June is PRIDE Month, a time to celebrate the gifts, leadership, and belovedness of our LGBTQIA+ siblings throughout the church and the world.



Let us pray...

God of Abundant Love, you create all people in your image with minds, hearts, and bodies that show your expansive love. Bless and sustain all LGBQTIA+ Virginia Lutherans this Pride Month. Bring them joy, strength, and hope. Meet them wherever they are and bring them into supportive community. Amen.

Throughout June, the Virginia Synod will be sharing resources and opportunities to celebrate and support LGBTQIA+ inclusion and affirmation on the Virginia Synod’s social media pages. This week, we are highlighting PRIDE gatherings and celebrations connected with Reconciling in Christ ministries and inclusive congregations across the synod.

View the list of PRIDE events around the Virginia Synod below. If your congregation or community is participating in a PRIDE event, we encourage you to share your stories and photos throughout the month.

Pastor Colleen Hetrick is also available for preaching at Pride services or other Sundays or events where you are looking for LGBTQIA+ leadership and voices. Email Pastor Colleen at hetrick@vasynod.org.

Kairos, our legendary summertime week-long faith-sharing event for youth who will be in 9th-12th grades in the fall is ready for participants to sign up! This year's event will run June 21-26 (Sunday evening through Friday noon) on the campus of Roanoke College as always!

For complete information and links to registration, go to https://vasynod.org/event/kairos/ and contact Dave Delaney with any questions.

Launch is an event for youth who have just graduated from high school. This year's event will be on July 12-16 on the campus of Roanoke College. Its purpose is to give you a chance to take stock of where your faith life has led you so far and also to provide an opportunity to engage in discussion on matters of faith and life that are likely to face you as you move on to the next stage of your life, whether it be the workforce, military or other public service, college, or something else.

At The Water's Edge is our annual event for youth who have completed grades 6-8, and their adult advisors. It is held every year at a church in Tidewater and allows participants to engage in a week of service and reflection while building community with one another.

This year's event will be held at St. Michael in Virginia Beach on July 26-30. Use the form below to register your congregation and let the planning team know your congregation will be attending by June 22.

This year at Power in the Spirit 2026, we’ll gather at Roanoke College, July 16–18, for worship, learning, community, and a special celebration of 40 years of ministry together!

Take a look back at Power in the Spirit through the decades in the pictures below from the early years in the 1980s to today!

We’ll also honor the retirement of the Rev. Dr. Dave Delaney and recognize our new commissioned lay ministers as we celebrate all that God continues to do through this ministry.

Hungry for the Word: Resources for Journeying Together through the Sundays after Pentecost

In a world that is yearning for hope and hungry for God’s word, invite your congregation to journey with you through the Sundays after Pentecost using the following resources to help you and your congregation dive deeper into the revised common lectionary texts between Sunday, May 31st and Reformation Sunday, October 25th.

The lectionary resources are broken down into four series built around a theme. 

In addition to the lectionary series, there are four additional series focused on creation, Solomon, Elijah, and Joseph, which are inspired by texts and themes that appear in this summer’s lectionary readings.

You can access the file with all the resources at: Hungry for the Word: Journeying Together through the Sundays after Pentecost.

These resources were developed by the Virginia Synod in partnership with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod. If you have any questions or have suggestions for improving the resources, please reach out to Pastor John Wertz, Jr. at: wertz@vasynod.org.

During the summer months, children often miss out on nutritious meals when school cafeterias are closed. Local food pantries often face higher demand while donations slow down. Pasta with a Purpose is an invitation to Virginia Synod congregations to respond to this need.

Please bring pasta-related food items to your congregation anytime this summer. The congregation should weigh or count the collection before delivering it to a local pantry and share the total contribution (in pounds) so everyone can see how your congregation's gifts, along with those of other ELCA churches across Virginia, add up to something powerful. The Virginia Synod will celebrate the three highest donors (pounds donated per church average worship attender) with a $250 grant to their local food pantries!

Mark your calendar for Sunday, Sept. 13, when congregations of the ELCA will join together for our annual day of service, “God’s work. Our hands.” Participating in service projects is one way to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

We are a church that is energized by lively engagement in faith and life. As we continue our tradition of service, we remember the words of Martin Luther, “Our faith is a living, busy, active, mighty thing.” With our hands, we do God’s work of restoring and reconciling communities in Jesus Christ’s name.

As you explore opportunities to participate in your community, explore these resources to plan and promote your day.

If your congregation cannot participate on Sept. 13, you are encouraged to pick another date that fits your schedule. ELCA congregations participate in acts of service every day. This day of service is an extension of the work you already do to make your community a better place.

Be sure to save the date and check ELCA.org/DayOfService for updated resources soon. Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Join us on Sept. 13!

Get Ready for LSM 2026!

Lutheran Summer Music returns to St. Olaf College for its 2026 season, June 21–July 19, featuring more than 40 free concerts, recitals, worship services, and special events free and open to the public.

Highlights include the inaugural LSM Choral Gathering, guest performance by Cantus, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, the Bach Cantata Eucharist, and Festival Week concerts featuring LSM’s Festival Band, Choir, and Orchestra. Most events will also be available online via Live from LSM.

View the season brochure, explore events, and reserve free tickets at LSMacademy.org/2026season

Summer Camp at Caroline Furnace

This summer, campers will grow in faith through Bible study, worship, outdoor adventure, and meaningful community as they explore the theme "Wear Love". From hiking trails and campfires to lifelong friendships and faithful conversations, camp is a place for young people to grow in their relationship with Jesus and one another. Learn more about camp programs for all ages. Register for summer camp at Caroline Furnace today!