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“And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.” ~Matthew 18:13
The Parable of the Lost Sheep, found in both Matthew and Luke’s Gospel, is often interpreted as the Good Shepherd going to the “lost” – sinners and the unchurched. However, we might look at this Parable through a different lens, one that asks, “who’s missing?” In order for the Good Shepherd to go out to find the lost, he has to acknowledge one missing. In order for the flock to rejoice, they have to first notice that there is a fullness that can’t be experienced without the one present.
Think about our three expressions of church – congregations, synod, and ELCA – who’s missing? If we look at our existing flock and there is an answer to that question other than “no one,” then we have work to do, church. Perhaps the Good Shepherd needs a few good hired hands, looking within, asking “who’s missing?” and then going out into our communities to seek out those who might not only need to know God’s Grace, but also have something to teach us about God’s Grace as well!
Through us, O Lord, may your church reflect the vast and diverse people you love. Amen!
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Last Call! TAPESTRY Online Townhall Meeting
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When: Monday, August 14th. 7:30-8:30pm
Where: Zoom Video Conference Call
Why: A brief presentation on TAPESTRY’s strategic vision and goals for the upcoming year, ways to get involved, followed by Q&A.
Directions for signing up: Contact Emily Pilat in the Synod Office at pilat@vasynod.org to sign up and to receive details on technology requirements and instructions for using Zoom, the Synod’s video conference call app.
Participation limit is 40, so sign up today! (Note: A follow-on email will be sent out to confirm registration, and give instructions for logging into the Townhall meeting)
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Get to Know your TAPESTRY Team!
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In the following newsletters, we’ll highlight members of the TAPESTRY Team, so you can get to know those in the Synod who are working to integrate diversity, justice, and inclusion into the life and ministries of the VA Synod.
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Name: Melinda Barnhardt Jud
Location: Springfield, OH
Family: Henry Jud (spouse), four stepchildren, six grandchildren – one African American
Tie to VA Synod: Co-Leader (2002-2008) and Team Leader (2009-2014) of forerunners of Tapestry; Associate Member, Our Saviour Lutheran, Warrenton, VA; Member, Good Shepherd Lutheran, Springfield, OH.
Interesting Facts: Formerly, Assistant professor of English, U. of Cincinnati; expatriat in Iran (’74-79); Principal Member of the Engineering Staff (Unisys Reston); and Designer/Builder with Hank of our passive solar VA house. Currently, writer of a book with race and reconciliation dimensions.
Why Serving on TAPESTRY: Rarely have I felt so Spirit-led as in this endeavor. As a church, we “welcome God’s many faces” by reaching out to the other.
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Connect with the Virginia Synod
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