News & Updates for the Virginia Synod |
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Getting to Know the Online Assembly |
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2021 Assembly Fact #4
May 12 is the Deadline for
Resolutions, Nominations,
and Registration without a Late Fee.
Resolutions: The VA Synod Constitution requires that resolutions be submitted no later than 30 days before the Assembly (Wednesday, May 12). A resolution is a request for an action to be taken by someone(s) in the Virginia Synod. Please use this Resolution Form.
Nominations: We’ll have elections for Synod Council, the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, and the VA Synod Committee on Discipline. Please use this Nomination Form. Nominations are due by Wednesday, May 12.
Registration: The standard registration rate will expire on May 12. Beginning on May 13, the registration will include a late registration fee. Register for the assembly here. Don't forget to complete the lay credential form here. If the registration or lay credential form is not received by June 2, the participant will not be able to serve as a voting member.
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Updated COVID-19 Guidance for Congregations |
Over the last few weeks, the Governor or Virginia and the CDC have updated guidance for in-person gatherings and mask requirements for fully vaccinated individuals. As leaders discern the next steps for their congregations, the Virginia Synod Office of the Bishop encourages everyone to remain steadfast in their resolve to love their neighbor and to create a culture of safety and care as you develop plans for in-person gatherings, including worship.
Download the latest guidance from the Office of the Bishop using the button below.
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Participants can join in on one, two, or all three conversations. Registration is free, but participants are responsible for getting the book(s) themselves.
Conversations will be on Zoom and will last an hour.
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June 21, 7 pm - "Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man." Lead by Maurice Gallimore, Director of Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DEI) at enCircle, and Phyllis Cox, Candidate for Word and Sacrament Ministry.
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July 19, 7 pm - "Grace and Gigabytes." Lead by Pastor John Wertz, Jr., Director for Evangelical Mission, Virginia Synod, and Pastor Colleen Montgomery, Director for Digital Ministries, Virginia Synod and All Places Together.
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August 16, 7 pm -"Growing Young." Lead by Pastor Dave Delaney, Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Virginia Synod, and Pastor John Wertz Jr., Director for Evangelical Mission, Virginia Synod.
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Looking for books and resources on evangelism? Check out the new elca.org/evangelism page on the ELCA website. The page was developed by a working group of leaders from around the church. |
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Email Outreach Pilot Program for Small Churches |
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Does your congregation’s council struggle with finding successful outreach and education strategies that work with limited leadership, few laborers to toil the fields, and iffy offerings? Small Church Toolbox is developing resources for small churches to develop digital ministries beginning with email. Please contact judy@smallchurchtoolbox.com if you’d like to be part of a no-cost pilot program designed to help small churches reach beyond their walls to changing neighborhood demographics. Spaces are limited as the pilot will work closely with a few participating churches.
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Meadows and Woodlands: Prayer Poems |
Bishop Emeritus Richard F. Bansemer wrote Meadows and Woodlands: Prayer Poems a book of poetry to encourage our enjoyment of the "solitude of nature and the marvel of God's creation." The poetry is accompanied throughout by the wonderfully reflective artwork of Mary Lou and Williams Hill.
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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, you have served your communities with compassion and creativity, even as physical distancing changed the way we worship and meet. With vaccinations becoming available to more of the population, we hold onto hope that we may be able to gather safely in physical spaces in the upcoming months, as public health recommendations allow. Open Doors is a new initiative to support ELCA congregations interested in meeting new people during this time of regathering in physical spaces. If you have a concrete, actionable idea for meeting new people during this critical time, your congregation is invited to apply for an Open Doors Grant.
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You can still join Our Journey to Emmaus. Each weekly email has a portion of the story, reflections for all ages, and movement activities for all types of bodies. You can sign up for weekly emails by registering below. You may participate with your congregation or ministry or on your own. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Kelly Bayer Derrick (bayerderrick@vasynod.org).
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Starting a New Chapter: Ministry in a Digital World
May 10 & 17 at 7 PM
How have attitudes and opinions about faith and life changed during the pandemic?
How do we use digital tools to strengthen overall ministry?
The Virginia Synod invites you into a series of conversations on Zoom designed to congregations start a new chapter of ministry in a digital world.
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May 10: Stumbling Blocks - Discovering More about the Patterns, Habits, and Opinions of Non-Churchgoers
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May 17: Modern Day Letters - Moving from Broadcast to Engagement
Registration is free and each of the conversations is planned for one hour. For more information, email Pastor Colleen Montgomery ( montgomery@vasynod.org) or Pastor John Wertz, Jr. ( wertz@vasynod.org).
Notes for Registration: You will be invited to make a donation for the Virginia Synod's New Ministry Starts. Donations are not required for participation. Tithe.ly Registration only allows for participants to include two names. You may use whichever two names you prefer.
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Gather together with the Virginia Synod Campus Ministries for online worship this Ascension Day, Thursday, May 13th. On this fortieth day of the Easter season, we celebrate Jesus’ ascension into heaven and the missions and ministries that are still happening “on the ground”. The service will be hosted at 7 pm by Peace and Hope on Altar Live.
Link: www.peacehopeva.org/ascensionday
Note: This link will redirect you to Altar Live. The video will not go live until May 13. If you click before then, it will say that the video does not exist. Fear not. It will.
Photo credit: Saget, Father Georges. Ascension, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56518 [retrieved April 26, 2021]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:KeurMoussaAutel.jpg.
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“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday is on September 12, 2021. All congregations are invited to reach out into their neighborhoods to become God’s hands and feet, serve those in need, and share God’s compassion with the world. God’s Work, Our Hands is an opportunity for everyone to intentionally invest time in service projects outside the church's walls. Pick a project and prepare to serve others in the name of God’s love. If your congregation cannot participate on Sept. 12, please consider another day for your service activities. Click here for more information and resources.
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Counseling Services Available |
EnCircle Counselors are here for you! Formerly Lutheran Family Services of VA, we have changed our model to adjust to social distancing and offer telehealth options. The anxiety of the COVID-19 crisis can bring on new stresses or can trigger past difficulties. From the comfort of home, adults and children can participate in therapy with a trained counselor. We have IMMEDIATE AVAILABILITY. Our counselors have varying hours and specialize in grief and loss, anxiety, depression, parenting support, adoption, and coping strategies. If you would like to schedule an appointment call 888-841-4835 or you can learn more here enCircle Counseling.
Please feel free to share this information with those in your congregation and your community!
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Open House & BBQ Picnic Dinner
May 22 from noon-6pm
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Join us in celebrating the Caroline Furnace community on May 22! We will provide a BBQ picnic dinner, worship, and time outdoors, plus live music by Cabin Creek Bluegrass. Feel free to bring games, activities, fishing poles, and musical instruments. No cost to participate - RSVP for the BBQ Picnic Dinner by May 15.
Questions? Want to book overnight lodging or camping? Call (540) 449-0012 or email julie@carolinefurnace.org.
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Job Opportunities can now be found on the Virginia Synod website at
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Do You have an announcement, upcoming event, or news story idea?
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