Virginia Synod World
Hunger Team
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The Synod is excited to announce the re-formation of a World Hunger Team! This team provides visioning and resources for hunger ministries around the Synod, around the country, and around the world. The Team works as a partner with
ELCA World Hunger, ELCA World Hunger supports projects in 43 U.S. states and territories and 62 countries, including the United States.
So far, there are three people sharing their gifts through the
Virginia Synod World Hunger Team: Betsy Liljeberg (Apostles, Gloucester), Chuck Hays (Trinity, Moneta), Rebekah Schennum (Emanuel, Woodstock).
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Hunger in the time of Pandemic
One way the World Hunger Team will support your congregation ministries is by providing articles which can be copied and pasted into your own communications.
Here is an article about Hunger in the Time of Pandemic (from Apostles, Gloucester).
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Currently Available: Lutheran Disaster Response Grants Through the Virginia Synod
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Lutheran Disaster Response has provided funding to the Virginia Synod to assist congregations as they respond to COVID-19. The first grants will be going out this week, but there are still funds available to fund ministries in the following areas:
- Summer Backpack Feeding Programs
- Ministry with those Experiencing Homelessness
- Direct Support for Feeding Ministries (pantry or hot meal programs)
- Cleaning Supply or Household Good Ministries
- New Ministries that meet a Need that has Emerged because of COVID-19
If you are responding to a ministry in a way that fits into one of the categories above, please email Pastor John Wertz:
wertz@vasynod.org for more information on the grant.
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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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Online Power in the Spirit July 6-10
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Power in the Spirit has begun and will go through Friday, July 10 for a week of study, prayer, fellowship, worship, and art. Learn about theology and advocacy, about evangelism and worship. Experience new ways of worshiping at home and online. Join us as we gather in the name of the Holy Spirit!
You can still join us! Sign up for our email list by clicking the link below so you won’t miss out for the rest of the week! We're also livestreaming the workshop sessions and worship in the evening on the
Virginia Synod Facebook page. Come and enjoy Power in the Spirit! For more information about Power in the Spirit visit
www.vasyn
od.org/power-in-the-spirit
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Office of the Bishop Summer Sermon Series
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The Virginia Synod Office of the Bishop has begun providing gospel readings and sermons this summer, and will continue through
August 30, 2020
for use in all congregations. The sermons will be shared on the
Synod's website
as well as on our
Facebook Page
each Sunday.
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Advocacy Tools for Loving Your Neighbor
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Our thoughts and prayers inform our actions. Join us on
Thursday July 9 from 12:30 - 2 PM
for
“Advocacy Tools for Loving Your Neighbor”
an online training event jointly hosted by The Episcopal Church and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to equip you. Both
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
and
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton
, plus advocacy leaders from both denominations, will be part of this time of exploring the nature of faith-based advocacy, the issues to which we can speak, and the ways we can make our voices heard. Rostered ministers, Lutherans, Episcopalians and friends are welcome to the free webinar and will leave with tools and inspiration to make a difference.
To register for this event,
click here
. Registration will remain open until capacity is reached for this Zoom hosted event.
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Beyond statements and prayers, we are called to also act and respond to injustices. We invite you to sign the pledge, “I commit to study, prayer and action to become an anti-racist individual in an anti-racist church,” and share your participation on social media using
#ELCA4justice
.
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Summer Camps have been ordered by the state of Virginia to remain closed for now. However, Outdoor Ministry is so much more than Summer Camp. We have focused on our mission of faith, education, and renewal by hiring and investing in our full summer staff, no matter the outcome of the summer. This has allowed us to be prepared for a number of alternatives. Thank you for your patience, grace, and continued support as we adapt to new challenges. We continue to find hope in our 2020 theme verse, Psalm 100:5, that says, “Good indeed is the Lord, whose steadfast love endures forever. God’s faithfulness continues for all generations.”
Quick Highlights:
- Family Rentals - The Farmhouse, Cabin Village, and Sukkah Village are open for Family Rentals in July and August. 14 days of pre-screening are required for all participants. Both the Farmhouse and Sukkah Village are optional no-contact retreat spaces. We can host a maximum of 5 family groups (of 10 or less) on property at once, so spaces are limited and first come, first served. 2020 Summer Camp families get priority booking until June 30. Regular booking now open.
- Adventure Weekends are scheduled for this fall/winter, September 18-20, October 30-November 1, and February 5-7. Until further notice, lodging is limited to one group per cabin. Tent camping is also available. Contact Julie at (540) 449-0012 or julie@carolinefurnace.org to reserve your Adventure Weekend cabin.
- Camper families who registered for Summer Camp 2020 will get priority registration for Summer Camp 2021, from October 1 to 15. Payment options will include ‘pay now’ and payment plans that can be scheduled for later. Stay tuned for our Summer Camp 2021 schedule to be released by September 15!
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Stay Connected with the Virginia Synod:
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