At the 2018
Synod Assembly, we had the opportunity to hear from some of the Virginia Synod's Mission Partners. This week, we're sharing their reports, as well as the videos so anyone who wasn't in attendance can catch up with the important work our partners are involved in currently!
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Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center
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Serving the Lord since 1957, Caroline Furnace provides unforgettable faith, education, and renewal experiences in God’s creation for all God’s people.
To read Caroline Furnace's report for this year's assembly,
click here.
To learn more about Caroline Furnace, and their current summer camps and programing, visit their website:
www.carolinefurnace.org
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To watch Caroline Furnace's video that was shown during the 2018 Virginia Synod Assembly,
click here.
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Lutheran Family Services of Virginia
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The people of Lutheran Family Services of Virginia (LFSVA) work with vulnerable citizens in our communities to restore the promise that life offers.
To read LFSVA's report for this year's assembly,
click here.
To learn more about LFSVA's mission, services and commitment to an abundant life for all of God’s children, visit their website:
lfsva.org.
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To watch LFSVA's video that was shown during the 2018 Virginia Synod Assembly,
click here.
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National Lutheran Communities & Services
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Since 1890, National Lutheran Communities & Services (NLCS) has served seniors of all beliefs in the area covered by the Virginia, Delaware-Maryland and Metro D.C. Synods.
To read NLCS's report for this year's assembly,
click here.
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To watch NLCS's video that was shown during the 2018 Virginia Synod Assembly,
click here.
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Founded in 1842, Roanoke College is an independent, co-educational, 4-year liberal arts college located in Salem, Virginia. Roanoke College is the second oldest Lutheran related college in America and Virginia’s only Lutheran college.
To read Roanoke College's report for this year's assembly,
click here.
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To watch Roanoke College's video that was shown during the 2018 Virginia Synod Assembly,
click here.
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Established in 1966, Virginia Lutheran Homes (VLH) serves the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of more than 550 residents in Roanoke, New Market, and Virginia Beach.
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To watch VLH's video that was shown during the 2018 Virginia Synod Assembly,
click here.
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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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Bishop-Emeritus Mauney Sightings?
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After leaving office, and in keeping with our policy that former pastors should step away from active involvement in the congregation they served to allow for new leadership to form and develop,
Bishop-Emeritus Jim Mauney
has been very careful not to be publicly involved in Virginia Synod events. God bless him for his care and leadership example.
However, now that our Synod Assembly is complete, I have encouraged our beloved former bishop and Lynda to join us whenever they choose and to be involved as they feel called.
I could not have made this transition as effectively without my friend and predecessor’s wisdom, encouragement and support. I look forward to seeing him in future Virginia Synod events and gatherings.
Peace!
The Rev. Robert F. Humphrey
Bishop, Virginia Synod, ELCA
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LAUNCH
is an event for youth who have just graduated from high school. Its purpose is to give them a chance to take stock of where their faith life has led them so far and also to provide an opportunity to engage in discussion on matters of faith and life that are likely to face them as they move on to the next stage of their lives, whether it be the workforce, military or other public service, college, or something else. If participants are veterans of our Virginia Synod ELCA Youth Events (Lost and Found, Winter Celebration, Kairos, etc.), they will find that this event is structured differently. We will spend our three full days together in a rhythm of worship, informal presentations to the whole group, small group discussions, and individual reflections that engage the mind as well as the spirit. Of course, there will be time for fellowship and relaxation and enjoyable meal times together.
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Junior High Servant Event 2018
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At the Water’s Edge is a week-long servant event for Youth who have completed the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade, and their adult advisors. We spend the week together experiencing the Christan life through worship, fellowship, and service. Of course, being in Virginia Beach, we will also spend some time having fun at the water’s edge.
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Power in the Spirit: Walking in Newness of Life
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Power in the Spirit is an inspirational conference for people of all ages who wish to explore God’s call to service through joyous worship, Bible studies, keynote addresses, workshops, games, and fellowship. In addition, congregational leaders—teachers, organists and choir directors, choir members, committee or council members, family life consultants, pastors, and others—will find Power in the Spirit nurturing and challenging as they consider their mission and ministry.
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Kairos
is our annual week-long faith formation event for youth who will be in 9th-12th grades in the coming fall. It is a chance for youth who are already committed to a life of faith to be part of a unique Christian community for an entire week, to have a fresh experience of the grace and presence of God in that community, and to develop habits for discipleship that can be taken home as they live out their call to be “Ambassadors for Christ.” Kairos is different from our weekend events in that congregations do not send advisors with youth; the event staff serves as small group leaders and dorm advisors for the week. “Kairos” is the New Testament Greek word for “special time.” It is used whenever God’s people want to talk about a time of change, of renewal, of God’s special work in the believer and the community.
For more information and to register,
click here
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Have you registered for Summer Camp? It's not too late!
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Summer 2018 at Caroline Furnace promises to be an exciting one! The theme verse is Ephesians 2:8 - "For by GRACE you have been saved through FAITH, and this is not your own doing; it is the GIFT of God." Camper life is centered around building community through daily worship, Bible study, and new experiences. Campers aged 1st-12th grade can choose from activities such as horseback riding, caving, archery, culinary, backpacking, canoeing, crafting, and fishing.
Registration clos
es 10 days before the start date of each week of camp. To learn more and view the summer schedule,
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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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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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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