Deck the Halls: The 2019 Christmas Decoration Contest Winners
This month we invited you to show off your Christmas Decoration style in the 2019 Virginia Synod Christmas Decoration Contest! With plenty of fantastic submissions, we’re taking a moment to share our three category winners from congregations and families of the Virginia Synod.

Thank you to all who entered! It has been so much fun to see and share the decorations that fill your homes and congregations.
Contest Winners
Advent Wreath
St. Paul’s Lutheran, Hampton
Submitted by Sue Clemens
Chrismon Tree
Grace Evangelical Lutheran, Winchester
Submitted by T. Shafferman
Christmas Tree
Pilat Family Tree
Submitted by Will Pilat
of Christ, Roanoke
Ornaments Share the Story of Jesus
This week, Living Lutheran shared a story featuring the historic Chrismon Ministry started at Ascension, Danville.

In 1957, Frances Kipps Spencer, daughter of a Lutheran pastor and missionary, began making ornaments for the Christmas tree at her congregation, Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia. She wanted to make ornaments that replicated religious monograms and symbols because she felt the tree should tell the story of Jesus’ birth. She called the ornaments “Chrismons,” short for “Christ monograms.” Today, Ascension Lutheran carries on this tradition and even hosts workshops to teach people how to make the ornaments, and Chrismon trees can be found in congregations around the country. Read the full article.
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton: Christmas Message 2019
Virginia Synod Sermons
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.

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
Announcements
Dollars 4 PNG Scholars
The Virginia Synod invites you and your congregation to make a Special Offering in December to raise money for School Fees for the Children of our Companion Synod Papua New Guinea Pastors.

The Synod has supported this project for many years and needs your help. Pastors in PNG are not paid a salary and are dependent on their children during their retirement. This program enables Pastors to send their children to school without worrying about how to fund the annual school fees. This project has also paid the tuition for Seminarians from the New Guinea Islands District. Graduates have then returned to the NGI District to serve as pastors. What an amazing way to help spread the Gospel! We have set a goal of raising $15,000 per year (only $100 per congregation!) to help make this program sustainable. Consider contributing today!

Annual Fees:
$50 – Elementary Student (< $1 / week)*
$100 – Primary School Student (< $2 / week)*
$300 – Secondary School Student ($25 / month)*
$500 – College Student $500 – Seminary Student

*Recurring payments can be set up through the Synod website (listed as “Papua New Guinea Scholarship” on the “Give” Page)
Need a Christmas gift for that hard-to-shop-for someone? Consider making a donation in their honor to Dollars 4 PNG Scholars. You can present them with this gift card (just print, fold it, and cut it!). Donations can be made online, at Virginia Synod Give, or by mail with checks sent to Virginia Synod Dollars 4 Scholars, PO Box 70, Salem, VA 24153
Holiday Graphics Resources
This year to support your communication needs, we've created a number of Advent and Christmas graphics you can use in your congregation! Covering each week of Advent, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day there's plenty of resources available to use in your congregation!

These graphics can be used as part of your congregation's social media plan, printed off and displayed in and around your church, or any number of ways that best serve your congregation!

You can view and download the Advent and Christmas graphics on our website at  www.vasynod.org/resources/communication
Winter Celebration 2020
Winter Celebration is our annual weekend retreat for youth in grades 9 through 12 and their adult advisors. We have Large Group and Small Group gatherings that consist of singing, comedy, worship, faith sharing and presentations on our event theme. On Saturday afternoon during Free Time we will also hold out annual Talent Show and in the evenings you will have time to relax in your Cottage and talk with other youth and adults from your congregation and other congregations about how Winter Celebration is going. December 16th is the deadline for early registration! For more information and to register, click here.
Spring Adult Faith Formation Retreat
The Metro DC Synod invites the Virginia Synod to come and learn Christ in worship together, for a time of learning and active participation in the global restoration and updating of the Great Three Days.  All rostered ministers, worship ministry chairs, and musicians involved in Holy Week preparation  that have been nominated by their pastor to attend.

The Rev. Dr. Gordon Lathrop, Dr. Gail Ramshaw, and Mark Mummert will guide us through the ancient and contemporary way for the worshiping assembly to keep the death and resurrection of Christ. You are invited to be part of worship, discussion, singing, workshops, and reflection to further worship practices in your own context for the upcoming Easter season.

Come and learn Christ in worship together,  January 30-31, 2020  at Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center; Marriottsville, MD. Cost is $380 individual / $480 Couple and includes Includes Thursday night overnight accommodations in private room with private bath at Bon Secours Retreat and Conference center, 5 meals – Thursday lunch &amp; dinner, Friday breakfast, lunch &amp; dinner, and certificate for Continuing Education unit (CEU) credit.

For more information and to register for this event,  click here .
Spring Adult Faith Formation Retreat
Biblical Models of Leadership with presenter Dr. Jill Crainshaw March 20-21 at Roslyn Retreat Center, Richmond More info coming soon!
Updates and Upcoming Events at Caroline Furnace
Summer Camp 2020
Good indeed is the Lord, whose steadfast love endures forever. God's faithfulness continues for all generations. -Psalm 100:5 Get ready for another amazing summer! Registration is now open for Summer 2020 camps at Caroline Furnace. Sign up for your week by December 10 and receive a special Christmas gift! Learn More and Register

BeerReformation Retreat, January 24-26
Join us for a weekend of faith, education, fun, and fellowship, paired with the history and art of brewing. We'll follow our "Earn Your Beer" prayer hike with a visit to a local brewery, then bottle a special Caroline Furnace recipe (this year we have a Persimmon Porter!) to take home. BeerReformation includes scratch-made meals, lodging, and Saturday transportation. Cost is $115 for the weekend or $30 for Saturday.

Pre-Lenten Retreat, February 4-6
All are invited to join us for a time of discussion, preparation and fellowship before the Lenten season. Join us at Buttonwood Lodge to take a look at the Matthean gospel texts for the Sundays of Lent. Pastors and lay leaders are encouraged; all are welcome. Cost is $125 and includes two nights at Buttonwood Lodge, seven meals, and resource materials.
A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land May 1-11, 2020
Pastor Liz Yates, retired Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) pastor, is hosting a visit booked through Bethlehem, Palestine, GoDeeper Tours www.godeepertours.com to Israel-Palestine. This tour company is directed by Boulos (Paul) Aqleh, member and keyboardist at Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem.

The visit will center in Bethlehem with day trips from there and a night in Tiberias in northern Israel. We will visit Bethlehem- including Christmas Lutheran, Nativity Church, and Tent of Nations. For more information about this trip click here.
Job Opportunities
Chaplain- The Legacy at North Augusta
National Lutheran Communities and Services (NLCS) offers a comprehensive suite of benefits to promote health and financial security for you and your family. We believe that taking care of our staff is the best way to take care of our residents, guests and clients. The Chaplain provides a full ministry of pastoral care and spiritual support within NLCS community. This includes performing a full range of professional chaplain assignments in a full-functioning capacity. Considerable independent judgment is used to make decisions in carrying out assignments that have significant impact on services or programs provided to residents, families and staff.

For a complete position description, click here.

If you are interested in this position and rostered in the Virginia Synod, please contact Rebecca Walls directly at 540-389-1000.
Coordinator of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries- College Lutheran, Salem
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.

For a complete position description,  click here.

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.
ELCA Career Listings
Explore and apply for opportunities available with the churchwide organization or global service on the ELCA Job Board at elca.atsondemand.com
If you have a position opening you would like posted, please email Emily Pilat at  pilat@vasynod.org.