Weekly Update
Announcements From Around the Virginia Synod
Presiding Bishop Eaton's Easter Message
Easter message from ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton 2016
Easter message from ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton 

Easter is early this year, and in many places across this church trees will still be bare and fields barren. It might even snow. But on Easter morning we will gather to greet the risen Son and give thanks to God for the new life we have in Jesus Christ.

Two things come to mind this Easter when there is still only the hint of spring: Jesus' words to his disciples just before his crucifixion and a hymn.

Jesus said, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." Jesus was talking about his death, but he was also assuring his disciples and us that death is not the end, that, though it might seem impossible and even terrifying to step into the void, God brings life out of death.

The hymn is ELW 379:

Now the green blade rises from the buried grain,
wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;
love lives again, that with the dead has been;
love is come again like wheat arising green.

The tune is actually a French Christmas carol. How perfect that, in the bleak midwinter, the promise of spring was planted.

St. Paul wrote, "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" We have already fallen into the earth and died. "For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his." 

We will not remain alone. We will bear fruit.

The seed has been planted in all the barren places in the world and in our lives. That gives us the power and the hope - especially in the face of our brokenness - to see life where the world only sees death ... in refugee camps and hospice units, in parched earth and in floods, in oppression and denied justice we are bold to confess. Now the green blade rises. Now love lives again. Now love comes again like wheat arising green.
Christ is risen.


Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Announcements
 If you want to submit an announcement, please  check out the Submission Guidelines and send your submission to fuller@vasynod.org.
Synod Assembly Registration and Info

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.
Opportunities at Caroline Furnace Camp

Paul Bunyan Weekend: Men's Retreat
April 1-3, 2016
Grab your chainsaw and head to camp for a weekend just for the guys. Suggested donation of $20 to cover meals. 
Register online:
https://carolinefurnace.wufoo.com/forms/paul-bunyan-retreat-april-13-2016/

Spring Work Weekend
May 20-22, 2016
Help us get the camp property ready for summer campers! Projects for all ages and skill levels. 
Register online:
https://carolinefurnace.wufoo.com/forms/cflc-spring-work-weekend-may-2022-2016/

In the Breaking of the Bread: Lutheran/Episcopal Retreat
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.

Registration deadline is April 18. For more information and to
register online, visit: VirginiaLutheranEpiscopal.wordpress.com
Pack The Park for LFSVA
LFS logo new
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 lhatcher@lfsva.org. You can learn more about Supported Employment Services and LFSVA at lfsva.org!

National Association of Lutheran Interim Pastors Course
 
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.   

Job Opportunities
All posts can also be found online at  www.vasynod.org/job-opportunities. If you have job opening you would like posted, email fuller@vasynod.org. 
Office Administrator - Bristol, VA
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
Please send inquiries and/or resumes to: office@redeemerbristol.org 

Director of Faith Nurture Ministries-Salem, VA 
Anticipated Starting Date:  June 1, 2016
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. 
Philanthropy Director
National Lutheran Communities & Services is recruiting for a Philanthropy Director in Rockville, Md., at The Village at Rockville-A National Lutheran Community. The Village at Rockville is a CCRC (continuing care retirement community) that offers independent living, short-term rehabilitation, respite, long-term nursing care, hospice, assisted living and memory care As they continue to plan for the needs of future generations, they want talented, caring, servant-hearted individuals who are passionate about their mission to serve seniors. Reporting to the NLCS 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 Rockville. To learn more and apply, visit https://workforcenow.adp.com/jobs/apply/posting.html?client=nlcscares&ccId=19000101_000001&type=JS&lang=en_US# 

 
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