The Rev. Robert F. Humphrey  will be installed as bishop of the Virginia Synod - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on Saturday, September 9, at 1 PM at  First Presbyterian Church , Waynesboro.  Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton  of the ELCA will preside over the installation. The doors at First Presbyterian Church will open at 12:00 PM. A reception following the service will be held from 3 to 5 PM at  Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church , Waynesboro.

The Virginia Synod has identified parking and established bus service for your convenience. This bus service will operate from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM and at the conclusion of the worship service from approximately 2:45 PM to 5:00 PM. Bus service will be available to transport people to and from First Presbyterian Church, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Waynesboro High School parking lot.  To view a complete map showing the bus routes and stops, click here . 

The offering taken at the installation service will be equally shared between the Virginia Feeds Kids Campaign and the ELCA Disaster Response. Offerings made by check should be made out to “Virginia Synod, ELCA”.

For more information on the Bishop's Installation, click here

Now that the devastating impact of Hurricane Harvey is coming fully into focus, we see that the need will be great and recovery will take many years.

Your gifts   to Lutheran Disaster Response designated for “Hurricane Response – United States” at this time will be used in full (100 percent) in responding to Hurricane Harvey until the response is complete.  You have an opportunity to make sure our neighbors in Texas and Louisiana are not forgotten.

The work of Lutheran Disaster Response is comprehensive and extensive. From when the news breaks to years after the headlines fade, from hurricanes in the United States to flooding in South Asia, we’re there – walking alongside disaster survivors and helping them recover and rebuild for as many years as it takes. LDR also invites you to be part of our multiple responses to disasters in the U.S. and around the world by making a gift to   Lutheran Disaster Response   where it's needed most.

If you’ve already given, thank you so much. Please continue to pray and stay connected through our   Facebook   page. You may also use this   bulletin insert   in your congregation to help spread the word.

Thrivent is matching gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response.  If you’re a member , visit  Thrivent.com  and follow the instructions for personal donations.

The Virginia Synod Week of Service coincides with  “God’s Work, Our Hands”  Sunday, the ELCA Day of Service on September 10.

We have extended the opportunity to serve to accommodate varying schedules. Last year churches across the entire state of Virginia participated in the Week of Service.

All congregations are invited to reach out into their neighborhoods to become God’s hands and feet, to serve those in need and to share God’s compassion with the world. The Week of Service is an opportunity for everyone to intentionally invest time in service projects outside the walls of the church. Pick a project and prepare to serve others in the name of God’s love.

Remember to Tell Your Story!

Take pictures! You can show them to the members of your congregation who couldn’t participate. Don’t forget to send an email to  [email protected]  with your photos and details about your project so that we can celebrate together as a Synod. Use  #VASynodServes  on social media so that you can connect with others in our Synod who are participating in the Week of Service.

For more information on the Week of Service click here

Does your congregation want to take part in the ForwardingFaith Campaign? Is your stewardship team looking for a training event, but doesn't know where to go? As part of the Forwarding Faith Campaign, we are offering 2-hour training sessions throughout the Virginia Synod to teach your stewardship team how to conduct a special gift appeal.

A part of this training provides materials and information on how to conduct the Forwarding Faith campaign in your congregation, but you can use everything you learn during the training session to conduct an appeal for a new air conditioning unit, parking lot paving, roof, outreach opportunity, or whatever your ministry needs to fund!

For more information and to RSVP, click here

Gathering of the Ministerium is where our rostered leaders can gather to meet, reconnect, worship, relax, learn, sing, pray and play together.

We are a church of great history as well as a church called in hopefulness into a blessed future. Join us as we gather from across the synod to discover how we live out this reality together.

This year's Gathering of the Ministerium will be held on October 9-11, at 

Registration deadline for Gathering of the Ministerium is August 31st 2017

Our presenter for this year is  Dr. Michael DeJonge an Associate Professor in Religious Studies at the University of South Florida (Tampa). Dr. DeJonge will present Bonhoeffer’s interaction with Luther and the tradition, especially in his reflections about ethical and political issues, such as peace and state of authority.

For more information and to register, click here

For Bonhoeffer, Christ is the definition of reality. Discipleship, then, is a call to become enveloped by that reality; therefore, the Christian's call is not to turn one's back on the world (enter the cloister) but to be God's presence in the world. In other words, our life in the world, which is lived out in the midst of families, friendships, work, and communities, is meant to display the presence and transformative work of God in the world. Because Bonhoeffer's faith led him to take the world seriously in all of its manifestations, Christian vocation is one that willingly stands up for one's neighbor and gets its hands dirty. Join other ACTS participants as together we explore and learn more about our Christian’s Call through this course.

This year's Fall ACTS course will be held on October 7th and November 4th. 

For more information and to register for the Fall ACTS course, click here

Come to Camp Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center for a retreat which is specifically designed to support and equip both full-time and part-time professional and volunteer Children, Youth and Family Ministry staff. In addition to an educational component there will be ample time for networking and resource sharing, as well as relaxation, conversation and worship.

This year's Renew and Retreat will be held on Tuesday October 3rd, 4:30 PM – Thursday October 5th, 10:00 AM

For more information and to register for Renew and Retreat, click here

On Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 8 p.m. EDT, PBS gives the Reformation television exposure when it airs “Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World.” This one-time, nationwide showing is a great reason for congregations and communities to gather together and explore Luther’s lasting impact on Christianity. The film is also available for private showings for those unable to watch that evening. Check your local PBS listings for specific air times. Learn more about the film at  NewLutherMovie.com/ELCA. 

You are invited to the Crumley Archives' 500th Anniversary Reformation Celebration on September 29 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in Lineberger Library at LR-LTSS. 

The evening will include a lecture by Dr. Russell Kleckley entitled, "From Salzburg to Ebenezer: The Georgia Salzburgers at the Crossroads of Faith and Freedom" and a reception to celebrate the Archives. 

RSVP for the reception  and register for your  tickets to the lecture   with the Academy of Faith and Leadership by September 13.

To view the Fall 2017 edition of the Crumley Archives' "Archival Survey", click here

All are welcomed to register and attend “Looking Back & Called Forward: ELCA500” the ELCA’s Reformation anniversary commemoration event on October 31in Washington, D.C. As a member of a surrounding area synod and congregation, you are invited to join us for this once-in-a-lifetime event.

 

The day’s event will include speakers and a service, held at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation on Capitol Hill. ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will co-host and will be joined by co-hosts Indiana-Kentucky Synod Bishop Bill Gafkjen, ELCA Vice President Bill Horne and Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod Bishop Richard Graham.

 

Registration is free, however, you will be responsible for your own travel and accommodations. Lunch is included in your registration.  Click here to reserve your seat.

 

For those unable to attend in person, you may watch the event online at  elca.org/livestream.

The Director of Youth and Family Ministry works with the Pastor(s), staff, lay leaders and others to support the spiritual health of the congregation and specifically the youth, primarily middle and high school age. Provides a connection between the St. Mark family and the growing number of youth. The lead Pastor is the immediate supervisor of the Director of Youth and Family Ministry.

Core Duties:

Activities: The following outline of activities are guidelines that may have some ebb and flow based on Church and school calendars.

For more information and to review the full job listing,  click here

Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center, an outdoor ministry serving the Virginia, Metro DC, and West Virginia/Western Maryland Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American (ELCA), is currently seeking an Executive Director. The board of directors will be accepting applications through August 15, 2017.

Caroline Furnace is located on 257 acres in the Fort Valley area of Shenandoah County, VA. In addition to the main camp and retreat facility in Fort Valley, Caroline Furnace operates an adult-only retreat center in Strasburg, VA.

The camp operates year-round, with a summer camp program from June through August and retreat rentals by congregations, councils, schools, recreational/sports clubs, girl and boy scouts, and many other groups throughout the year.

It is the mission of Caroline Furnace “to provide unforgettable faith, education, and renewal experiences in God's creation for all God’s people.” A successful Executive Director will have a commitment to service and bring a strong understanding of Lutheran theology in the development of camp programming and retreat curricula.

The ideal candidate will successfully operate the existing camp programs, while

developing additional offerings that reach out to God’s people. The ability to network with Caroline Furnace’s local community and congregations within the three synods is important.

Salary and total compensation are commensurate with the Virginia Synod guidelines. A residence is provided for the use of the Executive Director.

Interested candidates should submit a resume or Rostered Leader Profile to [email protected]

For more information and to review the full job listing, click here

myPotential at Home—A National Lutheran Service has an exciting opening for a talented Registered Nurse with a home healthcare background to join our new home health operation, overseeing our growing footprint up the Shenandoah Valley into Staunton, Va. The Home Health Clinical Services Director will serve a key role in shaping the program and managing the care delivery and service experience of all clients in the comfort of their home. If you are looking for a fulfilling and stimulating leadership role that offers career growth, a flexible schedule, and excellent pay with generous benefits, apply today!

• $100K starting salary

• $5,000 sign-on bonus with additional bonus opportunities in year one

• Flexible day-shift position, weekends not required

• Continued learning encouraged with tuition reimbursement

• Willing to offer relocation assistance 

For more information and to review the full job listing, click here