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| Announcements From Around the Virginia Synod |
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Gathering of the Ministerium
Reformed and Reforming: Past Faithfulness-Future Vision
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Each October rostered leaders from across the Virginia Synod gather for the annual event Gathering of the Ministerium. In Virginia Beach, Rostered leaders worshiped together in song, word and sacrament. They also discussed theology and practice with ELCA and Ecumenical Bishops. Resources and ideas were exchanged, as were joys and concerns. Most memorably, Rostered leaders gather to relax and play with one another, and to renew their convenant with each other. This covenant holds Rostered Leaders of the Virginia Synod together, and it is this event that lives out the convenant for Rostered Leaders.
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Thoughts from Ecumenical Bishops
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The Rt. Rev. Edwin F. "Ted" Gulick Jr., the Assistant Bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and
The Rev. Charlene Kammerer, Bishop of the Virginia Conference United Methodist Church were both in attendance at this year's Gathering. Together they shared perspectives as Ecumenical Bishops, discussing the significance of the Reformation for the Church today, the gifts of Luther and the Lutheran Church. They also discussed the denominational Office of the Bishop, as well as the gifts and graces they feel are valued in a Bishop.
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The Rev. Suzanne Darcy Dillahunt of the Southern Ohio Synod of the ELCA
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The Rev. Richard H. Graham of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod of the ELCA
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The Rev. Matthew L. Riegel ofthe West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod of the ELCA
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Three ELCA Bishops joined Bishop Jim Mauney this year to discuss the role of a ELCA Synod Bishop, and share their perspective on this important position. Together, Bishop Dillahunt, Bishop Graham, Bishop Riegel, and Bishop Mauney spoke on The gifts valued by Luther and the Lutheran Church, and the role of a Synodical Bishop.
This time with fellow ELCA Bishops was invaluable for Rostered Leaders to hear from a variety of perspectives, and to prepare in prayer and thought for the upcoming Bishop Election.
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Honoring Bishop Jim and Lynda Mauney
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During the Monday evening reception, Rostered Leaders took time to honor Bishop Mauney and his wife Lynda. The event was hosted by
Rev. David Derrick, Ministerium team Chair. Rostered Leaders from across the Synod as well as friends of the Mauney family, spoke to their time with the Mauneys and their great appreciation for their services in the Office of the Bishop .
Those gathered heard from
Kathryn Baerwald
of National Lutheran Communities and Services who spoke to Bishop Mauney's time with mission partners of the Virginia Synod. Rostered Leaders
Rev. Kate Costa
,
Rev. Stephen Bohannon
, and
Rev. Jim Utt
shared experiences
of working with and learning beside Bishop Mauney
. Regan Jones offered thoughts and fond memories of her time with the Mauney family as a friend and fellow spouse of a rostered leader. Bishop Graham provided warm thoughts and appreciations as a fellow college and friend of Bishop Mauney.
Rev. Kathleen Miko presented a piece on the Flat Bishop project that will be continuing across the Synod. Flat Bishops are life-size cardboard cutouts of Bishop Mauney that have been making their way to all congregations of the Virginia Synod! Mike Maxey, President of Roanoke College, closed out the night with warm regards for Bishop Mauney and Lynda's tenure in the Office of the Bishop.
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Along with hearing from Ecumenical and ELCA Bishop speakers, Rostered leaders attending Gathering of the Ministerium had plenty of time to relax and have some fun together! Relaxation and play for Rostered leaders can mean a variety of activities. For some, playing a round of golf at Red Wing golf course is a great way to unwind. Others instead had a great time competing in the Ministerium's third corn-hole tournament, with friendly competition and plenty of trash talk to go around. Some even found quiet time for pampering with massages.
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But some Rostered Leaders relaxed in a different way. Over an afternoon together they exemplified God's Work, Our Hands in their work to repair a home in the Virginia Beach area that had been damaged by Hurricane Matthew. Their work, in association with Lutheran Family Services of Virginia's support, benefited a member of
Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Virginia Beach. For anyone interested in further supporting this family, LFSVA has set up the "Tretchler Fund" and gifts can be sent directly to LFSVA or the Virginia Synod earmarked for this fund.
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| This is such an important event for all Rostered Leaders to attend as continuing education, and and in forming and maintaining collegial relationships. Do encourage your leaders to be a part of the Gathering of the Ministerium next year, October 9-11 2017, save the date! The location for next year's Ministerium will be announced at a future date! |
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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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Lutheran Disaster Response Hurricane Matthew
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"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
- Psalm 46:1
Hurricane Matthew, one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes in years, has caused heavy rain, dangerous winds and landslides. The National Hurricane Center has reported Hurricane Matthew to be "extremely dangerous" with conditions favorable for it to maintain its strength.
Your support through Lutheran Disaster Response will bring God's hope and healing to those affected by this hurricane. Where the hurricane has already hit the hardest in Haiti, Lutheran Disaster Response's trusted partner is providing pre-positioned relief material. Our response is spanning across several countries, especially Haiti and Cuba. In the U.S., Lutheran Disaster Response coordinators are collaborating with local community leaders, civic organizations, ecumenical partners and officials to begin planning the proper responses.
Together, we will work with congregations, synods, trusted partners and companion churches in the area that know the communities well and will walk with people on the road to recovery.
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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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Virginia Synod Bishop Election Feedback Requested
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It is an exciting time in our synod as we approach the election of a new bishop at our 2017 Synod Assembly. Many of you already know that Bishop Mauney has announced his retirement next year and, so, we are preparing for the tenure of a new leader. You can engage in discussions with your pastor, the Dean of your conference, members of the
Bishop's Election Transition Committee (BETC) and at the Fall Conference Gatherings where presentations about the Bishop's Election process and the
ForwardingFaith initiative will be made.
We need the help of congregational members and leaders - that's you! In much the same way as we prepare to call a new pastor in our congregations, we want to prepare to call a new bishop with as much attention and prayer as possible.
These survey results will be helpful for those who are potential nominees, which are determined by ecclesial ballot, to know how we see the ministry needs in our synod. It will also help the 2017 Synod Assembly voting members to know the mind of the Virginia church as they enter into the election process.
Will you please be part of our planning by completing a survey? It isn't very long but it is so very important.
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BED NETS FOR PAPUA NEW GUINEA
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Many congregations are involved in the process of developing their 2017 budgets. We would like your congregation to consider including in your budget a donation to the Virginia Synod's program to raise money to send to our companion synod in Papua New Guinea (PNG) for the purchase of bed nets for the prevention of malaria.
Our goal is to raise $50,000 which will be used to purchase 5000 nets for distribution to protect children in the PNG Synod. We hope that you will include in your budget a donation for this program to help the children of PNG. These donations should be sent to the Virginia Synod office with a note designating them as being for "Malaria Nets for PNG". If you would prefer to donate online, this can be done by going to Team2017.org and giving there.
We would like to thank you for giving consideration to this important program which will help our brothers and sisters in Papua New Guinea. |
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2017 Tour of Germany "In the Footsteps of Martin Luther and Dietrich Bonhoeffer."
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Pastor Dave Young and Pastor Heidi David-Young will be leading a tour of Germany during the late summer of 2017. The tour is entitled
"In the Footsteps of Martin Luther and Dietrich Bonhoeffer." You are invited to consider joining the members of Bethel Lutheran Church (Winchester) and others as we visit sites in Munich, Prague, Leipzig, Wittenberg, Berlin, and much more. We will learn more about our Lutheran heritage. We will visit the Flossenburg Concentration Camp where Bonhoeffer was martyred. We will learn more about J.S. Bach in his hometown of Eisenach, as well as visit the Warburg Caste, where Luther stayed after the Diet of Worms. Throughout we will worship together, pray together, and share together.
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Initial deposits of $350 (per person) are due by
November 15th. The final payment is not due until May 15, 2017. The cost DOES NOT include the flight. Flights will be booked personally.
Feel free to contact Pr. Young (
[email protected]) if you questions. Pastor Young and Pastor David-Young are also available for presentations if your congregation would be interested in learning more.
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St. Paul's-Hampton is having a Sparkhouse Family Book Fair!
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Looking for that perfect Christmas gift for your kids or grandkids? Stop by our Book Fair and shop award-winning Bibles, books, and videos for babies to twelve-year-olds. Save up to 40% PLUS free shipping on all Book Fair titles.
Our Book Fair, sponsored by Sparkhouse Family, will feature a wide variety of new resources based on the beloved Spark Story Bible, including a family devotional, a collection of prayers for kids based on the Psalms, a picture book about Noah's Ark, the first-ever animated Spark video (starring Squiggles the caterpillar!), and a new line of Spark Play and Learn Books to help make family faith formation easy and fun. Other noteworthy titles included in the upcoming Book Fair are a new Christmas picture book from the Frolic series and a gorgeous Advent pop-up book that will make a delightful gift.
Each book and video is designed to help parents instill an open-hearted, transformational, lifelong Christian faith in their children at every age and stage.
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Holiday Bazaar Craft & Vendor Show
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Visit St Mark Lutheran on Saturday, November 12, 2016 from 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM for fun for the whole family! Over 30 vendors will be on-hand selling hand-made crafts and gift items, as well as a variety of products and services . Also, enjoy concessions, raffles, children's games & activities including reptile rescue, face painting, cookie decorating, and games.
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The Experience at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS)
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The name The Experience was chosen because LTSS believes what you, as a prospective student, experiences is the most appropriate and influential way to determine which seminary is the right place to earn your theological education. During your time with us, we will show you our community and the community surrounding us. You will experience life with our current students and the heartbeat of campus. Also, our faculty will offer you a glimpse of the classroom experience that is essential to your theological formation. We look forward to welcoming you to The Experience!
Jenn Casey, an alum of LTSS and our Enrollment Director reflects, "I remember having a lot of questions during my discernment process and I often wondered if I was the only person with those questions. I also thought I must be crazy for thinking that God was calling me into ordained ministry. I now know I wasn't the only one, but it can be a confusing process!"
We have four opportunities, click on each on for registration information.
Questions? Contact Kohl Friery at 803-
461-3296 or
[email protected]
. If you want to visit LTSS but these events don't work, email Kohl and set up a private visit!
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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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ELCA Colleges & Universities
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ELCA colleges and universities have a helpful website whygolutheran.org - for students and parents as they embark on the college search process. On the site families can:
- Learn more about the value of the Lutheran college experience.
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Coordinator of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries - Salem, Virginia
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College Evangelical Lutheran Church seeks applications for a part-time Coordinator of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries.
Under the supervision of the Pastor, the Coordinator serves alongside of congregational leaders, advocates for and facilitates Children, Youth, and Family Ministry programs. Programs include Nursery; Sunday School (Pre K-High School); Confirmation; Vacation Bible School and other summer programs; Youth Group; Campus Ministry; and Family Faith Formation.
To view the full job description, click here. |
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