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)
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Need a Christmas gift for that hard-to-shop-for someone?
This Giving Tuesday, 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
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Church Council Welcomes 23 New Members
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The Church Council serves as the ELCA’s board of directors and interim legislative authority between meetings of the Churchwide Assembly.
Read about the key actions taken at the most recent meeting, November 7-10, 2019.
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Deck the Halls: The 2019 Virginia Synod Christmas Decoration Contest is on!
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Submissions are now open for the 2019 Virginia Synod Christmas Decoration Contest! Congregations and individuals are both welcome to enter their decorations in one of three categories:
Chrismons tree
,
Christmas tree
, or
Advent wreath
for this year’s contest!
To enter send the best photo of your decoration to Emily Pilat at
pilat@vasynod.org
from now until
Monday, December 16th.
With your entry photo please include the following information:
- Your full name
- Your congregation name and location
- The category for which you are entering (Chrismons tree, Christmas tree, or Advent wreath)
Only one entry per individual or congregation
(ie. if you submit a photo of your congregation’s Chrismons tree, a submission of your congregation’s advent wreath will not be counted as an entry)!
On
December 17th
one randomly selected winner for each category will be announced in that week’s edition of the Weekly Update. All three winners will receive a special prize!
If you have any questions about the Christmas Decoration Contest, please contact Emily Pilat at
pilat@vasynod.org
Best of luck to all who enter, and happy decorating!
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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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Holiday Graphics Resources
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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!
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ELCA Communications Tools for Advent
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Prepare now for Advent! Invite your neighbors to worship with customizable social media graphics, posters, door hangers and more, available in English and Spanish. To view these communications resources,
click here.
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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.
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Updates and Upcoming Events at Caroline Furnace
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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
Are you (or someone you know) interested in serving as a Camp Counselor? The summer season is May 29 to August 9. Base pay is $2,000 plus lodging and meals, with higher pay for experience at any camp, years in college, and certifications. Flexible academic internships are available. Every week is a new adventure!
Apply Online
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A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land May 1-11, 2020
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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.
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Part Time Organist/Choir Director- Christ The King, Richmond
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Christ The King Lutheran Church is seeking an experienced Christian musician who will encourage others in their faith through musical leadership and by example.
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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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