Weekly Update
Announcements From Around the Virginia Synod
Meet our ForwardingFaith Campaign Chair!
Ms. Stephanie Hamlett, a member of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Richmond, has been named the chair of the ForwardingFaith Campaign, the Virginia Synod's initiative to endow youth ministry and faith formation in the Synod.

Synodical youth ministry is close to Stephanie Hamlett's heart. She was once a participant at the events and even served on a planning group for Kairos, the Synod's summer youth event for high school students.

"Growing up going to Virginia Synod youth events strengthened my faith and helped me make lifelong friends," Stephanie said. "When you are growing up, you need good influences and every youth event made a positive impact on me."

As the highest level volunteer position in the Campaign she will assist in providing overall leadership and direction to the ForwardingFaith Campaign across Virginia. 

Volunteering is not new to Stephanie Hamlett. Her resume is filled with volunteer positions: the social ministry team at Epiphany Lutheran, helping with the local food pantry, Lutheran Family Services fundraisers, preparing Easter baskets for low income children in Richmond--the list goes on and on.

Volunteering at the Synod level seems to run in the family. Her father, Leroy Hamlett Jr., served as the Vice President of the Synod Council from 1988 to 1995 under Bishop Richard F. Bansemer.
Stephanie and her father Leroy Hamlett Jr
"I am delighted that she has this opportunity to serve," Leroy Hamlett Jr. said. "She really is a constant volunteer. Now she has an opportunity to help people in the future participate in the youth events."

When Stephanie talks about her experience with the Synod youth ministry, you can hear the smile in her voice as she begins to reminisce.

"Just being at a gathering with a huge group of youth from all over the state can give you hope," Hamlett said. "To know that you are a part of a large group of people who all believe the same thing is really powerful. You have the real world around you but then you have these youth events that provide you with a chance to focus on what is really important."

Because Synod Youth Ministry and Faith Formation is so important to both Stephanie and her parents, they have chosen to donate to the FowardingFaith Campaign together and have given a family gift. This is a beautiful symbol of the impact that the Synod and it's ministries have had on multiple generations in the same family and how we are all working together to forward faith.
The ForwardingFaith Campaign will support not only the youth ministry, but the $2.5 million raised through this campaign will form an endowment to support all youth and adult faith formation ministries of the Synod.

"Endowments give the great advantage to the church guarantee that you can always move forward despite the waxes and wanes," said Leroy Hamlett Jr.

The ForwardingFaith campaign is already off to a great start. Just over $1.5 million has been received in gifts and pledges so far. As the ForwardingFaith campaign continues, Stephanie will be helping to lead the way and she hopes that other individuals and congregations will help join the effort. 

"The Virginia Synod youth events provide such fulfillment and enrichment. To keep that going forward--It's almost like we have to do it."
Announcements
 If you want to submit an announcement, please  check out the Submission Guidelines and send your submission to pilat@vasynod.org.
Power in the Spirit Registration  is Now Available!

Register Now for Power in the Spirit! 
Join us July 14-16 at Roanoke College for a conference with Lutherans from all across the state. Hear Rev. Dr. Kathryn Kleinhans lead us through two days of talking about God's grace. The registration deadline is
JULY 14. 

Help with West Virginia Flood Recovery Efforts.
Recovery efforts are underway in West Virginia  as families and communities attempt to deal with the  flooding  which devastated the area.   If you would like to help, you can make a gift through the  Lutheran Disaster Response

There is also great need for disaster relief volunteers to aid in the recovery efforts. Working with Community Lutheran Partners, there are some steps you and your congregation can take to help with West Virginia flood recovery efforts:

Update your tetnus shot if it has been more than 10 years
Send Sherri your email (clp@clp-online.org)
Sigh up through Volunteer WV  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/16Floods
Log onto  clp-online.org to download volunteer forms (found in volunteer link at the top of the page
Once you have completed these steps, Sherri will work with you to find a site that fits your skill sets.
60th Anniversary Celebration at Lutherock-Aug 19-21

Come celebrate 60 years of ministry at Lutherock Lutheran Camp and Conference with us! Join us for a day or weekend of celebration and reconnecting with your brothers and sisters in Christ. The weekend will be full of fun camp activities such as: ice cream making, skits and songs around the campfire, hiking on the property, climbing the Challenge Tower, zipping off the ropes course and so much more! Overnight accommodations are based on availability and require pre-registration. Space is limited, so register early!

Enjoy picnic lunch, recognitions and day activities: Free will offering and does not require pre-registration.
Tent camping: $10/person or $20/per family each night
Moretz Lodge, Cabin Village, Founder's Lodge, or Stone Lodge: $20/person or $40/family each night
Crow's Nest: $30/person or $50/family each night
Rates include meals, lodging and programming for the weekend!


Volunteers Wanted For Disaster Recovery in New Jersey
Some homes in New Jersey still haven't been rebuilt after the destruction of hurricane Sandy. Are you and your church looking for a mission trip opportunity? Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey (LSMNJ) Disaster Recovery continues to need volunteer teams interested in doing disaster rebuilding work. All skill levels welcome for a weekend, few days or week of work. There are more than 9,000 families still displaced and volunteer housing is available. If interested please contact Amy Pennenga at apennenga@lsmnj.org or 609-699-4137.
Theology For Teens at Roanoke College: July 24-29
 
Rising 10th and 11th grade teens!
Ask the big questions
Live on campus for a week
Learn with professors and Roanoke College students

Sunday July 24, 2016 through Friday July 29, 2016
An all new, week-long summer program introducing teens to biblical and theological scholarship, exploring contemporary challenges & how their faith tradition can meet those challenges.  We will focus on the life & thought of Dietrich Bonhoeffer-a church leader who met the challenges before him-we will explore today's social issues & encounter other faiths by engaging the students with leaders from those various communities.  Come and discover a sense of mission, be equipped with theological tools to enable you to meet the challenges facing the church today. Go to www.roanoke.edu/t4teens for more information.

Clinical Pastoral Education at The Village at Orchard Ridge
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. Participants are formed in ministry through individual learning goals and through reflection in community upon pastoral practice by means of case studies, seminars and individual supervision.

Units offered in a community of seniors on the campus of The Village at Orchard Ridge-A National Lutheran Community allows the participant to work with a population that they will likely encounter for the whole of their ministry careers. We offer a unique, creative and engaging community that will assist the participants' ability to minister, reflect, engage and grow.

Fall 2016 ACTS Courses
Register Now for Fall 2016 ACTS Courses
Join us October 1st and October 29th at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waynesboro, Virginia. Hear Dr. Terri Elton address the paradox of ministry leadership, looking at the importance of balancing our role with God's.

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 pilat@vasynod.org. 
Part Time Organist--Petersburg, VA
Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Petersburg is looking for a part-time organist-keyboardist.  This could be on a rotation schedule with other organist-keyboardist, so it would not be an every Sunday commitment.

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