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

Lutheran Disaster Response’s affiliate is actively present, collaborating with community leaders and officials to initiate the proper responses, particularly the long-term recovery efforts. Together, we have a strong history of working with disasters in the Gulf Coast area. Recovery efforts are expected to take years, and Lutheran Disaster Response will be there to accompany those affected through every phase of this disaster.

We invite you to stand by our neighbors on the Gulf Coast during this time. Your gifts ensure that our church will be able to provide help and hope for those left homeless or otherwise affected by this disaster for years to come.

Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response, designated for "Hurricane Response – United States" will be used entirely (100 percent) for this disaster until the response is complete. Together, we can help provide immediate and long-lasting support. Give today to support the needs in this response and others like it.

For more information, and resources to support those impacted by Hurricane Harvey, 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

When events occur in our nation and world that shake our humanity and disrupt the rhythm of life, worship is the place we come to bring our lament and to encounter the Triune God who speaks life into death and destruction. It is a time when in our worship, things need to be spoken in a particular and specific way.

TAPESTRY, the Synod’s Team focusing on diversity, justice, and inclusion, is asking for volunteers who have gifts in creating worship resources: special prayers, litanies, and orders of worship that speak into these events. TAPESTRY is looking to form a team of writers and worship resource creators – both rostered and laypersons – who would like to serve as regular contributors in service to the Synod’s ministry and its congregations.

If you would like to volunteer for this opportunity or for more information, please contact Rev. Aaron Fuller at [email protected].

The draft of a social message on human rights is now available for viewing and response on the ELCA website,  ELCA.org/Faith/Faith-and-Society/Social-Messages. Reviewing the draft gives you a chance to weigh in on the development of this important document. After reading the message, there are two ways to respond: Fill out the online response form found on the same webpage, or email comments to  [email protected]. Both will be shared with the staff and consulting group that are preparing this message. The comment period closes Aug. 31.

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. 

Reflect, Engage and Grow: Preparing pastors by developing new skills in pastoral care. 

National Lutheran Communities & Services, as a satellite of The Eastern Mennonite Seminary Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program, develops pastors and chaplains who are reflective practitioners, able to draw upon the best in their theological traditions and the behavioral sciences for ministry that is increasingly faithful and fruitful.

The Village at Orchard Ridge is now accepting applications for the fall session of the CPE Program.

If you are interested in testing a call to be a chaplain in health care, a retirement community, or other care facility, or simply wish to develop new skills as a pastor, consider applying to the program. To apply, download and complete the application below and return to Chaplain William Boldin via  email.

Download the  Clinical Pastoral Education Application & Instructions

Learn more by viewing the  2017 Clinical Pastoral Education Digital Brochure

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