Celebrating "God's work. Our hands."



Congregations and ministry partners are putting faith into action through acts of service and love for their neighbors as a part of "God's Work. Our Hands" events during the month of September. Join the Virginia Synod, as we celebrate these ministries and the many ways God’s love is shared in our communities. Follow along on social media this week to see how God is at work through our hands!

Tomorrow, October 14 at 4pm

Pasta with a Purpose Impact Celebration

When grocery and gas bills stretch a family’s budget, a local food pantry can help make ends meet. This summer, Virginia Synod congregations came together through Pasta with a Purpose and donated 16,169.45 pounds of food to local pantries—the equivalent of approximately 13,475 meals. Every congregation that took part helped make that possible.

Now, let’s build on what we accomplished together. Bishop Phyllis Milton and the Virginia Synod Hunger Task Force invite you to a virtual gathering on Wednesday, October 14, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. We’ll celebrate the campaign’s impact, announce the three top donating congregations who are receiving the $250 grants, and share practical ways your congregation can care for neighbors facing hunger during the upcoming holiday season and throughout the year.

Register here!

Please join us and share this invitation with anyone in your congregation involved in community outreach ministries.

P.S. We hope every congregation will designate a hunger liaison to receive and share ideas and resources. Liaisons are welcome at our monthly virtual calls on the second Thursday, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Contact Betsy Liljeberg at b4liljeberg@gmail.com to learn more.

Celebrating Reformation Sunday across the Virginia Synod

On Sunday, Oct 25, congregations across the Virginia synod will celebrate Reformation Sunday, remembering the beginnings of the Reformation and giving thanks for how God continues to renew the church and call us to live out our faith.

Virginia synod congregations are invited to share stories or photos from your Reformation Sunday worship services or activities. Selected photos may be featured in synod communications, including social media, newsletters, and publications.

Photos can be submitted through this form, by emailing them to hess@vasynod.org or by tagging @virginiasynod or @Virginia Synod - ELCA in your social media posts so we receive a notification and can share your photos with the synod. Please submit your stories and photos by Tuesday, November 3.

Registration closes October 14 for the Planned Giving Workshop

Register for an upcoming EPIC Online Workshop

The Virginia Synod’s EPIC workshop series offers monthly Zoom workshops designed to support the ministry of local congregations. Each workshop runs from 7 PM to 8:15 PM and is free.

Upcoming workshops:

• October 19 at 7 PM: Planned Giving - Led by Pastor Paul Walters, GSB (Registration closes October 14)
• November 16 at 7 PM: Treasurer's Workshop - End of Year Preparations - Led by John Krallman and Pastor John Wertz, Jr. (Registration closes November 11)

Use the links above to register for each workshop. Please note that each workshop requires you to complete a separate registration to receive the correct Zoom link.

Facebook's New Link Limits:

Congregations and ministries that rely on Facebook to share events, news, and website content may soon notice a significant change. Meta is rolling out a limit on how many external links Facebook Pages can share each month. In this helpful article, communications strategist Steve Fogg explains what the new link limits mean for churches and offers five practical ways to adapt your Facebook strategy while continuing to connect with your congregation and community. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Sarah Hess at hess@vasynod.org.

Advent Resources:

With Advent just around the corner, now is the time to explore resources you can use at home or in your congregation. Explore a list of resources below.

Register for Lost & Found

Registration is now open for Lost & Found, our annual middle school faith formation event for 7th & 8th graders at Eagle Eyrie.

This year, Lost & Found will be November 20-22. We are so excited to welcome a new group of youth into this event and to continue the legacy of discovering where God is finding us in our journeys.

If you and any of your youth are planning to attend, please fill out the 2026 Lost & Found Online Registration Form below, as well as the 2026 Lost and Found Permissions and Medical Form. If you have any questions, please contact Tina Toburen, toburen@vasynod.org.

New this year! We’re excited to offer a new online registration process for synod youth and young adult events. Please read these instructions to walk you through the new online registration process. Please note that registration closes on November 4, 2026.

Celebrate 50 Years of Ordination for the Rev. Dr. Jean Bozeman

Join us in celebrating the Rev. Dr. Jean Bozeman as she marks an incredible milestone, 50 years of ordained ministry! Jean was the first woman ordained in the Virginia Synod, marking a historic moment in the life of our synod and paving the way for generations of women called to serve in ordained ministry. We give thanks for Jean’s faithful service and the many ways her ministry has touched the lives of individuals, congregations, and communities over the years.

A special reception honoring Jean will be held on Sunday, November 15 at First Lutheran Church in Norfolk, and we invite you to help celebrate this milestone by sharing your congratulations and memories.

As part of the celebration, First, Norfolk is organizing a card shower for Jean. Congregations, colleagues, friends, and anyone whose life or ministry has been touched by Jean are invited to send cards, notes of appreciation, favorite memories, or words of encouragement to present to her at the celebration.

Please mail cards to:

First Lutheran Church

℅ Jean Bozeman Card Shower

1301 Colley Ave

Norfolk, VA 23517

Please ensure that all cards are postmarked by October 31.

Thank you for joining us in celebrating Jean, giving thanks for her 50 years of ordained ministry, and honoring the many ways she has shared her gifts in service to the church and God’s people. Questions? Please contact Pastor Cathy Mims (cmims@flcnorfolk.com or 757.625.1953).

Applications Open for YAGM

Young adults are invited to apply for a year of international accompaniment in one of Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program countries. Walk alongside our global companions and share in the ministries of partner churches and organizations. Applicants must be U.S. citizens ages 21-35. Learn more and apply.

Not a young adult? No problem! You can support a 2026-27 YAGM volunteer who is getting ready to start their year of service. Visit their fundraising page to read their stories, see where they’re headed and make a financial contribution.

Spiritual First Aid for Intergenerational Trauma

Tonight, October 13 from 7-9 PM

Spiritual First Aid is a practical, peer to peer framework for providing spiritual and emotional care from mild stress to mass trauma. In this two-hour session, participants will learn the core Spiritual First Aid approach of Triage, Care, and Refer while exploring how the effects of trauma can sometimes extend across generations. Using intergenerational trauma examples throughout the session, participants will learn to recognize whole person Primary Needs, offer compassionate and practical support, strengthen coping, connection, meaning, and hope, and help people take a next step toward additional care when needed. The session is designed for faith community nurses, clergy, chaplains, deacons, and lay ministry leaders and emphasizes how trusted helpers can provide trauma informed care without assuming the role of a mental health professional.

Enrollment Open for Lutheran Summer Music 2027

Youth musicians in grades 8-12 are invited to Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) 2027 at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN! LSM is the nation’s premier faith-based music academy for high school students. Churches from around the country send students to LSM for an unforgettable summer of musical growth and connections in faith and community. Students work with nationally recognized faculty and gather daily to share musical gifts in worship. Academy offerings include large ensembles (band, choir, orchestra), chamber music, private lessons, and electives like handbells, intro to the pipe organ, jazz, musical theatre, composition, conducting, church music, and more. Churches are encouraged to nominate students, and students can apply now through December 1 for a Priority Enrollment $100 discount.

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