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“Got a case of the Mondays?” For a lot of people, Mondays can seem like the worst day of the week. Waking up earlier and getting back into a routine at work or school can feel all but impossible- it’s hard to end a weekend! But, for the past two years, members of Christ Lutheran Church in Roanoke have worked to make at least one Monday a month a little brighter for commuters in their neighborhood.
On the first Monday of the month, from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM, Christ Lutheran members as well as Pastor David Skole and Pastor Cynthia Keyser share a hot cup of coffee and a prayer to start the week with those who drive or walk by the building. Members stretch down the intersection of Brandon and Grandin, armed with ten dozen warm Krispy Kreme donuts, ten gallons of piping hot cups of coffee, and wide smiles to start the day off right.
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“You would not believe the sorts of looks we got when we first started this,” Cary Mangus, a member of Christ Lutheran, laughed. Area commuters and students on their way to nearby Patrick Henry High School did not expect kindness in a cup of coffee at first. But it has not taken long for these commuters to catch on.
As members from Christ walk up and down the intersection sharing their morning well wishes, many commuters wave or give thumbs up in response. Even if they didn’t take a cup of coffee or donut, the love is received in full. “People really seem to look forward to this now," Joyce Noell, a member of Christ Lutheran explained, "it’s a fun way to start the day.” Rain or shine, and sometimes even snow, Christ Lutheran's coffee and prayer are always ready to be shared.
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Throughout the hour they serve, members of Christ aren’t simply sharing a morning treat but encouragements for commuters’ Monday. “Have a great day, God bless!” is a common refrain from the members of Christ with every coffee and donut they deliver. Returns of “Thank you!” and “You made my morning!” often cheer over the sound of traffic. In all these interactions there is a warmth felt not because of a hot drink, but thanks to a moment of thoughtfulness and thanks shared between Christ Lutheran and the community they serve.
There’s no better way to witness the community surrounding Christ Lutheran than by the morning traffic of city buses, trucks, taxies, and cars of every size. It only takes a moment to share a blessing and God’s love on these mornings. The hope is that the time spent on these Mondays can ripple out and continue to make a positive difference in the life of the Roanoke community as well as for members of Christ Lutheran.
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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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7th Day is our annual overnight event for youth in 5th and 6th grades and their adult advisors. During the weekend participants are part if a “Shepherd Group” with other youth and adult leaders and explore a story of the Bible through drama, games, crafts, and music. In the evening youth and adults will have time to relax in their Cottages with their congregation and other congregations from Virginia and discuss how 7th Day is going.
For more information, and to register for 7th Day click here
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Register Now for the Spring 2017 ACTS Course
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Join us March 11th and April 1st at Grace Evangelical Lutheran in Waynesboro (or at two Simulcast locations). Hear Rev. Dave Delaney present an introduction to the Old Testament, providing participants a broad view of the history of Ancient Israel and how their scriptures came to be.
For more information, and to register for the Spring ACTS course,
click here
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Virginia Synod Survey for Bishop Election Results Now Available
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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
The transition process has provided educational opportunities concerning the ministry of a Lutheran bishop, question gathering through a survey, and discussion of leadership qualities and skills needed based on the mission priorities and challenges identified. These processes have been assisting voting members in discerning the gifts and leadership qualities essential in the ministry of a bishop.
As a result of the Transition Team's work, they have gathered results from the distributed
Virginia Synod Survey for Bishop Election, as well as collected discussion responses from the 2016 Fall Conference Gatherings.
These survey results are 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.
To view the Virginia Synod Survey for Bishop Election Results,
click here
To View Feedback collected during Synod Fall Conference Gatherings, 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 500th anniversary of the Reformation and in coordination with the 175th 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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Imagine, for a moment, stepping into an experience that will transform your life. A year dedicated to serving others, experiencing a new culture and living in deep mutual relationship.
If you or a loved one are between the ages of 21-29, consider applying to the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program, a one-year, international, faith-based service opportunity in one of 11 country programs around the world.
The YAGM application is live and ready! Online applications can be found at
www.elca.org/yagm
, and are due Feb. 15, for service beginning in Aug. 2017.
For questions, please contact elcaglobalserve@elca.org or call 773-380-2562
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Rostered Ministers Gathering: On The Way...Together!
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This summer we will have a unique opportunity to gather for the first ever ELCA Rostered Ministers Gathering. We will come together under the theme of "On the Way...Together," using the Road to Emmaus story (Luke 24:13-25) to guide our time together.
This gathering provides a wonderful opportunity for rostered ministers to be nourished in worship, song, bible study, a wide variety of topical workshops, service learning opportunities and keynote speakers. This gathering also provides an opportunity to meet your colleagues for fellowship and idea-sharing. It is a time to be refreshed and renewed, as you serve in this church.
Join us August 7-10 in Atlanta, where we will gather with hearts burning within us in the name of Jesus, the crucified and risen Christ.
Registration will open March 1st at ELCA.org/RMG. Early registration with a reduced fee is available until May 31st.
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Where are the "bright spots" for stewardship ministry in your congregation? Recognizing the bright spots reminds us where God's abundance is present. Across the ELCA there are many bright spots and we want to share some of them with you through stewardCast 2017.
All with interest in stewardship in the church are invited to join us for this special oneline event on
Saturday, March 4th, 2017 from 10:30 AM to 12 PM CST.
Hear from speakers who are activily engaged in ministry across the ELCA as they teach, inspire and connect current and new steard leaders with fresh perspectives, partaicies and skills that address the challenges and issues faced in growing stewards in our households, congregations and communities
Participation in this event requires no registration. On the morning of March 4, simply go to www.elca.org/stewardship and click on the box titled stewardCast2017 to participate.
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Inside Out: Forming Faith 2017 Roots and Wings Workshop
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What happens when we consider how faith affects our brains, not just our hearts? In this daylong events, be prepared to look at faith formation and ministry with children and youth using an “Inside Out” point of view. Workshops will balance findings from neuroscience with practical applications for parenting and leading ministry.
Join us Saturday, May 6th from 9 AM to 3 PM at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hampton
To view the event flyer and paper registration,
click here
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Significant Events form for 2017 Synod Assembly
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Submit your congregation's significant events to
Debbie Worley at
worley@vasynod.org
. To be included in the Bulletin of reports, the form must be submitted by May 9, 2017.
To download the Significant Events form for 2017,
click here
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Nominations for Synod Council and Committees
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For Synod Council, we will be electing one lay member (male or female). and four rostered ministers, (1 to fill a vacancy in the class of 2018; 1 male, 1 female, and 1 of either gender for three year terms)
We will be electing 8 new members for the Consultation Committee that can potentially be involved in settling arbitrational matters that might arise in the life of the synod. They will serve a six-year term until 2023.
We will be electing 12 new members for the Committee on Discipline: 2 Lay, 2 Clergy for a two-year term; 2 Lay, 2 Clergy for a four-year term; 2 Lay, 2 Clergy for a six-year term.
To download the position description for the Synod Council and committee positions, click here
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The Village at Orchard Ridge, a National Lutheran Community Philanthropy Director Winchester, VA
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National Lutheran Communities & Services (NLCS) is recruiting for a Philanthropy Director in Winchester, VA. Reporting to the Chief Philanthropy Officer, the Philanthropy Director is an integral position within the organization, serving as lead in all areas related to philanthropic programs at The Village at Orchard Ridge. Responsible for cultivation and stewardship programs in support of the fundraising goals established by National Lutheran Communities & Services (NLCS) and The Village at Orchard Ridge—A National Lutheran Community including capital campaigns. Assures that the institutional fundraising efforts follow excellent management and stewardship practices in stewarding donors and gifts made to The Village at Orchard Ridge. Designs, implements and/or maintains a comprehensive fundraising program including annual giving, major gifts, endowment and capital campaigns, fundraising events and other special projects of The Village at Orchard Ridge supportive of and in accordance with the overall NLCS goals and objectives
Job Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, Human Services or related field is required.
- Visibility requires maintaining a professional appearance and providing a positive image of NLCS.
- Must possess strong written and oral communication skills; able to maintain confidential information.
- Must be able to develop presentations and documents.
- Must have strong computer skills, including proficient in Microsoft Office and willing to learn the donor databases.
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Stay Connected with the Virginia Synod:
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