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| Announcements From Around the Virginia Synod |
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This week is the Virginia Synod's 4th annual Week of Service, which coincides with "God's Work, Our Hands" Sunday, the ELCA Day of Service on September 11. This year's dedicated day of service also marks the 15-year anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
All congregations have been invited to reach out into their neighborhoods to become God's hands and feet, to serve those in need and to share God's compassion with the world. The Week of Service is an opportunity for everyone to intentionally invest time in service projects outside the walls of the church.
Yesterday, the Bishop's Office volunteered their time with two of the Synod's Mission Partners,
Lutheran Family Services of Virginia and
Virginia Lutheran Homes.
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Beginning the day at the Roanoke Minnick School, Bishop Mauney and his staff worked to clean and organize a kitchen on site that the school uses for food prep and storage. With school back in session, the Bishop's office got the chance to say hello to teachers and staff and thank you for all the hard work they do for their students.
The Roanoke Minnick School, which serves students from kindergarten to the age of 22, opens the door to education and a more fulfilling life for its students and their families. That service can take shape by helping students return to their home school, or setting them on a vocational path with dignity and independence.
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In the afternoon, Bishop Mauney and his staff volunteered at
the Brandon Oaks Nursing and Rehab Center. There they helped host an ice cream social for seniors. While visiting, the Bishop's staff also played trivia games with the seniors, tackling topics from classic candy to folk music! It was an afternoon filled with sweet treats, new faces, and fun stories to hear and share.
The seniors gathered that afternoon often remarked on the bright yellow shirts worn by the Bishop's office staff, with many making positive comments on the statement printed, "God's Work, Our Hands."
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"It feels great to give back, and to know you're helping brighten someone's day where you can," said Becky Walls, of the Virginia Synod Office. "Sharing God's love with our community and our neighbors, and seeing them recognize and receive that love is always a powerful experience."
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The Virginia Synod is all so eager to hear about the projects you and your congregations have chosen, and how you serve others in the name of God's love during this week, and to share these stories with one another. As you continue to serve this week, and into the weekend's ELCA Day of Service we hope you will tell your story, so you can share it with members of your congregation who could not participate, and to showcase your experience with others across the Synod.
Thank you all to everyone who has already participated in the Virginia Synod Week of Service. Please send your photos with descriptions to Emily Pilat at [email protected] so that we can celebrate together as a Synod in our next Weekly Update!
As you continue to serve, use the hashtag #VASynodServes on social media so that you can connect with others in our Synod who are participating in the Week of Service!
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Do You have an announcement, upcoming event or news story Idea? Send it to Emily Pilat at [email protected] and make sure to follow our
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Invitation to Tour Indian Creek Correctional Center in Chesapeake
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We have a unique opportunity to invite a limited number of GraceInside "family" to tour Indian Creek on September 26th. The tour will begin in the morning and conclude mid-day. Details will be provided to those who sign up the week of September 12th.
If you are a religious leader or a person interested in prison ministry and would like to come meet Chaplain Calvin Corbitt and spend some time "inside a gated community," please submit your name, birth date and Drivers License number to [email protected] not later than September 12. All accepted attendees will be required to fill out a VCIN form (which GraceInside will provide by email) and return it prior to approval to enter the institution.
If you cannot make that day or want additional information, GraceInside is one of three ministries featured on September 10th at a Prison Ministry Bonanza to be held at Baylake United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach. Facebook users can check out the event page here or check it out on our website here. An RSVP is kindly required as they hope to provide a light lunch afterward. Chaplains Twine and Corbitt will be in attendance to present. (I was expected to present "Hope" but my mother-in-law passed away and I will be attending the funeral out of state.)
Slots will be offered on a first come, first served basis and selected participants will be notified with further instructions the week of September 12th. I hope to hear from you and "see you on the inside!"
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St. Stephen Lutheran Church Theologian in Residence Weekend Sept 16-18
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Dr. Mark Allan Powell, New Testament professor at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio, and an internationally known biblical scholar, will be the
Theologian in Residence at St. Stephen, Williamsburg, Sept. 16-18. His topics will be "Jesus Gets Passionate: The Driving Concerns that Determined his Life and Death, Christ and Culture: Paradigms for Social Transformation, and Things that Divide Us."
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Children's Ministry Training
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Hungry Mother Lutheran Retreat Center Beer and Brats Fundraiser
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Hungry Mother Lutheran Retreat Center Announces Our Second Annual
"Where Gemütlichkeit Happens"
The evening highlights will include:
- A selection of German Bratwurst and side dishes
- A selection of German and domestic beer (sift drinks avalible)
- Live music provided by "Diet of Worms"
- Lots of Fellowship
When: Saturday September 24th
*In case of inclement weather, we will hold the event at Shumate Hall.
Festivities will begin at 5:30 PM. Food will be served at 6:30.
Suggested Donation: $30 per adult.
EXPECT THE WURST!
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The Leadership Program for Musicians Workshop
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The Richmond chapter of the Leadership Program for Musicians (LPM) is pleased to announce what promises to be an amazing fall workshop, led by St. James Music Press president and editor Mark Schweizer.
The workshop will take place on
Saturday, October 8 from 9 AM -1 PM at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Richmond, VA.
Participants will read through music from St. James Press and have a chance to glean some church music wisdom from Mark's considerable experience. Snacks and beverages are included.
The cost is $45 per person, and the deadline to register is
October 1. To register use the PayPal button on the LPM website:
www.lpm-va.org and email your name, address, phone number, and church name to
[email protected].
Don't let this pass! Make the most of this opportunity to meet Mark Schweizer, discover new music, and support your local LPM chapter.
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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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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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Lost and Found
is our annual weekend retreat for youth in 7th and 8th grade and their adult advisors. We have Large Group
gatherings that consist of singing, energy, comedy, worship and a presentation on our event theme. After each Large Group gathering each person is part of a Small Group
made up of about 8 youth and a couple adult leaders where participants will get to know other Lutheran youth from Virginia and discuss life, faith and other topics that arise throughout the weekend.
For more information, and to register for Lost and Found -
click here!
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Reformation 500 Observances
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As the second oldest Lutheran college in the USA, the mission statement of Roanoke College declares that we "honor our Christian heritage by nurturing a dialogue between faith and reason." In this spirit, Roanoke College announces a series of special academic events from late 2016 through the anniversary year 2017 in commemoration of the 500
th
anniversary of the Reformation and in coordination with the 175
th
anniversary of the college's founding.
For more information on this and future events from Roanoke College celebrating the Reformation-
click here!
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You can make a world of difference!
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Do you have skills in art or music that you want to share? Do you have a passion for reading? Are you interested in helping with community outings or special events? We would love to welcome you to the Lutheran Family Services helping community at LFSVA Minnick Schools and Day Programs for adults with disabilities.
Join us in providing abundance for the people who need us most! Contact Leah Hatcher at
[email protected]
to sign-up or visit
www.lfsva.org
and click "Get Involved."
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Upcoming Mission Trip to Nicaragua
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Zion Lutheran Church in Waynesboro is planning their second annual mission trip to Nicaragua. They are inviting any congregations or members of Virginia Synod congregations to join in on this wonderful opportunity. To answer some questions you may have and to explore more information check out the following links:
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Director of Church Relations
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The Society of St. Andrew, a nationwide faith-based nonprofit, focused on reducing food waste and feeding hungry people through the biblical practice of gleaning, seeks a full-time Director of Church Relations.
As a prominent national faith-based nonprofit Society of St. Andrew (SoSA), intentionally seeks to develop relationships with faith communities across the country. This position is centrally focused on cultivating new and existing relationships with thousands of churches across the country.
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Reformation 500 Observances
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