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Clergy in Charlottesville
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This past Saturday, August 12th, over a dozen Rostered Ministers of the Virginia Synod, Bishop Mauney, Bishop-elect Humphrey and his wife Barbra Humphrey joined in a peaceful march with Charlottesville clergy and religious leaders of Virginia ahead of the Unite the Right rally. The march was organized by the
Charlottesville Clergy Collective
with the goal to provide a positive witness in Charlottesville, and not to engage with those present for the Unite the Right Rally. The clergy present predominantly dressed in blue, gathered at 8 AM to march from Jefferson City Center School to McGuffey Park.
In McGuffey Park state and local government leaders, local pastors, and the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia all brought greetings to those gathered. members of UVA's Black Student Alliance also joined the group and shared their thoughts on the rally occurring. Dr. A.D. Carson, UVA Professor of Hip-Hop and the Global South, He shared a poem he composed titled, “Good morning America.”
Following the gathering at the park, the gathered clergy continued to First United Methodist Church which was open as a “safe space” throughout the day – with first aid, water, food, prayer services, and support planned. There was peace and witness present this day in Charlottesville that ultimately and tragically in fell to fear and violence, leading to the deaths of Heather Heyer, Lt. H. Jay Cullen, and Trooper Berke M. M. Bates and numerous injuries caused by clashes.
Last night, thousands more marched against racism and violence as students and faculty gathered in a candlelight vigil to "take back the Lawn" in an effort of healing for this college town following days of confrontation and tragedy. The evening was organized by a coalition of students and administrators, kept quiet until hours before for security reasons. There the sounds of laughter and songs like "I'm Gonna Let it Shine," "We Shall Overcome" and "This Land is Your Land" carried the night as the UVA community came together to return peace their grounds.
We continue to pray for Charlottesville, for its community and congregations, for its authorities and first responders. We pray for the families who lost loved ones, and for those who were injured on the 12th. We pray for strength and witness to continue to reject the hatred and discrimination of white supremacy. As Bishop Elizabeth Eaton said, “White supremacy has no place in the kingdom of God, only the love and healing of the reign of the Prince of Peace.”
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ELCA Commitment to Confronting Racism and Anti-Semitism
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), stands against all forms of hatred and discrimination. The church believes that cultural, ethnic and racial differences should be seen and celebrated as what God intends them to be—blessings rather than means of oppression and discrimination.
The ELCA’s social statement “Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity and Culture” states: “Racism—a mix of power, privilege, and prejudice—is sin, a violation of God’s intention for humanity. The resulting racial, ethnic, or cultural barriers deny the truth that all people are God’s creatures and, therefore, persons of dignity. Racism fractures and fragments both church and society.”
The social statement, adopted by the ELCA 1993 Churchwide Assembly, calls on the church to make confession for complicity, name the spiritual crisis at the roots, commit to change and make pledges to public witness, advocacy, and action to confront racism.
“We recognize that the kind of violence we witnessed in Charlottesville last weekend is very real and affects all of us,” said ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton. “We need to stand up firmly against racism and anti-Semitism, show up for and advocate with others. Jesus, who makes visible those who are invisible, is already there. We need to show up, and we need to listen in each of our communities.”
The ELCA is a church that belongs to Christ and Christ’s church universal, where there is a place for everyone. The job of Christ’s people today is to celebrate the diversity of God’s creative work and embrace all people in the spirit of love, whatever race or ethnicity, economic status or gender.
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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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Virginia Synod Vocations Conference: Beyond Candidacy: What It’s Like to Be a New Pastor
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This year’s
Vocations Conference will feature presentations from three newer pastors, who will share what it’s been like for them to move beyond candidacy and into ordained ministry. Pr. Tim Crummitt serves a suburban congregation in Hampton, VA. Pr. Anna Havron serves a two-congregation parish near Woodstock, VA. And Pr. Drew Tucker serves a congregation and a campus in Radford, VA. They will tell us what their experiences of being a newer pastor have been like.
The Vocations Conference is sponsored by the VA Synod Candidacy Committee and is a great event for those in seminary AND for those considering seminary in order to prepare for ELCA rostered ministry. This year’s Vocations Conference will be held on
August 18-20, at the Eagle Eyrie Conference Center near Lynchburg.
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Gathering of the Ministerium 2017
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Gathering of the Ministerium is where our rostered leaders can gather to meet, reconnect, worship, relax, learn, sing, pray and play together.
We are a church of great history as well as a church called in hopefulness into a blessed future. Join us as we gather from across the synod to discover how we live out this reality together.
This year's Gathering of the Ministerium will be held on
October 9-11, at
Registration deadline for Gathering of the Ministerium is August 31st 2017
Our presenter for this year is
Dr. Michael DeJonge an Associate Professor in Religious Studies at the University of South Florida (Tampa). Dr. DeJonge will present Bonhoeffer’s interaction with Luther and the tradition, especially in his reflections about ethical and political issues, such as peace and state of authority.
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Fall 2017 ACTS Course: The Christian's Call Today
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For Bonhoeffer, Christ is the definition of reality. Discipleship, then, is a call to become enveloped by that reality; therefore, the Christian's call is not to turn one's back on the world (enter the cloister) but to be God's presence in the world. In other words, our life in the world, which is lived out in the midst of families, friendships, work, and communities, is meant to display the presence and transformative work of God in the world. Because Bonhoeffer's faith led him to take the world seriously in all of its manifestations, Christian vocation is one that willingly stands up for one's neighbor and gets its hands dirty. Join other ACTS participants as together we explore and learn more about our Christian’s Call through this course.
This year's Fall ACTS course will be held on
October 7th and
November 4th.
For more information and to register for the Fall ACTS course,
click here
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Read and respond: ELCA social message on human rights
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The draft of a social message on human rights is now available for viewing and response on the ELCA website,
ELCA.org/Faith/Faith-and-Society/Social-Messages. Reviewing the draft gives you a chance to weigh in on the development of this important document. After reading the message, there are two ways to respond: Fill out the online response form found on the same webpage, or email comments to
eva.johnson@elca.org. Both will be shared with the staff and consulting group that are preparing this message. The comment period closes Aug. 31.
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CROSS+GEN LIFE Tour at Bethel Winchester
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There is something very new, yet very old stirring in the church. Maybe this year the next new thing - and the next Reformation - will start with you intentionally combining the wisdom of the elder and the wonder of the child in the same sacred space every week, and in each other’s prayers every night in every home. On
August 19th at Bethel Lutheran Church, invest a day with Rev. Dr. Rich Melheim and friends to:
+ Explore case studies of faith formation pioneers who have implemented various Cross+Gen ministries in their own churches, and are transforming the fabric of their congregations to include the gifts of all ages in worship and faith formation.
+ Learn about a world of fun and effective Cross+Gen resources that draw children, teens, young adults, parents and elders into the same “eduworship” space, fostering cross+generational faith formation, fellowship, relationships and care.
+ Experience a sneak peak of the new Luther Rock Opera, a great cross+generational way to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
+ Leave with a plan to immerse and include a wider community than ever before in your lifelong learning, worship and faith formation practices.
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Kairos 2.0 Gathering at Muhlenberg Lutheran, Harrisonburg!
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Encourage all your rising 9th through 12th grade youth to sign up for Kairos 2.0 reunion gathering at Muhlenberg Lutheran in Harrisonburg August 18th 6:30 pm - August 20th 1 pm. Youth who did not attend Kairos are also welcome!
This is a lock-in style retreat. Youth will stay in the MAC building at Muhlenberg. Sleeping pads or inflatable mattresses are recommended, sleeping bags are required. Food is provided and will be prepared by youth participants. Free will offering of $10-$15 to cover food costs is appreciated. Adults are welcome! (As per Muhlenberg’s safe church policy, adults will need to be background checked through the VA Synod or approved through MLC – Contact Clay Arthur if you have questions.)
For more information and to download a poster for the event,
click here
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Confessing and Expressing Our Faith in Worship
A closer look at the use of the Creeds, Hymn of the Day, Thanksgiving at Table in the Sunday Liturgy
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Presenter:
Dr. Gordon W. Lathrop,
Professor of Liturgy Emeritus - Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
Date:
September 13 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM
Cost:
$25.00
Breakfast items and lunch included.
Location:
St. Mary's Pine Lutheran Church
7103 S. Middle Rd., Mt. Jackson, VA
To register, please call or e-mail:
Emanuel Lutheran Church -Woodstock. VA
For more information on the seminar and to download a flyer,
click here
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National Lutheran Communities & Services Community Impact Grants 2018
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Clinical Pastoral Education program with National Lutheran Communities & Services
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Reflect, Engage and Grow: Preparing pastors by developing new skills in pastoral care.
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.
The Village at Orchard Ridge is now accepting applications for the fall session of the CPE Program.
If you are interested in testing a call to be a chaplain in health care, a retirement community, or other care facility, or simply wish to develop new skills as a pastor, consider applying to the program. To apply, download and complete the application below and return to Chaplain William Boldin via
email.
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Director of Youth and Family Ministry at St. Mark Lutheran Church (ELCA) of Charlottesville VA
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The Director of Youth and Family Ministry works with the Pastor(s), staff, lay leaders and others to support the spiritual health of the congregation and specifically the youth, primarily middle and high school age. Provides a connection between the St. Mark family and the growing number of youth. The lead Pastor is the immediate supervisor of the Director of Youth and Family Ministry.
Core Duties:
Activities: The following outline of activities are guidelines that may have some ebb and flow based on Church and school calendars.
- Weekly
- Coordinate and establish a weekly activity for youth
- Teach or help prepare youth Sunday School program
- Attend worship
- Foster relationship with Preschool families
- Other Activity Expectations include . . .
- Coordinate and attend at least two weekend retreats with youth every year
- Plan and coordinate – bi-monthly social youth/family events
- One week a year, help coordinate and attend a mission trip with youth/families
- Coordinate and attend at least two synod retreats with youth every year
- Be available to youth/families. This includes establishing/publishing office times or availability for meetings/visits
- Work with the Pastor to get the youth involved in church leadership activities such as acolyte, readers, assisting minister, etc. and leading & planning youth worship services
- Attend Pastor led Church staff meetings
- Attend Mission Council meetings as required by Council
- Participate in Church Funded Continuing Educations as appropriate
For more information and to review the full job listing,
click here
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Executive Director, Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp
and Retreat Center
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Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center, an outdoor ministry serving the Virginia, Metro DC, and West Virginia/Western Maryland Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American (ELCA), is currently seeking an Executive Director. The board of directors will be accepting applications through August 15, 2017.
Caroline Furnace is located on 257 acres in the Fort Valley area of Shenandoah County, VA. In addition to the main camp and retreat facility in Fort Valley, Caroline Furnace operates an adult-only retreat center in Strasburg, VA.
The camp operates year-round, with a summer camp program from June through August and retreat rentals by congregations, councils, schools, recreational/sports clubs, girl and boy scouts, and many other groups throughout the year.
It is the mission of Caroline Furnace “to provide unforgettable faith, education, and renewal experiences in God's creation for all God’s people.” A successful Executive Director will have a commitment to service and bring a strong understanding of Lutheran theology in the development of camp programming and retreat curricula.
The ideal candidate will successfully operate the existing camp programs, while
developing additional offerings that reach out to God’s people. The ability to network with Caroline Furnace’s local community and congregations within the three synods is important.
Salary and total compensation are commensurate with the
Virginia Synod guidelines. A residence is provided for the use of the Executive Director.
For more information and to review the full job listing,
click here
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Home Health Clinical Services Director
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myPotential at Home—A National Lutheran Service has an exciting opening for a talented Registered Nurse with a home healthcare background to join our new home health operation, overseeing our growing footprint up the Shenandoah Valley into Staunton, Va. The Home Health Clinical Services Director will serve a key role in shaping the program and managing the care delivery and service experience of all clients in the comfort of their home. If you are looking for a fulfilling and stimulating leadership role that offers career growth, a flexible schedule, and excellent pay with generous benefits, apply today!
• $100K starting salary
• $5,000 sign-on bonus with additional bonus opportunities in year one
• Flexible day-shift position, weekends not required
• Continued learning encouraged with tuition reimbursement
• Willing to offer relocation assistance
For more information and to review the full job listing,
click here
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Stay Connected with the Virginia Synod:
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