7th Day
, the Virginia Synod youth event for 5th and 6th-grades was held over the weekend of March 3-4, at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Convention Center in Lynchburg. Over 180 youth and adults made up Shepard Groups that together joined in the fun and faith-filled weekend learning new songs, making crafts, listening to stories, and playing plenty of exciting games.
The focus for the weekend was set by this year’s planning group youth and adults-
Will Burger
,
Katellyn Jaster
,
Summer Kite
,
Tess McAllister
,
Brayden Stone
, event chaplains
Pastor Terri Church
and P
astor Nate Huffman
, and planning group advisor
Maria Roberts
.
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The story for this year’s 7th Day was from Luke 17:11-17, the story of Jesus healing the ten lepers with one Samaritan leper returning to offer thanks to him. From this verse grew the theme “B The 1” which centered the entire weekend event. Youth and adults explored how living a life of thanksgiving is an important way to follow Jesus.
The planning group youth choose to interpret this story as a group of middle schoolers on their way to compete in the state’s spelling bee. When their bus breaks down, they are asked to rely on a stranger’s assistance to help get them back on the road. In the end, the kids decide to give thanks to the kind stranger for his help, by sending him a note of appreciation.
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In addition to the planning group skit- activity modules for crafts, interactive story, music, and movement each focused on three parts of the story: Jesus is the one, the one who returns, and be the one who gives thanks.
For the interactive story module, led by
Valerie Dombrowski
,
Sarah Dombrowski
, and
Heather Browning
, the Shepherd groups saw Luke 17:11-17 come to life. There they saw reenactments of the story, and learned some contextual history, such as how lepers were viewed in Jesus’s time. The group also got to play fun group building activities, like working as a team to create a path across the room, and playing a giant version of the board game Operation.
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In the crafts module, led by
Greg McCorkindale and
Diane Bayer, Shepherd Groups creatively interpreted the story, such as crafting their own life preservers since Jesus saves us. They also decorated miniature wooden chests to become prayer boxes for them to give thanks in prayer.
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In the movement module, led by
Bryan Jaster
and
Nick Hodges
had Shepherd Groups playing silly games like clothespin tag, have snowball fights and move in the gospel. At the end of the weekend, each group received a verse and together planned a presentation of a human sculpture. These verses were read while the sculptures were performed during the Sunday afternoon worship.
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In music, led by
Pastor Dave Delaney,
Tim Wilson, and
Jayme Kokkonen, the Shepherd Groups Shepherd Groups were introduced to new songs to sing and their corresponding movements. The songs learned here at 7th Day often become the returning favorites, as many are sung across other Virginia Synod youth events such as Lost and Found and Winter Celebration!
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7th Day provided a weekend filled with fun, laughter, and worship as the 5th and 6th-graders present learned and experienced how just one person can make a difference and how to show their thanks to God.
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Do You have an announcement, upcoming event or news story idea? Send it to Emily Pilat at
pilat@vasynod.org
and make sure to follow our
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Save the Date: Synod Assembly June 8-10, 2018
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Save the Date: June 8-10, 2018 for the Virginia Synod Assembly!
Stay tuned as more information and registration materials for this year's Synod Assembly will be shared with Rostered Ministers and Congregations mid-March.
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On
March 24, the kids and families of March For Our Lives will take to the streets to demand that their lives and safety become a priority and that we end gun violence and mass shootings in our schools today. March with us in Washington DC or march in your own community. On March 24, the collective voices of the March For Our Lives movement will be heard.
There are 519 planned events worldwide that will all be happening on March 24. The primary march is happening in Washington DC. This is a march that is led by Students, for the sake of students, but all are welcome to join in the marching and stand in solidarity. If you are planning to go to Washington DC march, please email
Pastor Alex Zuber at
pastorzuber@gmail.com in order to connect members of the Virginia Synod who will be travelling. This will allow us to witness together and potentially coordinate travel.
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ELCA presiding bishop to participate in rally to end racism
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In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), will join ecumenical and inter-religious partners for
Act Now: Unite to End Racism April 3-5 in Washington, D.C. The focus of the three-day event will be a rally April 4 on the National Mall. All are invited to join Bishop Eaton at the event.
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Lutheran Family Services of Virginia Hearts & Hands Awards nominations
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The Hearts & Hands Awards nomination deadline is fast approaching and we need to hear from you!
Lutheran Family Services of Virginia sponsors these awards to honor Lutherans whose passion, energy and delight in service are changing lives and creating brighter futures.
These Lutherans are the builders, organizers, advocates, caregivers, leaders, workers, volunteers, employees, committee members, innovators and mentors. They are friends, neighbors, coworkers and church members, young and old, who bring abundant possibilities to our communities.
Click here to complete the nomination form so that these wonderful people giving back to our communities are recognized. Hurry! The deadline is
March 19th!
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Have you registered for Summer Camp?
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Summer 2018 at Caroline Furnace promises to be an exciting one! The theme verse is Ephesians 2:8 - "For by GRACE you have been saved through FAITH, and this is not your own doing; it is the GIFT of God." Camper life is centered around building community through daily worship, Bible study, and new experiences. Campers aged 1st-12th grade can choose from activities such as horseback riding, caving, archery, culinary, backpacking, canoeing, crafting, and fishing. Campers ages 15 to 18 may also participate in LIT! (Leaders In Training) Camp. To learn more and view the summer schedule,
click here.
Caroline Furnace will be hosting a Spring Open House on May 12. All are welcome to join for a bluegrass worship, lunch, and camp activities. This is a great time to come and learn more about the camp and retreat opportunities at Caroline Furnace!
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Caroline Furnace is seeking Counselors, Chaplains, and Volunteers!
Serving as a counselor is a ten week commitment; two weeks of staff training and eight weeks of summer camp. Counselors can expect a summer of fun, new adventures, sharing faith, learning new things, and growing in faith and leadership abilities.
Chaplains are needed each week of summer camp for spiritual guidance and support. All pastors, seminarians, and lay leaders are invited to serve for a week this summer!
Volunteers are needed for the spring and summer as well! Join us for Paul Bunyan Weekend March 16-18, to chainsaw trees and split wood. Come to Spring Work Weekend April 20-22 to help us prepare for Summer Camp!
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Mental Health America of Augusta One Day Workshop: Addressing Substance Use Together
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Mental Health America of Augusta (MHAA) is planning to offer our community a Substance Use workshop on
Friday, March 9 which is FREE to participants. Four presenters will help participants better understand Substance Use from a biopsychosocial perspective.
For more information on this workshop,
click here.
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Day of Prayer Central Virginia Gathering
Sponsored by the Lutheran Episcopal Joint Committee of Virginia
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All area Lutherans and Episcopalians--clergy and laity--are invited to a Day of Prayer retreat on
March 15, 2018
sponsored by the Lutheran Episcopal Joint Committee of Virginia. Led by Bishop Susan Goff of the Diocese of Virginia, participants will consider how and why to pray, whom to pray with, resources for prayer, prayer and the liturgical year, and will share other personal prayer practices. They will also worship and share lunch together.
The program runs from 9:30 AM to 2:15 PM at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church
(7757 Chippenham Pkwy, Richmond, VA 23225). Registration and more information can be found at
bit.ly/centraldayofprayer
. The event is open to clergy and laity.
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Bethel Winchester Nets for Nets
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"A child dies every 2 minutes because of malaria. Help us send life-saving bed nets to protect children from this deadly, yet preventable disease."
You are invited to join
Bethel, Winchester
as we raise money for malaria nets by attempting to make, as a group, 1000 free throws in an hour. If we can get sponsors for each of our made free throws ($1 per make) we will reach our goal of $1000, which equals 200 Malaria Nets (in 2018, all donations will be MATCHED to make DOUBLE the impact!).
We will play on
Friday, March 16
at the Family Life Center Gym at the Winchester Church of God. Please arrive around 10:00am and we will begin Free Throw Fundraiser at 10:30. Please RSVP to Pastor Dave at
revhoops@gmail.com
if you plan to participate.
You can bring your donations to the event, send them to Bethel Lutheran Church (2077 N. Frederick Pike, Winchester, 22603), or donate online at our fundraising page
fundraise.unfoundation.org/revhoops
.
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Christ Lutheran in Staunton Hosts Bach Around the Clock
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Christ Staunton has partnered with Heifetz International Music Festival to host
Bach Around the Clock
. Twelve one hour concerts will take place on
March 17 from 9 AM to 9 PM
.
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Taizé in RVA: a regional, ecumenical gathering for young adults
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Congregations of the Richmond Conference of Lutheran (ELCA) Congregations, Episcopal congregations in Hanover County, and other ecumenical partners invite young adults (18-30 years of age) to attend a weekend retreat
April 27-28
led by two brothers of the internationally known Ecumenical Community of Taizé from France. The weekend will include prayer in the musical style of Taizé, bible reflections, as well as panel and small group sessions. The event is free, but a $25 donation is being requested from those who can afford it to assist with food. For more information and to register, visit
messiahmech.com
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The National Association of Lutheran Interim Pastors (NALIP) Basic Education for Intentional Interim Ministry and Annual Conference
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The National Association of Lutheran Interim Pastors (NALIP) has openings for the Spring and Fall classes in Basic Education for Intentional Interim Ministry and an annual conference for continuing education.
The 2018 Annual Conference will be in St Louis, MO June 21-22. Presenter is Dr. Israel Galindo and the presentations will center around “Perspectives on Congregational Leadership.”
Information on the training and the conference is posted on our website:
www.nalip.net. To discuss the programs call Pastor Ken Ruppar at 804-564-5389.
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Part-time Church Secretary/Office Manager, Christ Roanoke
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Christ Lutheran Church in Roanoke, Virginia needs a secretary/office manager for 28 hours a week due to employee’s retirement. New employee should be self-starter for our fast-paced environment, able to work harmoniously within a team, have exceptional customer skills, have a comprehensive understanding of social media platforms, be fully qualified in Microsoft Office products, and have two-year business education or four years’ experience in general office work. Salary commensurate with experience.
Contact Mrs. Berry at 540-204- 1994 to obtain an application.
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Part-time Music Director, PALS Church in Bealeton
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PALS Church (Presbyterian and Lutheran Services) in Bealeton, VA, is seeking a part-time Music Director. The primary responsibilities are selecting music for services (working with the pastor), directing the small choir, and providing organ/piano accompaniment for Sunday morning worship (one service) and seasonal mid-week services. Other responsibilities will include (but are not limited to) providing accompaniment at other church functions as requested by the pastor and for funerals and weddings.
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