Here's an update for this week's edition to the Weekly Update! Please read on for important information about our upcoming Synod Assembly. We can't wait to see you June 7-8, 2019 at Roanoke College.
Getting Ready for Synod Assembly
  • Registration will be held in the lobby of the Cregger Center with registration starting at 9 AM
  • Parking is available in any of the parking areas shown on the Roanoke College map.
  • Handicap parking will be available in the Upper Olin Parking Lot located on High Street across from Luther Plaza.
  • General parking is available in the Kerr-Cregger Field House lot and the lot on Peery Drive.
  • There will be a voting orientation meeting held on Friday, June 7 from 11:30 AM- 12 PM in the Cregger Center.
  • You may reserve seats for yourself and your congregation in the Kerr-Cregger Field House, our meeting space for the weekend.
  • No food or drink other than water is permitted in our meeting space.
  • A prayground space will be available as a children's play area during our meeting sessions.
  • The color for all worship services is red for Pentecost.
Synod Assembly App
Our Synod Assembly App is live for smart phones, tablets, and computers. It puts all the information about Synod Assembly at the tip of your fingers! Click on either of the links below to download the Virginia Synod Assembly app for your preferred Android or iOS device.
Once the app is downloaded to your device, open it and search for  "VIRGINIA SYNOD ASSEMBLY 2019"   and download this guide to your app!

You can also access a web browser version at
Ursula’s Art Show
Would you like to talk to the artist? This is an easy question to say yes to. It is a lot easier to ask and respond to in a positive way than, will you visit someone who is isolated by dementia? It is a lot more engaging to sit next to a woman who you know, but who can’t remember you, and talk about her art than awkwardly wonder what to talk about because of her health and lack of memories. This is why Ascension Lutheran, Danville, had an art show for Ursula.

Ursula has been a member of Ascension for decades, however, these past few years due to her declining health and dementia, she has been isolated. She gets tired and anxious around too many people for extended periods of time. She gets frustrated and angry at her inability to recall people and things. But thanks to one congregation member, Ursula was introduced to coloring as a way of finding peace and calm. Coloring became her therapy and her mental exercises. Coloring, selecting colors and selecting the design, is her new way of expressing herself. At almost 90 years old, Ursula is now an artist.
Her family of faith saw her art as a way of reconnecting with her, and so we have an art show. Ursula’s coloring was framed and hung in the church, and celebrated with a brief opening reception. Now her brothers and sisters in Christ have a topic of conversation ready, they have a positive interaction with Ursula, and everyone can celebrate her gifts with her. Together we learned that the Body of Christ is strengthened by frames and color pencils and markers. Hearts were gladdened, spirits lifted, and God was praised when we all came together raise up one who was becoming vulnerable. This is what it means to be church.
Longtime Choir Director and Organist Retire at Luther Memorial, Blacksburg
Choir Director, Tom Wilson and Organist, Gail King, will retire from Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Blacksburg. Thirty-four years ago they teamed up to become “interim” Choir Director and Organist. Perhaps one of the longest interim assignments recorded, they have diligently and faithfully served the church. Celebrating their retirement and recognizing their gifts for worship, a luncheon and gathering have been planned for Sunday June 23.
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.
Virginia Synod Pulpit Supply Pastors
The Virginia Synod is currently seeking Rostered Ministers interested in serving in as supply pastors. If you are interested in serving, please contact Rebecca Walls at walls@vasynod.org or by calling the Synod Office at 540-389-1000
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
Synod Assembly 2019
J une 7-8 will be our time to get together as the Virginia Synod to fellowship, learn about the wider church, do business, and worship. Our ELCA representative for this year's Synod Assembly will be the the  Rev. Dr. Sandy Chrostowski , Director for DEM (Director of Evangelical Mission) Relationships for the ELCA.

For more information, visit:  www.vasynod.org/synod-assembly-2019
Legislative Recaps with Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy in Blacksburg and Roanoke
Come learn about the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy and how they unite Virginians of faith to fight for social justice. In these meetings you’ll get the inside scoop from VICPP staff members about the key legislative victories, the strategy, controversies, and the political quagmire of Virginia politics. Make your voice heard! We want to hear your ideas about the issues you care about and what you’d like to see VICPP focus on in 2020. All are welcome – please bring your friends.

For more information and to register for the Roanoke event, click here.
For more information and to register for the Blacksburg event, click here.
From Crib to Cross Lutheran-Episcopal Retreat
All rostered ministers, seminarians, and lay leaders engaged in Lutheran-Episcopal full communion of the Virginia Synod are invited to a retreat June 24-26, 2019 in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley to meet with other clergy and leaders of the Episcopal Church as we continue to live into our ecumenical partnership. Our guest speakers are Dr. Timothy Wengert of Philadelphia Seminary and Dr. Alyson Barnett-Cowan of the Anglican Church of Canada. Both speakers will help us explore the theological impulses of our traditions (the “Crib” and the “Cross”) and how our distinctions help us understand our own traditions better. There will be time for conversation among participants as well as free time and activities. Pastors looking to explore this special partnership will be enriched by this retreat!

Registration Deadline is extended to May 31, 2019. For more information and to register for this event, click here.
Power in the Spirit 2019 Registration Open!
Power in the Spirit is an inspirational conference for everyone who wishes to explore God’s call to service through joyous worship, Bible study, keynote addresses, workshops, and fellowship.

To view this year's event packet with information on everything happening at this year's Power in the Spirit,  click here .

Join us  July 11-13  at Roanoke College for a conference with Lutherans for all across the state.   Register for Power in the Spirit online today!
Upcoming Events at Caroline Furnace
Summer Camp is almost here! The theme for 2019 is Transforming Community, with Romans 12:2 as the theme verse, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect." Summer Camp is June 16 to August 9, with weeks for rising 1st to 12th graders as well as Family Camp and Buddies In Christ - Special Needs Camp. Activities and specialty camps include canoeing, horseback riding, culinary, fishing, rock climbing, archery, performing arts, history, crafting, and more! We'll be introducing the summer staff team on the  Caroline Furnace Facebook page , so be sure to follow along. It's not too late to sign up for a week of Summer Camp -   register today !

Quiet Days: October 2, December 2
Pre-Advent Retreat : August 19-21 at Buttonwood Lodge

Call (540)-449-0012 or email   julie@carolinefurnace.org  to learn more!
Sunday Comes Every Week: Daily Habits for the Busy Preacher
I'm pleased to announce that my new book, Sunday Comes Every Week: Daily Habits for the Busy Preacher (Eerdmans), is now available. The book includes a foreword by Tom Long, well-known preacher and emeritus professor of homiletics at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta.

The book is centrally written for pastors who prepare weekly sermons. I'm also hopeful that other readers and lay study groups will benefit from a glimpse into the important preaching ministry of their pastor.
Job Opportunities
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
Community Ministries Coordinator- St. Philip Lutheran, Roanoke
We are a joy-filled, dynamic Lutheran congregation, with average attendance of 127 weekly. Our vision is to think about church in a new way, engaging the internal and external communities we serve. The Community Ministries Coordinator will work 30-40 hours weekly, proclaiming the gospel; developing and implementing congregational programming; and identifying, recruiting, and empowering lay volunteers and church resources for our ministries. The candidate should have strong interpersonal, computer, and social media skills.

Interested candidates should search Zip Recruiter with Community Ministries Coordinator and submit a resume or click here.
Leader of Youth Choir - First Presbyterian Church Winchester, Virginia
Looking for an energetic individual to lead the youth choir (grades 5-12) with a joyful noise at First Presbyterian Church! As a vital member of our music ministry, this person will lead the youth choir in rehearsals weekly and in worship services once a month. Music experience and joy for working with youth aged singers is a must! If you are interested in this position, please submit your resume and cover letter to youthchoir@fpcwinc.org.

For a full description of this position, click here.
Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network Program
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 2019 to the end of July 2020, our corps members will be provided housing, utilities, health coverage, spiritual direction, and a $535/month living 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, outdoor ministry, and our campus ministry at UC Davis. These service sites address issues of homelessness, food insecurity, unemployment, children and youth ministries, and other important social justice issues facing our communities.

We gather each week for evening prayer, dinner, and formation. The corps members live in intentional community in one of two residences: The Belfry, an apartment attached to our campus ministry center in Davis, CA, or The Priory, an apartment at All Saints Episcopal Church 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 July 31, 2019.

Visit levn.org or contact Program Director Casey Dunsworth at 530-756-1550 or pastor@thebelfry.org for more information!
If you have a position opening you would like posted, please email Emily Pilat at  pilat@vasynod.org.