The annual conference Power in the Spirit took place just last week on the campus of Roanoke College in Salem from July 12-14. Together attendees from across the state gathered to explore what it means to be Walking in Newness of Life as God’s baptized people. Through worship, Bible study, keynote addresses, workshops, and fellowship attendees dove into the mysteries and promises of baptism.
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This year attendees had the opportunity to hear from
The Rev. Dr. Sarah Hinlicky Wilson
, who served as the keynote presenter for the weekend. Dr. Wilson is an ELCA pastor and a world -class scholar who often works in ecumenical dialogues with Pentecostal partners. She is also the former editor of the quarterly Lutheran Forum and an author of many books and articles. In August Dr. Wilson her husband, Dr. Andrew L. Wilson, and their son Zeke will depart for Japan. There she will serve as pastor to the English-language congregation at Tokyo Lutheran Church and Andrew will teach at Japan Lutheran College and Seminary.
The Bible study leader was
The Rev. Dr. Mark Allan Powell
, Professor of New Testament at Trinity Lutheran Seminary and an internationally-known biblical scholar. His many books include the widely used textbook, Introducing the New Testament (Baker Academic).
Both Dr. Wilson and Dr. Powell wonderfully guided participants as they closely examined what it means in scripture and study to be Walking in Newness of Life. Dr. Wilson shared themes of holiness and saints in her addresses while Dr. Powell guided attendees through reflections on the presence and absence of Jesus with his followers—in the first century and today.
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During the event, worship was led by a number of Virginia Synod rostered ministers, including P
astor Colleen Montgomery,
Pastor Anna Havron, and
Bishop Humphrey. Gathering for worship also provided the opportunity to rejoice at the installation of the Rev. John Wertz as the Virginia Synod's new Director of Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop, and the Rev. Dr. Dave Delaney as Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministries.
There were also opportunities for attendees at Power in the Spirit to join in worship as part of the Conference Choir. Directed by
George Donovan, the Power in the Spirit Conference Choir shared messages in song for the Thursday evening and Saturday closing worship gatherings.
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Sally Moore & the Saint Peter’s Praise Band
of St. Peter's Lutheran in Stafford. was present as well and provided worship music for the contemporary worship services. The group is made at Power in the Spirit. The band is made up of singers, a drummer, a flute, sax, and piano who together performed up-beat and worshipful music for this years event.
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Power in the Spirit is an event for all ages, and this year’s kid participants got to take part in special activities just for them, reading stories, making crafts, and having their own biblical focus during the event. This portion of power in the Spirit was led by
Renee Durieux of Peace Lutheran Church, Charlottesville. Children were also invited to several of the adult workshops, where they had the opportunity to learn how to make bread to be served at communion, and remember and celebrate their baptismal anniversary each year.
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Mission Projects & Workshops
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This year’s Power in the Spirit supported two services projects,
Habitat for Humanity
and
Recess Support for Minnick Schools
!
Pastor Paul Henrickson
led the Habitat for Humanity service project which took attendees on a work excursion to a Roanoke area Habitat build, to help construct a house! It was a great way for folks wanting to get out into the Roanoke community and give back as they were able to to folks in need, putting God's love into action.
Recess Support for Minnick Schools was led by
Pastor Harvey Atkinson
of Mount Rogers Parish. This service project was supported by attendees of Power in the Spirit who donated a variety of play equipment for their students to use indoors and outdoors during recess time. Monetary donations given will be used for larger items such as freestanding basketball hoops and volleyball nets as well as helping to build a playground at their newest school in Bristol.
Minnick Schools, the Educational Division of Lutheran Family Services of Virginia, are private day schools serving students ages 5-22 with emotional and developmental disabilities who have not been successful in a traditional public -school setting. Located in Bristol, Wise, Wytheville, Roanoke and Harrisonburg, LFSVA Minnick Schools served 249 students last year from 35 school districts. You can learn more about these schools by going to
www.lfsva.org
.
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Workshops during this year’s Power in the Spirit nurtured and challenged attendees as they reflected on the life that flows from the font and out into the world. This year workshops offered attendees a wide variety of opportunities including hearing from Bishop Humphrey who asked “What does it mean to build bridges?”, learning about Biblical storytelling, becoming a Reconciling in Christ congregation or individual, making use of social media to congregate digitally with the
Synod’s Director of Communications Emily Pilat, Getting to Know the Lutheran Saints with Dr. Wilson, and so much more. With workshops for every age and interests, there were opportunities to learn and grow for everyone in attendance this year at Power in the Spirit.
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Save the Date for next year: July 11-13, 2019
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Our 2019 keynote speaker will be
Dr. Dawn Rundman
, developer of faith formation resources for Sparkhouse and Augsburg Fortress. Our Bible Study leader will be the
Rev. Dr. Rolf Jacobson
of Luther Seminary, returning to Power in the Spirit as one of our most popular presenters. Music will be led by the much-in-demand
Jonathan Rundman
, who returns to Power in the Spirit–this time with the Rundman Quartet: Jonathan, Dawn, and their children Paavo and Svea!
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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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Summer Camp Update from the Caroline Furnace Program Team
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We are just over halfway through summer camp and we are overwhelmed with the joy, fun, and faith formation that the Lord has granted us this summer. In the midst of our day-to-day activities, our campers and staff alike have been exploring the grace that God freely gives to each and every one of us. Together, we are learning that this is in fact not of our own doing but is an incredible gift from God (Ephesians 2:8). As a community we have committed ourselves to recognizing the Lord's love and dedication to us, while exploring the wonders of God's creation.
Registration is still open for Week 8! Join us for your week of camp, and choose from the following adventures: Explorer, Classic, Crafting, Culinary, and Night. To learn more and view the summer schedule,
click here
. We hope to see you soon!
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Annual Gathering of Virginia Synodical Women's Organization
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"Let Us Encourage" will be the theme for the annual gathering of Virginia Synodical Women's Organization at Bethel Lutheran, Winchester,
August 3-4, 2018.
Jody Smiley, VSWO president, said the gathering will be patterned after the synod youth events. Plans are for a large group with skits, singing and small sessions. The churchwide representative will be Lydia Davila, a board member of Women of the ELCA. Bishop Bob Humphrey will participate. Judy Casteele will present the ELCA draft Social Statement on Women and Justice. Health kits will be assembled as a service project.
For more information and to register for this event,
click here.
For the Spring Newsletter from the VWSO,
click here.
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Expanding “God’s Work. Our Hands.” from a Day of Service to a Life of Faith Worship Resource
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“God’s Work. Our Hands.” is an opportunity “to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus Christ—every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life—flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace.” As the ELCA website says, the intent is to reinforce the reality that “You work every day to make your community a better place.” Without careful reflection and equipping, we can leave the impression that our call to participate in God’s work is fulfilled on this one day of service each year, and then we return to our workaday world where God is largely absent.
Expanding “God’s Work. Our Hands.” from a Day of Service to a Life of Faith is a worship resource that describes a way to expand “God’s Work. Our Hands.” from being a single day of service to a way to equip our people for a life of faith, so that “every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace” indeed.
To download this document to make use in your worship planning,
click here.
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Crumley Archives Summer Workshops - July 23
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Are you and your congregation interested in preserving your history? Do you have questions about what to preserve, and what to toss? Ever wonder what you can do with those old Bibles?
Then consider attending the Crumley Archives Summer Workshop! This one-day educational opportunity will cover important areas in archives and preservation, including:
- Current preservation techniques
- Storage
- Digital archives
- Disaster preparedness
- Records management
- Collection development and processing
- Finding aids
- Genealogy research
- Public service
The Workshop will be conducted July 23 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Crumley Archives, 4201 N. Main St., Columbia, SC 29203
Cost is $20 per person. Church rate for 3 or more attendees is $50. Contact Trudy Bouknight at
crumleybookkeeper@gmail.com
to reserve your seat!
Pastor Lance Braun from Mount Tabor, Staunton, and Redeemer, McKinley, is coordinating Crumley Archives CAR POOL transportation and Scholarships
for Shenandoah Valley participants. Contact him at his cell phone 540-879-9575 or email
treetops@shentel.net
for information and assistance.
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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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ELCA Global Farm Challenge
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At the Youth Gathering in Houston, ELCA World Hunger launched the
Global Farm Challenge
, where all gifts, up to $515,000 will be matched! The youth of this church have already raised more than $270,000 towards this goal. We have the opportunity to join the youth and support this great opportunity.
Your gift will speak loudly to the young leaders of this church and help us draw closer to the vision “that all may be fed.”
When you make a gift for the Global Farm Challenge you are making a gift to the ELCA Campaign. Together we can do more! Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Just click here to make your donation.
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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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2019 Impact Grants—Apply Now!
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Impact1890—A National Lutheran Program is pleased to announce the availability of Impact grants for the 2019 year. Each year, Impact1890 awards grants to non-profit organizations that share in the same passion of serving seniors, particularly those who are aging in place in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. All grants must address at least one of the following urgent needs faced by seniors:
- Social isolation
- Transportation
- Housing
- Navigating and accessing health care and social services
- Chronic disease management
- Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and memory loss
Does your organization qualify? Proposals will be accepted
June 1, 2018 – August 15, 2018. To learn more about the submission of grant proposals visit
www.impact1890.org. Questions? Contact us at
grants@impact1890.org or 301-354-2703 and ask for Impact1890.
To download a flyer with info on Impact1890's Impact grants,
click here.
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Strategy Survey on HIV and AIDS
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The
ELCA Strategy on HIV and AIDS wants to hear from you and has put together a survey to better understand the many ministries of congregations and organizations as they relate to health and specifically around the response to HIV/AIDS.
Please consider taking a few minutes to share more about ministry in your congregation or organization and help inform the work around the ELCA's Strategy on HIV and AIDS. To take the survey,
click here
.
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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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Educators at Saint John Lutheran Church and School, Norfolk
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Saint John Lutheran Church and School in Norfolk, VA, established in 1978, seeks to educate the whole child through the dedicated teaching staff, exciting curriculum, and the spiritual focus of a private, Christian, academic setting. Our staff is seeking educators for our two-year-old through Second Grade. Successful candidates will have experience and/or education in the field of early childhood development/ education and must meet the requirements of the accrediting agency.
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Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network 11-month Program
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LEVN, the Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network, is looking for young adults (age 21-30) with Bachelor's degrees for an 11-month program of non-profit volunteer service and learning about social justice. From the end of August 2018 to the end of July 2019, our corps members will be provided housing, utilities, health coverage, transportation, spiritual direction, and a $400/month food stipend. We also offer a $1000 re-entry grant at the completion of the program.
The placement sites for the upcoming program year include faith-based non-profits, secular non-profits, congregations, the Sierra Pacific Synod office, and our campus ministry at UC Davis. These service sites address issues of homelessness, unemployment, children and youth ministries, computer literacy, and other important social justice issues facing our communities.
We gather each week for worship, dinner, and formation. The corps members live in intentional community in a triplex in Sacramento, CA. We're an ecumenical program in the Episcopal Service Corps network; applicants needn't be either Lutheran or Episcopal to apply—interest in Christian spirituality is the only expectation. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the program begins.
Visit levn.org or contact Program Director Casey Dunsworth at 530-756-1550 or
programs@thebelfry.org
for more information!
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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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