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| Announcements From Around the Virginia Synod |
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In its twelfth year, LAUNCH is continuing to serve recent high school graduates who have grown up with Virginia Synod's middle school and high school youth events. Known to draw a smaller crowd than most youth events, LAUNCH works to allows participants to take stock of where their faith life has led them so far, and to provide opportunities to engage in discussion on matter of faith, life, and vocation that they are likely to face as they move into their new stage of life.
This year Pastor Dave Delaney and summer intern Emma Kessler were joined by ten participants: Emily Mussey from Christ in Fredericksburg, Nathaniel Schaus from First in Norfolk, Maggie McPherson from Our Saviour in Christiansburg, Grace Yucha from Epiphany in Richmond, Aaron Bock from Peace in Charlottesville, Dane Chandler from College Lutheran in Salem, Tyler Wertman from Grace in Waynesboro, Madison Belcher from Faith in Suffolk, Chichi Ugochukwu from St. Mark's in Roanoke, and Phoebe Nassar from Christ the King in Richmond.
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During LAUNCH speakers are brought in from across the Synod to discuss faith, lifestyle, and vocational challenges and choices. "Some of the speakers have really made me open up to the idea of joining in on college ministry while I attend Florida Southern University, which was something I hadn't really been thinking about before this event," said Nathanial, who is planning on studying nursing while at school.
The speaker lineup notably featured current college students and recent college graduates who grew up with Synod Youth events. These young adults and the LAUNCH participants were invited for an evening at the Delaney home for pizza and conversation centered on college life and the challenges faced there. Experiences from these current and recent college graduates touch on a multitude of perspectives such as studying abroad, transferring colleges, attending community college, and much more.
Tyler Wertman, who will be attending Blue Ridge Community College in the fall, felt he greatly benefited from an evening spent with these college students, "I was given the opportunity to ask questions on how to continue my faith as I enter college and life after, as well as to hear speakers touch on their college and faith experiences."
Bishop Mauney also visited the LAUNCH participants to share with them about his experiences transitioning within the church as a young adult, as well as his own call to serve. In his talk he encouraged the participants to remember how important they are and will continue to be to the body of Christ, despite the challenges they may face as they make the staggering leap into adult roles within the church.
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Throughout the event participants are asked to take time for self-reflection, considering conversations and experiences throughout the day that may shape them as they make major life transitions in the fall and beyond. "I love that this event focuses on a lot of individual reflection. I haven't experienced that as much during other youth events," said Grace, who will be attending Wake Forest in the fall.
Pastor Paul Henrickson was also invited to speak to LAUNCH participants, and was a notable standout in his open forum discussion on obstacles the participants may face that stand in the way of their goals in college and beyond, "I loved how he was always asking us what we were worried and concerned with and listened to those concerns, rather than filling in the blanks for us," said Chichi Ugochukwu, who will be attending William and Mary in the fall.
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| Speakers Dr Bob Benne, Pastor Joanna Stallings, and Pastor Paul Henrickson at LAUNCH |
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Across the event, LAUNCH participants have had the opportunity to reconnect with friends made at previous Synod youth events, as well as to take time for themselves for intentional evaluation on what they want their college experiences to be like. Hopefully they have left the event feeling more prepared to take on college and to continue to grow and develop their faith while away from home.
"Soon our group of ten will be all over the east coast. This is our last event together as youth, but the bonds we have formed will remain. Next year we will continue our faith journey and meet new people who are also on a similar journey," said Emma Mussey, who will be attending the University of Alabama in the fall.
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Help with West Virginia Flood Recovery Efforts.
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Recovery efforts are underway in West Virginia
as families and communities attempt to deal with the
flooding
which devastated the area.
If you would like to help, you can make a gift through the
Lutheran Disaster Response
There is also great need for disaster relief volunteers to aid in the recovery efforts. Working with Community Lutheran Partners, there are some steps you and your congregation can take to help with West Virginia flood recovery efforts:
Update your tetnus shot if it has been more than 10 years
Log onto
clp-online.org to download volunteer forms (found in volunteer link at the top of the page
Once you have completed these steps, Sherri will work with you to find a site that fits your skill sets.
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60th Anniversary Celebration at Lutherock-Aug 19-21
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Come celebrate 60 years of ministry at Lutherock Lutheran Camp and Conference with us! Join us for a day or weekend of celebration and reconnecting with your brothers and sisters in Christ. The weekend will be full of fun camp activities such as: ice cream making, skits and songs around the campfire, hiking on the property, climbing the Challenge Tower, zipping off the ropes course and so much more! Overnight accommodations are based on availability and require pre-registration. Space is limited, so register early!
Enjoy picnic lunch, recognitions and day activities: Free will offering and does not require pre-registration.
Tent camping: $10/person or $20/per family each night
Moretz Lodge, Cabin Village, Founder's Lodge, or Stone Lodge: $20/person or $40/family each night
Crow's Nest: $30/person or $50/family each night
Rates include meals, lodging and programming for the weekend!
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Volunteers Wanted For Disaster Recovery in New Jersey
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Some homes in New Jersey still haven't been rebuilt after the destruction of hurricane Sandy. Are you and your church looking for a mission trip opportunity? Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey (LSMNJ) Disaster Recovery continues to need volunteer teams interested in doing disaster rebuilding work. All skill levels welcome for a weekend, few days or week of work. There are more than 9,000 families still displaced and volunteer housing is available. If interested please contact Amy Pennenga at
[email protected] or 609-699-4137.
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Theology For Teens at Roanoke College: July 24-29
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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. Go to
www.roanoke.edu/t4teens for more information.
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Clinical Pastoral Education at The Village at Orchard Ridge
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National Lutheran Communities & Services, as a satellite of The Eastern Mennonite Seminary Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program, develops pastors and chaplains who are reflective practitioners, able to draw upon the best in their theological traditions and the behavioral sciences for ministry that is increasingly faithful and fruitful. Participants are formed in ministry through individual learning goals and through reflection in community upon pastoral practice by means of case studies, seminars and individual supervision.
Units offered in a community of seniors on the campus of The Village at Orchard Ridge-A National Lutheran Community allows the participant to work with a population that they will likely encounter for the whole of their ministry careers. We offer a unique, creative and engaging community that will assist the participants' ability to minister, reflect, engage and grow.
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Renew and Retreat a Christian Formation Retreat
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Tuesday Oct 4, 4:30 PM - Thursday Oct 6, 10 AM
Co-Partnered by Camp Caroline Furnace and
Roots and Wings a Christian Formation Committee of the VA Synod
Retreat Presenter:
Debbie Streicher, President of the Christian
Formation Network of the ELCA.
Debbie will lead us in a discussion about steps needed to immerse our children and youth in faith and creating meaningful milestones, moments that make a difference as they support children, youth and families of all ages in their faith journey.
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Come to Camp Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center for a retreat which is specifically designed to support and equip both full-time and part-time professional and volunteer Children, Youth and Family Ministry staff. In addition to an educational component there will be ample time for networking and resource sharing, as well as relaxation, conversation and worship.
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Register Now for Fall 2016 ACTS Courses
Join us October 1st and October 29th at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waynesboro, Virginia. Hear
Dr. Terri Elton address the paradox of ministry leadership, looking at the importance of balancing our role with God's.
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Part Time Organist--Petersburg, VA
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Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Petersburg is looking for a part-time organist-keyboardist. This could be on a rotation schedule with other organist-keyboardist, so it would not be an every Sunday commitment.
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Do You have an announcement, upcoming event or news story Idea? Send it to [email protected] and make sure to follow our
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