours per week.
Apply during April 2017 via www.gloriadeilutheranchurch.net/music.html
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Two Immediate Prison Chaplaincy Vacancies
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GraceInside (Virginia’s Prison Chaplain Service) has two immediate prison chaplaincy vacancies. Both are part-time positions (87 hours per month or approximately 20 hours per week). One vacancy is at Keen Mountain Correctional Center in Buchanan County, VA. The other is at Bland Correctional Center in Bland County, VA. Qualified candidates (1) must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university; (2) must have a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or equivalent degree from an accredited seminary; (3) must be ordained by and in good standing with their denomination or church; (4) where applicable, should be endorsed as a chaplain by their denomination’s endorsing body; (5) CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) units a plus (though not mandatory); (6) church ministry experience helpful; (7) experience working or ministering in a jail or prison setting a major plus; (8) must be willing to promote the ministry of GraceInside to nearby churches, ministries and civic groups.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and application to GraceInside: 2828 Emerywood Parkway; Richmond, VA 23294. Applications may be requested from Lee Hargrave at
[email protected] or at (804) 358-7650.
All application packets should be received by the office of GraceInside by Monday, April 17th.
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Part-time Director of Worship and Music
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Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Virginia Beach seeks a part-time Director of Worship and Music beginning in May. 25 hours per week. Salary depending on previous experience. See the PD and application instructions at ELVB.ORG under the “Jobs” tab.
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Stay Connected with the Virginia Synod:
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