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| Announcements From Around the Virginia Synod |
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Papua New Guinea Malaria Sunday
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UNICEF reports that Malaria kills a child somewhere in the world every minute and children under 5 account for two-thirds of the deaths. Poverty stricken areas get caught in the loop of inadequate healthcare which ultimately contributes to the mortality rates.
The Virginia Synod and the ELCA have been generous supporters of fighting Malaria. As a synod we gave over $250,000 to the ELCA Malaria Campaign which focused its attention upon the plight of children in Sub-Saharan Africa. The ELCA together gave over $15 million for the control of malaria to this very vulnerable population.
But Sub-Saharan Africa is not the only place that is affected by Malaria. Our partners in Papua New Guinea also face this deadly disease.
The Rev. Tobby Eleasar, president of our companion district in Papua New Guinea writes the following:
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President Tobby Eleasar |
"Malaria affects nearly everyone in PNG. If someone s tarts to shiver or has joint and body pains and has a high fever, they basically know they have malaria. In rural areas where there are no facilities to test blood, doctors and nurses will treat the patient with those symptoms with Malaria tablets first. If the patient fails to get better, then they are referred to the hospital for blood tests. The drugs which are used to treat malaria patients are becoming less effective. New drugs are being used when they are available.
Interestingly, in the highlands area where there didn't used to be mosquitoes, people are beginning to get malaria because of the climate change.
In villages where it is hard to get mosquito nets, we make fires so the smoke can keep the mosquitoes away. In my area we use part of the tree which when dried and is lit produces smoke which is a good mosquito repellent. But you have to wake many times a night to replace it to keep producing the smoke.
Two months before my travel to Virginia, I had malaria. I got bitten by mosquitoes while at our National Synod on Karka and could not travel home. Fortunately, I was treated in our clinic at Ampo in Lae (church headquarters) for 3 days before I traveled back to Bialla. My son got malaria last year while in school in Kimbe and was treated in the hospital but we had to go down and bring him home. Just last week one of our pastors who went to Lae contacted me and said he could not make it back because he had malaria. He is being treated and is expected to return this week.
Everyone here in Papua New Guinea has a story to tell about malaria because everyone has had it sometime in his/her life or knows of a family member who has. Having treated mosquito nets will help us a lot to prevent malaria."
Malaria Sunday is April 24th and we ask that you consider making this Papua New Guinea Malaria Sunday at your church. Raise awareness in your congregation and prayer for our international partners.
President Eleasar made a request for 5,000 nets for the children of his district, which would cost $50,000. Each net only costs $10. Consider rallying your congregation or purchasing two nets yourself for $20. Those two nets could save the lives of two children in Papua New Guinea.
If you would like to support this goal financially, you or your congregation may donate by checks may be made to the Virginia Synod marked "Mosquito nets for PNG." and mail to Virginia Synod, P.O. Box 70 Salem, VA 24153 or you can click here to donate online.
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Synod Assembly Registration and Info
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Synod Assembly is here!
June 10-12, 2016 will be our time to get together at Roanoke College as the Virginia Synod to fellowship, learn about the wider church, do business, and learn more about worship. Our keynote speaker this year will be the Rev. Kevin L. Strickland, Director of Worship of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Click the links below for the General Arrangements document that has everything you need for Synod Assembly 2016.
*Youth Assembly participants will be the only people housed on campus. Participants at the Adult Synod Assembly can use our
Salem Area Hotel List
to make reservations.
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Opportunities at Caroline Furnace Camp
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2016 Spring ACTS Course
Save The Date - April 9 & May 14
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The ACTS Spring Course, "A World According to God: Practices for Discipleship" will be April 9 & May 14, 2016. The presenter will be Dr. Martha E. Stortz, the
Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation at Augsburg College, a position she has held since 2010.
ACTS is the Virginia Synod's Adult Faith Formation program. For more information about ACTS,
click here.
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In the Breaking of the Bread: Lutheran/Episcopal Retreat
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Join clergy and rostered leaders for an ecumenical retreat held May 16-18, 2016, at Shrine Mont Conference Center in Orkney Springs, Virginia.
Participants will gain working knowledge of The Book of Common Prayer and Evangelical Lutheran Worship and how to use them to preside with instruction from renowned scholars. Learning and fellowship with national ecumenical officers, bishops, deployment officers, synod staff, and full communion clergy partners in your area will equip you for shared ministries of word and sacrament.
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Pack the Park for LFSVA!
You can be a superhero for LFSVA individuals with disabilities at our third Pack the Park event, Saturday, May 21 (Superhero Night!), at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium. For every $10 ticket we sell, LFSVA gets $5, which will go toward LFSVA's new Supported Employment Services, which helps individuals with disabilities in the Roanoke area prepare for and find real jobs through job coaching and mentoring. Come support our individuals, their families and our program. For information on how to buy tickets or to learn more about ticket packages that will pay for tickets and meals for students or individuals to attend a game, contact Leah Hatcher at [email protected]. You can learn more about Supported Employment Services and LFSVA at lfsva.org!
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Visiting Theologian in Blacksburg, April 30:
Marianne Hieb on Meditative Art-Journaling
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Marianne Hieb will serve as Luther Memorial Lutheran Church's 2016 Visiting Theologian in Blacksburg. Sister Hieb ministers at the Lourdes Wellness Center in Collingswood, NJ, where, for the past 30 years, she has developed and facilitated the Creativity, Spirituality,
and Wellness program.
Dr. Hieb will facilitate a workshop, on Saturday, April 30, at Luther Memorial: Meditative Art-Journaling®: An Adjunct Prayer Practice and Way of Contemplative Presence. This workshop will invite participants to use art materials as a way to explore the presence of God. There will be a morning (9-12) and an afternoon session (12-4); participants may attend either one or both. Lunch will be served between sessions.
Luther Memorial is located at 600 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA.
This workshop is open to all and free to the public. All art materials will be provided.
It is requested that participants register by either calling 951-1000 or sending an email to [email protected].
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EQ-HR
The Center for Emotional Intelligence & Human Relations Skills Workshop: May 9-13
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The EQ-HR Center's mission is to equip leaders within faith based organizations with skills that enhance their leadership abilities by developing emotional intelligence competence, building human relations skills, and providing coaching support.
The EQ-HR center is now offering its core workshop, which is an intensive five-day session designed to enable participants to learn about, build and practice emotional intelligence skills in a small group setting. There will be workshop in Hickory,NC May 9-13, 2016 Skilled facilitators provide tools and feedback to enable participants to learn about themselves and to immediately practice emerging skills. The content of the workshop revolves around the five areas of emotional intelligence as keys to improving leadership effectiveness for faith-based leaders: self-perception, self-expression, interpersonal relationships, decision-making, and stress management.
For more information about the workshops and workshop locations,
click here to download a brochure.
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National Association of Lutheran Interim Pastors Course
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The National Association of Lutheran Interim Pastors (NALIP) has openings for its 60- hour Basic Education for Intentional Interim Ministry course offered this April and May. Venues include Easton, PA; Stow, Ohio and St. Louis, MO.
Check the website for details
NALIP or call Pr Ken Ruppar (804) 564-5389, Executive Director of NALIP.
NALIP also has information on the website for the annual training conference scheduled June 9-11 in Las Vegas, NV.
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Office Administrator - Bristol, VA
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Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bristol, VA
is seeking an office administrator to perform general office management, receptionist, clerical, and bookkeeping tasks.
This is a part-time position, 16 hours per week; 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM Monday thru Thursday. Some flexibility as to days and hours may be accommodated.
A successful candidate must possess a warm, friendly and professional demeanor. Must be self-motivated with an excellent work ethic and organizational skills, and be able to work independently and as a team player. Familiarity with, and current participation in some faith community is valuable.
Job Requirements
Candidates must have proficiency in office procedures and methods to ensure work flow, knowledge of office computers and software. Microsoft Office Suite required; "Church Windows" accounting software, desktop publishing, Facebook, Twitter, other electronic communication and web page skills a plus. This person must be able to multi-task, be flexible in his/her job and a willingness to learn new software. Attention to detail and the ability to review and streamline processes is essential.
Preferred Qualifications
2 year degree or equivalent experience preferred
Some general accounting knowledge and experience helpful.
Religious office experience a plus
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Director of Faith Nurture Ministries-Salem, VA
Anticipated Starting Date: June 1, 2016
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College Evangelical Lutheran Church (Salem, Virginia) seeks applications for a part-time director of Faith Nurture Ministries. Salary range is $25,000 - $30,000 annually. Compensation includes two (2) weeks of paid annual vacation. Continuing education funds are available.
Click here for the full position description.
Under the supervision of the Pastor, the director of Faith Nurture Ministries serves as an advocate for and facilitates Congregational faith formation programs.
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Grace Inside Chaplaincy Opening:
Buckingham Correctional Center
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GraceInside (Virginia's Prison Chaplain Service) is currently seeking interested and qualified candidates for a Chaplain position at
Buckingham Correctional Center (BKCC is located in Dillwyn in central Virginia). BKCC is a level 3-4 security facility housing over 1000 men serving long sentences who've been infraction free for 2 years. This part-time position is currently funded for 30 hours a week. Qualified applicants should have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university, a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or equivalent degree from an accredited seminary/theological school, and should be ordained and in good standing with their ordaining body (church, denomination/judicatory). CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) units are a plus, as is pastoral experience. Experience working in the field of criminal justice (jails, prisons, etc.) is also a plus. Interested candidates may request an application from Kate Shelton at
[email protected]. Completed applications should be scanned and emailed - along with a current resume and cover letter of interest - to Kate Shelton at the above email address. Deadline to receive all materials is Thursday, March 10, 2016. The position will begin April 1, 2016 ,with training and time for shadowing the current chaplain who retires April 30th.
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Do You have an announcement, upcoming event or news story Idea? Send it to [email protected] and make sure to follow our
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