Help Virginians Dealing with COVID-19
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) is asking for volunteers to sew face masks in an effort to aid frontline workers in need of supplies. Workers on the front lines need face masks. Homemade masks aren't suitable for protecting healthcare workers, but EMT’s can give them to patients they assist. Also bus drivers, farmworkers, and countless others need masks.

Set a goal (e.g. we can do 200 masks) and start sewing. Please let VICPP know how many you think you can make and we’ll send you information next week about where to send the masks.

Here’s a link to a face mask pattern that was in the New York Times ( link to PDF of the article). Please email Kim Bobo the Executive Director of VICPP at [email protected] and share how many masks you think you can make.

Another way to give back is to offer supplies. Does your congregation have a stockpile of hand sanitizer, hand soap or wipes? If so, please consider donating them to your local fire station or EMT.

Many of us have asked how we can be of help during this challenging time. Here's a project you can get started on immediately. Thank you for your generosity and activism.
Church in a Time of Crisis
People all around the world have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which now has over 1 million recorded cases globally. It has impacted our daily lives and how we go about our days. Schools, businesses, restaurants, and even churches are having to change how they operate in order to avoid crowds of people. The ELCA’s global companion churches are among those taking steps to raise awareness about the pandemic and adopting new practices in order to continue their missions while staying safe and practicing physical distancing. This just goes to show that it will take global unity to slow the spread of the virus. We must come together, although not physically, and each do our part to protect ourselves and those around us.

Lutheran Disaster Response has collected stories from around the globe to show how the ELCA’s companions and partners are handling the COVID-19 pandemic. To view the presentation click here. Use your mouse to explore the world, rather than the arrow buttons at the bottom of the presentation.
An Uplifting Story During These Challenging Times
Lutheran Family Services of Virginia (LFSVA) has shared with us an uplifting story of an adoption party that happened before COVID-19 that's well worth celebrating! After transitioning through 10 foster homes over the past seven years,
J.D. has found his forever home with the Moores Family. Click below to read the full article, or view the video. 
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
Announcements
Synod Assembly 2020 Canceled
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Virginia Synod Council voted on Wednesday April 1, 2020 to cancel our 2020 Synod Assembly, scheduled for June 12-13, 2020.

If you have already registered for the Assembly, information on refunds will be forthcoming.
Online Worship Opportunities
Are you and your congregation planning on sharing online liturgy or worship opportunities? Please share information them with Emily Pilat at  [email protected] . We're working to share as many of these opportunities for digital worship as we can on our website at www.vasynod.org/online-worship and on our social media accounts, and promote them each Sunday.
Virginia Synodical Women's Organization 2020 Convention Canceled
It is with a sad heart that we must inform you that the Virginia Synodical Women's Organization's 2020 Convention has been cancelled. This decision was arrived at with much discussion and prayerful consideration. We have not determined a date at this time for the 2021 convention. That will be decided later in the year. We will keep you informed through email and on our website, www.vswo.weebly.com. Please share this information with women in your congregation as best you can. Please feel free to contact any member of the VSWO board with your questions or concerns.
Caroline Furnace Update Here:
We remain hopeful that Summer Camp 2020 will be unaffected by COVID-19 and are continuing as planned with staff interviews and camper registrations. Any decisions on Summer Camp operations will be made in May once we have more information. There is a lot we still don't know, but we do know that we will need to continue monitoring the situation closely and adjusting operations as necessary.  View the Summer Camp digital catalog here .  

We are still booking summer and fall retreats. We recognize that our communities will be especially in need of time together on retreat as soon as it is safe to do so. NEW for 2020: The Farmhouse is available for weekend rental during Summer Camp. Groups are expected to arrive after 3pm on Friday and depart by 11am on Sunday.  Find rental availability here . 

Registration is open for Caroline Furnace programmed retreats through February 2021. This includes Adventure Weekends, Pre-Advent Retreat, Wild Women Retreat, and BeerReformation.  View the Year at a Glance here.

Caroline Furnace remains closed to overnight groups. Individuals and single-household groups are welcome to come spend time outdoors at our main property from 9 to 5 each day. Be sure to read the details on our COVID-19 Updates page before you come.

We will share additional updates on our website at  www.carolinefurnace.org/covid19 . We appreciate your continued support of your outdoor ministry, even and especially during this time of uncertainty. We hope to see you again soon!
Job Opportunities
Job Opportunities can now be found on the Virginia Synod website at vasynod.org/job-opportunities If you have a position opening you would like posted, please email Emily Pilat at  [email protected].