2018 Vocations Conference
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Last week the Virginia Synod Vocations Conference took place at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center in Lynchburg. The Vocations Conference is an event for folks curious about what professional ministry in the church is like to spend time with those who have experience within the church in order to better discern their own call. This year 17 inquirers, individuals discerning God's call to public ministry in the church, and 10 candidates for ministry, individuals who have discerned a call to rostered ministry in the church and are engaged in the process of formation for leadership, were in attendance. These individuals were joined by their pastors and the Candidacy Committee to reflect and to ask questions concerning their call and gifts for ministry.
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During their time together, the candidates and inquirers were able to get to know one another, meeting peers who are in their own processes of discernment. “It was helpful for me to spend time with people going through a similar experience of discerning their call. Discernment is a highly personal time of life, even if you're not discerning a call to ministry. Having people considering [their call to ministry] to talk to was great,” said
Grace Casola, an inquirer from Christ Lutheran in Roanoke. With group mealtimes, friendly conversation, and worship, there were plenty of opportunities to strengthen these new bonds and create a sense of community among those in attendance.
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The group was also led in a series of presentations with
The Rev. Ruth E. Hamilton the Region 9 Candidacy and Leadership Manager, and
The Rev. Paul Baglyos the Candidacy and Leadership Manager for Regions 7 and 8. Together, Pastor Ruth and Pastor Paul shared with the group the importance of call. The group shared experiences in which they felt called in their faith, as well as experiences in which they may have failed to answer God’s call.
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Pastor Ruth and Pastor Paul also discussed the importance of practicing discernment, which is an ongoing process that may begin at different points in a person's life, and continue over a lifetime to be revisited periodically. They concluded the conference by taking a closer look at the candidacy process, First Call, as well as the transitions those serving in ministry face. During their time together Pastor Ruth and Pastor Paul also took time to answer questions big and small, like “What is the difference between a Pastor and a Deacon?”
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This event is incredibly meaningful in that it serves to support anyone currently discerning a call to be God’s light in the world. During their brief time together, inquirers are lifted up with support from their pastors and peers moving through the process of discernment, and candidates for ministry also have the opportunity to check in with the Candidacy Committee. This event is just one step in preparing individuals to prayerfully consider how God is calling them to use their faith gifts through a vocational call to public ministry.
If you are interested in the Candidacy Process and how God is calling you to serve, visit www.vasynod.org/resources/candidacy-process or contact
The Rev. Kelly Bayer Derrick at
bayerderrick@vasynod.org
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Sermons are available one month prior to the Sunday service they are to be shared during. View all the sermons shared
on the Virginia Synod website.
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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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This year's spring ACTS course will be held October 20th and November 10th at Grace Evangelical Lutheran in Waynesboro (or at two Simulcast locations). The Rev. Dr. Timothy Wengert will present on Lutheran Confessions.
For more information on the Fall ACTS course and to register for this fall's course,
click here
.
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Lost and Found is our annual weekend retreat for youth in 7th and 8th grade and their adult advisors. We have Large Group gatherings that consist of singing, energy, comedy, worship and a presentation on our event theme. After each Large Group gathering each person is part of a Small Group made up of about 8 youth and a couple adult leaders where participants will get to know other Lutheran youth from Virginia and discuss life, faith and other topics that arise throughout the weekend. On Saturday afternoon there is large chunk of Free Time during which we will also hold out annual Talent Show. In the evenings you will relax in your Cottage and talk with other youth and adults from your congregation and other congregations about how the weekend is going.
For more information on Lost and Found and to register for the even,
click here
.
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End of Summer Update Caroline Furance Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center
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We have been blessed with an incredible Summer Camp season here at Caroline Furnace! With the help of God, as well as the communities and individuals that support this ministry, we had eight weeks filled with faith, fun, and friendships that will last a lifetime. A total of 297 campers came to Caroline Furnace this summer! Of those 297, over 100 campers had financial support from their congregation, an outside organization, or from our camper scholarship fund. God's love and grace is tangible here, and the magic of camp really does change everything.
What's Next?
As summer ends and fall draws near, our summer staff will go out and serve the Lord in new places. Zach will begin at Luther Seminary in Saint Paul MN and be working part-time in youth and young adult ministry at Redeemer Lutheran in Minneapolis MN. Shannon is serving in the AmeriCorps beginning in January. Noah is moving to Oregon for an internship at Washington Family Ranch, a Young Life camp. Rachel is planning to serve in the Peace Corps beginning in January. Nick will begin an internship at Pine Lake in Wisconsin. Justin, Erin, Andy, Maddie, Ashley, Caroline, Callie, Johnny, Kara, and Chris are returning to school. Laura will continue to work at Caroline Furnace until October.
Although Summer Camp is over, there are still many opportunities to stay involved! Join us this Fall for Work Weekend, Fall Fest, or our Wild Women: Wine Retreat. Bring your small or large group to the Farmhouse, Cabin Village, Sukkah Village, or Buttonwood Lodge for a retreat! We would love to help you plan a retreat for your youth group, mens or womens group, church council, confirmation group, or hobby-based group. Let’s plan a family reunion, school field trip, or scouting trip.
We are your Outdoor Ministry, and we look forward to sharing God’s creation with you.
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Fall Work Weekend: September 14-16 2018
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Join us in giving back to Caroline! Please sign up online or call us by Monday, September 10.
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Fall Fest and Camp-out: October 27-28 2018
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Fall Fest is held in the field at St. John's Chapel and features a bluegrass worship service, provided picnic lunch, field games, and pumpkin carving. All are welcome! This is a fun opportunity to come see us at Caroline Furnace, either for the first time ever or the first time in awhile. Please RSVP for Fall Fest on the Facebook event posting if you are able, and sign up online or call us to reserve your space for the camp-out.
*Youth leaders: contact us for more information on the youth group camp-out in the main field on Saturday night!
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Wild Women: Wine Retreat: November 2-4 2018
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Join us for a weekend of relaxation and fellowship! This retreat is hosted in the Farmhouse, and we will visit local wineries on Saturday afternoon. Feel free to bring a book, your latest crafting project, and your favorite wine to share. Registration closes October 19.
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Introducing Three Sides Podcast
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Three Sides is a monthly podcast featuring stories from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). As a church that believes God is calling us into the world – together, Three Sides will present diverse voices from across the ELCA.
Listen
as we share unique stories from across this church.
In our
introductory episode
, Shanna Crawford, Philip LaDeur and Andrew Steele talk about why they’re excited to co-host the ELCA’s new podcast. Our hosts also give listeners a sneak peek of the first episode, “Women who lead,” which launches in August.
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Reflect, Renew, Recommit Seminar
September 24-29, 2018
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Reflect, Renew, Recommit (3R)
, a week long discernment retreat will be offered September 24-29, 2018 at Lutheranch in Tallapoosa, GA. This experience creates a safe place for rostered leaders and spouses to process, share, worship, embrace prayer practices, use tools for vocational support, and discover a newfound community. If you know a leader that might find this retreat helpful, please invite them prayerfully to consider attending.
The total cost to attend is $1100. Synods will be asked to support leaders in sharing the by contributing $550 toward their tuition. Participants will contribute $550 and spouses an additional $300.
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Explore and apply for opportunities available with the churchwide organization or global service on the ELCA Job Board at
elca.atsondemand.com
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ELCA Foundation Director of Gift Planning
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here are two key responsibilities for this leadership position:
- Through the direct supervision of a national staff of about 20 regional gift planners (coaching and managing), lead and manage a robust fund-raising program to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospective donors of current and planned gifts;
- Manage the business relationships with ministry partner organizations through on-site visits.
This position is located in Chicago and reports to the Executive Vice President of the Foundation. It requires about 30% travel, visiting regional gift planners, donors, and ministry partnerships.
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ELCA Executive Director for Domestic Mission
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This senior leadership position brings decisive and visionary leadership to this unit charged with wide-ranging work and relationships with churchwide units, synods, congregations, and other partners. The work involves equipping synods and congregations; developing new ministries, seeking to renew strategic ministries; and working with synods and congregations in programs and strategies for evangelical outreach.
Reporting to the presiding bishop, this position requires about 25% travel. It is located in Chicago.
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Part-Time Organist/Pianist at St. Timothy Lutheran
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St. Timothy Lutheran is a small congregation located in Vinton. We have an immediate opening for a Part-Time Organist/Pianist. The position requires playing for an 11:00 a.m., Sunday worship service and monthly music planning with the Pastor. Weekly choir rehearsal is desired but negotiable; no choir during the summer months.
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Do you know someone who might be called by God to serve as our next Chaplain at Marion Correctional Treatment Center? Would you help us find the ONE? Please help us by spreading the news - just ten hours a week!
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Part-Time Coordinator of Programs, St. Luke Lutheran Church in Richmond
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St. Luke Lutheran Church in Richmond, Virginia is recruiting a Part-Time Coordinator of Programs. The Coordinator of Programs is a person of committed faith, with a passion to further the ministry of
St. Luke through intergenerational programming. This position is responsible for the creation, development, and implementation of programming, with one special focus on the needs of younger members, young adults, young couples and families and a second special focus on seniors which includes but is not limited to Education, Fellowship and Outreach.
For a complete position description, and information on how to apply,
click here.
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ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow- Washington, DC
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Through the support of ELCA World Hunger, ELCA Advocacy works to end hunger by engaging directly with local, state and national governments and equipping people of faith to seek justice through advocacy. ELCA Advocacy is a ministry of the ELCA Domestic Mission Unit. This is a twelve-month, non-renewable contract position.
The Hunger Advocacy Fellow will participate in a 12-month transformative experience that combines leadership development and faith formation with impactful advocacy that moves us toward an end to hunger and a just world where all are fed.
The 2018 Hunger Advocacy Fellow is a full-time contract employee (with benefits) of the ELCA Advocacy office in Washington D.C. The Fellow will serve as a member of the ELCA Advocacy national staff team.
Focusing on analyzing and addressing the root causes of hunger and economic injustice, and promoting a holistic approach to hunger ministry, the Hunger Advocacy Fellow will build ELCA World Hunger capacity to end hunger by deepening and expanding Lutheran advocacy efforts in synods, coalitions and networks.
For a complete job description, and to apply for this position,
click here.
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If you have a position opening you would like posted, please email Emily Pilat at
pilat@vasynod.org.
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Stay Connected with the Virginia Synod:
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