Weekly Update
Announcements From Around the Virginia Synod
A Different Pastor Every Year
Some congregations can have a pastor for decades, but a parish in Southwest Virginia has had eight leaders in their church only stay for one year. No, the members aren't scaring off these religious leaders. The Rural Retreat Parish and the Attoway Kimberlin Parish are long term participants in a seminary internship program where a vicar (a pastor in training) serves and learns at their congregations for 1 year to get real life experience.

Pastor Jonathan Hamman is the pastor of the Rural Retreat Parish, which is made up of St. Paul Lutheran Church and Grace Lutheran Church, acts as the Intern Supervisor. He explained that the people of his parish really view the internship program as a ministry to train up future leaders of the Church.
 
Pastor Jonathan Hamman (left) and a past Vicar
 "It really allows you to have a connection to the wider church," said Pastor Hamman. "Its well worth the time money and effort if you are doing it for the right reasons."

 
Both Pastor Hamman and the current vicar speak highly of the church members and how they are willing to welcome in a new face year after year.

"It has been phenomenal to be here and truthfully Jonathan is awesome," said the current intern, Vicar Linda Shanks, "He has just the right amount of supervision. He lets you develop your own bible studies and sermons but he also gives you feedback. That has been really good for me."

Because the Attoway Kimberlain Parish consists of much smaller congregations that don't have a pastor on staff, the Intern is able to preach and receive much more hands on experience than some of their classmates who have interned with larger churches.

 

Linda Shanks spoke very highly of the internship and even said that she asks members of the congregations for feedback with they are willing to graciously give.

 

"We can have all the book learning in the world, but you really need to be able to apply it and internship allows you to be able to do that."



Announcements
 If you want to submit an announcement, please  check out the Submission Guidelines and send your submission to fuller@vasynod.org.


Synod Assembly is here! June 10-12, 2016 will be our time to get together at Roanoke College as the Virginia Synod to fellowship, learn about the wider church, do business, and learn more about worship. Our keynote speaker this year will be the Rev. Kevin L. Strickland, Director of Worship of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Click the links below for the General Arrangements document that has everything you need for Synod Assembly 2016.

*Youth Assembly participants will be the only people housed on campus. Participants at the Adult Synod Assembly can use our  Salem Area Hotel List  to make reservations.
In the Breaking of the Bread: Finding Christ in Full Communion

Join clergy and rostered leaders for an ecumenical retreat held May 16-18, 2016, at Shrine Mont Conference Center in Orkney Springs, Virginia.  Participants will gain working knowledge of The Book of Common Prayer and Evangelical Lutheran Worship and how to use them to preside with instruction form renowned scholars.  Learning and fellowship with national ecumenical officers, bishops, deployment officers, synod staff, and full communion clergy partners in your area will equip you for shared ministries of word and sacrament.


 Registration Deadline has been Extended to May 6

For more information and to register online:  https://virginialutheranepiscopal.wordpress.com/

Visiting Theologian in Blacksburg, April 30:
Marianne Hieb on Meditative Art-Journaling
Marianne Hieb will serve as Luther Memorial Lutheran Church's  2016 Visiting Theologian in Blacksburg.  Sister Hieb ministers at the Lourdes Wellness Center in Collingswood, NJ, where, for the past 30 years, she has developed and facilitated the Creativity, Spirituality,
and Wellness program.
 
Dr. Hieb will facilitate a workshop, on Saturday, April 30, at Luther Memorial:  Meditative Art-Journaling®:  An Adjunct Prayer Practice and Way of Contemplative Presence.  This workshop will invite participants to use art materials as a way to explore the presence of God.  There will be a morning (9-12) and an afternoon session (12-4); participants may attend either one or both.  Lunch will be served between sessions.  
 
Luther Memorial is located at 600 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA.
This workshop is open to all and free to the public.  All art materials will be provided. 
 
It is requested that participants register by either calling 951-1000 or sending an email to luther@lmlc.org
 
For more information: http://www.lmlc.org/visiting-theologian-april-3-and-may-1


Pack The Park for LFSVA
LFS logo new
 
Pack the Park for LFSVA! You can be a superhero for LFSVA at our third Pack the Park event, Saturday, May 21 (Superhero Night!), at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium. For every $10 ticket we sell, LFSVA gets $5, which will go toward LFSVA's Supported Employment Services that helps individuals with disabilities in the Roanoke area prepare for and find real jobs through job coaching and mentoring. Come support our individuals, their families and our program. Questions? Contact Leah Hatcher at lhatcher@lfsva.org. Purchase tickets online at www.lfsva.org.
Job Opportunities
All posts can also be found online at  www.vasynod.org/job-opportunities. If you have job opening you would like posted, email fuller@vasynod.org. 
Congregational Communications Facilitator-Yorktown, VA
St. Mark Lutheran Church in Yorktown is looking for a Congregational Communications Facilitator.  This position supports the Pastor and the Parish Administrator in the production of all worship service materials and coordination of special events.  He/she shall perform receptionist responsibilities and facilitate parish and public communications.  Secondary responsibilities include clerical support to the St. Mark Preschool and CafĂ© St. Mark.  This is a part-time salaried position with normal duty hours Monday-Friday, 9 am - 3:30 pm.  Position may require occasional weekend and after normal duty hours.
 
Job Skill Requirements:
  • Possess knowledge and experience in use of computers, office software, and office equipment (to include copiers, printers, facsimile, MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint, multi-phone system) and be proficient with social media outlets/applications
  • Able to work in a team environment
  • Possess outstanding communication, customer service, and people skills
  • Willing and able to learn new skills and work tools.
 
Please submit cover letters and resumes to personnel@smlconline.org .
Prison Chaplain Position at Green Rock Correctional Center
GraceInside seeks a part-time (30 hours per week) Prison Chaplain for Green Rock Correctional Center (GROC) in Chatham, VA.  The chaplain serves as a Christian pastor and as the coordinator for religious services and programs for inmates of all faiths for all men incarcerated at GROC.

Qualifications:
(1) Formal Education: An undergraduate degree from an accredited college/university and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or equivalent degree from an accredited theological seminary. (Equivalent educational degrees and/or ministry experience may be considered.)
(2) Ordination: Fully ordained and currently in full connection and in good standing with his/her denominational body, church, etc.
(3) Endorsement: Where applicable, endorsed by his/her responsible denominational agency as to current good standing and confirmation of abilities to perform the duties related to chaplaincy.
(4) Preferred, but not required: 12 months of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and three to five years of pastoral ministry or other ministerial experience; experience in jails/prisons or criminal justice system a plus.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter of interest and a current resume as email attachments to  kateshelton@graceinside.org .  Qualified applicants will receive an application form.  For more information about our ministry, please visit our website at  www.graceinside.org .

DEADLINE for Application :  Friday, May 6, 2016

Prison Chaplain Position at River North Correctional Center
GraceInside seeks a part-time (25 hours per week) Prison Chaplain for River North Correctional Center (RNCC) in Independence (Grayson County), VA.  The chaplain serves as a Christian pastor and as the coordinator for religious services and programs for inmates of all faiths for all men incarcerated at RNCC.

Qualifications:
(1) Formal Education: An undergraduate degree from an accredited college/university and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or equivalent degree from an accredited theological seminary. (Equivalent educational degrees and/or ministry experience may be considered.)
(2) Ordination: Fully ordained and currently in full connection and in good standing with his/her denominational body, church, etc.
(3) Endorsement: Where applicable, endorsed by his/her responsible denominational agency as to current good standing and confirmation of abilities to perform the duties related to chaplaincy.
(4) Preferred, but not required: 12 months of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and three to five years of pastoral ministry or other ministerial experience; experience in jails/prisons or criminal justice system a plus.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter of interest and a current resume as email attachments to  kateshelton@graceinside.org .  Qualified candidates will be sent an application.  For more information about our ministry, please visit our website at  www.graceinside.org .

DEADLINE for Applications :  Friday, May 6, 2016
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