Do Justice
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
Today (January 15), the church commemorates the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., (1929-1968) renewer of society, martyr. The Rev. Dr. King was a leader in the African American civil rights movement, calling for justice for the poor and the disenfranchised. He was dedicated to nonviolence and was devoted to Christ.

God is at work in the universe. God is not outside looking on the world with a sort of cold indifference. Here on all the roads of life, God is striving in our striving. Like an ever-loving Father, God is working through history for the salvation of God's children. As we struggle to defeat the forces of evil, the God of the universe struggles with us. Evil dies on the seashore, not merely because of humanity's endless struggle against it, but because of God's power to defeat it. (M.L. King Jr., "The death of evil upon the seashore," More Days for Praise, 14)
2019 MLK Community Parade in Lexington
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Parade welcomes attendance from members of the Lexington community, as well as others in the region who support our mission of inclusive, anti-racist community participation.

On Monday, January 21, 2019, at 10 AM walk with your neighbors to support equality, justice, and love, and to share the joy of inclusive community at the Third Annual CARE Rockbridge MLK Community Parade. Starting at Randolph Street United Methodist Church 118 South Randolph Street Lexington, VA 24450 bring your kids, your friends, your sporting group, hobby club, your choir, your department. Raise your voice for a community full of love!

If you plan to attend, please let us know at carerockbridge.org/join-the-parade there are volunteer opportunities as well as group and organization registration forms. Also check out the event page on Facebook for more information. 
Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy
Day for All People 2019
Join VICPP and people from around the Commonwealth at the General Assembly at our annual lobby day to advocate social justice and meet with legislators on January 22nd, 2019. To register for this event, click here.

Tickets are $30 for early bird registration (before January 15) and $40 after Jan. 15 Student tickets are $15

Special group rate for congregations!
$250 group rate for 10 people – early bird (before Jan. 15)
$350 group rate for 10 people after Jan. 15

A light breakfast will be available and the program will begin promptly at 8:30am. We will review our legislative issues and everyone will meet with their State Senator at 10am and Delegate around 10:45 AM.

Lunch will be served around 12 PM and people will have an opportunity to gather with others from their area.

We will offer workshops about Medicaid Expansion and enrollment, Standing with Immigrants, Living Wage Certification programs, and Understanding & Identifying Wage Theft. The day will end by 3 PM.
ELCA World Hunger's 40 Days of Giving
We're excited to announce that ELCA World Hunger's 40 Days of Giving will return in 2019. Journey with us and fellow Lutherans as together we experience how the grace of Christ moves us to engage in transformative works of love around the world through ELCA World Hunger.

Resources feature a devotional calendar, weekly study, inspirational stories and more! Check out our Congregational Leader How-to-Guide or ELCA.org/40days for tips on using these resources in your congregation.
Hunger and Poverty by the Numbers
With so much information out there, it can be difficult to know the most accurate statistics for measuring hunger and poverty. But knowing the data about what is happening can go a long way to helping us talk about the issues accurately and craft effective, forward-looking responses.

Check out ELCA World Hunger’s new blog post that compiles the data and shares important information about hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world.

To learn more, click here.
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