Welcome to Do Justice, a bi-monthly newsletter of the Virginia Synod, lifting up God’s call and command that we, God’s people, do justice. You will find helpful info about justice ministries in congregations, around Virginia, and through the ELCA. If you have stories of justice to share from your congregation, please share those with me at
bayerderrick@vasynod.org so I can share them with others in the synod!
The Rev. Kelly Bayer Derrick
Assistant to the Bishop
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In this time of political upheaval and uncertainty in our Commonwealth...
We pray for all among and around us who are hurt, angered and deeply offended by the actions and images of degradation and violent racism;
We pray for our leaders, that they will find the most honorable and just way to respond to the charges and challenges before them. We pray for Governor Northam, Lieutenant Governor Fairfax, their families and our legislature as they plan for the future.
We pray that these and other news events lead us to examine and confess our own sinfulness, guide us to repentance and compel us to work harder to dismantle racism and all the other ways we devalue human beings, for whom our Lord suffered and died;
Let this be a time for proclaiming our unity in Jesus Christ as we follow the way of love and justice for all.
Lord, in your mercy… Hear our Prayer
The Rev. Robert F. Humphrey
Bishop, Virginia Synod, ELCA
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Grant Brings New Meals to Group Homes
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If you have a picky eater or special dietary needs in your household, you know how difficult meal planning can be. Meeting the needs of everyone in your family can be a challenge. Our family of residents in our Bedford Group Homes is no exception! Juggling dietary needs, preferences and grocery budgets can make it tricky to find the right balance.
This challenge has resulted in group home menus that haven't been updated in five years. A grant from Bedford Community Health Foundation will bring change to these menus by supporting the cost of hiring a registered dietician to work with our group homes to develop new menus that fit their needs — and taste great!
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National Quilting Day 2019
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National Quilting Day falls on Saturday, March 16 this year, and we have a lot to celebrate!
For nearly 70 years, compassionate people just like you have put their faith into action and made quilts for people in need around the world. And not just a few quilts – hundreds of thousands of quilts every year. These gifts of love make life brighter, softer, and a bit more comfortable for our neighbors around the world struggling with displacement, chronic poverty, illness, natural disaster and conflict.
This amazing ministry is one that blesses the lives of quilters and those who receive quilts, and by inviting others to join us, in turn, blesses even more people! So, on National Quilting Day, Lutheran World Relief wants to celebrate you! We want to lift up your ministries and show others the phenomenal work you do.
There are many ways to join in the celebration of this ministry of blessings:
- Share your stories, photos, and fun tips via social media that weekend, and tag Lutheran World Relief (@LuthWorldRelief on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). You can also use the hashtag #NQD2018 to join in the wider conversation!
- Hop on to the LWR Quilters & Kit Makers Community Facebook group to watch live video feeds from the LWR NQD events happening across the country.
- If you aren’t close enough to join one of those events, we invite you to host your own! Download the planning guide below to help you organize a National Quilting Celebration in your community.
- Ask your congregational leaders to include a petition in the prayers of the church on March 17 lifting up quilters and those who receive quilts.
- Have a reception between or after Sunday services on March 17 to honor your quilters.
Interested in hosting your own quilting day?
Click here for a National Quilting Day resource.
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Faith in Action in Rockingham County
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By Russell Presnell, a member of Muhlenberg, Harrisonburg
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A few years back, I met with my pastor (now bishop) Bob Humphrey from Muhlenberg Lutheran Church, Harrisonburg, at a local restaurant to have a beer and catch up on life. I explained to him that the space the church had given to me, to not be involved, had been what I had needed, but I was ready to get more involved and hopefully get to know others in the congregation.
His suggestion was to volunteer to be one of two representatives for a new interfaith social justice group that was forming, called Faith in Action. I accepted the suggestion and was appointed by the church council, along with another member, and an alternate to represent Muhlenberg in this new endeavor.
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Connect with the Virginia Synod
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