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| Announcements From Around the Virginia Synod |
This Friday, November 11th we celebrate Veterans Day. This federal holiday honors the brave men and women of the armed forces who put their lives on the line to protect our freedom. Veterans Day recognizes all service men and women of the US Army, Navy, Marine Corps, National Guard, Air Force, and the Coast Guard who have served during times of war or peace.
Today we're taking time to honor our veterans by sharing a message from Bishop Eaton, as well as resources and the ways our Synod honor our service men and women. |
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You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, you will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust."
(Psalm 91)
During the week of Veterans Day (Friday, Nov. 11), I invite you to join across this church to pray for service members, veterans, chaplains and their families. Let us pray for an ordered civic life and respect for the dignity and worth of every person. In worship on these days, please remember the impact of family separation and mobility for veterans and those currently serving, many of whom are members of our congregations and communities.
In New Orleans this year, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly adopted a memorial asking, "the Office of the Presiding Bishop to establish a Sunday of prayer and action closest to Veterans Day each year to unite this church in prayer and encourage practical assistance for military members, veterans, ELCA chaplains and families."
I invite you to pray for the pursuit of peace and for the right use of power in cases where war is a response to aggression. Pray for those who have answered a vocation of military service and for their families. Through prayer, let us encourage our ELCA chaplains as they witness for Jesus Christ and make Christ present in word and sacrament. Prayer is powerful, and knowing this church remembers in prayer those who serve helps sustain their hope in Christ. For worship resources, prayer aids and other ideas visit:
elcachaps.com
Whether your congregation is new to addressing military concerns or has a history of prayer and action for those touched by war-time service, I ask for your prayers. Consider making the Sunday closest to Veterans Day an opportunity to care for those who have served as together we turn to God as our refuge and strength.
God's peace,
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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Prayer books are in demand for Navy sailors preparing to leave Norfolk for duty serving 9 to 12 month deployments across the globe. Pastor Aaron Fuller, who is chaplain for the Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center at Norfolk said, "The prayer books are a hit and the box that the Tidewater Conference donated is almost fully given away."
In his command about 5,000 reserve and active duty sailors are deployed every year. Pastor Fuller's ministry with sailors helps to serve as a connection to their faith as they move forward to their assignment. This can mean connecting them to chaplains where they are stationed, offering up his weekly devotions, or providing resources like the Prayerbook for the Armed services.
"Through contributions, Synod members are ministering to the sailors, helping them stay connected to their faith too," Fuller said. "A powerful witness!"
We've previously shared a story about the important of the Prayerbook for the Armed services in chaplaincy, to read more about this, click here
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Tell us how you and your congregation are celebrating service men and women this Veteran's Day! We'll be sharing stories and photos from Friday and weekend services on our social media and on the Synod website.
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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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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.
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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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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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A Rabbi Brought a Psychiatrist to the Church
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Visit St John's Episcopal Church in McLean, Virginia on November 17, 2016 to attend an event hosted by The Voyagers- a gathering of clergy and church leaders exploring Bowen Family Systems Theory as applied to congregations and leadership by Rabbi Edwin Friedman.
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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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LARCUM CONFERENCE, 2016: "Reformations, Then and Now"
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With the bronze statue in place at Roanoke College and the Lutheran World Federation and Catholic Church holding a Common Prayer service in Lund, Sweden, led by LWF President Bishop Dr. Munib A. Younan and Pope Francis on October 31, 2016, we Lutherans in Virginia are ready to dig deeply into this reforming Church with our LARCUM (Lutheran/Anglican/Roman Catholic/United Methodist) partners.
This year's LARCUM Conference (December 2-3 in Ashland, Virginia) is an opportunity for members of congregations and rostered leaders to wrestle with the question: What is the church
now
called away from and where is the church called to go?
Session topics for the conference include:
- The Body Lies Bleeding: Wounds of the Divided Church
- Body Language: The reality of the body of Christ
- Call and Response: The call of the present Christ
- Proclaiming the Gospel in a "Secular Age"
Our speaker, Dr. Joseph Small of the Presbyterian tradition, is a seasoned ecumenist of international scale who knows his way around this topic. He is author of such works as "Proclaiming the Great Ends of the Church" and "Fire and Wind: The Holy Spirit in the Church Today."
Take advantage of this opportunity to prepare yourself for the 500th anniversary commemoration. Registration deadline: Nov. 18. Contact your pastor or the VA Synod for brochures and registration forms. Or email Pastor Eric Moehring, Ecumenical Representative of the VA Synod at
[email protected]
. You won't want to miss this one!
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Deck the Halls with Bronze! Handbell Concert
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The Sine Nomine Concerts welcome the Virginia Handbell Consort on
Saturday, December 3, 2017 at 7 PM, St Mark Lutheran Church (118 Old York-Hampton Hwy, Yorktown, VA 23692). This holiday program, Deck the Halls with Bronze, offers both traditional works and some new compositions. Invite your neighbors, friends, co-workers, and relatives for this lively program.
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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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WindsorMeade of Williamsburg seeks chaplain
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WindsorMeade of Williamsburg, a Continuing Care Retirement Community, is looking for a full-time or part-time chaplain (approximately 20 hours per week). Ideal candidate has a Master's of Divinity from an accredited seminary or school of theology, a chaplaincy certification and two years of pastoral care experience, preferably with a senior adult population. Chaplain must be able to serve communion. Fluent English speaking and writing skills, empathy and the ability to listen, good time management skills, computer skills and professional dress, speech and behavior are all required for this position. To apply, submit your information and resume at www.windsormeade.org. Contact WindsorMeade directly for additional information.
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