On March 14th through the 16th Synod Council met at Christ the King Lutheran Church to conduct business and a council retreat. Some highlights to share from this meeting include:

 

1. New Synod Attorney appointed.

 

2. Compensation Guidelines Task Force Report

 

3. 2020 Ministry Spending Plan

 

4. Synod Council Retreat

Bishop’s Day, a Virginia Synod event for 7th-12th graders was held for an afternoon on March 17th at St. Mark Lutheran in Charlottesville. Over ten youth and adult leaders gathered for a chance to converse with Bishop Bob Humphrey, Assistant to the Bishop Pastor Kelly Bayer Derrick, and other leaders about discerning one’s life’s vocation, including learning about the call to ministry in the church, especially the public ministry of Pastors and Deacons.

This year to support your communication needs, the Synod Office has created a number of Holy Week and Easter graphics you can 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! From email headers to printable posters there plenty of great ways to make use of our Advent and Christmas graphics!

If you have any questions about how to use these graphics in your congregation, need a graphic to be in a different dimension to use, or require a text free version of any of the graphics provided, please contact Emily Pilat at pilat@vasynod.org

April 6 and May 11, 2019 we will gather for our ACTS Spring Course. This year's spring course will be led by Dr. Jill Y. Crainshaw Acting Dean at Wake Forest University School of Divinity. This course will explore how throughout biblical history prayerfully listening to God changed the way leaders served in response to God’s call. The participant will learn ways a congregation can prepare and use their many differing personal and spiritual gifts for mission.

For more information on the ACTS Spring Course and to register, click here.

The Virginia Synod Fund for Mission was started in 2017. Synod Council set aside funds from the sale of former church properties to create an ongoing source of grants for congregations in the area of mission to influence incentives for new communities of worship.

Visit www.vasynod.org/resources/vsfm for more information about the fund, application process and criteria upon which the Synod Council will evaluate grant proposals. Congregations who may want to apply for a mission grant are encouraged to contact the Rev. John Wertz Jr., Director for Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop to discuss the grant and application process.

Spring Work Weekend : April 12-14 in the Cabin Village

Quiet Days: April 2, May 2, October 2, December 2

Board Gaming Retreat :  April 26-28 at Buttonwood Lodge

Spring Open House: May 4

Pre-Advent Retreat : August 19-21 at Buttonwood Lodge

Call (540)-449-0012 or email   julie@carolinefurnace.org  to learn more!

Reminder: Please RSVP to the Crumley Archives "Friends of the Archives Banquet" by Friday, March 29. The banquet is scheduled for Thursday, April 4, at the Lexington County Museum. Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. This year, we will honor Rev Dr David Donges and Mrs Carolyn Donges, St Stephen's Lutheran Church (Lexington), and the S.C. Synod.  

For more information, contact Trudy Bouknight at  crumleybookkeeper@gmail.com  or call the Crumley Archives at 803-461-3264. We look forward to seeing you there!

A Palestinian-American Lutheran pastor who made news as a political candidate in Brooklyn two years ago is the subject of an award-winning documentary film that will be shown at the Lyric Theater in Blacksburg on the afternoon of Saturday, April 27. Admission is free and open to all. A conversation with the Rev. Khader El-Yateem, profiled in the film “Father K,” and a reception will follow the 3 PM showing.

The presentation is co-sponsored by Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, The Well (Lutheran Campus Ministry at Virginia Tech), the Virginia Tech Department of History, and the Lyric Theater.

For more information, contact Luther Memorial by calling 540-951-1000 or emailing luther@lmlc.org.

Lutherans Restoring Creation is offering a retreat at the Coastal Retreat Center on the beautiful Isle of Palms, SC from May 17 to 19. "Retreat - Restore - Renew" will be a gathering for people who want to dig deeper into ministries of creation care at home, with a congregation or synod, or with an institution of the church. For registration information, click here.

Explore and apply for opportunities available with the churchwide organization or global service on the ELCA Job Board at elca.atsondemand.com

The youth and family intern will provide leadership in ministry to those in the first third of life while learning alongside the senior pastor and the volunteers that lead those ministries. The intern can expect to gain practical ministry experience through teamwork and leadership in the youth and family ministry program. This internship is year-round and has a two-year option. To apply, please send resume to ResurrectionLutheranFXBG@gmail.com For a full description of this position, click here.

Know a young adult who has what it takes to work at Summer Camp? They'll be signing up for 2 weeks of staff training and 8 weeks of varied outdoor adventure - May 31 to August 9. There are opportunities for select applicants to begin a couple weeks early and stay a week or two later. They can expect new experiences each week, to gain new skills, and to make friendships that will last a lifetime. They'll need an endless supply of energy, love, enthusiasm, patience and kindness. They must be able to share their faith story and encourage young people to grow in their own relationship with Jesus Christ. They must embrace the adventure of the outdoors and work well in a team. They must be willing to unplug from technology and focus on their relationship with God, nature, and the people around them. Academic Internships are available. Housing and meals are provided for the summer. Pay is based upon experience and certifications. Learn more and apply online.