Virginia Synod Representatives Visit Companion District in Papua New Guinea
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This week we're excited to share reporting from
Diane Giessler
, one of the four delegates from the Virginia Synod who recently traveled to our companion Synod in Papua New Guinea.
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Representatives from the four Synods of the ELCA (Virginia, North Carolina, Central States, and North West Lower Michigan) gathered in Cairns Australia and then proceeded to Port Moresby, PNG Capital City and finally on to the City of Lae where the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea headquarters is located. We all participated in a 3-day conference with representatives from our respective Companion Districts of the ELC-PNG. This time together was informative and productive as we learned about the ELC-PNG, how projects are managed and set goals with our companions.
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Continued Prayers for Papua New Guinea
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Colleagues in ministry – I share an update from our partners in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Another eruption has occurred in the New Guinea Islands. Please keep the people in your prayers. We were just there a few weeks ago, and this is so hard to see. May God be with them.
The Rev. Kelly Bayer Derrick Assistant to the Bishop
Virginia Synod, ELCA
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What is Tent of Nations Sunday?
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The 2019 Assembly of the Virginia Synod, ELCA resolved to encourage congregations of our Synod to designate a Sunday in October 2019 as “Tent of Nations Sunday.” The suggested date is Sunday, October 20, 2019, the beginning of the olive harvest.
Tent of Nations Sunday has three purposes: it is a day for corporate and individual prayers, education of congregations and individuals, and encouraging visits to the Tent of Nations to learn and volunteer at the Nassar farm to experience and participate in its mission of building bridges of peace and understanding between people.
Read more.
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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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October is Pastor and Deacon Appreciation Month. Please join the Virginia Synod Staff in giving great thanks for all of our pastors and deacons!
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“[Those] who provide effective leadership must be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in speaking and teaching.” (1 Timothy 5.17 NET)
We give thanks to God every time we think of you! During this Pastor [and Deacon] Appreciation Month, we in the Virginia Synod Office of the Bishop want to express our deep thanks and appreciation for your ministry and leadership with God’s people throughout the Virginia Synod and beyond. We are honored and humbled by the faithfulness with which you serve and lead. We give thanks for the ways that you witness to the gospel, in word and in deed, so that God’s love may be known in all the world.
“May the God of peace… make you complete in everything good so that you may do God’s will, working in you that which is pleasing in God’s sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (ELW Ordination)
Thank you!
Peace+
Virginia Synod Staff
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Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA
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Through the generosity of members and congregations across this church, ELCA ministries received $250 million — $195 million in cash and multiyear commitments, as well as $55 million in planned gifts — to continue, strengthen and expand their work here at home and with our global companions around the world. Thank you.
The
final impact report
will give you a glimpse of the campaign’s impact on these crucial ministries.
The generosity of this church shows that, with God’s blessing, our vision needs to be broader. Together, we have accomplished more than we ever thought possible — and this is just the beginning. This campaign has opened our imaginations and dreams for what more God is calling us to do in the years ahead.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to mobilize the resources of this church to do God’s work in the world. We are so grateful for you.
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ELCA World Hunger Appeal: $115 million raised
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Over five years, your generous gifts helped us raise more than $115 million for ELCA World Hunger through Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA. Thanks to you, we’ve been able to do more together in the fight to end hunger and poverty. To learn more, visit
ELCA.org/hunger.
To watch a video about ELCA World Hunger,
click here.
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Pray for rostered women of color
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As part of the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the ordination of women of color in this church, your synod staff has been lifting the names of ELCA rostered women of color as we gather for weekly office devotions. Won't you join us?
Use this list to give thanks for these gifted women.
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Tapestry Book Study: Dear Church
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Join Tapestry tonight at 7:00 PM for our second of six weeks of conversations on "Dear Church: A Love Letter from a Black Preacher to the Whitest Denomination in the US" by Lenny Duncan. We'll be having this six week conversation via Zoom (video chat). Join us for some or all of the sessions as you are able.
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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 event,
click here
.
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Updates and Upcoming Events at Caroline Furnace
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Power the Future: A Visioning Summit, November 2-3
We want to hear from you! This event is an opportunity to provide input and share ideas with the Board of Directors as Caroline Furnace continues to grow and diversity as an organization. Focus topics include community outreach, diversity and inclusion, and program. We'll have live music, games, a campfire, worship and more! The event begins with Saturday lunch and ends with Sunday worship. Please
RSVP online
- no cost to participate; all ages welcome (and encouraged!); Saturday-only option available.
Wild Women Wine and Craft Retreat, December 6-8
Join us for a weekend of fellowship and renewal! Feel free to bring a book, your latest crafting project, and your favorite snacks/drinks to share. We'll share some of our favorites too - transportation is provided to a local winery, and we'll lead the group in a craft. (Craft details TBD - stay tuned)Retreat cost includes modern-rustic lodging, scratch-made meals, and transportation to a local winery.
For more information and to register for any of the above events,
click here.
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2019 LARCUM Conference “Spiritual Ecumenism: The Soul of the Ecumenical Movement”
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Please plan to join us at this year’s Annual State LARCUM (Lutheran/Anglican/Roman Catholic/United Methodist) Conference being held in Virginia Beach, Virginia at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on
Friday and Saturday, November 22 and 23, 2019. Fr. James Loughran, SA, Director of the Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute will present the historical development of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the challenges to the modern day movement and practical ways in which local ecumenical communities can celebrate this year’s theme
“They Showed Unusual Kindness”.Please visit
www.virginialarcum.org to learn more. Registration fee is $35 and includes a box lunch - registration closes November 8, 2019.
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Spiritual Direction Certification Program
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary at Lenoir-Rhyne University
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Holy Listening – We believe holy listening is at the core of spiritual direction. It’s listening to one another, and most attentively to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The real and most genuine spiritual director is always the Holy Spirit.
Everyone is Welcome to Apply – Our primary purpose is to train people who feel called to be such spiritual friends, spiritual companions; however, we welcome those whose main interest is to deepen their own spiritual practices.
Within the Christian Tradition – Ours is an experience in spiritual direction grounded in Trinitarian faith. However, we recognize that there is deep spiritual wisdom that can be found in other faith traditions. We will draw on those traditions and will integrate them from a Christian perspective.
The application deadline is November 15. For more information on the program,
click here.
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"When Faith Hurts" -- A 2-Day Course on Child Abuse and Faith Communities with Victor Vieth
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Join us for a FREE, 2-day course featuring Victor Vieth called “When Faith Hurts". This course deals with the intersection of child abuse and faith communities. Held on November 12-13, 2019 from 8:30 Am to 5:00 PM at Lexington Presbyterian Church. Topics include:
- When Faith Hurts
- When Child Abuse Hits Home: Corporal Punishment, the Law and the Faith Community
- Understanding the Impact of Trauma on Children
- Recognizing and Responding to Sexual Offenses Committed by Children, addressing emotional and spiritual injuries, care in action: a collaboration between faith and child protective communities, responding to allegations of child abuse within a congregation
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Part Time Minister of Music- Grace, Chesapeake
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Grace Lutheran Church, Chesapeake is seeking a part time Minister of Music. The position is currently an average of 10 hours per week—including time for planning, practice, rehearsal, Sunday morning worship, and occasional holiday/special services. We are a liturgical church with both contemporary and traditional worship services. The Minister of Music is responsible for choosing (in partnership with the Pastor) appropriate music for all worship services and directing the praise team, hand bell choir, and possibly a traditional choir. The Minister of Music must be a professional musician who is proficient on the piano (preferably also proficient on the organ) and in leading congregational singing in a variety of styles. Some administration and computer skills are needed to coordinate with office staff when working off-site (ex: Google Drive, Sundays & Seasons website, etc.), submit reports to the Church Council, prepare newsletter/bulletin articles/announcements, and ensure copyright compliance. Above all, we are looking for a leader who loves God and God’s people, and who is willing to share their God-given musical gifts with the congregation and encourage others to do the same.
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Coordinator of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries- College Lutheran, Salem
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College Evangelical Lutheran Church (Salem, Virginia) seeks applications for a part-time Coordinator of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries. The weekly working hours will average 20 hours per week with the understanding that some weeks may require more than 25 hours and some weeks fewer than 20 hours. Scheduling will be determined by the Coordinator of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries in consultation with the Pastor.
To apply, please submit a cover letter, résumé, and names and contact information of three (3) references to LuAnn Yates electronically to: LuAnn Yates, Personnel Ministry Team Chair
yateslax@comcast.net. Applications are currently being reviewed. For additional information about College Lutheran Church, go to
www.collegelutheran.org.
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Youth and Family Ministry Intern/Part Time Position- Resurrection, Fredericksburg
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This position is located in Fredericksburg VA. It would work for a student who is participating in distance learning at your campus and looking for a field education site or a place to explore youth and family ministry. This part-time position/internship offers $1000 per month stipend. We are equidistant between Alexandria VA and Richmond VA – about 50 miles.
For a complete position description, and application information,
click here.
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Part-time Institutional Chaplain- Buckingham Correctional Center
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GraceInside has an immediate opening for a chaplain to serve Buckingham Correctional Center in Buckingham, Virginia. The position pays $25 dollars/hour and is currently funded for 111 hours a month. GraceInside chaplains serve as the Christian pastor as well as the religious supervisor for all religious activities on site.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and application to GraceInside: 2828 Emerywood Parkway; Richmond, VA 23294 by September 6th, 2019. Applications may be requested from Lee Hargrave at
leehargrave@graceinside.org or at (804) 358-7650.
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Youth Ministry Director- St. Peter's, Stafford
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St. Peter's in Stafford is searching for an individual who has a calling for Youth Ministry Leadership on a part-time basis and would like to apply to become our next Youth Ministry Director. Please visit splctoday.org to see the full position description. If you are interested, or know anyone who might be, please call the church office at 540-659-6366 or email Pastor Paul Toelke at
paultoelke@gmail.com.
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Worship and Music Director- Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Virginia Beach
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Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Virginia Beach, is seeking a part time Director of Worship & Music. We are a liturgical church following a specific format for worship. We are looking for someone who will be responsible for directing the sanctuary choir, children’s choir, and possibly hand bell choir. The Director must be a professional musician who is proficient in singing and can play one or more instrument(s) (piano/organ preferred). They must be able to select hymns and music pieces that fit with the particular Bible readings for a given Sunday and season of the Church year. Some computer skills are needed to prepare PowerPoints for the worship service, reports for the Church Council, and newsletter articles. They will be responsible for working within a budget and helping to develop a new budget for upcoming years. Above all, we are looking for a leader who loves the Lord, and His people and who will shepherd the choir members as part of his/her ministry at Emmanuel.
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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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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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