Weekly Update
Announcements From Around the Virginia Synod
Youth Join Together to "Feed The Need"
Creative fundraisers, overnight lock-ins, super bowl parties, services project. If you drive throughout the Synod, you can see outstanding youth groups in our congregations actively engaged in any of the aforementioned activities. 

Youth from five different churches at the Feed the Need Event
One youth leader from Winchester, VA saw the positive energy that came from the youth at his church and he knew that Christians could make an even larger impact if more people joined together. Bryan Jaster,
Director of Youth and Family Faith Formation  from Bethel Lutheran Church, began meeting and gathering leaders from different churches in the area to plan an overnight event that would impact the local area and hopefully change perspectives of students. 

" As we gathered the group of youth leaders, we asked about the needs of our community," Jaster said.  "We did a lot of talking and a lot of listening."

The result of all of those conversations was an event in Winchester called "Feed the Need" during April 22-23 that was organized through a nonprofit called Youth Encounter. 

There were about 65 people from five different churches who were involved in this new event that gathered to address issues of hunger and homelessness in their community. 

The group gathered in the gym of Winchester Church of God where there was no bunk beds or air mattresses. But wait--wasn't this an overnight event?

The youth begin to work together to construct their temporary sleeping quarters.
The youth begin to work together to construct their temporary sleeping quarters.
The entire two days was designed to help teens think about the experience of others. The youth heard many stories from William, a man who spent 12.5 years homeless. To  help them learn about the daily reality of being homeless, the youth constructed their own cardboard shacks out of boxes where they slept for the night .  They event ate a meal from a Salvation Army food truck that is relied upon by many in the Winchester who are food scarce.   
"The hope is that youth will become long term advocates for the people and the places where we live," Jaster said. 

When the teens weren't focused on their own survival, they were learning from others and working on projects to help serve their community and the world. 

Tori Rittelmeyer, 14, is an 8th grade student at Daniel Morgan Middle School. Tori was not a participant at this event, but a guest speaker. 

She and her mother, Anita Rittelmeyer, came to share their story with the youth. They are in the process to build a habitat for humanity house here in Winchester that is designed to help Tori who has cerebral palsy.  Tori taught the youth to make bracelets that she then sells to help pay for the future construction of her home.  


People gathered around tables, all with strings in hands, smiles on their faces. Arms reached across the table to intentionally pick out the next bead. Each of the bracelets that were made will be sold to help pay for the Habitat for Humanity house where Tori and Anita will one day live.

Later the youth gathered around the tables for another purpose--to pack 12,000 meals that would be sent to Syrian Refugees. 

Throughout the event the youth prayed together, they worshiped together, they learned together and they served together. Now there is a new community of teenagers in the Northern Shenandoah Valley that has been empowered to change the world around them.
 
"We are meeting next week to reflect on what God wants us to do next and what we are excited about," Jaster said. "I am hoping that this is the beginning of something."

"Ultimately I hang on to the fact that God is way more interested in the needs of this world and loving the people of our community than we could ever be. It is really cool to be following this Jesus."
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.

DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS MAY 15!
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.


 FINAL Registration Deadline is May 6!

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

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.
Theology For Teens at Roanoke College: July 24-29
 
Rising 10th and 11th grade teens!
Ask the big questions
Live on campus for a week
Learn with professors and Roanoke College students

Sunday July 24, 2016 through Friday July 29, 2016
An all new, week-long summer program introducing teens to biblical and theological scholarship, exploring contemporary challenges & how their faith tradition can meet those challenges.  We will focus on the life & thought of Dietrich Bonhoeffer-a church leader who met the challenges before him-we will explore today's social issues & encounter other faiths by engaging the students with leaders from those various communities.  Come and discover a sense of mission, be equipped with theological tools to enable you to meet the challenges facing the church today.
Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network For Young Adults 
LEVN, the Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network, is looking for young adults (age 21-30) with Bachelor's degrees for an 11-month program of non-profit volunteer work and learning about social justice. From the end of August 2016 to the end of July 2017, the corps members will be provided housing, utilities, health insurance, transportation, spiritual direction, and a $400/month food stipend. We also offer a $1000 re-entry grant at the end of the program for moving expenses.

The placement sites for the upcoming program year include faith-based non-profits, secular non-profits, congregations, including a position with the Sierra Pacific Synod office. The corps members live in intentional community in a 4-bedroom apartment in Davis, CA. Visit levn.org or contact Program Director Casey Kloehn at 530-756-1550 or programs@thebelfry.org for more information!
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. 
Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago-  Director  of  
Admissions
As the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago lives into its Public Church curriculum, it is essential that our Director of Admissions reaches out to a new generation of visionary leaders. The Director of Admissions will lead the task of recruitment and admissions, chiefly (but not exclusively) for our first degree programs: the Master of Divinity and the two Master of Arts degrees. The Director will serve as a representative of LSTC through contacts with colleges, churches, synods, and other organizations. Because the Director will engage a broad range of prospective students, it is essential that s/he brings a high degree of intercultural competency.  Full time position with ELCA benefits. For a full description please go to: 
PART-TIME CAMPUS MINISTRY POSITION--Hampton Roads, VA

United Campus Ministries (UCM) of Christopher Newport University (CNU), located in Newport News in the heart of historic Hampton Roads, Virginia, wishes to hire a campus minister (ordination preferred) to serve the university students and the university community. UCM is specifically seeking someone who is motivated, energetic, and exemplifies Christian values and love so that they can guide, support, and encourage the students to explore and grow their Christian faith.  This is a part time position and involves meeting with and developing relationships with the students and the rest of the university community, planning activities, providing spiritual counsel, service and outreach opportunities and enjoying fun fellowship with the students and the university community.
 
 If you feel called to apply for this rewarding position, email your resume and cover letter to the Personnel Committee Chair, Suzanne Howell at bsh-887@verizon.net , no later than 11:59 PM on June 15th, 2016. Please use "UCM Position" in the Subject line. A detailed job description will be sent to you. 

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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